Memorial Day Weekend

For as long as I can remember it has been a tradition that on the Sunday before Memorial Day we would decorate the graves of our loved ones. This particular Memorial Day was raining and cold. Doesn't make for long visits at the cemetery. This picture is at my Mom's parents grave at the Orem Cemetery. It was pouring rain.

The whole fam minus a missionary. Notice Jensen....he's really on his tip toes. He so wants to be taller than his sisters, and he is oh! so close. This is our traditional picture at my Dad's parents grave at the Provo Cemetery. The kids have always taken a walk with Gege to the other side of the cemetery to my Dad's great grandparents grave. They chat along the way and discuss the cool headstones. My mom loves this part of the day, and so do the kids.

Love, love, love this picture. My dad took it of Jordy. Isn't she beautiful!

On Monday, we took the trek to Providence where Boom's parents are buried. We decided that it had been to long since we had seen our Jensen cousins, so we made a party out of it and met them at the cemetery. We ended up at the farmhouse for lunch and lots of visiting. It was so great to catch up and see those we haven't seen for so long. This is a picture of our Whittaker cousins, that were with us. We missed Dani, Ryne, Meg, Chase (Elder Whittaker), Chez, Tanner, and Logan (Elder Whittaker).

My Whittaker kids (-a particular Elder in Costa Rica) at Boom's parents grave side. Thanks to them for the heritage they gave us and for their example.

Our Savage cousins

Tayla and Jordy

Tamzyn

John and Cathy

Shea and Kyle

Thanks for the memories and for the good times that we share as a family. May we remember the memories we have of those that have gone before and may we live up to the legacy that they left us.

Baseball Buddies

Jensen has been playing baseball with the same group of friends since he was 10 years old. They are a great group of boys that have been good friends ever since. They are all happy boys, full of life, and excited to be playing baseball. I am grateful for good friends, who have good parents, that are all striving to do whats right. Good friends are hard to come by, and some come and some go, but these boys.....will always be good friends.

Reds and Little League begins!

Little League baseball would like to be in full swing, but the weather hasn't been very cooperative this year. I think we have been rained out of more games than we have played. However, we did get a good game in the other day. It's about time!

Easton is technically not old enough to play in the Minors for little league, but I decided that he would be miserable playing machine pitch again, and technically so would I. So we diecided to chance signing him up for Minors and we were successful. He is 8, and pitching to 12 year olds. What a great player! We are very proud of how hard he works at baseball.

he throws pretty consistant for an 8 year old, and his team is grateful that they drafted him. Funny story! I forgot about the tryouts, so Easton wasn't there. One of the coaches recommended him to the Reds coach, and sight unseen, the Reds coach drafted him their first pick.

He really tries to do the things his coach tells him, and really wants to become a great player!

We are excited to watch him play for a very long time! Thanks E.....you know me and baseball....nothing better! Well a few things are...

The Pinewood Derby

Easton had his first Pinewood Derby. He was so excited and so wanted to win a trophy. He and his Dad (mostly Dad, because of schedules) built a great car with a few pointers from his uncle Todd (who had just built Jaxon's car) and Dad's friend Chaz.

He took 2nd place! Yeah!! Tanner Hathaway (left) took 3rd and Michael Hartzell (center) took 1st.

The anticipation of waiting for the cars to cross the finish line.

Easton's car is the plain blue one on the very right. "On your marks....."

Each scout was called at different times to bring their cars to the starting line. It was a fun night and Easton had a great time. Until next year.........

The 2nd Grade Dance

The 2nd grade always does a dance festival performance for the parents. Easton was so excited for us to come watch him perform. He made sure that Boomer would be there as well.

His teacher Mrs. Chipman told me that Easton had great rhythm and had pretty great moves. Boomer said he gets this from me.

He did a "Singing in the Rain" Dance and was so excited to use his prop.

Not sure which dance this was, only because the dance performance was almost an hour and they did so many dances, that its hard to remember them all.

All the students were able to do "Country Dancing" with their moms. It was so funny to watch his face when he realized that I knew the dance.

Easton was glad Boomer was able to be at his dance festival. Easton it was so fun to watch you, but we realized that you are growing up too fast.

Jensen's 15th Birthday

Today is Jensen's 15th Birthday! Hard to believe that 15 years ago Boomer and I brought home our Mother's Day bundle. A few of the blog's that I follow have listed their 10 favorite things about the birthday person. I thought it was a great idea and decided I would incorporate it into my blog....

My 10 favorite things about Jensen:

1. His confidence (sometimes its a little over the top)
2. His smile
3. How much he loves his siblings
4. How he strives to do the things that are right
5. How much he loves the temple (and Gandolfo's after)
6. How much he is like Boomer (even down to the feet)
7. And how proud he is that he is like his Dad
8. When he gives his Young Men's leaders a hug when he sees them
9. That he listens and follows the counsel that his missionary siblings give him
10. That he is good friend to everyone, and knows that its important

Happy Birthday Jensen! I love you

9th Grade Cavemen Baseball

9th Grade Cavemen Baseball.....some up's and some downs.......lots of bad weather and rainouts

One of the things I love about the Cavemen baseball field is the temple in the background....

Jensen is in right field.............pretty great picture if you ask me. Thanks Pop!

Jensen plays a pretty great 2nd base......didn't see it very much, but when he did.....He gave it his all......and then some.

9th grade baseball......sacrifice, dedicated, loyal; but overlooked

#27 has great form, and a great big heart for baseball.

Knows the game.......loves the game

Had a diving catch at 2nd....didn't quit......even from the ground.

Made the play.....see the ball at the fence line.

Game at Springville....very cold day!

Didn't strike out once this year.....

Its always a pleasure to watch you play. I know this season wasn't what you wanted, but you gave your all and I am proud of you. Thanks for being a great sport and an all around good kid.