GR & GR 50th

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 We celebrated GMA and GPA Dawson’s 50th wedding anniversary at the Dawson campout at the Malad Summit Campground. What made this campout different than other years was that every single one of their kids and grandkids made it. That’s a lot of people and a lot of fun! We had a dance, Lisa put together a slide show of gma and gpa over the 50 years, Tracey arranged for a photographer. It was wonderful to celebrate the legacy my parents have left and their amazing family. I seriously don’t know how they did it. 7 kids in 7 years. A lot of faith and relying on the Lord and each other. 

 Downey fair was wrapping up just as the campout was getting started so it was fun to hit the rodeo. 

Another highlight was getting to stay at our home in Downey. 

Misc 2022

Liv and Liam came to Oregon for their first trip home together! It was late spring or early summer and we went up to Scout lake. It was cold! But Liam totally swam across the lake. 🥶 

They skipped rocks, caught a creepy looking salamander type creature, threw the hatchet. Just adventured in pOregon.  Liam was really hoping to surf the river wave this trip but it was closed. Liv made such a cute video of their visit. I should see if there’s a way to add it to the blog! 

We loved having them home and was nice to get to spend more time getting to know Liam. Spoiler alert: it’s now 2026 and they’re engaged 💕 I’d say it was a successful first trip home 💕

 We love Liv and  Liam!  

Other events of 2022:

We bought this cute little rental house on Avocet in Ammon Idaho. We spent 3 months fixing it up. We drove so many miles back and forth to Idaho. Like every weekend! I think we spent 13 weekends there. We’d leave Friday after work, get in at 3 am Saturday, sleep for a few hours. Work all day Saturday (mostly Matt) and half the day Sunday and then hit the road Sunday at noon to make it home by 10pm. And then we’d do it again the next weekend! Daws and Syd came with us a couple times and it was so fun to have them along. Once the house was spiffed up, Lisa and Brandon rented it for a couple years while they built their new home. We’ve had a great little family in there these last couple years and hope they will stay awhile 

We got more chickens. Daws, Syd, Liv and Liam talked us into it when Liv and Liam were in town and the 4 of them went to Wilco to pick them out. Here they are a few months later, living their best life with their bestie Kona

Anna left on her mission to South Carolina. Isaac was supportive of her going but was totally ready to marry her.

Olivia and her besties spent 2 months in Europe. They went to so many countries with countless adventures along the way. I love that she had this opportunity and love that she has these friendships that will continue for the rest of her life. 

Adam joined Isaac for summer sales in 2022 and had a successful summer! Sales is not an easy gig but they had fun being together. 

Dawson started school at Utah State and made us official empty nesters 

We had fun helping him and his new roommate get settled. The best part was that it didn’t take long to settle in because his roommate was none other than Adam A Blackburn!! So many fun adventures were in store for these 2 💕

We loved having the Downey house nearby for easy visits. 

The biggest news of 2022 was that Anna came home from her mission in the fall and these 2 got engaged. We loved having a few days with them in Bend. They also spent a few days at the Oregon Coast and arranged for a photographer to take their wedding announcements. 

She said yes!! See previous post for wedding update 💕

What an amazing few months! Imagine if I had kept up and written when these things actually happened. This is Clift notes version but basically: we are so blessed! 

Mr. BSH, PROM & Graduation

Apparently I started this “catch up” post a couple years ago and it didn’t get posted. I remember thinking I’d just upload all the pictures from my phone and finish writing/editing on the computer…never happened. So here it is…4 years late 

Dawson had a blast competing in the BSH pageant (former Mr. BSH) Skylee was his escort and loved “shaking her booty” on stage.  I think both she and Dawson were born to be on stage! He was awarded runner up! His year was the first year they included girls so of course they couldn’t let a guy win. There, I said it, haha. 

Our very own Mr. BSH Alumni was in town and got to be there for it! 

Look at that jump!! 

Daws and Syd ❤️

Daws and Syd had fun at prom. I honestly don’t remember if this was his prom or hers? (they went to different high schools). Guaranteed they were the best looking couple at each!! 

Dawson graduation day hit me hard! Last of 4 to graduate from Bend High. I went on a rainy day walk that morning and ended up over at the school. Was fun to walk over to the baseball field and soccer field and reminisce and just great to think back on all the fun memories! It’s been so good to be Lavabears!! 

Syd joined Matt and I for the festivities in the pouring rain later that afternoon and it was fun to sit down on the field near our graduate: Dawson D Daws! He had such a great senior year and brought such great energy to the Bend High Hallways.