Looks like he made it!

Our son, Brandon, is one of those kids that loves to be involved in a lot of different things. He's a hard worker and a people person which is why he has loved being involved in student council all four years of high school. This past year he has been the Senior Class President which is a very busy job this time of year. He has been busy with the Senior Commencement Dance, Baccalaurette plans and graduation plans. On top of his duties as Senior Class President, this year he has been a section leader in Bonnevaires and the President of the high school Ballroom Team. Add a job, two online classes and of course, a social life, (a teenage boy needs to date!) and you have a guy that's getting a little burned out. I believe the term used is "senioritis". With so much going on, I've had to put on my nagging hat and kick his rear end into gear a few times to get him to finish everything that he needed to in order to actually graduate. Some days I wondered if it would happen! But, he got it done! All finals are done and he will officially graduate from high school this week! Congratulation, Brandon!

Limitations

I never read my horoscope. When I open up that section of the newspaper, it's to find my daily crossword puzzle. But for some reason, today the horoscope caught my eye. It reads: "Your body has its limitations, so try not to overdo things. If you don't know when to quit, you'll be nursing a foggy head or an aching back." Gee, thanks! I have been so frustrated lately with my arthritis ridden body. The aches and pains that I feel everyday sometimes make it difficult to function and some days I just want to scream. I know that in the grand scheme of things this trial of mine is really not so bad. After all, I can still get around on my own and even though I have near constant pain, I can still do the things I need to do. But the last few days I have been having a little pity party. I am so busy right now and it's been frustrating to feel so yucky when I have so much to do. So reading this horoscope just drove the point home that much more. I know that my body has its limitations and that I shouldn't be overdoing it. But it's hard for me to train my mind to let my body have the rest it needs to be able to function. I guess maybe I needed to read my horoscope today.

Visiting Washington DC

Kent and I were so fortunate to get to go with Brandon and the Bonneville High School Choir on tour to Washington DC last week. It was our first time there and it was such a great experience. We got just a glimpse of what this amazing city has to offer and spending a few days there has only made us want to go back when we can spend more time. There is so much to see! We visited the Holocaust Museum, Mt. Vernon, The National Mall - we only had a few hours so we visited the Air and Space Museum and the U.S. History Museum. We also got to see the Jefferson Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial and several of the war memorials. On the way to the airport on Sunday we got to stop at the Washington DC Temple. It is breathtaking! It was so fun to be there with Brandon and the Bonnevaires. Being a part of this group has been an amazing experience for Brandon (and Ashley too, when she was in high school). It has changed his life for the better. Here are just a few of the highlights from our trip.

The Washington Monument
Brandon at the gravesite of JFK at Arlington
Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington
Brandon outside the Holocaust Museum
Kent and me at The White House
The President taking off from The White House lawn

The Washington DC Temple - a breathtaking site!

My Beautiful Bride!

Yes, blog world, I am alive! I've been feeling a little overwhelmed for the last, oh, about 6 months or so and blogging just hasn't been on the top of my priority list. I really need to do better because it's about the only form of scrapbooking/journaling I'm doing right now.

So the greatest thing has happened in our family - Ashley found the man of her dreams and married him! The big day was March 24th in the Idaho Falls Temple. I've never seen Ashley so happy which makes me sooooo very happy! My awesome sister-in-law was the official photographer and she is the best! She did such a wonderful job of capturing the day for us and I appreciate her so much. Here are just a few of my favorites from the big day.

Jazz Game

Okay, I'm a little behind on the blog and SO much has happened! I'll try to catch up a little at a time.On Friday, November 26th (the day after Thanksgiving) Kent and I went with Ashley and Blake to the Jazz game. They were playing the Lakers. Blake is a huge Lakers fan (I guess the guy had to have ONE flaw!) and his birthday was in November so that's what Kent and I gave him for his birthday. It was fun to see Blake in his Lakers jersey and Ashley in her Jazz jersey! We had a great time together and tried not to rub it in too much when the Jazz beat the Lakers!

What an awesome weekend!

Sara, Stacy, Ashley and Nicole


Ashley and Blake came home for a quick visit over the weekend and we had so much fun together! Ash and I went to the craft fair yesterday then I took both the girls to town to shop for winter boots. Then we went to Stacy's bridal shower and finally the whole family went to Brian's house for the Lott Family Thanksgiving dinner. (Thanks Blake for bringing my Ashley girl home!) Blake and Ashley had to go back to Logan last night so it was a quick visit but we had such a good time together. I love that girl!

Today Brandon had his board of review for his Eagle Scout award and he passed! :) I'm one proud mama!

I stink at blogging!

I'm not very good at this blogging thing! I guess I always feel like I need to have current pictures to post in order to update my blog. And I'm not very good at keeping current with pictures! I love reading other people's blogs (my sister-in-law is the ultimate ninja blogger - I love her to death!) and I have felt a renewed sense of determination to be better at keeping up with my blog. I may not always have current pictures, but as busy as my little family is, I should be able to write SOMETHING every few days! Here's to my early New Year's resolution!

Redfish Lake

We had such an awesome camping trip last month at Redfish Lake! (Thanks Morrow Family for inviting us) It is such a beautiful place and we had such a relaxing time - especially Kent since he didn't have cell service! The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun playing in the water. Ashley was able to get off work and come with us and she brought her "friend" Blake too. It was fun getting to know him better. Can't wait to go again next year!
The clan at the Lake

Ashley soaking up some sun

Sara getting ready for a ride in the tube

Sara loved riding the jet ski with Brandon

Tyler enjoying the sun

My crazy hubby

Kent and Terry enjoying some down time

The cutest dog in all the world

Making grilled cheese sandwiches

Getting ready to roast some HUGE marshmallows

A little of everything...

Father's Day 2010 - Jerry, Kent (don't you just LOVE his shirt), Brian, Dad

My kids with Grandma & Grandpa Lott

Kent & Ingrid with Sara at Parent's night at Pine Basin Camp


Lincoln Stake Girl's Camp 2010 - The stake leaders aka Wonder Women!

Sara and her cousin, Tristan

Team Kent!

Okay girls, I am fond of the Twilight movies as well as everyone else. But when it comes to choosing between Team Edward and Team Jacob, I choose Team Kent! My hubby is the best guy in the world! He is the busiest man I know but he always finds time to help me with whatever I need help with. This picture says it all! Forget those six pack abs, there is nothing more attractive than a man scrubbing your bathtub!

Did I mention that I DON"T sew?!

I don't sew - never had the patience for it and never enjoyed it when I tried to have the patience for it. I have sewn when I have had to do it but it's not often and I'm definitely not good at it. So what's a mom to do when her 5th grader is excited about the end of the year 50's dance? My first thought was to call Aunt Judy (an amazing seamstress to say the least). But then I psyched myself up and decided that I could do it. I was so proud to have made a really cute poodle skirt for Sara AND one for her American Girl doll as well! It made me the greatest mother on the planet, at least for a moment!

I really stink at blogging!

I know it's been "a while" since I've blogged (understatement of the century) but what can I say, I'm just not very good at this! I'm trying to follow my sweet sister-in-law's example and be better! There is no way I can update the last four months so I'll just start from the last week.

Brandon and the Bonneville High School Ballroom Team went to California on tour last week and Kent went as a chaperone. As an added bonus, Ashley and I caught up with them a few days into their trip and got to go to Disneyland with them. They were short a girl dancer so Ashley took her dance shoes with and learned a couple of routines in the hotel parking lot Sunday night and danced them in Disneyland on Monday and at California Adventure on Tuesday. It was fun to see Ashley and Brandon dance together again. We had a ball at Disneyland (the kids just about ran be to death) and the weather was beautiful. We came home Thursday to overcast and cold!

Jazz Game!

It's been fun to co-own a pair of Jazz tickets this year and go to some games. Kent and I have gone together and Kent has also been able to take each of the kids individually for some "dad time". We had the rare opportunity to take all four kids to last night's game when a friend of ours offered us his 4 tickets (which happen to be right in front of our seats). Ashley was able to arrange her schedule and meet up with us in Tremonton and go with us. What a fun night! Made even better by the fact that the Jazz beat the Trail Blazers!