New puppy Appa

 I'm not sure how the kids managed for us to get another dog but they did. This little guy was being sold for only $25 normally Grand Pyrenees Huskies sell for a lot more. Holman actually has been researching these two different breeds for years. So to get one all rolled up in one was his dream! he is a cutie and is named after one of our favorite TV series Avatar. 

Appa decided to go for a swim, it was hilarious! 

May 3rd Parkin's 14th birthday!!

 Sweet Parkin turned 14!! He is such a joy to our family. He is happy, helpful and kind. Covid has been crazy but Parkin has managed to keep everything together. He really missed going to school and when it opened back up he was eager to attend. He is a friend to all and best friends with Holman. He has lots of inside jokes with Anna and he has his two older sisters wrapped around his finger. He is the first to give compliments and support so naturally we all want to support him too.  This year he has developed his own style and we all love it. He is independent and accepting. 

I heart attacked his door before going to work and Liv and Bella bought all the ingredients for his birthday dinner. He wanted home made mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy and bread bowls...all comfort food. it was yummy! We had an éclair cake for dessert. Both grandparents came and Danny and Bekah too! It was a great day honoring one of our favorite people!!

New tile in The Cottage

What a coloso undertaking this was!! Removing the carpet wasn't that bad, it was leveling the floor and laying it that proved to be an arduous task. Clint Whetten, Scott Howe and my dad helped for hours...nay days!! Especially my father. I honestly don't know where my dad gets his energy. He is 72 and he is a total OX. Benjamin and the many volunteers saved us thousands of dollars but the cost was a bit of our sanity. I think for the second portion of the guesthouse we might hire out. Who am I kidding, when we can do a project ourselves we usually do. Fingers crossed we will actually just hire it out next time!

Finished product!

Mormon Prom, dancing at our house May 1st

Because of Covid many Proms were not happening city/nation wide. Some schools opted to do one because the numbers have been improving but many didn't host one because the time to plan one was so short. It has already been a very disappointing senior year so we did not want this to be one more item in the column of "thanks for nothing covid 19!" We figured we had a perfectly good dance floor in our back lot from the wedding and why not invite all the youth from our Stake 16 and up. Benjamin took the idea to the rest of the Strake Presidency and they thought it was a great idea. Oliva assembled a Prom committee and they planned all the details. President Curtis hosted a dinner at his place and Brother Griggs transported all the dancers on a lit hayride to our place. They drove down Woodland road so it was truly magical. Uncle Nate DJ'd again and Bella nd Hailie served Italian sodas and desserts. It was so much fun!! Oliva asked a friend from school named Josh. He was super friendly and the perfect date for Olivia. Holman asked Georgianna a friend from the ward. She looked beautiful and they took some amazing pictures in her neighborhood. Bridgett was a great sport and came down from Gilbert to be a date for a Sebastian a Priest in our ward. She looked lovely and came to Tucson in less than 24 hour notice!

Bella on the News!!

Bella was eating lunch down on campus with her bestie when a televsion crew approached them asking about their thoughts on getting the vaccine. They both looked beautiful, they were witty and smart a reporters dream!! Everyone in the family 16 years and up has gotten it. We look forward to seeing what the new "noraml" will look like.

Boston with Olivia! April 16th-19th

Benjamin, Olivia and I went on the quintessential college trip. Oliva got in to many university's across the nation. All offered her some money but Boston Univeristy and the University of Arizona offered her the most. We thought it would be fun to fly out and check out the University to help her make her choice. It was a beautiful weekend full of lots of walking, subway riding and food!! We went on a "Duck tour" walked the "Freedom Trail" and ate under "Fenway Park". It was a great trip!! this trip however did not help Olivia make her college decison, nope. It took three weeks of fasting, a fathers blessing, college councselors opinions, and several pro and cons lists. Ultimetly evemn thouh Boston gave her a huge chucnk of change she opted for graduating debt free (those Dave Ramsey years left an impression on all of us). She will rock the UofA studying Buisness in the Honors college. It will be beautiful having both daughters home for Sunday dinner!!