Busy May

This May has been so busy. Courtney turned 18 and that same night, she was the MC at National Honor Society inductions. She was awarded her second letter. The next day we had Senior Recognition Night at the church where Courtney received a beautiful quilt from the Relief Society. Sister Maness put a lot of time and love into her quilt.

Courtney and Jacob participated in the State Choir Competition in Newberg were their choir Bel Canto placed sixth. They did a great job and Courtney even had a fun solo in one of their songs! We went down to watch them and went to Uncle Duane's beach house afterward. At the Senior Concert at the end of the month, Courtney was given the National School Choral Award. Zack gave his homecoming talk in church on Mother's Day. Lot's of family came and we had a great time together.

Katy Hindman, Courtney, James Smithson, Sis. Baxter, Weston Anderson, Taralynn Taylor, Dekker Smith, Chelsea Bliss, and Shannon Brady

Courtney graduated from Seminary on May 23rd. Greg and I both taught early morning Seminary and I had the privilege of teaching Courtney's class. Courtney had the opportunity of teaching a STEP Aerobics class at the YMCA gym twice a week during her Senior year of high school. It was a great mother/daughter activity. She worked us hard!

We celebrated my birthday early because Greg and Jacob were out of town. Greg made my cake and dinner. It was great!

I blew out all of my candles in one breath!

Courtney graduated from Baker High School on May 30, 2010. It was a nice ceremony and it didn't rain! Stacey's family came down and we had lots of friends over dinner. We are proud of Courtney and she is very excited to go to BYU-Idaho with her brothers in the Fall! Class of 2010 Greg, Courtney, Karen, Jacob

Zack's Homecoming

We were excited for Zack to come home from Russia and Kazakhstan from his mission on Thursday, April 29. We weren't too surprised to find out he had missed a flight. They had scheduled some of his flights too close together.

On Friday, as we were waiting with Carl and Pam's family and Stacey and her two little boys, Zack surprised us by being delayed in Salt Lake because of lavatory problems on the plane. About 14 hours later than he was supposed to, Elder Baxter walked out of the airport gate!

Zack brought fun souvenirs home, like this Kazakh outfit.

Welcome home, Elder Baxter!

All together

We are going to Disney World in two months! Our first family reunion!

Old Times

We found some old pictures around the house and couldn't believe how long ago these were.

I had broken my collarbone on the playground the day we were celebrating my birthday at school. I ended up on my Mom's lap instead of enjoying the popsicles we brought. I was wearing my new outfit that I am wearing in the picture below. This picture was at my seventh birthday party a few days later.

This was when Dad was running for District Attorney in January 1992. Mom was pregnant with me.

Greg, Dad, Zack, Mom, and Sam

This picture goes way back. This was Mom and Dad's wedding announcement, taken in Nov. 1983.

Fun in Florida

Mom and I went to Florida to see Greg and Kacey. It had been too long since Brooklyn had seen her Grandma and favorite aunt Courtney. We spent a week shopping, reading, and going to the zoo. We had a layover in the Minneapolis, Minnesota airport and got to see Snoopy from Charlie Brown.Our future left handed Brooklyn eating a delicious breakfast.

Grandma reading to Brooklyn.

We went to the Jacksonville Zoo when Greg was at school. Brooklyn and I got to feed the giraffes together. Brooklyn was cute and kept on laughing.

Brooklyn, Kacey, and Grandma Baxter

Kacey and I got the carousel all to ourselves. I chose to ride on the alligator.

I fell asleep in the car on the way home from the zoo and Brooklyn just patted my head.

Grandma and Brooklyn read a lot of Dr. Seuss's books. Her favorite is ABC's which Greg and Kacey both have memorized.

Brooklyn loved to push her baby around the balcony. She would often shrug her shoulders and say, "I don't know," when you ask her a question.

Brooklyn is a little jabber and loved to talk on the phone.

Greg was a good dad and loved reading to Brooklyn. We celebrated Greg's birthday a month early and he got a grill so he could have BBQ's. Kacey found a chocolate face mask and we all decided it was time to clean our pores. Greg decided to put it on his neck.

Courtney, Karen, Greg, Kacey

On Saturday we decided to go to the beach and walked on the pier. Brooklyn loves to walk and ran with me up and down the pier and at stores. Greg, Kacey, and Brooklyn

Brooklyn was such a cute little girl and we loved to visit. We can't wait to go back with our whole family. Everyone will love her.

Happy Anniversary!

Mom and Dad have been married for 26 years. They were married on January 20, 1984 in the Seattle Washington Temple. Happy Anniversary!