A few thoughts from Mark

The Lowe clan has been a busy one getting ready for school to end for the kids and going to all of the end of the year festivities. Evan has done awesome in his first year of Jr. High, he has made the Honor Roll every term and all of his teachers love him, but hey, what’s not to love about Evan? He especially enjoys his art class, and his improvements in this area are evident. He had a drawing in the school art show that he drew of Ringo Star from the Beatles. This subject seems like an odd choice for a 12 year old until you learn that Mr. Furch had the boys choir, of which Evan is a part, sing a medley of Beatles songs in the spring concert. Because of this Evan has become a Beatles fan…some music just never dies.

Mason was able to wrap up his school year with a number of awards including high honors, 100% attendance, and a special recognition award from the Technology Student Association. He also performed marvelously as a member of the Choir Band. Lisa, Mason and I all agree that the Layton High School Choir groups fall considerably short of the Linton standard as evidenced by the pained look on Lisa’s face while we were at their latest concert. The band, on the other hand sounds fantastic, especially the keyboards! Honestly, the band is really good and Mason and his keyboard work compliment the group quite well. He is currently considering a choice next year of either taking Choir Band again or AP Music Theory, I lean toward the theory class, but its his decision.

 

Avery has continued playing softball and is getting better. No more cringing at pitches, or turning her head when the ball is thrown to her. Only a couple more weeks of this until the season ends. We have had so many rain-outs this spring that Layton City is having to stretch things out a little longer than it normally would have. Avery was also able to go on a field trip to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Brigham City with her school class, and as an added bonus her mother was able to chaperone. They had a good time watching the birds and spending time doing what Avery calls “nature type stuff.”

 

Lisa surprised me recently with a pair of tickets to Les Miserables which we were able to attend at the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake. The production was very well done. Ok, I‘ll be the first person to say that I know, quite literally, nothing about the theater…its just a fact. I didn’t know the story of this play, musical, I’m not sure exactly what it is, but whatever it is I have to say that in all honesty during most of the first half I was completely lost. Finally, at the intermission, Lisa handed me the program with the synopsis in it and told me to read. Anyway, after reading a bit about the story everything fell into place (Lisa’s a gem). We did enjoy it despite the confusion on my part, and had a nice night out.


Well, I think that about wraps up the Lowe segment. Thanks for putting up with my lack of suave and eloquent writing.

Sisterly Love

Aren't sisters the best!  I'm so glad that I have the 3 greatest sisters EVER!  I was just thinking about you all today and wanted to tell you how lucky I feel to have you in my life! XOXO

Bienvenido su casa Elder Linton

The big family reunion was much anticipated and we were all so excited to see Tanner when he returned home from his mission in Columbia. He was still just as tall and skinny as we remembered him but you could tell that there was something different about him. He had that special glow still and we all had such a wonderful time reconnecting with him and each other!

This is the first time in a REALLY long time that the "original" Lintons have all been together. It was fun to socialize as adults but still have some of the childhood banterning going on too! I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute that I was able to spend with my family.

See you all next January! Same time...same place...same fun!

Curly Girly

Avery has been begging for curly hair for a while now. She has a good friend at school that has curly hair and she decided that it was time for her to find out what it would be like to experience some curls. (Without the curling and flat irons!)
I'm sure she had no idea what getting a perm was all about.....if she did, she would never have agreed to it! It took 2 1/2 hours, 2 perm solutions and tolerating that nasty smell!

In the end, it was all worth it!

The beginning......

Middle....

and curly end!

Avery is really enjoying the ability to do her hair by herself. She is getting really good at spraying and scrunching! I have to say it's really nice for her mother too!

A bicycle built for TWO!

I always look forward to the first weekend in June because it means that it is time for the Little Red Bike Ride in Cache Valley. This year was no exception, in fact I might have been a little more excited than normal because Laurie and I were riding together on the "green machine". With matching green jerseys and a super cool green bike we were quite the novelty. We have been planning this tandem bike ride for several years now and I'm so excited that we finally got to do it!
We rode 58 miles this year and I'm so proud of Laurie! She was a great rider and it was lots of fun to talk and enjoy each other's company while we took in the beautiful scenery of Cache Valley. She was already talking about doing the 100 miler next year before we had even finished this one....I think she has caught the biking fever!

Even after the long ride we were all smiles!

This was also the first year that my friend Jodi participated in Little Red. Because I was on the tandem she borrowed my bike and rode with her friend Michelle. They did a different mileage, but we got to see them at the first rest stop. They both did great and it was fun to share the road with friends. I'm really proud of you Jod!

After the ride was over we got to spend some time at the Lewiston Park. We ended up making a new friend!

Next year girls....100 miles! Get your butts ready!

The Joys of June

The first week of June was an exciting one for us. It was also the last week of school for the kids..YEAH! and it was Evan's 12th birthday. How many kids get to celebrate their birthday on the last day of school, play in a kickball game against the teachers while wearing a really cool tie- dyed t-shirt and celebrate by having dinner with the greatest family on earth? Evan does!

Birthday Party at Red Robin...where else?



Dinner and the company made this night a very memorable one! Thanks everyone for helping us celebrate this big day with Evan!

Housekeeping

Every once in a blue moon, when all the stars are aligned there is something wonderful that happens. Avery catches the cleaning bug and really takes it seriously.

Yesterday was one of those days. She put on her cleaning clothes, put her tunes in her ears and went to town. She left very little uncleaned and put some pretty big smiles on her parents faces.

All of her efforts were rewarded with a trip to Yogurt Stop...

All in a days work!

A New Addition

After months of searching for the perfect mode of transportation...we finally found it. Let me introduce you to the newest member of the Lowe family!

It weighs in at 1.2 tons, 144 inches, and has a very pale complexion. But it's ours and we love it!

Full Service Beauty Salon

Avery's Beauty Salon...

where she makes you as beautiful as possible!

Her business hours are 24/7,

except when she is asleep or at school.

Now accepting new clients!

Her services include...but are not limited to,

Massage therapy and

Nail beautification.

Please call now...space is limited-appointments will fill quickly!

A Busy March Weekend

The first weekend in March was a very eventful one for our family. Mark and I are so happy with each of our children and their accomplishments.

Avery celebrated her 8th birthday on February 26th and was baptized on Saturday, March 6th. We had a wonderful time celebrating this special day with all of our family and friends....

The very next day Mason turned 15 years old...and received his Eagle Scout Award. That will be a birthday that he won't forget!

Once a Princess, always a Princess

Eight years ago the Lowe house was graced with the presence of Royalty...you didn't know this, did you? Princess Avery was born on Feb. 26th, 2002 and her loyal subjects have been serving her ever since.

Avery has always had a taste for the finer things in life....jewelry is no exception.


Occasionally she likes to hang out with her "royal peeps".


And she is a friend to all that know her.

Avery has always put her education high on her priority list...especially her educational wardrobe.

In celebration of her royal heiness' 8th birthday, her closest royal friends came to call on her and bestow many precious gifts.


But throughout this fairy tale life of Avery's, one thing is evident. She is a choice individual that has blessed her families life and all those that know her.

Happy Birthday Princess Avery! We love you!

Updates

First Day of School

It all starts with this little idea of taking something that you love to do and learning more about it. You make the decision and your excitement builds, you anticipate what it will be like to follow your dream of becoming a better person and improving yourself...and then you start thinking about all the time and money that you are going to spend and the big picture smacks you upside the head. However....after spending a few weeks of being in classes, I am happy to say that this decision to go back to school is the right thing to do, and I'm really having a good time.

I have entered into the Personal Training Program at Eagle Gate College and it will take me 10 months to get through it. I am in school Mon.-Thurs. from 5:45-10:00pm. If it sounds intense - IT IS...but I love the people that are in the program with me. We have a very diverse group but we all have this common interest...we are eager to learn, we love working out and we want to help others love it too! If we can make it through Anatomy....you will hear the collective shout of happiness from us all! More to come....

Birthday Time

Mark celebrated his 42nd birthday by eating his traditional birthday treat -pie and having his very first massage. We enjoyed watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics too. We all had a "little of both" when it came to pie...in honor of Papa Linton. :)

Great Minds think alike!

Funniest thing happened the other day. Mark walked in from work and I was sitting on the couch doing my homework. He said, "Nice outfit". I said thanks without even looking up. Then he started to laugh. I was puzzled by that and then I looked up and saw that we had chosen exactly the same outfit to wear for the day...down to the color of socks and the shoes. We both got a good laugh out of that one. What can I say? I guess great minds think alike!