Seminary Graduation

Whew! He made it...there were some dicey moments this year!

Grandpa Taylor was able to come for the week...He and Grandma gave Dowlin a new CTR (Choose the Right) ring for graduation - to help him remember who he is when he is out in the world...Lol

We had a big discussion which way the ring should be facing... Dowlin says this is the right way so when he is giving someone a knuckle sandwich, for making a bad choice, they will be able to see the "choose the Right" coming at them - Haha

Mercedes wouldn't pose for a picture with Dowlin so he is using the force of the CTR ring to get the picture - Sheesh - I don't think popping her head off falls in the "right" category!

Finally on our way to graduation! Big sigh! Just one more tomorrow and relief should set in! HA hahahaha... Right!

Fathers and Sons Campout

Well... This is where photos of the campout would be...if Dean and Zachery had taken any... :-( 1st year in 18 years, I have NO pictures!

They came home tired and dirty so they must have had a good time. They rode Quads a little, they played, hiked and ate...They slept together in a hamock and enjoyed the company of the other men and boys there. Dean says "Zach's not a 'Pee in the woods' kind of guy"...He suffered for a couple of hours waiting for the portable pottys to arrive - Haha

We girls on the other hand - had a fun night eating chinese food and ice cream, and watching 'The Sound of Music' and 'Twilight'
Olivia woke this morning in her bed and said, "Hey! I thought we were having a sleepover on the couch?" I said we all fell asleep and I carried everyone up to their beds...She then asked, "Who carried you up to bed Mom?" ...(Smarty pants!)

Mercedes...

You know..there came a time during Mercedes 3+ years in Tae Kwon Do that we feared for our own safety. As we watched our sweet little Princess kick boys butts and slap spar her favorite brown belt so hard their hands hurt!
Dean and I looked at each other with fear as I said, "She knows where we sleep!" LOL
Since then we have looked for and encouraged other avenues to use her energy...
She has Cheered (She was a beautiful Cheerleader - just not really "Peppy")

She Ran Track and Qualified for State in Discus

She has Acted...

She has played the trumpet since 5th grade - and Rocks the WCHS Marching uniform...AND Cape! :-)

She has played Volleyball and Softball

Last March, Mercedes and Kaden became fast Friends...(Remember when I said Trevor brought nephews over when they came for dinner?) (Check the March posts)

Well - Dean and Mercedes were invited to join in one of their family activities, they love hunting and shooting...Shooting!

Now.. if your scratching your head thinking...You feared before? What now? Well Relax! lol - Mercedes has always been very responsible about her methods of self defence. AND She and Dean used all of our bullets -Haha!
No, she is really having a great time and She learned Safety, how to load, and shoot all in good company. It was a great Father/Daughter activity too.
I didn't have to go, lol - Christina and I were chillin' at the house while the other kids swam - lol
Anyway - there is Mercedes in a nut shell -
Pshh! Like she will ever be "simple enough" to be put into a "nut shell"!
It has been fun looking at all of these old photos though - right?

Prom - Olathe North

Well, if you're feeling confused about the title, don't worry...Yes Dowlin went to Prom in Kansas at Olathe North HS - however we still live in Surprise AZ.

Dowlin was asked to Prom by his friend, Stefanie. He asked us if he could go.. We thought about it and thought what a great "Solo flight trip" for him.
Although Dowlin didn't recognize more than a handful of people at Prom...He did reconnect with several buddies. That was my hope... That he see's that everyone else grew up too. (LOL does that make sense?) I kinda expect my HS friends to still look like they did way back then.

Anyway, as you see, he was all dolled up, and "'Rockin' the Pink" as he says. Missy met him and snapped a few pictures for me because I wasn't there.

And I must say... He looks pretty good in a Tux! :-)

Electric Personality

Just a funny picture of Olivia as she was jumping on the Trampoline...Did you realize there was so much static electricity on a trampoline? I feel like this at Sams Club when I grab a cart without one of those static wires on it... LOL

Easter

This Easter Sunday has left me feeling very grateful and humbled! I am so very thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and have the Restored Gospel in my life. I have been richly blessed throughout my life...I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
On this Easter Sunday, Dean and I were able to go with Mercedes to our Stake Patriarch home, and listen and marvel at the beautiful blessings promised to her.
A Patriarchal Blessing is a special blessing straight from Heavenly Father, delivered through the Stake Patriarch. This blessing among other things is a helpful guide throughout ones life. It is a beautiful blessing, she is a beautiful daughter of Heavenly Father...We are so proud of her and her desire to receive her blessing.

We are so grateful for all of our children - Happy Easter!

Easter Pagent

The Mesa Temple Grounds are flooded with people during the first couple of weeks in April....waiting patiently for the Easter Pageant to begin. This was a lovely performance out on the Temple lawn with 1000's of your closest friends and neighbors!
It tells the story of our Savior, Jesus Christ...His birth, His life through His Crucifixion Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. It was beautiful!
Olivia sat on my lap, bundled in a blanket, asking so many questions that I felt like I was being disruptive in Sacrament Meeting...But how could I deny her seeking heart the gift that was right before her. I answered every question in a whisper continuously throughout - She was mesmerized! She asked me several times upon seeing the man portraying Jesus Christ..."Can we go see Him Mommy?"
All there with open hearts definitely felt the Spirit! It was very well done!



We met Kyle and Kara's family there and visited and had a picnic dinner as we waited for the sun to go down! In front of us is a sea of chairs as far and wide as the eye can see!

Kendall and Kraig

Kara and Kyle
I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the stage...Oh well, I guess you will just have to come see it for yourselves! It is worth it!