John's Hair

About the time the above picture was taken (November 2010) John informed me he wasn't cutting his hair until after the football season the next fall.  That would mean about a year with out a hair cut.  Yikes!!!

I think he and a lot of the boys on the team thought the long hair helped, you know, a Sampson thing.  They did win the State Championship so what can I say?  It's time for a hair cut!

He got the hair cut, alright.  December 2011.  With this cut I wished for the long football hair back.

The next cut came in April 2012.  Are you kidding me?  Where did this kid come from?

Now, May of 2012, finally, after a year and a half of no cuts or strange cuts, I have my boy back.  I love that kid!

Senior Fun

Last weekend Dan and I had the opportunity to take John and 7 of his friends to Lake Powell.  We wanted to do something memorable with John as he is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks.  This trip was a pleasure.  The company was wonderful, scenery spectacular, and the rest was needed.  I was especially pleased because the kids were nice, helpful, funny and good.  There was no drama.  Everyone was friendly and kind to everyone else.

Our group on the Angelene

Lots and lots of water fun

Jumping off the roof of the houseboat

Heading into a slot canyon

We only dared enter this place on a day without rain

We could all chose the height we wanted to jump

We built a big fire

Me and my man in our raw beauty (uugh)

Defiance House indian ruins

I like this pic because you can see the group on the boat as well as John and Bretton climbing down the rock wall

Our last morning, the kids still sleeping as we head back to Bullfrog.

We talked about taking this group to Powell again in a few years when the boys are back from their missions but realized it probably won't happen.  By then some may be married or going to different schools.  Things will never be the same.  This was a fun way to celebrate years in high school.  From here on out things are going to be a lot different for these kids.

Another Graduation

After Mark, our oldest, graduated from high school in 1998 Dan and I each took a deep breath and braced ourselves for what was to come.  We were about to begin helping our 1st of 6 children get a college education.  We also planned on supporting 4 boys on missions.  How would we do it?

Now, it's 2012.  With Tom's graduation today, 4 of the 6 have graduated.  Karen has only one year left.  Four have completed missions including a daughter.  John begins college in the fall and also plans to serve a mission but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thomas and Megan.  Megan had to talk Tom in to walking today.  We're so glad she did.

It's been a pleasure helping Tom with college.  He's a good student and a wonderful man.

Megan's good family came up from Springville for the event.

My parents never tire of graduations.  They support as many as they can.

Battered Husband

Dan and I went on a snow shoe adventure up Cottonwood Canyon in Logan Canyon.  See all the snow on the trees?

Dan was very good at hitting the branches just as I went under them to give me a  nice snow shower.

One time I saw my chance to get back at him.  He went under a pine tree covered with snow.  I put up my ski pole to give the tree a nice whack.  I swung as hard as I could.  I MISSED THE TREE!  My ski pole hit the back of Dan's head straight on with all the power my arms could muster:-(  

I am such a loser.  

I love my husband.

He fell to his knees.  I'd given him a nice bleeding bump on his head.

He was kind.  He forgave me.  We still had a good time the rest of the trip.

On the way back he was well enough to...

slide down the...

frozen river.

I did not try to batter my husband.  I'm glad he's okay.

Love that man.

Last Homecoming Dance

I've had 6 children go through high school and high school dances.  It's hard to believe, but last night was my last child's last homecoming dance.  For me, it's bitter-sweet.  Be what it may,  I'm going to try to enjoy all these lasts this year.

This picture cracks me up.  Boys together, girls together.  

Hartmans set a beautiful table in their beautiful backyard.

John and his lovely date, Shay.

I'm always grateful when his date chooses a modest dress.
I'm also thankful when her hair is longer than his( hehehe)

The whole group.  

 I'm go excited for my son, John, to enjoy these times.  He'll never have another homecoming dance but he's got many many exciting and wonderful times to look forward to.  This momma is going to try to enjoy them right along with him.

Making Memories

Every family has something or a few things that define them.  They may be close relationships, consistent scripture study and family prayer, regular family home evenings, laughter, hard working, service oriented, scholars, musical, social with lots of friends, athletic, world travelers, hunters, campers, bookworms and on and on.  I think one of the things that defines my family is fun outdoor activities.  (Another is that we are all stinkin' hot but that is another post haha) The one regular, consistent outdoor activity we do is Lake Powell.

Meet the Angelene, our house boat.  We've been a part of this house boat (owning it with 16 other families) since 1995.  Since then we've spent at least one week and sometimes two weeks a year on it.  It's our home away from home.  This is where we've created countless family memories.  We've had tons of fun and a good share of problems while on this boat but the times we've shared and the bonds we've strengthened are priceless.

Below are a few of the memories from this past week on the Angelene.

Sunsets

Water sports

Cliff jumping

Hiking and exploring

There are a lot of other things that I wish defined my family.  There are a lot of things I could have done better as a mom but I am grateful for Lake Powell and the memories it's created with my family.

32 Years

 

Thirty three years ago today I met Dan.  Thirty two years ago today I married Dan.  Best decision I ever made!

I'll never forget the day I met Dan.  I was living with my grandmother in Salt Lake and attending a ward at the U of U.  My grandmother told me I should visit her ward that day because there was a nice "Schmidt boy" who would be reporting his mission.  I was always open to meeting cute boys so I attended my ward but when it was over hurried over to my grandmother's ward.  As I pulled into the parking lot I thought,  "This is silly.  I've already been to church.  The only reason I'm going to this ward is to meet a boy."  I decided not to attend that ward.  I drove home.  As I pulled up and parked the car the thought came to me,  "The Lord helps those who help themselves."  I understood from that thought that if I was ever going to find my one and only I needed to do everything in my power to put myself in situations where I could meet him.  I drove back to the church, walked in late and sat on the back row with my grandmother.

I was impressed with Dan's talk.  He also sang a solo which melted my heart.  I went up after the meeting and met him.  He asked me for a date for that night.  There is a lot more to the story but the important thing is that I met him ( and I feel I was guided to return to that meeting) and we fell in love.  

I've always been grateful to my grandmother for inviting me to attend her meeting to meet that nice "Schmidt boy."  We were actually married on her and grandpa's golden anniversary.

And now, after 32 years, look at our blessings!

Our life hasn't been perfect.  We've had trials and our ups and downs but I've always loved Dan.  He's always loved me.

We've been blessed by our eternal marriage.

Happy Anniversary Danny Boy.

Mother of all hikes

Ribbon Falls

I'd wanted to hike the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim for some time.  This spring we had 7 hikers committed to go but one by one they bailed ( for good reasons) until it was down to Dan and me.  That turned out to be a good thing.  I love spending time alone with my one and only.

Crossing the Colorado River after over 14 miles of hiking.  It was 98 degrees.

We loved soaking our feet and cooling off in the mighty Colorado.

Going up was switchback after switchback surrounded by breathtaking beauty.

This view, from many elevations as we climbed, was what we took in for hours.

There were many signs that warned hikers to not do this hike in one day and for good reason.  It was over 24 miles of hot, strenuous hiking.  As my title says, I'd call it the mother of all hikes.  We were prepared, though, and did it in one day.  We had  lots of company.  We saw hundreds doing the same hike on the busy Memorial Day weekend.  I can't wait to get back to take the rest of my family.

Hope

This week there is a little secret that is alive and well in Logan Canyon.  I feel so blessed to be in on the secret.

The Maguire Primrose is a darling little flower that blooms for a short time in the spring and is found no where in the world but Logan Canyon.  It's easy to miss because it grows high on the rock walls and in only a few select places in the canyon.

I've visited it 4 times already in the past week and hope to go again.  It brightens my day.  Here is a dainty, beautiful flower, hanging precariously from the cliff walls.  It blooms after the harsh winter but before the warm temperatures, bringing color to the gray canyon and a hope for the coming warm weather. 

It's symbolic to me of our trials in life.  Life can be harsh like the cold winter.  Sometimes through our trials it feels as though we are just barely hanging (maybe for dear life) to the cliff wall but as we hang on with hope and faith we see the color and the hope of the future.  Sometimes we receive a tender mercy or divine signature but whatever it is we can move forward with faith and hope for all that is in store for us in the future.  There is always, always hope.

Ward Party from H. E. double toothpicks

Friday we had a Cinco de Mayo party with our ward full with pulled pork burritos topped with cilantro sauce.  Entertainment-pinata!  Great turn out.  Lots of fun.

Saturday night I went to bed after vomiting and feeling very sick.  Dan slept in another bed so he wouldn't get sick but he woke up in the middle of the night with the same symptoms.  John also woke in the middle of the night.  Same thing.

Sunday morning we got a call from the Relief Society president. She and her husband had the same problems.  We got another call from one of the Sacrament meeting speakers.  Same thing.  Primary president and her family?  Same.  We were suspicious.  As we called around, a lot of the ward was sick.

Dan decided to cancel the auxiliaries that day so people wouldn't feel pressured to come to church with responsibilities if they were not feeling well.

Sacrament meeting attendance which is usually 180 was 100.

Scary business.  What was it?  The pork? The cilantro sauce?  The rice (yes, the extension office in Logan thinks it's the rice) The beans?  The tomatoes?  The lettuce?  Who knows? 

Symptoms seem to last less than 24 hours but for some, longer.  I hope everyone recovers okay.

I'm 52 and have been to a lot of ward parties in my day.  This is the first problem.  Should I think twice when eating at a ward party from now on?  I don't know.

Good bye snow shoes

This winter has been so much fun for me and a lot of that has been because of snow shoeing with my friends.  So many people complain about winter.  I love it!

On this day is was a freezing cold inversion in Logan but we were enjoying blue sky and enough warmth to take our coats off.

We always find beautiful snowy places in the canyon.

We play and laugh which is therapy for all.

These women inspire me.  The mountains inspire me. 

 I think that Spring is finally here and, while I'm looking forward to a fabulous Spring, Summer and Fall with these ladies in the mountains, I am really going to miss the winter.  My snow shoes are put away but they'll be ready to go with a happy me come next winter.