August 2016 - Maddie and Cache in Africa

Maddie had two plans this year - to graduate and to travel.  When Maddie gets a plan, it's best to get out of her way and watch her go.  She decided Africa would be the destination of choice, so she got a part time job as a waitress and landed some photography jobs to earn the money.  Then she doubled down on studying for the GED (on top of her regular studies.)  The only thing left to do was to find a travel partner (as Bert and I weren't thrilled with the idea of sending out a 17 year old alone, and since we were unable to join her.)  She recruited Cache, who's always game, and before I knew it they'd loaded their backpacks and were on their way!  They had a loose plan, but did most of the trip by the seat of their pants.  They are my heroes.  This video she made is a bit of what they saw and were able to share with us.
BTW - she's ready to head out again once she replenishes the coffer.  Anybody want to sign on?

May 2016

Delivering May Day baskets

Easel's birthday

Mother's Day

Tornado

Justin and Daniel's visit

What's missing - MADDIE'S GRADUATION!!! Will rectify this soon.

April 2016 - Maddie's video

Petrified Forest National Park

Meteor Crater

Grand Canyon

Zions

Bryce Canyon

Trampoline House

JESSE GRADUATES

Goblin Valley

Mesa Verde

Tea party and Owl

Captain Underpants and the Wedgie Wiggle

March 2016

Even when I don't think we've done anything she comes up with a great video.  These are also good for my soul.  I'm so thankful for her generous talent.  You're the best, Maddie.

List of contents:
Clarksville tornado and blackout
Maddie's Prom
Pinewood Derby
Tyler Azalea Festival
Clarksville Circus
Easter Egg Hunt

Now that we only have to upkeep 5 bikes at once-

we have a new family pastime.

Hydn thinks mountain biking is "the best thing in the whole wide world!"

January and February 2016 - one of my favorite endings

A pretty special boy

November and December 2015 in video

I've always told the kids, "take the money and run!"

Turns out, eloping is harder than one might think.

Especially eloping to Mexico, when your immigration status might be put in jeopardy.

So then you might decide to do it over Christmas vacation,

and everybody's thrilled, 

and everybody (dad) takes extra time off work to be there

ruining chances to take more time off work 33 days later.

However, state and county licensing throw kinks in the best of your Christmas timing.

(But, you get a great Christmas trip out of the deal!)

You then go back to the original elopement at the county clerk's office in SLC-

with a plan to celebrate this fall with parents/siblings/friends in Mexico.

Only, at the last minute your mom panics that she won't be there.

So, let it be known, it's kinda impossible to elope...

You can give it a whirl, but I guarantee you I'll crash it.

And I'm so glad I did.

I've never seen this sweet boy of mine so incredibly happy.

I've never enjoyed his real smile so often.

I would have never gotten to spend an entirely delightful day to myself with Daniel.

It was so very touching, exciting, and humbling to participate in the creation

of this beautiful new family.

We love them both so very much.

We're excited for their future.

They are truly great men.

We're thrilled to have Daniel in our family - he's a find.

Everybody always told me how your heart grew when you had a new child.

Nobody warned me that it did the same thing when you gained a child through marriage.

The judge was wonderful.

Daniel gives THE BEST hugs!

Kim and Karyn (Bert's Dad and sister) made a last minute, quick trip up as well.

Their support meant the world.

Josh is a great friend of Justin and Daniel's and we're happy he'd take time off from work

to run over for the ceremony as well.

Daniel is signing - Jesse and I were lucky to be the witnesses.

After the ceremony we went to a true Italian pizzeria/gelato restaurant that

was meaningful to Justin and Daniel's dating period.

Adiel (by Josh) joined us and then took us over to his place, so that those of us

not able to attend their 'get together' that Friday night could see where it would be held.

He's a great host and friend.

He's from Mexico, near Daniel's hometown, and talked Daniel into 

coming to the Provo area last winter. 

I guess you could say 'he's responsible for their meeting.'

Thank you Adiel! 

Just enjoying time with each other later that evening.

Such a cute couple!

They ordered their rings from a talented friend.

On our way!

Waiting...

Mazel Tov, Daniel and Justin!

Dad and I can't wait to GET TO MEXICO! :)

....

And professional/engagement pictures this spring... 

when it's not so cold out.... 

cuz we're practical like that.

Annual Two Day Date with Dad

Christmas 2015

What a great one!

We started with the lighting and parade on our town square.

It was everything picture books tell you it should be.

How much more personal does it get?

When the kids came we traveled down to Louisiana.

This became our home away from home for the next week.

A bayou off of Lake Fausse.

We spent Christmas Eve touring plantation homes and grounds.

And that night, somewhere near Baton Rouge,

we stopped at a truck stop to visit with THIS GUY!

They gave us an entire restaurant, that was closed for the night, for our privacy.

He was great, and boy do we miss him.

Christmas day was our only down time at the cabin.  

We turned on the air conditioner and opened our gifts.

I'm not sure who was responsible for finding that fantastic tree. Probably Cache?

We spent the afternoon taking turns on the kayaks, hiking, and eating.

I wish I had a picture of Bert"s face when he unknowingly ran over an alligator

and it bucked his kayak.  But, I don't.  

It'll stay a private treasure in my own mind. 

I'm glad his heart kept beating.

  I have this one of the girls instead.

These next two pictures will mean nothing much except to the people who were there, 

but it was sure an entertaining contest to watch.

After Christmas we went to New Orleans.

There is waaayyyy to much to see, and do, and experience to take pictures.

This is it.  It's all I've got.  It's about the only time we were sitting still.

Well, there is the birthday dinner picture for Bert, 

but I look fat(er) in it.  So, yup, this is it!

Happy Birthday, Bert!

Another day - I think I'm confused on the timing, but does it really matter?

Another day we went on a swamp tour and toured the French Quarter.

Again, too much fun to waste time behind a lens.

Then our great Christmas trip was over...

But we continued the fun and games at home.

And also our practical tasks.

In the oft repeated words of Hydn, after a particularly great event,

"Who's up for Round Two?!"