Friday, August 20, 2010

Sweet Dance!

Check out this performance by Abbie & friends
at Youth Conference last May.

Betcha can't guess which one she is!!
You have to watch 'til the end to find out :-)

ok -- it's long -- she's the cute pink one


Here's a few other things that went on at this year's Youth Conference
themed "Be Strong and of a Good Courage"

The kids dug huge holes, and planted 15 huge trees --
And they are still alive, now 3 months later! (the trees, I mean :-)
well, and the kids too, as far as I know


Here Kenzie demonstrates her s.t.r.o.n.g. and impressive
WHEEL BARREL SKILLS
hauling the dirt from the holes




A job well done! (below, not necessarily above)


Abbie (left) on the zipline across a ravine

I don't look tired, do I?
(sleeping was not high on the list of activities that weekend :-)


Abbie & friends enjoying the dance







It was 'almost' as enjoyable for me as a chaperone, but not quite, just sayin' :-)


Friday, August 13, 2010

In the Blink of an Eye

It happened so fast   .  .  .  .  and so suddenly.

(nothing bad . . . she just grew up!!)

We're going to have to get accustomed to 
not seeing
Kenzie around here so much.

Here's a photo-journal checklist
of some culminating events of this stage in her life.

Senior Prom (check)


Senior Trip to Disneyland (check)


Seminary Graduation (check)


High School Graduation (check)
Pic with the family (minus Abbie...)
Abbie's missing because she was somewhere out there in that crowd :-)


Hugging the adoring grandma's . . . and a little fist pump with grandpa!!

She also was elated to be chosen to sing the national anthem at graduation


Below is my attempt at taping it.
(she's the one in the middle; singing mostly melody)

And yes, we were THAT far away.
(even though I sat in the BOILING sun for 4 hours before graduation
holding a golf umbrella while saving our seats)



She stuck around after graduation for a couple weeks, then headed off to travel
to the opposite side of the earth
to fulfill a dream she's had for a couple years!

Her volunteer work in India was truly a privilege for her,
and reading her blog about it has been a privilege for us...
not to mention the highlight of our summer!

If you haven't checked out her blog . . . it's a 'must-read' :-)
Click here to read!

This is Aravind Raj A. --- a little boy who lives (mostly) at RSO.
His family lives in a leprosy colony.
Kenzie developed a special bond with him,
and convinced us (easily) to become his sponsors :-)
She is certain he is destined to do great things in his life!
The education he is receiving at RSO will allow him
the opportunity to do just that.

Kenzie is home now . . . readjusting to life in the U.S.,
missing India - but so blessed to have had the experience,
and preparing to be dropped off at BYU-Idaho in 2 weeks!

We'll miss her around here,
but we're very happy for her to begin this next phase of her life.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

All Because Two People Fell in Love --

. . . and Then Did the Work to Stay That Way.

We're a lucky bunch to have you both as our parents!  
Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Here's a few pix to remind us of all the fun we had together 
at our Richardson Family Reunion/Anniversary - Summer 2010

Zach & Jed just could NOT wait.


Yes, it is.

Happy 4th of July from the comfort of g'ma & g'pa's balcony

 Remember how cold our summer was?  And how worried I was that day 
not hearing from Kenzie as she was traveling to India?

 But the food was scrumptious! (Thanks Katia & G'ma)

Three cute medium-sized cousins . . .

. . . and three cute larger-sized cousins

. . . . and one tiny cousin . . . giving me 'the eye'
. . . and a couple of the girl cousin variety!

 G'ma and her Grandaughters (plus Taylor!) at the Sawdust Festival
after getting sized for their spoon rings to be crafted from Great G'ma Nan's sliver spoons!

Taylor kicks back while the girlies decorate cupcakes at the Spectrum


Shopping at The Spectrum

 The boys endure a little shopping - can you find all six LIVE ones?!?

 A friendly game of soccer at Riddle Field

Basketball at the church
(Uncle Peter wins the prize for the most awesome and patient coach/referee)

Gramma's Tree

 S'mores at the Coe Pool

and some very successful double bouncing

Walking down G'ma & G'pa's street to the beach

Harriet catches a big one!

 Remember how unusually c.o.l.d. the ocean was that day?

Some fancy dives
 and tennis at the club in Lake Forest
(there were a.l.o.t. of fancy dives)


 THE CREW -- aren't they the cutest?

and here they are -- in more natural poses!

We love you, mom & dad, and thank you for giving us such a gift!