20 years

Its hard to imagine that 20 years has passed by so quickly.  I don't feel that old.  We've had so many adventures together.   We've graduated from college, got real jobs,raised and still raising 4 handsome boys, endured a few surgeries, moved from the big city to the middle of nowhere, spent hours in the car traveling to school, games, practices, traveled the world or at least the west coast, as much as possible.  We have a few gray hairs (one of us more than the other), we grew up and learned some things the hard way. we learned to compromise, love more.  In any case we love each other more than ever before.  Here's to 20 more.

These are just a few of the many, many pictures we have taken. (the rest are not digital so scanning is in order and will be done someday)

wedding day 9/14/93

engagement picture-1993

20 years later-2013

BYU bowl game in Las Vegas 2007

San Diego 2012

2008 Escalante State Park

Zions -2008

Yellowstone again-2009

Disneyland for Jen's 40th birthday-2013

Timpanogas cave 2013

5 minute trip to Grand canyon-2007

I love you THIS MUCH

bear canyon 2013

I love you too.

We spent our anniversary at Jeremy's football game in Gunnison. At least they won for us:) Chris owes me a date to the temple and dinner out (somewhere else besides SUBWAY)

football season in full force...and other news

May I just say it is so nice to leave work and be home in 5 minutes or less...  I LOVE IT.  I can say, "I love my job" again.  I can't believe what a change this has been. I am more mature, more experienced, and a better teacher thanks to Independence. However I don't have the stress of driving, hurrying, and working in the school. The changes that were made last year have not been good to the teachers. I believe half of the faculty and staff at independence has changed. The day before school started, there was not a new teacher to take my place.  I am happier and slightly more relaxed at JHS. I miss my friends at Independence, but I just don't miss working there.

Jennifer in her classroom at JHS

In other news. Tyler and Jeremy are still safely playing tackle football. There have been injuries to their teammates, though. Tyler is now starting JV offensive lineman due to an older boy tearing ACL  in the last game.  Good for Tyler, bad for the other kid. Just last night in Jeremy's game, a boy on our team was tackled hard by two bigger boys. He went down and they called an ambulance for him.  Jeremy told me today he had 3 small brain bleeds  (bruises) and a can't use his brain for the next little while i thought it was a neck injury and he has  that too. He spent the night in the hospital.  The Freshman have had a broken collar bone and a few concussions. JV team has also had a concussion or two and a broken wrist.  Someone tell me again why I let my kids play such a rough sport.Cameron has his first flag football game yesterday. (I don't know if I like the rules they are using this year, though). Cam was playing QB for most of the game. He did pretty good. Pray for continued good health.  In any case, the boys love playing ball. (see pictures and updates on scores, etc, on football blog)

Derek is officially loving being a UTE and part of the MUSS at football games. He has an awesome roommate, but I haven't met him yet.  He is taking 4 classes: precalculus, victorian history 3000 level, geology of national parks, and writing. He has two institute classes, mission prep with his roommate and BofM. He is a referee for intermural soccer games at U and trying to get FIFA certified to be a ref for all soccer games. I think he has settled in pretty well and we text every few days. I miss having him around though. Who would have thought?

 

 

 

Derek in his dorm room. first year at college.

First days of school were great. No stress commute, got to see all of them go to school. Now its nearly midterm. (and grades aren't due soon...that's an independence thing)

Tyler second day of school as a 10th grader

Jeremy second day of school as a 7th grader.

Cameron second day of school as a 5th grader

Tyler is driving a bit. This was his FIRST time ever driving on the second day of school. I was glad it was only a mile.  Definitely needs lots of practice.

it's official, Tyler has a driving permit.

 Jamberrynails are still fun to wear. I change them up whenever I want.  Not overly ambitious to sell them but I need to be.

in honor of JHS homecoming this week

utah vs utah state game

french tip

Shoulder surgery

This is what Shoulder Stabilization surgery looks like. 6 weeks recovery. then therapy to strengthen and add more flexibility back to shoulder. He will get to play sports in January.

School is here

School Starts August 22. I hope we are ready. Derek is moving to UofU on Aug 22 as well.

Family Pictures

20 years later and still smiling. 

After our last family picture turned out less than stellar (A photo in our front room for the 5th year in a row), I decided I wanted a nice one professionally taken. Derek has his senior pictures done by a lady in our ward and I loved them sooo... I asked her to take our whole family's picture. I scheduled it the first of summer and made plans and marked it on the calendar so NO ONE had an excuse to not be ready for it.  Then Derek's surgery was scheduled a week before the date of the picture. I worried, but waited to see what would happen. Then Tyler finally got his Eagle project going and it was done on picture day.  All in all everything went well.

http://www.alivingstonphoto.com/Clients/JenniferEvans/Family2013/30896061_HCDLNL#!i=2672024746&k=RxrDJQW

Football schedule

August 1 and it is football season. Tyler and Jeremy are at practice every night. Cameron is playing flag football but we haven't seen the schedule yet. Chris is disappointed not to be coaching this year.  Lets just say he isn't allowed to coach this year due to issues with last year's coaching season. He and 2 other men cant coach. And we don't even really know why (or who caused it in the first place).

One day if I ever figure out how to put the video from our digital video camera onto the computer, you might get to see some footage.

TYLER new home jerseys this year look amazing.

Score against Ben lomond

JHS JV against Ben Lomond

Against Ben Lomond. Tyler is #65 (away), or #60 (home)

JV games are on Thursdays at 4pm except for one near Fall Break.   Varsity games are Fridays at 7pm except for one near fall break. I'm only listing JV games and locations. Tyler will suit up for all home varsity games, and may attend away games, but not likely play... ( as of Oct 10, he has played in every varsity game except Grantsville and Salem Hills)

**(August 23 @ Millard Varsity game WIN played in varsity game a few plays at the end)
August 29 @ Ben Lomond WIN. (also played a few minutes in the varsity game. WIN)
Sept 5 Salem Hills LOSS  6-33 but Tyler is now starting JV lineman due to injury of older player.  He's out for ACL surgery. Terrible game. Lots of interceptions and mistakes put Juab behind all game. it was 33-0 at half time, 26-0 after one quarter.  (Did not play in varsity game at all. LOSS 21-41)
Sept 12 @ Grantsville  WIN 28-12,Tyler started, but was pulled out after a few plays and didn't play much. So much for starting position. varsity lost homecoming game 0-14. needless to say, Tyler didn't play at all.
Sept 19 @ Delta WIN Varsity WIN 50-26 Ty got to play in this game. This is the first season with Coach Bowring that we have beat both Delta and Millard. Its the first time we have beat Delta.
Sept 26 Canyon View  WIN Varsity WIN 41-18 Ty got to have 12 plays in that game. IT was too far away and we didn't go watch. Im glad he was uninjured.  WE lost another JV player to an injury...Neck and cracked vertebrae.  COLD rainy game.
Oct 3 @ North Sanpete WIN 22-20, Varsity WIN 54-18 tyler got in in the 3rd quarter, teh earliest ever. He is getting better.  COLD game again. I guess summer is over.
Oct 10 Manti loss  28-34. They hung with Manti the whole game, but the defense couldn't hold them at the end. Tyler played offense all game long!!!  In varsity, Manti is the team to beat this year in our region. Tyler played very well on offense this game. He said he missed a tackle and our QB got sacked because of it. Today was a another rainy, cold game. VARSITY loss by one touchdown. We had an interception in teh endzone to end the game...
Oct 15 Union (Tuesday) WIN tyler had just a few plays in this game. A player that was up for varsity came back to JV and took Ty's spot he played last week. Such a joke.  varsity WIN Tyler was set to go in since we had quite a lead, however the defense let union score twice in quick succession, and bingo the game was close, so he didn't get in.

Oct 24 @ Richfield WIN   Ty had like 5 plays all game.what a disappointing way to end the season. I hurried home to go and watch him play and he hardly got any time.   varsity WIN Tyler didn't play in this game either.  too close.  earns them a spot in the playoffs at home against GRANTSVILLE again.
 It's weird how JV and varsity can play so differently--one winning by a landslide, the other losing by just as much.

QUARTERFINALS (at home)
JUAB 28-GRANTSVILLE 21 best game of the season
SEMIFINALS
JUAB  JUDGE MEMORIAL (at SUU)  loss unfortunately. Also we lost out quarterback to a broken arm in our first possession of the game.  He is out of basketball as well until January.

FINALS (at Weber)

JEREMY

Jeremy #4

Aug 17 @ Beaver 12pWIN 20-0 Jeremy caused a fumble in the endzone and one of his teammates picked it up for the first TD of the day  (and season)  He is playing offense and defense, including receiver. 
Aug 24 Richfield 9am LOSS
Aug 28 @ Millard 7pm LOSS
Sept 7 South Sevier 10:30a, LOSS
Sept 10 North Sanpete 7pm LOSS  34-12 major injury to a teammate. Ambulance called. Neck and head injury. Out for rest of season. We did score another touchdown as our boy was being placed in ambulance. Team played better; harder hits, quicker tackles, but offensive line still CANNOT BLOCK or protect the QB or ball. Defensive line doesn't see the ball and lets the other team get past them . Very frustrating
Sept 14 @ Gunnison 12p  WIN 14-0 exciting to see another win. Jeremy played tailback and was able to run the ball a bit. Provided the ball was handed off to him properly. He was partly responsible for a fumble too.  He got a little hurt with a foot to his knee, but was out playing again within a few minutes. The whole team played really well.  Nice way to spend our 20th anniversary.
Sept 21 @ North Sevier 10:30a  lost 14-8. we had a chance at the end, but the ball was stripped near the goal line. Jeremy has some great runs.
Sept 25 Manti 7pm WIN Nice to end the season on a win.  NOW on to playoffs
Sept 28 BYE

Playoffs. The 7th graders are playing in the B bracket (not the winning teams). They played Gunnison on Saturday Oct 5th and won---32-8.  It was a sunny, cool day, weather wise, but they played great. Jeremy made some great runs again. He was 3 yards away from a touchdown!!!
LAST game of year is Oct 12 against North Sevier in North Sanpete at 1pm.  Should be a great game.
Lost in final game of the season, playoffs for B Bracket.  16-8, it was 0-0 at half time though. Jeremy didn't play offense all game, just defense. The boy who was hurt against North Sanpete came back to play and they let him play a lot in the places where Jeremy had been playing (beautiful sunny day)


In other news...I heard at the Gunnison game that the North Sanpete 7th grade team has sent 5 kids from opposing teams to the hospital this year, that's one a game. Our guy Spencer was number 5, (even if it was a legal hit, it was hard and Spencer was smaller than the guys who hit him).  They've hit kids after they were out of bounds. Shouldn't there be a rule or something not allowing that team to participate if thats the kind of play they believe in?

Cameron
flag football

Cameron #1

Cam has played QB for every game. He has a great through. If only the others could catch it more often. He has thrown  for touchdowns, to a boy with a deformed arm. Its amazing what that boy can do. Cam has also run the ball quite well!
Sept 10  6:30 loss  Cam played QB
Sept 12 6:30 loss  20-22 Cam played  some QB again. He threw a TD pass to a kid with a bad arm. Such a beautiful pass.  Now if his teammates could catch more often.
Sept 19 6:30 loss
Sept 24 BYE
Sept 26 6:30 loss  Postponed due to rain.  Played two games on Oct 1 and lost both.
Oct 1 5:30 loss
Oct 3 6:30 loss
Oct 8 6:30 WIN the first one of the season.
Oct 10  BYE
Oct 15 6:30 
Playoffs after fall break.
Cameron's team played in a play in game to make it to the playoffs. THEY WON! (second win all season ) it was awesome, but sad at the same time. His play off game was at the same time as Tyler's last JV game. So Jeremy stayed home with Cameron to get him to his game. He made some great TD, but unfortunately his team lost.   Mom and Dad went to watch Tyler play in Richfield.
Cameron had fun, but I think he might be ready for tackle football next year as a 6th grader. Don't know if mom is though...

Summer is moving right along...lots happening, lots still to do.

It's already July and summer is moving right along, quickly I might add. Lots of exciting things have happened already. As soon as school was over it was time for girls camp for Jennifer. We went to Bear Canyon up the Nebo Loop. 4 days of no sleep, no showers, and cold nights left her EXHAUSTED. However it was so much fun. I got to help the first year girls with certifications. I got to know the girls better and had a great time. It was our first time at camp as a presidency. Our ENTIRE presidency and the camp directors were all there the entire time.  The theme was"Our Happily Ever After" so each day we focused on a princess: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Rapunzel.  We made lots of crafts with duct tape, my favorite is my duct tape bag.. 

The next two weeks were filled with cleaning up, doctor appointments, and birthdays.  Derek turned 18 and was ordained an Elder on July 2, by his dad; Chris. He wanted a Coca Cola cake. I am not a cake decorator. WE took the cake and his presents to him at work, sang to him and ate cake.

coke bottle cake for Derek's 18th birthday

Decorating (vandalizing) the truck to celebrate 18th birthday

lets eat cake. (notice the brace...dislocated shoulder again)

The same day as Derek's birthday, Jeremy and Cameron participated in the District Hershey track meet. They did well, but did not move on. Tyler went with the ward to do baptisms for the dead. It was a busy day.

Cameron at Hershey. softball throw and standing long jump. I think he took 10th place in both events

Jeremy running 200m. he finished 17th overall. Not a fast runner like he used to be.

On June 13, I got a phone call at 10:30pm from Derek telling me to meet him at the ER. He dislocated his shoulder again playing basketball. He went to block a shot and out it came. So I ran around the house trying to find his braces. I got there and they were waiting for me to give permission to fix it. (not 18 yet). As soon as he moved his arm to give it to the doctor, it popped back into place. Derek was mad and embarrassed. if he's known he could have done it himself, he would have. It wasn't nearly as bad as last year, but still it requires surgery to tighten it up. He is having surgery on July 16 (by a BYU team doctor..ha ha ha). No sports for 4-6 months. He should be healed up enough in time to go to school at the U in August. He may just have therapy to worry about.

Tyler has been keeping busy with Football, Basketball, and weights, and crossfit. Five star football camp is this week so it is officially football season. Jeremy will play on the 7th grade team, and start Jr High. YIKES.

The best part of the summer came right before Tyler and I left for Youth Conference. I have always wanted to come back to Juab to teach. Last year at Independence was rough. and I hated the commute more and more. I felt like it was time to work closer to home, but no one anywhere would interview me, including Juab District. In May I heard some disappointing information from one of my former coworkers. He said they tried to get me back this year and the school board said "NO", but no reason was given.  I couldn't figure out who I had ticked off and I needed to talk to someone, but I didn't know who. I applied at Juab for the last two years and I never heard anything. So I figured my chances were gone. Then I saw an opening in June for another teacher at the high school. after talking to a friend, I decided to talk to the superintendent (who is the former principal of Juab). I asked why I never got considered for positions in Juab. He said it is common practice for those who have NON-RENEWED contract to never be rehired. I knew my chances were gone. He was willing to talk to me more about it but schedules never worked out. The next day I got a call from the new principal saying he would like to interview me. I was floored. He had talked Rick and Janet and they gave me excellent recommendations. I couldn't believe it. I interviewed on a Friday. I said a prayer to do well and thy will be done and I felt awful. I had a heavy heart as I walked intot he interview. It was weird to walk into a n interview and know the whole panel except for the new principal. Former coworkers from the  math department were there as well as VP. I did my best and went home and cried. I thought I wouldn't get the job.Besides the school board already said no. On Monday, I had to go to doctors appointments for Derek's shoulder and I got a call from Royd. he said I unofficially had the job, pending the school board decision. He said I had good recommendations from IHS and Juab.  I also had an issue with classroom management. I have no idea where that came up (maybe in my Juab file) so that is something he and I will work on if the school board approved me. Well at 4pm , the day before youth conference, he called back to say the JOB IS MINE!!! I jumped up and down and yelled I got the job. I posted and texted and immediately called IHS and told them the good/bad news. I moved my stuff out of IHS on July 1-2, turned in my keys and computer, said goodbye to those that were there, and never have to drive to Provo again--at least for work. I don't know how much I will get paid, where I land on teh pay scale. But I do know it is right for me to work closer to my children. I still don't know why I felt so awful after my prayer, but I am glad and grateful I get to work here again. I get to teach freshman(yikes?) in a new curriculum with a new book in a new way. Should be interesting. I know I will have support and I have confidence in my abilities. I will have to be vigilant with classroom management though since Royd knows that is a weakness, but I have 7 years experience now...

youth conference was a blast. We went to Ririe, ID to Heise Hot Springs to camp for 4 days with the stake. WE had 16 kids from our ward. They are the best kids. We rode school buses with no A/C. OK at 7am on the way up, but not ok on the way home in 100+ degree heat. WE got to zipline and go whitewater rafting near Jackson WY. We also got to hear from 4 amazing seminary teachers near Ririe. They spoke about lots of things, but one thing that stood out was it is never too late to repent and be forgiven. I was amazed that an hour and a half testimony meeting wasn't long enough. Tyler even bore his testimony and had to talk in church on the Sunday following Youth conference. The stake fed us well, almost too well. Too much food. We had steak, taco salad, fajitas, french toast,etc. I was so glad to go.

getting ready to zip line

Jennifer zipping

Tyler done zipping

Tyler and Jennifer at Idaho Falls Temple on the way home from Youth Conference

Zipping is so much fun

view of our camp from one of the zip towers. We went right over the top  of camp. jennifer got a bruise from kids throwing wet socks at the zipliners.  NOT Cool.

Last week was Independence Day . We spent that at the Nephi Park enjoying the games and food and entertainment. I couldn't get the boys out the door, then I couldn't find them to go home. good thing they rode bikes.  the next day I helped Stacy (sister-in-law) at a booth in Provo at Freedom Festival. I decided to sign up under her to sell JAMBERRY NAILS. I love them. My students would stop class and ask me to show them, since I changed them regularly enough. I like to wear the holiday ones or bright ones or whatever strikes my fancy.  Check out my website I'd love to do a demo for you, help you host a party, or have you join my team.

Our vehicles have been in the shop for one thing or another. The truck is currently in again. This time it needs tie rods and other front end stuff. After leaving it there for a couple fo weeks Chris decided it needs to be fixed. Not sure how it will be paid for...maybe my jamberry money?:)

Tyler finally has an Eagle Project. He had to call 4 places before he found one. He is going to fix a portion of a trail around the lake at Palisade Stake Park  in Sterling. I believe he is working July 22-23. We have to move rock and dirt from the hillside into place.   PLEASE COME HELP. Time is limited due to the fact the he starts football practices AUG1 even though he "practices and lifts weights etc. He's also headed to Timberline as a staff member again July 13-20.

So like I said, summer is flying right along.