Raised On Country Sunshine: 2025

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Best Day at Bluewood Yet

James had a two hour delay on Wednesday and just as he finished clearing the sidewalks his secretary informed him they cancelled school.

James fixed our microwave!!! (Again.)

Hyrum taking advantage of our first skiff.

Rex and Lyle going out after youth activity for their first snow of the year here.

Mid-Columbia Tournament, first one I've ever been to. Rex shot a 255 and Lyle shot a 250. James had taken them to practice at Schwendiman's the night before and they loved that.

Libby shot a 262!

Good friends (so they could go outside after they shot and throw snowballs).

First time I had been able to take these guys to lunch in a long time. They picked a good spot, Travis Adamson was there and bought them an ice cream cone.

Hyrum's basketball year ended with a win over Ki-Be on Friday night. The varsity lost yesterday so he won't even have practice this upcoming week.

It was snowing at Bluewood yesterday. Rex and Lyle said it was amazing!!

I think this is Lyle.

I think this is Rex.

James learning how to make cabinetry so he can build bookshelves for our "library."

Bryant and Tristan at the first ever BYU-Idaho Intramural Champions vs. BYU-Provo Intramural Champions game. BYU-I with the win for 96-77. Fun!

Sariah made the sacrifice not to go to the game and went to stake conference instead.

Ripstick snowball fights while the ammunition is melting.

We are praying for Talmage. He is waiting for more testing. He has been very uncomfortable this week.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Hyrum's basketball season is winding down. Even though they had a loss to Royal last Friday, Hyrum was 100% from the free throw line. In fact, 4 out of his last 5 games have been 100% from the free throw line. He's only missed one free throw in the last 5 games.

This screenshot is from a video Shandiin Schwendiman sent me. Hyrum got a steal, dribbled the length of the court, picked up his dribble at the three point line, left the ground at the free throw line and laid it in for a pretty cool bucket.

Rex and Lyle are LOVING ski bus. They dig their new jackets and when they get home on Saturday night, they are COMPLETELY wiped out.

It's been super fun to have Lyle start playing the piano again. He wanted to learn Pirates of the Caribbean so he is a couple lines into it after a couple weeks.

A row of future missionaries at the seminary fireside. They are fortunate to have so many friends.

A rare night of homework. Sure like watching them work together.

Sarah sent me this candid of Bryant headed into his first shift as a temple worker. She dropped him off on a very cold day.

One of Sariah's "spies" sent her this picture of Bryant and Sarah at BYUI Date Night.

Sariah lost sleep over planning this Hawaiian Date Night for Bryant and Sarah. Sarah's mom venmoed Bryant some money to do something special for Sarah since she is missing her family vacation in Hawaii this week. Sariah worked out all the details, did the shopping, and set-up, including a Hawaiian scene and sound effects on the TV. I don't think Bryant lost any sleep--haha.

So many times in the last few weeks I have been reminded how grateful I am that these two came together and are the best of friends. When Cyrus has a friend over, it works out perfect for 2v2 basketball. That's happened several times recently and is the best part of their day.

At this very moment they are making elephant ears with tortillas. Oh how I love them! They are good to me and I love their hugs and an occasional kiss on the cheek. They are very good boys.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Noteworthy from 2024

When Jhett and Hyrum played in Yakima, Dax caught this picture. These cousins LOVE to be together!

Cousin sleepovers and black and white Madden games.

For Christmas Talmage gave the boys these gift certificates.

He did not disappoint! They were so delicious. Talmage also worked diligently on seasoning his dutch oven. I love watching him develop his talent for cooking.

Hyrum passes his driving test with the best score in the family so far.

Sariah and Bryant walking back from their last psychology class together.

Three Priesthood Ordinations

Started off the year with Hyrum being ordained a Priest, and Rex and Lyle being ordained as Deacons. Talmage and Bryant were able to assist in Hyrum's ordination and then Hyrum assisted in the ordinations of Rex and Lyle. A great way to start a new year!

New semesters are not Sariah's idea of a good time. James helps her from a distance with her computer problems and art homework. I'm her cheerleader.

With courage she sticks with it and I love to get these notifications.

After Hyrum and I made a mark on the washing machine by taking it all apart, James came to the rescue and put it all back together and figured out the real problem and fixed that too.

After listening to "The Anxious Generation," James and I are trying to help the kids we still have at home with "Let's Grow" challenges each week and the idea of 1% better. This last week we attended a school board meeting for School Board Appreciation Month. They were not excited, but it was a good experience for them to witness the challenges a school board faces.

James and I are so grateful for the stadium seats the kids gave us for Christmas last year. On nights of three consecutive basketball games, they make for a much more comfortable evening.