Tradition

June 8th - 12th we enjoyed good family, good food and good scenery. We took our traditional trip to Yellowstone National Park with our dear Uncle Shirl, Aunt Toni and family. 

This year we decided to try our longest hike to date.  We tried to hike to Shoshone Geyser basin, a 17 mile round-trip hike.  The weather was a little chilly be bearable.  Unfortunately, there was still deep snow for the vast majority of the hike in the back country.  We made it close to the basin but came to an impasse.  There was a fast running, 3-4 foot deep stream (fed by the melting snow) and we knew stripping down to pass it would not be wise when we were hiking through snow the rest of the day without opportunity to dry.  We chose to eat lunch and turn back around.

In the end, we ended up with a total of 15 miles and sore aching feet, joints, etc.  We were quite disappointed that we didn't make our planned destination and goal but we enjoyed the journey and would do it again.  At 15 miles, it's still our longest family hike to date! 

I recently went to a parent-teacher conference at Jake's school.  All the students had to do a "the most important thing about me" page.  They were all hanging in the school hallway.  Jake's was about Yellowstone.  I think it says it all!  So cute.  Thank you Uncle Shirl and Aunt Toni for allowing us these fun memories and priceless opportunities.

And the Heavens Smiled Down. . .

On May 11th, 2012, we celebrated a glorious day for the Harris-Smith families.  My dear friend and older sister, Debby, married her long-time best friend, Curtis Smith.  Our family has not had such a blessed day in many years!  It was truly glorious.  They were married in the Logan Utah LDS Temple.

Before their marriage/sealing ceremony, the Harris siblings took the opportunity to seal  my mother, Kaye Louise Harris Conn, to her sister, Arlene, and parents, Kenneth and Edna Conn. What a beautiful moment in time.  I believe in the truthfulness of the LDS gospel and that families can be together forever!!  I felt the presence of my parents and grandparents for this sacred ordinance.  Their was joy and celebration on both sides of the veil.

It was a joyous occasion for Debby and also painful.  She did not have the privilege of having our parents their physically to attend the wedding.  Though we know they were their in spirit, there was much emotion in their absence.  How blessed we are to know that families are forever.  How grateful I am to see a new "Forever Family" created this day.

Fabulous 40!

Yes, it's true, we have two old fogies in the house now!  Joe turned 40 on May 7th.  I attended the Oncology Nurses Congress in New Orleans from May 2-5.  We decided to turn the trip into something fun, so Joe flew out May 5th and joined me.  We spent a day in New Orleans enjoying delicious Cajun food and then hit the road.

We drove through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.  Our destination was Pensacola, FL.  We spent a couple days here relaxing and celebrating Joe's big day.  We missed being with our children on his birthday but had such a great time.  

 

I wanted to show Joe how much we appreciate him and how adored he truly is.  I had all our friends/family give one word that describes Joe to them.  I had those words cut in vinyl and put them all over a car for him.  Strange and unique gift, but it meant a lot to him.  Thanks to all who contributed!

"One-Word" descriptions of Joe: True Friend, Awesome, Inventive, Gold-hearted, Geniune, Scrumptious, Entertaining, Best Friend, Thoughtful, Witty, Charity, “There”, Ferrarri, Consistent, Happy, Pooh, Friendly, Silly, Hilarious, Caring, Friend, Humorous, Fun, Loving, Giving, Unselfish, Protector, Family, “Crasy”, Lesbian (wink, wink),Highly Talented, Arschbombe!, Eternal Friend, Brother, Tenacious, Intelligent, Kind,Super, Potato Salad, Hilarious, Eccentric, Daddy, Inquisitive, Friendly, Knowledgeable, Inspirational, Insightful, Helpful, Complicated, Delightful, Warm, Bobbie, Perfection!

These are all so true.  Love you sweetheart!

First Prom

On  April 28, 2012, Morgan went to her first prom.  Where has the time gone?  I had nightmares thinking of this day and the fights related to dress shopping.  Morgan was awesome!  We easily agreed on a beautiful, modest dress.  I am SO PROUD of her for desiring to do what's right.  I LOVE modest prom dresses.

Connley Samuels and Morgan had a great evening together and were such obedient troopers!  Since Morgan wasn't 16 for another month or so, our requirement was a "chaperoned" dance.  Connley's parents (who are awesome, by the way) drove them.  Connley had the back seat of the van decorated and comfortable with snacks and drinks.  What an awesome and gorgeous couple they made.  They didn't even throw a fit when we showed up at the dance for "promenade," which I had never heard of before.  We took more pictures and shared a laugh or two.

Thanks Connley for treating my daughter so well and for the fun evening.  (Thanks Ramona and Mike for helping pull it off.)  You two are such fine youth!  We love you both and are proud of the good decisions you make.

Go Team!

The YW of Lehi South Stake played in a basketball tournament on March 16-17. It was awesome to have enough YW who were interested to make a team! Kelsey played and it was fun to cheer them on.
I love the leaders in our stake and am especially grateful for Amy Mitchell and Michelle Potter for taking on the basketball clinic and this tournament. Way to go YW!

Jake is Just Great

We are thrilled to report that Jake's health has been much better for the last month! He has not vomited in the month of March. We have tried a couple new medications but at the moment he is medication free and doing well. We are told his issues will likely return but he will eventually grow out of it as a teen. Still thinking it's an "abdominal migraine" kind of thing.Jake participated in the Science Fair in January at Meadow Elementary. He knew what he wanted to do and I couldn't convince him otherwise, no matter what I did! He did a great job and had fun with his project.
Jake gets an idea in his mind and won't stop till his vision is fulfilled. He recently wanted to make T.J. a dog house and off to work he went. The dog house looked great but T.J. wasn't convinced he wanted to sleep in it. Jake spent 2 days coaxing and bribing T.J. ,but without success. Silly dog!
Just wanted to show off how awesome our local Cub Scout/Webelos troop is. Leslie Hemming and the boys put together this large and yummy poster for Jake when he was sick in November. Jake enjoyed every last nibble and lick! We had so many acts of kindness and love shown from our Primary Presidency, neighbors, friends, family, etc. We are truly blessed.