What to do-What to do!

Ever have one of those days where the kids follow you around the house telling you how bored they are? As a kid I learned quickly not to tell my mom that, because she always gave me a chore to do! What do my girls get- A fun ride with dad! (To my defense, Mom, I did have them do chores first.) We do not get to many days like this. It was a great relaxing day!

Happy Birthday Grandma Laureen

Our thoughts are with you today on your Birthday! Wish we could be there to get one of your big grandma hugs!

Thought we would post a few 'remember when' moments!

Decorating Christmas ginger bread houses. The kids had so much fun with you and cousins!

It has been so nice for me to get to know you better!

One of our family traditions is to go the the farm. Thanks for keeping a well stocked supply of bread crumbs! (I love Katie's expression here.)

We love you- Happy birthday! (Larry give her a big squeeze from us!)

Happy Birthday Grandma

We have an amazing grandma/great- grandma! She has the ability to make everyone around feel special.

The kids love being around her! Katie's first memory of grandma is when Katie fell and scraped her knee and grandma rubbed a little witch Hazel on it. Grandma then sat there and blew on her knee till it felt better! (The awestruck look in Katie's little 3 year old eyes was priceless.)

Grandma is always helping in one way or another. There was a nail sticking out a little to high on the dock so grandma walks over to find a rock to pound it in so the kids would not hurt themselves. She was getting a little too close for comfort at the waters edge for Mom! (By the way, later we found out that she had a fractured back here, from playing b-ball with the great grandkids the day before!)

Enjoying an outing to the pumpkin patch with grandma! We sure love when we are able to spend time with her.


If granddaddy were here I am sure he would wet his lips and give you a big birthday hug and kiss. I know he is smiling down on you!

We Love You Grandma. Happy Birthday!

Thinking out loud again!

I have decided that even though this is my blog that sometimes I want to learn about you the reader (perhaps it is just 2 readers-I do not know!) So- whenever I pose a question it is your turn to leave a comment so I can get to know you a little more as well. Easy enough?!?!

Here are my thoughts today-

Brady has been on the news, radio, newspaper, etc lately. We are proud (my grandma would correct me here!) We are well pleased with his accomplishments. We hope that the winter items reached the hands of those that needed them most. We are forever grateful for those that helped Braden!

But wouldn't it be great if more people where publicly recognized for things that they have done. For example you could read in the headlines:

Soldier, misses birthdays & holidays of loved ones as he sacrifices his time to fight for our freedom and bring peace in distant lands. (Thanks Will)
or
Empty nester called as bishop - becomes the father to about 400 people who all want part of his time! (Thanks to all of the bishops out there)
or
High school coach gets paid about 20 cents an hour! (Thanks to all of those that have ever coached in public ed!)

OR- how about this one

Mother of 4 active kids finishes laundry! (Oh if it were true!)

So many people could make the headlines for so many different things. Can you think of any headlines that go unnoticed? (Ahem-that is your cue! )

remember when

When I have had a minute or two during the day I have
been trying to get old pictures organized into home movies.
It has been great to remember past moments.
I have enjoyed all the different stages of my kids lives, but I
have to admit my favorite is when the kids where young and
we just stayed home and all they really needed was mom.
(Well maybe dad now and then!)


Bring back my Brady and Cam
that thought it was cool that mom
made blanket forts, did crafts, went on
walks, or just made cookies
with them!



Bring back the days when bath time was
part of the days highlight. (with colored water
and lots of bubbles!)

Family gatherings

Ping-pong, pool, the pool, b-ball, hot tub, games, food, company- it's all good at grandma's!


'It's always fun when grandpa comes, When grandpa comes hoo-ray!
He always says the kindest things, and in the kindest way.
He has a wrin-kly, twin-kly smile: he's happy all the day.
It's always fun for everyone when grandpa comes!

(now you can't say it you have to sing it-do it again!)


We enjoy our tradition of soups and games at grandma's and grandpa's on Christmas eve!
Grandma Judy is a great hostess!


Grandma Laureen might just be the best- most animated story teller there ever was! (well she and Mema are neck and neck!)


A picture of a future rock star. And you saw it first here on my little blog! Go-Trevor, Go-Trevor! (You can't see me but I am doing hand pumps in the air---smile) We love Trevor.

Memories of Christmas

Has Christmas already come and past!

Thinking out loud

I had a pretty quiet morning and was reminiscing about a time when Jim and I were driving on the freeway for some distance with silence between us. (happy silence-smile!) When I asked him what he was thinking about he proceeded to tell me of his future goals and plans, not only for him but as we start a family. After listening for a while to his thoughts I just said wow. He then asked what I was thinking about, I sheepishly told him I was thinking about what it would be like to be an ant in such a big world. How a blade of grass would seem so tall.

Since then I have tried to have more productive thoughts-and sometimes I actually do!

Like today (it was nothing profound but deeper than ants) I was running on the treadmill and looking at the picture of Posey Lake (a lake our family loves) on my wall. My mind started its weird path to different memories. One stood out today- It was of the old pioneer cabins that you find abandoned along the roads. I loved looking at them and regret not taking pictures of them. They were simple small structures. How basic life was and how we seem to make things so complicated and busy now. It is all good things mind you but it got me thinking of things I could do without to make mine and our families life a little more basic. I won't share that though-you'll have to make your own list!

I will leave you with a question though- What do you think about in your "happy silence"?

See snow can be fun!

The start of a pretty cool igloo! We ran out of time and energy to finish it- I'm thinking a white sheet for the roof will work great. (Cam says no!)


Now you have to click on this picture to look at the expressions. This was a race - Brady quickly moved over in front of Cam to secure victory! (I could see Bryan doing this and he would laugh the whole way down the hill!)



This is Meg and her cousin Helen. They had a great time!



Traci sledding down. We had fun trying to beat the distance records!



Traci and Katie. Katie is not to keen on the walking back up the hill part. It was a fun day. My girls are bundled up with face masks and everything, but it really was not that cold. I did not wear my jacket most of the day. (You get pretty warm sledding down and piggy backing a kid up because they are tired-o.k. spoiled!) I love sledding!

This is Jim,Cam, and Trevor (cousin)! Jim beat my distance record once- but that did not last long! (smile) Lucky for me he was not feeling 100% that day!

These snow balls are intended for a neighbor- but we are always ready for an attack with anyone!

Here goes nothing!

OK -Tami has literally gotten me set up on this blog thing. I have enjoyed viewing other friends and family members who have them so I will give it a try. Now if only I had an exciting life with lots of things to post about!