Easter 2023

 We went to the peninsula of Florida. We’ve missed the state parks and wanted to do a few things we had never been able to do. 

We went and hiked the Hillsboro State Park near Tampa. 

The next day we kayaked Rainbow Springs River. It was around. 4 mile stretch and our second attempt at kayaking. We all were hooked! We had so much fun and the river was gorgeous. We saw otter, variety of birds and baby birds, turtles, fish. It was so much fun. We didn’t dare jump into the river and swim in case we couldn’t get back on the kayak. And there was a lot of tall grass which is always creepy especially in Florida. 

Addie went with Joe and never got tired!! She was the energizer bunny and kept backtracking to see what our delay was.

Joseph and I went together and he did really well as well. He started to relax and want to take his time. Which I was thrilled because I wanted to enjoy it and soak it in. It started to sprinkle at the very end….our favorite weather. 

The next day was Easter. So the tricky Easter Bunny found us, baskets, treats, stuffed bunnies, hidden eggs and all. The kids were super excited!

Throughout the week we tried to learn about the last Holy Week of Christ’s life. We did some activities to remind us of how infinite His love is for us. Hopefully the kids learn to really love Easter and the special reminders we see every day of the Atonement.

We drove all of the way home. We stopped by a park to stretch out our legs. It was such a cute park that was full of awesome climbing trees, and even historical cabins.

My high school years

 Due to the moving team fiasco, I’ve lost my photo albums growing up. So I have contacted friends to send me some pictures they may have. So far, two of my friends from high school have followed through. And these brought a flood of memories….

Melissa Eliason was a girl in the class a year older then me. We rode the same bus and sometimes she’d sit next to me. I really got to know her in volleyball my freshman year and we became best friends. We played sports together, went in group dates to high school dances together. She was a good friends and example. I’m so grateful to have a friend like her growing up.

These are from the Elementary yearbook.

My sophomore year homecoming dance, we went to the floor show. Andrea Hatch, Melissa, me.

Sophomore year Varsity team memories. I played front right hitter/setter. Meaning, when I was in the front row, I would be the right hitter. During the first play I would be the setter. Then the back row setter would come up and I’d become the right hitter.

We won District tournaments and went to state.

My basketball picture. Melissa decided not to play this year. But she did have my basketball picture.

My Junior year memories

High school friends.

Summer of my Junior year we both went to Business Week in Boise Idaho. We spent time with a huge group of high schools and people who applied and were selected to represent their schools. We spent time learning about various businesses and ways to run businesses. To be honest, it was just another fun opportunity to meet others and to add to my college applications.

Varsity volleyball starter left hitter. This was probably my favorite position and year. I really loved playing volleyball and being part of a fun team.

Awards assembly.

Melissa and I both decided to not play basketball. We joined the drama club and we’re in “The Jury Room.” Where 12 jurors with no names were placed in a room to reenact the conflict and murder scenes. I was “Society Woman” and Melissa was “Old Lady”.

We went to prom together in a combined Junior prom with Grace high school. The theme was the song from the movie Titanic “My heart will go on”. I was the elected Junior Prom Queen. 

This was Melissa’s graduation. I was going to kiss her a lot!!

Melissa came and visited me at Ricks college after she had graduated and moved to Logan. 

Lindsey Johnson from Grace. I met her through our mutual friend Melissa Eliason, my best friend in high school, my junior year. Melissa graduated and I felt lost without her. Lindsey Johnson became a great friend and example to me. Our senior year, I served as the Bancroft seminary president and she served as the Grace seminary president. Therefore we coordinated many activities and meetings and became best friends my senior year. We also roomed a summer semester (a month) at Ricks College together and then went on a Mormon American Travel Studies MATS tour the same summer. Such a blast! And some very fond memories!

We’re at a service project as a seminary counsel for the summer. We went to Logan and volunteered at the DI to sort through the donations. We also went to the Wheeler family farm there.

Angela, Melissa, Lindsey and I were all friends in our stake. Angela and Melissa were seniors, Lindsey and I were Juniors.

The three of us goofing off at the Johnson’s.