May Memories

May has always been an eventful month, with last of school programs, graduations, and important birthdays, but this year it has been especially, and happily, busy with a baptism and a wedding.  It is also the month for planting gardens and enjoying the flowers planted last fall.   The weather has been so great...too great, in fact. We need rain!  I read that the drought we are in the middle of is the worst drought in the recorded history of our area.  Even when we have had a little monsoon rain in years past, it has never been enough to put a dent in the dry conditions.  Some farmers are even not planting cotton this year because they can't water it enough.  We have been restricted to watering lawns and gardens to just two days a week...our lawns and gardens look thirsty, too.  Our important birthdays this month are Ellie, Harrison, Isabel, Luke, Nicole, Thomas, Palmer, our newest family member, and Analynn.

Ellie turned 8 on the 5th

Harrison turned 13, another teenager in our family, on the 6th.

Still another teenager, Isabel turned 13 on the 9th.

Luke turned 10 on the 10th...his golden birthday.

Nicole's birthday was the 16th

Thomas' birthday was the 19th.

Palmer's birthday, two days before his wedding, was the 23rd.

Analynn turned 9 on the 24th...the day before Bethany and Palmer's wedding.

May is also Grandpa and Grandma's anniversary.  Here they as cute, young newlyweds...

and as cute oldlyweds.  69 years!!

We started the month with "The Little Mermaid."Mary's kids participated, as usual, and this time, Rachel's twins joined in the fun.  Brianna was "Flotsam" one of the electric eels that did all the dirty work for Ursula.  Lindsay was a seagull, Brynlie was one of Ariel's mermaid sisters and Camille was a sea creature...an angelfish. 

                                                                         
Kirtlyn made signs saying "...I love you" for each girl
         and held them up when they appeared on stage.  She's
                                                                            a great fan.

We had some windy days, perfect for kite flying...and our vacant lot is the perfect place to do it.

Harrison got a cellphone for his birthday, so we called him on it to sing to him.

Isabel also got a cellphone.

Luke, of course, got Legos

Lane got cats.  He's been over with them a lot this month.  Maya turned him to face me so I could take his picture.  She's clearly the boss in that relationship.

Deja vu! I remember the days when I had three babies under three at my house.  But in those days they were all mine, and all boys.

We had a going-away cookout for Josh and Nicole just before they left to move to Nebraska.

The kids all made cards for them, so we took a picture of all of them with Josh and Nicole.  They are going to be missed.

Just hanging out after school

Dad saw this commercial for some satellite company and said it reminded him of our house!

Last of school programs filled several days of May.  Here is Luke.

Camille and Brynlie.

We went to Mesa for Ellie's baptism a day early so we could pick up Nathan at the airport and attend Marlie's orchestra concert, Crew's school program, and Erika's graduation party.  We had to miss Josh and Nichole's graduation from EAC, the same night as Erika's.  Nathan was glad for an El Charro fix on the way home from the airport, as was Dad, of course. Nathan drove Josh's car, which they had left at Nicole's parents' house, back to Safford so he could load it up with some of their stuff and drive it to Nebraska for them.  He also attended their graduation.  While he was in Safford, we were in Mesa, and so were Thomas and Jenn, so he stayed in our room and had the whole house to himself.

Marlie's orchestra concert.  It was very good.

While I was at Marlie's orchestra concert, Dad was at Crew's last of school program.  It had a patriotic theme, so the boys were told to wear their Scout shirts if they had them. He had a special speaking part.

Harrison also had a band concert and piano recital, both of which we missed, but he played his piano solo for me and he was very good.  He made the advanced band for next year...if he were going to be at that school.  We also missed Isabel's concert because we were going to Mesa, but Rachel recorded it and I want to post the recording.  I don't know if it will play.

After Erika's graduation from ASU, which we did not attend because she only had 6 tickets, just enough for her husband and children, we went to a graduation dinner in her honor at The Melting Pot in Scottsdale.  I had never had fondue before and was a little clutzy about doing it, but it was very good.  It took us 3 whole hours to eat a 3-course meal!

Erika's mom, Kay, and her brother, Nathan, were there and sat right across from us. I'm sure they were sick of us after 3 hours :)

Dad moved to the other end of the table and had milk chocolate fondue with the kids.  We had dark chocolate at our end of the table.

After the dinner, with the honored graduate.

The next day, the 11th, was Ellie's baptism.  We brought her CTR ring, which she had picked out from an online selection.  She looked so beautiful and you could tell she was very happy and proud. We were so proud of her, too, and of her dad for being worthy to perform this ordinance for her.

After we left the church, on the way to the luncheon, we got a glimpse of Erika's fabulous graduation present...a Mini Cooper convertible, named "Baby Blue."

What a spread!  They had a brunch buffet with anything you could imagine for breakfast.  Delicious!

Here is Joel, cooking pancakes

Ellie, the princess of the day, enjoying her meal.

Dad and Ellie having a heart-to-heart talk about feeling the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.

It was a good time for siblings to get together.  Jeremy, Rachel, Thomas, Esther and Joel.

It was also a good time for cousins to get together. 

Reygan and Rylie

Hayden and Crew

Hyrum and Soren.

Daynen and Rylie.

Thomas, Luke, Bridger.

Romney and McCain

Marlie, Docker (hiding), Isabel, Harrison, Tayte.

Harrison and Isabel trying to help me get a picture of Docker.

Rachel's perfect gift for our future medico.

While we were gone, the Safford kids all got together and made us an elegant outdoor living room on our patio.  Esther and Shad pitched in on it too.

As soon as it was done, Rachel and Tony and Thomas and Jenn had to hurry to go to Mesa for the festivities there.

Mary and Tyson and kids enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Beautiful!  Notice the floor. I love it.

This was the sign on our back door, alerting us that there was something outside.

What a happy surprise!  Thank you all so much.  We have already been enjoying it and I think it increases the value of our house too.

That evening, we went to a Mother's Day dinner at Rebecca and Scott's.  Polly made a yummy cream cheese, fruit tart for dessert. We had a delicious dinner of shish kabobs that Scott grilled and other delicious things.  It was great.  The one drawback was that poor Lillian was so sick.  She had been sick for several days by that time, and was diagnosed with strep throat.  I looked at her throat and I have to say that I haven't seen one that bad since Tyson's 10 years ago.  I asked Rebecca, then, if she had been checked for mono, but she hadn't.   She has been sick all month, now, and has also had a bad case of mononucleosis confirmed.  She has had high fevers, accompanied by chills, a horrible rash as well as sore throat and general tiredness. She's had to miss the fun of last-of-school activities with her friends, but Rebecca says that they have been great about coming around every day even though she is sick. 

In spite of having to teach Relief Society, and having the added stress of all the Primary and Young Women sisters there, I enjoyed Mother's Day.  I got a lot of loving attention, cards, calls, flowers, chocolate, as well as my outdoor living room,  a couple of ebooks from Jeremy (which have taken over my life for a while) and one of my favorite Mother's Day gifts...the 2012 blog book. Thanks to Esther for putting it together for me.  

These beautiful flowers from Joel and Steph lasted over a week!

Here is Dad, with his perfectly roasted turkey for the occasion.  Tony and Tyson also contributed to our Mothers' Day feast.

The adults ate inside.

The kids ate outside.

When I went visiting teaching this month, I took a picture with Erma Green, my 98-year-old friend. I don't know how much longer she will be with us and I didn't want to regret not having a picture with her.  She looks great for 98, doesn't she? Hardly any wrinkles!

Summertime fun

Summer haircuts

Mohawks!

Lindsay had her dance dress rehearsal on the 16th.  I went to it instead of to the performance so I could babysit while Mary went to the performance on Saturday.  She was definitely the best in her whole group!  Kirtlyn and Maya went with me.

Saturday was also Fathers and Sons' outings for our ward, Tony's ward and Tyson's ward.  Dad even went for the evening, then came home to sleep in his warm, comfortable bed.

The Biggs girls...and Henry... enjoying "girl time."

The Richins girls...and Jared... enjoying "girl time."

On Sunday, we celebrated Thomas' birthday with a meatball dinner and German Chocolate sheetcake.  He didn't want me to make it a layer cake because he wanted more frosting per piece.  The Alders and Richins were able to come.  The Evans were still trying to get Lillian well.

These were the only candles we could find.  Kirtlyn said, "Dad's not 78!" Then Thomas told her it wasn't 78, it was 87.  She said, "Oh," as if that explained it.

I'm next, after he finishes reading it, then Tony, then Tyson.

That afternoon was Brianna's piano recital.  I have to say she plays better than any 9 year old I've ever heard.

Polly's graduation from 8th grade was that week, on the 22nd.  We went there on our way to Mesa to fly out to Omaha.  It was definitely worth the detour.

She spoke at the graduation as the "Bulldog of the Year."  She wrote her own talk, with no help from anyone and delivered it beautifully.  She sounded like a high school graduate.  We were very proud of her.

The night we got to Omaha was also Palmer's birthday, so we ate dinner with them and celebrated with an ice cream cake.  Nicole's birthday was the previous week, so it was also celebrating her birthday too. They blew out the candles together.

The next morning, Tom went with Nathan for his morning walk.  Nathan walks on a beautiful trail near his home.

We spent the afternoon decorating the church.  Her colors were pastels.

This ruffled skirt was perfect for covering the stage and the cake table.

They didn't use round tables, just long ones in a "u" shape.

Here is Dad, figuring out how to hang lights from the ceiling.

They hung paper lanterns on the strings of lights.  Everyone helped: Erika, Joel, Stephanie, Daniel, Porter, Shadrach, Docker, Crew. I watched and took pictures :-)

Ok. So now the lights are attached from side to side and the paper lanterns are attached.  What now? They had a rope tied from one basketball hoop to the other and Daniel pulled it tight, lifting the rows of lights to the ceiling.  It was very dramatic.

All done! It looked great.  A perfect place for dancing under.

The other newlyweds, enjoying not having the stress or the spotlight.

After we decorated, we went to Nathan's for some "Famous Dave's BBQ."  This was about 8:30 p.m.!! Still light.

Wedding day! May 25th, 2013

That morning was stormy and rainy, with lightening and thunder.  But by the afternoon of Bethany and Palmer's wedding it was clear and warm.  Perfect.

Announcing...

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Jeppesen!

Dad felt so honored to have been asked to seal them as husband and wife for eternity.  And, I have to say it was one of the most spiritual and touching and perfect wedding ceremonies I have ever been to.

The cousins. I got a picture of each one of them with Dad. 

Nathan and Shauna Biggs family.  From 3 kids to 5 kids.

With the grandparents

Shauna said that Erika was the "Bethany whisperer." She could calm her when no one else could.

After the ceremony and pictures, Palmer's parents treated us to a Mexican dinner at a restaurant in Omaha. Bethany's wedding was at 2:00, so by the time we got to the restaurant, it was 5:00.  We ate then hurried to the church to cut up fruit for the reception. I think Bethany stayed in her dress all the rest of the day.  

Joel and Stephanie and their boys really helped us in the kitchen. Daniel bought little BBQ weenies which he said no one should have a send-off without.

Dancing with her husband.

Dancing with her dad.

Dancing all together.

Sparklers to light their way.

Time to clean up.  It's a good thing so many Biggs family members came, because they all were such amazing help in the setting up and cleaning up of the reception.  I was proud of all of you.  Thank you for your help.  I know Nathan and Shauna appreciated it too.  Bethany and Palmer were probably so oblivious that they didn't even know who helped or didn't.  But Dad and I knew and we appreciated it.

And then, exhausted or not, a refreshing (?) game of basketball: old guys vs. young guys.  Guess who won? It depends on who you ask.

We went home, after church the next day, and Shad met us at the airport.  We went to their house and had dinner. All in all, a wonderful, eventful, happy weekend. Next weekend will be another eventful one with Parker's graduation. But that's a story for next month.

The last week of May is Girls' Camp for Rebecca, Rachel, Rylie, Isabel, Lillian, Polly and Reygan. I think Shauna has it in the next couple of weeks, too. And Esther goes next week as well.  I hope it is relaxing and fun and not just more stress.

Thomas helped drive the 5th Ward girls to Faithful Pine in Alpine.  There he was greeted by his sisters, who, incidentally, were so appreciative of all the help he gave them in designing t-shirts and handouts.

Tony, as the YW high councilor, not necessarily as Rachel's husband, is spending the week at camp too.

The women in charge.  They look as if they are having fun, don't they?

While they were camping, the little kids had fun at our house.  Thanks to Thomas and Jenn for helping me babysit.   They did most of the work...of course, Luke and the twins aren't really very much work.  They just enjoyed playing with the other kids and did fine on their own.

The big girls had a preschool for the little kids, complete with snack time, story time, rest time and even math time.  Miss K, Miss C and two Miss Bs were the teachers.  Hyrum, Lindsay, Maya and Jared were the students. Did you notice how everything they did for those few days was done in swimming suits?

NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY
At Hannah's end-of-the-year choir concert, they did Disney songs. See all the princesses below.  Hannah was Belle in her prom dress.  The dwarfs were dads of the princesses. Nathan is Dopey in the yellow cap.

Of course, Nathan and Shauna's big news is the blessing of acquiring another family member, Palmer.

 Joel and Stephanie enjoyed a Skype chat with Stetson and Levi.  

We were so glad they came to Bethany's wedding.  They were so much help.  After the wedding festivities, Joel and Stephanie took Docker and Crew and went to Nauvoo and surrounding Church history sites.

Daniel and Porter and Shadrach went to Bethany's wedding and they were so much help.  We really appreciated the muscle!  Earlier in the month, his family went to Provo to fix up their rental house.

I think that is Brock helping Devynne.  If not Brock, maybe Porter?

Daniel and Connie's family are finally enjoying no snow! 

One of Connie's amazing cakes...for Analynn's birthday.

Poor Lillian was so sick this month.  She had a horrible case of Strep throat and is still trying to recover from mononucleosis.

Polly was awarded "The Bulldog of the Year" award by all the teachers at Safford Middle School...the highest award any student can earn there.

They enjoyed a Skype chat with Dallin (see on the bottom), DeWitt and Allison.  We were also invited to Skype in for a few minutes.

The Evans' back yard was the site for the annual tennis party...again.

Scott's newest apartment complex is coming along quickly.  Here are Dad and Polly and Lillian.  Lillian can hardly stand up.

Polly and Isabel at camp.  The theme was Mission: Possible.  Thomas helped them design the t-shirts

Polly is standing on a rock.  Although she's taller, she's not that much taller!

The Jeremy and Erika family had a couple of main events this month: Ellie's baptism and Erika's graduation.  The princess with her parents and grandparents.

What a graduation present!!! Baby Blue.

The restaurant even congratulated her.

Last day of school...All the Jeremy and Erika Biggs kids had the same 2nd grade teacher. They loved her, and more importantly, she loved them.

Reygan, getting on the plane to Omaha.  It's a good thing they came.  We really needed the "Bethany Whisperer," and they were so much help with Bethany's reception.

Isabel's track team won the Morenci invitational. Here she is getting tips from her dad, a former track star.

She had a paint war for her 13th birthday party.

I thought she would never get her ear clean.

Her "Paint war" cake.

Rylie is a 4th year camper this year. Here she is with Lillian, a YCL.

Rachel and Tony with Rylie and Isabel

Marlie's friends all did a really cool dance that looked really weird. Marlie is in the middle.

Esther and Shad took their family to Disneyland and surrounding fun places.

Exhausted on the trip home.

It's a good thing for Instagram so that I know a little about what my kids and grandkids are doing.  I don't know much, though.  This is Marlie and her friend at the Taylor Swift concert.  Is she the only one of the family who went? 

I guess while Marlie was having fun at the concert, Harrison was stripping the wallpaper off the bathroom wall.

Thomas and Jenn stayed with Grandma and Grandpa when they went to Ellie's baptism.

Kirtlyn's class had a talent show.  She sang a Taylor Swift song.  The little girl with her had planned to a piano solo but got scared at the last minute, so Kirtlyn invited her to sing with her.  

Thomas' class went to the Tucson zoo.  Jenn and Henry accompanied them.  I asked Thomas what his favorite part was and he said, "feeding the giraffes."

While Jenn and Thomas were at the zoo, Thomas took Hyrum and Maya to seminary with him.  They loved playing "Do you love your neighbor" with the big kids.

Lindsay had a dance program.  She was cutest and the best, of course.

Carson graduated from kindergarten...the first of many graduations.

Jared fell asleep in the car after eating something (Did he go to Issy's paint party?)  and stayed asleep even after being moved to his bed.

OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Erika's proud family after her graduation from ASU

Josh and Nicole, Proud and happy after graduation from EAC.

The same goes for Facebook as for Instagram.  I hate getting on those things, but that's the only way I can see what's going on with my babies!!! Allison and her roomies enjoying spring (finally!) in Rexburg.

Devynne and Brock Bennion on a trip to Washington to meet his family.

Devynne's leadership group went on a weekend training and fun trip. Devynne is in the water, on the left, middle.

Palmer feathering his nest...getting ready to bring home his bride.

When we got to Omaha, Bethany and Palmer came out to greet us first thing. It was his birthday.  They look so happy, I just had to get a picture with them.

OUR MISSIONARIES

So far, Levi is the only one I have pictures of.  But they are all doing well.  Dallin is scheduled to fly home next week and Stetson will be released in June, so they are winding up and saying "goodbye" to all their friends in Argentina.  Levi is still serving in SLC, and DeWitt is still serving in Las Vegas, both waiting, patiently and faithfully, for their visas to Argentina. They have been having success in their temporary assignments, though, and have loved having the opportunity to serve two missions.

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

Certainly don't want to get lost at Disneyland!

If you don't see a picture that you think should be on here, please send it to me...email or message...and I will put it in so that it will be in the blog book.

So that was May.  Wonderful month, wasn't it? There's no way June can match up, is there?  Just wait. It will.  I always think that, and it always does.  Even though our lives seem so busy, we are happily busy...experiencing the blessing of joy in our posterity.  And what a posterity! You are all amazing! We love you so much and are thankful for your righteous lives.   Thank you for sharing them with us.