Ya, Ya, Ya, Yoda!

Oh, Mae! You've done it now. Inspired by none other than Jim, in his heroic return from BYU. (We know...he just suddenly starts showing up in photos of family happenings!). He got Mae and Owen to start watching the original classic movies. Sew with great power, she did.

the big four four

With a busy, part-time job working for an ophthalmologist, Wade had something to be happy about on his birthday! Plus some good cake and a few nice presents.

He is Mr. Incredible and is still on the hunt for a serious, career destination, really great optometry job! We support his every effort and love his sense of humor and willingness to prepare food, fold clothes and make lunches when Mom is sleeping (while you were sleeping, indeed!).

Wade has a witty sense of humor and a willingness and ability to get along with people. We know he is great to be with and have enjoyed having him around more the past couple of months (though no longer!). He drags us around on all sorts of explorations, hikes and adventures, and in this state, it is always worth it! California is really beautiful and fun. And so, Wade, another great year awaits you!

Sun Devil's Guitar Session

Then Grandma came to town

Grandma DeMordaunt came for a quick visit to attend a family funeral (her aunt Dotty's). It was a whirlwind weekend with a breakfast stop at Tartine Bakery, an urban croissant experience; Saturday with lots of extended family for Sharon and David; Stake Conference with Wade singing in a wonderful Men's Choir; then a light Sunday dinner with Dave, Chin and Niko over. California came through with nice weather and a great time for everyone.

Springtime hiking on Mt. Diablo

Tuxedo Time!

Tuxes and a suit

First there was Mormon Prom (I have NO photos of it, just Trevor in his Tux, but it was epic in that the dinner was sponsored by a generous couple from Clayton, and the dance was a huge regional affair at the Inter-Stake Center by the Oakland Temple). Trevor was asked by Kayla from a Concord ward/stake, so we don't know her, but he is friends with her and they went out for waffles once. Anyways, Trevor knows how to go in style! This photo shoot displays the handsome, formal version of these guys. Wade wore the Mess dress for possibly the last time. He does look dashing in his fancy uniform.

High School Prom on a rainy night

This was real high school Prom! At a hotel in downtown San Francisco--the kids all rode tour buses together. Trevor asked Maddie, a nice friend he goes to school with, though she is in a different Seminary class (they are part of the same group that all eats lunch together--Mae, too :). Anyway, great photos were taken and posted, so we were able to see some of the fun.

Streamlined Splashing

Another swim meet, this time with Owen enjoying the sunshine. This meet was fun since there were 2 other kids from our ward at church swimming (for the other team!), so we saw several friends and a couple of youth leaders there. California is a fantastic place to be a swimmer! Way to go, Trev!

And then there was the Car Wash...

Mae's last act as Mia Maid class president was to plan a combined YM/YW activity with her class presidency.  They wanted to do something fun (of course) and their leader suggested a service activity to help wash cars for older people in the ward. The girls protested, but eventually gave in since they could not come up with anything better (maybe they really DID want to wash cars!).

You can almost feel the enthusiasm just by watching Mae wash down that van! It turned out to be just fine, though a little cold that evening. Great activity!

Sweet 16, Little Lovie Mae

Too bad it was a school day (the first day back after a crazy fun spring break), but even so it was a lovely party with Dave, Chin and Niko over. Yummy sloppy joes, corn and mango juice. And Texas Sheet Cake (not my best work, but she was happy).

Mae was adorned with her Hunger Games Mockingjay pin, a new fleece vest, and Toms on her feet. She happily received clothes, cash, and craft and sewing supplies. She's quite easy to please for a 16-year old. As long as she doesn't get asked on a date anytime soon!

Spring Break ARIZONA!

Mesa Holiday Inn

ASU campus tour

Wade took the kids to visit Arizona for spring break and he took the required test to obtain an Arizona Optometry license. They saw Great Grandma Bergeson and Uncle Jimmy, ate at Mata's and here they are at the Mesa Arizona Temple.

They fit in another campus tour and plenty of swimming in the Arizona sunshine while it rained all week in California. I stayed and held down the fort and worked at the hospital. Overall, a good spring break!!

Inspired by Calvin

Wade and Owen decided it had to be done. We all helped and made it happen. This is the last thin bit of peanut butter in the jar...down one side and back up the other. Cool!










and more Calvin and Hobbes peanut butter humor...

yep, you'd have to be a boy to get that! (or a mom)

Owen

What a fun 11 year old!

The Marc Antony dress up for school oral presentation

Owen is so much drama. Literally dramatic and able to project his voice. His speech in the first person about Marc Antony was a resounding success in his class. He researched and wrote it himself, and I'll try to get some excerpts to include here. He spent quite a bit of time planning new and improved costumes. He takes homework to a new level of creativity. We are looking forward to Owen's forays into acting!

Campus tours

Wade took Trevor (Owen tagged along) on campus tours of UCLA and UC Santa Barbara (cousin Niko's alma mater). They left early to get to UCLA by noon then bravely camped at a KOA campground overnight and got in some great beach time in Santa Barbara on day 2. UC schools are each unique and impressive. Good food for thought and consideration as the time for college nears.

UCLA

UC Santa Barbara

More UCSB

The best part of the tours! The beach in Santa Barbara. Beautiful, beautiful California.

Chaya Ruth Hafen

Our dear friends Tom and Tracy Hafen's daughter Chaya died the night of April 2, 2012. She was born a week before our daughter, Mae, but was 12 weeks early, and Tracy had been on bed rest for weeks and weeks. Though we all lived in Chicago at that time, we lived across the city and did not realize until later the difficulties they had at that time. When we met Chaya (Hebrew name meaning "life") and realized the physical challenges she had and the medical care her family would always provide, we were amazed at the faith and strength they all showed.

Tom had just spent his first week at a new job in Seattle and Tracy and the kids were still in Michigan, so they had a funeral in Battle Creek and one in Utah where she was buried near her Grandpa Taylor.

We will always remember Chaya fondly and are especially glad for being in Ohio with the Hafens for a few years so that we could get to know her and all their family members. They happily had us to Michigan to visit while Wade was gone to Korea, so we had the pleasure of seeing them in their beautiful home and surroundings there.

Chaya smiled, loved and laughed so much. She had complete physical needs and lived with pain, but added so much to the family spirit in their home. She really has the spirit of an angel and I believe had angels surrounding her during her life on earth. When I was weak and recovering from GBS and we were visiting the Hafens, I had a chance to just sit by her while we watched everyone else play frisbee. I talked with her and we laughed a little. She always just watched and it will be fun to talk with her one day and hear what she has to say.

One special thing that Chaya's fellow young women did for her as a group was contribute for and work toward her Young Womanhood Recognition award for her. People around her loved her and wanted to be a part of her life. Tracy invited me to come to a recognition luncheon once in Ohio where Chaya was honored for earning a special learning award at school. Tracy always dressed her SO CUTE! in the most feminine, colorful, and comfortable clothes and shoes. She kept her hair long and in a full ponytail. Her smile always completed the picture of happiness and sparkles.

I have to include Chaya's obituary that Caleb read at her funeral:

Chaya Hafen, 15 years old, died at her family home in Battle Creek, MI on April 2, 2012. She had severe cerebral palsy and was wheelchair bound, but was otherwise healthy and stable. She died peacefully and without any pain, surrounded by those who love her. Chaya had a great smile, a remarkable spirit, and a tenacious will to live and enjoy life despite her physical challenges.

Chaya was born on April 10, 1996 in Chicago to Tom and Tracy Hafen. She was born 12 weeks premature, and her cerebral palsy was the result of the difficult circumstances surrounding her birth. Her name, "Chaya," which is Hebrew for "life," was chosen by her parents because of her strong will to stay alive at a time when her early survival was uncertain.

From her youth, she worked tirelessly with dedicated teachers, therapists, nurses, and doctors in order to make the most of her limited physical abilities. In the process, she grew close to many them, and they often spoke of her cheerful demeanor and her infectious smile.

Chaya had a ready laugh and a highly developed sense of humor, and she loved spending time with her family, her classmates, and friends at church. She was particularly close to her Grandpa Daniel Taylor, who preceded her in death and with whom she is now joyously reunited.

She had strong faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she anticipated the day when she would be blessed with a perfect body through the power of the Resurrection. Her family looks forward to embracing her in their arms again and hearing all the words that her beautiful spirit wanted to convey in this life.

Chaya is survived by her parents and her siblings, Daniel, Caleb, Elia, Asher, Micah, Devi, and Jaren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 7, 2012 in the Oak Hills 5th Ward Chapel, 1900 North 1500 East, Provo, Utah.

See you in the afterlife, Chaya!!! We miss you. We love your family and know how much they love and miss you, too! 

Walk in the woods

Proof that we do get out some!

We Are Mormons!

Found on the church website here and further detailed here--it's a summary of who we are. The church has done so much to keep up with technology and getting the information out there about us as a church membership. The newsroom has a new blog that follows articles with fair reporting.

We just finished watching AMAZING General Conference (online :). So many outstanding, encouraging messages! And the church is more than keeping up...there are already summaries of the messages posted here.

This page has links and info and banners and all kinds of tools for sharing information about General Conference and prophets. There is even this invitation to watch conference video!
I have to say that I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and am grateful for the Church. We have inspired leaders. What beautiful messages we heard this weekend to keep our faith strong and hope alive. As we wait for Jim's mission call, as we wait to see what jobs Wade will be offered, as we consider where we might have to move (yet again)...we have the peace to know that whatever happens in all of this, for us and loved ones everywhere, all will be well.

So long, suckers!

Wade is out of the Air Force. As of now. As of today. No April Fools. No job offers, yet, but many irons in the fire. California, Oregon, Washington, maybe Arizona? Who knows? The possibilities are endless. Any number of things could happen. Here's hoping for the best!