Happy Birthday Cooper

All my children continue to ignore me.

I tell them they MAY NOT grow up . . . and they do it anyway.

Coop is case in point.

He turned nine.

He was just tiny, trying to toss balls into the basket during Sacrament Meeting.

Now he's big.  And waits until Sacrament is over.

My nine-year old!

Ivy bought him a bottle of rootbeer (and something else I think) and "wrapped" it in her blankie.



BYU vs UofU

The big game.

And Richard got tickets, that included good food, from a business contact.

So Coop and his friend Koji went along.

I'm pretty sure Cooper was glad he had his coat and gloves,

even though he had insisted he wouldn't need them.

Friends

It's so nice to have good neighbors . . . who are also good friends.

Little Matt lives across the street and he and Ivy are buds.

Lance & Nicole Get Hitched

My nephew Lance used to be a

little freckled, red-hair, scrunchy-eyed, smiley boy.

Now he's a big one.

I flew to California for his marriage to Nicole the day before the event.

I never saw his face without an enormous smile.

He was SO deliriously happy.

It made my heart sing.

I'm still waiting on better pictures, but here are a few for fun.

See that grin?  That's what I'm talkin' about!

At lunch before heading to the ceremony.  All smiles, no jitters.

Sisters Sandy, Carla (mother of the groom), and me.

Dancing with the father of the bride.

An Excellent Young Woman

In our church the young women do Personal Progress - a goal setting, experienced-based program

that focuses on the eight values of

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice & Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

and

Virtue

The girls begin when they're 12 and complete several experiences in each value, and then "end" the value with a ten-hour project.  McKenna dutifully worked and completed the program, so she earned

The Young Womanhood Recognition Award

Proud parents here, for sure.

Happy Birthday Kristen

Kristen - my forever friend - moved to Provo two years ago,
and it is such a joy to have her near.

Even though our lives are busy and we don't see each other as often as we'd like, it's great knowing she's just minutes away.
Our other roommate Mindi came to my house too and to celebrate Kristen's birthday.

I won't tell you her age, but she is the baby of the group!



The Flower in the Meadow

Lucky us.

Our friend Carrie McEwan is taking a photography class.

And she needed a model.

I just happened to have a really cute one available.



Lullaby

Technically, this is not a great video, but it sure tugs on the heart strings.

A kitty adopted us Halloween Night (spurred on by the food and water and blankets left on our porch by some tender-hearted girls), and Ivy has spent much time each day in the garge mothering little Tux.

Here is what I was able to catch through a crack in the door.

And They're Off!

Cooper participated in his first Cub Scout Pinewood Derby!

He and his daddy worked on hard on their "artillery red" car, and Coop was so excited to race it.

Although he wasn't the winner, he sure had fun.

That's his, front left.

Cute boy watching the races.

Good thing we had an official to keep this official!

Way to go Coop!



Roomies

Twenty-five years ago I went away to college (and took a life-long friend with me).

We ended up being roommates with the most amazing girls.

And we're still friends!

Martha came to visit, so of course we headed off to lunch and a few hours of visiting.

Marth's not looking at the camera, but in the shot where she was I tried to fix everyone's red eyes and ended up giving Kristen gray circles under her eyes.  I figured Martha would put up with her sideways glance better than Kris would with her football eyes. Just call me talented.

Rhonda, Kristen (from my hometown), Martha, and Mindi



Dance the Night Away

Our beautiful daughter went to the Homecoming Dance!

She had borrowed a dress before she had a date, but luckily that fell into place.

She's stunning.

(Mom wanted her to wear heels with the gown, but she was uncomfortable being taller than the guy, so she carried her shoes all night)

Big brother came by to give approval of the dress . . . and the date