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.

Lily and Sophia's Special Day

Today we celebrated Lily's "5" birthday. She shares her birthday with her little cousin Sophia Hill, who is "1", and also with pi day.
She got to go to breakfast with her daddy and then spent most of the day with her cousins watching Hailey clog. Sophia was in Boise with her dad and sisters, so this photo is when she was only 9 months. Lily is our eighth grandchild and Sophia is our eleventh.

Just Hangin' Around

Danial and Daris are hanging their father's moose, Bullwinkle. We waited 18 months for Bullwinkle to get groomed and come to stay. I had a difficult time eating the meat, it tasted like burnt hide to me, and the first evening he was at our home, I discovered I could possibly be allergic to him. My eyes watered and my throat began to itch.

I've Been Tagged...

This photo was titled angels and shepherds. Truly, what angels they all are. There is no better way to celebrates Christ's birth than with little innocent children. They are full of Christ-like love. We can learn much from these beautiful spirits. when ever I am feeling down and troubled, being around small children that show unconditional love always brings me back up and helps me to realize what is important in life. They give their love freely to all and are quick to forgive. Thank goodness. Can you imagine what this world would be like if they acted like the rest of us? May we all be as humble as a little child, and as teachable. Have a wonderful day!

I finally got out of Dodge!
I have wanted to post exciting news about my life,
but I have not gone anywhere or done anything.
Finally, I went as a chaperone to Sun Valley.
I didn't get to ski since I was still wearing my boot.
But. . .I soaked in the hot tub, drank hot chocolate
and best of all. . . I went back to bed when everyone left for skiing.

Getting Out of Dodge

The chaperones had a great time.
Here we are out on the ice skating rink posing for a photo.
Later we went out for hot chocolate to warm ourselves up.

Three young women out to conquer the world. Here I am with my aunt, Julie Forrey and cousin, Christy McGinnis. We are all the same age. I have great memories of visits to grandma and grandpa's little farm. When our family would go visit grandma, the cousins would often come. We would ride mules through the sagebrush, play in the playhouse, roller skate in Hermiston and later go for ice cream. Life was simple then. This photo may have been taken at Julie's graduation in 1972. We all three graduated the same year. Don't you love the 'shag' hairdos? Charlie's Angles have nothing on us.

This photo was taken about 14 years ago. It was Thanksgiving, I think. My mom, Ruth Christensen, is in the back, with someone I don't even recognize. Then it is me, my sister Lorie, my niece Audrey Jenkins and Daris, my youngest son. Several of my nieces and nephews came to Ricks College, which gave us the opportunity to get to know them better. Apparently Erik was taking the photo, so I'm guessing the guy is his roommate. I wish time could stand still. . . on my body. The rest of life I enjoy, just not aging.