Something is Missing!

Look closely at this table... what is missing? If you were a regular guest at this table you would instantly know that it is smaller. It was almost a reverent moment for me as we removed the leaf from our large family table because without the extra two seats filled it makes it a little tricky to practice the "please pass" rule. It was like missing a few links in our assembly line. Plus the silliness that happened here, the discussions about the gospel, or world events, or what they learned at school that day. I know it seems a silly thing to cry over, but I did shed a few tears only because my family is slowly leaving and it's two less people joining in on the discussion of the day.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want it any other way. I am delighted that my two oldest have spread their wings and are having the greatest adventure. BUT... our home just isn't the same without their laughter, smiles, and fun. I miss them.

Isn't it amazing how our lifes run in cycles? I am having a bit of a challenge dealing with the new cycle, but I'll adapt and about that time it will be time for a different cycle to come around.

Cherish your little families, especially around the table!

Watch Children Playing like Monkeys

I took the kids to the mountain a few weeks ago, just me and the younger 3. We saw this sign and got the giggles.

Larson is a monkey somtimes, but always such a trooper. We take him with us wherever we go, with whoever is doing something. Last week he hung out at the summer games, and had a great time. He played football with Ashli, took photos with Tia, cheered Presten on in every race, and ate all the treats he could find. He is such a happy and adventureous kid. He is our Monkey who is always playing!

Naomi the Homemaker

Naomi decided that we were not going to buy any store bread for the entire summer. She made 4 loaves of homemade bread thinking that it would last the entire week. She didn't remember the fact that 1. We LOVE homemade bread, 2. Presten's new favorite snack is two peanut butter and honey sandwiches before football and two sandwiches after football!!! There is no way that 4 loaves was going to make it through the week. She was pretty posessive of that bread, but also really happy that it was so well loved. And NO it didn't make through one week.

The next week she thought... okay I'm making bread, might as well make a bunch of it to last at least the week. She made 12 loaves of bread. It took all day! She was very happy with herself, and magically the homemade bread novelty has worn off and the kids aren't consuming it quite as quickly!

In keeping with her new found homemaking skills Naomi also attempted pickled beets. She did not have to fight off family members from this one. In fact Tia left the house in protest of the stinky smell (plus she hates pickled beets). Naomi is becoming quite the little baker, but still enjoys making a batch of "cow pies" that we all love! She now wants to try a few new recipes every week. Yeah! I can leave the kitchen!

Summer Games Medalist

Austen, Ashli and Presten all competed in the Summer Games!


Ashli competed in the javelin and did really great considering she hasn't thrown for over a year. She is getting geared up to throw for her school next year. She took the gold in her division. Way to go Ashli!



Presten competed in several running and field events ( the 100 meter, 200 meter, and the long jump). He also got invited by some other guys from up north to be in the 4X100 meter relay. He took the gold in each event! He is coming along really nicely with his racing as well as jumping and looks forward to helping the track team next spring! Keep it up Presten!

Austen's soccer team played and fought hard to earn the bronze medal this year. They are getting better and stronger every year. I'm sure the gold is on it's way for this group of hard fighting soccer players. Keep it up Austen!

Mom and Dad celebrate 54 years!

Mom and Dad Beatty celebrated 54 years of marriage. Paulette and Eva made plans to surprise them on this special day. They got 54 balloons and wrote the many memories of the past 54 years, including birthdays of grandkids, wedding days, camping, Kolob, hunting trips, Mabel, Bandit, boats, friends, and many more. The balloons were delivered while they were on the mountain so they came home to a surprise. So many people have been blessed because these two people fell in love. Happy Anniversary!

Ashli does the Hula

I convinced Ashli to move home for part of the summer. We've missed her. She has brought her contagious spirit back home and the little ones are so excited. She had a great, but trying first year of college and still can't wait to return in the Fall. She jumped into college with both feet and ended up joining the Hip Hop Dance Team and then later she switched to the Polynesian club. All while fulfilling her Presidential Ambassador responsibilities and school work. We went to see the year end Luau and she did fantastic. She made lots of friends and is enjoying the friendship of some of her returning missionary friends as well. She is an amazing young lady with a strong determination to do good, learn new things and achieve her dreams.

Moving on in Life

Tia has reached a great milestone in her life! Highschool graduation! She was so busy with the end of the year activities and planning graduation with the other class officers. She is working at the movie theatre and really loves that job, but is also hoping to find something in Cedar so she can get moved up there and settled in for her first year of school. She is such an amazing girl. Very independant and responsible. Mom is really going to miss having her around. As a special surprise she got a new car for graduation. She was delighted and has already taken her first road trip to BYU for EFY. She is definetly still moving on in her life!