"Go ye therefore,and teach all nations"

Well the time has come. When Holden was a little boy we took a trip to Utah while we were there we went to Temple square, we passed by the fountain, Holden saw money in it and asked us why there were pennies in the fountain, so we told him that people would toss the coins in the water and make a wish. He wanted to do it so we gave him a penny and he tossed it in. I asked him what he wished for and he said, "I wished that someday I could be the best missionary i can be". Well, we did not realize how fast time would fly. On Wednesday it will be two weeks sense he met with the Stake President for his mission interview. The next morning we received an e-mail saying that the papers were submitted. Today we got another e-mail letting us know that the call as been issued and we should be seeing it in the mail any day this week. Well anyway, we are so excited to find out where the Lord will have him serve and we know that the wish, wished so many years ago will come true. He will make an awsome Missioary where ever he goes.

Football Season is here again...

This is the best part of the game watching the team captains go out on the field to represent their team in the coin toss hand in hand.

Kaden calling the play.

They blew right through it!

Half time banner

Huddle up!!

He is the cutest water boy I have ever scene!!!

These 4 boys have played ball together forever baseball and football ,they are such good friends and they play well together. #14 is mine Kaden # 26 is also mine Tristen # 88 is Jordan Ray and Jacob Ray he is #9. These four do things together whenever they can they love to have sleep overs with each other the last time they had a sleep over Sister Ray (Neelie) shared this with me she said the boys were being quiet so she as a mother of boys new that sometimes quiet is not the best so she went to the bedroom door to peek in and she found them each one with their scriptures open reading quietly before they went to bed. She said that the feeling in that room was awesome. I know they will always be friends as long as they always do the things that are most important, and always remember to thank Heavenly Father for the Talents witch they each have been given.

Rykers Day...

Ryker and his dad had a PPI a few months back and discussed his baptism day Treck asked Ryker if he wanted Holden to baptize him and he would confirm him . so that is what Ryker decided to do. It was a nice day.

Ryker also gets to start scouts and he has already earned his Bobcat. ( First step to that Eagle!!!)

A Choice Land

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ. - Ether 2:12

" I marvel at the miracle of America, the land which the God of Heaven long ago declared to be a land choice above all other lands." Gordon B. Hinckley

I love America for her great and brawny strength, I love her for her generous heart. I love her tremendous spiritual strengths. She is unique among the nations of the earth-in her discovery, in her birth as a nation, in the amalgamation of the races that have come to her shores, in the strength of her government, in the goodness of her people. God bless America, for she is His creation.- Gordon B. Hinckley

I also love this country and what we stand for. I know times are scary and unsure but one thing I am sure of is that Heavenly Father set up this land to be a choice land. I am so grateful for the opportunity that we as a family took to talk to our children that day and discuss the scriptures and the promised blessings that we have. We were able to discuss the service in which are Grandfathers had to serve this country for us so we would be free 2 in which were injured and awarded the purple heart and one that was killed while fighting for our freedom I will always be grateful to all who serve this choice land and keep it safe . We have a brother in-law serving in battle now and a nephew. And another Nephew that is training now we love for your service and our prayers are always with you .

Yes I am feeling OLD!!!!!

Holden graduated on the 20th of May at the Wells Fargo Arena at ASU it was awesome but a day that made me and Treck feel old we kept saying I can't believe we have one graduating from High School.

We are all so proud of Holden we love him so much he is a great example to his brothers and is a good young man he has high standards and follows them. We as parents do go crazy sometimes with him but in general we are proud of the decisions he always makes. He works hard and is excited to serve a mission as his next big step in life.

Proud brothers? Or just excited that they are getting closer to him leaving on that mission and them getting his room I guess only time will tell!!!!

I was so proud of myself I did not cry at all..

Grandma was very proud also this is her first High School graduate.

Proud Cousins!

Thank you to all the family that came and supported him on this day we love you all and appreciate all you do to support us.

Holden and Megan have been going to school together since preschool thanks for being such a good friend Meg. And yes we will still talk to you Megan even if you are going to the U of A!!!

A few days after graduation Holden and his friends wanted to go to California and have some fun so we let them take the car and follow us then we turned them loose. We did see them once in a while they had a great time and were good boys they checked in and even rode on some rides with us.

Never Never dare Cory cause you will lose. They told him if he would have his face painted like a cat Matt would pay for it and Holden would give him 5.00. We got off a ride and this is the first thing we saw.

The boys called Holden and asked them to meet us at grizzly rapids ride because they knew if they rode with them they were sure to get wet!

What a group of good looking fellows!!!

Ryker loves to swim with his Dad because he will help him do flips and dives.

Could not resist posting this I love this picture they are so good looking. ( and hams for the camera)

Thanks for going with us Aunt Tawni and Uncle DeWy we loved having you there and the boys love to ride with Broc. I loved getting to be entertained by Britt while everyone rode the rides I dont like.

Camping

can you see the elk in the trees?

We woke up Sunday morning and had a sacrament meeting in the mountains so the day started great. Then we loaded up the boys and went out and enjoyed a nice drive in the mountains it was so beautiful we love to go and see what kind of animal we will come across, my boys love to see the elk they are so pretty. Holden also loves to do this but he had to stay and work but we did miss him.

On Saturday the boys were shooting BB guns at a card board box with a target on it next thing we know they get a lizard, then a crawdad, and the the next well the picture is self explanitory just so you all know they cleaned it and prepared it and then they cooked it like a foil dinner in the fire and yes they all had to eat it. They all seemed to learn a valuable lesson. (boys!!!)

While we were out for a sunday drive we came across this sign it was in memory of Great Grandpa Norton.

Waiting and Waiting!!!

Last Saturday night I was doing my last minute shopping before Sunday and my phone rings and Ryker says mom my finger hurts and I can't find any band aids can you buy some. So I tell him yes and continue my shopping when I get home and walk in the house this what I found. He had been waiting for me and watching for the suburban to pull up in the drive way so he could have a band aid on his finger, he feel asleep waiting for me all the other boys were asleep and Treck was watching T.V. in the bedroom not knowing the Ryker was still awake so I went and told him to come see what Ryker was doing. We both just set there and laughed he is very patient I guess when you are the youngest of 5 boys you have no choice.

Proud Parents...

My kids attend Noah Webster Basic School. They offer a special program at school called the character counts program that teaches the children lots of valuable lessons on personal character. Each year someone from each grade gets picked by the students in there grade level to attend and represent that grade and this year Kaden got picked to go We are proud of him for the way he is and the attitude that he has to be a good person. Then later in the school year Tristen came home and said he was getting a special award at the assembly at school so I went down to watch them present his award. I did not know what the award was but when I found out it was the character counts award for the year I was very proud of him also. This student is also picked by his classmates and teachers in the 5th grade. The students were asked why he should get the award and these are the things they said -He is a good friend that never lies. - He is responsible and always willing to help. - He respects the classroom rules, and he never gets in trouble.- He makes everyone feel welcome, and includes everyone in his games. - He always turns in his work.

And then his teacher had this to say. Tristen is a dedicated student who never allows himself to get behind on his work. He always strives to do his best. The fact that his peers nominated him for this award shows how truly wonderful a person he is. He demonstrates his character both inside and outside the classroom. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to share the classroom with him. I was so proud of him that day and proud of Kaden for getting to go to the character counts activity day. They are good boys. And I am so proud of them for the character that they display.

The Happiest Place On Earth...

We got to go to Disneyland to watch my niece Camry and Jessica Ray dance we had such a great time with Jade and his family and the Ray family. HAving all boys I dont get to do the dance thing so thanks for letting us tag along.

The Gang!

Thanks to Neelie we rode the river ride I think her last words were we wont get wet well next time I will go with my first instinct...

Kaden and Tristen did not want to ride this ride dad talked them into it and wow they loved it . Treck is the fun one at Disney he will ride all the rides with the kids I am a bit more picky I will ride most of them but there are 2 or 3 that I hate.( But I have tried all of them at least once)

Priceless! Rosin hates to get caught on camera but I got lucky and got this cute shot.

Friends! Lets see if we can get another shot like this one when they are 16!

The boys all loved waving to the riders they are so amusing.

Gunnar looks so thrilled to be on the Jungle cruise.

Best Friends they wanted to be together all of the time. I love having cousins your age. I loved having my cousin be my best friend growing up. I hope they will always be close.

All of these kids had a blast together it was fun to travel and spend time together as friends and family.

Holden playing dress up!!!

All my boys we had a great time spending time together also are time is getting shorter and shorter so we love to take advantage of these photo oppertunities of them all together. They are the most Handsome bunch of boys ever!!

Almost twenty years ago we got this same picture taken.

Riding the tram into the park to start are fun visit to the happiest place on earth.