Bells Canyon

So, every summer, I decide we need to go hiking.  One summer we went like 3 times.  I had to go alone which makes me nervous...so then I ask Michelle and we decide we need to go and then we never We tried that option last summer.  SOO this summer, we started out with a Hike.  McKenna said she thought Bells Canyon was a good hike.  So, Brooke, Maureen, Michelle, McKenna and Jack went on a hike.  It was a pretty good hike.  It was uphill, then we arrived at a reservoir that was beautiful.  Some people were there fishing.  I thought staying and fishing would be a great idea...or just sitting watching people fish...but No, we had to forge on to this waterfall...we heard the water and kept on.  We kept asking people about the hike and they said it was 'aggressive' or a bit steep.  So, we hiked and hiked and we never seemed to get any closer.  So, jack and I decided we had gone enough.  The terrain was rough and I had to make sure I had enough energy to get down.  I thought I was on the HIllary step on mount Everest...I had to get down too...We decided to turn around. 

We sat at the bridge and waited for them.  It was a beautiful stream.  Little Cottonwood creek.  It was fast moving and early in the season so it had a lot of water.  It was kindof chilly.  So, finally, we see them coming down and join up with them.  They decided to run down lots of it.  I decided if I walked down that would be good.  We finally made it down.  It took us like 4 hours start to finish.  It was really fun, and I hope we are going again on another hike. 

first golf

We had our first golf of the season.  we have a par 3 course just down the street in Rose Park.  So, Andrew, Maureen, Jack and Nick got out the clubs and tried out the course.  I'm always relieved to see that course open for the season.  It seems like every year they say oh not sure about next year....but its open.  Yahoo.  It took us about an hour and a half and cost 21.00.  That's cheaper than a movie and we got some sun, exercise and socialize with each other.  Jack and Nick have been taking golf lessons at Bountiful Ridge so they wanted to practice what they have learned.   We had a great time and minimal fighting.  We only lost about 3 balls too!



Jack

Andrew

Nick in action

Andrew looking for Nick's lost golf ball

Nick and Andrew

Jack teeing off

Andrew in action

Poverty is exausting

I was thinking yesterday that Poverty is very exhausting.  Really.  When you are poverty stricken, I think of all the time and effort and energy worrying.  Worrying about how to make ends meet.  How I am going to provide food, shelter, a car, education and all those other activities on my limited income.  Then I'm always chasing around how can I find something cheaper or where can we shop for cheap stuff.  I would like to just go to Costco and pile the groceries in.  They have very good Stuff and easy.  But I have to be VERY careful.  I have to only buy a few things at once to see how much I really have.  I spend soo much time worrying.  Like right now.  I'm worrying about how we are going to survive for the rest of the month on about 700.00.  NOT very much money.  I try to provide because I see Jr high kids at school who's parents don't provide much or they don't have anything to keep them busy like sports or whatever, and they are trouble.  So I try to make sure we aren't having teenagers running all over because they are bored.  But its hard.  If I could give any advice to my children (who are not reading this I'm sure or anyone else) is to go to college and get a good job.  One that will pay a decent income.  Because it will eliminate a HUGE amount of stress in your life.  Huge amount.  And how much better your life can be when you are able to enjoy the nicer things that are only allowed on a decent income. 

8 year old - The Last one

Jack Michael Clemons turned 8 on June 6.  Yea.  He is such a good boy (most of the time).  He loves to play outside and any sport of any kind is his favorite.  He doesn't like to go to the store or anywhere unless it involves football or baseball.  We had a party for him at Grandma's house.  He got a penny board ( some kind of skateboard) and a helmet and some water balloons and water guns. He is going to wait until September to get Baptized so Andrew can baptize him.  Well, really he asked if he had to be baptized or if I could baptize him.  Nope, has to be a male and yes, you have to get baptized...we are weird that way.

he is on the right

he is in red

Graduation 2014 Brooke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooke-e graduated from Woods Cross High School.  It has been a crazy month for sure.  Graduation was super fun.  It was a big stressful getting there because Bountiful wasn't quite out yet so they were leaving and we were coming. 

Nick and I were the only ones that went to graduation.  Andrew and Jack had baseball games, Abi had soccer tryouts, and grandma and grandpa went to Las Vegas.  We were only allotted 4 tickets anyway. So Nick came with me.  He was a great companion.  He insisted in wearing his Bountiful Football Jersey (to Woods Cross Graduation) and he had to get food after.  Okay, deal. I did put my foot down at basketball shorts though. 

 

It was fun to see all the graduates soo excited and looking soo cute.  I knew lots of them because they came through South Davis Jr. High school.  They have certainly grown up.  All Brooke's friends were soo cute.  Brooke was a good student.  She graduated with honors which means you maintained a 3.75 gpa.  Great job.  She has also been an employee of Woods Cross by working in the Childcare.  It was the exact childcare that she grew up in.  She is a beautiful young woman. Now go tackle the world and change lives!! 

 



 

 

no wonder we have problems with dress code at school

Nick a bit bored at graduation

bored again

Star means graduating with Honors

Works at the Childcare at Woods Crosss

Brooke all graduated

Hailey, Aubree, Brooke, Kenzie

Hailey, Aubree, Brooke, Kenzie, Ashley

Add Tom Horrocks, my favorite student