teenagers

Teenagers bring a lot of fun into our house. Especially these four. 

And especially when they get bored and do things like this.


Which worked much better than when they tried to flip each other.


Those poor teenagers that hang around a lot occasionally get roped into playing games with us, too.

Kyler helped me out with my phone...

To make this my lock screen:

We attended a court of honor for a bunch of boys and friends in our ward.

Kyler started his first job! He is pretty excited to be earning some gas and date money now.

Like this excited:

I know this has nothing to do with teenagers, but I am feeling so grateful for primary activity leaders. There are some good people in this world who show such caring, kindness, and inclusion and it makes such a difference. (I don’t have a picture of Layla’s leaders but they are fabulous and loving, too!!)

Running club, mismatch day, and a hike

After watching her brothers run cross country, Layla decided she wanted to race, too. So she joined her school’s running club.

They meet before school two days a week. Though, because of various circumstances she hasn’t been that often to practice. But she got to participate in the first district race. She did a little more walking than running, but she was a good friend to a friend of hers who hurt her foot and she finished strong. In 158th place. 

I’m so proud of her for being willing to try something new and to be a part of the running club! What a great experience for her.

There was a week of school spirit days right before winter break. Our favorite was definitely mis-match day.  When she was trying to decide what to wear, Eric teased Layla to wear one of the outfits that she tries to wear but mom makes her change. ;) Like patterned skirts with clashing colored shirts. She pulled out this creative outfit on her own.

We had cousins over on a Saturday afternoon and I got to take these kids on a hike. Preston and Layla were the most excited about being out in the desert with me, but they were all awesome hikers out there!

At the tip top!

Winter formal

Just after he turned 16, he was off on his first date and his first high school dance.

He went with his good friend, Kylie. We all love her so much and we are so glad they are friends.

She asked him with a box of Bosa donuts.

He answered with a favorite cereal.

They went on a date the week before Winfo with a group to hike the Santan mountains and then the night of the dance they had a nice dinner at a friend’s house. Aren’t they all looking so good?











Such great teenagers!

Kyler drove himself to meet up with the group for pictures and dinner because he was joining them late after his wrestling practice. These two were so sweet and stopped by our house before they went to the dance since I didn’t get to see them together earlier. It was so thoughtful and made me happy to see them. Then I made them relive the flower exchange and had him place the corsage on her arm.

Brinna loves all of Kyler’s friends and she was so excited to see Kylie. Of course, she jumped in with her big ol’ grin.

I’m so glad these two had a fun time together at Winfo! 

a new year

The year 2020.
What better way to start a new year than among the cactus and under the arizona sky?

The desert is breathtaking. I feel so lucky to live in such a place.



We started this decade with a day trip to Tucson to visit my uncle Randy.
That's him waving there. Hello, Randy.



He took us to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. It was my first visit there and it was a great place! With some great people.





The kids took turns pushing grandma in the wheelchair as we strolled through all the paths and all of the exhibits to see animals, birds, and so many desert plants.







I feel closest to God when I am out in nature.



It was a good place to be as I was reflecting on this last year and thinking about the new year and my goals and the direction I would like my life to go. We have some decisions to make as a family, including a new theme to decide on.

I'm looking forward to finding some time over the next few weeks to finish recording last years adventures and then start recording my thoughts and plans for 2020.

Happy New Year!