My life with boys....

December 2016:

Dec. 3 - Michael went to the Davis High Christmas Dance with his friend Cassi who attends Westlake High in Saratoga Springs, UT.  Being in marching band, Michael has met many kids from different schools.

 

Dec. 12 - The Jazz band Christmas concert was tonight.  Michael wrapped Mr. Hendricks in Christmas lights during one of the songs.

Dec. 15 - Cory and our boys!

Dec. 16 - Got all dressed up to go out to dinner at Five Alls with my family! It was great to be there with my dad and my brothers and sisters!

Dec. 17 - Michael decided it was time to teach Tristan the art of crackers and squeeze cheese.

 
Taylor was a groomsman at the wedding of his good friend Jacob Zimmerman.

Tonight was the family Christmas Party!  It seems the grandchildren we're a bit unsure of Santa. 

Dec. 18 - I'm the Sunbeam teacher in Primary.  These little kids are so much fun!

Apparently the men in the house cannot wait for dinner.

 

Dec. 21 - The lights at Temple Square! 

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve! Spent the morning decorating and eating cookies with Kevin and LilyAnn while Jake and Michael GLADLY peeled potatoes for dinner. Had a fun evening with all the family and posing for pictures in new pajamas!

Dec. 25 - Christmas Day we woke up to a LOT of snow.  It was a great day spent with the family!

Dec. 30 - Sledding with the grandchildren.  They had such a good time playing with cousins!

 

 

November 2016:

November 1 - Definitely a great way to start the month.  Another day in Disneyland.  This was the second day of play for the marching band before they head back home tomorrow.  Cory and I did not stay at the same hotel as the band, so it was fun to run into our own little boy while waiting for the tram to take us from the parking garage to the park.  I didn't take a lot of pictures today.  But I was really happy to be at the front of the castle when the Disney characters made an entrance.  For all the times we've been here before, I've never seen that happen!  It was fun.

 

November 2 - The marching band is headed back home.  However, we retrieved our boy from them and he is staying an extra day to have fun with daddy and mommy!  When we first parked our car we were able to see the new "Star Wars Land" while under construction.  I'm not at all pleased about this new addition.  But nobody asked for my permission, so, yeah.  We had a great day riding the rides and eating some of our favorite treats. 

Michael and I have the coolest shoes

 

I am always bugged when I use the restroom, wash my hands, and the paper towel dispenser gives me 6 inches of towel with which to dry my hands.  I mean, my hands get pretty wet when I wash them, 6 inches of towel does NOT dry them enough.  First world problems are so frustrating!

It was fun to see Cory sitting alone in this tiny little powder blue car.  It's "blew"

 

Extremely dark and blurry shot.  But, we had to have it. We always need to enjoy Main Street and the castle one last time before heading home.

November 8 - Election day.  Michael was quite happy to have turned 18 a few weeks ago.  He is eligible to vote for the President of the United States. 

Regardless of who I voted for, I was stunned to see this across my news screen the next morning.  I was even a bit giddy.

November 15 - I ran a few errands with my dad today.  One of them included a stop at Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolates.  We even get to see some very old friends when we are there.  The day got even better when Cory came home that night from a business trip overseas that included a long layover in London.  I benefit from that for sure!!!!

November 19 - Our little princess is TWO years old today!  Oh what a joy she is to us!

November 23 - The day before Thanksgiving.   Jake has basically become my pie slave.  He bakes them so well.  He made a delicious apple pie and razzleberry pie for us to enjoy for Thanksgiving.

 

......Today I turned 50.  No big deal.  Really. 

 

November 24 - Thanksgiving Day.  I didn't take a lot of pictures today.  But I'm super happy to have had these people here to celebrate Thanksgiving.

November 26 - This little guy seems to enjoy being serenaded by Uncle Jake.

November 30 - The village is up and ready.  Time to start the holiday season.  Bring on December!!!!

 

October 2016:

 As has been the case for the past several years, our October is FILLED with mostly marching band events.  Throw in a few birthdays and it becomes a very busy month full of lots of fun! 

October 1 - Wasatch Front Invitational.  This competition was held at Herriman High School.  One thing to note is, over the years it has seemed the competition for the top spot has mostly been with American Fork High.  Who, in their own right, is an amazing marching band and continues to always take 1st place.  However, in the past few years there are other schools who have really put on some amazing shows and the competition has become quite close for all the 5A bands.  The band did a fantastic job tonight and they just keep getting better. They took 2nd place and received the captions for VISUAL and PERCUSSION!

 

It's fun having Taylor be part of the staff!

 

October 3 - HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY JACOB!  This is the third birthday in a row that we weren't with him.  Although, this time we DID get to see him a few days ago and we could also call and talk to him to wish him the best birthday ever!!!  My cute little baby has grown into a handsome man!!!

October 6 - Hey!  There's a football game being played on the marching band field!?!?!?!?!?! 

October 8 - Bridgerland Bands Invitational at Utah State University in Logan.  Jake came down from Rexburg to see the competition.  He was so proud of his band and especially his BROTHER!  Michael was especially happy that Jake came down to see him and spend some time with the band.  Michael is also very good at making new friends with kids from other bands.  Davis took 2nd place and received the caption for PERCUSSION and then TIED for the MUSIC caption with American Fork!  Way to go! 

Jake was happy to see his jr. high band director, Mr. Heath Wolf

Waiting for awards to be announced

Michael and his friend Cassi from Westlake High

 

....while we were at the band competition Alan sent me a text with this picture!  He was elk hunting with his in-laws and shot a big one! 

October 10 - I took this picture during the final run of the final rehearsal before Davis Cup.  This is a hard one for Michael.  He struggles with every passing milestone this season and just knowing this is the last time he rehearses on this field for Davis Cup, is hard.  Some people don't understand.  It's okay.  It's a band thing. 

October 11 - Davis Cup.  The one competition where I am there from beginning to end.  It's a LONG day, but a lot of fun.  I will admit that I DO get bored watching some of the other bands.  After a while they all seem to blend together and sound alike.  But it's just something I do.  Plus we are the home crowd and there are lots of people to see and visit with throughout the day.  Davis took 2nd place and the caption for COLORGUARD!

   

So awesome to see the support of Michael's priest quorum (mostly the advisors - especially since two other young men in our ward, David Porter and Trevor Zimmerman are in the band) at the competition! Also, even though I didn't get a picture, his bosses were there too!

October 12 - Sigh.  I was released from my calling as the Laurel advisor this past Sunday.  I guess it was time.  I had served in this calling for nearly three years.  But it was nearly three of the most amazing years I've had in a calling.  I have loved these girls so so much and had such a great time with them.  We had already planned this activity to go to the Black Island Farm pumpkin patch and corn maze, so we just made it our last "hurrah!"  We had so much fun picking pumpkins and scaring each other and ourselves in the dark maze!  I'm going to miss being with them in class each week.

   

October 13 - HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!  Holy moly.... did I just say 18th birthday????   My baby.  How unbelievably crazy it is to think of where the time has gone!  What an incredible young man he is.  Just another one of my cute little boys growing into a handsome man.  I'm a lucky mom!

Mr. Hendricks let him dismiss the band for his birthday

He wasn't sure what he wanted for a present, so we just got him a few gift cards.

   

Dinner at the PIE!!!  Mmmmmm!!!

October 15 - Sometimes I just need to hang out with this little guy, and all I do is smile!  Also, there was another band competition tonight.  Mount Timpanogos.  It was held at Pleasant Grove High.  We got there in time to see the 5A bands.  I wasn't feeling really well and didn't even take any pictures.  But Davis got 2nd place and the caption for PERCUSSION!  They finished off the regular UMEA season seeded 2nd for the State Championships that will be held in St. George.

October 19 - UGH!  Flood in basement.  Carpet of less than one year needs replaced.  I suppose I could elaborate, but if I never remember this particular event, I'll be fine.  However, I will give a HUGE shout out to my son Alan!  Having a son who works for a disaster clean up company is super helpful.  Also grateful for a good insurance company!!! 

October 21 - Russ and Darla were in town over the weekend. It was fun to meet up with them for breakfast to celebrate Cory's birthday.

October 22 - Speaking of which.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORY!!!!  How old are you???  Um, well.... let's just say I have been looking forward to taking this picture at Bowman's Market for a while now.   Discounts are available to anyone 55 and older.  He claims he'll retaliate when it's my turn, but I figure by the time I reach the age of 55, he'll still be 5 years older than me and he will likely not remember to retaliate. 

 

October 24 - Fall band concert at Davis High.  Tonight was the traditional "surround sound" concert in which the marching band plays their field show music while standing in the aisles of the auditorium.  This picture was taken at the very end of the show.  Yes, I realize that Michael doesn't look happy.  He isn't.  He's quite unhappy because that was the last time he'll do that.  Ever.  It can be emotional for someone so invested in this. 

October 27 - The last ever rehearsal on the practice field before heading to St. George for the State Championship and Bands of America Regional.  Michael has done a great job of being the tenor sax section leader this year. 

 October 28 -  Red Rocks Invitational/State Championship.  St. George, UT.  One year ago I asked each of my boys to consider being here with us in St. George this year.  I wanted to surprise Michael.  I didn't tell him our plan.  I wanted him to walk out onto that field and then look up to see all of his family there to support him.  He had no idea of this plan.  It was a great plan.  All but one of my boys' family was there.  Unfortunately, Alan and his family were unable to come and we missed them.  However, it was still really good for Michael.  He walked onto the field  and was ready to perform when he  looked up and saw most of his family there cheering him on!  It was very clear to us that he was stunned and very happy! I think our little grandson had his fill of the excitement though so Russell and Jessica left before the awards.  Davis did such an amazing job on the field that night.  They took 2nd place in the competition as well as 2nd in State!  It was awesome!!!!

He's always finding friends in other bands!  These are his buddies from the Skyview Band.

Jake and Mr. Hendricks

 

October - 29 - Bands of America Regional.  We started out morning visiting the grounds of the St. George Temple.  Jake also enjoyed being able to see some of his trombone friends at the competition as well.  Davis' preliminary performance was fantastic.  Just sitting in that stadium you could tell that they were a favorite for the crowd.  So many people from other bands would tell us how they loved the show and how good Davis was.  When they finished their preliminary performance you could tell they felt good about it.  The band staff was clearly very happy and pleased with their performance.  

 

   

Jake and his friends Austin, Almendra, and Josh (for the record, they are not giving me the finger.  It's some sort of symbol the trombone section uses)

   

Mr. Hendricks jumped right into this photo of his drum majors

 

Taylor has enjoyed being a part of the staff this year

 

Davis was in the top 10 that day and made it into the finals.  Again they performed so well.  Every year that I have been a band mom, I've watched my boys perform that final show and felt a bit sad.  I knew that was it, the end.  They would not be performing that show again.  When they are seniors, it's even harder because I know they will struggle after the band season is over.  This was no different.  I actually cried through most of their final performance.  I remember watching just almost every move Michael made.  That final note played and I continued to cry.  It was done.  I was so very proud of MY SON in that band!  As always, one of my favorite moments in the BOA competition is when all of the finalist bands march onto the field together.  The awards ceremony seems to take a lifetime to get through though.  Davis took 6th place overall. The scores were incredibly close.  When it was all said and done, and the bands were all dismissed to celebrate and mingle with each other, my boy came to me.  He was happy, he was satisfied and he KNEW that they had done the very best ever and he was so pleased with himself and his band. For me, I was pleased with my son.

 

Taylor took this photo of Michael heading off to warm up for his final performance.

Yep, I'm crying.

I will forever be grateful for the experience my boys have had in the Davis High Marching Band.

October 30 - After all the events of the past couple of days that kept us going, it was nice to take a bit of a breather.  Can't think of a better place to relax at the moment either.

 

October 31 - Of course we're in Disneyland today!!!!  The final bow for the band this season is to march down Main Street U.S.A.  Naturally, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see the band in a parade..... or the opportunity to visit a place that makes me so happy!

     

After the parade, Michael was given some special Disney Performing Arts mouse ears! 

.....By the way it is HALLOWEEN!  It was fun to get some pictures of our family celebrating the holiday in their own way!!  I especially missed getting to see my grandchildren in their costumes.  They are all so dang CUTE!!!!

 

The boy band from BYU-Idaho!

Wreck it Ralph, Fix it Felix and Penelope VonSweets

The Flash, Wonder Woman and Fix it Felix!  (Poor Flash was sad. Probably missing us!!!)

September 2016!

Sept. 4 - This is just as good of a way to start this month as any!  Michael and some friends went to Park City today and they were thoughtful enough to bring me a treat home with them!!!  Obviously they went prepared with ice and a cooler to keep it as frozen as possible since Park City is about 50 miles from here. 

Sept. 5 - I had sun spending time with this little guy today! 

Sept. 6 - Michael doesn't mind snuggling with his favorite girl!  He LOVES being a uncle!

Sept. 7 - Time to go school shopping for Jake!   Haven't done that in a while! 

Sept. 9 - Seriously!?  I want to cry.  I just got him back and now he's leaving AGAIN!  This time shouldn't be as hard though.  We get daily contact and he can come home whenever he wants.  But I'm still a bit sad that it's already time for him to leave and head to college at Brigham Young University Idaho!  He'll be a three hour drive a way!  I wanted to drive him up there.  But he said he'd be just fine on his own.  Guess he's a big boy now.

 

....Today we also had the opportunity to go to Lagoon for FREE!  Cory's company booked a private party there so ONLY those employees and their guests were there.  It was fun.  Since he had 4 tickets, we ended up taking Alan and Katelyn with us.  We rarely go to Lagoon (we actually go to Disneyland more than we go to Lagoon and the latter is only 3 miles from our house!) We had a really  fun time together.

 

Sept. 10 - The  competition season is definitely upon us.  Today was super Saturday for the marching band to work on cleaning up and perfecting their field show.  This year the show is called, "The Power of One."  So far it seems like it's got a lot of potential and will be a great show!

Sept. 12 - First day of school for Jake!  He was smart enough to get a photo and send it to me!!! 

Sept. 13 - Parents preview of the DHS marching band 2016 field show, "The Power of One."  The weather threatened to ruing the evening, but after a bit of a delay the band played on.  What an amazing job they did too!  This is a fantastic show.  This will be a great season and the last one for Michael. 

Sept. 16 - You are never too old to chase down the ice cream truck! Right Jake, Taylor and Melissa?

...Tonight was the DHS Homecoming Game.  Jake seemed pretty happy when the head drum major asked if he wanted to conduct the band during the school song.  He's still got it!  As for Michael, he performed very well with the band at half time.  We had a really fun night.

That's Michael, front and center of that block.

Sept. 17 - Tonight is the DHS Homecoming Dance.  Michael was excited to be able to drive Cory's Mustang for his date.  Since Jake was home for the weekend he was able to participate with other alumni in the Jazz Band at the dance.  (Davis High Homecoming has two options for the dance, the main dance area with a D.J. or in the gym with the jazz band.  Most students prefer to go where the jazz band is.)  Before leaving, Jake decided he wanted his dang stinkin' cute little niece to be his date.  Too bad she couldn't really go.  Michael took his good friend Renae to the dance.  They had a great time.  When the dance was over, Michael's group of friends came over to hang out for a while.  Jake didn't seem to mind.

 

 Sept. 21 - This is my first born grandson.  Today is his first day of pre-school.  His daddy sent me this photo.  He is growing up too fast.  I love him.

Sept. 2 - It's not every day you get your band director to pose with you as if you're models in a magazine.  

Sept. 24 - First marching band competition of the season.  Mt. Nebo. This is also the first time they've performed at this particular competition in several years.  They took 3rd place tonight, but they also got the captions for percussion and colorguard.  It was awesome!

Sept. 25 - In my Laurel class today I taught a lesson about how we can delight in the Sabbath.  I prepared ice cream for them and let them choose the various toppings to make a sundae.  We discussed the things that we wouldn't put on top of an ice cream sundae and related them to the things that we might do through the week that are okay, but to not do them on a Sunday so that we can have a more delightful Sabbath and do things to help us become closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I think the girls enjoyed the lesson a lot.  I had been nervous about serving them ice cream when I found out that our Stake YW President was planning to be in our class today.  Not that it isn't okay to do it, but it could have gotten a little irreverent.  Thankfully, it went well and everyone enjoyed the lesson.  I even got a note in the mail from the Stake YW Pres. a few days later, thanking me for the lesson.

   

Sept. 28 - No special occasion.  Just lunch.  This is quite the CHEESEburger!

Sept. 30 - Cory and I decided to take a little road trip to see Jake in Rexburg, ID.  His birthday is in a few days, but we won't be able to be with him that day. We had already given him a laptop for his birthday the day he left for school.  But we brought him a few more treats and gifts from his brothers.  I also had a friend make an apron for him for when he bakes his pies.  I think he was glad we came to visit and take him to lunch. 

 

 

   

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August 2016!

Seems that July was one big constant party.  Well, it continued into August.

August 4 - One of the things that Jake learned while he was serving his mission in Michigan, was how to bake pies.  He was taught by a very nice man the correct way to make a crust.  Pretty much the best kind of pie has a perfect crust, and Jake has already seemed to master it.  For his first pie attempt at home he baked an extremely delicious PEACH pie and I am not exaggerating when I say it was EXTREMELY delicious!  I told him he's in charge of pies for Thanksgiving.  No more Marie Calendar pies for us!!!

August 8 - One of the things my missionaries "miss" while serving missions is the opportunity to see movies.  Especially the blockbusters that are released while they are away.  There always seems to be one or two BIG releases that are important to my sons while someone is out serving their mission.  For Jake, one of those movies happened to be Star Wars The Force Awakens (which he saw on Blu Ray within days of coming home).  Plus a few other "important" ones to him.  Well, a few months before returning he requested that ALL of his family WAIT for him to come home before they see the movie Captain America Civil War.  Most of the family agreed.  One refused.  One that agreed saw it anyway.  By the time Jake came home it wasn't even showing in theaters anymore.  BUT.... it was soon showing at the Kaysville Theater.  (an experience everyone should encounter at least ONCE in their life!!!  We love that place!)  So, for the first time in YEARS, Cory and I, and our five boys all went to see the movie for Jake's first time.  And basically the first time for most of us.  I think he liked it.

 

August 10 - It's always fun to get a corn dog when one or both of my food truck boys are working.... especially when there is also a shaved ice trailer near by!!!!  We enjoyed delicious footlongs then some yummy Hawaiian shaved ice with Taylor and Melissa!  Summer time is so cool!!

      

August 11 - Big day.   The beginning of all the last days of the Davis High Marching Band.  Michael is headed out to band camp.  Dressed and ready to learn and perform an amazing field show!  That hat has been to EVERY band camp since 2007.  (Well, okay... not 2010 band camp - that was the one year we didn't have a son in the band in the past 10 years!)

....Today was also another day to celebrate the return of a missionary!  Elder Derek Marsden returned from his mission in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Best buddies and cousins forever!!!!!

 August 12 - Jake and I took a road trip to Delta, UT.  Basically the middle of nowhere.  We went to visit Michael at band camp for a few hours.  As always the band was working hard to learn their field show.  It's always fun to see it all come together.  These kids really work hard. 

 

 

I think Jake enjoyed spending time on top of the scaffolding.  Just hanging out with Mr. Hendricks, and likely talking about Michigan since they both served in the same mission.

...after getting back from Delta, it was fun to go out to dinner with my dad and my siblings.  We don't get together like this very often, and even though my brother Alan and his wife Marivic live in Northern CA, we always miss them and wish they were here. 

L - R: Julee, Archie, Lesley, Mike, my daddy, Christine, David, Margie, Tim, Cory and I.

August 13 - This is just part of what happens at band camp.  Your feet turn white!!!  Or is it that the exposed areas of the skin become much darker???? 

... Taylor and his friends.  Things sure have changed since they were all hanging out together in high school!!! Taylor married Melissa!  Braxton married Lexi (not able to attend) and they have TWINS!  Dusty married Trever (also not able to attend) and she's having a baby in January! Kevin and Jacob both have very awesome girlfriends who will likely be become their wives.  And Michael got an African accent!!!!!  So awesome!!

August 14 - Taylor and Jake sang cowboy....hymns?

......then we had our family pictures taken.

August 16 - Daddy/daughter date night at Centerpointe Theater!  Such a fun performance of Hello Dolly!

August 17 - School has yet to begin.  However, once the marching band season starts, it doesn't matter if school is in session.  Plus, it's a great way for these three to spend some time together before school really does get started and everyone goes on with their own busy school life.

For our combined Young Men/Young Women activity tonight, we swept MANY tarps that had been used on our Stake Youth Pioneer Trek.  There were several tarps that needed sweeping and some repairs.  Thankfully we have an amazing youth group that got right in and did the work.  We had FUN too!

August 18 - We went to the Davis County Fair.  We ate food.  We saw an Asian Elephant.  'Twas a delightful evening.

 
 

....my favorite basketball team.

August 19 - Summertime is the BEST time for Hawaiian shaved ice!

August 20 - Cousins having fun together after having an "ulster fry" breakfast at Aunt Lesley's to celebrate Granma Marsden's birthday.  We miss those breakfasts when granma made them, but Aunt Lesley did a fantastic job and it was fun to be with family.

 

Went school shopping.  I was nice and let MICHAEL buy some of his favorite brand of shoes.  He spent more on those shoes than I used to spend on school clothes for all five of my boys combined.  But it was HIS well earned money.  He hasn't been dippin' those corndogs for nothing!

 

August 23 - This little girl LOVES playing with my phone and gets a huge kick out of the fun features on Snapchat!

August 24 - It's the last first day of school for this guy!  Hard to believe he's a senior in high school.  He left smiling at 7am.  He arrived back home smiling at pm.  A full day of school and marching band.  Though, his "A" day schedule consists of 3 band classes before lunch.  So, it's no wonder he's smiling.

While Michael was away at school, Jake baked more pies.  Mmmmmmm!

   

August 27 - THIS is impressive.  She loves to draw on EVERYTHING, which can sometimes be frustrating, but those fingers!  The way she holds that pen!  That is something that is usually TAUGHT!  She's a natural!

August 28 - They are so cute and reverent at church today.

August 31 - Besties together again!  Jayden arrived home from his mission in Arizona yesterday!!

The beginning of the end. Today was uniform fittings.  This is the beginning of the end of marching band.  November will be really rough!

 

July 2016:

This is definitely a month I have been looking forward to for a LONG time!  It has been a FUN month filled with parades, fireworks, family fun, and the return of Elder Nielsen IV.  I have sooooo much to say! 

July 1 - Might as well start it off with this dang stinkin' cute baby girl!  Ever since her Uncle Bum (Michael) started working at the Worlds Best Corndog food truck we've enjoyed them a little more often.  She LOVES them and it's so funny to see her eat one.  It's almost bigger than her and she's eating a "halfsie" size! 

....Taylor and Melissa came down for the holiday weekend and made it to the food truck just in time to get a corndog before Michael got off work. 

....The city of West Bountiful started their Independence Day celebrations tonight!  We always try to go to the park with my family and listen to my brother-in-law's band "Endless Summer" play for the crowd before the fireworks.  My dad sometimes joins them for a few songs.  Always a good time.

.....well..... it's always a good time until I get a text from my daughter-in-law with THIS picture in it!  This is my little grandson.  His daddy had to work tonight and somehow there was some miscommunication (or they would have been WITH us at the park).  His cute mommy brought him to see grandma and I wasn't there.  Apparently this is how he reacted.   Well, me.... being the tenderhearted grandma that I am.... ended up leaving the park to go be with him.   Seriously!  How could I resist!?

July 2- The West Bountiful parade goes right past my dad's house.  So convenient!  My little grandson Tristan seemed to enjoy the parade a lot.  Cory and I enjoyed the parade SWAG!  (Especially when it includes Fat Boy ice cream sandwiches being thrown at us!)

....I didn't get a picture of any of us, or our friend in the cast.  However, Cory and I, as well as Taylor and Melissa really enjoyed the Kaysville City production of Singin' in the Rain tonight!  Our friend in the cast is actually one of the assistant band directors of the DHS Marching Band, David Simon (who also happened to be Michael's jr. high band director). He played the part of Don Lockwood.  We were very impressed with the whole cast and it was very well done. 

July 4 - Independence Day!!!  We started out the day on Main Street in Kaysville.  We were only there long enough to see my last baby boy marching in his last ever  4th of July parade with the DHS band.  (This parade, and this season marks the last of the last of everything marching band for our family).  As usuall MY child is so cute marching down that parade route!   After the parade we had a fun BBQ/water party in our back yard.  Not all of the kids could be here.  But we were glad Russell came for a few minutes during his lunch hour.  They all got a bit crazy with the water and the little ones weren't too sure about it at first.  But they got used to it and had a great time.  Little Kevin loved playing with the sponges in the buckets and never once complained if a bucket of water was dumped all over him. 

 Taylor, Melissa and Kevin Killian waiting for the parade to start

  

 
Alan and Michael got things started off by dousing Katelyn with buckets of water.  Baby girl wasn't too thrilled about that!

KK (Kevin Killian), Taylor, Michael, Cory, Alan and Melissa (Granpa Marsden hiding behind Alan) 

....Later that day Michael had to go to work.  But he was fine with that.  He worked hard at the Kaysville City celebration.  Apparently those corndogs are a huge hit wherever they go.  We stopped by there for a while to see all the fun and action happening in our little town and he was super busy. 

....Michael came home from work and immediately went to work on lighting fuses with Taylor and his friends.  They had so much fun blowing up all that money they spent.  But hey... it was THEIR money!  Not mine.

July 7 - Just taking a break from craziness to take a picture of my baby boy.  Hard to believe he will be 18 years old in just a few months.  He'll start his senior year of high school next month.  I truly cannot believe I just typed those words.  Yesterday he was just four years old and putting his swimming suit on to get ready to go to Cherry Hill.  He had his underwear on under his swimsuit and I told him he didn't have to wear underwear with the swimsuit.  His face just brightened and said, "You mean I get to go COMANDO!"  Yup.  I blinked.

 

July 9 - I had other plans for the weekend.  They fell through.  So instead, I went to see Michael perform in the Farmington Days parade!  I got a few shots of him before the parade started and he even looked my way during the parade!!!  Wooohoo!!!

July 17 - This made me SMILE!  For two years his name has been on our weekly program at church.  Today, it said this.  I'm pretty sure I shed a tear.  Just the beginning of many HAPPY tears to come this week!

....Had some helpers come while we created some very large signs to be hung on the house in a few days!!!

July 18 - The annual DHS Marching Band fundraiser at Taco Time in Kaysville was a huge success!  For me, any time we get to eat their Nachos Grande is a huge success. 

....  I've been feeling a bit stressed and anxious the last few days.  Cory happens to be out of the country at the moment.  With all the excitement going on around here, and him being gone, it's making me a bit more crazy than usual.  So, after the fundraiser Michael came to me and said, "I'm taking you on a date."  I started to tell him he didn't need to, but he insisted.  He then took me to the shaved ice hut and it was delightful.  I even told him how it really did help relax me.  He can be thoughtful like that sometimes. 

JULY 20 - THE DAY HAS FINALLY COME!  I've been waiting for this day for just over two years!!!!!  We hung our signs and headed to the Salt Lake International Airport.  I had been tracking the flights since he left Lansing, MI.  I hoped that by looking at my phone I could make that little airplane icon move faster.  It didn't.  However, it DID land early and I couldn't wait!  Thankfully, he didn't waste much time after landing.  We all waited as patiently as we could in the luggage area at the bottom of the escalators.  Even though Cory was out of the country, Taylor was able to get him on the Skype with his phone so he would at least be able to see him arrive.  Soon there was were a few screams (they were probably mine) and when I looked up at the escalator I saw him! Elder Jacob David Nielsen was finally HOME!

Meeting his niece for the first time

Missing Cory

Granpa came to greet Elder Nielsen.  As luck would have it, my sister and her husband arrived with their daughter-in-law after a few days in Las Vegas.  Their flight arrived just a short time before Jake's.  So they were able to join us for the reunion!

The moment of actually being home was a bit emotional for Jake. 

....through all the excitement of the day, just an hour after we returned from the airport, Michael had to leave.  He was headed to an over night leadership retreat with the marching band leadership.  He is the Tenor Saxophone section leader this year.  He had a great time, but had to miss out on the first full day of having Jake home.

July 21 - They entered the MTC on the same day.  Today, Elder Izeck McRae returned from the Baltimore, MD mission.  Good thing they didn't have to wait too long to see each other again because sometimes they share a brain. 

July 22 - Time to get Jake some new clothes.  As awesome as he looks in a suit, he doesn't have much else to wear.  He and Michael thought they were looking pretty good.... then Taylor joined them.  Hahahaha!  They all look good!

 ....yet another parade.  This one is the Bountiful Handcart Days parade.  Again, we only went to see the band.  Jake was pretty happy to see his former band director, Mr. Hendrick's.  It looks as though he was just as happy to see Jake. 

.....and as usual, Michael looked great marching down the street!

July 24 - Today Jake spoke in church.  He had MANY people come to support him.  Thankfully Cory had come home by now, so he didn't have to miss this.  I always want to make sure the people who come see any of my missionaries before or after their mission have delicious food after church.  I had planned that maybe 50 - 60 people would join us today.  We had over 100.  What a tremendous statement that makes about Jake.  Not only did we have some family here, there were so many friends from before his mission, and those he met while on his mission.  As well as families of those he has served with who are still serving in the Michigan Lansing Mission.  I wish I had taken more photos.  But I spent more time visiting with those who were here.

 

Former MLM missionaries - great friendships made!

All of these guys quickly befriended Jake when he was a sophomore rookie, and they were all seniors and juniors in the DHS Marching Band. I think all but one of them played the Trombone.  They were a very tight knit section and had a great time together.  Most of them were on missions when he left.  So cool that they all came to support him today. 

July 27 - I still get to be a Young Women's leader through all of this..... tonight, though we were small in numbers, we had a LOT of fun playing volleyball at the park!!!! 

....Tonight Jake and Michael finally lit the remaining fireworks Michael had been saving for Jake since the 4th of July.  I am regretting not getting the picture of his RC car with the aerial firework strapped to it with his GoPro camera.   That was fun. 

July 28 - Jake found something at the corndog food truck.  It made his day.  Aside from being hired by the Worlds Best Corndogs, he found that they also sell Vernors.  Which I've never tasted.  But apparently, it's a Michigan thing.  And he is all about anything that makes him think of Michigan.  He will FOREVER love that place!!!!

July 29 - These two working the food truck together!!! 

July 31 - Somebody is pretty dang happy to be singing the closing hymn (Scatter Sunshine) at church today. 

June 2016!

Ahhh.... finally JUNE!  Though it was was a somewhat uneventful month, it was a good one.  Apparently, a really good one considering how many pics I got of my beautiful grandchildren!

June 1 - Might as well start the summer months off with the last day of school!!!  Michael celebrated with a couple of his friends, Karli and Sarah!  Let the FUN begin!

June 3 - It seems that the celebrating hasn't stopped.  Tonight Michael and his friend David thought it would be fun to grill some HUGE steaks.... just for the fun of it.  They bought and cooked them all on their own.  The idea of a salad or other side dish didn't seem to cross their minds.  

June 4 - I've always wanted to go on this very short hike.  So my daughter-in-law Melissa and I went together.  It got a little steep for me in a couple of places.  But it was TOTALLY worth the climb.  This is where I grew up.  Yes, I lived in West Bountiful, but everywhere in the area of West Bountiful and Bountiful is where I grew up.  It has grown and changed immensely over the years.  I now live just 10 miles north of the area.   How awesome it is that we have a temple so close to us as well! 

June 5 - Over the years my boys have received many many Lego sets for birthdays and Christmas.  Lego's are NOT cheap.  But they are timeless.  Its also a "toy" my boys have never gown too old to play with.  Now that they are older, they are spending their own money on some of the sets they would have dreamed of getting when they were younger.  Recently they decided it would be fun to get their top ten sets with the most bricks together and take a picture.  Basically that means pretty stinkin' expensive sets too! But hey!  THEY are the ones that spent the money on these ones!!  It's also pretty dang awesome to watch the next generation enjoy them too! 

Uncle Taylor has no problem letting Kevin play with the Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters!  He is using his imagination and seems to KNOW how to play with the Legos and NOT trying to destroy them! (Now they just need the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man to become available!)

June 10 - We spent a little bit of time at the park this morning.  The kids loved feeding the ducks.  

Baby girl found a puppy.  A soft, cute, cuddly puppy.  

 June 11 - They held an open house at L-3 Communications.  Cory was happy to take us to see where he works.  I love how the little grand-peeps followed grandpa around.  Kevin even tried to make a call from granpa's desk!!

June 14 - This little guy showed up just in time for some chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven!  

June 15 - They were at my house while their daddy was working on some things for Grandpa.  We heard the ice cream truck and their daddy decided they needed to learn the excitement of what that music meant!  Kevin.....?  He wasn't too sure.  He didn't seem to care.......

....LilyAnn, on the other hand...... is convinced that the tune of that truck coming down the road is the sweetest of all the music there is!

....They had also been at our house for quite some time.  We tried to get baby girl to sleep, but she would have NONE of that!  Until I decided to take her to the grocery store with me.  She fell asleep in the care just moments after we left the house and THIS is how she remained through the entire shopping experience.  My hand is her pillow.  

....I also had the Laurel/MiaMaid class over for our Young Women activity tonight.  They wanted to make crepes.  They were SOOOO good and we had so much fun just talking and laughing and enjoying each other's company.  I sure love these girls!

June 16 - Look who's here again!  Except this time ALL THREE of them are here together!  They have fun being cousins and they seem to get along really well.  

....This one had never had popcorn until today.  You're welcome Tristan.  

June 20 - School may be out for summer, but THIS is what summer is about for Michael.  Though, it's the LAST summer of marching band for this kid.  In fact, it's the last summer of marching band for our family. (until my grandchildren decide to do it!)

The band is pretty big this year.  I can't even fit them all in the screen!

June 22 - Another YW activity tonight.  This time we hiked up to the lower falls of Adam's Canyon.  It's a hike just a few very short miles from home so it didn't take too long.  It's a beautiful hike and one of these days I'm going to try to get to the upper falls.  

June 26 - Seriously.  I love these kids!!!!!!!!!  They tried really hard to sit for grandma and smile for pictures.  Though, I know they would have preferred to run all over the yard.  

This little girl has her uncle Bum wrapped around her little finger.  Heck, we all are!!!  But she sure lights up when he comes around!

...We also celebrated this little guys' birthday tonight.  He turned TWO yesterday, but they had a party for him tonight.  He is seriously so sweet and loving.  He ALWAYS runs to me with a big smile whenever he comes to visit.  I especially love the look on MY baby's face as he watches over his baby.  Russell sure loves his little boy!  We all do.  Tristan is SUCH a sweet happy little guy! Happy Happy birthday little man!!!!

 

His mommy is quite talented in making such fun cakes!!  This is so cute!

May 2016!

May 4 - This morning I was running a few errands before lunch.  I have this child that has the use of a vehicle to get himself to school and back.  Unfortunately this privilege is sometimes taken advantage of and I have to say, "You can't use the car until you can until you are willing to obey."  (This actually punishes me more than it punishes him because I end up having to do drop of and pick up at the school each day).  Well, today I was pulling out of the parking lot of the post office and a familiar looking car flew past me.....?????  Um, isn't this child supposed to be IN CLASS????  So, I followed the familiar car.  Pretty soon the driver of that car called me on my cell phone...."HI MOM!  I see you.....!"  Yeah I see you too ya little... "Hello son."  "It's okay, we are having tutorials and I have all my work done and it's okay....."  "Hmmmm.  Yeah.  Well, you're giving me the keys to the car when you get home from school today."  "Ok."

 

For the past several months, during the school year, we have had once a month "Laurel Lunch" with the girls in my young women class.  The YW president and I have taken turns hosting lunches at our homes for the girls.  They simply spend their lunch hour with us.  Today was the last lunch of the school year.  Only five of the girls were able to join us today.  I love them all so much.  I absolutely LOVE being their leader and advisor.  What they don't know is, they teach ME way more than I could ever teach them!!! 

May 6 - Today is the State Band Festival in Draper.  Michael called and asked if I would bring him some lunch before heading out. So, the nice mom I am.... even though I take cars away.... took him a burrito.  It was REALLY windy.  His hair was pretty.  So I had to take a picture of it. 

The Davis High Wind Ensemble

May 7 - It's the day before Mother's Day.  We took flowers to my mother's grave.  We also made sure to do a little shopping.

 May 8 - Today is Mother's Day. 

Michael made me breakfast.  I feel like he remembers I have those tickets to Disneyland and he's dropping a big hint here?

He also got me some bath bombs.

I was able to sit with my friend Michelle at church today.  We enjoyed our éclairs given to us from the high priest group for Mother's Day.  I was actually especially glad to be able to sit with her today.  We've known each other for several years now. Been the best of friends.  Had some ups and downs.  I love Michelle.  She's had some real health struggles in the past six years.  She's in the fight of her life.  But she continues to be cheerful and is a great example to me of perseverance and strength and above all, FAITH. 

Now THIS is what I looked forward to the most today!!!  My missionary skyping us!  Just a couple more months and we get to see this face in person!!

My dad came for dinner and to have the chance to see/talk to Jake. 

May 11 - Michael and his saxophone.  He just finished performing in his last Jazz Band concert of the year!  He's so handsome and talented!  I sure love my baby boy!

May 12 - Michael got a new job.  He's working for our neighbors who own the World's Greatest Corndogs!  This is his first day on the job and the food truck/trailer was at an event in Far West, UT.  It just so happens that my brother lives near Far West and when he found out that Michael would be there he went to get himself a corndog!  And a "selfie" with his nephew!!  What a fun uncle! 

May 13 - We started out on a little trip today.  Stopped in St. George, UT overnight.  Turns out they have delicious food trucks in St. George too..... What made it even better?  There were some people offering free waffles to anyone willing to give them their email address so they could contact them about their business.  HA!  Okay!!!!  I LOVE FREE WAFFLES!!! 

May 15 - We arrived in Southern California yesterday.  Stayed with Russ and Darla.  Started out today driving around Coronado and LaJolla.  It was a little chilly on the beach, but I didn't care.  It was the BEACH!  Uncle Russ took us to his favorite surf shop where Michael adored the long boards.  After spending time with them, the three of us traveled North and enjoyed dinner at the San Clemente Pier.

At Coronado beach with Dara and her grandson Troy

I usually get the halibut and chips when I go to The Fisherman.  This time I tried the sirloin and scampi.  OH MY!  SO delish!

There was a man there making huge bubbles.  (probably the same man that was there when I was at the beach in Feb.)

May 16 & 17 - Well of course we went to Disneyland!!!  Naturally those tickets I won at Moonlight Serenade went to the one and only child living under our roof at this time.  The three of us had a great time together too!  As always, I left wanting to go back.  Thankfully, I already have another trip planned on the calendar.  The trick would be to see if I can squeeze another in before then!!!!

We texted this picture to Mr. Hendricks, Michael's band teacher, thanking him for the tickets.

Bacon wrapped asparagus, otherwise known as the "safari skewer" at the Bengal BBQ is truly one of my most favorite Disney snacks.

Michael got some great shots of Cory on California Screamin' with his GoPro camera!

This. Never. Gets. Old.

I would love to walk into this place and have it be as empty as this picture makes it look.  I don't need it completely empty.  But to be here with only my family and friends, to have the place to ourselves...... ahhhhhh!!!

This is what I look like when I see Cory coming towards us trying to take a picture with his phone.  I remember this exact moment.  I was thinking, "oh look, he's going to make some comment to me about how I'm on my cell phone while at Disneyland."  Ha!  I was looking at my app telling me wait times for other rides. 

Splash Mountain is probably one of my most favorite rides ever.  I truly love that ride.  Sure, I've gotten my share of getting wet, and usually I am pretty good at avoiding getting too soaked.  However, today was not that day.  In fact, for the first time ever, I was MAD at how wet I got.  Probably because I wasn't really feeling super great at the moment.  But still.  I. GOT. WET!  Very, very wet.  Even though the weather was warm, it wasn't warm enough to dry my clothes as quickly as normal.  So that irritated me even more. 

See Michael's wet shirt?  He claims to be more wet than me.  He was wrong.  Even though it's hard to see how wet I am.

THIS is the face of how I truly felt about being so wet.  But, I DID get over it......

Right after I walked back to the hotel and changed my clothes.

Michael was so excited to get a caramel apple.  When we bought it we asked if they had a way to cut it for us.  We were told they didn't.  But Michael claimed it would be okay, he'd eat the apple "like a man."  Uhhhh.... yep!

Speaking of treats in Disneyland.... These are a few of our favorites. Although, the cupcake is a first, and Michael loved it.  My bacon wrapped asparagus, English toffee (which they haven't had in the park for about a year!  - I found out last time I was here that the reason for that was because of the California drought and not being about to produce enough almonds), soup in a bread bowl, CHURROS, Corndogs, and Mickey shaped Beignets!  I would have gotten a picture of Michael's Dole Whip, but that was gone faster than you can say "Tiki Room."

 

 I had Michael try to recreate a photo taken in 2005.  It was the 50th anniversary of Disneyland!  Here we are 11 years later.  Crazy how time flies and how my baby boy has grown.  Luckily the park is still celebrating their 60th anniversary from last year, so the castle is decorated for both celebrations in these photos!

I don't know if I will ever embrace the idea of Star Wars at Disneyland.  But, Michael sure did like getting a "selfie" with Chewbacca! (I think Chewy liked it too!)

The World of Color is always very cool to see.  Although, it's been a while since I've even watched it.  As much as I enjoy it, I do NOT enjoy waiting in the big crowd for it to begin and I do NOT like standing for a long period of time to watch it.  However, tonight we showed up ten minutes before it started and ended up getting a really good viewing spot in the "wet zone."  (I was okay to get a little bit wet since I knew we'd be headed to the hotel immediately following)   The show was in celebration of Disneyland's 60th anniversary.  I liked it, but I will forever love the original World of Color show more than any other I've ever seen.

Cory took this shot as we were headed out for the evening. 

Thank you Mr. Disney!  You are truly one of my favorites!

May 18 - We spent most of the day in the car driving home from California.  We needed to be home in time for Michael's final band concert for the year.  He plays percussion in the Symphonic Band and Bari-sax in the Wind Ensemble. 

Michael's friend Kylee came to support him too!

May 22 - I love that my grandchildren live close by.  This little guy is growing so quickly and is so much fun.  When he comes to our house he knows just what he is and is now allowed to do.  He cracks us up when one of the first things he does when he arrives, is take off his clothes.  Such a little boy.  Tonight we were sitting on the couch together and he reached out his arms to pull us close to him to cuddle.  Such a sweet little man!!!!

May 25 - Such a fun evening with the young women tonight!  Played lots of fun games and played with sidewalk chalk.

....after our young women activity Cory and I headed over to Russell and Jessica's house.  Russell is becoming quite the cook and loves to prepare so many different dishes.  Tonight he made me some Lasagne Frita.  It's my favorite meal that I order at Olive Garden.  It was very delicious.  It also gave me an opportunity to cuddle with my cute little grandson!!!

May 26 - Once upon a time I used to take my children to see the doctor and he would look in their ears.  Today, I took my daddy.  Although, this is a specific audiologist who was cleaning out my dad's ears and then testing  his hearing.  He's had hearing aids for many years, but is finally getting them updated.  He was a good boy at the doctor,  Unfortunately, he didn't get a lollipop.  But..... we did stop and get chocolate on the way home!!!!

May 27 - A few days ago there was a storm that caused lightning to hit the Moroni statue on top of the Bountiful LDS Temple.  Cory and I drove up to see it ourselves.  It was quite the bolt that hit it.  So it's a good thing it's got a lightning rod right through it.  If not for that, there could have been much worse damage to the temple and/or surrounding area. 

May 29 - We invited Russell, Jessica and Tristan to come to dinner today.  Yesterday was Russell's 29th birthday! He keeps telling me I'm old.  But, I don't feel like I'm old enough to have a son that age.  Ah well.  I sure love my precious first born!

The little boy on the left is Russell.  The one on the right is his little guy Tristan! 

Happy Birthday to the one who started it all!!!

April 2016!

April 1 - I have a new obsession.  Waffle Love.  Oh. My. Goodness!!!  I've seen/heard of it from other people.  However, the trucks are normally in Utah County and even their brick and mortar buildings were there too. I felt that was a bit too far to travel for a waffle.  However, now there is a Waffle Love restaurant in Bountiful!  Not just the trucks.... a building!!!!!!  So, I gave it a try.  I'm hooked!!!!  Since my sister-in-law Darla was here for a few days I thought I would introduce her.  She liked it so much she sent a picture of her waffle to her son and daughter-in-law who live in North Salt Lake.  They had actually had a waffle from the trucks and were so happy to know there was a building making waffles daily just five minutes from their home!  I highly suggest a waffle... from Waffle Love...to anyone I meet!!!!

 

April 3 - Today is Sunday.  My family was here for dinner.  Since it's General Conference this weekend, we were having a casual day!

April 5 - Michael is preparing to go to the Prom in a few days.  I wasn't willing to fork over the money to rent shiny shoes to go with his tuxedo.....that we did buy (because it's cheaper than renting and because he'll wear it again next year).  I don't blame him for wanting shiny shoes, but I knew he would do just fine in his Sunday best shoes.  He just needed to shine them up himself.  Who better to teach him how to do that than Granpa!  I remember seeing my dad shine his shoes quite often when I was growing up.  I knew he'd be the man for the job to teach Michael.  They shined up very nicely too.  Didn't cost a dime. 

 April 6 - This arrived in my email inbox today.  Made my heart skip a beat.  While it's still a few months away, we have official documentation letting us know our missionary will be coming home soon!

April 8 - I needed a few supplies for the dinner Michael's prom group was having at our house.  So, off to Zurcher's we went.  It was quite the adventure there.  The grandchildren loved running around and finding all sorts of treasures!  (So did the adults!)

Also, this afternoon Michael's prom group went on a fun hike/picnic.  From what I'm told they had a great time.  What a fun group of kids they all are!  I was NOT the photographer for this shot.  However, when it was shown to me I had to have it!!!!  (I'm sure when/if Michael's friends see this, they will remind me who took the picture and I will gladly give them the credit!)

April 9 - Davis High Jr. Prom!  Since we were having dinner at our house, I had a few of the boys get together to fold napkins and get the table setting ready.  Turns out the only set of dishes I have that are a complete set of 12 happen to have Mickey Mouse on them.  Go figure.  The boys like the idea of using those dishes, so I didn't worry if it wasn't fancy enough for Prom.  After their delicious dinner that was prepared by Alan and Katelyn, they headed to the Utah State Capitol Building for the dance.  I was there to shoot some fun pictures of them.  They were a crazy bunch, but so much fun.  Michael and his date Sage looked very nice!  All the kids looked very nice!!!

 

 April 10 - As we sat in church this morning, Taylor (who was here visiting from Rexburg to get some observation hours in for a band class), leaned over to me and said, "We should go hike up Ensign Peak later today."  Our normal Sunday afternoons consist of relaxing at home.  But this time, that sounded like a great idea!  Perfect Sunday afternoon walk.   It's been several years since I went to Ensign Peak, it's a relatively easy and short hike just above Salt Lake City.  The weather was perfect and the views were awesome! 

Taylor and Michael being epic

The view to the West

The Salt Lake Valley  - You can't necessarily see them in this photo, however, there are four LDS temples within our view.  There's the Salt Lake Temple, Jordan River Temple, Oquirrh Mountain Temple and Draper Temple. We are very lucky!

Downtown Salt Lake City

Playing with our shadows on the way down the trail

April 11 - We gathered in the commons area at Davis High today for a big announcement for the marching band.  They have been selected to perform in the 2017 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!!  Very exciting news for the band!  Michael will have graduated by then and won't be able to participate.  But, we are still very happy for the band!  It was fun to have the parade representative come from New York City to make the official announcement. 

    Just waiting for the big announcement

Confetti everywhere!

Michael helped clean up the confetti.... and brought it home!?!?!?!

April 12 - Taylor wanted a Bowman's donut.  The end.

April 19 - Had a bit of a run in with a large flying tire tread on I-15 today. Caused some damage to the front of my car. As it flew toward me, I was not sure how it would turn out. I'm so glad it went under my car (bumping and scratching at 70 mph) instead of through my windshield.  After having the insurance adjuster come inspect the damage (which doesn't look that bad in the photo - small dent in hood and lots of scratches all across the front of the car) , he found more than I had even noticed myself.  He was surprised my airbags didn't inflate because of the impact on the front of the car.  Turns out that tire tread did over $2700 damage.  SO glad we have good insurance.  Our deductible was $100.  Very glad to be completely safe afterward.  Could have had a different more damaging outcome on a few different levels.  I was clearly being watched over today. 

April 20 - What an amazing wonderful activity we had with our Laurel class tonight!! We hosted a princess party for some of the most special young ladies from church. They clearly loved the party and special attention from the Laurels. What a spirit that I personally felt having them with us.

April 23 - Michael was nominated to participate in the "Mr. Dart" pageant at Davis High.  He was representing the jazz band as "Mr. Jazz Band."  What a fun and crazy evening full of some very talented to maybe-not-as-talented-as-they-think young men! (regurgitating a peanut butter sandwich is not a talent.... and has forever changed me).  Michael performed a saxophone solo and showed off his pretty legs.  In the end though, it was his best buddy Octavio, who was "Mr. Band" that won the prize and the title of "Mr. Dart!" 

When Michael was being introduced on stage, Octavio escorted him and they took a "selfie."

April 26 - These waffles are GOOOOOOOOOD!  Just sayin'.

April 28 through 30 - 'Tis the season for Moonlight Serenade!  Definitely a highlight of the school year.  A very busy and fun time for us.  Michael performed in the jazz band every night.  I was overseeing the waiters and waitresses every night.  Taylor came and helped me with the waiters one night as well.  It's always been a successful fundraiser for the band.  Definitely an event we always look forward to.  It was especially fun to have Russ and Darla come from California to join us this time! 

Ready for the festivities to begin

Me and my boys hanging out in the kitchen while enjoy the specialty drinks

Darla, Russ, Chelsea and Dylan

Michael plays his saxophone so well

When he isn't playing the saxophone, he has a great time dancing with his friend Renae

Russell and Jessica

Alan and Katelyn

Taylor and Melissa

Cheesecake for dessert!!!

The best part of this year's event was the silent auction and raffle for Disney tickets.  There was SO many items available for auction.  Michael's Tenor Sax section put together a fun basket full of water toys for a water fight.  The last auction price I saw for it was $100!  But the most exciting moment happened when they drew the names for the winners of the Disneyland tickets.  They drew two different winners and each winner won two one day park hopper tickets.  They announced the first name and it was disappointing to me because I was so hoping they would say my name.  Then they announced the second name.... and I was no longer disappointed.  They said MY NAME!!!!!!!!  I was SO happy to win!  Yep, I do have an annual pass.  But, there are other people in my family that do not.  So, they all started letting me know why they should be allowed to use the tickets.  Hmmmm?  I suppose we'll just have to figure that out. 

 

March 2016!

March 3 - Today happens to be my Taylor's 24th birthday.  However, I am not with him because he is in Rexburg, ID being a responsible college student and working on his degree.  How did I celebrate his birthday???  I went to Lakeview Hospital for a procedure called "needling."  I have had problems with my shoulder for quite some time.  A few years, off and on.  But this time, it seemed to be ON for a long time and through a couple of doctor visits, x-rays and an MRI, it was determined that I have a large calcium deposit in my right shoulder.  It has caused a lot of pain, sleepless nights and limited movement.  The "needling" was to break apart the calcium and hopefully it will reabsorb into my body.  The numbing process before the procedure caused me some pain, but thankfully the procedure itself was less painful, and took less time than I had anticipated.  However,  after the numbness wore off, the pain was great indeed.  My daddy, being the loving daddy he is, provided me great comfort in bringing a TREAT to enjoy during my recuperation. 

March 5 - I could not resist capturing this very sweet moment between brother and sister. 

March 9 - A rally in support for music education in public schools was held at the state capitol today.  The Davis High Marching Band and Winds Ensemble were able to participate. 

Michael and his friend Mckayla were excited to see Dr. Fullmer again.  (he had been their director when they participated in the BYU Idaho High School Honor Band)

March 10 - Being a grandparent is pretty dang awesome!  Especially with a little guy like this! 

 

March 11 - My dad sang at the West Bountiful City Hall tonight.  As usual he did a really great job.  He also enlisted several family members to participate.  Michael was thrilled to be invited to play his saxophone.  He did a great job!

March 12 - We spent this lovely Saturday just having fun.  Lunch at Cheesecake Factory is always a delight.  Then Cory and Michael found a fun place to race their RC cars in the dirt. 

March 13 - This is how we do the "duck face." 

March 15 - We received an email from Jake's mission president.  He attached this picture and let us know that Elder Nielsen has again been assigned to train a new missionary, Elder Lauer.  He loves being a missionary and from the many reports I receive from those he serves, he is doing a great job!  His mission will soon be coming to a close.  I'm sure this is something he is not looking forward to.

March 16 - Words cannot describe the sounds that came from their instruments at the District Solo & Ensemble Festival.  Words could not describe the surprise we all felt when they were told they would be sent to State Festival to perform again.  Apparently, Michael and Octavio played it the right way???  But then, I don't think there are a lot of duets out there for an alto sax and a euphonium?? 

March 17 - It's St. Patrick's Day today!  How lucky am I to have such cute grandchildren!  This little guy is definitely no exception.  He's so sweet and loving!  Though, I'm not so sure he was loving my kisses!!!

March 20 - Sister Elaine S. Dalton, former General Young Women's President for the LDS Church, came and spoke to the youth of our stake this evening.  It was sooooo good to hear her speak.  Michael was privileged to be asked to be the chorister for the hymns.  He did a really great job. 

March 21 - Today is Alan's 27th birthday!  I did see him, but..... why didn't I get a picture??  However, I did have an interesting texting conversation with Michael. 

 

......how do I respond???

Oh... and Michael dunked the basketball, and destroyed the backboard. 

March 23 - Hot tickets of the season went on sale this afternoon! Can't wait until the end of April!

Tonight we enjoyed the Spring Band Concert at DHS.  My phone battery was very low, thus the bad quality of the photos.  However, tonight Michael performed as a percussionist with the Symphonic Band.  He isn't even in that class.... at least, not this term.  Oh well.  He did a great job performing with them AND the Winds Ensemble with the Baritone Sax.  As always, granpa came to enjoy the music. 

March 25 - State Jazz Band Festival at Murray High!  The jazz band received superior ratings!  They ARE a superior band!  Michael even had an excellent solo performance. 

March 26 - We traveled to Rexburg, ID to see Taylor and Melissa perform in their clarinet recital.  They both played very well and we were very impressed with their talent.