Off to the MTC

After Sammy was set apart by President Zaugg, which was amazing, he is now and Elder!, we went home and finished packing for our trip.  We left late afternoon Friday to head to Utah.  It took a very, very, long time.  We went through Yellowstone National Park through Gardner.  We were going to go down through Jackson Hole, but the traffic was so slow (Probably due to being the day after the 4th) we cut over to West Yellowstone and stopped in Idaho Falls for the night.

We spent about two days in Tropic/Bryce visiting with family and letting Sammy say goodbye to everyone.  Particularly grandpa Pollock.  He took Sammy aside and talked with him for a while and gave him some great advice on how to be a missionary.  I think Sammy appreciated it.  He saw the newest member of the Pollock clan,  David and Taylor's little Titan.  He was only a few days old and so darling.  It was a quick trip down south, but hey, that's what we do.  

 We left to go back to Sandy and do some last minute things there, including going to the Salt Lake Temple, that was the one thing Sammy wanted to do before he left, but found out, when we drove 

down there to park, that it was closed for two weeks for cleaning.  We ended up walking around the shopping area across the street from the temple and did some shopping for Sammy, while Grandma took Maren to the Brigham Young home for a tour.  We went to get a haircut.  I told that gal to give him a missionary haircut at SuperCuts, and she pulled out the buzzer.  I think it affected me to have his hair so short more than Sammy.  We had a nice dinner at mom's and those who were in town came over to visit with him.

Wednesday was the day.  He was to be at the MTC at 1:20.  We went to In-N-Out Burger for his last meal before the mission life began.

He is such a cutie.

I can't even express words on how I felt at this picture.  I was crying from happiness that he was actually on his mission, something that I have been planning for since his birth, and crying from sadness because this was the last time I would get to see him in person for two years.  

They didn't let us say a long goodbye, it was a quick give everyone a hug, then he was off.  I'm glad he turned to let me take this final photo. 

Love you Sammy.  Goodbye.

We had to quickly pull away, but needed to rearrange the van because we were heading down to California right away.  There was a parking lot right after we dropped him off, and after fixing up the van, we sat for a little while and noticed every single mom driving by wiping her tears away from her eyes.  I knew exactly how they were feeling.

David and Taylor's Wedding

It was a beautiful day, however, throughout the whole weekend of Thanksgiving, a lot of the family have taken turns of being sick.  Yes, throw up sick.  Sam was one of them and on the day of the wedding.  He did go and stay for pictures, then left to be sick again.

Getting ready for the wedding.... Steven fixing David's tie.  Sam signing witness papers (nice Patrick), and everyone ready for the walking down the isle.

The flower girls..... making their vows and exchanging of the rings.

Grandpa congratulating his new daughter-in-law along with Sam, Dana, Aliza, Kyla, Kelli.

Beautiful and yummy desserts.

The after party.  Jackson dancing with Adilynn.  Uncle Mike dancing with Maren since Sam is sick.

Good looking bunch of Pollocks

Steve, Nick, Clint, Sam, David, Taylor, Sam, Dana, Kelli, Megan

A Bunch of Pollocks

While we were taking pictures, might as well get our little family picture taken.  Sam still looks good even being sick.

 Movie star cousins

 Cousins hanging out

Beautiful Aliza caught the bouquet.

Congratulations David and Taylor!

Hoping for a Wonderful Life.

Shark Teeth and Pine Nuts

Friday left us for some exploring.  Grandpa took all the kids out looking for shark teeth and pine nuts just outside of Tropic.  The kids each had a cup and found quite a few of each.

It was such a nice day for being the end of November.  We were definitely enjoying the weather.  

Thanksgiving in Tropic/Bryce Canyon

This year it was easy to decide where to have Thanksgiving.  David O and Taylor were having their wedding the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We were excited to go and enjoy the festivities.  We all had our assignments on what we were fixing.  Mine was the Raspberry Jello Salad that has also become a tradition at the Pollock Thanksgivings.  We got into town Wednesday evening after picking up Sammy at BYU on the way down and went to Megan's house.  I had to start the jello salad so it would be ready to go the next day, when Hayley's family invited us to have Thanksgiving dinner at Ruby's Inn with them because a lot of their family weren't able to be there.  We gladly accepted.  It was a nice day and we had some time to spare since we weren't making dinner, so we went to the park in Tropic and let the kids get some energy out.  

The picture below is what I Instagramed.  I like it.  :)

Grandpa stopped by for a second, so I got a quick picture of Jackson and Sammy.  His two favorite grandsons ;)

We had a great dinner in one of the conference rooms.  It was catered.  Very good.  I did bring my jello salad so it would get eaten.  Obviously I didn't get much pictures, but it was a nice time.

There was some time left in the day, and I really wanted to go into Bryce Canyon since I knew it would be free, being a Holiday, so Maren and Rylee were the only ones that would go with me.  We had fun walking around and getting a few pictures with them.  

My beautiful Maren 

We loved this wonderful day spending it with family.  I can't believe how big we are getting.

Happy New Year 2012!

Once again, it is New Year's Eve in Tropic.  We have a few of the normal people here, and a few that are new.  This year, Sammy graced us with his presence.  He didn't stay at Nick's house.  Also, Clint and Amy decided to stay and celebrate the New Year with us as well, which is a 1st.  We were so glad they did.  All had fun and enjoyed dancing and hoping a girl or guy might dance.  Maren even got a dance in with a young fellow.  So cute!

May 2012 be a happy and healthy year.  Love you all!

Fun, Fun, Fun, in Tropic

 After Christmas, we headed to Tropic, Francowiak's came along as well.

This year Ruby's had an ice-skating rink.  It was a fun time for the kids.  After a couple of warm days, it did get a little mushy, but the kids didn't mind.  Better than -4 degrees like last year.

 There was also the fun swimming time that happens each year.  I love how the older kids like playing with the younger kids, which gives moms and dads a little break.

This year, I braved the cold and went out to the place where the boys ice-fish.  This is our group, kinda crazy once we got out there.

zack & jackson; grandpa; grandpa & maren;  clint, randon, kenny, sam, nick; black, brynn, jim.

Anny and I didn't do any fishing.  Mainly took pictures and froze.  But the kids had fun on the ice.  Yes, there were a few fish caught. Steven had the last catch that we saw.

sam, kenny, grandpa, tony; maren, blake, brynn; becca, anny; maren, grandpa, bryn;  grandpa, maren; steven

I love this picture of Maren.  She looks so bored.

This was actually New Year's Eve.  We had a fun day before the fun evening began.

4th of July in Tropic

After a wonderful Family Reunion, Sam and I headed down to Tropic for the 4th of July, then on to California.  I love these two shots below, I just thought it was so funny to get the "getting ready for the picture" photo and then the real photo.  We had to get just one more cousins picture with the kids in their colors.  Kass was heading down to St. George for the 4th, then on to Arizona where she moved. :(

Blake, Brooklyn, Maren, Grandma, Abby

Cade, Aliza, Boston, Brynn, Breelynn, Callahan.

Bryce Canyon City put on a great little fireworks show.  We just walked down the hill from Nick and Haley's house, sat on the side of the road and enjoyed the show. 

Meagan and her kids were there, Max came with us to go to California and Zack was already there working at Ruby's.  Hayley, Adalyn, Rylee and Maren loved it as well.

Adalyn, Javynn and Maren, Max and Jackson and Karissa, Kyla, Randon, Paige, Patrick, Aliza and Casia.

I especially enjoyed watching the fireworks with my husband Sam.  I love him so very much and enjoy our time together.

Happy Independence Day Everyone!

Polar Club and New Years

Well, here it is, the end of the year again, and again we find ourselves in Tropic. It was a very cold week in Tropic. It was mostly at 0 or below the whole time. It was too cold to go sledding this year, but we did spend a lot of time at the swimming pool. There was a door that goes out to a little gated area and I talked the kids into running out, rolling in the snow and coming back in to be in the Polar Bear Club. Mick even had to get in the club... crazy!

Cade, Aliza and Brynn, Mick and Rilee, Abby

The next day the older boys went to the pool, I didn't go, but Anny took some great pictures. These boys played and played and played. Jett Johnson came down with the Franckowiaks

Maxi, Zack, Max, Sammy, Jett, Jackson

Were were so glad to Tomany's were able to come as well. Both them and the Franckowiaks stayed at Ruby's while we stayed at Nick and Hayleys.

Callahan, Brooklyn, and Kass Zack and Maxi against Cade and Mick

Aliza and Maxi against Abby and Mick Mick, Aliza, and Abby

The boys had to get in the club as well. I love how Zack and Blake stick their tongues out as they're running.

Max, Maxi and Jett

As you can see with the above pictures, the boys are all running to get out and in. Not Sammy, he took his time. It is so funny.

Here's Jackson going through the whole routine. Before and After. Love it.

Then the much waited New Years Eve party arrived. The kids had fun, and again ran from the girls. Aliza however, did dance with Jett. Oh how cute.

These boys didn't do too much. Sat around a lot. Maxi did dance with Nicks niece Alexis. She is a very pretty girl.

O.K., I guess the boys did dance a couple of dances with the girls. One day they will actually like them.

12:00 came, we blew our horns, yelled, sang, and Sam and I even got a kiss and dance in.

Some of the kids were tired (look at Maren), but we made it till midnight and begun 2011.

The wind was so bad this week along with the cold, there was a huge snow drift outside of Nicks house. So, Mick started to dig a hole to make a snow cave. The entrance looked pretty small, but once I looked inside I couldn't believe the room.

Cade and Maren had room to spare.

We were leaving to go home on New Years Day, and on our way out we decided to go to Bryce Canyon to show Maxi. We couldn't NOT show him (even though it was so stinking cold). Anny and Jim decided not to go because they didn't want to spend the money, but when we got there it was free because it was New Years, so we called them and told them to get over here. They turned around, lucky they weren't too far down the road.

I really like this family picture. It looks cold, and was cold, but doesn't that snow look beautiful?

I'm so glad we were able to go down to Tropic again. We so appreciate Nick and Hayley for all they do and it was good to see Megan and Daman, Steven, David and of course Grandpa Pollock.