Ethan at School

We don't often get pictures of the kids while at school, but here is one at lunch time @Ridge Point High School, with Brooke Francom, Lexi Weaver, Carson O'Bourke, Alicia Reynolds and Kayla Shaw.

Ethan's Seminary Graduation

Ethan and his last seminary teacher Brother John Butler at graduation 2016!

He had five teachers.  Brother Thompson, Sister Linda Urmston and Sue Porter in Bakersfield and Brother Tyler Smith and John Butler in Sienna. 

Early morning seminary is definitely a sacrifice, but one with many blessings in return.

Almond Groves in Bakersfield

Once a year the almond trees bloom everywhere in Bakersfield.  We have lived here for almost five years and haven't yet been out to take pictures.  So one Sunday afternoon I just took whoever wanted to go and so here you go!  Our FUN photo shoot!!

 

 

This Boy is Growing UP!

This picture was taken as the youth were getting ready to go out and sale flag contracts for our fundraiser.  The YM/YW set up flags on all the patriotic holidays and sale contracts for the year for $40.  It's a steal.  He is busting out of his original scout shirt, growing up way to fast.

 

High School LINK CREW

Ethan is part of the Link Crew where you Volunteer to mentor an incoming freshman student. Link Crew is a club of students who are willing to assist others in the transition from junior high into high school. 

This was freshman orientation day!  He was a group leader and helped with the class hand prints.  He also helped set up for the Freshman Tailgate party. Orange isn't his favorite color but he looks pretty good.

 

Harlem Globetrotters

It was the boys turn and these are the tickets that came up next,  The Harlem Globetrotters.  Thank you OXY!  This was a fun date night with Ethan and Matthew, albeit I wasn't that impressed with the show.  We picked Ethan up from swim practice, he shoved some dinner down and off we went.  This is what Ethan remembers about that night: 2 churros + 2 gatorades = $20.  I remember that 2 boys + 2 parents = a night to remember.   

New Year's Eve 2012!

WOW! Can't believe 2012 is already coming to an end!

 

We hosted a youth party before the youth dance on New Year's Eve.  Here are a few of the partiers.  We had plenty of goodies, games and I made them some fruit smoothies that they kept wanting more of.  I heard the dance was "good."

After the big kids left (Ethan) and (Matthew spent New Year's Eve with his friend Brennan), we (the rest of us) headed over to the neighbors for another party with some Just Dance and Karaoke and LOTS more goodies.  The countdown to 2013 was accompanied by Ricardo and a very nice blessing and sweet wishes for us all in our new year.  Love our neighbors!

 

HAPPY 2013!

Cross Fit Frenzy

Cross Fit Frenzy

Our kind neighbors, Amber & Ricardo, are hooked on Cross Fit and have encouraged Ethan to do the same.  Ethan loves it.  I love it because he loves it and my neighbors take him to and from his workouts.  Can't get any better than that! 

 

 

Wacky Wednesday and Super Hero Day

Ethan's FIRST Dance

It was the day of Ethan's first dance and he wasn't really into going.  We were at our neighbors birthday party/Big BBQ and a few of the dads were encouraging him to go.  One of them even said he would give him a dollar for every girl he danced with.  Well, that did it.  He quickly got ready and off he went.  This is a picture of him after the dance.  I'd say he had a great time.  Look at the grin from chin to chin.  He could count at least 16 girls that he danced with.  So FUN!!!

And some pictures from another dance. 

 

Young Men's Camp

This is what I know about Young Men's camp: Ethan started off doing a Triathlon. He rocked it, of course. I watched him swim and then take off on his bike and that was last I saw of him until the day they did the Volkeslauf.   Which is the Ultimate Challenge.  It is a whole body and mind strategy through miles of obstacles after a 10 mile run.  This was a great learning opportunity for Mr. Olympian.  He was on a team that had some boys that weren't as prepared or just physically uncapable of performing in this way.  This was Ethan's biggest challenge, because the boys had to stay with their teams, help them and cross the finsih line together.  He was trying so hard to be paitent, but he did it and he even helped the others.  He just wishes he could go back and do it all by himself sometime. 
This young men's camp was full of different challenges and obstacles for these young men to experience and learn from.  I am grateful for all the leaders who come physically and spiritually prepared to teach these young men and help them feel of their Heavenly Father's love for them and help them to recognize the promptings of the spirit and make them into better men.  Which, prepares them to be better missionaries and fathers.