family fun

We had a family reunion this past week. We had a great time (although part of the family was missed!) This is a view from our camp site. It was very relaxing to wake up to.
The water was higher than usual- picnic any one! Cameron had to wade out to check it out.
We had fun on lots of different water toys! This is Jim and his twin.
The girls had fun with cousin JJ.
Braden had fun with cousins Justin and Landon!
Cam had fun with cousins Trevor and Taryn!
We all had fun playing in the cold- cold water. We are glad that John and Deb's family had wet suits!
Cameron especially loves the water sports! He makes them look easy! Knee boarding and the taco tube was his favorite (Thanks Uncle John)
Yes this is Jim showing off a bit- I was impressed! (Brady driving his grandpa on the wave runner in the background.)
The girls liked riding on the boat. The weather could not have been any better!
Brady said the wave runner was his favorite. He liked jumping the waves made by the boat.

15 years ago today!

It was 15 years ago that my mom flew out from Florida to be with me in Provo to welcome Brady into the World. Little did we know that I would go 2 weeks past my due date. It was nice to have my mom and grandmother there as I waited and waited. My grandmother spent the days in the temple. (amazed that all she had to do was walk across the street to the temple) Mom and I spent our days trying to figure out what more we could do to get Brady to come out.

We went on hikes in the mountains. We also walked for miles up and around the neighborhoods of the Provo Temple. (Every bend we would go around we would hope for a downward slope. But we would come to the bend and notice that the road just kept curving upward. We would laugh, but I think we really wanted to cry!) Next I ran-yes ran the stairs in the smith field house basketball area. Nothing! We even downed a huge mixing bowl of strawberries,until we argued over who had to eat the last one. (We tried everything we heard might work) Even though we tried our hardest to have him come on mom's birthday , he came the following day. Weighing in at 8 lbs 14 oz. (Most of that was Head-thus the c-section)
She makes it a point to come with every baby born. I loved it and so did the kids and Jim!

She has always been one to get down and play with the kids and they sure enjoy being around her.
I can't even begin to tell you how much my mom means to me. It is hard to live so far from her. She and I are so much alike in so many ways. It has also been fun and hard to see Brady grow up. Although I am pleased with the young man he is becoming, it has been hard for me to see him gain more independence. (How do you strike a balance between hovering and letting go?)

I wanted to wish mom and Brady a happy Birthday! I Love you both!

your music=my music

It is official and I must confess. I am a blog song stealer!!! If I hear a song I like from another blog, I copy it and keep it as my own. If I have done this to you-I hope you take it as a compliment!

just thoughts

One of my favorite places to run is in the Cemetery. I especially enjoy the week around memorial day. Without sounding morbid- the place really comes to life. Not only from the hundreds of flowers, signs, windsocks, stuffed animals,etc left on the graves, but also from the cars that seem to drive slowly up and down the lanes just to remember and pay respects. Cars pass by as I run and I give a little wave. There are always some headstones that are just covered with flowers arranged just perfectly. Sometimes they are so filled, I have to stop and read the names and dates on the headstone. It is evident that that person was loved. I wonder about all of the stories that could be told from those that have passed on (from the stones that are covered with flowers, as well as the ones that sit bare).
My last run was on the day that all of the flowers were being thrown up onto a big truck that was headed for the trash. A few cars passed by and I gave my little wave. In another week the cars will be gone just like the flowers. It is almost sad in a way, but yet, there was also a peace that was there as I ran up the lanes that were already cleared. A calmness you could feel. It makes me think about those that I love that have passed on and am so grateful that I will see them again. How blessed I am to know that if I live worthily I will see them again!