Candace and Kyle's Wedding Cake

This was an unusual cake but it turned out very pretty. I enjoyed making butterflies instead of flowers and the swirls turned out to be harder than I expected. I spent a lot of time on this cake but it was worth it because Candace loved it.

Happy Birthday Lauren!

It's Lauren's birthday and I had so much fun looking through old pictures and remembering special times with her. She has always been the sunshine in my life. Her spirit is infectious. She makes me smile. I have always been so grateful for the musical talents of my daughters. Lauren could sing at 18 months old. Here are just a few of the pictures I was looking at today.

First Halloween costume!

The day she was sealed to us in the Temple.

Lauren was a fish in the water. She could swim down to the bottom of the deep end before she was two.

When she was three she took a handful of peanut butter and smeared it all over her face.

She loves costumes and being on the stage.

Lauren sang a solo at her High School graduation and she got a standing ovation from the audience. It was beautiful!

Lauren served a mission in the Kennewick, Washington mission.

We love you and miss you Lauren! Happy Birthday!

APACHE COUNTY FAIR

This week is the Apache County Fair. It is always a fun time. I don't especially like the Carnival attached to it but the kids love it. I entered only one item in the fair this year and guess what! I won the outstanding exhibit in the sewing category plus a blue ribbon. I was pretty excited.

Feeling Bad for my Boys

Last night was the St. Johns vs Round Valley game. We lost. It was the end of a 26 game winning streak and I feel so bad for the boys. I know this picture doesn't look like they are to unhappy but they both were teary eyed. What I love about this picture, is that family is more important than anything. This is the one and only time these boys will ever play against each other and even though they play for rival schools, they are friends and they care about each other. Chantz played a wonderful game and we are so proud of him for that. But Sean and Alec played well too and we are so proud of them. It just wasn't their night. They are still a great team and we expect good things from them.

GO REDSKINS!

We Beat Payson!

The St. Johns Redskin football team were awesome tonight. They came to win and win they did. Payson is the Arizona defending 3A State Champions and St. Johns is the defending 2A State Champions. They had twice as many boys on their team and they were bigger but we were better. Sean had several great tackles. He is starting on both Offense and Defense. Alec played really well to making some great blocks. The Redskins now have a 26 game winning streak and two( back to back) State Championship titles.

Go Redskins!

Sean and Alec turn 18

Today is Alec and Sean's 18th birthday. We had planned a party for them for Saturday night. We had the swimming pool rented for an hour and then were going to have the kids come to our house for a movie out on the lawn with Cafe Rio sweet pork salad for dinner. The boys had rented the movie "Frisco Kid" to show their friends. We hung lights out around the front yard and gathered lawn chairs. But everything changed as we got the first big thunderstorm of the season! It started to rain about 2:00 so we took down all the lights. Then it stopped raining so we put the lights back up. It started raining again so we scrubbed the outdoor movie idea and took the lights down again. It was still raining when it was time to swim. They wouldn't let us in the pool because of lightning. So Rich told all the kids to head to the Movie Theatre and he would pay for them all to see "Harry Potter" When we got to the theatre, the projector wasn't working so NO MOVIE! Every one came back to the house and we fed them the Sweet Pork Salad which turned out really good. Then we cleared the furniture out of the living room and the kids watched "Frisco Kid" projected on the wall. After the movie we served cake and ice cream. It turned out fun but not the way we had planned. The boys opened their presents today and we put cups in the chain link fence at school with their names and the number 18. I think they got sung to in several of their classes because everyone saw the cups. Unfortunately Alec came home from football practice tonight with either stomach flu or food poisoning. He is so sick. I think we are in for a night of it.

This was the birthday cake I made for their party. Alecs MGB and juggling balls for Sean. They are all out of cake.

First Day of School and Visit From Lauren

Alec and Sean started school on Monday. I barely caught them as they were leaving to get a first day picture for the last time.

Lauren and Klayton have been able to come and visit us during their break. It has been so fun having them here and getting to know Klayton. He and Lauren have been friends since they met in May. Klayton is from Palmdale, California and they first drove to California and spent a week with his family. While they were there, they went to Disneyland (one of my favorite places). They will be leaving on Sat. It will be hard to see Lauren go. I always go through withdrawal when my kids or grandkids leave.

Lauren got a new haircut. Pretty short! She looks really cute.

Summer is coming to an end!

Tonight was the red and white scrimmage for the football team. The varsity offence plays against the defence under the football lights. It is the last night of two-a-day practices, which have been going on for the last two weeks. It gets everyone excited for the new season. I didn't take any pictures but it was fun. Next week we scrimmage against Blue Ridge. Then the first game is the following week against Payson (last years 3A State Champions) which will be a tough game. This is Sean and Alec's last year of football.

Sean and Alec start their Senior year on Monday. They are excited for school to start. I think they are kind of bored with summer. I always hate the summer to end. It is fun having the boys around and my favorite part of summer is the swimming pool. I go swimming almost every morning with Mom and Christine. There is only one more week until they close the pool.

I made another wedding cake this week for Katelyn Lefevre. It turned out really pretty. It was just what she wanted.

.

24th Celebration and Family

This past week has been so great. My daughter, Andrea drove out from Oklahoma to visit with us. She brought her 16 year old bother-in-law with her to spend the week with my twins. I haven't seen Lollie since March and it was so fun to be with her. We really missed Tra'. Sarah and the kids also came out for the week. We had a house full of family and it was wonderful. Michael came Wed. night and stayed until Sunday. Today Lollie and Sarah both left. I always feel sad when they leave. I wish they were closer.

These pictures were taken by Sarah at the parade on Sat. Alec was driving the scooter that pulled the Pooper scooper wagon. Sean, Caden and Uncle Carroll followed behind and cleaned the street after the horses. They were really good sports.

Time to Post!

It has been awhile since I posted. My camera stopped working and I like to put pictures with my posts but I realized it might be awhile until I get it fixed. I am getting excited for the 24th celebrations. Lollie is coming and Sarah is coming early to spend more time with Lollie. I just wish Tra' could come too. Michael will come on Thurs. Lauren will still be in school and I will miss her too.
Sean is getting ready to go on a scuba diving trip to Catalina with Carroll, Christine, Spencer and Karen. He is so excited. He got his scuba license last summer and it has become one of his most favorite things to do.
I always have projects going. Right now I am altering bridesmaid dresses for the Lefevre's. I will also be doing the wedding cake in August.
We are going to go to the valley this weekend to do some school shopping for Sean and Alec. I can't believe that the summer is going so fast. Sean and Alec will start two-a-days for football in just two and a half weeks. Then they will be back in school!
.................................Seniors!