A Get Together with Friends

I have been friends with hobbyists Cristine Holt and her daughter, Tara Holt Oliver, for years and years. From Iowa originally, both of them now live in Utah, and so when my daughter, Jessica, moved to Utah earlier this year, I took the opportunity to have a visit with them during our trip west to see Jessica and her family.

 Cristine, Tara, Jessica, me, and Tara's son, Nate.

Tara fixed us all a delicious lunch and then invited us to go up the mountain a ways and visit her horses.

Casper and T-Bone are Tennessee Walkers. Cris bred TWHs for thirty years or so, and T-Bone was her last foal.

Tara already had brought the horses up for us to see.

I was glad she did - their pasture is twenty acres!

Can you see one of the kids way out there, having fun running through the grass? That pasture was huge!

While seeing the horses was very exciting for the kids, so was running around in all that open space. It reminded me a bit of the movie, The Sound of Music, where Maria is up in the mountains and singing.

 Titan burning off some extra energy.

 Pony Pal Cambria taking a breather and looking around at the gorgeous scenery.

And trust me, it is beautiful! The property is surrounded by mountains on all sides.

 Tara has her trailer parked next to a small paddock and the horses' loafing shed.

 She also has a hay barn

where she also stores her tack, grooming tools, pitchforks, and other horsey necessities. (Her kids picked her those wildflowers during their jaunt out in the pasture.)

Me with Casper.

We had so much fun during our visit, and we also got to groom Casper and T-Bone. Photos from that in the next blog post.

Trinity's Baptism - More Photos

Here are some more photos from Trinity's baptism.

 Trinity and me.

Trinity and Lisa.

 Vanessa, Mila, Lukie, Curt, Andrew, Jessica, Cambria, Trinity, Titan, Lisa, me, Cole, Craig, Ian, JC.

Miscellaneous Family Fun in Denver

There is nothing I love more than being with family. Here are some photos of some of the fun we had while most of us were together in Colorado for JC's graduation and Trinity's baptism.

We met up at Fast Freddie's at JC's request after his graduation. (Clockwise from bottom: Cole, Sarah, me, Ian, Craig, Lisa, Vanessa, Curt, Todd, Trinity, Mila, and JC. Lukie is hidden behind Cole's head!)

Carmen made a Texas sheet cake and white chocolate raspberry cake for lunch after Trinity's baptism. I hear they were delicious! (Craig, me, Pat, Carmen.)

Lisa taught us how to play hearts. (Sarah, me, Lisa, Carmen.)

Blue loved us all! (Blue, me, Mila.)

Ian hero-worshipped JC and followed him all over the place. JC was so patient with him!

Lukie being bounced by Boompa.

Lukie and Vanessa.

Uncle Cole tries to nap with Mila.

Trinity gives Lukie a ride. (Sarah broke her ankle and the wheelchair was for the graduation.

Ian and Titan watch a movie Sunday afternoon.

Cambria and Aunt Vanessa cuddle during the movie.

Trinity and JC.

All too soon we all had to head to our respective homes, but it sure was fun while it lasted!

Trinity's Baptism

Trinity was baptized on Saturday, May 25. It was a wonderful day!

Mother and daughter.

Siblings.

Craig baptized her, and while all the people were pouring into the Relief Society room to view the baptism, someone snapped a picture before the ordinance and sent it to Sarah.

The first time Craig performed the ordinance, a bit of Trinity's knuckle remained above water, so he had to do it twice. (JC and Jaren Riley were the witnesses.)

Sarah had made two hallways displays, one at each entrance to the chapel.

Such a big day for her!

She got new scriptures from her parents.

The ribbons represent accomplishments in Young Women.

Titan helped me take photos of the display tables.

This photo appeared on Trinity's baptismal announcement.

A picture of Trinity's that shows the Savior looking up at the heavens.

After we got home, Cambria, Ian, Titan, and Mila helped her open her gifts.

Craig baptized Trin and Curt confirmed her. I spoke on temples and Jessica on baptism. Lisa, Cole, and Jessie Riley bore their testimonies, and a trip of girls sang a song.

It was a big day, and the chapel was full despite it being Memorial Day and graduation weekend with many people traveling. I am so happy for Trinity, and proud of her, too.

JC's Graduation and Party

JC graduated from high school and seminary on Thursday, May 23.

Me, JC (when did he get so tall??), and Craig.

Curt, JC, Lisa, Cole, and Sarah. 

Nine hundred kids graduated and the graduation took place in the University of Denver ice hockey arena. Needless to say, my photos did not turn out well - our seats were way up near the top of the arena.

Friday there was a joint party with seven other graduates from church at a local clubhouse.

The graduates' kindergarten pictures were posted for us all to see.

Todd's dad, Pat, put them on posts after Sarah made the pictures and put them into plastic sleeves to protect them.

JC's high school photo.

Cole, me, and Craig.

Matchey, matchey Aunt Lisa and Cambria! (With Cole in the background.)

There were not enough seats for everyone so we spread out on the playground.

Cole, Curt, Titan, Andrew, Jessica, Cambria, Lukie, and Lisa.

Vanessa.

Sarah.

Trinity (in black on the right) with some friends.

Lisa watches Lukie come down the left chute of the slide.

All eight graduates made shoeboxes for cards from well wishers.

I was so touched when I saw that, instead of a shoebox, JC had used a trinket box that he'd made with me one summer at Groompa Camp.

He kept it all these years!

An award that JC won his junior year - Most Valuable Lineman on the football team!

After JC's graduation on Thursday and the party on Friday, next up was Trinity's baptism on Saturday morning.