Because both Batmans mean business. Watch out bad guys!

I don’t know who has missed Porter more this week, me or the boys. There is definitely a gaping hole in our home when Porter is away. And while we know he is loving Scout camp, Saturday can’t come soon enough for the rest of us.

All I wanted was one nice picture of Hyrum smiling. Turns out – that’s impossible.

Sometimes you just gotta take the kids somewhere they can run and jump. And not break anything.

After a particularly hot and sweaty night at hapkido, we decided some Slurpees were in order. Five different flavors to choose from and everyone chose cherry. You can’t beat a classic.

When Dallin decided he was done with his, Porter offered to finish it off and wasted no time drinking both Slurpees at the same time.

You gotta love those Slurpee-red lips and teeth!

Perfect for a hot summer night. Cool drinks. Warm memories.

Because when you have such handsome boys, you just have to grab the camera.

Their rugged good looks demand it.

How to launch a rocket.

by Hyrum

Step #1 – Secure the rocket on the launch pad.

Step #2: Check to make certain Mom and Dad are watching.

Step #3 – Double check to make absolutely certain Mom and Dad are watching (even if it’s the 86th time you’ve launched that very rocket in the last hour because it’s imperative that they keep their eyes glued to you every second of every launch.)

Step #4 – Jump high and land hard!

Step #5 – Watch it soar.

On May 20th, we attended Porter’s sixth grade graduation and I have to admit – I didn’t make it through without shedding a few tears. He looked so grown-up standing up there with all of his classmates and I’m not sure I’m ready to let him grow up yet. This is how I still see my Porter:

And yet, this is how the world sees him:

Sigh . . . Time is stealing him away from me. I better just hang on for the ride and hug him tight while he’ll still let me.

The graduation was amazing. Porter and his classmates dressed in their NOVA shirts for the first part of the graduation. NOVA is what D.A.R.E. used to be when I when to school.

The police officer in charge of the program had every sixth grader write an essay about what NOVA meant to them, then she picked one from each class to read their essay at graduation. Porter was chosen from his class. I was so proud as he stood in front of his classmates and talked about the value of a life free from drugs, alcohol, and pornography.

Then they handed out awards. Porter received an award for perfect attendance, the Presidential Academic Gold award, the Hope of America award, and certificates for both NOVA and sixth grade graduation. We are so proud of our graduate.

Dallin and Hyrum are proud of their big brother as well.

Porter had an amazing teacher this year and was sad to have to leave her when school was over. Her instruction and influence helped mold Porter into the young man that he became by the end of the year. I am so grateful for Sabrina Smith and the opportunities she helped provide for Porter.

Porter, you had an amazing sixth grade year. You went to regions with your science fair project, you went to councils with your poem for Reflections, you were elected peer leader, you were chosen writer of the month, you were elected seventh grade officer, you took second place in the sixth grade spelling bee, you placed high in the Pi contest, you were selected to read your NOVA essay at graduation, you went to Math/Science Olympiad, you were chosen to receive the Hope of America award from your principal, you received perfect scores on your Core tests, and you never missed one day of school. You are destined to do great things. And I am proud to be your mom.