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!!!