Back to School

Tuesday was Eric's first day of 10th grade!  I wasn't home to take him to his first day of school this year because I was on the road taking Jason to college.  It really made me sad not to take Eric, but he could really have cared less (or so he says).  So after texting him for a back to school picture, I pulled out the big guns.  I got his dad on the phone and convinced him I NEEDED a picture of him on that day.  So David took a picture on Eric's cell phone and texted it to me.  Eric even has a bit of a smile!!

Eric has a full load this year, with seminary starting at 6am and 7 school periods until 3pm.  He has Spanish I, Biology, Honors Geometry, Honors English, Weights, World History and Theater.  I hope he can hang in there and keep up with his busy schedule and classwork.  But he won't have any brothers home bothering him during his homework this semester, either!

Swim Lessons

Jason was asked by some friends to teach their kids how to swim. There are two 3 year olds and a 5 year old. 

It has been so fun watching him this week with these sweet little girls.  I wasn't really sure how he would do, but kids have always loved him.  This experience seems nothing less.  He laughs with them, and is so good at teaching them.  He looks genuinely happy as he works with them, which makes me even more proud of him.  I know, I'm a dork, but one of the things that makes me happiest is to see my kids laugh and smile.  So much of the time they are serious or don't show a lot of emotion.  I told Troy once that when he laughs it makes my heart smile.  They all laugh at me about that, but it's true.  It's so great to see them laugh and having fun.  And it's so cute when they leave they all wave and say, "bye, Jason!!" over and over again. 

I think Jason will remember this week fondly, and hopefully those little cuties will be on their way to being super swimmers.

Wakeboarding

This last weekend we rented a boat and David spent his weekend in heaven!!  Friday morning he went out with the "big boys" and had a blast.  Within the first hour he had tweaked his knee and was done for good.  He was supposed to have the day off, but that didn't go according to plans either, so he hobbled back to work for a few hours.   It was Hurdsman family time, and they went tubing and enjoyed the day at the lake.

Friday evening we were able to get back and try a little wakeboarding and tubing with Nate and Jason's friend Courtney.  It was so fun, but just not long enough!! 

Saturday morning it was the scout's turn.  They tubed and boarded, and had a wonderful time as well.  I love to see my husband happy, and I must say that behing the wheel of a boat, or being towed behind it, he is at his happiest.  I wish I could make you happy every week of the year, babe!! 

Havasupai 2011

This year high adventure camp was to Havasu Falls in Arizona.  It's my favorite place that the kids go to every 3-4 years.  The only boy from our ward that wanted to go was Eric, so he tagged on to Spring Valley's ward, with Lemon Grove ward going too.  The Prescott boys almost outnumbered the other group!!  Simon, Noah, Eric & Jason represented.

Jason and Troy had gone there a few years ago, so Jason went as an adult leader.  He was able to show everyone where all the cool falls were. 

They jump and dive from crazy heights - up to 50'.  This year the highest they jumped off of was 30'.  The water and falls are so beautiful!! 

It's a long drive to get there.  Then they get to hike 1 hard mile down and 10 miles out to the falls.  The hard part is getting BACK to the car.  I am so proud of one of the boys for hiking out with all his gear, then going back to get others who were struggling and carry their gear out. 

The boys all had such a great time.  The leaders loved how they all worked together and were one team throughout the week.

I asked Eric what he thought about the trip.  His response was "It was horrible and amazing".  Just the way high adventure camp should be!!

It's Official!

We just got the official word this week of when Zak will be coming home.... seems according to transfers he was due to come home December 28th - but the mission president (being the loving, kind man that he is) got special permission from "the powers that be" to send all the missionaries that went out with Zak home before Christmas! Woo hoo, to say I am excited is an understatement indeed!
I don't know if Zak even knows because we found out Monday afternoon (after his email)... I'm guessing he won't say anything to me for a while. If you happen to write to him anytime soon, please don't say anything to him about this. He does NOT want to talk about OR think about coming home until he has landed in his home town. I am thankful that he is doing all that he can not to get "trunky". I will be proud to have him return with honor.

On another note: We are so proud of our friend Marcus for the decisions he is making in his life... & so excited for him as he prepares to serve our Father in Heaven in Madagascar! Those people are so blessed to have a missionary like you coming their way!!

Fun Family Day

Saturday was the perfect summer day.  We had some family and friends over to swim and get cooled off. 

Here is Wyatt practicing his "surf's up" move

The kids were so cute and really enjoyed playing in the water this time.

 Even their dad got to play a lot between the "daddy sit" game.

Us girls mostly laid on the rafts and talked about girls camp, or held on to something to keep us from getting our hair too wet!  Although the boys thought it was fun to see how wet they could get us with their dives and cannon balls.

Finally a picture of the big boys together, even though they were moving on to Black Ops.

The day ended with a bbq at Kevin & Kathryn's, and Jamey arriving home from a very long time away.  Perfect!!

Jason's Graduation

Last Thursday Jason graduated from High School. 

He is a great student (except the homework thing again...that's a theme in our household for some reason!!) But he managed to graduate with honors - getting an average gpa of 3.5 for all 4 years.

Jason is a very smart young man, and will be going to BYU Idaho in the fall majoring in Mechanical Engineering.  He wants to go there for a year, then hopefully a mission, then go to BYU Hawaii for his last 3 years of college.  I think he might need his mom to come visit a lot there!!

After his graduation,  friends and family came over to congratulate him and visit. 

It was such a good day!! 

Here's our friend, Haley.  Jason and Haley liked each other for awhile in their Freshman and Sophomore years.  She is one of my favorite people, as well as her parents.  Her dad is the swim coach at MV and has done so much for my boys.  Their whole family is just amazing!!

Haley was Salutatorian, and gave an amazing speech.  She's got such a great personality, as well as her gpa of 4.5 or some crazy number like that!  Haley will be going to University of Redlands in the fall.

Way to go, class of 2011!!  Go show the world what you've got!