A Big Week for Dallin

A lot of exciting things happened in Dallin's life this week.

This was his last "friends lunch" at our home.

Thursday evening, at the Liberty Senior Awards Night, Dallin received an honor cord for graduation.

He was also awarded the Principal's "Lanced Up Senior Award."

Friday was the last day of school!  Woot woot!

I don't have any pictures, but Friday night Dallin went camping with some of his friends to celebrate the end of school.  He had a lot of fun--despite setting up a tent on four inches of snow.  And he said he had a great experience, as the young men led their own evening devotional.  But I refuse to tell you about the squirrels.  You'll have to ask Dallin about that!

On Sunday, after Church, Dad conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood upon Dallin and ordained him to the office of  Elder.

These are all the men who took part in the ordination:

Back Row - Tom Nixon, Greg Angell, Kevin Call, Gary Spencer, Dave Walsman

Front Row:  Paul McKean, James Hall, Dallin, Dad, Jerry Hill, Marc Phillips

Chris Porter, Dallin, Zach Call

All three were sustained as Elders today.  They were all sitting at the sacrament table to bless the sacrament.  So when their names were read, all three of them stood up together.  It was really kinda cool.  Chris was ordained after Dallin, and Zach will be ordained on Thursday.

There goes Dad . . . photo bombing again.  He is out of control!

So here is Dallin's line of authority:

Dallin Jay Page was ordained an Elder on May 18th, 2014, by his father, Brian Glenn Page,

who was ordained by M. Grant Page,

who was ordained by William Henry Page,

who was ordained by N. Kimball Thomson,

who was ordained by Melvin J. Ballard,

who was ordained by Heber J. Grant,

who was ordained by George Q. Cannon,

who was ordained by Brigham Young,

who was ordained by Joseph Smith,

who received his authority from Peter, James, and John,

who received their authority from Jesus Christ.

 https://www.lds.org/topics/melchizedek-priesthood?lang=eng&query=melchizedek+priesthood

And finally, on Sunday evening, Dallin graduated from Seminary.

Chip and Dallin with their seminary teacher, Brother Romney.

Brother Romney, Chip, Alexis, Dallin, and Laura

We took pictures against the wall to prevent Dad from photo bombing . . . 

but he just slipped into the side of the picture, holding a diploma, in hopes of blending in.

Good friends:  Joey Black, Zach Call, Thomas Fife, and Dallin

What an amazing week!  We're so grateful for Dallin, his example, his testimony, and his influence in our family.

A Day in the Life

Brian:  Doing bishop stuff in my church office.

Kathy:  I love visiting teaching!  This is how I met my good friend, Elvia.  Today she taught me how to make authentic Mexican beans.  She cooked them in her clay pot which you can see on the table.  She also taught me how to make the most amazing salsa!

Ty: I took Afton on a 5k family “Full Moon” fun run tonight.

She was the first one to cross the finish line!

But all she could talk about afterward was the moon pie she got.

Michelle:  The end!

Afton: I'm teaching Eliza how to jump on the bed.

Eliza: We played musical car seats today.

No, not because I’m getting a little brother or sister.  I’m just growing too fast.

Josh:  Wearing my "Shockers" shirt while studying "circuits" and physics.

Elizabeth:  Shopping all the bargains.

Jayna:  I went with Kirsten to find a wedding dress! Crazy.

Dallin:  Studying for anatomy--two more days of school left!

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day.  So first and foremost, I would like to thank my mother for all the sacrifices she has made in my behalf.  I love her and am so grateful for her example and influence in my life.  

I would also like to thank Brian's mother for all she did to raise a righteous, worthy man and for her love and influence in my life.

I would also like to thank you kids for your patience and kindness as you have allowed me to learn and grow in my role as your mother.  I could not ask for better children.

Yesterday Dad bought me these flowers for Mother's Day.  He said that the reports showed it was going to snow on Mother's Day, and he wanted me to have something "springy" to enjoy.  What a thoughtful husband!

And Dad was right . . . it did snow!

And still, he grilled steaks for a yummy Mother's Day dinner.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all your cards, Facetiming on the phone, and opening your thoughtful gifts.  Thank you so much!!!  It made me a little sad realizing this might be my last Mother's Day with kids at home.

Yesterday I was going through some of our scrapbooks, and I found different notes you kids have written to me through the years.  Here is one of my favorites.

I consider that one of the greatest compliments ever!

I love you, kids!  I am so grateful for the opportunity I've been given to be your mother--and for the added blessing of Ty and Elizabeth.  You are my greatest joy.

Saturday is a Special Day

For me, Saturday is a special day when we get to work in the yard or on house projects!

Today we got to work on the fence again.

We put up the old slats and bought new ones to replace the slats that had broken.

Jayna was excited to use her lumberjack skills again!

She cut off a big branch that was in the way of the new fence.

Today we also had our bathroom torn apart!

All the old tile and flooring was removed, and the plumbing was redone.

But here's our new countertop!

I sanded down the cabinet base and helped stain the wood.

Later that night I thought I heard water running.  I was the only one home at the time, so I went upstairs to check it out . . . and found that one of the pipes had come loose and water was spraying everywhere!  Yikes!  Obviously, the guy that's helping us came back to fix it and all's good.

The "Y" Date

I was in charge of our alphabet date this week.  We are on the letter "Y."

My pouty face (below) is reflective of my frustration in trying to execute our date.

First, we were supposed to hold our date in the "yard," but it was too cold.

Second, we were going to pick up food at the House of "Yakitori" and bring it home.

Since it was too cold, I decided we would just eat at the restaurant.  But when we got there, it had closed down and a new restaurant was having it's grand opening!

And then third, I planned on "yellow" food for our dessert--specifically yellow Oreos and a yellow cake.  We've been having trouble with our oven.  So my yellow cake was not completely cooked in the middle and sunk.  Not wanting to waste frosting, I frosted around the gooey sunken middle.

It's a good thing dating is more about spending time with my cute husband than about what we actually do!

Because despite all the mishaps, we had a wonderful time!

We played "Yahtzee."

(Photo bomb courtesy of Jayna.)

And I got Yahtzee on my first roll!

And a few rolls later, I got it again!

Then we practiced our "yo yo" tricks.

We learned how to put the yo yo to sleep and walk the dog.

Lots of fun . . . sure glad Dad's in charge of the letter Z.

Yard Day and Hamburger Extravaganza

Hi, kids!  Not a lot to report on this week.

You all know how much I love family work days in the yard!

So Saturday was a fun day.  We cemented in new fence posts.

We raked up all the pine needles . . .

. . . about seven bags worth!

We pulled weeds, cleared out flower beds, and started working on the lawn.

Because it was such a beautiful day, I even defied the flip-flop Colorado weather and was brave enough to put up two hanging flower baskets (look careful--behind the table).  If you look carefully, you will also notice a squirrel by the side of a chair who came out to enjoy the fun!

That evening we held another Hamburger Extravaganza.  This is a ward tradition Dad started.  Whenever we have a missionary about to leave, the missionary and all the Priests or Laurels are invited to our home for a Hamburger Extravaganza.  We grill hamburgers and hot dogs and then have any type of topping you can imagine available--bacon, ham, fried eggs, sauces, etc.  All the youth get to ask the missionary a question and the missionary ends with his testimony.  This evening we were honoring both Robbie Kearns and Tyler Hill.

Chris Porter tries to wrap his mouth around his huge burger.

Robbie Kearns and Tyler Hill, with Jake Green in the back.

Josh, I wish you could have been here to listen to your friend, Tyler, talk in church and talk to the priests.  He was very honest with the boys about his past mistakes and bore strong testimony of the ability to change through the Atonement of Christ.  Very powerful.  He will be an amazing missionary.