Olivia and her bike

Olivia learned how to ride her bike a few weeks ago and has gained a new confidence in her ability.  She tries to wear her helmet and shoes, mostly.  She knows the basic rules, if you feel like you're going to crash, ride into the grass and jump.  Face the direction you want to go to get a good start.  Ride on the sidewalk when your mom is watching.  Well, last Tuesday I let her ride her bike to the church, while I drove my car beside her and coached her where to walk her bike and where to get on the sidewalk etc.  I can't tell you how a picture paints a thousand words.  The look on her face was pure pride.  I'd compliment her as we went and tell her she was a big girl.  She would just look at me with sheer joy and say through the car window. " I love you mommy."  Which is the best way to describe how happy she was just riding her bike to the church with her mom watching.  Life is simple and sweet for a new bike rider.

Anna's Graduation

Yes our little Annalisa graduated from 8th grade at White Pine Charter School. A few months ago, she didn't look old enough, but after a growth spurt, she pulled it off.

At her school they had a writing contest about how White Pine has helped you prepare for the future or something like that. There was a gift card to the mall involved,which was great incentive. Well, she won second and was able to give her speech at the graduation, and did a great job.Annalisa has loved White Pine, but is excited to go to Hillcrest and meet up with old friends.

Webbs and Football

This summer was full of cousins and company.  the Webbs came from Washington and we had a great time.  Here are the football teams. 

 Kristen, Sterling, Davis and Elliotte against

Annalisa, Kyle and Kate.

These action shots are priceless and I was wondering why do people close there eyes at the pivotal moment.  I guess what ever works.

Generations

Betty Morrison(in the middle) with her two children Larry and Arletta.

While the Webbs were here we had a little reunion with many relatives.  Aunt Sissy, who is Jeff''s aunt and Larry's sister came to visit with a friend. 

 We also celebrated GG(Grandma Betty) and Michael's Birthdays.  This is a third generation picture.  Michael (Grandson), Larry (son), Jeff (Grandson) Betty(mother), Jenny(Grand daughter)

Anna's Birthday

Happy Birthday Annalisa! Our little girl is growing up and 14. She's still the same sweetie, but can now go to dances. Not that they dance much at dances anymore, but it's still fun to get dressed up and go with your friends, who also just turned 14.

She asked for Peggy's delicious cheesecake.She pretty much asked for clothes and here is one of her cute outfits.

 

Father's Day

I week before Father's Day Jeff and I celebrated our 19th anniversary.  We have been married a long time.  So, just for fun I'd like to tell you what I think of Jeff Jones.  When we were dating, the things that made him different than other guys are that he wasn't always bragging and trying to impress me.  So, the more we dated the more I was impressed, instead of the other way around.  He had a calm confidence, trustworthy demeanor and easygoing way about him.  I noticed he served others easily, and was fun and playful.  He was a strong member of the church and just a good guy.  OK, now as an all knowing  college student I also cared about these things.  He was nice to his mother, he didn't watch sports on TV constantly, he did the dishes, and liked to camp.  I loved how he always held my hand and how we were best friends.  He was  handsome and taller than me.  Sadly, because I was fickle, I liked it that he didn't worship the ground I walked on and how our feelings were equal.  He didn't come on too strong and took things slow.  He was funny and got along with his roomates.  He'd cook for me, and when I'd cook he'd do the dishes.  He was willing to learn country dancing,even though he dropped me a few times. He will go to a dance even though he does do the Deacon shuffle and lacks rythm. He's athletic and ruthless in a snowball fignt.  He takes me seriously and listens to me, which is a biggy.   He sang funny camp songs when we hiked.  He wanted to be an optomitrist, which seemed like a stable profession to me because I was planning on being a stay at home mom.  He loved his mission, and served faithfully.  He was a good hometeacher and treated people well. He was not gross for a guy and kept his noises and spitting to himself.  Can you believe how picky I was.  It's a miracle I even got married at all.  I think it was all the advice I got from my married sisters.  He did blow it at Melinda's when her baby pooped on my leg and Jeff backed away without offering any assistance.  It was pretty funny.  Needless to say, he was the right guy and Heavenly Father approved.

 Even as soon as a week after being married I realized that I got more than I'd bargained for in a good way.  He's not perfect, but he does have two amazing qualities:  The first is humility, which makes him very easy to communicate with.  The other is charity.  He is charitable.  He's not faking it.  He constantly serves me and seems to find joy in it.  I try to spoil him too, but never seem to catch up.  It's pretty much the secret to a happy marriage.  That's why he's such a great husband and father and I am so blessed to have him. 

Summer Softball

Ever since we moved to Ammon we have been involved in their Summer Softball.  It is perfect, because it lasts one month(June) with two games a week in the day and is at McGowan Park, which is near our house. 

This year it was Kristen's turn.  She played on an older team and it ended up fine as long as she didn't mention her age, so they wouldn't treat her like a kid, which she is.  She ended up playing catcher, which wasn't her favorite at first, because of all the equipment and it's slightly uncomfortable.  She did great and got used to it.  She had a good season and we had fun watching her.

Manti in June

In June, school was out and we were ready for some fun. So, Kate, Annalisa, Kristen and I decided to go on a trip to Utah. Whenever we go to Utah, we have to visit our cousins the McDonalds, even if it's for one day. Many times when we have visited, Uncle Scott will have what we call a "concert." He has an incredible voice and has performed a lot of his life, so with the colored strobe lights and the high tech equipment, he'll perform and we'll perform and it always feels like a party. Lisa Aiden and Austen are in the first picture.  In the second picture is Uncle Scott, Andrew in back. Kristen, Aiden, Amber, Kate, Olivia and Anna in front.
Next we went to Manti. My parents have lived in California from 1969 until last year when they moved to Manti. Even though they still have a house in CA, they also have a small home in Manti. Under Doctors recommendation, my Dad needed a new climate, with him getting pnemonia every year in CA. His health has been much better. Who can blame him with fishing everyday in the summer and art classes in the winter, working at the temple and the small town atmosphere. My mom has a great job in the school district that she loves. She just can't get away from kids. It is her talent.
Where ever my Dad lives there will always be a chicken coop. He has loved chickens as long as I can remember. Kristen enjoyed picking eggs. Grandma always has dolls for the little girls to play with.
This house was built in 1900. It was not built by another family, but my Grandpa Miller bought it and then my Dad bought it from Grandpa. I remember coming here as a child and playing in this back yard and sleeping in the attic at night. Some of my kids slept in the attic. It hasn't changed at all.         We took a trip to the local library. Grandma made cupcakes with the girls.  It was fun how snuggly Livvy was with Grandma and Grandpa. She kept telling me how when Grandma was in high school she loved the color lime green. Olivia also noticed by the decor that Grandma likes pink. Then Grandpa took us up the canyon to the lake. It's five miles from his house. Pretty dreamy.

We had a very relaxing trip and on the way home had a breakfast with the BYU cousins, visited Heidi Jo and Brandon, we saw Tess and her new baby. Then we spent the night at my friend MaryKay's because her son came home from his mission and stayed for his report. Then we stopped at the Christensen's to bring the cousins to our house for the week. It was a blast.