Ulitimate frisbee fun lovin son

I've always loved this layout of Jonathan. He's the MAN.!

Happy Birthday!!!

19 Years ago

Jonathan was in Sandy Shepard's kindergarten class at Dr. Daniel Bright elementary school in Cottonwood, AZ. Who would have known then that he would be a 1st year law student at Harvard 19 years later married to the blessed Kate with the cutest little kid around?

Lately a few of my friends have asked, "Can you believe you have a kid at Harvard?"

Quite frankly -no, but I'm living the dream.

How did this happen? I'm no Einstein, nor is David - he's close though.

My education consisted of basic survival - 12 different schools in 13 years - attending 5 high schools in 3 different states.
When I finally got to college I had no idea how to do a term paper, somehow I missed that and managed to skim by.

Now I will admit Jonathan came smart. That boy learned all his animal sounds when he was around one. Yes indeedee, he could moo and bark upon command. I knew then he was destined for success.

He went to public schools, we never paid for private school or tutors- nope just straight public, wearing t-shirts and board shorts, none of that blue blazer, preppy look.

He played frisbee (which he still does) At the time I was a bit sad when he didn't go out for the academic decathlon and wanted to play frisbee instead with his friends.

My philosophy in raising kids was to make sure they were well rounded which included friends and down time.

We are by no means country clubbers, I've never played golf in my life, unless that putt putt around a castle counts.

So how did he get into Harvard?

This boy of ours is amazing. Not only was he born brilliant but he works darn hard and he's not afraid to try new things or help others. He even puts up with me, his boring mom who has no clue what he's talking about half the time especially when it involves science. He's patient though.

One of Jonathan's qualities that I've always loved is his golden heart and humility. He's just always been kind, well except for those few bite marks he left on Em when she was a babe.

For the most part he's just a sweet, smart boy, well I guess he's a MAN now that he's 25 today but he'll always be a sweet boy to me.

Yeah he turned out quite well rounded and I think that's what Harvard was looking for and to think it all started with "Mr. J has a friend" or maybe it was he knew how to moo before two. heeheeheee

Happy Birthday Son!!!

Is there anything sweeter?

Ellie in our backyard park.
Nothing sweeter than observing my son be a great Dad!!
Maybe I'm just partial to seeing my husband enjoy his grand daughter.
Nope!! Nothing sweeter than seeing David hold Ellie!!

Will we hike in Heaven?

Last week between my birthday and Father's Day, five Allred's, five Hansen's and a Crane did a quick hike from the North rim to the South Rim. The timing was terrible and it cost too much money, but I relished every minute of it. Hiking wears the body, but invigorates the spirit. Hiking reawakens the wonder and reverence for the majesty of God's creations. Hiking forcibly removes those narrow blinders required by a career and broadens our view of what's really important. Hiking is an old man's opportunity to prove that the old legs can still set an imposing pace. Hiking is embracing the challenge of a 3:30 AM start and watching the gradual sunrise awaken the wonderful colors from the shadows of the night. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father takes time to enjoy the grandeur of his creations, but does He do it with boots on? It's one of those questions that will have to wait until the next life to get the answer.

I owe a lot of thanks to a number of people who allowed me to really enjoy this weekend:

Tami and Anna - Tami for letting me go and Anna for understanding that she's just not big enough yet. Make it through sixth grade cross-country and we'll talk again.

Leland Hansen - The man has boundless enthusiasm and makes things happen. Thanks for committing me to come and bring my kids.

Grandma and Grandpa Hansen - Our chauffeurs. They drove us to the North rim and met us back at the South rim. I love talking with these two wonderful people. Our roots go back to the same parts of Northern Arizona and we can feel the connection.

Emily and Molly - This picture will explain it all. Emily flees to her fantasy world whenever trauma should be unavoidable. Molly always seems a naive victim of circumstances beyond her control. (29 degree weather and no jacket or long pants.) Both provide unending humor. Who else would spend their Friday night in the Grand Canyon earning their Junior Ranger badges?

Jonathan and Landon - An hour or so of wonderful dad and sons conversation sitting in the Bright Angel Creek soaking our anguished feet. Thanks for breaking away from work and school to be together. It's been too many years since we got to spend time with each other and just talk in a quiet environment.


Mom, Paula, Grandma - Food, lodging and family time on either end of the trip.

Kate and Ellie - Giving up Jonathan for a few days and even better bringing him down and spending a hour with me. This grandpa loved it.

Next year - A location where all can come, but still a challenging hike for those that dare. Banff Canada????

Dad Grad

Yay, Jonathan put on a blue robe, mortarboard, white stole and endured waiting in lines, listening to talks, some great and some ok and then the endless smiling for pictures.
David loves those mountains
Thurs at Marriott Center or the Mormon Mecca (term I borrowed from J)
He's down there somewhere among the 6000 graduates
Loved the talks from two apostles, Elder Nelson and Elder Uchtdorf (my favorite)


Happy and Proud Parents. He's an amazing son, husband and dad.

The Dad Grad with his lovely lil family
I love how everyone got the memo to wear true blue but me


On the way to the car, J found a frisbee friend stretching out and was tempted to throw some disc


The next day was the individual college ceremony where they actually receive their diplomas with about a hundred other students, sure beats waiting for 5,999.
It was at the Provo tabernacle, beautiful old building. My shots didn't turn out except for the ones outside on the lawn next to the modern buildings. After all the grads went through the line everyone stood to applaud and not sure what happened but my eyes just starting leaking, then I was embarassed about leaking eyeballs and then they dripped even more when the grads stood to applaud the parents. Didn't see that one coming


This sums up the whole week for me. Pure Happiness!!!
Look forward to attending Em 2010 BYU
Landon 2011 ASU and Molly Crystal Lake South hs
Jonathan 2012 Harvard Law school
I'm sure Em and Landon will want to keep us going to some more graduations (why give us a break here)or maybe even future spouses
Molly 2015 BYU
Anna 2016 CLS hs
Anna 2020 ?
whew!!!

Coincidence or Like minds think alike?

Last Tues. night my hub wrote on my blog "Half a century...Entire civilizations have come and gone in a shorter time frame..."
The next day, my birthday I received a package from K&J who live 1500 miles away or something like that. I just know it's far.
Kate wrote sweet and lovely words then Jonathan wrote his observation.

"Mom, Wow, 50. Half a century. Whole civilizations have come and gone in that time period."

I immediately called David to see if they discussed this phrase about civilizations and my age together. He promptly said, "NO" but then said, "oh that's why J wanted to know that night if I had recieved the package." They never discussed it and both claim they came up with it on their own. eeeeerie
So has this ever happened to you? I just thought it was one of those "twilight" moments.

Funny words :)

I've noticed and enjoyed the posting of young moms sharing the funny things their little kids say, well my kids are grown and some are gone but I thought I'd share a couple of things they've said lately that made me laugh.

1. J - boasting to his sister - "Look Em I have offspring"







2. A - "Mom can you help me with my makeup (she's in the school play). I need mascara and fondant"
Me- "Fondant?"
A - "yeah fondant"
Me-"Do you mean foundation?"
A- yeah fondant, foundation, they're the same right?"
Me- "Yep pretty darn close"






3. While shopping in the teen section with Anna and looking for clothes for her older brother who had just turned 20.
Me - "Maybe we should go out of the teen section since he's not a teen anymore"
A - "Yeah, he's an eXpiRed teen now."

The Expired teen


I hope these made you smile, they sure make me smile :)

Jonathan's todler pics

David's Birthday surprize

Part of the Fam at David's work cafeteria

My Three from out West