Oregon Trip, Part One

Last month we made our way back to Oregon to celebrate my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary. 50 years! Can you believe it?! All of us except my oldest niece (who had to work) met at SunRiver Resort near Bend and had a great time swimming, rock climbing, shopping, biking, playing, chatting, working out, cooking, and celebrating.

The kids had a great time rockclimbing.

Tyler and Carter near the river, picking flowers for their mamas.

The Schultz Clan

Fourth of July Fun

We had a great Fourth of July celebration this year. It started off at Temple Square on Saturday. We were supposed to meet our dear friends and cousins from Texas--Spencer and Sara--but they never quite made it! Instead we just met them at the restaurant. That's okay...if you're waiting for someone, Temple Square is a nice place to be!

Even though we live in the Salt Lake Temple district, and I also frequently take the youth there, I sometimes forget that our kids don't make it down there all that often, so it was fun to explore with them.

After Spencer's Birthday lunch, we made our way to Jump Around Utah, one of my favorite places for the kids (and Brad) to jump to their hearts' content. Of course, popsicles help cool them off, too. Ty was so excited to see his best friend Adelaide again. They were tied at the hip when we lived in Texas.

All the kids. Lauren did NOT want to be taking pictures. She wanted to be jumping!

From Jump Around Utah we headed down to Utah County. We were supposed to meet Brad's sister and family at the MTC field to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks, but they couldn't make it last minute. We decided to still go and hang out. This was such a tradition for me during my BYU days. I love the atmosphere and fun. I don't love the traffic jam afterward. It took us an hour and a half just to get to the freeway! Needless to say, it was a late night!

Monday the Fourth started a new round of fun. We BBQ'd with friends and then watched the Grantsvilled fireworks.

I'm so impressed with this little town's fireworks show. It's a little shorter than other shows I've been to, but what you get is way more spectacular. It's like fireworks on steroids!

Yoga

A while back, Ty had a friend over and while they did play things like Transformers and whatever else boys like to play, they also took some time to do some yoga. I thought it was pretty cute.

Swimming Lessons

Tyler started swimming lessons last week. He loves it, as usual. I don't know that he learns all that much. This is his fourth year of lessons, and he's still learning the same basic things. I think with the crowded classes, he spends most of his time holding onto the side of the pool, waiting for his turn. Oh well. If I really cared, I would shell out the big bucks for a private lesson. Obviously, I don't care all that much.

This little girl was supposed to start in the pre-school class. She was all sorts of excited until it was actually time to get in the pool. And then she would have none of it. I decided not to push it--she's only three, for heaven's sake--luckily the pool gave us a punchcard as a refund, so we're not totally out the $25. Now she just sits and watches big brother.

Tyler's favorite is the backstroke. (Mine, too)




Happy day!

Youth Conference

A couple of weeks ago I went to youth conference with the youth of our stake and my fellow leaders. It was up on Utah State campus, and it was really incredible. I haven't written about it yet because I don't know how to express what I felt up there. I know for sure that I didn't expect to have the Spiritual experiences that I had. I was more prepared to be in "Leader Mode," where I have to keep track of everybody, combat a bunch of complaining, and put out a bunch of fires. I didn't have to do any of that. The youth in our ward were so well-behaved and appropriate, that I just got to be there to enjoy it, and them.

Our stake High Councilor put it the best way that I can think of today. He was talking about the great youth we have, and he said he can't help but shout, "Hurrah for Israel!" Look how great our future leaders are! They truly aren't just going through the motions, these ones. They are gaining their own testimonies and doing what's right because they love God and know who they are.

I love my calling!

Joplin

This picture was taken in 1998 at the Joplin Stake Center, which was destroyed in Sunday's tornado. While I never served in Joplin City, it was a main transfer station, so I have good memories in the building, waiting for new companions or waiting for the transfer van (called "The Bull") to arrive. Brad was the Zone Leader in the Joplin Zone for several months.

It's really sad that it's all gone. When I was there, it was the only LDS building in Joplin.

Tornado watches and warnings are such a part of life in that area of the United States, but you never think one will actually land on you. I have many memories of sitting in the bathtub with a companion with mattresses on our heads. I guess even churches aren't immune.

My prayers go out to the people of Joplin.

Spring Soccer

Spring soccer has had a bit of a slow start because practices and games have been cancelled because of weather, but it has been fun. Ty has the same team and coach as fall, but they seem to be doing much better! It's fun to see the kids improve their skills. He's touching the ball a little bit more, which is fun to watch!

That's Ty (#5) in the typical cluster.



He did score a goal this game, but this isn't it. This was pre-game practice.

This is Ty running off the field after he scored his goal.

Chillin' with Caedin on the sidelines.

More Lauren Portraits

I apologize for shamelessly posting all these Lauren portraits. I'm just so excited with my camera and all its settings. That's why some pictures are better than others. I think I know which setting to put it on, and it turns out I'm dead wrong (see previous post's graduation pictures). But I'm having fun, and I'm finally somewhat understanding things like aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. I'm a slow learner, but it's coming along. And I must say that this little cutie is getting to be quite the model!

Last Day of School and Kindergarten Graduation

Last days of school were always really hard for me. I grew to love my classmates and teachers, and even though I was excited for summer, I always felt sad that I wouldn't see my friends as much, and that basically things would never be the same again. I've tried really hard not to project my emotions onto Tyler. I just want him to feel what he feels, and not be influenced by me. I guess I've done my job, because even though Tyler loved Kindergarten, he was not sad one bit! Here's his last day:





Graduation was today. I was doing totally fine until they showed a little slide show to the song, "Let Them Be Little." That song always gets me! But combine it with my little man moving on to all day school next year, and it killed me! Ty and all the Kindergarteners did a great job singing and dancing and receiving their diplomas. So cute!

Ty and his good friend Caedin

I thought my Kindergarten teacher was good, but Ms. Asher was the best! She cared for Tyler so much and was so patient with him. I'm so grateful for good teachers!

The Graduate

Going Through Life With Her Eyes Closed

Lauren and I took a little tour around the neighborhood yesterday to try out my new camera that I got as a birthday gift from Brad(2 months early. Hey, when you find a good deal, you take it!). We took a lot of pictures and I'm so glad I captured this one. This is a perfect representation of LaLa--when she's in a good mood, that is: a mischievous smile and her eyes closed. This girl has no fear. And her favorite thing is to walk around with her eyes shut tight. She thinks it is so funny to run into things.

Here are some of the other photos I took.
Do you have a fave? I'm not sure which one to blow up and frame.