Ryan is going to Nationals!

Had a great weekend in Corvallis & Salem.  Alex finished his final interview last week for his mission paperwork and then we were off to see Dad and watch Ryan wrestle at the Freestyle State Championship.  He placed 2nd....so he is going to Nationals!  We are busy preparing for this big trip.  Last night while I was at several meetings, Gen & Ryan decided it was "time to get in shape".  Thus, they came up with a "plan" to prepare Ryan for the big event.  They worked out together last night, and then had the big plan to wake up at 5:30 and work out together.  Much to my surprise, Gen had her IPOD touch alarm go off at exactly the right time (a big thing for Gen, as she is NOT the most pleasant little girl during the a.m. hours!).  She got up, put her work-out clothes on, pulled her hair up in a pony tail and tied her tennis shoes tight.  She then went to wake up her big brother.  Big mistake!  He said something to the effect of "get out of my room, it's still dark outside!".  That might be the end to the big workout plan scheduled for the wee, early morning hours.  Maybe they will be workout partners at night!


Alex is nearing the end of his high school career.  Spent last night with other parents planning his graduation party.  So excited that we will celebrate his graduation with a good group of 5 other kids.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the picnic fun that the month of June & graduation brings.  I'll meet with the two girls in the group today to see if they want a special theme or not.  Matt and his friends chose a luau, which ended up being a lot of fun decorating.  We even had fisherman nets in the bathrooms (thanks to the creative genius of my sister in law Heather)!  My favorite part of his party was the cakes.  I found a place that would make Hawaiian shirts for the cakes in wacky colors.  Tons of fun!   Alex and his friends have chosen to take a picture of them as a group, then  have it transferred to the cake.  Fun memories for Alex and his friends.  Matt, Kayla & Grant will all be there as well.  All my kiddos together; priceless!

We are all so excited to see where he will be called to serve.  He is getting excited and a little nervous as well.  Big and wonderful changes are coming soon for Alex....stay tuned.

Matt has applied for summer internships.  Keeping our fingers crossed.  Hopefully he is placed in Boardman so he's close by.  Miss having that kid around (that college thing really messes visiting time up, doesn't it?)  Kayla will continue to work at the Boardman Park (which she seems REALLY good at running the kids program!).  I tease them about a ring and a date....but they never tease back.  Someday they will surprise us all with the big announcement.  By the way, every time we visit him, I think he grows 1/2 an inch.  I have to look up, up, up to him!

Grant is coming home next week (hooray!).  Will be awesome to spend time with him.  He is working back in Heppner to earn $$ for tuition.  Poor kid called me at 6 am on Easter Sunday and reported that his kitchen was under inches of water and it was leaking into the underground parking garage. Pipes had broken and he had been up since 2 am with a plumber, then mopping up the mess.  Isn't adulthood full of unanticipated surprises and events????  He didn't find that question amusing.  Even more so when I asked him that question after he filed his first tax return yesterday!

Gen is busy with 4-H and sewing.  She is kind of at that stage where she is just busy following all the "happenings" of her siblings.  She has come up with a new project; a mini movie.  Stay tuned...we just might premiere it here on this website!

Greg is busy in Salem doing the work of the people in District 57.  Proud of how hard he tries to represent those he serves.  Had several receptions last week that I went down for.  Meeting lots of new folks (as well as seeing old friends); it's been very fun!