Positive Attitude

Really! It has been 4 years since I have even looked at this blog or written something. I guess no matter how little and how long it has been since I posted something its always good. New Year and new and exciting things to think about. Always good to go over and see how I can improve on things. This last year the the two things I strived to work on and still am striving is to be more positive and less negative and to focus on the good of each person. It is hard as even when you pass someone a not very nice thought comes into your mind. But the key is to push it out as fast as it came in. I remember awhile back as I was thinking about how to see something good in everyone. I was in Broulims and as I came around the end of an isle there was this very obese woman in one of the scooter carts. My first thought was oh how sad and wonder how she got this way and then I shifted gears she looked down and avoided me but something inside me said make eye contact. So as I deliberately walked slowly, she looked up at me and I gave her my best smile. The look on her face was one of shock and then came a beautiful smile from her as if to say someone really noticed me and not my size. I am grateful for the lesson I learned of "not judging a book by its cover". This was a daughter of God whom he loves. That day made me more aware of to smile to more people not knowing if I had made a difference in their day. I know how it makes me feel when someone I don't know smiles and says Hi to me.

Mid January

Each year when December comes around I look forward to getting all the friends and family news letter and photos. Its my once a year that I can see how everyone is doing. Love the orginality of some of the letters. Then there is me I say I am going to get a picture of Scott and I and do a recap of our year. When I start thinking of what exciting adventures I had. I can't remember them all and when I did them. So this year I have a plan. Just keep up on this blog.

My daughter Tiffany is my inspiration. I can't believe how she keeps up with her personal blog, her babes and kids blog and go to school with two active boys. This format seems so much easier to go back and check then writing in a journal. I still write in a journal. The goal is not so much daily but at least weekly. Here it is half way through January and I can say I have done good so far on some of the things I want to work on this year. But that is always how it goes. I just hope I can say that in March.

Last weekend we drove over to Jackson with Geoff & Cheryl. Since we have had no snow and the skiing is not good. We walked around had lunch at Billy's and then drove out to the elk refugee. We then drove on up to Jackson Lake and stopped a lot looking at the tetons. It was fun just to watch Geoff pointing out areas and naming peaks. Scott knows his peaks pretty good also. I guess I have never stood back and really looked at them from a distance on the Jackson side. We wish he had our bincoulars. I could see areas where I have hiked. I am just hoping I still have a few years left in me to hike. Geoff wants so much to go backpacking with us this summer. So we just need to get in shape. They left on Sunday to go back to Moscow.

This last week has been pretty quiet, waiting for it to snow.

NEW YEAR 2012

Another year has finished and the years seem to fly by. Spent a wonderful Christmas with 5 of my 6 children. Totally missed Jeralee and her daughters. Times like this I wish we all lived closer. But totally enjoy every minute I have with family. I realize that there will be a time when my children's families will have grown and they will opt to stay at home.

I am looking forward to a new year and to see what exciting things and adventures I will have.

New Years Eve was our third year spending it with Geoff and Cheryl, they have been here since the 17th and will head back to Moscow this next weekend. Dinner and a movie home by 10:30 and I wasn't feeling the greatest went to bed 10 min to midnight. Ok that was a first for me, must be the old age settling in. The last three days have been really laid back putting away Christmas decorations and cleaning. How did I collect so much stuff. I am thinking more and more that less is better. The weather has been so spring like. I really would like some good snow so I can go skiing.

Summer 2011

The older I get the faster time seems to fly. Scott has told me to slow down you move to fast. Mostly because when I am trying to get things done I make big mistakes. I like driving my Tahoe but I have to be careful as it is big. It just barely fits in the garage and when I back out I go slow to make sure I don't bump the mirrors. There I was in a hurry and caught the passengers side mirror. It popped the mirror out an broke the little plastic that holds it in, $200. Then two weeks later I left the back hatch up, with the garage door open and got busy and then had to hurry to a hair appointment. Yep you guessed it. The garage just needed to be a few inches taller and then it wouldn't of tore off the back emblem and put two small dents. $1,000 for that repair.

In April I did another half marathon, Thanksgiving Point. Didn't realize it was a timed marathon and had to be done in 3 1/2 hours a 16 min. mile. It had snowed that morning so it was cool. It was around Thanksgiving Point and the golf course, up and down. Avry, Lia and Tiffany also did it. I did a 15 min mile. They had give aways and I won a night at the hampton $50 to the restaurant and $20 to Pollo Loco. Not bad for coming in towards the very end. I am still walking and have taken up Zumba. You would probably laugh just to see how bad I am, but I do get a good work out.

Made a trip over to Oregon in June to spend some time with Jeralee and girls, took a day trip out to the coast. Beautiful sunny day sitting on the beach, hiked up to Hacita Head Lighthouse and had the last tour of the day. Finished the day with clam chowder. Helped her with some yard work and watched a two day swim meet. The last day we sat huddled under an umbrella in the rain. We did get some RZR riding, but not as much as we would like. We did get to do 3 new trails, Continental Divide, Spring Mountain & Stoddard Creek. Found that we need to be careful when we go by ourselves.

Lewis Reunion at Lava Hot Spring, Family Reunion at Bear Lake with boating, beach, hiking, cave exploring, raspberry shakes, crafts, games, and lots of food. Hoogle Zoo, flat tire, Gardner Village, Hawaiian Birthday Party, Quilting Garden Party, Office Party, winning at AIA Golf Tournament, golfing at Huntsman Springs. Drive with Scott for work up to Havre, Butte, Deer Lodge, Great Falls, Corvalis, Montana. Tearfully moving Geoff and Cheryl up to Moscow, Idaho for both to get their Masters. But on the other hand excited for the new experiences they will have. A new flagstone path and House concert. To round off the summer Sun Valley, drive up to Stanley and golfing. Now to keep this up at least on a monthly basis.

My kids

Grrrrrrrrrr! This is the third time that I have started this post. This is one of the many reasons why I do not update my blog. An hour later and things to do. I am so handicapped with technology, if it wasn't for my kids and Scott I would still be in the dark ages. I finally figured it out that I was in Edit Html instead of compose and I couldn't get it to do a copy paste. I always check my kids blogs through mine and think I need to update. Here it is April 2 and it has been since September. Yesterday was the first day that it really looked like Spring was coming, sunny, 65 and warm. Scott and I got in the yard last night for an hour to start the lawn cleaning. Today is overcast and in the 40's and 60% chance of rain.

4 of my 6 kids are in school. Jeralee is doing prerequisites for Nursing, Clint is working on his Bachelors of Music, Tiffany is in her second semester of Ultra Sound. Geoff is graduating next Saturday from BYUI with his Bachelors in Construction Management and his wife Cheryl with her Bachelors in Music Education. They both got accepted in to the masters program at University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho and will be heading up their in August. Jason and Avry have been busy working on their houses and work. Avry moved into her new home last fall and I am always excited to see what Jason has done on his home.

My kids have given me some of my greatest joys. I have always thought that their success is my success. I am truly grateful for the technology that we have so I can keep in touch. I would love to hear their voices but realize how busy they are. So thank goodness for facebook and their blogs and an occasional text.

Where Did Summer Go?

First of all thanks Tiffany for the new facelift on my blog. I really have good intentions and want to upload pictures but as you all know it takes time. I keep putting off as I see all the cool things my daughters are doing but alas the time is flying so here is a quick overview of the last several months.

I feel like Dick and Jane. See mom go, go mom go. For some reason I am constantly going. I have to say I am glad I still can go. I hit 61 in August did some first. Half marathon in June in Provo with 4 of my children. 13.2 miles at a 13 min pace. Not bad. In August I did the bike portion of the Rexburg Rush sprint. My friend Gay didn't have a biker for her team and so she asked me. I said I had to see if I could do it as it is 14.2 miles starting at Rainbow lake going up past the temple up pole line road and on top of the farm lands then down to the old High School. It took me 3 tries before I could go up the one steep area with out getting off my bike. I use my comfy bike with the big tires. I did it in 1 hour and 10 min. There was only 5teams and we came in last. Our runner was Lana Wise and so Gay called us "Wise Choice" Which I put on the back on my t shirt Wise Choice?

Did very little golf once a week 9 holes with friends. But did do go RZR riding alot. Went to Mackay for two days with our group and was the leader, alot of pressure being in charge hoping everyone is having a good time. Have seen some new country as well, Stinking Creek, 8 mile, Copper Basin, Stuart Coral, Crooked Creek, Fall Creek. I really wanted to play some tennis after taking lessons in the spring.

Big highlight was going to northern Calf and Oregon Coast. Jeralee rented a Beach House in Lincoln City and all of our family was there. Had a good time, Geoff and Cheryl drove with us and we went to Mt. Lasson, Mt. Shasta, Redwoods and came up the coast of Oregon before we got there. We also made it to the Lewis Reunion in Farmington.

Where has mom gone?

So I'm up revamping mom's blog to maybe give her inspiration to blog. You see, blogger gives me updates on the side of when people blog, and it's been almost 3 months for mom. I think she's due. Mom, are you out there?

Year about half over!

The older I get the faster the years fly by.   I can't believe its  the middle of June.   Life has been extremely good to me and loving every minute.   Its times like this that I reflect on all the good things going on in my life.   Skiing this winter was wonderful as usual, didn't get alot of those fabulous powder days, but the days I did go were filled with lots of fun times with family and friends.  The night up to Brighton with Avry's family and Jason was beautiful with it snowing all night.  The ride down the mountain was something else.  The ski bus was so much fun and so many memories.

  Bowling ended with my team in last place the first half and 2nd the second half. Go figure! My teammate Alison had the highest game for the year 239.  My highest was a 224 but had lots of barely 100's
  I have even got some quilts finished will have to take pictures.  My friend Jamie has definately got me outside of my box and am taking a sampler quilt class the first Tuesday of every month.   Last month I about quit as I was struggling with the Dresden Plate block.  My friend Claudia is now President of our quilt guild "Behind the Seams".   So you can imagine how I can't say no to friends and especially people I really like.   So I am doing hospitallity.   It will be fun as Claudia is one organized on the ball person. Hoping to spend some time with Maeli this summer doing some quilts with her.
In April went to St.George with 8 other couples RZR riding had a fabulous time riding to the rim of the Grand Canyon, fording the Virgin River and climbing the Hurrican Sand Dunes.  We have already gone to Skull Canyon and up to Palisades.  We sure have fun with our Wild Hog friends and enjoying the back country.March found us in Palm Springs golfing, haven't done to much here as the weather has not been very cooperative.   Wednesday mornings will find me at JH with friends this summer.
I worked alot at the office as we were without a secretary and then training her.  I had several 40 hour weeks.   Working at the temple weekly has brought a nice balance to my life.  It is so nice to walk through those doors and put the world behind and focus on the eternal things. 

Marathon

I ran a half marathon in Provo with 4 of my children on Saturday June 12, 2010.  Clint signed up for the full marathon and then Tiffany said that sounded fun and signed up for the half marathon then Avry, me and Jason.   We had 12 weeks to train.  Tiffany found a training schedule for 12 weeks on the internet.  Then we were all off training, posting on face book of our progress.    I bought a garmin Forerunner 405 to help me pace myself.  When starting I thought I can walk a 15 mile if I can do this in 3 hours and 15 min that will be good. My granddaughters had a 5K Fund raiser for their elementary school.  On May 24 we all went and ran in it.   Of course Jason came in first of our family with a 7 min mile, then Clint, Tiffany, Avry and myself.   I started out with Avry and I kept telling her we were running to fast.  She just pulled away.   I wound up doing just barely over a 12 min mile.   Learned a lot not to follow the crowd and set my own pace.  A good practise run Two weeks before the race I did a 13.21 miles in 3 hours and 6 min.  A 14.07 pace.  Avry had set her goal to be under 3 hours and said mom you can do this.   I had been training in cold, windy and sometimes wet weather bundled up. Looking forward to not being bundled up so much and warmer weather.  We had to get up at 3 am to catch the bus to ride up to Provo Canyon.  It was in the 40's with a light drizzle.  After standing around for an hour we were off.  Avry and I were together to begin but I kept bumping elbows, so I sprinted a little to get ahead and kept waiting for Avry to pass me.  The second mile was up hill and that wasn't to bad the going down hill was a breeze and mile three was my best mile, a 11:26 mile.

Really grateful that the weather was cool. You kind of run with the same people going back and forth who is ahead. Around mile 9 I heard Avry call my name and she said she had to go to the bathroom. I kept on going my time getting a little slower and then mile 12 I felt my body really starting to slow down and then the over pass. You got to be kidding I have to go up that. Well I walked it. Coming down the over pass Jason came to encourage me on. I started bawling as I was exhausted, no sprinting into the finish line.

Well I did it in 2 hours 50 min. A 13 min. mile pace. Not bad for a 60 year old.

Google It!

I couldn't believe how many drafts I had clear back from 2008. I decided most of them was old news and started deleting them. This one I started in March. With most of them I was going to add pictures. I admire my girls and how well they keep up with their blogs Tiffany and Jeralee both have two now. I am so glad they do as its my main connection to what is going on in their lives.

I just love google. I have used it for everything! From a word I didn't know the meaning, to refreshing my memory on a how to do, to finding an item to buy. to learning something new. You name it I have probably googled it. I probably use it on a daily basis.

A few weeks ago we were headed home on a Saturday from working in the temple, when Geoff called. He wondered if I knew how to make California Rolls as Cheryl and he liked them and figured it would be alot cheaper to make them. So I said come on down and we will figure it out. He read me the receipe and we decided who would buy what. So we stopped at Broulims on our way home. I already had an avocado and cucumber. Found crab meat, seaweed paper, but couldn't find sushi rice. Picked up wasabi sauce, pickled ginger and found a roll mat and spoon which said for making California Rolls.

At home I started cooking rice then went to google to see how to make them. Nice video and then googled Shushi rice. Found out shushi rice is how you fix rice not a special kind of rice. OOPS! Well I will use the rice anyway. It was ok but very sticky. (Shushi rice you rinse the rice till it is clear then cook it, then you mix it with salt sugar and vineger. It sure made it taste better, mixing the sauce with the rice.

We will have to try it again.

New Year Junk Removal

There is something about the beginning of the new year. First trying to get your brain to write 2010 instead 2009. Realizing your not getting any younger. This last year I turned 60 in August and celebrated my 40 wedding anniversary in December. Those are some pretty big numbers. The years are zooming by.

With the new year its time to clean out the house and de junk. Each new year is a deciding factor of what stuff you haven't used in a long time and whether you will use it in the future. From clothing, to craft items, to general household items. I remember when I was first married and Scott said if you haven't used it in 3 months get rid of it. Well you can't do that with alot of seasonal things.

A few years ago I gave Avry all my tole painting, paints and cabinet that Scott had made me. Most of the paints were dried out and needed to be thrown out. Haven't missed them either. So this week I gave all my sucker molds and chocolate molds to my niece. I couldn't even begin to tell you the last time I used either one. Now do I get rid of the stamps? I did lend them out to the Merrie Miss for an activity this last year. How about the scrap booking stuff. I find it easier to put the pictures in albums and now I have all the recent ones on the computer.

I am even to the point I think about what my kids will think when I am dead and gone and they are going through everything and they are saying "Why on Earth did MOM keep this". As I remember going through Grandma's stuff after she died there really wasn't anything that I wanted really bad. I took very little of her stuff and I am finding I am slowly getting rid of some of it. I have officially given all of her yarn away now except 3 skeins I have kept to tie quilts with.

Well back to going through things and seeing what else I can get rid of.

What happened in Oct, Nov, Dec?

I kept thinking of things to blog about, but then decided who really cares? So the months have slipped by. Now I am trying to remember what has gone on in my life. So here I am back will make a quick over view of the last 3 months. Of course I have to have the calendar to refer back to so I can throw it away in a day. I can honestly say the older you get the faster the days, weeks, months and years go.

SEPTEMBER: we started out with our annual AIA golf Tournment at Rigby then to Utah for Sam's baptism. Bowling started on the 10th, which I thought was too early. I wish it was like skiing 10 weeks. A trip to Buhl to golf with the Latin's. Then on to Sun Valley for 4 days. Took the RZR over Trail Creek Pass which I freaked out and made Scott drive over 100 miles up to Challis over to Stanley and back to SV. We did have a nice ride around the Mackey mines. The next day we went up to Boulder City. It was only a 6 mile ride but most of it was up the creek bed, beautiful country and lots of mining artifacts. Home for a few days and then drove the green pickup over to Oregon as Joe and Jeralee bought it. Yes Scott got a newer one, 4 wheel drive and loaded with options. I flew back to Idaho Falls. We also got called to work in the temple as temple workers and started the first week in October.

OCTOBER: Bowling every Thursday morning then to the Temple by 4 pm. Took the new Scouts on a hike along the river. Went with 3 other couples to St. George to go RZR riding. Had some awesome rides, Huricane Sand Dunes, Mesquite, and then to Elephant Rock by the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Had a good time. On the 23rd went to Eagle Mountain, Utah for Halloween and Jason's birthday. Had a good time with all the kids, got chicken noodle spilled in the back of the Tahoe going around the corner. Can laugh about that for years to come. Went to BYUI Halloween concert to see Cheryl play and then Halloween night we went with 4 other couples out to the desert RZR riding, bon fire, tin foil dinners and tell ghost stories. Lots of fun. I had a spark fly up and hit me in the forhead. Have a little scar now.

NOVEMBER: Just bowling and Temple on Thursday. Of course I work at the office usally about 10 hours a week. Thanksgiving found us in Syracuse with Avry, Geoff & Jason. Tiffany was up to Idaho. We did the black friday and got a good start on Christmas. Avry had us all help wrap her gifts. I took Sam & Sav to see "New Moon". We played lots of games, ate lots of food waiting for Clints family to fly in on Sunday night. We all met him at the airport. We helped Clint get settled and then headed home Monday afternoon.

Maeli in the midst of our Black Friday purchases

DECEMBER: We were saddened when our niece Brook's little baby boy died shortly after birth on the 4th. Spents days decorating for Christmas and fighting with lights to work. Headed to SV on the 13th after Church. Skied on Monday and Tuesday on mostly man made snow. Came home on Wednesday, Friday we had office party at Stockman's then back to our house for dessert and storage gift exchange. Sam and Savanna came on the 20th, Tiffany and family the 21, Avry, Justin, Clint on the 23, Lia, mom and girls, Jason & Mark on the 24th. Maeli and Kaden the 25th. Then sprinkle Geoff and Cheryl popping in through out the week. Plus almost all of us got the flu at one time or another. Not very much snow, Scott did hook up sleds to the RZR and pull the kids around the yard. They started leaving on Christmas and by Saturday afternoon our house was quiet once again.

My good husband cleaning light fixtures.

I got three grandchildren's Christmas lap quilts done but didn't get Justin's levi quilt done. Will finish that up in a few weeks.

Charlise's


Savanna's


Samatha's

Win $50 and help Tiffany

Tiffany has this awesome website for over a year doing product review. Mostly things to do with kids, but I have found there is alot of things of interest to everyone. She gives tips also and tells you what you can save on. She is trying to win a washer and dryer and need people to comment on her website and when you do you get put into possibly win a $50 gift certificate to Amazon. Go to www.babesandkidsreview and look for the help me win.

Dirt and more Dirt

Oh what fun we are having with our new RZR. Your just never to old to try new things. We are just like kids come home from playing, covered in dirt. There is a group from Rigby that started ATV riding side by side last year. Almost every Saturday during the summer & fall someone picks a place to go. Phone calls our made and who ever can go shows up at a designated place and were off. I understand sometimes you never know who is going to show up. Definately a new way to meet new people and explore the back country. So far its been people we have known.

Our 2nd trip out was last Monday we went with two other couples who are seasoned ATV riders. One has a RZR like ours and the other has a Rhino. We left at 3:30 and went to a place going toward Salmon called Skull Canyon. A new place for us to explore. We hit the trail around 5:30 in the evening and since we were the NEWBIES or RZR Virgins they put us in the middle.

We started up the canyon which had rock cliffs and then up through the trees. Our first stop was looking down on an old mining area


Scott checking the gps.

We got above the tree line and the view was fabulous. Because it was open you could see the trail and I thought we are going where. It looked steep from the distance but when you started up it wasn't as steep as I thought. But there was some steep places I was white knuckling the handle bar in front of me. We went up a rocky wash and was amazed how well we did. Just following the leader. I don't think we would of tried it on our own.


We are headed where? Oh, over there.

We had just come up this hill, you can't see the trail, but there is one.

At the top. To the east we could see Mud Lake.


We drove down half way and watched the sunset. Heard an elk bugeling. We went up around a mining area and into the trees and made a camp fire, roasted hot dogs,marshmallows and visited. Headed down the rest of the way in the dark and got home around midnight.


Our third trip was on Saturday. There was 5 of us and we went up to Alpine, Wyoming to the Greys River area. Another new place we have never been. WOW! sums it up. The country was gorgeous. We drove down the main road which follows the Greys River and took side canyons to explore. Our first was called Cabin creek


Our group, 4 RZR and a Rhino. The Flinstones




Cabin Creek

We would try different trails, one we had to back up and turn around as the road was washed out and it was on a steep hillside. Another ended in this open area, decided to see if we could reach the trail below us. Went a ways and decided we had better go back up and find the trail. You are suppose to stay on the trails.

Barstow Lake

This was an interesting trail. We went through some narrow trees, water, over a narrow bridge and had to back up alot. We had to hike up the last 1/2 mile to see the lake.

Having lunch, Gay Rofle brings her little table.

Two in our group had to leave. The rest of us went for a few more hours. Went up McDougal Pass and Blind Bowl. We have a soft top and I would tell Scott to look and he couldn't see. So we took the top off and that was nice.



McDougal Falls

On our way back to the vehicles we got into some rain. Stopped in Alpine on our way home for hamburgers. It was definately a very excellent day.

Our New Buggy

You take a big deep breath and before you know it all the pressures have past.

We had our fast trip to Oregon and wish we could of spent more time with Jeralee and family. Miss Idaho Falls went really well. Our trip to Detroit started out with a very bumpy airplane ride. The Green family were very gracious and the open house for Geoff and Cheryl was very nice. We did get to see a few things. We went to Henry Ford plant and saw how Truck F150 were made. The area remind me alot of Ohio. Scott wanted to have his picture taken in front of Auburn Hills Palace home of the Piston's.



I turned 60 on my way back home. That sounds really old. But I don't feel older except for the few aches and pains. I know I want to keep going like the engerize bunny. So how do I do that? How about getting a new toy!



We bought this Polaris RZR three weeks ago and haven't been able to get out and use it. One reason all of the above things that were going on and second our trailer was 4" to short for it to go in. Sold our trailer and they had to special order a new one. It was suppose to get here on Friday but won't be here till next Friday. So we put it on the snowmobile trailer and headed up to Big Springs. We drove up to Two Top. It sure looks different in the summer then winter. Then down into West for lunch and we missed seeing the President. Then back up over two top as we didn't have a map and some of the trail is different then the snowmobile trails. There was one place I didn't think we were going to make it up, but we did.

It was cold and glad I took extra clothing. One thing is you get very dirty. But we had a ball. Oh the things we do to stay young!

Summer Time and the Livin is not easy

Summer heat has finally arrived and here it is the middle of July already. Summer always seems to fly by. This summer is no different from any other, we seem to keep it filled with so many things. So the livin isn't easy. I don't want to hurry my summer away but when you get involved in a few things its like you can't wait till its over. Mainly right now Miss IF which is on August 6. I only need to go to Oregon on the 1st of August for my granddaughter Charlise's baptism (sad that we will miss the Lewis reunion in Logan) and then hurry back. Then on August 7 we fly to Detroit for an open house for Geoff and Cheryl.

I was think how nice it would be just to have everything done and just lay around. But my kids would tell you that is not my nature. Well I found out how it was just to lay around on Saturday. I had this headache that wouldn't go away and a queasy stomach all day. (Wonder if it was what Tiffany and boys had) I think I like feeling good and being busy. I did make it to my Quilt Guild Garden party at 10 but all afternoon I laid on the bed. Got up enough to go to a reception with Scott. He was hungry so we went to Perkins where I ordered mash potatoes and chicken soup and only ate the broth. It was like that all night long. This morning I felt better made it to church and since we are out by noon we had lunch and then went up to yellowstone for a ride. It was free to get into the park. Nice ride a lot of people up there watched Old Faithful go off and then headed home.

This last Tuesday I drove down to Tiffany's to help her get ready for her Cause Party. I got there during rush hour and had stand still traffic. Yuk! Tiffany and family got home just before I got there. We had dinner and then Tiffany and I ran to Walmart to get some things. Her boys had been sick the two nights before and so I had started helping her clean her house. We had plans to do something on Wednesday but that changed as she got sick in the night and most of the morning. She felt better in the evening and we headed to Jason's for a get together with Avry' family also. He has made a nice patio and furniture. I stayed with him Wednesday night and got up and walked/jogged liberty park. Then went and picked up Savanna at Avry's work. It was her birthday and she spent the day with Tiffany and I. We did some shopping for the cause party and then went home to get ready. It turned out really good. Check Tiffany's blog at www.babesandkidsreview.com. It will explain it better. Stayed till noon on Friday helping her with a few more things then headed back to IDAHO.

AHHHHHHHHHHH! There is no place like HOME!

More upgrades at 4082 E. 200 N.

Living in the same place for over 35 years has seen alot of changes. I don't think there is one thing in this house that we haven't changed. First of all Scott has been wanting to take over my garden for years. I gave in a few years ago and let him build a shed in the back half. This summer he wanted the other half put in cement so he could park our pickup and Tahoe, so he wasn't playing musical vehicle every time he needed one or the other.




Because I like to garden, he knew he had to come up with a new garden spot. He made me a garden box for mothers day. He will make me another one next year. I am experimenting with it this year. I absolutely love it. It is easy to weed and will probably produce better. It gets more sun then where it was before. If only it won't hail anymore and strip the plants down.


Our next project was the outside of the house. We replace the last 5 original windows, sided, rock work, pulled the entry out 8 feet. Here is what it looked like before. We pulled out trees and shrubs in the process



The new look


Scott is still designing a railing between the posts and we still have to get a new door. Eventually we will probably put a paver path out to the circle drive. The big equipment tore up my yard and we had to level and repair sprinkler system and resod. Notice our bedroom window is bigger. He still has to do the inside trim work. The siding is steel. The problem with not doing everything at once is product changes. We had to paint the bay window as it was a different color and the fascia on the roof was tough to match. But it all came out pretty good.




East side of house. Notice no shrubs.



Back of house.

I guess we are going to be here for awhile longer. This last Thursday I was ready to sell it tho. Scott had gone to Bozeman to check on a project and rode his bike up there and stayed the night. I took the irrigation water at 6 pm and then headed to my Miss IF meeting at 7:00. I got home at 10 and noticed the water was clear up by the pine trees. I thought oh no the neighbors didn't take the water. So I dashed into the house got on my rubber shoes and my head lamp and went out back to check.

No he had taken the water. So I went along the property line and out by the utility pole the water was coming over alot from the neighbors ditch. I thought oh I can't have this doing this all night. (Afraid if I left it running it would get into the well and follow the line into the basement of the house, been there done that. Alot easier to fix the water leak then to clean up water in my basement.) Scott had put some sod we had taken out in the remodel in the borrow pit across the road in front of our house. So I got a shovel and a bucket and proceeded across the road to find it. As I started picking up a piece of sod a water snake slithered out from under it and I screamed. I managed to pull it together and get some sod and back to the gaps. Well its behind my rose bush that has gone wild, there are over grown trees and the barb wire fence. If it wasn't the rose bush, then it was the barb wire fence that got my leg. (Oh I had knee length shorts on.) I realized it was going to take a lot of sod to stop it. So back again across the road only to scream again because of another snake. I was cussing Scott by that time why wasn't he home to help me. The next trip I poked with the shovel and stood way back. After half an hour and 5 buckets of sod, I got it stopped up. Went in and called Scott at 11 pm to get some sympathy. He picked up his phone where I said I am ready to move.

I have done the irrigating for the past 35 years as it falls at a time when Scott is working. I use to have the neighbors on both side whose wives would NOT do it. I wound up sometime doing it for them. Scott knows I am keeper in that respect.

Next day better and yeah I will stay here a little longer.

4th of July 2009

We had a busy and fun 4th of July. Friday we had off for the holiday. We worked around the house till 2:30 and the went golfing intending to play 18 holes. Rigby is the only course I know that allows 5 some. It was slow and then a storm came in after the 7th hole. We picked up and decided to quit. Cheryl and Geoff had come down. The evening I went to my friend Carol Stevens reception and dragged dad a long. Ran into alot of people we knew and hadn't seen in a long time. The week before her sister in law Kathy Stevens had a bridal get together at the Sandpiper. They had made these hats out of wrapping paper and had us wear them. Cute idea.

Bride front and center

We got home around 9 and Avry, Justin, Sam and Sav had arrived. Avry wanted Justin to see what real fireworks were like. She said on MSN IF's was rated #3 in the nation. Girls excited to see us and wanted to sleep in the Yoga Room (exercise room, renamed it when they were here for Geoff's wedding. We went out in the circle and watched Rigby's fireworks and then retired to the deck where we watch the kids fireworks and roasted marshmallows. Avry will have to post those pictures.

Up bright and early and headed to IF at 6:30 am to decorate our boat for Miss IF.

Decorating boat

I then walked most of the parade route and met up with Avry and family. Didn't have my camera. So Avry will post pictures of us at the parade. Probably the first time I stayed till the very end. We called Dad and he rode his motorcycle and met us at Iggy's for lunch. Kaden rode home with him.


Lunch at Iggy's

Dad took Kaden golfing and the rest of us headed up to Heise to either rock climb or sit and watch. Avry and I watched while, Geoff, Cheryl and Justin took turns. Sav and Same had a ball exploring.

Cheryl climbing! What a good wife to indulge in her husband's Passion

Justin waiting for his turn, Avry being her goofy self.

We headed down to the river to stake out a place to watch the fireworks. Geoff and Cheryl had a special invite with her aunt and uncle to have dinner at the Shilo and listen to a concert and watch the fireworks. We wound up at Civitan Park in the place we usually watch it. Headed down to Memorial and found some food to eat. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, italian soda's, doughnuts and funnel cake. Picked up some kettle corn and headed back to wait for fireworks. Kaden had to much junk food and got sick. Of course Avry and I didn't bring our purses and had to bag for Tylenol and plastic bag from people around us. He did recover to watch the fireworks. Traffic slow and didn't get home till almost midnight.

Waiting patiently for the fireworks to start.



One sick boy


The wait was well rewarded and yes Justin did agree they were the best he has ever seen.

Sunday afternoon we cooked hamburgers and then sent everyone on their way home. It was a nice fun weekend and the only thing that would of made it better was having all the kids here. Maybe next year.

New Daughter in Law

On June 19 our youngest son Geoff married Cheryl Green from Shelby, Michigan (near Detroit) in the Rexburg LDS Temple. The sun was shinning in the morning and glad we had the reception scheduled inside the church instead of in the yard as it was cloudy and cooler in the evening.

I didn't take very many pictures and didn't get pictures of the grand kids all together. Hoping maybe Scott, or one of my kids got pictures. I got a few in the parking lot and video taped some at the temple. Cheryl is a gem and is majoring in music education and plays the flute. She was in our BYUI 7th ward for 4 semesters. So we feel fortunate to have taken one of the college kids home to be in our family.

I had the reception catered and my girls said that is the best thing I could of done. We served over 250 people. We had a steady line all night long and didn't get to sit down till the very end. I did the luncheon at the church also and did that myself since I was splurging on the reception. They are so cute together. They honeymooned at Big Sky, Montana where they got in some rock climbing. They found a small government subsidize apartment in Rexburg. We have an open house in Michigan the 8th of August.

We had all of our kids here for the wedding except Clint and family as they are still in Germany. We really missed them. Tiffany got here on a Monday, Jeralee Tuesday, Avry Wednesday and Jason Thursday. They all left on Sunday except Jeralee who left on her birthday on the next Tuesday. It was nice to have them all here. We did a shower on Wednesday at 1 for Cheryl then she went through the temple that evening at 6.

Saturday everyone went swimming and then pizza afterwards.

It is now very quiet around here and Scott and I realize its just the two of us. Starting the next phaze of our life. EMPTY NESTERS

Faith

Well its been a while. I can give lots of reasons but I won't. Today in RS Brenda Yost gave a lesson on faith from several of Oct.08 conference addresses. It really got me thinking about several things. Of course she had some funny things.

One of the things she said is writing down our spiritual experiences so we can go back and draw upon during rough times. I made the comment how important it was as my daughter Avry wanted so bad to read Grandma Nielson's journals. Nick sent her some copies of them and she said she was disappointed as it was just day to day activities. You know, wash dishes, cleaned house, went to store, so and so stopped by. She wanted to know really how she felt about things. I guess my kids will find in my few journals the same thing. I have been one who doesn't want people to read after I am gone about all the bad and how my life REALLY was. But you know it most likely gives a false sense that life was peachy and I had no trials.

I need to take a few pages from my daughter Jeralee who writes it as it is. Her ups and downs her frustrations, hates, passions, loves you name it. She seems to turn around and find the humor or write it in a humorous way that we all crave for more. Or my son Geoff who writes such deep insights you have to read it over and over and try to figure out what he is getting at and then all of sudden it comes to you and you say WOW.

Ok back to the topic of Faith. She was funny as she said she was in New York in the fall last year and it was so beautiful. Of course which I totally agree and then she says think about coming into the SL Valley and the view sage brush and desert. She said I don't know if I would of had that kind of faith. But she quoted that the fire of their faith burned in their soul. Do we have that kind of faith. Faith is a choice when we have faith it leads to prayer which leads to revelation which leads to faith and the cycle continues as our faith grows.

Interesting faith and fear cannot co exist. Faith overcomes fear, then faith goes into hope which overcomes despair which equals action. So when you think about it we have faith in alot of things on a daily basis. When we can't find something we have faith we can find it then we have hope and then we start looking and thinking and soon we find it.

Hmmmmmmmmmm so where I am going with this. Just to let everyone know I have a strong faith in the church and family. My children amaze me and I have the strong faith that they will succeed in anything that they put their minds to. They all have proved it to me so many times.