California Vacation

Every year for the past 4 years we have gone to Newport Beach for our family vacation. This year was no exception. However this year we went with our great friend Millie. We always have fun and this year did not disappoint. We meet up with Kim and Tyler on our first night there. Went to dinner and had a great time with them. Its always nice to see them, since they live in Utah we don't get that to often. No picture because I used my other camera and have not developed that film.


We always take our bikes and bike the boardwalk and take the ferry across to Balboa Island. This is one of our favorite things to do as a family.
We drove into Hollywood and went to this awesome mall. They have a trolley to take you from one end of the mall to the other. Hunter and Skyler (his impression or should I say obsession of Nixon.) Tom and Hunter at Cheesecake Factory for lunch.

Hunter and Malia buried in the sand courtesy of Skyker.
The weather was a little cold but the kids made the most of it. Hunter and Malia on our last day at the beach. No one was ready to leave or not enjoy that last bit of beach.


On our way to dinner with Monica and the the group. Millie and her sisters what a hoot they were. They kept us laughing all the time.


Skyler started to dig this hole which turned out to be as deep as he was.
Then he decided to have himself buried.

On our last night at the pier enjoying dinner and the view.
This was our last morning at the beach. We had Malia with us for the ride home. I will take her anytime. The drive up was a little cranky with the kids. the drive home was HEAVEN . No fighting or arguing just quiet movies and music.
I know that we all love this week of our summer vacation. We do so much together and hang out at the beach almost everyday. The memories that we get to have from being together is priceless for us.

Scout Encampment

Tom and Skyler went on a scouting encampment. They had so much fun, doing all kinds of stuff. They had a great group of boys and men that went with them. They had a lot of activities where you had to work together. They were able to rifle shoot and did a service project.


Skylers favorite was repelling. This was his first time and he slipped going down at the top but regained his footing and made it down. He stopped at a ledge and did his happy dance. He is so crazy. To bad Tom did not capture that moment.



This was such a wonderful experience for both Tom and Skyler. For Tom being with his son and having that bonding time. This encampment not only provided a fun time but it also was a great spiritual experience for them as well. I love seeing Skyler grow in his testimony of the Lord. I love both of these guys and was happy to have them home.

Salk Flight Center

Hunter's class went to the flight center this year. I have been before and this place is so fun for the kids. They really get to learn a lot about helicopters and planes. They have to take a test to be able to go and then they get to fly simulaters. My camera went dead thus no pictures. A great opportunity for the kids and moms like me that love to do different things with them.



Julia in the simulater.


Hunter and Savanna learning on the ground about the impotant functions of the aircraft. The various instuments and what they do and are called.

Eagle Scout Ceremony

Skyler received his Eagle Scout award on Tuesday May 12, 2009.



We are so proud of him and his accomplishment. The ceremony was so awesome so many of his peers and friends came to support him. Dan Millett did the opening ceremonies and said how pleased he was with Skyler and for the fact that he asked him personally to be a part of this night. He had never had anyone come personally to his home and invite him to be apart of their ceremony. We are so grateful for them and the love they show our son. Skyler standing by his display table with all of his cub scout/ scouting achievements and his karate and wrestling stuff. Sharon Schiefer helped make that display beautiful. Much Thanks for all her help. Could not have done it without her help. His scout troop 356 did the presentation of colors and pledge of allegiance.






Brother Dave Gardner awarded Skyler his rank advancement to Eagle and what a fantastic job he did. Thank you so much for always encouraging and helping.



Skyler was able to give out a mentor pin which he gave a ton of thought about who to give it to. There were several people that he talked about like Master Shaw his karate instructor or Brother Henderson his scout master, they both taught him so much and showed him determination and the fact that you have to reach for what you want and that it takes a lot of dedication and determination. In the end he choose Andrew Schiefer who has been his coach for wrestling for several years now and has helped him grow in a sport he LOVES. However he has showed him more about life and what really matters like serving the lord and setting his sights on a mission. Since Skyler has no brothers, Andrew has really become that big brother for Skyler and we could not be happier for him. Andrew has not only been a coach he has become his friend. All in all he made the best choice for him and any one of those men would have been a great choice as well.

He was presented with the Mormon Battalion neckerchief slide and Jim Abney did a great job.


Sitting in the eagles nest: which is for all those who have earned their eagle. What a surreal sight and feeling for Skyler to sit with all the leaders and friends who have also earned their eagle.

Skyler with some of his leaders and scouters.


They say it helps makes you a man to earn this award. I can attest I have seen him grow in so many ways and how he is so determined and driven when he puts his mind to it. He has truly show some great qualities and perseverance since he started this project.
He also had two of his scout masters talk. Brother Pitts told a story about and eagle and a chicken. The point was to never forget where you came from, but to always keep your sights set high and remember you are an eagle.
Brother Henderson spoke about the great things that can happen from having your eagle. Job opportunities and so forth. They both gave him a lot to think about for the future.
I know this was long but I wanted to make sure I put it all down or I would forget the important things that were said or done. There are so many people to thank for all of their help and support. A special thank you to Sister Ewart for coming and showing Skyler such kindness when he comes to your home. He thinks your cool and that works for us. To a great kid and the best son ever. We love ya and are so proud of you.

MAY....and all it had to offer....

May is over and yet there is still so much to do and say. We have had such a busy month, with putting our illnesses behind us and tackling the remainder of the month.
It goes something like this: We had Skylers Eagle Court of Honor what a great event(post coming), Hunter at the Salk flight center such a fun day and learning experience for the kids(post coming). From that we went to Hunters last orchestra concert what a great performance, to Skylers many visits to physical therapy for his injured ankle. How we love that place yet are so happy to be done for now!!!Key word for NOW!!!
May would not be complete without all the birthdays and anniversaries starting from the 18 thru the 26: Tyler, Hunter, Skyler, Kim all had birthdays: Kim and Tylers Anniversary and my parents that have been married for 53 years.
We took Hunter to Amazing Jakes for her birthday and did they have fun not to mention I had to do nothing but make the cake. Skyler is still waiting for his but he has had to many things going on to fit it in yet. With the last week of school came parties and meet your new teacher for Hunter who will be a big 6th grader next year. She has had an amazing year this year and has loved her teacher Miss Mendel and has made the honor roll each quarter. We are so proud of her. Skyler was happy for the school to give him an early birthday with letting school out the day before his birthday as he likes to tell it. He has done great as well all A's & B's.
Tom and Skyler went to a scout encampment with the church they were gone for 4 days. They had a great time and we were so happy to have them back home. More to come on that later.
Our hope for this summer is to have some good times and lots of fun at the lake and visiting family. I will try and keep you posted better and will work on those pictures to post when we return from out California trip. Have a great summer!!!