I Married a Rugged Maniac!

Everyone hates it when they get a little older and have to recognize their age.  Eric's solution to aging was to sign up with his co-worker, Marcus, for the Rugged Maniac race at the end of June.  This race was 3 miles long and over twenty-five different obstacles meant to challenge the young and the young at heart.

It was enough to make Eric wake up and say, "What am I doing?"  He did survive and He and Marcus decided it was something they should do every year, just to stay young (at heart).

End of School SMASH!

Yep, smash is a good term for it.  You know how it feels when your running out of time and you have to smash everything in before a deadline?  Maybe a better example would be what it is like when you are trying to close an overfilled suitcase before a trip to avoid the extra baggage fee.   You are smashing everything in every corner, maybe even sitting on it and sucking all the air out of it so you can zip it closed.  Then you have to smash it in the carry on baggage check rack and do everything in your power to make it fit except jumping on it for fear you would never get it back out.  Better yet, you know those PB&J sandwiches that are smashed in between all the books in the backpack because the kids don't want to carry a lunch box in addition to their backpack - that is what the end of the school year looks and feels like to a parent and I don't think I fare any better than the suitcase or the PB&J.  This smash consists of final concerts, games, tests and scheduling for the next year, parties, awards nights, and graduation activities to name a few all smashed into about two weeks time.  It's all great stuff, but by the end of it I look as soggy and bruised as that peanut butter sandwich and the kids definitely don't want anything to do with me but to put me out with the trash.  It is a lot of work to make sure everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there with full stomachs, presentable clothes, polished instruments, appropriate costumes and styled hair.  By the end of the smash I gave up trying to do any of that for myself and just tried to hide in the crowd with the camera.

I was very sad to attend my last choir concert for awhile.  Austin has had a great choir run with three first place titles at state.  This final concert was the culmination of all his hard work - countless hours of practicing, singing at football games and basketball games, church meetings, talent shows, music teacher conferences, local, state and national competitions.  He was awarded abundantly for all his honors.

This was Carson's first year in the high school orchestra but has made his mark in the program already.  He went from the concert orchestra to the chamber orchestra in a matter of weeks (It is quite unheard of for a freshman to even make it in that group).  Then he worked his way up through the violin section to fifth chair. At the final concert he was awarded "Most Improved" by the other musicians.

The band days were short lived.  I was a little sad as McKenna played my flute for the last time in her final concert.  She was able to participate in the marching band this year and play a few duets in church, but singing is her true love and she wants to put her energy into that pursuit.  She gave band a good run and I was glad my flute got put to use again, if even for a little while.

We can't forget McKenna's dance accomplishments.  Her hip hop class performed in a dance-off at their final recital and though there was no official winner declared, she took first in my book.

Academically all the kids did so well!  They worked hard to maintain high GPAs and showed great leadership within their classes.  Carson and McKenna both recieved awards for getting a 4.0 all year long. McKenna also recieved awards for her "excellent achievements in science" and her outstanding service to the school by assisting in the counseling office.  Austin graduated with honors and was in the top 10% of the students in Washington State graduating in the class of 2014.

I am so proud of all their hard work and many accomplishments, it makes the smash all worth it.

22 Years!

Wow, a lot has happened since this day 22 years ago.  When we were engaged, and early in our marriage, we used to play a game where we would ask the other to "paint me a picture."  Then we would have to describe a scene in full color about what our life would be like years down the road.  Eric was a pretty good painter, but he nor I could have imagined all the details we have lived together so far.  It has been a great 22 years and I wouldn't trade one second of it.

Baby #1:  Tanner

Baby #2:  Austin

BYU Graduation

Car Wreck

Our First Home

CPA Licence 

Baby #3:  Carson

Baby #4:  McKenna

Backpacking, Camping, Mountain Climbing, Running, Biking...

Travels taking us around the world.

A high school graduation with another just around the corner.

Three Eagle Scouts

A mission call

4 Gorgeous, Talented and Smart Children

A Beautiful Home

We are living the dream!  I love you, Eric.

Austin's Mission Call

After weeks of waiting and wondering, Austin's call finally arrived in Friday's mail.  I texted Austin at school and told him "It has arrived!"  His reply was "*gasp*"  The envelope sat on the kitchen table for over 24 hours.  Austin wasn't quite sure when he wanted to open it.  He said he had been waiting for this moment for over ten years so what was a few more days?

Tonight we gathered before dinner and weekend activities, had some special family time and Austin opened his call.  We took a video of it so you could feel like you were there with us:

He is excited.  Just a week ago he was saying how he thought it would be good to stay state-side, but get a different cultural experience.  I can't think of a better call he could have to suit just those purposes.  The Lord knows him well and Austin will be serving exactly where he can thrive:

You can sign up to follow Austin's mission experience at www.elderasork.blogspot.com.

WA State Solo and Ensemble Competition

For the three years that Austin has participated in the Chamber Choir at Union High School he has had the opportunity to advance past the local competition and compete for a state title.  For all three years the large men's ensemble Austin has been a part of has taken first.  The power they bring into their performances just wow's the audience.  They have a knack for pulling their audience into the music and making them feel it.
You can watch their championship performance on YouTube at:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VX7vPEEObI
(copy and paste this link into your web browser search field)

In addition to this large men's ensemble, for the second year in a row Austin has also performed in a quartet for the small men's ensemble competition.  This year the received perfect marks from the judges, but did not make it to the winner's circle.  Go figure...I thought they had first in the bag.  You decide:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIm3cpjLndA
(copy and paste this link into your web browser search field)

Congratulations, Austin!  For three years in a row all of your hard work has paid off.  I am glad I got to be there with you and that you wanted me to be your bus partner.

McKenna's Birthday

Well, McKenna postponed her birthday for Prom.  So it was only fair that the next weekend the party was all about celebrating McKenna. 

We had our family party on Sunday evening.  She was very spoiled by everyone.

New clothes and new mirror

 The following Saturday the plan was a big bonfire in the backyard with a hot dog roast and some 'smores then an outdoor movie on the big screen with the BFFs.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate.  No worries,  our house quickly converted to a hot dog shop, movie theater with chocolate fondue bar.  Happy 13th, McKenna!