Lake Powell minus one

So we went to Lake Powell again in August, and it has to be the best time of year to go. The water was 79 to 83 degrees and the days were 95 to 100. The nights cooled off enough to sleep great and it wasn't very crowded (maybe due to gas prices). Any way August is my favorite month, because I love the heat. Bring it on...














Almost lost one.

Kaitlin got to drive the boat by herself because her parents were holding on to dear life. JK, she did a great job.













Alise finally got up and stayed up for a while. All with out a single tear. After that we couldn't get her out of the water. She must have gone 15 times.














Haili wanted to learn to slolomn and got up on her third try.














Kate has been slolomning for a few years and poped right up. Kinda like riding a bike I guess.





It was weird without Daniel and we missed him. He always wanted to go first and this time no one wanted to go first, so Dave finally went. Every one had more time to do what they wanted, cuz Daniel used to eat up alot of time. He'll only miss one summer though and soon he'll be back hoging the water again.

Life in the MTC

Fan mail, how old are Daniels girlfriends anyway?

I didn't really think he would actually use the 4th of July stuff, but he seemed to have some fun with it.

Daniel Rigby has been a friend of Daniels since they were 4 years old. I was cool that they left only a week apart and then ended up in rooms right next to each other. Rigby is going to Florida, spanish speaking. He's been a great friend to Dan.
















If there's a will, there's a way.

Life in the MTC is good. Daniel has found some really neat guys there that he hangs with. Also, he has learned some magic, because there is no way he could do a back flip by himself. He says that it's not as bad as he was expecting and likes most of his instructors. It seems that no matter where they are, boys will be boys. Three of the top missionaries are also writing Kaitlin. The red head is his companion. He just can't seem to get away from them. (his two best friends are red heads).

Sending Daniel Off!

So Wednesday, the 25th of June, finally came. We had waited 41/2 months for this day that seemed so far away, and yet here it was. We started out the day packing, because Daniel had so many visitors the night before, we didn't get it done. It's really hard to fit 2 years of stuff into 2 suitcases. I'm sure when he leaves for Mexico, we'll have to pay that heafty fine for having suitcases that weigh to much. After he was already to go, David gave Daniel a very beautiful blessing and then we had a close family prayer. This is when I started to cry.

We all piled into the truck and headed out, but not before stopping at the Maveric for one last "real Coke".

Daniel couldn't be dropped off at the MTC because it happened to be new Mission Presidents training, so we had to go to a nearby church where they had tents set up for the luggage and nametags. We dropped off his luggage first and then got his nametag (which he couldn't read). It seemed really offical then. He looked like a real missionary.




After he had his name tag on we headed into the church with his sisters clinging to him and his mom savoring every last moment.

Inside was the usual meeting where they sing Called to Serve, and then they show a video of life in the MTC. I'm still crying, only harder now. They tell me that I'm handing my son over to the Lord now and that he will be in very good hands. I believe them, and I'm very proud to there with him, but by the end, we were all crying,(even Dave) and it was so hard to say good by for 2 years. Daniel cried alittle and told everyone he loved them and then he wiped his tears, held his head up high, and headed out the side door. I can still see him walking through that door and then disappering. I am grateful that he decided to go and I know we will be blessed because of this and I'm also grateful that I'm not sending him to Iraq. I can't imagine how all the mothers and wife's do that. I'm sure with time I won't miss him as much I can't wait to hear of his experiences and adventures. And as life goes, I'm sure these two years will go by quickly and he'll be back a better and stronger man because of it. You are in our prayers and thoughts always and we can't wait to see you in 2 years.

Powell Vacation

Well, we went to Lake Powell this summer (as we do every summer) and had a great time. It was hot, like about 100 degrees, but the water was around 72, which was very refreshing and almost alittle cool. The weather stayed nice the whole time and so we were able to do whatever we wanted. We would wakeboard in the morning, then find some shade in the afternoon, eat lunch and take a nap. After that we would cliff jump and if the water was still nice, we would board again. Around 7 or so we would head in to camp. Haili's birthday was the 18th while we were there so Dave make steak and duchoven potatoes, which is her favorite, and then he made brownies in the duchoven. We didn't have candles and so he put matches in the brownines and lit them with his torch. They were yummy. Boating has been our family's favorite pasttime the last 10 years and our kids have gotten pretty good at the water sports. This was a fun trip and we are glad that Daniels departure date was late enough to get a trip in this year. We hope to go again in August, but it will be weird with just the three girls. (that is if gas comes down alittle). Anyway, here are some of our fun pictures that we took. This is Kylee, Daniels very good friend. They have known each other for 15 years. She has come with us the past few years and it's been a riot having her.

Daniel jumping from that highest point you can see. My three older kids scare me when they jump.Daredevil Kate.
Haili is insane when it comes to jumping.
Alise jumping higher than last year.
Dave getting ready to crash.

Daniel catching some pretty good air!

Kate clearing the wake!
Haili jumping the wake.
Alise begging us to not make her wakeboard.
Didn't work!!! And she got up.Cool reflection.









Fun times, the water was so nice and glassy, it was a great way to spend time together before we are split for two years. Memories that will last a lifetime.

FAREWELL

Wow, what a crazy and emotional time it is for our family. I always hoped for the day when Daniel would go on a mission, but it has come sooner than I wanted. We are so proud that he is going, but it's harder than I imanged it would be to let my first child go. Life as we have known for many years will never be the same and for that, I am sad. There will only be five at the dinner table now and his beautiful music that used to keep us up at night will be silent. The teasing of his sisters will stop and his weekly calls to see if I want him to bring me some lunch will end. All to be replaced with something better I know, but still will be terribly missed. He is a grown man now and very independent. My days of raising him are over and now I have to sit back and watch him grow and hope what I have given him in the past ninteen years was enough. Thank you Daniel for the joy you have brought into our lives and as tears are streaming down my face, I can only remember all the good times. You will be awsome out in the misson field and hopefully, time will fly like it has the past ninteen years and you will be back, healthy, strong and ready to take on this world Daniel style... We love you.
Shana did her magic again and took these pictures for me. You have an amazing gift Shana and I thank you for sharing it so often with me.

MISSIONARY PICTURES

GOOD-BYE, MY SON
RETURN WITH HONOR

Daniel

Daniel is the oldest of our children and is 19 now. This past year he graduated from Riverton High School where he was involved in several of his interests. The first is his love of music. Daniel was a member of accapella choir and sang Bass. He traveled to San Francisco and Washington D.C. with the choir and performed in competions and for church groups. Daniel is also a great piano player and is currently serving in our church as the pianist for the primary children. He is currently working for Reynold's Brother's excavation running heavy machinery, a job that he is good at and a way to earn money for lifes next big adventure, his mission for the LDS church where he has been called to the Mexico City North mission. He is not currently seeing anyone but is looking for pen pals while he is gone. Daniel also is an avid hunter of almost anything you can hunt, but especially water fowl. He has a few of his animal stuffed and a few more in the freezer waiting to be stuffed. He said the hardest day of his mission will be the opener of the duck hunt. (Ha, ha). We are proud of all Daniels accomplishment and are excited for his mission. He fills our house with music and we love to listen to him practice and tease his sisters. We will miss him very, very much, but know we will all be blessed, especially him, for his sacrifice.

Kaitlin

Kaitlin is almost 17 and a junior this year. She is finishing up a crazy year of varsity cheerleading. She has been cheering for two years and can lift almost anyone over her head. She's hanging it up this year for a less stressful senior year with some fun art and photography class instead. She works for Sweet and Sassy's and also for our aunt Rozann teaching piano. Kaitlin is our most social child right now and so between friends, work, piano lessons, boyfriend, tumbling, and homework, we don't see her as much as we'd like, but she loves it and we love to see her happy. She is also serving as the laurals secretary in young womens and she's excited about EFY this summer. Her favorite thing is tumbling and she goes with a bunch of school friends to Gymcats once a week. Kaitlin is very sweet and is kind of our peacemaker here. We love and appricate her for that.

Haili

Haili is number 3 in our family and there is never a dull moment when she is around. She is involved in many things including, singing, piano, and her favorite, tumbling. She also hopes to be on TV some day and has a few acting agents working on that. Haili is almost 14 and is pretty sick of school. But then who isn't in May. She also is a pretty great cook and helps with dinner alot. She is trying to master pie crust right now, and tonight I think she nailed it. Haili also just got a boy pen pal from Ohio and she's excited about that. She keeps our house hopping and that's what we love about her.

Alise

Alise is the youngest of the bunch and probably has the most energy. She is almost 11 and is ready for 5th grade to be over. Alise's first love is cooking and she makes breakfast for us every saturday and sometimes on Sunday. She loves to play the paino and practices almost every day. She is in tumbling and goes when her mother remembers to send her. She loves to ride her bike and play with her many friends. Their new thing is Webkin stuffed animals that have a computer link. Alise is alway happy and lights up any room she goes in. We are blessed to have her.