Graduation Overload!!

My boy has reached a huge milestone in his life...his high school graduation! It's bittersweet; knowing that he's a step away from independence and leaving the nest, and the thrill of seeing all that Dad and I have invested. Jayden is an amazing young man who's well on his way to becoming a magnificent missionary, devoted husband and father! We are so excited for him.

Celebrations began as we honored our seniors for Senior Recognition Night in our ward. That was a fun event and I think the youth felt the love. 

 Mom had a rough time holding back the tears

 Dad had a rough time holding back the sentiment too!

 Jayden had a rough time holding back the humor!! ha...

Crestview Ward Seniors!!!

~ ~ ~ ~

As for graduation day, all the family came for his open house (except our boys Jehkiah and Josten who are too darn far away...Georgia). We had a wonderful time after the ceremony in our backyard; eating and enjoying good conversation with friends and neighbors. I spent weeks getting flowers planted, and the yard in shape so I was thrilled!!!

Proud moment for both of us

 Good neighbors, friends and family

~ ~ ~ ~

The following morning was spent at the Olsen's for Leslie's graduation open house. The grand kids loved playing with Grandpa on the trampoline. It was a memorable weekend.

 Looks like a fingerprint got in the way of the fun!

 Grandpa was the "shark monster"
~ ~ ~ ~

After all the hoopla, we celebrated CBC's graduation rather quietly in June with just Dad & I, Karen and the kids. We're so proud of our son ~ graduating from high school with his AA Degree. 

Quite an achievement!!!

 Tracen snuck in the picture...too cute

Colby, Tracen and Mackenzie

Brother and Sister 

 This is what boredom looks like

Father and Son

Travis and Karen's Sealing

Miracles happen every day. One in particular is having Travis join our family. Karen's waited a long time and we're so blessed now to be linked for eternity. We are so grateful for those who drove over to help us celebrate, and so sad that some of our kids couldn't be here. But, we are eternally bound now!!

Tracen was so precious, all dressed in white as he was joined to his mom and dad. Mackenzie and Colby were granted permission to be in the sealing room with us so they could witness the sealing. It was an  incredible day.

Karen & Shasta

Karen & Jayden

Disneyland ~ Magical Vacation

For 18 years, we've been talking and dreaming about going to Disneyland together as a family. There's always been an excuse; a reason not to go but this year we put those excuses aside and set a goal!!! Part of that goal was having the trip paid for ~ in cash ~ before we went, which we did. We even came home with some money!

We left early morning February 4th (we're talking 5 a.m.) and arrived at the hotel by 1 p.m. We were blessed with good weather, a descent hotel right across from the park and good walking shoes!! We set out Monday afternoon to tour Downtown Disney, and some of the souvenir shops around the area. For dinner (or late lunch), we went to Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co. It was awesome. We were like little kids, so caught up in the thrill of it all. Early Tuesday morning we were up and ready to go. Our first day into the park was magical to say the least. I felt like a little girl. We went on every ride, my favorite being Space Mountain and Tower of Terror for high intensity. But I loved them all, except California Screamin' and the Ferris Wheel. I wouldn't go on either of those! We had 3-day Hopper Passes so we could hop between Disneyland and California Adventures ~ which we did. For four days we walked, ate, shopped and marveled at all the exciting things around us.

One of the days we were there, we were stopped by a man promoting Worldmark /Wyndham vacations. We agreed to sit in on a presentation the following morning and ended up signing a contract! How spontaneous is that? John felt strongly that it's something we should do (I had my apprehensions, as I always do when it comes to money) and I gave in, trusting in his impressions. So, now we'll be travelling during the slow times and sharing the extra with our kids. We've been trusting in the law of the harvest (or attraction, however you want to view it) so I'm not entertaining doubts whatsoever! The Lord will see us through as he has throughout our marriage.

To put this "law" to test, we had an awesome experience on our final few hours of our vacation. Each time we went to stand in line for the Cars ride there was an hour or more of waiting time. This time, however we saw people walking the other direction so we went right up to the front to ask what was going on. Apparently, the ride was out of operation; it had broken down. There was still a line (about 30 min. wait) so we made our choice, trusting that things would be repaired in a timely manner. They were...and we were able to get on that ride. It was so worth the wait and was exhilarating!!

We enjoyed our time immensely and it was really hard to come home. Disneyland was more than a fun vacation ~ it was an amazing adventure. We were able to create some wonderful memories.

Braden's Big Day

Friday, we picked up Mackenzie and Colby to take them up to Bonner's Ferry with us for the weekend. We had such a great time. Braden had his baptism Saturday evening and it was so nice. Papa John (Cornett) spoke on Baptism and Grandpa John (Baisden) gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Colby even gave the closing prayer. It was a great day for him. We love you Braden and are so happy you are part of this family! The rest of the weekend was spent playing outdoors.

 Shasta and Colson

 Grandma Trina walking with Makenna and Colson

 Tanner

 Braden

 Mackenzie

 Owen helping the boys do some shooting

Kaelynn hanging out with Uncle Jayden

Christmas in the Mountains

 Colby

 Tracen

 Colby & Jayden

 Jayden, Demi & Karen

 Cameron

 Karen

 My handsome man, Tracen

 That would be me!!! Grandma sledding!!!

 Vance on his super sled!

 Mackenzie

 Travis...always in the kitchen!

 Kaelynn and Makenna...so beautiful!

 Kaelynn

 Makenna

 Out hunting for our tree

 Goof offs!

 We found our tree!

 Papa playing with Tanner

 The girls making Christmas Eve dinner

 Colson

 Jayden decorating the tree

 Best buds...Colby and Braden

 Singing carols & feeding reindeer

 Waiting for the go ahead on Christmas morning

 Jayden made Cameron a cool sword

 Dad's new knife display box

 Christmas dinner

 Game night...highly competitive

 Mom's new apron...love it!

 Grandpa and Colby

 Jayden, Dad and Mom

 Papa and his girl...Makenna

Shawnte' and Mom working on ornaments

This year we booked the lodge at Camp Zarahemla near Mt. Rainier. We ended up having a "daughter's Christmas" as the boys were spending the holiday elsewhere. It was a magical time being in the mountains with the snow and the grand kids! Christmas eve we went sledding and hiked in a little to pick out our favorite tree. It was my favorite tree of all time as the girls made the ornaments and it was simply decorated. I think the kids had a blast playing together (although poor Vance was sick nearly the entire time). The girls made a scrumptious Christmas Eve dinner ~ pulled pork with tortilla's...yum! After dark, we took the kids outside to sing Christmas carols and spread reindeer food on the snow ~ our tradition with Jayden. Christmas morning we opened gifts. It's always so fun to see creative minds at work. All of our gifts were homemade! I love the dessert plate and apron Shawnte' made for me, and Grandpa got a knife display box from Cameron that is just beautiful! Owen put together a binder of favorite talks and thoughts for Jayden which was so special, especially now that he's preparing for his mission. (They also bought him luggage for his mission...way cool). Travis worked so hard in the kitchen preparing a prime rib dinner that was out of this world! It was just fun being together and living in the moment, although several of us were fighting being sick! Seasonal illnesses can't be controlled~it's so frustrating. Christmas night, after the kids went to bed, the big kids played games and enjoyed our final night together. I'm so grateful we made time to be together. I mustn't forget to mention that we brought Marlee, our Mourning Dove who was in heaven and pretty much stayed connected to Dad the whole time.