I know schools out BUT.............

I know I should be reveling the lazy days of summer, but so far since schools been out it has been go go go!!
Don't get me wrong....I'm very grateful I haven't been working. Schools been out for 10 days, and I keep thinking things will slow down. I have promised myself that next week will be mine.....to get ready for vacation. Looks like I'll be working the fireworks stands for Joshuas band account though. Jon's got some time and is going to help too. He's paying it forward:)
This weekend I spent chaperoning for our regional youth conference. It was a great event held at a local high school with over 1100 kids and chaperones. We had alot of EFY speakers and a famous football star/broadcaster. We had a dance Friday night as well as games and karoake. Feeding 1100 people went off without a hitch. It was great!!
We've been getting Jon caught up with Dr. and dentist appts. since he'll be off to college in Sept...and also to make sure things are up to date for his mission, which is less than a year away (He can put his papers in in January).
I feel very blessed to be able to have such an active life and that my health is good for all that I do. Sorry no pictures this time, unless you want one of me sitting in a chair fast asleep with my head drooping down.
I'll post when I can:)

This Picture Speaks for Itself

The picture is a bit dark, but says it all. Getting the envelope in the mail was kind of like a mission call. We couldn't wait for Jon to get home so he could open it:) Congratulations Jon!

Mt. St. Helens

Today we took a drive to the mountain. As you can see, Logan IS here too. It was a beautiful day, though a bit cold (the clear skies are decieving)...this snow is in the parking lot and up to the observatory. They pushed it all to the side for people to get through. I just thought it was a cool picture:) I'm not sure why the date is wrong...but we did take it at the same time as the others.
Today a USGS guide was telling about the mountain and showing pictures of what it looked like then and now. He showed pictures of how the glacier that is building around the dome has been steadily closing up around it (the dome).... just 5 days ago the glacier completely closed up around the dome. My pictures don't show that, but it was a neat piece of information.

Endings and Beginnings Part 3

Here is the graduate before the ceremony. Graduation is held in our school district stadium. It was a beautiful night for it. I made sure to get a picture of Jon, Josh and Jenny together.
Here is how it was set up. My most tearful moment was when the graduates lined up on the other side of the stadium. They walked around both sides of the track in single file to "pomp and Circumstance" then filed up into their seats in the stadium. Being in the top 10% of his class he got his diploma at the beginning, but I enjoyed watching it all since I know alot of the kids. There was a video and fireworks at the end. Here he is with Dad after it was over. Then I headed on the bus with the kids where we went over to Beaverton Oregon for the all night grad party. I was a chaperone. There were about 180 kids that attended. I have never seen a greater group of kids...(except maybe band kids) It was in a place that had lazar tag, arcades, food and fun. They had sumo wrestling suits the kids could wrestle in. I helped serve food and manned different stations. There were card games and lots and lots of prizes in drawings. Jon won a $25. gift card to Old Navy but traded with a friend who won an I Tunes card...(his friend didn't have an i-pod and since Jon just got one he was happy to trade). The funniest part was the last hour when a hypnotist tried to hypnotize like 12 kids. It didn't work on some, others faked it and then there were those who really went under. We were laughing so hard my eye makeup was running down my cheeks. He had them dancing, playing the guitar, driving, etc...(you had to be there). We got home about 5:30 this morning. A very fun night!!

Endings and Beginnings Part 2

Well, the day finally arrived. As Doris Sim summed it up well in a card to Jon...."you have equipped yourself with all the right tools....Testimony-Standards-Kindness-Respect-Purpose" I couldn't describe Jon better myself.We spent a wonderful evening with family and friends before graduation.
Here he is with Great Aunts Sue, Adele, Aunt Elaine and cousin Betty.I snapped this one with Sue, Adele and Great Aunt Ellouise.

Aunts Erma, Elaine, Myrna, Marilyn, Alvaretta, Grandma Cameron and cousin David.
I served a feast of chicken, beans, potato salad, fruits, chips punch and yummy cake. Jon was able to visit with everyone until he had to get to the school and the rest of us who were attending graduation left shortly after.

HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY JOSH!!!

I cannot believe that my "baby" is growing up. Soon to leave middle school and head off to high school, I'm wondering "Where have the years gone to?" Josh is having a special day with Jenny and Logan. They've taken him to OMSI....Oregon Museum of Science and Industry......the same place Jon got lost trying to get to on the way to Prom a few weeks ago, so I have a few minutes to blog. Last night Josh played a gig with the Jazz Band. He was dressed for the occasion...all duded up in Jazzy clothes! He is never afraid to be himself and loves to act the part:) We were so proud of him all year long for getting up at 6AM to do jazz band 3 days a week before school. He never wanted to sleep in or miss....something I hope carries on to early morning seminary next year.
Josh is very creative. He loves to cook and is forever dreaming up new recipes. This is a treat he made us for FHE a few weeks ago. He also LOVES yardwork and is an excellent gardener. He is very helpful around the house and LOVES to vacuum with my new Dyson. He vacuums the upholstry and everything.
Josh LOVES to run and do physical things. Even though he isn't the fastest runner on the block, he is out to improve his personal best. He ran the mile in track this year and did a great job. I could NEVER run for the sport of it like he does. He also ran the 400, though he is much better at long distance....AND he did the running long jump. This is not a great picture, but the only one I have of him jumping. I kept forgetting the camera all track season, then he was done and I only got this one shot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH....WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Endings and Beginnings..... Part 1

This has been a week of endings for Jon. It was his final day of high school and his final day of seminary on Friday. He marched in his final parade on Saturday. There was a Senior BBQ and yearbook signings...he turned in his last homework assignment...
I have not been too weepy yet, although as the seniors walked into Baccalaureate today dressed in their caps and gowns, the tears came for just a moment.
Here is Jon with 2 of the boys from our ward with their senior posters. Making the poster was alot of fun!! They are displayed at the Senior BBQ and Baccalaureate.Jon, Jeff Cook and Shawn Sears

Parade Season is Upon Us!!

Another year....another parade. This was Josh's first parade. He has missed the main parade that his school does 2 years in a row because of the Father/Son campout. This was the Jr. Rose Parade over in Portland....a part of the Rose Festival that is huge here. This parade is for kids. Saturday Jon will march in the Grand Floral Parade which is seen all over the west coast (I blogged about it last year)
I marched with them and the other chaperones. I carried my big umbrella, but luckily it didn't rain. I used it as a walking cane:) I'm sure I will get alot of use out of it on Saturday.
WAY TO GO JOSH!!! GREAT JOB!!