Flashback Friday

Looking back through some old photos I found these cute pics from when Winston was not quite one year old yet on a trip to Lake Powell.  Zack was helping him drive the boat. These were taken July 23, 2007 - almost exactly 4 years ago.

I love looking at our family photos and remembering all the fun we've had together and seeing how far Winston has come.  I can't believe he'll be 5 this year!

4th of July Highlights

We had such a great time this year.  Our ward put together a primary parade and then the bishopric made breakfast for them afterwards - pancakes, bacon and eggs with orange Tang to drink.  Winston was so excited to decorate his bike - he had a blast riding in the "parade" and wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July.  

Here's the proud rider.  :)

He was so excited to go I could barely get him to hold still for these pics. 

He wasn't quite sure if he should just jump in - it was his first parade.

Off he goes!

After that we headed up to my mom's for the annual 4th barbeque and water games.  The grandkids (and now the great-grandkids) look forward to this event every year.  Winston hardly ate lunch - he just couldn't wait to get the water fight going. I didn't get a pic of it (because I was the one filling them) but we filled up over 150 water balloons for the water fight - boy did they go fast!

This was my brother Bruce's gun and it was taller than Winston but he managed to make it work.

Winston and Jack had a great time together.

Brad with our "grown-up" boys - it's so great to have them back home!

My mom jumped in to get their pic too!

Jack, Winston and Clay were all on one team fighting against their older cousins.

My beautiful sisters Heidi and Lauri and my beautiful niece Brittany.  Lauri's holding little Scott - the youngest grandchild for my mom.  It was so fun to hang out with these amazing women.  I'm blessed to have them in my family! 

Me and my wonderfully awesome mom.

I had to catch this shot with my mom, Bo and Zack.  I like that you can see Brad and Bruce  in the background.

Jack, Luca and Winston - we finally got them to hold still for about 30 seconds to snap a few pics of them together.  They're all within about a year of each other and it's been fun watching them grow up together.

Winston, Jack, Clay and Tucker bouncing and squirting each other - good times!

Winston and Jack having a jumping contest.

All in all it was a great day!  I sure love my family!!  :)

Helping his Big Bros.

Zack and Bo changed the oil in their car this afternoon and Winston "helped".  He loves and idolizes his big brothers so much.  It was cute to watch them.  Zack and Bo were so patient with him and Winston kept counting their tools, "One, two, three, four, five.  Look Mom, I have five tools."  He was so proud to be helping his brothers and I'm so proud of them for letting him.  :)

Superbowl Pics

We had a great time watching the big game, hanging out together and eating lots of yummy, fattening food.  I made way too much food and ate too much of it - Mmmm.  I love having an excuse to bake.  : )  Brad was especially happy since he's been a Greenbay Packer's fan since he was a boy.  By the way, what's a Cheese Head anyway?

Zack's Home!!!!

Time slowed to a crawl while we waited for his plane to land and then for him to appear in the crowd.  Brad spotted him first and as soon as he said, "there he is," Winston took off at a dead run straight for Zack - dodging around the other people and throwing his arms around Zack's legs as soon as he reached him.  Zack bent down, hugged him back and picked him up.  Seeing my oldest hug my youngest was so touching, I couldn't help but cry and offer a prayer of gratitude in my heart for Zack's safe return home.   My sister captured these pictures of that moment and several more.  I'm so grateful she could be there.  I can't even describe how wonderful it is to have Zack home again. 

 

One home - one more to go.  :D

THREE WEEKS, AGAIN!!

It seems like we were here just a few weeks ago - oh wait, we were.  Yes we just have three weeks until Bo comes home and I'm way excited.  It's great to have Zack home and my family will be complete again in just three short weeks.  Woot Woot Woot!  See you soon Bo!

Happy Birthday Zack

This is his 3rd birthday away from home.  He left on his mission just before his birthday and then extended his mission for an extra 3 weeks so he ended up having one birthday in the MTC and two in Japan.  His ward is having a combination birthday/farewell party for him.  He'll be home in a few days and I'm can't wait to see him and hear all about his adventures and experiences.  We sure love you Zack and hope you have a very Happy Birthday!  Travel safely and we'll see you soon.

THREE WEEKS!!!!

Wow, I really can't believe that it's been two years already.  Don't get me wrong, it feels like forever since I last saw my boys but at the same time, it seems like they still have a ways to go.  Maybe it's because the first year seemed to drag by and the second has flown.  Eitherway, Zack will be home three weeks from today.  Did I mention how excited I am to see him again and get a hug?  Yipee!!  :D

Flashback Friday

OK, I admit that I'm borrowing this from my sister, but I was feeling a little nostalgic tonight and missing Zack and Bo. I started going through some of our old pictures and reminiscing. We've had some great times together over the years. I still think of them as my little boys - probably always will.
Spring break down at Zion National Park.

Zack when he was on the 9th grade football team.
The boys favorite jumping rock. We go back to this site every year - it just happens to be up our favorite canyon on Lake Powell.
Brad's a boy at heart and was always right there with the boys looking for the next rock to jump off of - good times full of fun and laughter.
Zack loves to water ski.
Bo loves to wake board. We'll have to wait and see what Winston likes.
This was our last trip together before Zack and Bo left. My three boys - oh how I do love them. Just looking at this picture tugs at my heart strings. Our time together is fleeting - gone before you know it. I've learned not to rush through things but instead to sit back and savor the experience while it lasts. Winston was so little when they left. They won't recognize him when they get home but that's OK. They'll have a blast getting reacquainted.

Pictures from Japan

Zack finally sent home some pictures. He's been a little lax in sending stuff home so I was thrilled to receive these from him.

This first one is Christmas at Kagohara in Kumagaya.
This one he took on New Year's Day in Kumagaya.
This is a picture he took in Tokyo.
A picture of the bullet train they occasionally get to ride.
Zack and his companion Elder Howe. I'm not sure why they're pulling the wierd faces. He didn't explain.
It's great to hear from him. We sure do miss Zack and love him so very much. I'll make sure to post his pictures the next time he sends some - whenever that may be... :)

One More Birthday Wish

Winston wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Zack one more time - so here's his solo performance. :D

HAPPY B-DAY ZACK!

This is Zack's second birthday away from home. Next year he'll be celebrating his birthday at home. He passed the one year mark for his mission on October 8. Zack is have a wonderful time on his mission and is doing great things in Japan. We're so proud of him and what he's doing with his life. Happy Birthday Zack. We miss you and love you so very much!

Photos from Japan

It's been great to hear from Zack about all of the experiences he's having in Japan. A few weeks ago, Zack emailed us a few pictures from where he's at in Tokyo.
Pretty sunset with Mount Fuji in the distance.
A shrine they visited.
The doors to the shrine. Beautiful detail.
Zack said he was feeling nostalgic and just had to buy a Kit Kat bar and a Dr. Pepper - his favorite snack before he left on his mission. I love the Japanese characters on the wrappers.

Elder Zackery Shafer - Off to the MTC

Taking Zack to the MTC

Zack left to the MTC on October 8. I've had a lot of people ask me how we're doing and how it went. Zack has been waiting for this day for just over 4 months and was more than ready to get started. He's going to be a great missionary, but we will miss him so much while he's gone. It's hard to express what I'm feeling. One minute I'm so proud of him and happy that he'll get to have such a great experience and the next I'm so sad that my little boy is all grown up and gone off to start his own life. He'll never be my little boy again and our home already feels different - like something is missing - without him. I'm sad that our relationship will now be forever changed but at the same time I look forward to getting to know the man that he is becoming. My advice to everyone is to cherish each day you have with your children. They really do grow up so fast. Don't wait for tomorrow to spend time with them; make the time now and don't let yourself get so busy with all the mundane day to day things in life that you miss out on what life is really about - our families. Good Luck Zack and Thank You for all the great memories!

Zack's Farewell

Well we've made it past the first part of the whole process of leaving on a mission - the speaking in church part. Zack did a fantastic job (just like I knew he would)! I'm so proud of him. My little boy is all grown up and ready to go out on his own. Where did the time go? Thank you to all who came and to all who sent well wishes. Now I just need to make it through the next two weeks and his departure (too hard to think about right now).