Flowers

 I dug up these barrel cactus a couple of years ago.  Last year they tried to bloom, but ended up freezing.

 Patches thought that she was a flower too.

 They've opened up all the way today.  Very pretty!

Graduation

Card boxes

Stage

Programs

Stage - Thanks Sharon for taking the silhouettes.  I thought they turned out really well.

Josiah playing Amazing Grace

Josiah receiving his diploma

Shaking hands with the Millard School District Board Members

My dessert picture!  I was going to get more pictures of the kitchen end of preparation but

totally forgot. 

The caboose is leaving the train station...empty nesters

Both John and I are having a hard time with Josiah leaving the house.  In many ways it seems like yesterday that he was a toddler.  Then when he was older, he was still so small that people thought he was about 10 years old when he was in fact 15.  This past year, he took a real growth spurt and is finally looking like he is really 18.  We've always said that having him 9 years after Nicholas kept us young :-).  We are preparing for his graduation this week and the past few weeks have been full of all sorts of activities to remind me that it is the end of a school year.  The best to my youngest son, Josiah!  (my nieces husband said I could borrow their kids when I need a "kid around the house fix".

Thanksgiving/Christmas 2012

 4 generation picture at Thanksgiving

My old cat Mittens.  She was born in 1997

Kaylee in her new dress

 Amber checking Josiah out.

 Frost on the bird feeder

Frost on the cows.  Happy New Year!

 Amber opening up a present

 John and I in the judges seat at the old court house

 Christmas lights

 Adam and Josiah playing Tumbling Tower.  I think they had a stack of 28

Autumn on her blessing day

In the hall at the court house.  (Josiah, Wayne, Grady, Dad and John)

US Virgin Islands

Over the years friends have asked me when I was going to cross the pond and go see other countries.  My response has been that I've haven't been too sure about crossing the pond!  Our trip to the Virgin Islands was to get my feet wet in crossing ponds.  I've also looked at pictures with the white sandy beaches and turquoise water and thought that it would be nice to see the places in person.  This is Josiah's last year of highschool, so for all of the above reasons, a trip was in order! (click on the pictures to see the full screen)

It was everything I expected and more and we had a great time!

The Fruits of Labor

 We have really enjoyed our flower gardens this year.  I have a spot where I planted wild flowers with mums and it is very pretty

 Our apple tree is loaded to the ground.  I have bottled sliced apples and have made applesauce.  With the amount of apples still on the tree, I'm in for quite a canning season.  We also got almost a full bushel of peaches off one tree.  First time ever.

 We have enjoyed a nice garden.  I go to the store (garden) every night and pick a fresh vegetable for supper.  We have enjoyed corn (so has JayDee as seen above), crookneck squash, zuchinni, carrots, aspargus, tomatoes, radishes and potatoes.  Our strawberries have also produced very well!

 The highlight of August was Tiffany going into labor and bringing sweet little Autumn into the world.  She was born on August 28.  She was 7 lbs 7 oz and 18 1/2" long.

 Proud Dad spreading the word!

Grandpa and the girls

Leaving the hospital

 

 9 days old