Skylar Johnson's passing

Skylar Johnson, a healthy 18 year-old boy from our previous ward, unexpectedly passed away this morning in his sleep. He was one of our first 11 year-old scouts. Times like these are when I am abruptly reminded who is really in the driver's seat. As an attempt to give these parents somewhere to go to help ease their deep grief, I came across several very cool things. The link at the right will take you to a place that grieving families can make a memorial page/blog for their deceased loved one. Here's to you, Skylar. You will be missed. The obituary in the paper was really neat, though. To read it for yourself, go to: http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=164980&fh_id=10831&s_id=F03576E7E18D0931ED675D3FA11023C5

I've kept the camera handy and been able to capture some of those funny things we see! Here's a small sampling:

1) Gary playing "wheelbarrel" with Hayden. Hayden will get on his hands and knees and lift up one foot for you to take it and then he will put the other foot up and start walking on his hands. Of course, all the boys had to do this after seeing him do it!

2) Christmas morning with Dawson and Campbell and Sadie (the only other female in our house)

3) When Dawson concentrates while doing ANYTHING, he will stick out his tongue and it wiggles back and forth while he finishes.

4) Grandpa Parley has 3 buddies that hang around while he eats to get their piece. It's funny to watch his love for these dogs.

5) Marissa, Trevor and Danielle were roped into being in the Christmas nativity we dressed up and acted out with the kids. Good sports, huh?!

6) Campbell decided to see what it would be like to be at the top of the bleachers at Dawson's singing program.

7-12) Different times we have been silly while at mealtime. People in restaurants are amused as I take pictures of the kids being crazy and pulling faces. Hayden has been the funnest with faces, lately!

13,14) Gary is funny himself when I pull out a camera. The first one is after he got into a cold car and was shivering, he put on his warmest stuff and cinched it around his face. I laughed at him and this was his reaction. The second one, I made him put some parafin hand conditioning mitts. He has terrible cracked skin on his hands and I'm always trying to get something new to help his hands heal. He's not always excited about the suggested therapies as you can see!

15) Hayden likes to take random items and "dress up." Boys seem to find hats in ANY container that can stay on the head for any time. Back packs are Hayden's favorite accessory, lately. Here, he is packing both his brother's school backpacks.

New Sunbeam class

It was sad seeing our old class sitting behind us, but this new class will be fun too. It helps and makes it that much easier to have already read through and taught the lessons before. We have had 3-4 show up this few weeks, with 7 on our roll. Looks like a little missionary work to be done! We have had fun so far. Its really fun to see how the kids grow from the first to the end of the year. i have a great respect for teachers that do this day in and day out! 2 hours of Primary is NOTHIN'!

After family home evening, we had brownies for treats. Gary was teasing the kids by pretending he was taking their brownie from them. Hayden was the funnest to watch protect his "cut." He did everything from sternly directing "no, dad!" to covering the exposed pieces with his little hand. Then Gary crawled under the table at another attempt to get Hayden's goat. There was much laughter and happiness filling our walls.