Ben turned 16 on Saturday, April 25. He wanted to have a party where there was fire involved. He asked Howard if he would allow him to build a fire pit in the yard. Howard and Ben went to Lowe's. They checked out the different designs and totaled the materials needed and the cost. Ben did almost all the labor. He worked for two days, digging, laying gravel, building up the walls and leveling the rock. It was very impressive. He had a few friends come and enjoy the fire with him. Expensive marshmallows, but well worth the work.

Braden, Ben and Geoff getting the fire ready.

Portland Trip:

Portland Temple, Portland Oregon

The reflecting pool, Portland Temple.

Sea Lion Caves, Yachats, Oregon

Driftwood Beach, Oregon

The boys went to Annapolis, Maryland for a band/chorus competition. While they were in Maryland, Mikaela and I went to see Siovhan in Oregon. We had a blast! We slept in her apartment with her and her roommate, Mel. We watched movies, went to the Temple, went to the Single's Ward, went shopping, ate lunch, did more shopping, went to the news station, talked, slept little and laughed a lot.

We would call Howard and tease him about all the things that we were doing without him.

Mikaela trying out the new's anchor desk--using the wheel for the teleprompter.