Kaman Campout

 This year we had to go to a new camp spot.  Last year during the wildfires our old site was near the burn, so there are flood warnings.  We went to Strawberry and rented a pontoon boat.  It was a blast and a great change.  (Lance, Dakota, Jes, Jen, Izzy, Paul and Ty)

We love our Kaman family.  We have so many good friends that we have known for years.  

 Kerry has worked for Kaman 18 1/2 years now.  He is such a good husband.  He always does his best to make every trip fun for us.  I love him so much.  I am thankful for him everyday.  I enjoy his company and miss him when I am away from him.

 Jessica is the kindest girl I know.  When we were all cleaning up at the end of the boat trip she was giving a 6th Grade girl we were with Lance's coat.  I was like she doesn't want that.  What are you doing?  She looked at me all serious and said she has to take it.  I finally clued in that the girl had peed her pants.  The girl put the coat around her and no one was the wiser.  I am always impressed by how kind Jessica is.  She not only noticed someone needed help, but took initiative to help.  She is so thoughtful.  She includes others and really thinks about how they feel.

 Lucas got hurt very badly.  He was running and playing and gashed up his knee.  It is going to be a big scar, but he was a trooper.  

 It was a good camping trip.  Lucas was very helpful in cleaning up, setting up and getting the trailer packed. He is always so helpful and easy to work with.  

Lance also impressed me this trip.  We were hiking down to the lake and he helped me through the brush and carried everything.  When we got to the boat he got out my fishing gear and got it set up for me.  He is becoming such a gentleman.

Catching Lizards

Glider ride in Heber

 They tow you up and let you go.  The glider doesn't have an engine....hence the name glider.  It was pretty fun.

Chandler's Graduation

 Chandler is the oldest of the grandkids on my side of the family.  We are missing Ashley and Jackson in this pic.  These kids are so close.  My kids love getting together with them.  Chandler graduated from Lehi High.  It was a fun day.

Lance really looks up to Chandler.  They get along very well and love to hang out.

Last Day of School

 Mrs. Christentsen

 Ryan

 German

 Sixth Grade Graduation Day

 We are going to miss having the best teacher ever....Mrs. Manzione.

Mariah

I know have a kid at every school next year.  It is going to be an interesting year.  Mrs. Young is retiring and Lucas only has one more year in Stansbury Park Elementary.  He has Mrs. Riddle next year.  We are very excited about that.

First Day of School

 Lucas is going into 5th Grade with Mrs. Manzione, Kyson and Mariah in his class.

 Lance is starting his first year of High School with Auto Shop, Wood Working, Football and all Honors Core Classes.  We hope he can keep up this year.  He has a lot on his plate.

 Lance and Derrick Ho really haven't socialized in years, but he came over to walk with him and Mason.  Maybe this year they will golf more.

 I guess DC was the theme today.

 Jessica has one of the new teachers Mrs. Christensen.  This year the 6th Grade has 3 new teachers.  Her best friend Ryan Ringwood and her other friend Jeff Shaw are both in her class.

Mikayla and Mariah

Strawberry Resevoir

 Jessica is actually getting taller.  She is 5' now. 

 Lucas took most of the pictures so I guess it makes sense this is a self portrait.  He is still growing in a bunch of teeth.  He lost 9 all within a couple of months.  

Fishing is hard work.  There is Lucas with his Nook.  It is the best present we have ever bought him.  He reads approximately five 300 - 500 page books a week. 

Easter

 Cute little brace faces.

 I think we only have one more year of coloring eggs.  This year they still wanted to do them.  Some things in life are so much easier to do, but I am going to miss them.  They are growing up so fast.

Some pics of Jes and Lance

 Jessica got a box of chocolates for Valentines Day.  Jeff Shaw brought them over.  This is the first time she received something really special for Valentines Day.  She took a treat over to him later in the evening.  I think she was a little embarrassed.

 In January Kerry and I have been talking about getting rid of the basketball hoop.  The kids never use it even when it has been nice weather.  We never said this to the kids.  Well funny thing Jessica and Lance have been using it almost every day for the last month and a half.

 She loves playing basketball with the boys at school.  Lance said she was actually pretty good at it.  That saying a lot for the big brother to give a compliment.

 Love this picture of Lance.  He is really maturing.  He has had a great year.  He is 5'11" now and weighs 141.  He has maintained his 4.0 the entire year so far.  I think he is so handsome as I do all of my children. Well I am biased.  He has good friends.  He has been playing a lot of basketball, xbox, fishing, and golf.  He is thinking about joining the golf team next year.

 He is the first person in our family who doesn't need a chair to change a light bulb.  Yes that is a little jab at Kerry.

Lance made me this fabulous jewelry box in wood shop.  I love it!!!

Braddick

 I love this picture he looks so healthy.  He was such a cute dog.

 Braddick and Daxter loved to lay by each other on the couch.

For a couple of years Braddick has been having bowel trouble.  This last year it has been worse.  He has lost a lot of weight.  He hasn't been able to make it outside and he goes out so often.  He has to take a long time and he just leaks.  He ended up 12 lbs of skin and bones.  He has been suffering.  We took him Tuesday, April 02 to the doctor.  We had been telling the kids it was going to be time.  The morning before we left for the vet we let the kids say goodbye.  They all cried, even Lance and that was hard for me.   We went into the office and waited for the doctor.  Braddick still had all of his mental facilities. This made it harder for us.   He was his normal smart alert self.  He sniffed around and came up for loves.  He went up to the doctor and his assistant for loves.  We kept petting and loving him.  We kept telling him what a good dog he was.  I hope he could understand.   Dr. Ryan Roundy came in and told us about the procedure.  He reassured us and we could tell he felt badly.  He was very respectful and kind.  We put Braddick up on the table with a white towel under him.  He didn't fight us and he was so well behaved.  He trusted us.  That really bothered me.  He normally gets upset at the vet.  Dr. Roundy tried several times to get a vein in several places.  Braddick's blood pressure was so low that it wasn't possible.  The normal treatment they do that takes only a few minutes was now going to take longer.  He sedated Braddick which took about 6 minutes.  Dr. Roundy then came back and put the other medication into his thigh.  He twitched and moved and after a few minutes his heart stopped and his spirit left his body.  The entire time we just gave our dog as much comfort and love as we could.  We cried.  I really understand what it means to love and to be so broken hearted.  Our family has been crying for days.  I really can't remember the last time I felt this sad.  I can't even explain the pain and the feeling.  This was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  I am glad we were there with Braddick to the end.  I think people owe that to their dog. Dumb things set us off.  We see the toys he loved, especially his blue racket ball.  We got him a coat and sweater because he got cold easily.  Seeing his special food and not knowing what to do with any of it.  Braddick was a loving dog.  He loved being with us.  He would follow us around.  He liked sleeping in bed with you when you were sick.  He wanted to protect us and always barked at the door.  He didn't play fetch well...he wouldn't give the ball back. He knew how to shake play dead when you said bang, hands, high five, roll over, dance and he understood hand signals and English.  You could always feel his love.  He always came to the door to greet you when you came home.  We will miss him so much.