Just Another Project

 Easton worked on another school project for Mr. Johnson's Social Studies class.  He had to recreate a man made structure found in the country, Singapore....the country he has been studying all year.  I bet you didn't know that Singapore has the largest Ferris wheel in the world.  We worked on creating this lovely Ferris wheel for about a week.  It was made out of cardboard, tongue dispensers, cupcake cups, drink stirring sticks and some shishkabob sticks.  After three coats of white spray paint it was ready to be turned in.  And...Easton got an A and his Ferris wheel was put on display in the library.  It doesn't get better than that!

Family Fun

We just had to get out of the house on a rainy Saturday in Utah so we headed to the new sporting goods store, Scheels.  It was like a Cabelas and Bass Proshop on steriods, so much to see and do.  We browsed through the collegiate sportswear and picked up a few things to wear to our BYU away footballs games that are coming to the south in November.  We are so ready to cheer on our cougars!   We practiced our shooting techniques at the shooting range....Easton had the best score of the day! 

 The highlight of our shopping experience was riding the huge indoor Ferris wheel.  It actually was quite high and I'll admit that I did have a few queasy moments when were stuck up at the very top while they were unloading.  I guess I'm losing my edge as I get older.  Bleh!

I know this is a blurry picture, but we were seriously cruising!

Cute Little Winston

Stephen cuddles with his little grandpuppy, Winston.  We definitely enjoyed our time with Winston.  He is a spry little guy who hops and loves to play.  We call him the stealth puppy because he never makes a sound...no barking, no wimpering, nothing.  It's the most amazing thing since we are very used to Charlie communicating with lots of barking and subtle wimpering.  Winston has grown a lot since we last saw him at Christmas time.  He really is about the same size as Charlie now, he might even be a little longer.

Cousin Time

 This is what happens when little cousins get together with their big cousin.  Easton helped Kaitlyn and Kamryn build a fort in Grandma's basement.  Food bowls were arranged nicely for the stuffed animals while they were in the cave.

 The girls were in heaven playing with Easton.....who hid in the cave while I was taking this picture!

A little post cave-building nourishment with the cousins

Celebrate

A lovely picture of Ashton in her new graduation outfit because every special day deserves a new special occasion ensemble.

After the graduation we went out to celebrate with family at the Rodizio Steakhouse in American Fork. We  loved the Brazilian atmosphere and ate until we were ridiculously full.

Grandma and Grandpa patiently waiting their turn at the salad bar.

Stephen and Janelle

Stephen's friend Joe D. and roommate from college and the best man at his wedding was in town also for the graduation of his son and he found us at the restaurant.  It was one of those "full circle" moments and kind of a weird trip down memory lane.  It just doesn't seem like that long ago when we were the college kids doing our thing and now we have children who are graduating from college.  Life just flies by and pretty soon our kids will be in the same place that we are.  Weird.

This picture is dedicated to Dallin who is serving a mission in Brazil.  We all ordered and tried the drink, Guarana that is served in Brazil.  I have to admit that I didn't like it but everyone else seemed OK with it.  Brandon, who served his mission in Brazil was in heaven.  He loves the stuff!  I did however LOVE the limeade that Ashton and Easton ordered.  The nice Brazilian server gave us the recipe in hushed tones!  So yummy!

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Marilee

Graduation

Well folks, we (Ashton's parents) are happy to announce that we did it!  We officially have our first college graduate!!!!!  Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!  Ashton graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education on April 25, 2014.  We are so incredibly proud of her.  She worked hard to finish what she started.  We have always taught her from the time that she was little that going to college was extremely important but finishing her degree was even more important.   Completing college is just the next step in life and she did it.  What an accomplishment for her and Stephen and I were so grateful to be able to share in her important day.  I might also add that during the same week of graduation she was hired as a third grade teacher and will start teaching in the city of Spanish Fork next Fall.  It was a great week for our Ashton......graduating and getting a job in her field.  It just doesn't get any better, does it!  Congratulations, Ashton......YOU DESERVE IT!!!!

Here is Ashton walking up to receive her diploma.  I have to admit it was kind of hard picking her out of the crowd with all the Utah girls with long, blonde hair.  In Georgia she kind of just sticks out and I just have to look for her white, blonde hair and she's very easy to spot.

Ashton and Brandon....life is just moving along for them!

Ashton and her proud parents!

Hires, As Usual

 

The Hires restaurant has been the Homer family gathering place for years and this Utah visit was no different.  We met everyone for yummy hamburgers, fries, onion rings, FRY SAUCE, root beer and other not so good for you vittles.  As you can see we took up five large tables and I think we probably were quite the scene as different family members arrived at the restaurant and hugs and greetings happened.  We haven't seen this crew since July!  The food was tasty as usual, although I couldn't eat like that everyday!  The conversation and catching up was great also.

 Samantha, Kristin, Kate, and Benjamin

 Keith, Brad, Kamryn, and Grandma

Janelle, Ashton and me (Mom, Sheila or whatever you want to call me!)

The brothers and sisters, just missing Craig who lives in New York

A Day at Mt. Loafer Elementary

Easton and I got up bright and early the Thursday morning after we arrived in Utah.  We got ready and hopped in the Expedition and headed down to the sweet little town of Salem, Utah to visit Ashton in her element.....Mt. Loafer Elementary.  We were going to pay her second grade class a visit!  We stopped half way, got off the freeway and picked up Janelle to join us for the day.  It was so fun to see her and spend time laughing and talking as only sisters can do!  Ashton was anxious for us to come and kept calling to see our location.  We had to time our trip just right so that we would be there before the students headed off to lunch and also not to conflict with their music time.  Because we had some time to kill before getting to her class Ashton suggested we eat lunch at a yummy little sandwich shop just outside of Salem.  It was a tasty lunch in a nice, casual environment.  Yummy!

 Since Easton had just barely had breakfast before we left on our journey, he ordered just a smoothie because he wasn't very hungry.

 And here we are in Ashton's perfectly organized classroom.  Everything is in just the right place and there is order!  She greeted us as we came into the school.  It was amazing to me how the memories of teaching for me came flooding back.  I really did love teaching for the eight years that I did it and found great joy in teaching my fifth graders.  We had a great time learning!

 Mrs. Eccles and Mrs. Carroll share a picture moment.  Teaching is in our blood!

 Janelle sits at Ashton's neat little desk.  Nothing is out of place!

 And this it what Janelle found when we opened Ashton's desk drawer......her stash of CANDY!  WOW! Oh, and peanut butter.  I guess that's a little healthy!

 Easton shared a book with the second graders.  He did a great job reading and showing the pictures.

 I got to read a few books the children as well.  It was great fun to entertain and to pick their minds on their thoughts about the story.  They are thinkers and Ashton really does have a great group of students to teach.  It made me want to be a teacher again!  I guess once a teacher, always a teacher!