Family Pictures....

Well before Holden left we had to get family pictures taken, so I hope you enjoy them. My sister in law took them for us she always does a beautiful job! Thanks Crystal for making a memory for us. If you want to check out her blog it is (crystalclearphoto.blogspot.com)

Mama's Boys!

OK and dads rowdy crowd!

Ryker Tyke, The Caboose(age 8)

Tristen Mack (age 12)

Kaden Ammon(age 12)

Gunnar Treck (age 16)

Silas Holden "The Elder" (age 19)

I love this picture, Holden had to buy this Jacket after he got his call. For five months we rarely saw him in anything that wasn't green and yellow. I guess you would say he was excited!

Goofy Goofy Boys!

Holden had invited 2 of his good friends to have pictures taken together before they all left. Davis was not in the picture he left 3 weeks before to serve in the Provo Utah mission but Hayden is on the left he leaves in 3 weeks to The Torreon Mexico mission and Colten has not yet received his call, but should be getting it any time. We are so thankful for good friends.

"We Are A Happy Fam-I-Ly!"

Yes this is how they act most of the time!!!

We are too young to be having a missionary out!!

Thank you Crystal for the beautiful pictures you truly have a talent and we are thankful you shared it with us.

Bitter Sweet Day

Well we woke up the morning of May 5th 2010 to take Holden to the airport. We had are last Family prayer with him for 2 years that morning. Then we loaded in the car and drove away from the house , I always take a picture of all my boys in the car when ever we head out on a trip. I think we were all so somber in our thoughts and feelings that day and very emotional at what was to come later that day. We arrived at the airport early got all checked in and went to spend time with family till he had to go through security . He had not ever flown by himself so in my heart I kept praying that their would be more Elders flying to Dallas airport with him, about 35 min. later we saw another Elder that was flying with him so they were not alone they had each other. When they arrived in Dallas they met up with 16 Elders and 2 Sisters who were all flying to Sao Paulo Brazil to enter the MTC together. I was so in awe when i saw the picture of all the missionaries on the same plane. I could not even begin to understand the wonderful spirit that was most likely on the flight with all those missionaries going out to do such a great and marvelous work in Brazil. I was so thankful for all the feelings that I felt in one day. I was Scared and sad and worried but in that moment I think I got a quick meaning of what the saying Bitter Sweet meant. My Heart was truly broke but on the other hand my heart was full of so much joy and gratitude for a son that was worthy and had prepared for this great work his whole life. It has now been one month and we still miss him each day but it gets easier as we hear from him and about the love he has for our Savior .

We all went up on the roof so we could watch his plane take off.

And there he goes, up up and away, off to Brazil!!!

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 .