The Happy Day at Last Has Come...

Wow what a day! The mail arrived at 12:30 and Holden did not get home from work until 6:15. Needless to say it was the longest day I have ever seen. Any way this is what he opened and read, Dear Elder Norton, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Brazil Sao Paulo Interlagos Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Brazil Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 5, 2010. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language.

We are so excited for this new experience that we as a family get to have...

"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.