This week Ben ran in regionals for JV track! Kevin and I were both able to come spend the afternoon watching him. He ran the mile, the 800, the 400, and the 200. He felt really good about his times in all his races. We think he's awesome and love watching him! Afterward, we took him out for ChickfilA! He wanted three sandwiches but we talked him into starting with two. He was very hungry! So, that is pretty much the end of track for the year. He will still run (for such is the runner's life!), but attending practice isn't required. We love that he is active and challenging himself. It is so very cool.

Bethany and I went to the city offices to apply for a passport this week. We've been thinking of some world travel! But we will see if it arrives in time to make plans for this month, since June and July are full of church and family travel. Beth also took practice tests in two of the four categories for the GED and was told she would likely pass. It's good progress! She and her friends planned a group date at our house on Friday night, and they had a really fun time. She went back to the gym twice this week, and that was super painful for her. We are glad for the moments of good.

Cheyenne had a crazy week! She had a 12 hour clinical on Monday and another on Tuesday. Tuesday night was the last night to see her boyfriend before he left for his summer internship. Then she had a test Wednesday morning, worked Wednesday night shift, had a test Thursday morning, worked the Thursday night shift, and had a test Friday morning. !!! She grabbed a few hours of sleep and then left for Idaho with Cali and Richmond and their friends for a wedding. Phew! What a week!

Savannah and Peter are doing good. They are taking steps to be more solid as a couple and spending time most evenings together, even if only for an hour at a time. On Saturday, they made gluten-free donuts together. This guy knows the way to Savannah's heart!

On Saturday, Kevin played tennis with his buddies, and I went for a hike! Robin couldn't come, so I went on my own and had a lovely time. It was beautiful! I took the trail to the top of Rock Canyon. It took me an hour and 45 minutes to get to the top campground and 1 hour to come back down. I am sore today! But it was so worth it. I love being in the mountains.

 Beth and Ben went to prom last night!

Bethany went to prom with her friend, Taylor, who she has taken to other dances and this time, he took her! She loved her dress and she looked beautiful! Megan, Cali, Sarah, Savannah, and Chey all helped or watched her get ready. She had a tan, beautiful nails, curls, gorgeous makeup--the works! I hope her younger self was watching her make all her dreams come true! Because I remember little Beth watching her big sisters do the same thing and wishing it were her. They had a great time. They went to an escape room for the day date. In the evening they took pictures and out to eat at the Social in Provo. They went to the dance and then played Jackbox games at one of the guy's houses. Fun times!

Ben took Abby to prom. She is one of the girls in his friend group. They had a group of 12 couples at prom which is crazy but also a ton of fun! For their day date, they met at one of the guy's houses and had a nerf war. That evening, they picked up their dates for pictures and dinner at another of the guy's houses. All the parents brought something. Kevin was volunteered to bring over the hamburgers! Then they went to the dance where Ben was crowned as Sophomore prom royalty. What?? I know. What a guy. After the dance they went to another guy's house for games before they drove all their dates home. I say "they" but really they got parents with vans to drive half the couples each. So, yes. That was us with a van that drove 12 kids all over Springville, Provo, and Spanish Fork last night. Kevin took the first half of the evening and I took the last half. I started dropping kids off at 11:30 and Ben and I got home at 1:00am. !!! Crazy. Still, so glad that they had so much fun!

The other fun thing that happened on Saturday was that I got to see my sister, Amy, and her family! They were in town for Mandy's graduation from BYU. Go Mandy! It's always so fun to see the people we love!

Ben got his driver's license this week! He can officially drive himself places! He got his license on Thursday, and we didn't see him again until Sunday morning. Just kidding! We saw him for a few minutes in between adventures such as going running with his friends, going to work, hanging out at so and so's house--you get the picture. He wasn't sure what the big deal about having a license was, but now he is loving the freedom!

This week Kolby planted two apple trees for me in my backyard! Yay Kolby! Then . . . it snowed. Boo snow! But the apple trees are fine and I am super excited to have them grow and shade my backyard and give me apples and have grandchildren climb their branches.

I have been trying to think of something outside that would hold my active, adventurous grandson, Micah's attention. Celebrating Ben last week made me remember how much he loved the Little Tikes red car. So, Kevin and I bought one for the grandkids to use. Savannah and Megan put it together and it has been a hit!

Micah looks just like Ben in there!

On Saturday, the fam got to together to play softball. It was a beautiful day and Beth and I played at the playground with Avery, Lyla, and Evelyn!

Today (Sunday), after dinner we went outside and the kids rode on the driveway and we sat in a circle and talked and played a game. What a fun day and what a great family I have!

Lyla and Avery like the car, too!

 This week Ben turned 16!! What a great kid he is! We are so impressed with the young man that he is. He is kind. He is hard-working. He listens. He thinks deep. He betters the people's lives who know him. He is just amazing! Everyone came over on Thursday evening to help us celebrate. (We were only missing Chey who was on a trip for her spring break). The weather was terrific so we ate outside. Kevin grilled hamburgers so we talked and ate. Ben opened presents, we sang to him, and ate cheesecake! Afterwards everybody played ga-ga ball. It was a great party for a great kid.

This week was also spring break! Chey also had spring break. On Tuesday Beth, Ben, Kevin, and I all had a free afternoon so we went to Coin Crazy. We went head-to-head at PacMan, PopaShot, and SkeeBall. Watch out! Then Chey and Tyler joined us and we played a game of bowling! We all had a really fun time.

That night Chey left with her friend Haley to visit her home in Washington state. They had a great time paddleboarding, doing touristy stuff, and even attending the professional ballet! We sure missed her, though!

Ben had a great time planning for his spring break. He ran every day with his friend, Ben. They also spent a day on the phone together while cleaning their rooms and then another day while Ben cleaned the bathroom. Ben had such a feeling of accomplishment from reorganizing the bathroom that he said it was his best day of spring break! He also got together with friends (guys and girls) a few different times for games. Of important note, on Saturday, he and Ben and Spencer went on a birthday run -- 16 miles for his 16th birthday. Crazy! Then they came to our house and made crepes (they were very good at it) and played ga-ga ball. One of their game nights was that night. He came home EXHAUSTED but still got up before church to prepare his lesson for priests quorom. What a guy!

We also had lots of chances to play with grandkids this week and we even bought an inflatable waterslide for summer play. So far, Avery really loves it and the jury is out for our other cute grandkids! Also, when they came over Saturday, Beth made crowns. So fun!

Last Sunday, for Easter dinner we ate outside at Grandma and Grandpa Gazdik's pavilion. It was a lovely day and so good to be with family! This Sunday after dinner we played a game of Jeopardy featuring trivia about Ben in honor of his birthday. Ben's team won! Ha ha! As it should.