We're Back!!

We decided, well, I guess it was me who decided, to start this blog again.  Since I have a hard time remembering who I've told what (sorry Julia :( ), I figured if I put the blog out there you could see what's going on in our lives.  I know there is Facebook, but not everyone does Facebook, nor do they read their emails.  So we will try this. :) 

We just got back from a trip up to Amy and Nate's and Leora and Scott's.  We had such a wonderful time at both places.  Amy had a concert with the Seattle Ensign Choir and so we attended that, which was excellent!  Annabelle is growing big and smiles adorably much of the time.  Emma starts kindergarten this fall and is a big help to her mom.  Carter loves to give hugs and always has a ready smile.  We took a trip with Amy and Nate and the kids up to the peninsula and saw the ocean and a natural jetty and lighthouse, a beautiful rain forest, and a gorgeous lake called Crescent Lake. We ate at a place called Fat Smitty's and they make the largest hamburger ever!  I ate most of mine. We rode the ferry back home and saw the beautiful night lights of Seattle!!  Mother's Day was really nice and I enjoyed hearing from all of you!!!  Nate fixed breakfast, yum, and Nate's family and Nate and Grandpa fixed a delicious dinner, and my Honey gave us some gorgeous flowers of roses and other pretty flowers. 

Grandpa was feeling pretty awful most of the time, but he still went with us and did the best he could.  He is now off the medications and so hopefully in a few weeks he will be feeling better.

Monday we left and drove to Leora's in St. Maries.  Ava is growing, walking, starting to talk and is just darn cute.  Paige was finishing up her project in 4H of cooking dinner with her class members for their families, so we went over to the senior center and had dinner made by Paige!!  Potatoes, ham, salad, veggies and pineapple upside down cake. It was sooooo good!  We were all so proud of her.  She is also a great pitcher and had a home run the other day.!!!  Jessica joined us for dinner there and we got to spend some time with her afterward.  It was really good to see her and enjoy her smiles and grown-up-ness.  Love her!!!  She gets to utilize her talents by painting a mural at the pizza place where she works.  Ashley is doing great.  She just finished a season with track and field where she ran the mile in about 7 minutes.  Wow, I can barely walk a mile in 30 minutes!!  Way to go Ashley.  She will be a senior next year and plans to go on to college in forensics.  She was gone most of the night to a track meet party so we didn't get to see her too much and so I ended up not getting a picture of her.  And I don't know how Scott got out of it :)  But I didn't get a picture of him either.  But they are all doing well and accomplishing great things.

We spent the evening enjoying their property.  It is gorgeous up there!!  Seriously, you guys, you are missing out by not taking a trip up there to see them.  They have beautiful forests, lakes for boating, fishing, swimming, and a river right by their house and places to hike or just sit and enjoy the scenery.  Well, Amy too.  The coast is also very beautiful, and the forests and they likewise have lots of lakes!!  And the best part is to visit with Amy and Leora and their families.  Well worth the trip.!!!

Our next trip out of town will be to Braden's graduation May 20th.  Then Dillon graduates May 29th, Anthony May 30th, and then May 30th through June 6th we will be gone to Florissant, MO for Madison's graduation and a short trip to Nauvoo.  Then next month don't forget the Hoggan reunion June 14th and the Skeem reunion June 21st.  And I hear that Mikala is giving her farewell talk in church on the 22nd!!  Tegan is getting baptized the end of the month!!  Lots going on the next two months.

Happy Birthday to all the May Kidos:  Damia, Aubrey, Austin, Lincoln, Grady, Payton, Tegan, Cody and Roan.

I meet with the cardiologist on Friday and I expect he will say I am good to go!!  I am feeling good and I know it is everyone's prayers and faith that has made all the difference.  Thank you so much!!  Grandpa will meet with his doctor next week.  They will take more blood tests and then we will see if the Hep C has been eliminated.  We've been praying for that!!  He is really really glad to be off the medications.  We will let you know the results.

We love you all!  You are so wonderful!!  We love to hear from you and what's going on in your lives!  Call, email or leave messages on this blog.  Or start your own blog back up!  Anyone interested in starting a Family Blog??   Hugs and Kisses!!