Cookies for Sammy

Today we decided to decorate cookies for our missionary brother.  I loved how Jackson wrote Bro on every cookie he made.  They all did a great job and we hope Elder Pollock likes his homemade cookies.

We were glad Randon was there to help out as well.  

Thanks kids!

Pumpkin Carving!

Our annual pumpkin carving year at the McCrea's bringing the missionaries.  Elder Peterson and Elder Skousen.  Maren decided she wanted carve her pumpkin with her brother's name.  Elder Pollock. 

So cute.

Love these kids. 

Kyla, Aliza, Karissa, Sedley, Paige, Campbell, and Maren.

Goody Package for Elder Pollock

Sammy begged for some snacks because he didn't have enough money to buy any in Tell City, IN.  So, we sent him a big box full of goodies, each wrote a letter,  took a pic of us and printed it off to send to him.  Love and miss you Elder Pollock :) 

4th of July!

One of Sammy's request was to stay in town for the 4th of July.  It is his favorite place to be, to see the fireworks down at the park.  "They are the best!" he says.

So, we stayed in Laurel for the 4th.  The girls were asked to help Bailey (Jodi's friend who owns Fashion Runway Exchange) to be in the parade and help pass out candy and coupons.  They met at the starting point, painted their faces, and were on their way.

(Maren and Rylee)

It was a hot day, but they had a fun time.  I invested in a cover for shade, and it was greatly appreciated while waiting for and during the parade.  

After a great dinner, we drove to the park and enjoyed watching the beautiful fireworks.  The families ended up in different areas of the park, so we didn't all sit together which was sad, but we had fun with the ones we did sit by.

This years fireworks were, I think, the best ever.  I think it's because Sammy was leaving.  They gave him a great send off.  At the finale,  it lasted so long we were all laughing it was so funny.

The next morning, we got up and met the Stake President to get Sammy set apart, went home and packed to leave for Utah.  Sammy was going into the MTC in just a few short days. :(

Sammy's Farewell

I can't believe this day actually came.  June 30th was the final talk in the Laurel Ward that Sammy would give in 2 years (ever now, because our ward got split and are now in the newly made Canyon Creek Ward).  We had lots of family come plus Sammy's friend Ashton and Taylor who is staying with us for the summer.  The Brinkerhoff's came, Nick and Hayley, Steven, the Tomany's, Uncle Ken and Aunt Francie, and of course the Montana and Wyoming clans all came (Preators, Aagards, Kenny/Jodi, Clint/Amy

With my hyperparathyroid condition, I was freaking out about how to feed everybody and couldn't even think about dealing with it, so my wonderful husband, Sam, came to the rescue and ordered Famous Dave's catering/takeout.  They picked it up Saturday night and warmed it up Sunday before lunch.  It was such a huge help.  Other family members made some salads and desserts to help out.  It worked out fabulous and I didn't feel so overwhelmed. 

After taking some final family photos, we called it a day.  I can't believe this is it for two years.  I don't know what to think.

It is so fun to see the excitement in Sammy to go on a Mission.  Kentucky is going to be one lucky state.  

Bye Bye Beamer

It's the saddest thing ever.  I thought we would have the Beamer till it died (it was a 2000, we got it in 2002).  I guess today (May 30th) it did.  I get a call around 5:30 from Sammy telling me that he had gotten into an accident.  Knowing his humor, I thought he was kidding, but he was not.  Luckily, dad had just gotten done with work and was able to go and meet him.  He was at a stop light getting ready to get onto the freeway at the exit where Jodi and Kenny live, Broadway I think, when a truck hits him from behind.  We don't even think he was looking (Sam thinks he was texting).  He followed Sammy to a nearby gas station then called me.  I asked if he had called the police yet, he said no, so I told him to call the police, and get the guys information, ie: drivers license, insurance, etc.  By the time Sam got there, the guy had gotten into a car with another girl and left.  Leaving his truck there and everything.  I guess when he found out the police were coming he didn't want to stay.  Apparently, he had no insurance and was driving on a suspended license.  That's just our luck.  Thank goodness our insurance covered it and hopefully won't penalize us for it since we just wrecked the van too.  We got $4000.00 for it because they did total it out, which we put toward Sammy's mission.  I guess it was a blessing in disguise.  I'm so glad Sammy wasn't injured.  Sad he had to experience it though and sad we lost the Beamer.

Going There Today!

Well, he did it!  He's been singing 'I Love to See the Temple, I'm going there some day...', his whole life, and today he finally went. 

Before he went in.....

After....  

I think he looks pretty happy.  It looks like he loves his parents too. :)

I called on Thursday to get it set up, the only times they had available were the 12:50 session or the 2:00 session.  I chose the 12:50.  It was such short notice, that Amy was the only one who could make it along with Taylor, who is staying with us for the summer.  I appreciate him for taking pictures for us.

Sammy has been such an amazing young man his whole growing up years and I am so blessed to be his mother.  He is a strong, obedient, and wonderful young man.

Thank you Sammy for being worthy to enter the temple.  I love you!!!!

Sammy's Mission Call

Well, it's here.  The call that we have been waiting for for 18 1/2 years.  Sammy has been called to the Louisville Kentucky Mission!

His call was sent to him in Provo on Wednesday, but he didn't pick it up until Friday from the mail.  We arranged to have him go to Anny's that night and read it to us over Face Time.  Anny invited family there to go over, and I invited family here to come over and listen in.  Anny's family, Kass's family, Rhonda,  Kenzie, and mom where there in Utah and Clint and Amy's family, Kenny and Jodi and Family came over and we had Kelli and Dana watching through Face Time on Sam's iPad.  It was fun.  

When I heard him say 'Louisville Kentucky Mission' there was a big excitement and congratulations.  I knew immediately that was where he was supposed to go.  He had such a glow while reading it and couldn't stop smiling.  

He leaves July 10th.  It seems so quick.  We have lots to do.

Anny was so great and made a cake for Sammy (per his request which was a joke, but she did it anyway) She went the extra mile and put flags from different countries anticipating where he might go.

We had a list going from everyone on where he might go.  Jim got it right on. He said Kentucky three weeks before he received his call.  Crazy. 

I know Sammy.... Elder Pollock....  will be an excellent missionary and am so pleased with his decision to serve the Lord and Preach His Gospel.  

I love you so much!!!!  Congratulations!!

4 Days of No School? Here we come Utah!

Due to the fall teachers conference, the kids were out of school Thursday and Friday.  Utah had the same schedule, so we decided to head down for some fun time.  Paige, Kyla, and Karissa came too so they could hang with their cousins that live in Salt Lake as well.  We decided to start the morning with going to the Draper Temple.  Jackson, Max, Aliza, Kyla, Karissa, Paige, and their cousins, Sammy, Allie, and Jessie went and had a great time.  It was nice of their mom to meet us in Draper so they could go.  

Later that day, we took the kids to a fun pumpkin patch.  There were certain witches we had to find to get a treat.  Some were Witchy Poo and St A Spell.

The stacks of pumpkins were pretty.  My girls and Brooklyn made them look prettier.  

Saturday we drove down to Provo and picked up Sammy from his dorm.  It was fun to see him, it was the first time since we dropped him of in August.  He went with us on the hike to the Y.  You can't go to BYU and not hike the 'Y'.    

Here we are ready to go with the whole group.... half way up with the laggers.  

I love my kids...... We finally made it to the top!

We took turns getting pictures of each others families.

Not too many more of these pictures with all the cousins together.  :(

I love my sisters so much, I don't know what I would do with out them.  Good memories too, while the three of us were in our single days and living in Provo.

Until next time 'Y'

Off to BYU Provo!

Well, the time has come.  My boy has moved out.  Oh he'll be back to stay for a week or two, or a month or two, but he will not be living at home again.  It truly makes me sad.  I was helping him get his room cleared out, because the girls were going to move into it and their room will become my office.  Finally, not in my room any more.  

I got this BYU Cougar at Back Alley in Arizona a long time ago.  Sammy has had it in his things, in a box under his bed.  He pulled it out and said "This is coming with me."  It plays the fight song.  So I Instagramed it.  "Guess who's going to BYU with Sammy"

Sammy and I left on Tuesday to get down there so we could check him in to his dorm room.   May Hall at Helaman Halls.  We had a nice drive down there.  We had to stop to fix the underneath piece of the Beemer because it was dragging on the ground.  When we pulled into the rest stop, people were looking at us like "what is that noise coming from"  Well, some guy came up to us and offered some wire to tie it back up.  Sammy climbed underneath, got all dirty, and fixed it.  It was fun to see.  The guy that helped us had a dead battery so we told him we would run to Target and get some jumper cables, Sammy needed some for his car anyways, and give him a jump.  It worked out great and we were on our way again.  We didn't leave until later on Tuesday, so didn't get in until 2:00 a.m.  We slept in a little, then headed down to Provo early afternoon.  We found his dorm got him checked in, and started moving his stuff in.  He is on the top floor (3rd) and at the very end of the hall.  We had to make about 4 trips.  I got my workout in that day.  We then went to the Wilkersen Center to get is ID card and his books.  He didn't have his drivers license, so we had to go back to his dorm to get it.  When we got back, he hadn't shaved, so when he went to get his picture, they gave him a razor and he had to go to the bathroom and shave.  It turned out nice.  We went to the store to get him some extra dorm room things, church shoes, etc.  It was a long and busy day.  I left him there when the day was over and went back to Sandy. 

Thursday, Sam was flying down and wasn't getting in till mid morning, so I headed down to go to Orientation for the parents.  I saw Sammy for a moment, he was with his group.  There weren't too many parents hanging around their kids, so I took a quick picture and left to wait for Sam.  He showed up in this nice convertible mustang.  Crazy guy.  We went to some meetings, then drove around town.  We drove by our first house/apartment, up the canyon, then back to meet up with Sammy to go to a movie with him.  Sam and I ended up staying in a hotel in Provo because it was so late.  

 We said goodbye to Sammy after taking him to a quick lunch (boy they kept those kids busy during orientation) then Sam and I headed home.  We rented a cheeper car to drive home.  We stopped off at a place near Jackson Hole, WY.  It was my birthday get a way.  It was so nice.  We picked up some food, made stake, potatoes, bread and had a late dinner.  The next day, we did nothing.  Just hung out at the Hotel the whole day.  We did go out to dinner though.  Sunday we got up and headed home.  When the girls were setting the table for dinner that night, they set six plates.  Only 5 needed to be put on.  Sammy wasn't there any more.  We will miss him terribly.  We already do.

Have fun at college son!

Sammy Turns 18!

I'm such a lame mom, these are the only pictures I got of my 18 year old.  This is big, he is supposably an adult now.  But, Sammy chose AGAIN, to go to Geyser Park with his friends.  I told him fine, if I don't have to go the whole time.  So I met him there.  He had already gotten pizza and drinks and they were sweaty from playing a couple of rounds of laser tag.  They had fun.

 Ashton, Sammy, ?, and Jackson

Some of Sammy's other friends came to the house later for some cake and games.  A few even spent the night.

How can this be?  He is grown up and ready to leave the nest.  I'm not sure I'm so ready.

Love you Sammy.  Happy Birthday!

On Stage in Bryce City

On our way back from California, we stopped in at Bryce City and Tropic.  We stayed for a couple of days and played.  One of the activities we did was going to a dinner and show at Ebeneizers.  It was an amazing show with some beautiful music.

During the show, they called Sammy and Colton Anderson, who was working at Ruby's from Laurel with Patrick, up on stage to help out in the show.

They did a very good job and were actually pretty funny up there.  I wish I had it recorded.

After the show was over, and while I was buying their CD, they let Steven go up there and practice singing on stage to get ready for trying out for American Idol.  He did a pretty good job.  I just wish my camera worked a little better.

Sammy, Graduate of 2012!

Who would have thought this day would ever come.  To be honest, I didn't want it to come.  The day he started his senior year, I started my mourning process.  I did get a little teary today, but now he will be going on to a new phase in his life.  I am so proud of the person he has become and his accomplishments in life.  I love this boy, sorry, young man,  so much.  I'm excited to see where this roller coaster of life takes him!

BEFORE

While we were waiting for graduation to start for an hour and saving seats, we watched the screen for Sammy to pop up.  So cute.

Just walked in to take his place.  He looks so happy.

I wish I would have gone to the front to get this picture. It is so dark.

Maybe he is making sure there is actually a diploma in there.

Yes, there is......

After it was all said and done, we got the usual photos.

Grandma Weaver

The Family

Very proud Mom and Dad

He has the yellow rope for being in the National Honors Society, and he received a metal of Honor for having a 3.5 GPA or higher.

AFTER

The day before, Saturday, My mom flew in from Salt Lake, and Dana, Tony and their kids, and Mike and Kelly and their kids came up from Wyoming.  We had a BBQ that evening in celebration.  Clint and Amy and Fam were here along with Jodi, Kenny and kids and David.  We invited the missionaries as well, they came and ate, but it was so busy, I hardly got to talk to them.  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of everyone here, but it was a little crazy busy.

Mom, Anny, Kass and I picked out the fabric for this blanket in September.  We cut it out and Anny and my mom worked on in throughout the winter.  They finished it up about a month ago, and we were able to give it to him.  I love the colors.  A little BYU!!!

Dana and Tony gave him a towel and some shampoo to start college with

They also gave him this great candy gram.  It is well done.

He received many cards with congratulations with some helpful money.  

Sunday night, Sam and I volunteered to help out at the Senior Celebration at Rocky College.  We were there from 9 until 11:00.  It went on till 2:30.  I'm glad I had the early shift.  The kids looked like they were having fun.  Sammy got home at 3:30 and didn't win any prizes.   :(