Elder Norton

Holden (19), Catcher (5), Crew (2) and Bronx (almost 2 mo.)

Most of the kids watching planes take off.

Holden sitting by Cheyanne.

Gina and some of her crew with Holden. Cole, Kace, Rhet, and Cheyanne.

The Price fam with Holden

This is most of the group that was at the airport to see Holden off.

Catcher and Tatum heading over to watch out the window.

Tami, Treck and Holden. He is talking to another missionary that would be on the same flight

as him...heading to Brazil.

In May, Holden left for his mission in Brazil. What an example he is. He is one of the most amazing young men I have ever known. Holden has always been so strong spiritually, and has always wanted to do whats right. I have been so thankful for his example to my boys. Dustin and I have talked to our boys about missions before and what they were and what they met. When Holden left though, Catcher just came alive about missions. He wanted to know everything, and wanted to know when he would get to go. I told him he had to slow down and wait till he was 19 because his Mom wasn't ready for him to go yet. He talks all the time about when he will get on an airplane and go on his mission and leave us at the airport (tear), and Crew does too, however in Crew's version, Dustin and I are going with him (I wish buddy). They love to color little pictures for Elder Norton and send them to him. I don't think he knows the example and path he has set for my boys. I am also thankful for a husband, brothers and brother in law that went on missions too and can help my boys along their way to that goal. Holden is doing great, and is out in the field changing lives. He will do great, he is amazing and will turn many hearts to the Lord. We love you Holden!

What is there to do?.....

After we dropped Catcher off at school on his first day, the boys and I came home and Dustin headed off to work. I worked around the house a bit, trying to keep myself busy so that I didn't sit and miss Catch, and Crew picked a cartoon to watch. After a little while I walked back into the kitchen and found Crew just laying on the kitchen counter, bored out of his little mind. He was just laying there staring at the wall. I said his name softly and he didn't turn around, and so I said it a little louder and he still didn't turn around. So I got closer and touched his back and he turned to look at me. I asked him what he was doing and he simply said, I miss Catcher. He seemed almost lost without Catcher home. I decided that the housework could wait and picked him up and sat down and finished his movie with him and just snuggled. Before I knew it, he and Bronx were sound asleep in my lap as we rocked away in the rocking chair. I sat there for a minute and realized that even though we all missed Catcher being home, that we had a new opportunity. An opportunity for Crew and I to get to know each other one on one. I tell you, he is a character. He makes me laugh so hard, and I am loving my time with him. I am happy to report that he has learned to enjoy mom too, and no longer just lays on the kitchen counter with a broken heart. We both have realized that Catcher does come back home when school is out, and that he gets to have weekends off. So we play with him then, but during the week, I enjoy getting to know my Crew boy in a new way, and enjoy watching him step into the big brother role for those few hours. He is a great kid. I have been blessed with three great boys.

Preschool Here We Come!

The Preschooler

So Excited!

The Cousins...Rosin and Crew

Friends

Ready to go.

Off they go, with backpacks as big as they are!

Crew started his first year of Preschool yesterday. He just turned 3 so he will have at least one more year of Preschool. He is lucky enough to go to Mrs. Crystal's Preschool (Aunt Crystal) just down the road. He is also lucky that he gets to have Rosin come play while Crystal teaches her morning class, and then he and Rosin walk down together for the afternoon class. These two are good friends. They really love each other. I love that they get to be so close. Cousins make some of the best friends you will ever have. The first day was a success and he can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Kindergarten, how did it get here so fast?!

I love this cute face! How did he grow up so fast?!

Ready to go!

The cutest Kindergartener ever!!

Picture with Mrs. W, she is great.

Playing it up before the bell rings.

All lined up and ready to go into class. The poor little girl in pink broke down and cried pretty hard. It broke my heart. I was glad Catcher was brave so that I didn't break down like she did =(

His face looks a little worried in this picture...but he did fantastc. I am so proud of you buddy!

I snapped this through the door. His little feet are crossed and he is ready to grow up on me.

Catch started the big K today, and he will be going ALL DAY. He has been so excited for this day. He picked out his outfit last night, got his backpack ready and was ready for bed by 8:30. He woke right up this morning, ate breakfast and was ready to go. Dustin, Crew, Bronx and I all took him this morning. He was so cute, he was all smiles. When we got there, we headed into his class room to let Mrs. W know he was there, he got his wrist band, and we headed out to let him play till the bell rang. He put his backpack on the wall and off he went. After the bell rang, all the kids ran towards the wall and picked up their bags and lined up. I quickly grabbed him for a kiss and a hug. I knew the goodbye was coming. Mrs. W came out and began to lead them in. Off he went without hesitation, and I thought wow, he isn't even going to look back, and at the last minute, he stopped by the door and turned around and waved to me and yelled I love you Mom! I was doing great until then! Then my eyes got a little watery. I honestly can't believe we are here already. How time flies! He is home from school now and telling me all about it, and then he says, I missed you Mom. Man I love my little buddy. He gets to ride to and from school with Grandma Goodman everyday, and she is able to drop in for a hug everyonce in a while. He is also lucky enough to have Aunt Tami working in the class next door to him. And I am very lucky to know they love him just as much as I do and will make sure he is well taken care of. (Thank you!)

Last night, Dustin gave Catcher and Crew fathers blessings to begin the school year (Crew starts preschool next week). They both set so still and quiet and listened to everyword. It was the sweetest thing. They were given good strong blessings to get them through the school year. So now we start our very first official school year. Wish us luck!

Waite Reunion 2010

The Mr. and I, happy to be out of the Valley and in the Mountains CAMPING!

The kids loved playing with cousins and getting dirty! Crew, Madisyn, Rosin, Catcher and Tatum.

Jade had a bit of an accident..something involving a bear call and scaring kids...hmmm.

Mr. Smiles

Dustin and the boys checking out the watering hole for the horses.

Love this picture. I wish we would have had nice clothes to get a family picture here. It was so green. These three practically grew up together, they were so happy to be together.

Catcher and Rosin. Grandma Goodman was smart and brought plenty of digging toys.

Mark was our fire guy. He kept a good fire going the entire time. This is Mark, Treck, Marisa holding Ella, and Tatum.

It was plenty cold so Dustin and Bronx got lots of snuggle time.

This picture doesn't do this justice. This is a lady bug nest. There were literally thousands of them in this bush. The kids were covered in them too. It was amazing to see.

Catcher letting one crawl on his hand.

Crew scooping one off the plant.

Tatum...check out Crystal's blog, she has fantastic pictures of the lady bugs.

Look on Bronx's shoulder...he even got in on the lady bug action.

All the kids gathered around collecting lady bugs.

This picture is cute, and will be fun to look at as they grow. This is Crew, Catcher and Rosin walking down the road.

Bronx in his jammies and ready to go sit by the campfire for a while.

Making silly faces. Catcher, Tatum, Crew, Madisyn and Ella.

Little Miss Ella is so cute! She would take anybodies drink. She had one in her hand the entire time. This little girl won hearts on this camping trip. She is beautiful.

Ella and I

More Bronx Smiles

The kids got to know cousins on the Waite side and they all had a blast together.

Part of the group chatting it up.

Tami and Treck brought their little lab pups...this is Josie. She was so cute, she just stuck close to the trailer. The kids had a ball with them.

It rained...lots...Jade in his slicker and the cowboy by the fire

Rosin, Crew and Catcher hiding under our awning eating suckers...trying to stay dry.

These kids were so sure they could roll this log where they wanted it. Boy did they try. Yes, suckers were a main staple on the trip.

Jade, Mark and Dustin worked on building forts for the kids, they loved it. They played in it rain or shine.

Kissing on my babe.

Kids in the fort. All the moms were snapping a picture. They were being so still and nice...and then in the next picture.....

They all busted out in giggles..any guesses why? Trace, can you answer that? ha ha

Catcher and Dustin with one of Mark's horses

Another fort that Dustin worked on for the kids.

The kids built a teeter-totter. It was the main attraction for the little ones.

This is a picture of little mans first official thumb suck.

Glow sticks..great entertainment.

More snuggles in the rain.

"Cheese," they got to where anytime you said their names, they would just yell CHEESE.

Crew loves his Bronx boy. He holds his little hand every second he can.

Silly boy! I told him to turn around for a picture, and this is what he gave me.

Tami Waite brought a penata. The kids loved it. Here is Catch taking a swing.

Ryker's turn

Sweet Catcher...this was our last night. He just crawled in his bed and passed out before getting washed up.


We had our Waite Reunion at the end of July. It was so much fun. It was great to see everyone and for the kids to get to know each other. The weather was cold and a little wet, but at least it wasn't a 110 degrees like it is here. We had great conversation, made new friends, spotlighted, played hard, laughed lots, told great stories about Grandpa and Grandma Waite around the fire, and we are looking forward to next years!