Things I might have missed...

Well, it's been a great month. Throughout it, I have reflected on blessings...I think if I hadn't had some experiences I wouldn't be so grateful for the little things in life that truly are important.

If I hadn't got to move Scott into his "new" apartment...

I wouldn't have appreciated my BED!

We took Scott back to Utah and moved him into an apartment. I wish I had taken pictures of this place. We walked into his room and the mattress caught our eyes immediately. Can't say I have ever seen such a dirty, disgusting-looking thing. Not sure how old it was, but I tried to be grateful as I helped Scott make his bed. The next day I asked him how his sleep was. When he responded that his mattress kind of stunk, that did it for me. Jay and Scott went to DI and bought a new mattress. Yeah. I know, maybe getting a new mattress doesn't prepare him quite as much for the missionary places he may get to live in, but for me, as his mother, I felt much better leaving him a few days later.

I gotta report that when Jay saw the condition of the apartment, etc. he made the comment that Scott needed to get to know some cute girls so he could ask them to help him clean up the place...NOT!  I immediately informed Scott that he better clean up if he plans on getting to know any cute girls! You know the place was bad when we went to the store and Scott asked if there was something he could buy to make the apartment smell better (candles aren't allowed), then he came "home" and the first thing he did was spray that air freshener!  Then Jay came in and sprayed some more!

It was fun unpacking together, getting to know his roommates a little and getting him settled. I do love this part of college - helping them find places to put things, making sure they have what they need and are ready for classes and spending time with them in their new place is fun. There's always a bit of anxiousness mixed with excitement of the new things coming. Scott has a GREAT roommate, from Mesa and we are grateful that they get to live together!  He is taking some tough classes and working hard to succeed.  I am really proud of him!

I will admit, I miss having Scott around here a lot. There is something missing in our home. I miss having talks with him, his laugh, his stories, his help and having him say before going to bed, "I love you too."

If I hadn't gone to Idaho in August...

I wouldn't have appreciated training for the marathon!

We have just two and a half weeks til we run the marathon! CRAZY! I was really getting to hate those long runs. We ran long in Provo. It was cooler than Arizona, but by the time the 17 1/2 miles was up it was pretty hot there too (and the hills...?!)! In Idaho, in August, I could have run for miles and miles! It was so beautiful and green. It was cool at ALL times of the day. I loved my morning runs.

But I couldn't do that everyday because I had visiting to do! It was SO great spending time with Taralynn and Kory. They are doing great. They BOTH cooked for me! I ate a very large and juicy peach from THEIR tree! Kory made salsa using vegetables from THEIR garden (well, Kory's garden!). We played games on the patio in the middle of the day and at night! We shopped, got pedicures, ate out, went to the movie and the temple, visited family, and even went to Rexburg and saw the new "mini Conference Center" there. AMAZING!

I didn't want to leave Idaho. It was great seeing Taralynn and Kory so happy, so content, and so settled into a good life.  Taralynn reminded me that the weather is not always perfect in Idaho. In fact, on September 1, there was a significant change in the temperature there...Taralynn said, "it's like Idaho knows it's September." Arizona didn't know it was September - still 113 degrees when I got home. But, home is good.

Can you see the wind?

10 basketball courts on one side, a beautiful meeting place on the other.  Carl Bloch paintings on the walls surrounding the Conference Center.  It is an amazing building.  BYU-I is great!  (but, you gotta endure the wind and cold!)

If I hadn't had mono many years ago...

I wouldn't have appreciated just how lousy Amy was feeling...!

Amy hasn't been feeling so good.  I "made" her go to the doctor before I left town.  They thought she'd be fine in a  few days...she wasn't.  She went back to the doctor, got tested for mono (that's a blood test, you know, and my children hate sharing their blood), the test came back negative (?) but the doctors are pretty sure the test was wrong!  So Amy is pretty frustrated with doctors...she has been getting stronger the past couple days though and I think someday she will feel "normal" again.

The real bummer for me is that Amy will not be running the marathon with us.  She was our inspiration in doing this in the first place!  But, Jay and I will do it together and enjoy Amy on the sidelines cheering us on.  I feel so bad that she wasn't able to finish the training to run,  but I have no doubt that Amy will someday run a marathon.


Amy is back at work, enjoying sweet children.  She is always looking for something fun to do and someone fun to do it with her!  It is great having Amy  home with us!  She and Jason are becoming closer by being the only "kids" at home.

If I hadn't gone to Idaho...

I wouldn't have appreciated HOME and my "jobs" here!

I did feel appreciated when I got home, though Amy had done a GREAT job taking care of Jay and Jason, cooking and cleaning (even feeling lousy).   Jason and Jay looked happy and handsome!  I do love being a wife, mother and homemaker.  I enjoy serving people around me and I hope I make life happier for those that associate with me.

and lastly...

If it hadn't been for this storm...

We wouldn't have gotten this...which is so much appreciated!

Weather for Mesa, AZ

93°F | °C

Fri

Sat

Sun

Partly Cloudy

Wind: SW at 9 mph

Humidity: 25%

94°

73°

95°

69°

99°

72°

BELOW 100!  It feels GREAT!

That's all for today.  I love and appreciate life and the people in my life.  Spending time with them is what I live for as I strive to become more like my Savior.  Life's experience is one of learning, growing and appreciating!

Love,

Lori

Can't Wait til February!

The day I found out that Taralynn and Kory were expecting a baby was truly a fantastic day.  Today I found out that IT'S A BOY! and he is healthy, perfect and "on schedule!"  Modern medicine is truly amazing!  I can hardly wait to HOLD HIM and ROCK HIM and PLAY with HIM!  What will be an even greater joy, I believe, will be to watch his terrific parents LOVE HIM and TEACH HIM!  This is truly a fabulous day!  We love him already! 

love,

Lori 

Yes, I am still here...

Dear family,

Well, it has been awhile! Someone asked me if I had taken them off my update list - no, just haven't written any updates!

I'm not sure I can catch up - but I can give you a brief summary of our summer and then hope to be more consistant from here.

I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMA! Best news ever! I gotta say, I was very excited when Taralynn and Kory told us. It's a great feeling and I couldn't be happier! Taralynn actually told us when we were in Utah dropping Scott off for summer school. The plan had been for Taralynn and Kory to meet us in Utah and play for a few days, including a trip to Lagoon. With Scott still healing from surgery, we opted out of the Lagoon trip. I was telling Taralynn reasons that we changed our plans and she responded, "that's okay. I don't think they allow pregnant women on many of their rides anyway..." Did I just hear that right?! I had to say it in my mind again...Really? Yes! It was a GREAT announcement. Her due date is FEBRUARY 7.

I had a hard time keeping it a secret from family and friends for a few more weeks until she had been to the doctor - and posted the news on her blog- but we enjoyed an Andreasen get-together with a note under the cookies reading "Kory and Taralynn are expecting a baby!" The cookies finally got eaten and Samantha shared the news with everyone in the house.

Unfortunately Taralynn is not feeling so good. She seems to be nauseous more than she is not. She is unsure of the term "morning sickness" as hers lasts most of the day and night. I feel so sad for her and hope that she improves soon! She did have a couple of good days last week, so maybe...! She has been to the doctor twice and heard the heartbeat! Love it! She is anxious to find out if they are having a boy or girl so she can prepare a fun nursery. But that would require her to feel better too! We'll keep you posted.

From what I hear, Kory is being a great support and kind and helpful husband to his wife who seldom feels good. That cannot be easy! He does the cooking and the shopping when Taralynn isn't up for it. He takes her out when he can talk her into it. He will be as happy as she will be to have her feeling better. He will go on a hunt the end of September and also plans to hunt at least one more time in October with his brothers and Dad.

Amy had a good summer. She enjoyed ten days with her roommate, Abby, from West Virginia. They played on the beaches of Myrtle Beach for a week and then enjoyed family time, including fishing (!) in West Virginia. Yes she caught a fish - we enjoyed the video clip on Abby's facebook! Abby then spent a few days with us in Arizona before she headed back to Provo for work and school. Amy successfully took the GRE and will now look into applying for Grad school, to begin in the Fall of 2012. She is back at work and loves those little ones that refer to her lovingly as "Miss Amy." She turned 21! Jay congratulated her and reminded her that she was now "legal and could vote." Oh wait! She could vote three years ago! Funny Jay. Jay and I are training with Amy to run the St. George Marathon on October 1! CRAZY! It is so hot running in the summer of Arizona! But we are making it and look forward to running together.

Scott successfully completed summer school at BYU! He took golf, sociology and Mission Prep. I think he got As in golf and mission prep and a B in sociology. He came home for a weekend, his birthday weekend! SCOTT is 18! Yep! He can vote - as soon as he gets registered! Scott has always showed interest in politics. It'll be interesting to see him vote. The news from Scott is that he loved Provo so much that he is STAYING IN PROVO for fall semester! Yep. I can't believe it myself, but it's true. It took a little effort, but luckily he knows a guy from Mt. View who decided later to go to Provo too, so he will know one of his five roommates, Jake Jarvis. Should be a fun time! He only has TWO weeks between summer and fall semesters though. He came home and headed up to Strawberry to work for Mel for a week (gotta earn some fun money for school). He will be ORDAINED an ELDER today (June 21) and we will head back to Provo Thursday, August 25, to get him settled in an apartment off campus. His schedule for fall is a little more intense. He may have to study more and play less but I think he will balance out just fine. Hopefully he will make a trip or two to Idaho for the weekend to see Taralynn and Kory - and cousins there too!

Jason is a SOPHOMORE! High school didn't slow him down. He describes it as boring, but I know better. I can't wait until boring is eliminated from his vocabulary! He has some honors classes that will keep him working hard and he is enjoying working out with basketball bound boys. The real season, complete with tryouts, begins November 1. He works hard and is growing! We are enjoying Jason as much as possible! We know they grow up and leave too fast! He is a great boy and we love spending time with him - doing just about anything! Jay took Jason and some friends to Strawberry this weekend to play at Fossil Springs. It was a great boys trip.

Jay is my hero! I can't tell you how much I love him! We celebrated 27 years of marriage on Jason's first day of school! We enjoyed dinner out and relaxing together that afternoon and evening. Then Friday, Jay took me to the temple and we made a last minute decision to go to Strawberry for a quick 24 hours (well, almost 24). We intended to run our 18 miles up there. It ended up that I WALKED 13 and Jay RAN 17.6. It was a beautiful day, but the altitude wasn't my friend (as well as I forgot my running shoes - but luckily borrowed some from Sarah!). Jay works hard and provides for us with no complaints. I am so grateful for his love and support shown in so many ways, always.

Much of the summer was preparing for Girl's Camp. LOTS of work! But it was worth it when we got there! Jay spent the week with us at LoMia and was invaluable helping non-stop! I am enjoying serving the young women of our stake. They are amazing and I love how I feel when I spend time with them. I enjoy serving in the temple. Yesterday I got to spend time with the Costello's grandson, Carter, in the youth center. What a sweet boy! Congratulations to Karen and Morgan! There is nothing sweeter than a temple sealing. I hope to sub this year. No calls yet, but maybe after I get home from Idaho. I'm excited to spend a week with Tarlaynn and Kory after getting Scott settled in Provo.

Life is good. I sometimes forget that and have to stop and remember. It is quiet times in the temple, quiet times reading scriptures, quiet time in prayer, quiet times just thinking and getting out and doing good things for others that brings me back to my senses. I am truly blessed! This update is so incomplete but will suffice for today...

love,

Lori

Who Am I?

I got the splints taken out of my nose (they were HUGE), I drove to Provo with my parents and sister, they helped me move into the dorm (it took 1 hour tops), we played in Provo, I said good bye (well, they did), I started school at BYU,... 

WHO AM I?

A picture opportunity that Scott could not pass up!

Scott and Monson's room - not a great picture, but the only one they'd let me take!

I try and fix things to please my kids, no matter the cost, no matter the danger...

WHO AM I?

The basketball net out the dorm window was not acceptable--Cowleys provided, Jay fixed.  

The campus police stopped to look, a little concerned that he might get hurt (he was pretty secure on top of a CAR!) and told Jay that they "don't normally allow people to drive vehicles on the court, but since he was improving the place, they'd let it slide this time."  How kind...!

I love my new grass!  I love colors in my house and out!  I love when the wind stops blowing quite so hard (for a day), getting mail, the song of the day and when my family visits!

WHO AM I? 

I love family time!  Family Traditions!  Visiting Family!  and pictures - even if they don't turn out as perfect as the moment...and I don't like having my children grow up and leave me!

WHO AM I?

Monson Cowley, Amy, Scott, Taralynn and Kory!

After moving each of our kids into their dorm room we have taken a drive up the canyon to Sundance - for lunch and to enjoy the BEAUTY of this place we are leaving them at!

I love visiting Taralynn and Kory! Their home is beautiful!  And they always seem to like it when we visit!

We always try to see family in Provo and Idaho.  This trip we got to eat dinner with Austin and Monica at one of my favorite Idaho spots Gator Jacks!  Missed seeing Katie and Ashton this time (they were moving into a new place and had Ashton's family visiting) and Nathan (he was busy getting ready to leave for NY!)  Next time!

I love basking in the sun!  Visiting friends in Provo and Idaho (but seldom take pictures)!  Helping my brothers grow up smart and happy, just like me!  Running with my Mom, and being spoiled by my Dad!

WHO AM I?

 

I love having a yard! and a garden!

WHO AM I?

Kory got to mow his lawn for the FIRST TIME this week...

and is very attentive to his garden, trees, plants...and his wife!

I didn't get to go on the trip to Utah.  I was HUSTLING at basketball camp!  Got the Hustle Award...and had a birthday!  (15 years old!!)

 WHO AM I?

I hope your summer is going GREAT!  

Love,

Lori

WHERE IS SCOTT GOING?

TO SEMINARY GRADUATION!  

Congrats to him and to all the ward graduates!  What a great group of youth!  

The day after graduation Scott was looking through a Family History book and found one of Jay's seminary report cards.  His comment, "this sure would have been useful information sooner."  

Let's just say, Scott's attendance in seminary was OUTSTANDING!  I am so proud of him!

TO SOMEBURROS BEFORE GRADUATION 

WITH THE OTHER ALLENS AND GRANDPARENTS...

Scott's favorite place to eat!  

This is one thing he will miss when you goes away to school!

TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION!

A graduate from Mt. View High School - the yellow tassel represents a 3.5 GPA or higher!

THE MORNING AFTER GRADUATION...

TO TAKE THE PRACTICAL PORTION OF THE PILOT'S LICENSE!  JUST ONE MORE FLIGHT TO GO AND HE WILL BE A PILOT!  CRAZY!

TO SPEAK WITH OTHER WARD GRADUATES IN SACRAMENT MEETING.  SCOTT DID FANTASTIC - USING THE ANALOGY OF BECOMING A PILOT, WITH THE HELP OF GOOD INSTRUCTORS UNTIL GIVEN THE TURN TO SOLO AND DO WHAT HE'D BEEN TAUGHT ON HIS OWN.  HE WILL LEAVE US SOON - TO SOLO IN LIFE!  WE ARE PROUD OF HIM AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE HE SOARS TO!

TO STRAWBERRY AND FOSSIL SPRINGS - ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PLACES ON EARTH!

With Dad, Jason and friends!  

The higher the cliff, the funner the fall!  They had a blast! 

then...

TO SURGERY!  

(for pictures of this you can see his facebook) 

He is recovering nicely!  But it hasn't been easy.

Scott has had busy season!  He leaves a week from tomorrow to go to BYU in Provo!  I can't believe it. 

Family is the most important - love them in every season of life!  I'm grateful I have mine for eternity!

love,

Lori 

Our 2011 Graduates!

 She really got dressed up for graduation, huh?!

 I am so proud to be the mother of these graduates!  

I love my kids!

So much to do...in May!

Wow!  We have been busy.  Everyone around me is busy.  This is CRAZY!  But fun!  

Taralynn and Kory came to visit!  Their flight was THREE hours LATE...and they don't serve free pretzels or soda, but when they got here we had a blast!  It went way too fast and was very fun!  Of course, food and shopping were on the list of things to do.  They helped me buy some new BEDS since a few days before they arrived we found bed bugs in the boys beds!  BED BUGS ARE NOT FUN!  We saw the Broadway Show Mama Mia at Gammage!  High energy and cute!   Kory's first Broadway show!  Taralynn even tried a few different restaurants from her standard favorites.  Kory enjoyed them all!  We were on the Jumbotrom at the D-backs and watched them WIN! We played games with family - always entertaining.  I think they were able to relax, visit with people they don't see often and enjoy the wonderful weather we had last week.  We only wish they could have stayed longer...

We took family pictures!  Oh, why do we try?!  We will always remember Amy's high school graduation - rain (and cold) in May 2008...and our 2011 family pictures - rain in May.  Whatever!  

But the rain never lasts long!  Here's Scott's favorite!

I love my family!

Knowing that we can be together FOREVER 

makes me so happy!

thanks Tami for being our photographer!

We are now to the last week of school and GRADUATION!  Time is flying by and I'm holding on!  I wish it would all slow down.  I enjoy my kids older but would love to go back to the days of when they were young....

Scott is almost out of here!  HE CAN'T WAIT!

We had a triple "missionary farewell" in our ward last week.  Scott's friends are beginning to leave to serve and it is exciting and crazy all at the same time.  Scott will leave for Provo in less than a month.  OH MY!  He is so ready to be out of here, but I'm sure he will miss us!  I know I will miss him! Scott has done so great in school and will continue, I'm sure.  He does have a list of adventures also and is looking forward to the beautiful places of Utah and Idaho.  I am excited for him to have time away from home to prepare for his mission.  We have seminary graduation on Wednesday and Mt. View graduation on Thursday.


My Mom, my sisters and I had a fun baby shower for Lynette yesterday.  I love being with my sisters and wish we had more occasions to be together.  Lynette is going to be a fabulous mom to a beautiful baby girl -  in July!  Can't wait!  It was great being with her Mom and aunt and many ward and school friends.  I learned something new about Lynette.  When she was little she wanted to be a Super Model!  Who would have guessed!  I also learned that my brother believes his soon-to-be daughter will grow up to be "just like her Mom."  I hope she does!  Lynette is amazing and Scott is lucky to have her!

John Standage!  He is so cute!

We are in the final stages of Youth Conference preparation.  Amy is going to go as a young adult counselor.  It will be a very fun time for all.   Jason and Scott will be here at home.  Scott is having some surgery and Jason will take care of him...Scott tells us he will have his bell ready!

Amy is finished teaching today!  She will have a little more time on her hands.  Hopefully she will fill it. I know one of the things that will fill her time will be more running - as we get closer to that marathon!

Jason received an award last night for having 4.0 this year.  He also received a trophy for having that grade point average all three years of Jr. High.  I know he can continue this pattern in high school if he puts his mind to it.  Jason is dedicated to practicing basketball everyday.  When he puts  his mind to something, Jason can accomplish anything.  A word of advice - if you have your boys in piano lessons and they want to quit, don't let them!  Jason is remembering his lessons of long ago, trying to teach himself to play a song or two.  I'm actually surprised at what he does remember and  have no doubt that he will learn these songs with some time and practice.  We only wish now that he stayed in piano lessons a little bit longer...

That's all for today.  I have great friends, neighbors and family!  I love life.  I enjoy good things everyday.  So many blessings, so many things to learn...

love,
Lori

Update - long overdue...

Dear family,


I have been quite busy and have put off writing my update for TOO LONG!  I hope to include the highlights of the past month...


I must admit we haven't really "honored" our college graduate as much as I would like, but I am so proud of Amy!  She had a nice trip to Utah to visit friends and to Idaho to visit Taralynn.  I love when Taralynn and Amy get to spend time together.  All those years of me reminding them that one day they will be best friends has become reality in the past several years.  Amy got to be "mom" and stay with a family while the parents were out of town.  She always loves this kind of work!  Amy finds fun things to do with friends on the weekends.  We love when they come to our home.  I even got to play a game with them on Saturday night!  I love having Amy home and I especially love when Amy is happy!  Amy decided to run the St. George Marathon this year!  WE GOT IN!  Training has begun...slowly but surely!  Amy and her friend went to the retirement party of her first track coach, from Poston, yesterday. What a great motivator, coach and friend she was.  I think Poston track was a turning point in Amy's life in many ways.  Amy enjoyed some "cousin time" at Oreganos when Kati and Amber were visiting.  Amy helped me make Mother's Day dinner...and Amy came to church with me on Mother's Day (and even helped me teach Jason's Sunday School lesson)!


Scott's graduation is coming up so fast!  I can't believe it!  He has his cap, tassel and gown!  He teases me that he will be flying over his graduation rather than attending it, but that will not be the case!  He PASSED the written test for his pilot's license and is working hard with his awesome instructor to prepare now for the practical and oral part of that process!  He is working toward being a licensed pilot by the time he graduates from high school!  Amazing!  Scott is either very busy - or not.  I love the busy Scott.  It just seems to be a "better fit" for him - He's happier!  He is doing great right now - and I attribute that to him being busy - busy doing good things.  Scott has a busy month before leaving for Provo mid June.  It is hard to imagine our home without Scott.  I am happy that he will experience life on his own, but sad that he is leaving us!  Scott got to be at the Cowley home on Sunday when their son, and his best friend, called from the mission field.  It sounded like a great phone call!  Scott has been playing basketball in the evenings with friends.  He got new running shoes - to train for the St. George Marathon that he will run Oct. 1!  I'm not sure he has actually run in them yet...!  He also plays church softball Wednesday nights right now.


Kory and Taralynn visit us next week!  They won't be here for graduation, but we will celebrate the graduation accomplishments while they are here!  I can't wait to see them!  Taralynn and Kory are doing great.  I love the Skype thing - even surprised Taralynn the other day to see if she'd answer HER COMPUTER!  That is crazy to me but so fun!  They are working on their yard - planters, grass, garden.   I wish I could see all that from her computer on Skype!   They are often busy celebrating birthdays and holidays with Kory's family.  Tarlaynn hosted a shower for her sister-in-law!  They participated in their annual Easter Egg competition with his family - loosing the egg toss once again, but winning in other areas.  The nursery kids on Sunday still entertain them!  Taralynn posted "(just a few...) things my mom taught me" on her blog in honor of Mother's Day - and MADE MY DAY!  I love Taralynn and Kory and love seeing them happy!


Jason is getting tired of school.  NOT YET!  He has many projects still to complete! He has a few friends that come over occasionally to study together.  Sometimes I'm not sure how much productive studying gets done in these study sessions but it is sure great having them over and seeing them help each other and encourage each other.  Jason has been playing more basketball these days.  He will spend much of his June at basketball camps.  The youth in our ward have begun their summer reading of the Book of Mormon.   Jason is a terrific brother and friend.  I love when my boys do things together. It is fun that the Teachers and Priests are playing church softball together right now.  I love having Jason around to help me and I love when Jason is happy.


Jay is constant, patient, busy, kind and happy.  He and the boys enjoyed Father and Sons a couple weekends ago.  Jay treated me like a queen on Mother's Day (let's face it, Jay treats me like a queen everyday!)  My Dad even told Jay that he could come make burgers at his house every time they were going to have burgers - even if he wasn't invited!  He did BBQ up some tasty burgers Sunday!  Some of Jay's family visited in the past month which has been great - Kati, Alex and Amber,  were here for Easter weekend.  They got to see the pageant for the first time and loved it.  They helped me make the most delicious Easter dinner!  We also enjoyed Mattas, a movie and Jamba juice!  Alex is adorable and can almost say "I want to move to Arizona" without any prompts!  Marki came Easter weekend too but stayed even longer!  LOVED it!  She can say "I want to move to Arizona" without prompts and says it often!  She and Mel enjoyed some time in Strawberry too.  Paul visited for a weekend.  He was in Strawberry some of that time so I didn't see him much.  We had fun playing games with Liesl and Sam on Sunday afternoon.   Jay is the high council speaker in Amy's ward Sunday! Jay had a couple clients and friends attend the pageant.   I think participating in the pageant was a turning point in Jay's life in many ways.  Isn't it great that we are allowed "turning points" throughout our earthly existence to build and strengthen us.  The challenge is to take full advantage of those times and BECOME  better.  The pageant has done that for Jay.  I love Jay and could not imagine life without him!


I am busy.  I wear many hats.  I love my "wife and mother" hat best.  Sometimes I allow other "busy" things to get in the way of what is most important but I try to be the best I can each day.  I love Jay and my kids and would do anything for them!  I love my "sister and friend" hat and look forward to helping my sisters host a baby shower for Lynette!  CAN'T WAIT for Scott and Lynette to have their baby girl!  I love my "Aunt" hat and am sure my nieces and nephews call me crazy at times.  I always enjoy being with them and hearing about their lives.  I enjoyed making a DVD for Marcus's Eagle Court of Honor!  Congrats to him!  Another Andreasen Scout!  I love my "temple" hat whether it is working there in the  youth center, which is incredible, or serving there...I love the temple!  I love my "Young Women" hat.  I have been busy with many talented people in preparing for Youth Conference and Girl's Camp.  I love serving and I love getting to know the youth!  They are amazing.  They live in tough times.  The gospel can bring direction, peace and happiness to all of us.  I love life and the opportunities that are mine to learn and grow.  


So much to do, so much to learn, so much to give!  THANK YOU for all you do for me, all you teach me and all you GIVE to make my life, and the life of my family, great!  Hope to spend time with you soon!

With Love Always,

Lori

EASTER EGG HUNT PICTURES AND MEMORIES

My job in the family is to plan the Annual Andreasen Family Easter Egg Hunt!  I love it!  We try to have  a meal together, visit, games and LOTS of candy for the hunt!  This year was rather low key but almost everyone was able to come for breakfast, bubbles and basketball and then a fun Easter Egg hunt for the kids.  Here's a few pictures!

Damian showing Henry how to REALLY ring the bell! 

Grandma Jill showing Henry how to teeter-toter!

Chanelle and Henry trying out Haley's cool eggs - homemade with confetti - on Jill's head!  So fun!

The quote of the day - Morgyn walking right past the chocolate eggs and saying...I don't like chocolate!  Who says that and means it??!
Morgyn comes in her cutest outfit every year and loves getting her picture taken...I didn't take pictures this year...Duane did...!  Can you tell who he was following!?  But, please note:  he didn't know I was wanting him to take pictures of everyone, not just his grandkids! 

 This picture is here for the red roses!  Aren't they beautiful!  This is the time of year Phyllis' roses are gorgeous.  Mel takes such good care of them in her honor!

 Here they are getting ready to go!  There's Haley and Jason (too tall this year to really be part of the picture but they tried!) Jill holding John.  Henry, Morgyn, Damian and Alex Bloomquist (an Allen cousin...from Utah!)

 There's Morgyn's cute dress!  

This is what makes it all worth it every year!  I love Easter!

Watch out Damian, Morgyn and Henry!  Next year, this guy will have a basket too!  

(Duane holding grandson John)

I love family gatherings - anytime - for any occasion!  

Families are the best!  I love mine...