Happy Anniversary . . . . to us!

On June 15 Doug and I celebrated our twenty second wedding anniversary.  We have five kids, two businesses, a career, multiple animals who have come and gone, three different homes and one apartment (not all at the same time) to show for it.  I remember when my parents had their 22nd anniversary when I was in high school and I thought they were old, now here we are and I'm feeling like we are barely in our 20's.  (The forties are the new twenties you know.)   We usually try to celebrate with a small get-a-way for just the two of us, but with the economy the way it is right now we scaled way down and simply spent the day together.  We left for a late lunch in St. George at Poncho and Lefty's, our favorite Mexican restaurant, then caught the movie "Mirror Mirror" at one of the theaters over there.  We did a little shopping and with Fathers Day the next Sunday Doug choose a nice grill at IFA for his Fathers' Day gift.  We took the day slowly and just enjoyed ourselves. 

Most of the afternoon we spent at Fiesta Fun near the freeway in St. George.  They have miniature golf, go-carts, bumper boats, and arcade games to keep us entertained.  We took some pictures of us there:

In the bumper boats you can spray water on each other.  Doug was
relentless and I was soaked. 

I gave him the camera hoping it would "slow his flow", but I was wrong
and he really soaked me!  It felt good in the 100+ degree weather, however.
We were able to ride the boats twice because it was so fun!

We played the miniature golf course three times and got better each time.
Doug got a "hole in one" on this hole.

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This is the same hole that Doug got a hole in one, and I was able
to do the same on a different game.  He is teasing me about sending
the ball through the rocks just right. 

This was one of our favorite parts, riding the go-carts.  The first time
we rode there wasn't anyone else in line so they let us go for a long time.
We were both a little queasy and a bit dizzy by the end of the turn.
I was in the lead through most of the race, then slowed down for him
to catch up and he passed me and the game was over.  He won. 

Getting ready to rock and roll.  You are never to old for a great time
like this!! 

A fun Photo booth shot. 

After three and a half hours at Fiesta Fun we collected our prizes from the arcade games and went for a quiet drive up onto the D hill overlooking St. George.  Before we made it to the hill, however, we stopped at Cold Stone and got us a treat.  We don't go there very often because it is expensive for ice cream, but this was a special occasion so we splurged. 

We really enjoyed our time together and we didn't have to go very far away to have fun and not be disturbed by the kids.  It is hard to believe that 22 years have passed and that we are in a different stage of life.  Happy Anniversary to us!

HaaaaaaYaaaaaaaa!

For the last two years Dalyon has been taking Karate lessons with Zion Tang Soo Do here in Hurricane.  He really enjoys it and is moving up in his belts fairly quickly.  We enrolled him in the classes at first because his friends were taking at the time and he wanted to be involved with them.  Since then I have found a lot of benefits in Karate that I didn't realize.  They not only teach the kids self defense, but respect for others and themselves, obedience to their parents, and how to focus.  They have to repeat a list of qualities they are striving for each time they begin and end their sessions, all of which build great qualities in their characters.  Dalyon is a green belt with a white stripe, which means he is about to move up to the next belt, which is brown.   His "Sir" is Troy Cottom from Hurricane.

 Dalyon has learned that he is not to use the things he is learning except in certain circumstances.  Getting even with his siblings is NOT a special circumstance, although there was one night when his older brother was being a little heavy handed and had him in a hold, and Dalyon had had enough. Dalyon flipped himself around and elbowed his brother in the gut, sending him to his knees.  We would never encourage fighting, but I was impressed at the simple and smart way he could take care of himself as well as the calm way he accomplished it.  Never underestimate what someone can do with a little knowledge and a back elbow movement!   

Off he goes. . .

It is interesting that for the last eighteen years Doug and I have worked hard at parenting to the best of our abilities, taking classes, correcting mistakes, learning how to discipline, relearning how to discipline, laughing, crying, plugging our ears and bursting with pride as we have raised our kids.  Doug has been, and continues to be, very active in their lives and teaches his kids the labor skills he learned early in his life while growing up on the farm, skills that they can always fall back on to provide for themselves.  I enjoy teaching them home skills like cooking, cleaning and laundry, and anything else that comes to mind.  We have worked together to teach them the Gospel and become their counselors as they make their own decisions and move into their own Independence.  We hope we have done some things right along the way and have loved being the parents to five great kids.   As the saying goes,  "The only thing constant in life is change", and so it is with our family.  We feel like we have crossed a milestone from being the "young family" that we have always been referred to, to the "older generation", having an older, independent and very busy family. (Not to mention a loss of control over anything)   I guess I am feeling it more so now because Austin moved to Idaho the first of June and is living with his grandparents and working  on a farm up there.  He packed up his room, put all of his things in storage, bought him a Ford Ranger, loaded his bike and was on his way.   Well, maybe it wasn't that simple.  The Ranger needed a significant amount of work in order to be ready to travel 400 miles.  He bought the truck in Castledale, UT, and tried to drive it home but had the transmission seize about the time he rolled through Richfield.  He called the kid back he purchased it from and made the deal to get $450 back as well as a parts truck to help him fix it up.  The next weekend he went back up to Richfield, picked up his stranded Ranger and brought it home, then returned the next weekend to bring the wrecked parts truck back.  The parts truck ended up having a lot of new parts on it that Austin used on his Ranger, including a new transmission and clutch.  He was able to take the bed and doors off the parts truck and sell them separately.  The end result was that he didn't have to pay too much for his little truck. although it took him a couple of months to get it finished.  I'm glad he has the skills to complete such a task and come out as well as he did. The new truck will give him better gas mileage for traveling too from Idaho, and better than that, it is paid for. 

He left on Monday morning early, about 6:30 am.  I was a tearful mess, and he was super excited for his new adventure.  He arrived in Dayton about 3:00 pm that afternoon and was immediately put to work, working about 60 hours in the first week.  He is loving the experience, the variety of farm work, and getting to know his Grandparents better. 

It is a weird feeling for us to have him move away.  The other kids miss him and I realize what a peacekeeper he was.  We also miss all of his friends whom we used to visit with and have family prayer with nightly.  Obviously they won't come around quite as much as they used to.  I'm grateful that I can text and call him when I want to at this point, and that I'm getting broken in easy before he leaves on his mission.   We are very excited for him and the experiences he is having out on his own.  I was always told that 18 years goes by so fast, and at the time with five small children hanging on my legs I couldn't see it happening, but now I do.  Our family will never be the same, and maybe that is a good thing because I can see a lot of Joy in what is to come for us too.  Austin started the ball rolling, and now we will send another child off about every two to three years, and hope that we have done alright teaching them the things they need to survive and thrive in the world.

"The Bungle in the Jungle"

Following Austins graduation I hurried home because I was helping with the all night "grad night" that the parents put on for the graduating seniors to give them something to do after their big night.  I wasn't on the Grad night committee, but spent three days (about 25 hours in all) helping decorate for the occasion so the committee allowed me to come and participate with them.  It was a lot of work just for the decorations, not to mention the planning of the games, fundraising, coordinating, etc. so I only got in on the very end of the whole ordeal.  I was so glad to be able to participate and see Austin and his classmates having a great time celebrating.  I was able to get a few pictures of the fun.

They transformed the high school gym into a jungle including a canopy over the lower portion of the gym.  This is one corner of the gym where they turned the stairs into a make-believe water fall and abandoned boat. 

Throughout the lower level were tree's and the canopy.  This all took a ton of work to make the trees out of new lumber then crinkle brown paper around them.  The canopy was built with stringing wires and shredded fabric everywhere.  The lights were the last to go up.

They built a slide out of fiberglass panels that went from the balcony, down the stairs and into the middle of the  gym floor.  They slid on slick sleeping bags and went really fast.  It was very popular.  it was called the Gator slide.

This is the side view of the gator slide.  The committee really went to a lot of work to make the evening spectacular for the kids. 

 This is the game Deann Porter and I worked together at.  The game is called "Right, Left, Center".  The kids each get three pieces of candy and take turns rolling dice that have an R, L, or C.  Depending on what letters they roll, they have to move their candy pieces in those directions.  Only those with candy can roll the dice, and the last one with a piece of candy wins.  Throughout the games we would through a little bit of cash into the middle where the candy was going to (C for center) and the winner would not only win candy, but money.  This is Austin (he is a blur) and his "good friend" Angelia Madsen playing the game.  (I had a hard time figuring out how to work Doug's camera, so most of the pictures were blurry, until I got it figured out.)

 Austin and friends singing a country Karaoke song.  Yea haw!!!  They kids sang karaoke off and on through out the night. 

The cowboys riding the zebra in races.  They would roll a very large dice and the person on that number could move forward one space until someone gets to the finish line.  In this photo Austin is in the lead, but only for a minute.  From L to R  Austin, Zac Wright, Stetson Nielson, a girl I don't know, McCain  and Darringer Scow.  Ride em' Cowboys!!!

Other activities the kids could do were a money grab machine, hole in one golf, Plinko, upstairs they had a Wii going and a lounge with little fruity drinks, an area with a movie playing and large bean bags for the kids to relax in (heavily chaperoned), lots of ping pong tables, a tree house for them to climb in, a restaurant for their dinners, a candy booth for them to make little deserts, a bracelet shop where they could make a leather bracelet, a photo booth, and a main stage for Karaoke and where they gave all the prizes away.  All during this there was dancing and a very large swing in the middle of the dance floor with teeter totters on the sides.  At 2:00 am a hypnotist came and entertained them.  After that everyone started to wind down, and when the prizes were all given out at 5am the place cleared right out.  I stayed to help tear down the stations and decorations (thankfully it came down easier than it went up) and had had enough by 6:30 when I finally went home surprisingly not exhausted.  I seemed to have gotten my second wind and had a hard time getting to sleep.  Austin on the other hand, had no problem falling asleep and was out when his head hit his pillow. The night was really fun, and it was worth it to me to be there and have fun with the kids before they all take off and begin their lives.  The hard work and lack of sleep caught up with me though and it took me almost a week to begin feeling like myself again. 

HE DID IT!!!! High School and Seminary Graduations

It is hard to believe that I have a child who is old enough to graduate from high school.  That being said, I have to report that it was a lot of fun being the parent of a child who is graduating from high school.  I have shed my fair share of tears over the whole occasion, crying because he was about to graduate, crying because he was graduating, then because he did.  I'm not sure all the tears were because he is old enough to graduate and leave home, or if it is because I am old enough to have a child who is old enough to graduate and leave home.  Regardless, we had a great time celebrating with Austin as he went through all of the pomp and circumstance that comes with this occasion. 

On Sunday, May 20 at 6:30 we had seminary graduation.  This is a quiet ceremony that the kids who attended and passed Seminary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints attend and receive their diplomas.  For those anticipating a mission this is significant because foreign countries require some sort of formal "clergy" training in order to allow the missionaries to teach religion in their countries and a Seminary diploma qualifies.  Each stake takes care of their own ceremonies, so the whole thing only lasted an hour.  The speakers were really good, even our long distant cousin Trevon Beutler spoke on commitment and did a fabulous job.  My Dad was able to attend with us and commented how good the meeting was and how much he got out of it.    Then the kids were presented their diploma's by ward and everyone hurried out to see the solar eclipse that was occurring that night at 7:30.

 I had to run and catch Austin in order to get a picture of him.  He  is not one to stick around for pleasantries, or pictures. 

Two days later on Tuesday the 22 of May we all gathered to attend and celebrate Austins High School graduation.  Grandma and Grandpa Beutler came down from Dayton and arrived about three o'clock in the afternoon.  We had a barbecue planned for four o'clock that day and Austin had invited all of his friends.  I think he was surprised at how many came to support him.

 Grandma and Grandpa Beutler "chillin'" on the back deck.  I emphasised chillin' because it was over 100 degree's that day, something they are not used to in the cool Idaho weather.  It was only that hot for a few days, then cooled down again.  Grandpa Winn and Grandpa Beutler made the dutch oven potatoes for the barbecue, even in the heat.   Thanks guys!!

This is the crowd.  We had about 20 is people come for an early dinner before graduation.  The Scow family came, Cindy, Bob and Darringer, Clint Gubler, Dylan Stratton and Holly Tammietti, Andy Ashcroft, Mr. Dayley, Britta Nielson and Racheal and Jake Nielson,  Grandma and Grandpa Beutler, Topher Wilson, Austin Swyers and Jade Stout,  and three other friends I didn't recognize.  We had lots of Dutch oven potatoes, taco salad, hamburgers and hot dogs, Grandma Beutlers yummy brownies and Costco cake. 

Here he is at the Dixie College Burns Arena ready to walk, decorated in candy lei's, his pathway ropes, Stirling Scholar pendant, and Hawaiian nuts for good luck.  He sure is handsome, and very happy to be to this point. 

Shaking Principle Pedersons hand after walking under the H to recieve his diploma cover.  The
diploma's were given to them as they came down the stairs from the podium.

Mady played in the orchestra for the graduation. (She is in the very middle slightly behind a blond girl.)
 In the back left you can also see our cousin Trevon in the graduation cap.
 What a great experience it was for Mady to play
for this graduation!!!

Austin and his best friend Darringer Scow.  They have been pals since we
 moved to this side of town eight years ago. 

It took us a while to find him on the floor, but we finally did.  If you look
up behind Mady in the chairs under the 103 sign you can see a very tiny
Grandma and Grandpa Beutler and Doug waiting for us to find Austin and bring him up. 

We finally made it up into the stands for a picture with the Grandparents. 
Austin is their first to graduate from high school.

Austin and his lifelong friend Andy Ashcroft rode motorcycles to graduation.
Andy borrowed his Aunts' Harley and Austin is on Andy's Honda Shadow.  They
decided to ride back to Grad night in their robes and decorations for fun.
This is definitely the coolest way to get to your own graduation. 

Austin decorated his hat.  They "encouraged" the kids not to, but
some did anyway, and all were done tastefully.

The next day Austins cousin Kora graduated from Dixie High and we went over.
I took all of his graduation "stuff" so that we could get a picture of the two of
them looking like they graduated together.  They were born two months apart and
have had pictures together all of their lives.  We are so proud of them both!!!

This is my sister Vickie and I and our kids.  What a great moment for us!
And how in the world did we get kids old enough to graduate?  Weren't they
little just a few days ago?

I had to hurry home the night after Austins graduation because I was helping with grad night so I didn't get a lot of time to visit with anyone.  I'm pretty sure Austin had a great graduation, he enjoyed his gifts and the people who came to support him in this step of this life.  Congratulations Austin!!!

A full schedule

Thursday, May 17 was another stacked day for our family.  Four of the five children who were involved in activities during the year had their final performances/ banquets all on the same day.   The day began with Cami and her 3rd grade talent show where she performed the Virginia Reel with her friends and did a solo clogging dance.  I was so proud of her and her courage to get up in front of her friends and their parents and perform by herself. 

"Now bow to your partner, do-si-doe"  is what they are dancing
to.  She had a lot of fun dressing western and dancing with a boy, even
though she had to touch him when they had their turn doing the bridge. 

I recorded her solo with the movie camera so I don't have a still picture to place here.  She did really great though, and remembered the entire dance with a big smile!  Great job Cami!!

That evening Cody had his final orchestra concert at 6:00 at the Intermediate school and Madi had an orchestra concert at the Middle school at 7:00.  In the middle of the two, Austin had his closing social/banquet for FFA.  Doug and I felt like we should go to the closing social and support Austin in his final FFA activity and are so grateful that Grandma Winn could attend and record the two orchestra concerts.  Somehow we got everything covered!!!

The orchestra played a song that they swayed to.  My Mom told me
it gave her chills and she was very impressed at how good they are.  Cody
was in the very back.

Mady played some really neat songs and was in an ensemble.  We have
it on video, but it won't upload to this blog.  Mom said she was very
impressed by how calm Mady was during her performances and when introducing
her ensemble.  Mady is excited to continue in orchestra next year.

Thanks Grandma Winn for coming over and attending the orchestra concerts for us!  I know the kids enjoyed having her there and I'm so glad there was someone there for them!  They are both very talented at the violin.

While the orchestra concerts were going on, Doug and I attended the closing banquet for the Hurricane Chapter of the FFA with Austin.  He was conducting and in charge of the proceedings to close the year and the guest speaker and he did a great job.



 


To begin the banquet, the officer team have a parliamentary proceeding that
each of them tell/show their duties.  It began with Austin officially opening the meeting
(with a gavel and everything!) and introducing each of the officers in their rolls and
having them account for each part of their responsibilities.

Above, Austin is conducting the general meeting, introducing the speaker, Mr. Richard Holmes who spoke to them about the ten things we can learn from cowboys.    He was very good and gave each of the seniors a book called "The Try" that is written by James Owen.  He talked about living each day with courage, doing what has to be done, and taking pride in your work. 

After, Mr. Dayley gave out awards and recognitions.  Austin received the Top Ag Student award from Monsanto that is given to one student in each high school.  (His dad also received that award when he graduated.) 

The members voted on a faculty member who had inspired them throughout their high school career and this years recipient of the FFA Teacher of the Year is Mr. Dilworth, the welding teacher at the high school.  He was very instrumental in Austin getting his welding certificates and is a good mentor for all the boys.  Congratulations Mr. Dilworth!!

This is the ag mechanics team that took 1st at Snow College competition, and 5th overall at State competition.  The members are Kris Wilson, Ephriam Tate (not shown)  Jay Hickens, and Austin.  When they first came up with the idea of doing a mechanics team Mr. Dayley told them they were on thier own, because mechanics were not his strength.  Austin lead the team and had his dad help him.  At their first meeting they all dressed in Dougs' overalls, all with the name patch "Doug" on them.  They wore those to their state competition just to be funny.  "This is Doug, and his other brother Doug. . etc."  It was a classic way to unify a team.

  The 2011-2012 officer team saying a final farewell.  (R-L)  Austin Beutler, president; KC Gubler, Clint Gubler, Kaysha Howard, reporter;  Cassidy Ekins, historian; Tanner Jones, Summer Stout, Co-Vice Pres.; Kris Wilson, Co-Vice Pres.; Jake Nielson, Sentinel.

After their farewell and swearing in the new officers Austin officially closed the year with a short thank you speech and the swinging of his gavel.  What a great program FFA is and I'm so glad to see all the good it did for these kids. 

Way to go Austin, Mady , Cody and Cami!  You definitely filled up our Thursday!!  (Dalyon didn't have anything scheduled for this day, thanks buddy!!)

The final game. . . s

It must be May when the final Spring football game for Cody, the final freshman softball game for Mady, and the final Club Volleyball tournament for Mady all occur on the same day.  How did we do it?  Divide, prioritize, arrange, travel fast, and CONQUER!!!!!!

Cody's final football game was at Dixie High at 7:30 on Friday the 4th of May.  Doug took him and his friend Carson to the game and watched him play.  They were victorious and ended the year with a great win.  Cody reported that he is ready for a break from football for the summer.

Once again the Hurricane Tigers won and took the spring football
championship!  Great job guys!!

Mady had two conflicts, Club Volleyball tournament in Salt Lake City, and her final Freshman Softball game here in Hurricane.  This took some arranging in order to accomplish both.  Thankfully, there were two other girls on her softball team in the same situation.  One of the parents (who is also her softball coach, Coach Dotson) volunteered to take the girls to SLC after their softball game, and they arranged to have some of the younger girls play for them on the Friday night portion of the tournament.  The three softball players played a great game of softball against Canyon View High School then traveled through the night and made it in time to sleep a few hours and play in their volleyball tournament on Saturday.  CRAZY!  They were not victorious in the tournament, but had a great time and a very interesting experience.