Tis the Season

Our yearly tradition of going to find and cut the perfect Christmas tree was altered a bit this year. We headed up the day after Thanksgiving (like always) to the same location only to find nothing but overgrown and quite honestly ugly trees. So we found another spot on the mountain top that allows you to search and cut your own as well. They were far more expensive, but we thought if we find one, it would be worth it, because it is all about the experience anyway. But still.... no luck. So we decided to head back in town and find your traditional Christmas tree lot, but they were not quite read and told us to come back on Sat. Well that is not our tree day... the day after Thanksgiving is. So we continued on our search. We were getting hungry, because as tradition goes, we cut our tree, tie it on the roof, (Christmas Vacation style,) and we go out to eat for breakfast. So we thought lets go eat and get a new game plan. On our way to the restaurant, we passed Home Depot with the most beautiful fresh trees! At first we all thought... hmmmmph we cant get our tree at Home Depot... after all.....how festive is that? But we pulled in the parking lot, got out, started to look, and within minutes all agreed on a tree, and the price was better than on the mountain! Then the friendly little elf workers cut the end off, wrapped it up, placed it on the roof of the car, and we were singing fa la la la la, la la la la! )We concluded that although it is so fun to go "hunt and cut" the tree that it's really just the fun tradition of being together, going to breakfast and spending the day together as family that we really love most. :)

2011 Football Season ends

What a great year Syracuse High School football had. They made it to the semi-finals and lost in overtime to Fremont High playing at Rice Eccles. These are some of the high~lights of each game... according to me :)

Thriller Halftime

Mckena & Bailee

Chelsey, Shayla, Janci

"The Zombies"

Mckena, Shayla & Bailee at Homecoming Halftime

Hip Hop @ Homecoming

Football Kick routine

Flag Ceremony

Lil miss President Mckena Franklin :)

The Officers

Emily (soph Officer) Alyssa (Jr officer) Taylor (Sr officer) Kena (Pres) Erin (Sr officer)

Jaycee (Captain)

Two BFF's Kenlee & Shayla

These 2 have to more years of football fun! Woo hoo :)

But for Mckena, no more high school football performances.. kinda sad :(

A bump in the road

I have rewritten this post over and over, and don't know what to say. So I decided to just go with the way it went.

Conference Sunday we got a call that Bishop and Stake Pres. wanted to meet with Rich and I. My first thought: Rich is getting a Stake Calling! But then I thought it was weird they would meet with us on Conference Sunday. Then I heard they were coming to our house. Even more weird, so I got a little pit in my stomach. My mind contemplated what it was for, but the real reason never crossed my mind. Even when Mckena asked if we thought it was about TJ, I said no, President Holzapfel his mission president would contact us. But as we opened the door to President Cook and Bishop Hill standing on our porch, I knew by the look on their faces they were not bringing us news we wanted to hear. For a split second, I worried Elder Franklin had been hurt. I could not let my mind go there, for fear of how I'd handle that news. So I quickly shut it out. As they came in and sat in our front room, President Cook spoke with love and compassion that some rules had been broken and that Elder Franklin was possibly going to be sent home. I was truly blindsided and couldn't believe it.I just listened and cried. President said he had been on the phone with both TJ and his mission president that evening, and that they were working things out. TJ had not been caught, he confessed, his heart was sorrowful, and he feared the disappointment of all, especially his family. President said we would be getting a call later that evening from TJ and President Holzapfel.

The conversation with TJ was nothing but tears and sorrow. Not much talking took place on his part, only "I'm so sorry" over and over. We did our best to console him and tell him that we still loved him very much. President said they would know the decision on Monday, and if he would be coming home it would be Tues. Oct 4th ( 2 days short of his year mark)

Which he did.

It was a strange day with mixed emotions.

But overall, we are happy he is well and back in our home and taking the steps he needs to. We move forward and we continue to love and help him, just as the Savior would/does.

Clearfield's Homecoming

I am getting behind/lazy in blogging. So forgive me for not posting the cute "asking and answering to the dance" pictures. ( I didn't even take any~ I'm a horrible mother!)

Anyway, getting back on track~ let me introduce you to Halen Strong. A few weeks ago, he doorbell ditched leaving behind a jar of red hots, a cooler full of dry ice steaming all over the porch, red balloons and a poster that read" "Mckena, Will you go to Homecoming with a STEAMING HOT, "STRONG" FALCON friend? Mckena had an idea who it was, but she had to pop the balloons to make sure and to spell out his name. H -A-L-E-N.

She answered him by writing Yes, I think it would be "COOL" to go with you to Homecoming on a t-shirt. She then got it wet and folded it up as small as she could, froze it and then filled a cooler with ice and stuck the shirt in the middle of the ice with a poster that read: Halen... since your so "Strong" crack open the shirt to find your answer. Love Mckena

Now that your up to speed.. Here is pictures from yesterday.

The day date was going boating! Off they go.

Mckena and Hadlee Barlow

The whole group :)

Mckena is .... 18!

Birthday? Who has time for a birthday? Mckena left for dance/school at 6:15 a.m. Went to school, ortho at 11:00, then after school had technique until 4, was suppose to go to work from 6-8 but got out of it so we could at least go to dinner. Rich was in St. George for work, so it was just the 3 of us. As we got home, a few friends had stopped by to celebrate the day.. so we managed to squeeze in a small birthday celebration. :) I actually felt like a was in a live taping of The Bachelorette! Notice the ratio of boys to girls that stopped by. But actually I can't blame them, as her mom, I am a little partial, but here is 18 reasons we love Mckena

1. She is so fun to be around 2. She is loves life and finds joy in all she does. 3. She is herself.. note her cheesy grin and fancy birthday attire.... hehe

4. She is a true friend. 5. She is honest. 6. She is thoughtful of others feelings.

Kena and Markie

7. She has a testimony. 8. She makes us laugh. 9. She cleans really good!

(Ryan, Kena, & Jordan. Jordan asked Mckena to Homecoming)

10. She keeps her word. 11. She is a good example 12. She is respectful

(Jake, Rhett, Kena and Ben)

13. She has high standards. 14. She is President of Dance Line

(Chelsey, Taylor, Erin, Kena, & Shaylen ~DL friends)

15. She loves her family. 16. She is an amazing big sister

(Kenlee, Kena & Shayla)

(Mckena & Dayne)

(Phillip, Brandon, Frankie)

(Spencer, Kena & Kavika)

17. She can sing and play the guitar. 18. She is an amazing dancer!

(Mckena serenading her guests)

Happy Birthday beautiful Mckena! We love you ")

S & S

~A Senior and a Sophmore~

Summer has quickly come to an end and it is Back to School time. The girls are excited to be going to school together this year. They are truly the best of friends and I am so thankful for that. They have had dance practice all summer and they are off to a great start because they looked good at the welcome back assembly and at the football game halftime on Friday.

Shayla~ First day of school

Mckena~ 1st day of her Senior Year

Another member of our family... Kenlee Hess (Shayla's BF also known as another Franklin)

Welcome Back Assembly

Friday Night Lights... Halftime Performance

Girls Camp 2011

Our ward's girls camp was July 20-25th. We went to Camp Zarahemla and had a great time! The theme was Becoming One with Christ in Body, Mind and Spirit. And yes, I am still blessed enough to be in Young Womens and was able to go up with my girls. (I think I have been in YW for about 15 yrs or more.) Mckena was a YCL (Youth Camp Leader) and did a great job.

Shayla's cabin girls

Mckena's cabin girls

Carol Guest Mrs Utah 2011, was one of our guest speakers. Her message was "Becoming One" Seeing ourselves the way our Heavenly Father sees us. She was one of our fave's!

This was a huge slip n slide. The girls could have spent hours doing this. Lots of fun!

Until next year :)

Family Vacation~ Island Park

This week was spent in Island Park with the whole Franklin clan . We enjoyed four wheelin', floating the river, conversations around the campfire, homemade ice cream, shopping in West Yellowstone, dance offs with lots of laughs and great memories.

Shay and Gracie

Mckena and Diondra in the hammock

Diondra, Mckena, Shayla, Samantha, and Nicolle

Shayla and Mckena with Grandma and Grandpa

The girls Colle and Dee & Kena and Shay

Dad and his girls :)

The fam at the Cabin 2011

Happy Day!

Once upon a time there was a beautiful lady who unfortunately divorced in 1974 after 12 years of marriage. She had one daughter (me) who at the time was 7 years old. She selflessly cared for her, raising her and giving all her time to her. Then the daughter married and she found herself alone. So after a few years she moved in with her daughter and family. But all that changed today, July 2nd, 2011, when she tied the knot and became Mrs. Sandoval!

We are so happy for her and love the new addition to our family. It was a beautiful day. (despite the heat)

We are pleased to announce the marriage of Bernice Harper to Sal Sandavol. The new happy couple will reside in Pleasant Grove UT

Bishop Hill performed the ceremony.

"AWWW"

The wedding party

The Grandkids

My new sister!