There's only 4 of us around here....

 Lauren has been a missionary in Salt Lake City for 9 1/2 months now and is super happy and working hard and remarkably healthy.

 Rachel was called as a church service missionary serving in the Nauvoo Brass Band for 3 1/2 months.  She will be home mid-August.

 Nathan graduated from 8th grade and will start high school in August.  He is growing up way too fast.

 Blair and I took a weekend away and went back to Oregon for my 30-year high school reunion.  We also took in the rose garden and the beach, of course.

Megan gets a little tired of just the 4 of us - she can't wait for Rachel to come home.

Megan

Megan just turned 17 years old, is halfway through her junior year, almost finished another basketball season, and is surprising even herself with her clarinet playing. Look at how darling her smile is, how focused and determined she looks on the court and the many cute ways she can fix her hair!  I am amazed at her dedication, determination, and discipline.  What an amazing young lady.

5:40 am on Tuesday Feb 4th before heading off to seminary.

7:00 pm Tuesday night after seminary, school, basketball practice and a team dinner.

8:00 pm Tuesday night taking a break for a snack before homework.

10:00 pm Tuesday night, showered and ready for gifts and more studying.

2 cute kids

Sunday was the next night Megan was home for dinner, so here is the after church breadstick snack.

We look a little bit alike, I think.

Cupcakes and oreo ice cream for dessert.  I love Megan's grin.

The Lake Zurich Varsity Basketball team, in height order.  Megan is #15 - 3rd from the front.

Megan took a weekend off of basketball to participate in the Illinois All-State Orchestra, which she was selected for.  The top high school instrument and vocal kids come together from all over the state and perform.  It was a great experience and wonderful music.

Catching Up a Bit on Summer Fun

 I Love Camping!!!!

 When you take a road trip with Rachel, if you are in the car too many hours, the trumpet has to come out since she has to practice on a regular basis.

 Liberty Jail

 We arrived in Utah and celebrated with the Hyde family up Provo Canyon.  Some of us like the water more than others do.

 My cute parents broke down and moved to Utah, so now we are the only ones living out of state.

Zion's National Park

Sunset at the Grand Canyon - what a beautiful place.  We took tons of pictures but here are just a few.  None of them do it justice.

 Megan's knee required use of a walking stick for the steep hills

Family Pictures Aug 2013

 All of a sudden, I realized it would be a long time before we were all together for a family picture, so our patient and very happy children endured a photo shoot just a few days before we left town.  Enjoy!!!