MM52

Ron, Ric, Scott and Steve
I love these old pictures of my brothers from long ago in their scout uniforms.

As I was putting Kaden's pins, badges and ribbons, (in the wrong places) on his uniform last week... I was definitely wondering where in the heck they were supposed to go. And I had to smile thinking about my mom and my sister Lisa, who have had a lot of practice doing the scouting thing.

Pine Wood Derby III

Kaden's third Pine Wood Derby was last Wednesday. He and Grandpa Al have been working on his car for a few weeks and Kaden could hardly wait for Derby Day to get here. He has won a trophy every year. We tried to convince him that it would be ok if he didn't win this year as long as he had fun and did his best. But, I have to admit that we were all happy when he came in 3rd place and got his trophy. He loved having some of his best friends get trophies too... Liam came in 2nd and Riley came in 1st. I think Kaden cheered louder for them than anything. It was such a fun night for all of the boys. Chad brought the kiddos too and they had a blast. Levi loved all of the cars and Jackson can't wait until it is his turn.

Neighborhood Gang

I went out back looking for Kaden and I found all the neighborhood kids jumping on the trampoline. (I love these cute kids!) I bribed them with hot chocolate chip cookies so they would let me take their pictures.
It works every time!

MM51

Ally and Ciji have been the best of friends for about 14 years!!

They have shared so many wonderful, fun, crazy, special memories together...



Saturday my eyes did the watering thing as I watched Ciji get married...it was like watching one of my own daughters get married. It was sweet and beautiful and I am happy that she is so happy.
It was bitter sweet because Ally and Courtney couldn't be there for Ciji's special day...but they were sure there with her in their hearts. They will be friends forever.



Congratulations Ciji and Brad

Friends

Our annual friends lunch is one of my favorites every year. I love these wonderful , amazing ladies! We talk, laugh, reminisce, remember, cry and then laugh some more. We've been friends for over thirty years...wow.

Laurie, Devra, and Cindy

Valerie and me

RaNae and Candy

MM50

This is a cherished picture of Allyn and his wonderful dad, Art. Allyn is so much like him... His dad could always make us laugh and had a very quick wit. He was impeccably honest and an extremely hard worker. He loved and adored his family. He loved the Lord and served him every day. He was kind and good and everyone who knew him respected and admired him.

We sure miss Allyn's dad... but we definitely look forward to a sweet reunion someday.
Families are Forever

Allyson and Grandpa Schlauder

ms. schlauder and ms. roberge...

Check out Amy and Margo at their school assembly today.
I'm pretty sure that their students will never look at them quite the same way again!

MM49

I completely forgot about my Memory Monday post yesterday...I think I'm way too forgetful these days, but I guess if that's the only thing I forgot, I'm doing alright. The thing is, I can't remember what else I forgot!
Oh well, better late than never.

I adore this cute picture of Amy when she was about 5. She loved to color, draw, read, write stories, make things, teach school (yep, even when she was five) and was a bit of a perfectionist at just about everything.
We, her teachers, and everyone else thought she was the smartest, sweetest, cutest five year old, who happened to look like she was seven, on the planet!

...And we call Kate "Amy Jr." she is just like her!!

Ben, the newest Elder Dixon

Last weekend we were able to go to Ben's Missionary Farewell. We loved being there with Lisa & James and their wonderful family. Ben is Elder Dixon III, (actually the 4th if you count James too, he served in Bolivia)... Ty served in Tijuana, Mexico and Brad served in Boston. Ben will be serving in the California Arcadia Mission, speaking Mandarin Chinese. He will stay at the MTC for three months to prepare to speak the Chinese language and be a missionary. It's pretty amazing that these wonderful young people give up 2 years (Elders) and 18 months (Sisters)...go wherever they are sent, all over the world, pay for it themselves, only call home twice a year (Mother's Day and Christmas) and give up school, dating etc. to go and serve the Lord on missions. They are up at 6:30am, studying and preparing, work hard all day, and are in bed by 10pm. I love missionaries. I am so grateful for their dedication, sacrifice, love of the gospel, selflessness, and example. We miss Ally so much it hurts sometimes...
but we are filled with gratitude that she is serving as a missionary.
Here is something Allyson wrote in a email home a few weeks ago...

"We were asked to do sharing time in Primary yesterday. We talked about why we chose to come serve missions and what we did to prepare to go. It was a surreal and sweet experience to sing "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" and "Armies of Helaman" with these precious Primary children. I've told you about this eye watering thing my eyes have recently developed. Well, we got to the part of the song where it says, "We will be the Lord's missionaries to bring the world His truth" and my eyes watered big time. I am so grateful to be serving a mission. I love my Heavenly Father, and I love His perfect plan. I am so grateful for the central part of that plan- our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His sacrifice that makes all the little sacrifices we make (that seem really big sometimes) worthwhile. I know my Redeemer lives. I am grateful to be declaring the glorious truth of His gospel."

Ally and her companions at Carly's baptism last Saturday...

Ethan, being the youngest Dixon boy, sure had a hard time saying goodbye to his "favorite" big brother, Ben.

He has already sent two brothers on missions and he knows how long two years is!

We love you Ben... You are going to be an awesome missionary.

MM48

Happy New Year!

This is Allyn and I (promise, it really is. I know, Sun In remember)...on January 1, 1974. We went with my mom and dad to Pasadena to see the Rose Parade and go to the Rose Bowl football game. We had such a blast. We got up early that morning and drove to California and then after the game (Ohio State beat USC) we stopped for dinner and drove home. All of Las Vegas was covered in snow as we drove into town about 1am...it was so beautiful.




It was pretty crazy to wake up this morning and have Vegas covered in snow again... I love it!!