Prom

I was gone to Utah during prom season, but Eric had it covered.  Austin of course was sick, and Mandy was too, but they sure looked good! As the night progressed and nerves wore off they both got feeling better and were able to have a good time.  

Eric and McKenna played hosts to the group after the dance and did a great job of setting up the house for them to come back for desserts and a movie after the dance.

Solo and Ensemble

Carson is quite a talented violinist.  We knew that.  The District Solo and Ensemble Competition confirmed it.  Carson had been working with his private teacher to perfect a solo to play in the competition.  I was able to accompany him.  I truly loved it!  I was so proud of Carson and the judge was very impressed.  Carson was given top scores.

Austin also participated in the solo and ensemble competition.  Given his illness I was his constant companion.  I did everything I could to ease his anxiety and help with the nausea.  We used sea bands, aromatherapy, relaxation techniques, and peppermints and ginger to stave of the vomiting and get him through.  He was sicker than a dog.  The seminary building was across the street from the high school where  the competition was being held.  The church let the Union HS choir use it so Austin could have a semi-private bathroom and dark room to rest in between his performance times.  You could tell he was so sick, but the second he began to sing he put on a good face and performed his heart out.  It took them all the way to a state championship.  He was able to do his part.  Austin, we are so proud of you.

McKenna’s Birthday

Austin had his state solo and ensemble competition in Ellensburg on McKenna’s birthday.  In order for him to be able to participate, I needed to go along as his chaperone so I missed McKenna’s birthday party.  Eric and the boys helped her throw a birthday party.  I am not sure exactly what they did because from the pictures it looks like she did it all herself.  She says she had a great time.  

THE DECOR:

THE GUESTS:

THE BIRTHDAY CAKE:

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL:

When we got back from state we were able to celebrate her birthday as a family.  Happy Birthday, sweet daughter of mine.  I can’t believe you are twelve, but then I look at all the things you accomplish and your talents and realize you are mature beyond your years.  I LOVE YOU!

My Trip to Utah

Eric had found cheap tickets to Salt Lake just before Christmas and decided to surprise me with a ticket to go visit my sister Shalyce’s family and my mom and dad.  They had just purchased a new home and wanted me to come help them get settled in.  I was scheduled to go the end of February, but Austin was so sick I just felt like I couldn’t leave him so I had to postpone my trip.  I scheduled it for after Spring break thinking for sure by then he would be feeling better – not so, but it was a good little break for me, though he was constantly on my mind and I am sure Austin was happy to get a little break from me too.

It was so nice to go and spend time with my Mom and my sister setting up house.  We did A LOT of shopping!  I left a van full of stuff for my Dad to drive up to me in Vancouver the next time they came up to visit.  There are so many great stores in Utah.  Is that really true or is it just that when I am at home I don’t take the time to shop so I don’t know of all the great stores right in my own backyard.

I also got to spend some great quality time with my cute little nieces.  Mira and Reese would play with my hair for hours and Sage even did it for me one day.  I loved sitting and reading with them and hearing about their preschool.  Sage played the piano for me.  I am so sad I am not near to teach her.  She is such a good student and practices so hard.

I got to go up to Malad for a few days and visit with my Grandma and Grandpa.  Aunt Helen even dropped in from Boise (she can’t stand it that anyone is getting together without her).  I am so glad Thayne would drive her all that way to see us.  What a treat.

My mom had to stay in Malad to help Grandma and Grandpa so I came back home to spend some quality time with my Dad.  I so enjoyed just driving around with him and listening to anything and everything he would tell me about his life.  He told me about growing up all over the country, his adventures, his experiences with the Spirit and how I came to be in his life.  I even got him to go shopping with me.  Wow, my brother and my dad shopping with me in the same year!? What a treat. 

My Dad and I also enjoyed decorating my Mom’s room.  Merging two households isn’t easy and she just needed her own space to retreat to where things were organized and projects didn’t abound.  I tried to make her room that place.  It was fun to think of her while doing it and try to put things together like she would like.  I just wish I could have seen her face when she came home and saw it.

Tanner was finishing up his year at BYU while I was there.  So I was able to help him study for his humanities final and pack up his dorm.  It was also his birthday so I was able to take him out to Red Robin for his birthday burger, shopping for a little wardrobe update and to the movies to celebrate his 19^th year.  Then I got to bring him home on the plane with me for the summer.

Spring Break: KAHNEETA

We were looking for every opportunity to get away from the stresses of life – especially for Austin.  For spring break I found a Groupon deal for a night stay at Kahneeta Hot Springs and time on the resort property to play.  We invited our friends, the McKagues, along and a had a fun time swimming, going down the water slides, shooting baskets, playing volleyball and watching movies in the rooms.