Mormom winter formal

Torrie Derrick asked James to the Mormon Winter Formal last weekend. 

They had a lot of fun! I am looking forward to more pictures from the photographer. Such a great girl!

Board of Review... DONE!

 James had his board of review on December 11, 2014. He passed with flying colors. Grant showed up to the church in his hunting gear... camo. It was a different look for my city slicker. But we were glad he made it off the mountain on his elk hunt.  He looks like a "tree"....

James turns 18 years old!

My only son is now a legal adult. He can hold puppies at the pet store, he buy dry ice, spray paint and vote! I was thinking back over James birthdays and realized I have spent his birthday with him for lunch since he started school. We have gone for his "free" birthday lunch to Joe's farmhouse and Joe's BBQ together for years.  I am thankful he still likes to spent time with his mom.

While eating at Joe's BBQ we saw the something weird. A dog sitting in a baby stroller in the restaurant. I am shocked at how animals have become babies to people. I guess I am the weird one that doesn't want a pet... EVER! I like my children. 

Driving on James birthday we saw his dream car!  The new 2014 Corvette. Had to take a picture.

We had the annual flexing picture. James didn't want to flex but he humored me. Every year we weigh, measure and take pictures. To see how much he has changed that year. 

This was the gift he thought he would never get... a new wake board! One that is so light and he will be able to do tricks with. He was shocked and happy!

Tuesday night a few friends dropped by to have cake, ice cream and hang out. 

Chandler Follet, James, Reagan, Braxton, Annie, Hailey Johnson, Hannah and Braden Shumway

Riley Packard came a little later.

Kami and Brecklyn came after cheering for a basketball game! 

Hailey Johnson and James.

Braxton Owens

Chandler Follet and James

We played the airplane game. It was funny! 

 We did not have a candle, so we improvised, a lighter. It worked great!

 James is one of those young men everyone likes. He is the young man that helps the little old lady at church to her seat, takes the sacrament to the widow or sick on in our ward. He had a goal to take out girls in our ward for the 16th birthday. He took out Megan who is special needs and has a crush on him, for her very first date. It made her year! James became the young man all the moms loved. I love his light, fun heart. He has such a great sense of humor and laugh. It is one of his "Gifts".  Everything is more fun with James around. I love how he is so good to his sisters. He doesn't have a brother, but that doesn't bother him. He will wrestle, throw balls, jump on trampoline, race, play tag, with his sisters. He treats them kind and like they are important to him. I love that about James. On Thursday James will have his board of review and become an eagle scout. He has applied for BYU, we will see how that turns out. He is going to start his mission papers in February. He goes to mission prep class every week. James is just an all around great young man. I am happy and proud to be his mother.

Highland High Winter Formal

James was asked to go the Winter Formal with Brecklyn Allen. Such a cute girl.

 They went to dinner at Benihana for dinner. Then went to Brecklyn and Kami's uncle's funeral home. (Todd Allen, my friend from mountain view high school, is the uncle of Brecklyn and Kami) Which was a little freaky. They saw a few dead bodies. Then they went to the dance at Highland High school. Then back to one of the girls house for a movie and hang out.

Cute group of kids!

Millennial Choir performs!

 Annie and Hannah sang with the Millennial Choir at the Mesa Arts Center. It was a 3 day intense, beautiful, an experience of a life time. Annie sang with the Youth Choir and Hannah sang with the Children Choir. 

 I was a "MOM" helper behind the scenes. I was required to wear all black. I don't own any black clothes. So I went to the store and purchased black. I know it's a shocker. I never wear black! 

 We had lots of time in the holding room, Hannah read her book, played uno and played hand games with other girls. It was a long day. But it was worth it.

 Getting ready to go on stage and sing her three songs. Her group sang, "The Holly and the Ivy", my personal favorite song. "Winter wonderland" and a Spanish song, Riu, Riu, Chiu. Which was amazing and so fun to sing and hear. I love what my girls are learning in this choir. They are both so beautiful.

 After Friday night choir performance!

I helped in the Children Choir. So I finally got a second to go see Annie in her holding room. She is an amazing singer. The youth choir sang "Winter wonderland", "Riu, Riu, Chiu",  "I heard the bells on Christmas Day", and "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains". My favorite song she sang was "Far, Far away on Judea's Plains". It was powerful, with bagpipes and Scottish dancers.

I am thankful for this beautiful weekend we were able to feel the real spirit of Christmas and think about our Savior Birth and the greatest gift ever Given... the Atonement of our Savior.

Personal Days

 Sometimes you just need to spend the day with your mom! On Wednesday Annie took a personal day. We ran errands, went shopping, got new shoes for Christmas, and went to lunch. I love my Annie! Thanks for spending the day with me.

On Thursday Hannah was feeling like she needed a personal day with me to. I was all game. I love spending individual time with my girls. We went to the bank, ordered a corsage for James dance, ran to Winco, made banana bread and went to lunch. Hannah is just a great girl and I am so happy she is mine! Both girls are growing up so fast!!!

Veterans Day breakfast with Grandpa Dayley

Grandpa Dayley served in Vietnam. LTS was having a breakfast to honor the men and women who served our country. We love our Grandpa and thankful for serving our country!