Sports Mom

Being around Darren and Susan's boys always includes a ball of some kind, be it football, basketball or baseball. Both Ethan (1st photo) and Kevin (2nd photo) have a great throwing arm. Jacob is fast catching up to them. Susan was being a good sport and trying to catch the tosses!

Birthdays/Clocks--You Can Never Have Too Many!

Here's our birthday boy--just happy to have had another birthday (it just means he's that much closer to retirement)! He keeps complaining that he feels 64, but doesn't get much sympathy from Pat. It was a very quiet birthday, but more celebration is yet to come this weekend. Anyone who has been in our home knows we don't lack for clocks!! Don't know what it is, but we seem to be drawn to them. Now it's time to start putting them outside. Carl's new birthday clock will be put out on the brick wall in our back yard. So, if you're sitting on our deck you won't be able to lose track of time (even if you want to...)

Family Rocks!

We had a grand time this past weekend with our trip to Idaho--the weather was perfect, the ducks and seagulls on the Snake River were eager to please the crowds by eating bread, corn, and anything else anyone had with them. We sat on a bench for a couple of hours taking in the spirit of the place and looking across that river at the temple that started our family...then the peace was broken by the grandsons that we loved every bit as much as the peace and quiet.

Travis and Lindsay along with their parents had planned a perfect day for us on Saturday. The Rexburg temple is incredible, the wedding was beautiful, the wedding luncheon at Johnny Carino's (one of our favorites) was delicious, the laughter was infectious and abundant, the hugs were heart-warming, and it was plain good to see everyone. Thanks for the occasion to get us all together.

Travis and Lindsay took full advantage of the frosting on the wedding cake--Lindsay actually was the instigator of the "smear the frosting on the face" tradition!
Here are cute cousin mamas!

Darren wants to try out for "Dancing With the Stars" (or trying to give Curtis a run for his money in Disco Dancing)!
Susan's in the running for favorite aunt of cute, crazy-haired little Cameron.
And, finally, this sign in front of our hotel reminded us that we were, indeed, in Idaho again!! (the sign says "Block heater receptacles for hotel guests only.")

Focusing on General Conference!

Watching General Conference at home can be so very relaxing...Looks like Sam and Kevin were (to quote Carl) "watching through their eyelids!" At least Susan has her eyes open and is looking in the right direction!

Come on, Carl, it can't be that bad!! Or was someone sitting in your chair?
Ethan, our artist, had fun with the conference packet coloring the ties of the different speakers. We really were listening to the speakers, weren't we, Ethan!

And, Jacob--that little guy didn't stop the entire weekend! He either had this barn, the Spiderman car, or the huge Dinoco helicopter--usually carrying every one of them at one time!

Easter Egg Hunts & Cake

If you don't like crowds, you would have gone bonkers at the Thanksgiving Point East Egg Hunt! It was cold and crowded, but sunny, and the boys had a blast. We stood in the face painting line forever, and when the lady who paints faces asked Parker what he wanted on his face, he whispered in her ear "a snake?" She did a beautiful job on him and even gave him a hug. Carson's bat looked awesome, too.

This is one of my favorites of the many faces Dexter comes up with. That kid is such a hoot, and got right in there with the big guys and went for those Easter eggs!

Carson looking handsome in his church shirt...dad and son in blue...
Chef Carl, who loves Peeps, coconut, and Cadbury eggs came up with a delicious Easter cake. He even taught Parker and Carson how to tint coconut in a zip-lock bag. Although it started to slip, slide and crack, he held it together with uncooked fettucini (see the plate in the background), put it in the fridge overnight, and it was a hit!

Babies and Spring

Babies have been the dominant theme for the past couple of weeks--great way to welcome spring, I'd say! I finally wandered outside this afternoon and discovered the pussy willow tree is budding out. I'm still struggling with focusing our new camera, but you get the idea!

Most of my Cameron photos are just about the same as Carrie's, but I really loved this picture of Aunt Fern and Daddy Sam. Fern is such a wonderful aunt to Carrie's boys, and I loved hanging out with her while we waited for this little guy to enter our world!

I think Shandy isn't the only one getting baby hungry...

Prego Ladies and Birthday Parties...

We had an early birthday party for Shandy and the timing was great because Kami happened to be in town. The requested main dish was "Helen's Meatball's," along with Shandy's favorite birthday dessert which was made by CURTIS! Here Dexter is focused intently on the candles Shandy had just blown out--he seems to be wondering where in the world the flames went!The three "prego amigos" showed off their midsections, and the theme of the evening seemed to center around pregnancy and babies! All three are having boys, of course.

A cute photo of Kami, the youngest of the three prego amigos. We all need to go to Hawaii around the end of August to help bless this new little guy!!!

Miscellaneous and Sundry

Carl's role as master chef is now official with his chef's coat. A side benefit is that it keeps the grease off his shirts! You can see it even brings a bigger smile to his face!

It has snowed constantly ever since Christmas. After one big blizzard the snow was as high as Pat's armpit. Carl says he could kiss the person who invented snow blowers!!! What makes it worse is that our house faces north, so the houses facing us across the street have hardly any snow left, since it has nearly all melted!

Classy Pioneer Lady

Now I'm not sure she'd milk cows in this outfit, but Sharon makes a mighty fine pioneer lady. We were all amazed that Kami made this dress, apron, and bonnet without Sharon there, mailed it, and when Sharon tried it on, and it fit perfectly!!!

Here she is making her grand entrance down the stairs. Only thing lacking is some sturdy leather boots.

Bonnet closeup--will they let you take your makeup on the trek, Sharon!

West Jordan 65th

My family really outdid themselves for this milestone birthday! After we all went to dinner at Archibald's in Gardner Village (with Cody, his "friend," and Nalani joining us), we gathered at our house for cake and ice cream. Sam's mom, Fontella, had worked with Carrie on a beautiful cake. Then there were gifts--great ones--gift card from Christopher & Banks (my new favorite clothing store) for new clothes and a "Magic Bullet" blender from Carl; See's chocolates from Nalani and Jed; a wonderful entertaining ideas book and candle from Curtis and Shandy; I-tunes gift card from Darren, Susan and boys (I'm getting with it in technology)as well as a true treasure from Darren who had taken an old, beat-up photo of me as a baby with my mom--the only baby picture I had, and had cleaned it up, enlarged it, and framed it. Amazing. Then the finale--Carrie had worked her heart and soul out gathering "memories of mom" from her brothers, formatted them, printed them, included photos, and made it into a book. I was absolutely blown away. I have to say Carl and I have the best kids and grandkids ever, and our greatest joy is being with them (and that includes nieces and nephews). I'm still teary over it all.

Lucky for me we were out of candles, so all I had to blow out was one little tea light (and I had to have Carson's help on that!)

Carrie and Sam had placed these roses on our kitchen table for me to find when I came home from work on my actual birthday, and the book of memories.

The crazy group that contributed to the contents of the book!Darren and family's gift--another treasure to me.

Redmond Party!

Sharon and Rich organized a semi-surprise 65th birthday party for Pat. We were staying with them since we up in Washington for Lindsay's baptism, so it was a perfect time for a party! Phil and Paul (Paul has moved south of Portland) drove up, Kris came from Seattle, Daurell/Amanda/David/, Keith/Nick/Taylor/Brian/Audrey, Steve and Jacque, Devon/Lynette/Lindsey/Shawn,Jean and Reese (Grover)Turley.We had a good time reminiscing, telling stories (most of them true), and eating! Jacque has discovered that Martinelli's now comes in single serving bottles, as seen below. Pat was presented with a wonderful dutch-oven size LeCreuset pot that must weigh 20 pounds. Can't wait to do a Sunday roast in that baby!! Thank you to all.

Amanda's trying to keep us in line

Father and son--love 'em both!

Now this is serious cookware!

Jacque, Rich, Steve looking rather serious

Lindsey Ann's Big Day

Carl had the honor of performing Lindsey's baptism in Auburn last Saturday, 2/2/08. We had a wonderful time with the Loydens, including Devon's mom and dad, Judy and Dan. Sharon, Rich, Jana, and Amanda also came to support the great event.

Carl and Lindsey just before her baptism

Getting Shawn to cooperate was a chore--Devon is trying--but all in all we were a happy group!

Shawn and Lindsey later in the day--one happy/one not so much!

Mama Nalani

Nalani's baby shower on Saturday was so much fun. I'm so glad they let a couple of us older ones join in. This baby will not only be well dressed, but also well read.

Nothing beats a Nalani smile!

Long, Cold January!

This seems to have been a long, cold month; however, the temperature promises to be above freezing today. We are definitely looking forward to spring and being able to work out in the yard! Nothing really blog-worthy lately, but peaceful is good, too. Heading down to Lindon for Nalani's baby shower should provide plentry of excitement, however!

Just remember, this sign is at our door, and we mean it!!!

You Just Never Know...

Many of you know we have a part-time boarder. Shane Manwaring is with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's office and, until he and Tammy can sell or rent their home in Spokane, he stays with us during the week, then goes up to Pleasant View (north of Ogden) when he's off. He now is also part of the SWAT team and has some new toys--weapons. Last night he came upstairs bearing a semi-automatic rifle and pistol with laser beam tracking. Put that little red light on a perpetrator's chest, and he is ready to submit! He gave us a demonstration--kind of unnerving. I guess I just never thought I'd have high-powered weapons in our house. Actually, he doesn't keep them here. Wanted those of you who visit us with your kids to feel at ease! Here's our live-in Rambo!

Had a great weekend with Dexter while his parents played in the mountains. He truly was a joy to have with us. He slept good, ate good, and kept us entertained non-stop! Carson and Parker love to be with him, too. (Does Grandma look rather tired in this photo?!)