GUESS WHO HAS THEIR PERMIT?

I took last Monday off being it was the first day that the kids didn't have school. I had to make a run to the DMV to renew my drivers liecense. While I was going I decided to let Landon try to take the test to get his learners permit. We got to the new DMV in Draper and there was only a few people in front of us, when it got to be our turn we found out that we had forgot to bring all of Landon's idenification. Back home we went we got Landon's SS card and his birth certificate filled out the form and headed back waited in line again only to find out that the birth certificate I had bought when he was younger is no longer considered a valid form of ID. It is the "mini" birth certificate, it is the size of a drivers license. So no test for Landon, I renew mine and on my way home I decide to stop and see what I needed to do to get a valid Birth Certificate for him. There is a vital stats offices in Sandy so we go there and they gave it to us on the spot, I look at Landon and ask are you up for another trip to the DMV? he replies with a why not! ok so trip number 3 we go back it is almost 2:30 and now the lines are a lot longer and nearly all the seats are filled oh well at this point I am here for the duration! It only takes a surprisingly 20 mins. He takes the test while he is doing so I sit as close as I can. After he finishes he stands up and shakes his head "NO" which means he didn't pass. I ask him if he wants to try again and since he just took it and was able to review all the questions and it showed him the correct answers that he missed he figures why not. he missed 5 and he can miss 3 so whats he got to lose? he gets back in line and gets another computer and starts over. This time he stands up and shakes his head a big "YES" he has passed. Now my thoughts are what the heck have I done???? now he wants to drive home, am I ready for this? I decide that I'll let him drive half way home and once we are closer to home it is nearly rush hour and we have to travel on some pretty busy roads. Once we hot 10th East and 12300 S. I feel a little safer to allow him to take the wheel. And he does pretty well. I have never let him go over 20 MPH so 35 is a big deal!

Now that a week has gone by he has driven about 2 hours and he is getting better, But still needs a lot more practice! Funny I remember being a great driver right off the bat! Right Mom? I really know I wasn't but it really feels that way to me....

The Start of Summer

On Wednesday June 3rd I received a text from Landon he wanted me to see what he and his friends had been doing. I often wonder what that group is up to and seriously nothing much surprises me. Today was a different story.....It took forever for the picture to show up on my phone and when I did I was totally shocked! I never dreamed that Landon would ever do this to his most prized possession, he had been saying his was going to do this but I thought he was all talk. Most of all I couldn't believe he let his friends do this to him. One thing that Landon forgot that day was that he had an orthodontist appointment and had to go looking like this. He said that the Dr Young took his hat off and fell off the chair laughing so hard he wanted Landon to know that he was in no way laughing at his hair but just merely laughing because he was so surprise to see it in Mohawk form.... After his appointment Bill dropped him back off at home while he was waiting for me to get home he waited outside, I am most confidant that he wanted as many people in the neighborhood to see what he had done, he likes to get a rise out of people and he got it that day. I was certain that he was going to cause a wreck. He had many people driving by with their mouths dropped open and couldn't take their eyes off of him.. When I pulled up all I could do was laugh. I really couldn't believe it was Landon. It is truly the craziest thing he has ever done. Later that night he went back to his friends and finished it off!! It was fun while it lasted but I have to say I am glad it's gone. Tanner decided to go with him and he came home with no hair as well. Landon's friend Charlie decided it would be cool to do the reverse Mohawk, that being shaved down the middle leaving the sides long. then in the back he left a long squirrel tail. For those of who who have boys but not teenage boys this is what your in for! The best advise I can give is to just roll with this kind of stuff, there is a lot more other things to take seriously. It's just hair and it will grow back, not only that but he cut his hair himself which I am not all that sad about. I really can't wait for the Shag look to go out. So for now I'll enjoy the buzz! I hope I was able to give you all a good chuckle. Just think of it this way this was before school eneded I have a whole summer ahead of me!! The first picture was taken just one week after he totally shaved his head. We having bets on how fast it will grow back....Who wants in on his bet? He thinks it will be back to his shag before school starts...I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Temple Celebration

What an AWESOME event! tonight was the the celebration of the Draper Temple. There was over 7,000 kids that performed in this event. Tanner was involved in the dance portion of our stake/regional performance. Our Regions time event was the "Railroad" There was 10 dances tonight and was broadcast throught out this side of the valley at several Stake Centers. I took with me Scott Walker/Tanners friend who is staying with for the next 4 nights because his parents are on vacation. and my mom and her friend Aleene Gygi. we took tracks down we left at 6:00 and it started at 8:00 the conference center was packed very few seat were left open. I am really glad Tanner to this opportunity to be invloved in this what a great experience this was for him something he will remember for along time. Good job Tanner! you did a good job!

Memorial Day

This being Memorial Day brings to my mind and spirit a reflection of my past. I remember when I was young the excitement of this weekend, it meant fun times! I loved the family times, going to a BBQ getting all the flowers for the graves of my Grandparents. and the times of going to the cemetery to put the pretty flowers on the graves, meeting up with cousins, aunts and uncles, just being with family and friends. It also meant the beginning of Summer! But now that I am a lot older and having many other life experiences this weekend means something more now! I reflect on the many Men and Women who have sacrificed their life and changed their families lives forever so the rest of us can continue on with our own lives being free to do what ever we want. I am truly thankful for their service to keep America the America we have always known. Then next I ponder about how death has changed my personal life and how different things could be if the people I love were still here. I think about how life would be with a 18 year old daughter just getting ready to graduate from high school with the rest of her life challanges ahead of her. Wondering where her road would be taking her, and what kind of choices she has made and will make? It all is a blur it has been so long since I have seen her, but yet I can still see her sweet round face with her big blue eyes. and can hear her little giggle. I wish for just one more embrace with her, to hear her say Mom. But this was not meant to be. I am sad at times and relived at others because she did not have the face the hard times of being a teenager trying to figure out who she wants to be, she knows who she is and what her future holds, it's the rest of her that has the battle to carry on to be the best we can be to get where she is. I am gratful for the peace that I have that she is Ok that I will see her again. I LOVE you Jailee with all my heart! To my Dad that has been gone nearly 12 years, the man I loved and still love. I am gratful for the presence you are in my life for all the wonderful things you taught me. You are the rock of our family. The one we went to with our concerns. you gave us peace and strength to do what was right. you taught us well Dad. Thank You. I miss you, mom misses you and so do your grandchildren. We are sso happy to know that we will see you again. Love you with all our hearts!!

So now you know why my feelings for this weekend have changed over the years. I just have one thing to tell you all and that is don't take your loved ones for granted. Life has away with changing things up and tomorrow you may not have the chance to give that last hug, kiss and to say I love you. so take that opportunity to day pick up the phone or take a drive, but by the days end tell someone you love them! I know I will!

The First Day of A Long Weekend

Yesterday afternoon, after Tanner got home from school Bill and Tanner headed off to Moab. It was kind of a last minute idea so they had no reservations and no plans other than to ride their little legs off on the mountain bikes. Traffic was heavy leaving the city, the maxium speed was about 45 MPH until they got to the Prcie area. They reached Moab about 7:30pm, it was raining and they were hungry! they drove around to many camp sites but all were full, even the tent sites. Our next door neighbors were planning on going down today for the rest of the weekend. Bill wanted to talk to them to let them know of the camping situation so I took my cell phone across the street so they could chat. I never heard back from them until this morning at 10:00am Apparently they ended up sleeping the car, not very comfy! and they ended up eating at burger king wow what a Great Birthday dinner for Tanner he turned 14 yesterday. so this whole trip was what he wanted to do for his birthday. They have found a camping spot this morning so all is looking up. After they get all set up they are going to head on a ride. I am sure glad that their weekend is looking up. I will post some pics when they return. As far as Landon and myself go we have some parties in store. let you know all about them as they happen. so stay tuned

LANDON'S LOVE

Since we remodel of our front room we wanted pictures to add some character to the room. About ten years ago we won a signed print of Brent Todd. Brent paints pictures of the out doors and mostly wildlife/hunting pictures. The picture we got has two lab puppies tugging at a hat out in a field. I loved that picture right from the start but just never seemed to have enough money to frame it. And after that many years I honestly forgot we had it. Bill found it when we started working on the front room and it had the right colors so went went ahead and had it framed. It looks really nice. We decided that we would like to get some pictures of all of us doing something we love. Bill was able to get a great picture of him skiing up at Snowbird in the powder, and we have some of Tanner biking down in Moab. we have found it difficult to obtain pictures of Landon skate boarding at the skate park. but last Saturday my really good friend LeAnn volunteered to go to the skate park and take some pictures of him for us. We got there early and as luck would have it on a Saturday morning we almost had the skate park to ourselves due largely to the fact that teenagers hate to get up early on the weekend. It worked out great! She was able to get some great action shots of him. I am sure that we will be able to enlarge one of these to frame and hang up in our front room. I am excited to finally be able to show some pictures of Landon doing something that he really likes to do. hope you enjoy these shots of him.

Good job Landon!

Thanks LeAnn for taking time out your Saturday to come and take these for us. They look AWESOME and I had a fun time chillin with Alex my little birthday buddy!!