So....It's been awhile....

Two reasons I don't keep my blog up 
   1. Procrastination. Speaks for itself. 
   2. Intimidation. The blogs I follow are so amazing and everyone else has a much more interesting life than I do.....Although I Love, Love, Love my life - and - my family, friends, and librarians I work with.

I was inspired to post on my blog this morning by Audrey who wrote the best note to Jett about his first year. Really, you should read this -http://www.holdenandaudreyrockwell.blogspot.com

It's Spring Break - it even feels like spring. Yesterday I took some of the grandkids to the Hogle Zoo. I've been to the zoo a million times, but there's nothing like seeing it through the eyes of a four-year-old. The size of an elephant, the gorilla sitting with his nose against the glass staring you in the eyes, the smell of hay as the giraffe is fed, the world of a child is truly magical. Of course, when I asked the kids what they liked best about the zoo? "The Store!" 

Today we walked at The Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. I'm at a loss for words - no really, me... Unfortunately I forgot my camera - and my phone, an excuse to go back soon and take pics.

Thanks for the Memories

We just got back from a road trip up the California and Oregon coast.  Really, I can't describe how beautiful it was.  Day 1: We drove to Lake Tahoe.  The water is crystal clear, surrounded by beach and beautiful, tall pine.  Day 2:  San Francisco.  We saw all the tourist sites and ate at my favorite place for a grilled cheese - Max's.  Day 3:  Up the coast, into the redwoods.  Muir Woods was so beautiful and peaceful, we tried to drive up Highway 1, but took a wrong turn and wound up driving in circles on the Panorama Highway....we finally found our way and drove to Arcata.  Day 4: Into the heart of Northern California and the Redwoods!  We drove through a huge redwood in the National Forest and then into Oregon and up to Coos Bay.  Day 5: We drove along the coast to Lincoln.  We stopped to see the tide pools and Sea Lion Caves and several light houses along the way.  We stayed in a place that walked out to the beach, it was lovely.  Then two days home. 

We had such a great time and I'm so glad we went.  The reason I bring this up today is because it's our 37th anniversary.  As I've reflected back on our marriage, I'm so glad we have each other.  We have so much history together.  And we're comfortable.  It's kind of like putting on a warm, soft sweatshirt.  We can be ourselves and not worry about impressing or entertaining someone.  Yet, we really like each other.  We enjoy the same things - I even get caught finishing his sentences more than I'd like to admit.  I know what he likes and I'm happy to accommodate him, it makes me feel satisfied and happy.

Happy Anniversary, Jer.  I love you more than ever.  Thanks for the Memories....

10 Things that are Good

There are a few things I wish I had blogged about lateley. I know I've been a bad blogger. I wish I weren't so forgetful or lazy or whatever about it. So I thought I'd make a list of the top ten things that are good right now.

10. I love that the sun is shining today. It renews me after our long, cold winter.
9. I love my drive home. Everything is turning green. Before you know it, the poppies will be out.
8. The huge project at work is finally done. I feel like I can breathe a little and be more helpful to the librarians.
7. I love my Young Women calling.
6. I've finished my I Spy and Book of Mormon quilt tops.
5. The new shelves in my craft room are so organized!
4. I got a Purple Purse from the kids - Love it!
3. Cruising is So Fun and Relaxing.
2. Love my Borrego!
1. Audrey Graduated! Way to Go Girl!

I Did it!

I have to say I'm just a little impressed with myself - just a little, not too much. I didn't know if I was brave enough to really go skiing after 15+ years away from the slopes. But I went and had a blast and didn't break anything. ;)

My girls were so cute, they took good care of me. I even felt like I could keep up - with a little more practice. The day was perfect; no wind, a light snow, the sun peeking out now and then. Of course, we stayed on the easy to intermediate slopes but we did go to the top of Ray's all day. And, I could still walk the next day. That's what I call success!

I celebrated my birthday this week. The celebrating started on Thursday and didn't stop until Sunday - The best of all my presents was nerf bullets - Let the Battle Begin.

I got a ski day from the kids and Jer. I feel nervous, I haven't skied for too long to think about, but I'm working hard to get ready to go! I look good in my new parka and hat, if I do say so myself! If I chicken out on skiing at least I'll look good in the lodge!

Family Pictures

I thought I'd post some of the family pictures we had taken in our back yard. These were taken earlier this fall. We really have a great family.

I may be getting on top of things at work....does that ever really happen? I may be kidding myself. Yesterday I taught my last class for the year and I have 2/3 of the computers on the central server - how did that happen? Now if I can just get it together at home. I'm working on that.

We had a great Halloween party this year. We actually had 10 (really!!) tricksters. The most we've ever had. Thanks neighbors for dropping by.

Summer in our backyard

Jeremy's show and tell

Cody, Weston and Braxton taking off in a Starfighter.

Kyler and Austyn flying High!

I love sitting on the deck watching the sun rise. It's a little bit of peace for my brain. Just before the sun peeks over the mountain the sunbeams stream across the top of Timp and Lone Peak. The world seems a little softer. The night animals have settled down. Even the crickets are quiet. I put my head back and enjoy the splash of light as the sun rises. It warms and motivates me.

This summer I hiked nearly every morning. I'm so fortunate to live where I can walk out my door and be in the mountains. It's like a mini-vacation every day! In the spring the wild daisies salt the fields. As the weather warms up, the red paint brush, blue bells and black eyed susan add their colors. There are some wild lilacs and roses that add color - and scent, too. It's indescribably beautiful. Summer brings coneflower, sunflower and strawflower along with the grasses and sage.

One afternoon I took Logan and his buddy on the Horsetail Falls trail. Most of this trail is shaded by the oak brush and pines. The boys had fun splashing in the small creek that the trail follows and sometimes crosses. We saw a bald eagle circling above us and of course, there were imaginary bears, cougars and other wild animals. A storm came in just as we returned to the car and we were able to watch the lightening from the foothills.

Life

I really thought that by the time I was 50 I'd have myself together. This life really is a journey, and I sometimes feel lost. I have the road map, gps, and destination, but I keep getting side tracked. It's like I see something shiny and forget what my goal is. Anyway....I just looked at my friend, Jenn's blog and she has inspired me to "keep on, keepin' on".

I hope I'm a joyful person, but I think I might be a whiner. I am so blessed but I want more - I want more time, more grandkids, more travel, more fabric, more, more, more! I had a real epiphany the other day when a friend reminded me that I'm lucky to have some time off during the summer. I was feeling sorry for myself because I didn't have the whole summer break off - I have to work six weeks of the break. She reminded me that I was lucky to have a job I love, great people to work with, and six weeks off.

So I'm trying to look at the glass half full again. I do love my life. And I'm so greatly blessed. Looking at the list of my favorite things is just the beginning of what I love and am blessed with. Could I have it any better? I don't think I need it to be better - life is rich beyond my wildest imagination if I just take the time to remember my blessings.

Ssprinnng!

Last week was spring break. It was so great to be off for a while. The first couple of days were all about me. I read, slept and mostly did nothing. My niece, Bonnie and her family came from Texas to visit for a few days. It was a great way to spend the rest of my time off. It snowed the first few days. The kids had a blast, they couldn't get enough of it. I went with them to the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum - we were there for about five hours! I think my favorite part was watching the kids play in the sand and water. On Sunday we had some family come over to visit. It was great to see Chuck, Angie and their families. We had such a great time.

We've been watching the wildlife move back to their summer homes. On Friday a bull elk and his harem were walking up the road on the ridge behind our house. It was so funny to watch them marching single-file up the road. I guess that's easier than pushing through the brush. One night last week Jerry called me upstairs to see a Huge owl at the top of our deck eaves. He shined a light on him - he just sat there and looked at us with his big, round eyes. Then he went silently into the night and was gone. We woke up one Saturday to a tapping sound on the side of the house....a woodpecker was digging the bugs out of the space between our storm drain and the house. He was a busy, noisy bird. We had to clear a cute little song bird and his nest out of our deck heater. We watched about eight hawks flying around on Saturday. And we have too many deer on the hillside to count. I even saw a fox on my way home from work the other night. The WildLife is exciting around our house!

FEBRUARY

We're living in a Winter Wonderland. It's one of those snow storms that just hangs around and makes you want to make cinnamon rolls and chili and read a great book by the fire.....if only I could!

You'd think....

You'd think with all the time I had off over Christmas I'd have filled my blog with every detail. I especially love to post pics of the fam....not so. I spent the holidays doing all the things I love and lovin' every minute of it - except the bad cold I had.

We love having Santa come to our house for the adult kids. We can't help it, we love their faces when they open something great. I mean the grandkids are fun, but they just hurry through it all so they can play with their great new toy. The kids savor the moment, they open their stocking with relish and we can see the childish delight in their faces.

We did a couple of things this year that I plan to keep as tradition. I thought by now I'd have it all figured out, but we keep evolving and it's great. Here's what I learned.

1. SIMPLIFY
2. I don't have to make all the candy and cookies mom did...I had the girls up one Saturday, they picked a couple of sweets they wanted to learn to make - or wanted around. I added Scotch cookies - a family tradition since pioneer days.
3. We don't have to go out on Christmas Day. We have our big Celebration on Christmas Eve - dinner, program, presents. LOVE IT! Because of the snow, we didn't leave the house on Christmas Day. On the Sunday after we had a progressive dinner at the kids houses. LOVED IT! It gave them Christmas to spend with in-laws and letting the kids play. And we still got to see what everyone got.
4. Ask about Christmas memories, you'll talk and laugh for hours.
5. Parties between the holidays are just as fun.
6. Some traditions are meant to be thrown out...what a relief!
7. I don't have to put up five Christmas trees. Nor do I have to decorate the bathrooms, laundry, sewing, quilt, bonus rooms.....
8. The kids love picking through the old ornaments I'm not using. I love seeing them at the kids houses.

That's it. I wrote this mostly for myself - sorry people, but I want to remember what I learned so I can do it again next year!

I love family parties. I love to party. Period. But I really love having my family around. We hosted the Monson Social this year. Loved it! It helps that I have great in-laws that I like and consider friends as well as relatives. And that I have great kids who pitch in and help. I know I'm a super-freak when it comes to Christmas and snow and all that warm, fuzzy stuff. I'm thankful they tolerate me....

Welcome!

I'm so glad you're visiting. I'm participating in BooMama's Christmas tour. The homes I've visited are delightful! I hope you enjoy mine.


We have a Winter Wonderland outside, I wish you could see it! I collect Nativities, this is my first ever! It's now over 30 years old.
We have a Christmas tradition of sharing books. Each year I buy a book for each of my children's families and try to find a small memento that will go along with it. It's usually a Christmas book, but it doesn't have to be. This year our book is an illustrated collection of Christmas stories, I have a small nativity for each family to go with it.

Merry Christmas To You!

Is Santa Real?

Logan doesn't believe in Santa anymore....

That's okay, we've wondered how long he would. Here's the conversation he had with Ashley yesterday.

"Mom, is Santa real?"
"Why wouldn't he be?"
"Well, how does he get all of that stuff in his bag? I mean last year he brought Ashlynn a "Rose Petal Cottage", and Rylee a desk, there's no way he could carry all that! So how can he be real?"
"So what do you think happens?"
"I don't know but it couldn't be Santa - who does it?"
"Well.....if you promise to be a big boy and not tell your sisters...."
"I Promise."
"Santa isn't real."
"Who is it then!?"
"It's mom and dad!"
"Oh.....I guess I'm not getting the Dune Buggy I asked for."
"I guess not."
"But I'd better get the Bike!"

Another "rite of passage". I wish I could keep my grandchildren at their age right now for a few minutes longer......

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great. All of the kids came home and Grandma Dot was with us. What a blessing. We have a traditional pheasant hunt in the morning for those that want to go. This year was one of the best - thanks to Cam and his generous offer to treat everyone at his Hunt Club. The turkey was perfect, it looked like it came out of a Norman Rockwell picture, thanks to Jerry. We tried a new chestnut dressing - yummy. I got to roast chestnuts - although not over an open fire. We ate until we were rolling out of our chairs. The Bingo Game was so fun, everyone got a prize and Chad - the caller won the Black Out prize. We watched a movie and ate pie and pudding 'til we couldn't breath. I really think the day was perfect.

My top ten thanks:
10. Contentment
9. Holidays
8. Laughter
7. Warm Home
6. Good Food, Plenty
5. Health
4. Grandma Dot
3. Children close
2. Grandchildren
1. Family and Jerry

HALLOWEEN PARTY AND SPOOK ALLEY

We had so much fun doing the spooky alley and putting the games together.Everyone got into the "Spirit" of things and had a good time. Besides the spook alley, we did a fish pond and cake walk.

We have a Gorilla costume that gets mileage every year. The kids worry about where it is and who's in it...they really keep track of Chad and Jeremy. Ashlynn kept saying, "That Gowilla wealwy Fweaks Me Owt!" Jerry made a great "Chick Magnet". Kyler is Mickey Mouse, he Loved his costume. The girls were so fun because they were all fairies and a unicorn so they could play together, the boys are into Star Wars and ninja - anything with a "shwowd"(sword) or "life saver"(light saber). Ashley made the cupcakes - they were so good, "I could eat just one of them!"

Our "Grand" Adventure

Over Fall Break we went to the Grand Canyon.
Day 1 - We drove through Cedar Breaks and on to Kanab and spent the evening exploring the town. We listened to the BYU/TCU game via computer stream.....a good thing. Did you know that Kanab has a quilt store (very, very small) and a golf course?

Day 2 - We drove to the North side of the Grand Canyon and hiked to the Bright Angel Canyon overlook - INSPIRING! It was so fun to see Jer's reaction....he was in "Awe"king most of the next two days. Did you know that the North Rim is the only place on earth the Kaibab Squirrel calls home? I loved the little cabins that overlook the canyon. They were so quaint with their rockers on the porch. Then we drove to the South Rim. Wow! it looked like the same canyon! We did a little site-seeing, and overlook peeking at Desert Point. The Tower was impressive to see and the sunset beautiful. We were surprised at how chilly it was.

Day 3 - The great thing about the South Rim is it's so well developed. It's easy to get around, lots of "reststops" and restaurants. We hiked the Rim Trail and a little of the Bright Angel Trail. We saw Mountain Goats and so much beautiful scenery. Then we ate at one of the lodges - very good. We went to the IMax and saw the Grand Canyon movie - AMAZING! How do they film things like that?

Day 4 - On to Bryce Canyon via Lake Powell. I forgot how beautiful Lake Powell is. It looked so peaceful, like a picture postcard. Bryce canyon is such an amazing place. And there is so much to do! We stayed at Ruby's Inn. On day 5 we got up, swam and drove home through Panquitch.

It was a perfect trip. The weather was great, the scenery was beautiful and we saw something new each day.

Our kids come up every-other Sunday for a little dinner and games. It's always fun and busy and noisy. I have some nets and bug catchers for the kids - they're always finding some strange bug or animal. They've caught some lizards and horny toads and the usual parade of insects. This Sunday they found a tarantula on the back deck. We put it in one of the bug catchers and later they let it go down the back hill. Monday I found another one in our garage. Needless to say I'm having the house sprayed today....