Fall 2011

Family Pics 2011

 Tristan, 16

 Justus, 14

 Cotton, 18

 My sweetheart and me.

 Rogues

 Family

 Family

Cute Parents (sneek peak)

Ephraim, Utah

My last post was Cotton's high school graduation.  Alot has changed and happened since then.  Summer came and went and now Cotton is at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah.  Mike and I drove to Ephraim with Cotton to help him take his world to his apartment.  This is the wall decor that Cotton took with him.

Here is Cotton's world in the back of Mike's car. The minute I put my purse in the car to go to Ephraim I cried like a small child until we hit Orem on I-15 and then I was o.k.  It is a strange thing to let your baby grow up, but it is a good thing.

What a beautiful campus.  Cotton's first year at college will be paid for with three scholarships that he earned. He worked full time this last summer and has pretty much taken care of his expenses so far.  What a great kid.  

It is all real.  I am glad that I have been able to be home with my son Cotton from six weeks old to going away to college.  Our family has been blessed over and over again and I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for everything.

By the way I do have pictures of Tristan and Justus' first day of school, Tristan's pic was taken by Mike and I took Justus' picture from my bed!  Bad Mom!

Class of 2011

Today our oldest son Cotton graduated fro Lehi High School.  440 students received diplomas.  My heart felt huge in my chest during the ceremony as memories of the past 18 years played in my mind and I caught myself smiling, giggling and tearing up thinking of this young man.

Mike snapped this photo of Cotton pretending to stumble as he entered in by the large L for Lehi (Blurry due to Cotton being a goof). 

Pure JOY!

Proud Mama.

Four handsome men.

Grandma and Grandpa Fraughton.

Congratulations Cotton!  Can't wait to see what you are when you grow up.  I love you.

Field trip

I took a field trip with my parents to visit Heber City Cemetery, Francis Cemetery, Woodland Cemetery and see where my Papa (Grandpa Fraughton) was born.  I loved hearing stories from my dad about family members he and I haven't met because they had passed before either of us were born.

This is my Great, great, great Grandma Skog's headstone in Heber.  She Came to New York City on a ship with 2 of her daughters, one was buried at sea.  Grandma Skog left her husband and sons for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her husband disowned her.  I have seen a picture of her and I have always looked at that picture at my parent's home and felt close to her.  She came to Salt Lake with the Witt (spelling?) handcart company.  What a pioneer.

This engraving of the Salt Lake Temple was on a headstone near Grandma Skog and I love the line of daisies above.

I spied this sweet bird on another headstone and fell in love with it.  I am requesting a bird on my stone when that day comes.  Off subject, I walk each morning in the Lehi cemetery and there is a large headstone that I see and giggle inside because there is a picture of a sewing machine on the front of it.  The lady must have really loved sewing!  I love to sew too, but I am requesting a bird. 

Look at my cute mom.

We also visited Woodland Cemetery, this is where Grandma Skog's daughter Christine is buried.  I have seen her picture and she was beautiful, she had crystal blue eyes like my Papa, dad, and my son Tristan have. 

Just before we turned to go up the hill to the cemetery in Woodland we drove past the home where my Papa was born.

Papa was born in this room behind the window.  The window has been updated since.  Another bird!

This beautiful tree sits to the side of Papa's house and I can see him as a small boy climbing and playing in this tree.

Daffodils at the Woodland Cemetery.

J.J. who ate deer poop at the Woodland Cemetery and later threw up said deer poop on the way home.  Bless his deer poop breath heart.

Thank you mom and dad for taking me with you on the field trip.  I loved it, except for the throw up.

Those shoes!

Cotton and Sam went to prom this weekend and wore their Converse.  I love this picture!  They had a great time and Cotton said it was the greatest date ever. 

J.J.

Last week was Spring break for my children.  Cotton went to California withh the Symphonic and Jazz band.  Justus hung out with his friends from his rugby team.  Tristan and I went on adventures every day.  On Thursday we were out and about and decided to go to the animal shelter.  We looked at the dogs and fell in love with J.J.  He is 18 months old and is a Pikeranian (Pikenese/Pomeranian mix).  He had been at the shelter for a week.  We brought him home and he would sit against the wall and stare at us.  He didn't eat for two days, I think he was scared and heart broken.  On Monday Mike took him to the vet for shots and to be neutered.  J.J. was out of it for a bit and on pain medication until Thursday.  Friday he started playing with the toys that we had bought for him and he is eating and walking with me in the morning.  He is fun and has such a sweet, funny personality.  I am tickled with our new family member.  The boys love him and Mike thinks he is a great dog (especially after I purchased J.J. a studded leather collar).  I heart J.J., I really have a crush on him.

Happy Anniversary

20 years ago yesterday my fiance picked me up and we drove to the Salt Lake Temple together and were married for Time and all Eternity.  What a wonderful day we had together with family and friends.  Mike has made sure every year we celebrate our anniversary.  We have learned so much about each other through the years but, I am still learning every day.  I did not know that my husband absolutely loved Tang as a kid until I brought a can home from Costco and he thought I was the bomb-diggity-dog. 

Yesterday morning I was working in my office and my son Cotton brought in this beautiful bouquet of 20 red roses that Mike had sent me.  I felt like a special gal and all the flighty feelings that I felt during our engagement came to me.  How fun is that?

Later we went to dinner together and were planning on a movie but, we both were dead on our feet tired.  So we came home and cuddled and watched INTERVENTION.  Good times.  I love you Mike and I am so glad you chose me. 

What makes me happy today

Oh the weather outside is frightful...  Winter is trying to be a lingering, unwelcome guest here in Utah.  I really don't mind the cold weather because I know Spring will come eventually.  This is what is making me happy today

1.  My woodpecker trays with treats for passers by, and the carrots for Peter.

This young man who while I am typing just made a big crash upstairs.  I am almost certain he is throwing a rugby ball in the house.  That is a no-no.  Justus is loving rugby and is taking a trip to St. George this weekend to play.  He is doing much better in school and I cannot ask for more than that.

I love this platter.  I found at D.I. last week.  Can you find two butterflies on the platter?

 Ah yes, Tristan making his after school shake.  He has been growing out his hair and likes to shake his head because he can feel his hair move.  GOOD KID!

After 5 hours of cleaning my pantry is clean and organized.  I have shown my family where everything goes and asked them to PLEASE put food back in it's place.  How long do you think this will last?

Cotton taking an afternoon nap today between school and work.  He will be graduating from high school in 2 months.  Such an exciting time in life!  If I think about it too much I get a little teary eyed.  I love my boys.  I love my husband and he makes me happy too.  We will be celebrating 20 years of marriage on the 28th of March.  Wow, Mike and I have had a wonderful life together and I know we have so much more to look forward to.  What makes you happy today?

This is what your doing, this is what I want you to do.

Here is my first finished block from THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  Love the mouse and his glasses and cup of hot chocolate.  I am working on the second block now which has at least 3 times as much applique as this cutie. 

Here is the second wip that I am putting together.  I started this one today and want to finish it quickly.  This will be a gift for an incredibly special couple.

O.k. this is what your doing, this is what I would like you to do is what my husband is thinking as he took these beautiful pictures of his last snowshoeing outing that he came home from in complete outrageous pain due to his kidney stone. BHH.(bless his heart).  Mike would like me to go with him snowshoeing when he goes and I have enjoyed it when I have joined in on the fun.

Mike will be having surgery tomorrow on his kidney stone and will be back out on his snowshoes in no time at all.  Perhaps I will put the sewing away and join him.

Winter Drumlline

Tristan has been patiently waiting for today.  Today was Winter Drumline competitions at Maple Mountain Highschool.  IMPACT is the name of Lehi Highschool's winter drumline and they have been practicing this winter to perform.  Below Tristan and fellow snare drummers are cutting a rug to a part of their performance.

Cotton had an opportunity to attend Snow College Snow Blast this weekend and audition for their Julliard program.  He came straight to the competition from Ephraim.  I was so glad to see him and to know he had traveled safely through two snowstorms in 48 hours.

I love that my sons are each so different from one another and are involved in programs that help them build on their talents.  They have wonderful band teachers, Mama C. and Mr. D.  I am thankful for teachers who teach because they love what they are teaching and want to help others be the best they can be.

Hats off to IMPACT!

Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day to you. 

I have 4 Valentines, boy, am I blessed.

Hope you have a sweet day.

Cotton's Eagle Ceremony

Tonight was Cotton's Eagle ceremony.  I am proud of you Cotton.  You worked hard and proved yourself by following through and earning your Eagle.  Grandma and Grandpa Fraughton were proud to be your grandparents tonight.

Your dad is beaming with pride because of your accomplishment and the fine young man you have become.

Tristan thinks your pretty cool.

You and Afton did a beautiful job on America the Beautiful.

GOOFS IN THE EAGLE'S NEST

You've come a long way baby!

So proud to be your mom.  I love you, Tristan and Justus.  You each are a blessing and joy in my life.