Acheiving Eagle Scout

A BIG HUGE Congratulations to Tanner!!

TODAY he officially became an Eagle Scout.

We helped drill him on the Scout oath, law, motto and slogan for the better part of Sunday afternoon.

The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared"..... and Tanner was prepared!

Hard to believe our sweet baby faced Tanner.....

....is growing up to be such a fine handsome young man! (sure I'm partial and I admit it!)

Wonderful Job Tanner-man. We love you and are so proud of you!!!

Buzz Buzz.....yipe yipe yipe yipe

Poor Clover.

After chasing many bee's this summer like they were a play toy, she finally met her fate.

Last night we heard a little "yipe" from Clover.

After doing a full body check we couldn't figure out why she was hopping around on three legs. She was a big frady pup not wanting to go outside or even be upstairs. She hibernated downstairs all night, which is really uncharacteristic of her because she ALWAYS sleeps upstairs with Matt and I (ya that's a whole different story).

This morning it dawned on me that she must have been stung by a bee.

She seems to have recovered, but I don't think we'll find her chasing anything that fly's anytime soon!

I want to be a Pioneer

In the last week of July, both Joshua and Tanner were able to go on a Pioneer Trek to Martin's Cove, Wyoming with our Stake. I'm not sure of the total amount of youth that went, but it was close to 200 with leaders included. It was a very well planned out orchestrated event.

The Stake posted over 1200 pictures on a website where we could go to and look at each one. I just finished! I pulled off several pictures to share.

The leaders had each youth that participated write down their thoughts of their experience the very next Sunday at church. They put all these thoughts and testimonies in binders and gave them to the Stake Presidency, Bishops and Leaders of the Trek. They also gave a copy to the parents (just their own child's testimony). What a wonderful keepsake!


Tanner made his hat.....


...and Tanner hated to wear his hat....


Sweetriver Crossing




Mormon Battalion watching the "Women's Pull" - Josh is in the bottom corner


Lots 'o' handcarts

Know this guy? Think about childhood friends in our neighborhood as we were growing up? How about Dr. Kevin Duke... he was one of the "medic's" on hand for the group.

Tanner's "Ma and Pa" .... The King's

Josh's "Ma and Pa".... The Probst's

Tanner having a little fun shakin' a leg......... hey, where is your hat?

Pioneer Trek * North Logan Green Canyon Stake * July 30-Aug 2, 2008

keep breathing.......

This week was sure a busy one.

It was the first week of school at the University.

My first experience with working within a University department when school starts. I've worked at the University for 10 years now, but just never worked with curriculum, faculty and students so closely.

It was also announced that our Theatre Department Head is stepping down in June 09, so we will also having a big leadership change. We JUST got a new Dean that started in July.

WOW...is all I can say. What a whirlwind of a week.

IT really felt like I had to remind myself to breath!! I'm looking forward to the 3 day holiday weekend. =)

MaRchIng BaNd pRacTicE

JOsh and TaNner have been diligently practicing this summer and now after school and some Saturdays with their Marching Band Show "Jekyll and Hyde". They learned their full show at band camp two weeks ago and now are working on what they call "cleaning", which is where they work on a certain spot to sharpen or for them to run more smoothly.

I went to pick them up from practice early on Saturday because I haven't had to chance to watch their entire show, nor snap a few pictures.

I was lucky enough to be able to climb the tower to watch the show from above! It was wonderful and their music is really coming along. I got goose bumps, especially during their company front. It's a whole different experience to watch the show from above than from ground level. They perform their show opener next Friday for their high school football game.

It's really difficult to snap a good shot as they are moving so fast! I recorded a little bit of the show (below) and you can see how fast they move.









In the first part of the video is TaNner -- at one point he's not moving because he is the CENTER of the formation...and it's pretty cool lookin'. Watch his cute little baby marching steps.... (sorry TanNer-man!). Then it switches to watching JOsh (because I lost TaNner...lol). Nice Contra sound!!! The view is from ground level and I don't think I'll post the "above" show until later as they are prepairing for competition.....

beautiful beautiful beautiful....beautiful boy

Hit play before you read this blog to set the mood... =)



Who's seen Mr. Hollands Opus?

Remember that song that Mr. Holland sings and signs for his deaf son? It's called Beautiful Boy by John Lennon. I always tear up when I hear that song.

I want to sing that song today!

My sister, Annie, has been expanding her horizons and getting into photography. She definitely has a touch for capturing moments. Last Sunday when we were together for family dinner...we drove around to various spots near my parents home and did a photo shoot with the boys. It was great fun and the boys were pretty dang good sports!

The first time I saw the pictures they took my breath away (LITERALLY)!!!!

Which one is your favorite?

beautiful beautiful beautiful......beautiful boys..........

*****THANKS ANNIE for the forever memories *****

twilight zone

Ever felt like you crossed over into the twilight zone?



I think both Matt and I crossed over yesterday. I posted on my blog about our visit with Paul, Denise and boys (below post).....Matt didn't know I posted.

Check out the title of his post?????????????? ...and then compare it to mine. http://mattsbigadventure.blogspot.com/2008/08/other-shoes.html

we wo wo wo we wo wo wo we wo wo wo wo..............

Visit from the other Shoes

Last weekend we had a LOVELY visit from Matt's brother, Paul and his family. They arrived on Friday evening and stayed through Sunday afternoon. We felt very spoiled to have them for such a long period of time! We had fun doing various activites such as: pistol shooting, swimming, tubing, motorcycle riding, four-wheelin' shoppin', skateboarding, rollerblading, reading (Denise found my Twilight series), relaxing, treehouse sleeping, good food, and lightening and thunder storms! It was great to see all six boys together, not to mention to see the brothers together again too! Denise and I had a great time catching up on life. =)

Here are a few pictures to share from our fabulous weekend together.

Matt * Keri * Denise* Paul

Landon * Tanner * Josh (& Clover) * Spencer * Nate * Justin

We always gotta show this side of the fam! =)

Love ya Shoes!