Happy Birthday Ruthie

I mentioned earlier on my facebook that today is my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday to her. I learned just this year that her sister's birthday was just last week. Her and Aunt Shirley are just two years apart. This photo is my mom when she was a teenager. I know grandma and her siblings called her Ruthie.
Happy Birthday to her! It's the big double 7.

Grateful

I am so GRATEFUL for my BLESSINGS. I need to express my gratitude for my blessings in life. In this life of uncertainty, we need to appreciate everything the Lord blesses us with. I especially appreciate my family and the joy they are in my life. At this Christmas time I am especially grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I have good health and a great career where I mingle with wonderful people, adults and children alike. There is not much more that I need.

These photos are just a few snapshots of my family. Grandchildren at Thanksgiving time as well as photos after school Christmas programs. I love living in this area where we can enjoy Christmas programs with all the wonderful music sung by the children.

Jackson Lake 2009

This Labor Day Micheal and I went to Jackson Lake, with Danial as our tour guide. Actually, we went to Palisades Saturday afternoon and slept on the beach with Danial, Daris and Sara. Micheal and I slept in the boat, which was very pleasant. We had a perfect place picked out, then left to go and eat with Sara;s family. When we returned, to our tube, someone else had come in and taken over.

We wanted privacy, so we went in the dark, or should I say by the full moon's light and found another spot. The view of the lake, with the moon was beautiful. The next morning we cooked eggs over a small one-burner stove.

That afternoon Danial, Micheal and I drove over to Jackson and were able to reserve a spot on the lake, in a backcountry camp area. We were just below Mount Moran. What a beautiful view. It is one you don't usually see. I was too lazy to get out my camera at camp. Later I thought the photos from the boat would be okay. Well, they pale compared to the campground view. I'll learn.

Learning

I posted this phot after my sister-ion-law, Robyn told me how to collage phots using Picasa 3. I had fun today collaging school photos taken for TWIN DAY. Love it!

Baby Lola

What a sweet blessing to have such beautiful grandbabies. This is our family's newest addition, number 13. Little Lola, born Thursday, August 20 2009. She is precious. It is heart warming to see her big brothers and sisters hold her and whisper sweet words to her. One of my friends remarked one day in gratitude that her baby boy brought peace to her family. As I watch Derek and Tracie's children with their little sister, I see the same thing. The Lord blesses families when he sends his precious ones.

Easy Rider

Micheal and I went with a group of friends on a motor cycle ride. We got rained on and nearly froze to death the next day. The third day was delightful. It was cool enough that it made the ride very pleasant. His boss planned it and may I say it wa well planned. Like my son said later. "It takes a trucker to know all the best roads and how long it will take." The scenery was delightful. It was a fun get away.It helped us celebrate our 37 year anniversary.

Rigby Lake with the family

The Howard reunion was held at Heise Hot springs. It was too cold to swim, but that didn't stop us from having fun. I don't have photos, but I had a most delightful time picking huckleberries with my little grand babies. The little ones would pick with grandma, while their parents were seriously picking. The kids and I would hunt for "big, fat juicy ones" then. . we would pop it in out mouth. Yummy!

On the way home from St. George, I met this really good looking trucker. He wanted me to go with him. . . but he was headed back south and I had just been there, done that. So, I told him no thank you.

St. George in July. . .NUTS!

Here are Judy, Robyn and me in St. george at the end of July. Were we nuts? We helped Judy take her two precious grand-daughters to catch their ride home. afterward we caught a show at Tuacan. We all three thought we would die from heat exhaustion. It never cooled down at this open theater. Robyn bought a water-spray-fan and cooled us off. We are also wearing our new purchases. "Lookin' good."

Summer? Wasn't it too short?

In May, some of the family went to Salt Lake to watch Hailey clog. The next day we went to Temple Square. here are the grand children that were there, and Micheal and I. We were missing Daris, Sara, Courtney, Tyler and little Corbin.




Charlene visited Idaho in the first of May. This is Charlene, me, Mom and Lorie. (clockwise from top left)
The end of June, Lorie and I went to the Forrey reunion in Seattle. My son Danial went with us. Danial and I are being shown the marvels of beach life. We went to the beach when the tide was low and saw all kinds of creatures.

This is a photo of all those from my mom's family that came to the reunion.

Idaho and Wyoming Wild Flowers

It is so easy to see why so many of us love living so close to the mountains.

Happy Birthday Dad! Just a little late. . .

August 18 was my father's birthday. I did remember him on that day; just didn't stop to blog about it. I love my dad for the uncondional love that he gave me. He is a great man. There are many other things that I learned from him. I admired his natural talent with music, especially with his beautiful bass voice and ability to remeber any song he heard. He would know the lyrics to almost any song out there. Us children wanted to enter him on name that tune, knowing he would win. he also made up silly, nonsense songs. I find myself doing the same thing often times.
He had a funny sense of humor and would make a joke about eveything and anything. sometimes I know he drove my mother nuts because she couldn't get a straight answer from him.
He was also a great dancer, he and my mother were church dance directoers when I was younger. I also remember them dancing smoothly across the dance floor as a young girl. Great memories.

Memorial Day

This year for Memorial Day, Micheal and I rented a fun cabin at The Pines in Island Park. The location was great and the price was reasonable. In the past we have tried roughing it in a tent, and remembered, that is not my style. I need running water. Kimberly rented a cabin which Derek and his family and Daris and Sara stayed. Courtney and her little family and Danial stayed with us. The Howard family came up Saturday for a picnic and to enjoy the mountains. What a beautiful place to be in the spring. Sunday afternoon was the only day we saw rain, which as we all know is a Memorial Day tradition.
Lorie, Danial and I went to the Playmill Theater Friday evening. They performed "Foot Loose". We loved it. Now, we need to see the movie and compare. Of course Lorie and I had Heidi's fudge. . . and loved it!

The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them.
- Kin Hubbard

Advantageous Characteristics of ADD

Too many times people look at only the negative aspects of ADD. According to Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey M.D. ADD is not a disorder but a trait, a way of being in the world. When it impairs lives, then i6 becomes a disorder.

So for today I would like to list some of the advantages of ADD.

• Many creative talents, usually underdeveloped until the diagnosis is made
• Original, out-of-the-box thinking
• Tendency toward an unusual way of looking at life, a zany sense of humor, an unpredictable approach to anything and everything
• Remarkable persistence and resilience, if not stubbornness
• Warm-hearted and generous
• Highly intuitive style

Taken from Delivered from Distraction
Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder
by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey M.D.

A Day in Pocatello

Most of the family went to Pocatello to watch Hailey clog in a competition. I just failed to get a photo of Sadie, who was sitting down at the other end of the row. Hailey did a great job. She certainly has the energy for this type of dance.