Easter, spring break and beyond!

The Prom-posal was a success! Jersy said yes. Now to find a suit and flowers. 

We love the spring weather and Ethan loves golf. Austin gave him this hitting thing that they now know how to set up in the back yard. 

Triston just enjoying some sunshine 

Easter was different this year with eggs! They had to answer trivia questions to get the prize! 

Princess Fluffay

Forced Family Fun at the homeless shelter so Ethan and Alex can get their service hours. It was a lovely thing to do for Easter. Grateful we could help out. 

Kedzie got to be with Grandma Diana and got to see the St. George Harris's on Easter. She had a great weekend with family. 

I almost couldn't go to work! 

Poor Ethan had to go snowboarding over spring break with Dave, Daniel, Owen and Adam. They went to Grand Jct and hung out for a bit and snowboarded at Powderhorn, Sunlight and Loveland as they worked their way back home. Such a great spring break adventure. One of many in the future, I'm sure. 

Ethan's new look! 

They had a great week. They're so lucky to have Dave who loves the sport just as much as they do 

Triston is cleared to play and work and run! Wahooooo

He's back with his team, he's back to reffing and he's back to track. Although the shin splints from track might be too much. Proud of him and the work he's put into healing. 

Have you met a dog that loves a blow dryer? If not, come meet Phoebe! She runs to the bathroom whenever she hears it. 

Sweet Abbie is getting married to Kimball in July! So exciting. 

Some dinner after a game with Alex. 

My dogs do love me and I love them. Wiley's getting old tho. Makes me sad. Can't talk about it. 

My pretty girl. 

She didn't want to see the eclipse for realzies. 

I won $100 in March Madness! Wahoooo. 

Kedzie had an amazing experience this past week. She went to Blanding and visited the USU campus there. She participated in a STEAM Expo and then learned about the Navajo people and cultures. What a wonderful opportunity she was given through the Education department. So proud of her for going and trying something new. 

These two have known each other since they were three and began playing soccer. Ethan and Bergen. Alex had seen Bergen earlier in the day and we were reminiscing. Then, we went into Chipotle for dinner and there was Bergan! Had to grab the picture. Hard to believe they'll be seniors next year. 

By Denver Region Media Specialist Corey Christiansen

With less than two months left in the school year, most students are likely already thinking about their summer plans. And for four teenagers in Thornton, those plans are focused on service on a worldwide scale.

Kaylen Hosfelt, a senior at Stargate School plus Jaxon Knapp, Ethan Ravsten and Reese Bjorkman – all juniors at Horizon High School – will be jetting all over the globe to help people they’ve never met.

Kaylen is going to Paraguay to help a community build a new school classroom. Jaxon is going to Romania to assist Ukrainian refugees displaced by the ongoing war in their home country. Ethan is going to Tonga to help build a house for residents who recently lost their home in a hurricane. And Reese is going to Mongolia to help build a shower house for a local school.

These incredible service projects are all organized by the non-profit Humanitarian XP (HXP). Each of the teenagers will spend about two weeks in their foreign countries in what HXP calls the “hardest and best summer of your life.” The youth will spend approximately 60 total hours on their chosen projects with time on the weekends set aside for sightseeing and church attendance.

Ethan is thrilled to experience the Pacific island culture in Tonga and to help those in need. “I am so excited to go and help build a house for people who lost their home in a hurricane,” he said. “I’m also hoping to take some time to play in the ocean.”

Each of the four teenagers is a member of the Trailwinds Ward (Denver North Stake) which is a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Thornton.

What amazing examples of Christlike service to dedicate a significant portion of their summer vacation to helping people through all corners of the world!

#UpliftColorado

From Coach Etzael to Alex as he hasn't played soccer the last two weeks due to his quad strain. However, he's helpful, he's happy, he goes to practice and games and the coach recognizes his efforts! Impressive. 

All of these entires remind me of the good things that are happening in our lives. I'm so grateful for that. Because I worry a lot about all the hard things that are going on. Some people have anxiety. Some people hate church. Some hate seminary. Some don't talk much. Some are going through puberty. Some are onery. Some are only going to school 1-3 days a week. Some are searching for love. All are figuring themselves out including Travis and I. It's really, really hard. But, we are sticking together and we keep learning and growing. Sometimes it's an hour at a time and some times it's a day at a time, but we haven't given up yet. I'm grateful to Travis for all he does for me and our children. It's hard and messy and not what we want all the time, but we all get to make our own choices and we are here to support and love and learn and grow until the end. And, we are lucky to be doing it together. 

Now, go to school!