Yeah to everyone returning to school

Yeah to all of you going back to school and going to school for the first time---six of our nine grandchildren are in school and all six are going to a school they have never gone to before--we love you all for your courage-  I know your father's blessings will help you and I know that you all will do wonderful things in the coming year.  know that we are praying for your success daily.  how lucky your teachers are to get to spend time with you so many days this year..  they are lucky to have you around them.  I hope you all make a lot of new friends. 

fun in Yellowstone

Years ago we used to take you kids to Yellowstone--these past couple of days--we stood on the edge of the water of Yellowstone lake and think back when you kids were there throwing rocks--we enjoyed many hikes, walks, sunsets, waterfalls, wildlife.  We really had a good time--we came up to the park through Jackson hole wyoming.  It was fun.

The Jacob cabin

We had a fun weeken spending time with Joe and Hayley at the Jacob cabin
Dad caught a fish fly fishing ,  we road the four wheeler, played ping pong--relaxed , ate , sat by a camp fire, hiked, used the paddle boat on the lake--the time went by so fast.  We really enjoyed ourselves

dad looking towards pioneer trek for next year

dear family

we are working hard in our callings (me nurshery) bryan (stake pres)he is getting involved with next years trek plans--they traveled to wyoming to look at the trek sight...then last night a stake picnic---and a rigorious schedule today planning out stake conference--he will speak in the adult session and then in the general session.

we love to hear in your comings and goings--we are thankful for what you do in your callings too-

 we do want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers--just thought we should tell you that once in awhile

  

so many blessings

as we helped assemble bed and then watch the kids (in the kirk family) just into them --in their new home--we couldn't help think --of the anticipation for that long awaited day--when they could be in their beds all snuggly in their new -home--this will be the beginning of so many memories--they will build together there--we are ever grateful that  Heavenly father has seen fit for this miricle to happen.

where the wild things are

we enjoyed watching a little skit production 'where the wild things are'  with megan and her other friends that joined together to perform the skit as part of a summer murray theatre program--it make us smile--and she did a really good job

soccer games

we've really enjoyed that soccer games have started again--we surely love rotating to the different games--between the grandkids--they give it their all and they make us smile--wow its a lot of running

pioneer celebration

while kaci and forrest were here from alaska there was a lot of cousing time together and dress ups were part of all that fun
one day we dressed up like pioneers and watched aunt evelyn tell a pioneer story on the dvd--all the kids ate popcycles  to remember how they ate ice--at times--and we just had a little pioneer parade with each other...it was a fun day--talking about those who have gone before to make our heritage so rich--they kids were really cute about it...next time we'll include some virginia reel dancing or something

a trip to the park

its  fun in the summer time to just go to the park and swing and relax I really enjoyed doing that. and have had the chance to go with all the grandkids at one time or anothr to murray -or sugar house or the school playground--I love those simple happy moments

dog lake bike ride

Hayley took me on a trail on the bike to dog lake up in the canyon--it was fun and my new favorite --biking trail..I especially liked coming down...down --I admit--I get tired going up and scared coming down--but I just sing loud and yell out a couple of yipee--ky yahs  and do my best--and I have a ball

   can't wait to go again--I do bike on the parkway too--both are fun and have made the summer months pleasant. 

the truck

the grandkids have always liked the truck

I got a kick out of many of them sitting in the back and having a quick ride around the block one day.

I got a kick out of hunter just enjoying standing in it to eat a snack

(pic here)

its not always the most economical  (especially for someone as thrifty as us) but the hauling of the canoe to the lake and the other outings we've taken it on make it well worth it--I'm glad we got it

I've considered it one of our best purchases--along (with the trampoline)...

If we can use it to help move someone to a new home--or give service with it --in any way

all the better --keep on truckin'   we've been so blessed...the other day hunter couldn't ride home from the lake with us--so I took he and mayley and we took a ride on the back roads and they played the 'left and right' game--meaning you tell grandma to turn left of righ and see where you end up after an hour. it was kinda fun...like when you kids were kids

loving the summer--evenings

isn't it great to sit out on the lawn at night and just hear the crickets chirp?  I love the warm of summer,,,(okay--its been hot) but I still love it-
*I love the easy going feeling of taking the day as it comes
* I love making bread and having it rise fast
* I love the longer -sunshine of the day
* I love the early morning bike ride
* I love eating watermelon, corn on the cob and tomatoes

* I love feeling like somehow everything is going to work out ok

happy birthday Adrianna

Happy Birthday --
Adrianna
we remember well coming to Iowa when you were born and how happy we were when we saw that sweet little face in the bed...you were cute from the get go
* you have a love for babies (and others who are bigger than babies too  *you laugh at funny stuff--and if there is nothing funny going on--you make something funny happen * you are helpful to your family * you like to learn and are good at learning * it was fun spending time with you living closer this summer --just having you around made the day better *  you look out for other kids * you like to swim across payson lake * you make grandma feel good about her cooking and try to eat anything  she cooks * you have been a good sport about the whole moving thing  * you are good at making friends  
Hope that you have a very happy happy birthday--this special  year of turning 8 and being baptised

we are glad that we got such a sweet grand daughter as you--may you have a wonderful year ahead

happy birthday kerri

dear Kerri
so very happy that you were born to such a wonderful family and married into our family...we are thankful for your birth--may father in heaven bless you throughout this coming year

You have so many wonderful qualities--just to name a few  *you make the day brighter when you are around.  --*You take good care of your kids and husband * you make good food , paintings and shirts for the kids birthdays  * you have good ideas.   * you are compassionate  * you look for the good in others  * you like to go and do and hike and cross country ski and hike the narrows *you live the commandments and are an example to  many around you  * you don't brag about yourself - so we'll brag for you --you are wonderful  and thoughtful and we are very happy to have been able to spend time with you this past year and this past summer  * you care about the important things in life * you care about us  * you sing along with kaci in the car  * you forge ahead taking your kids fun places even if you have to do it alone * you included us in goings and comings --once this past summer you said something to the effect that you were : "glad you got us"  well back at ya--were so glad "we got you!!!:"
Happy Happy birthday--may you enjoy the many varied events that are sure to come your way this year.   and may you enjoy the journey

the summer is going fast

Dear family
the summer weeks seem to be flying by so fast
*we enjoyed going out to the great salt Lake two different evening--the kids were good sports about the byne flies
*we've enjoyed eating out at Parks with all of you
*we've enjoyed the times of watching olympics
* going to the days of 47 rodeo
* coming to your homes and visiting
* putting the silly little snakes in the firepit
*having bryan and brianne set up their blow up slide
*having olympics for hunters birthday party
*watching Kaci--share her  'candy" birthday cake
*kerri and Adrianna's rice krispie cakes up at camp
*having the kids fly kites
* spending time at Jordanelle
doing random activities--
*coming to the seven peaks and apt  swimming pools
many thanks for including dad and I in so many of your comings and goings

payson lake--camp over

Dear family
one of my favorite places to be in the whole world is Payson Lake--then around a camp fire at payson lake campground with all  of you my family--thanks for taking time to all be there--I love you for it
this year included
* catching a squirell temporarily
*eating lots of stuff (some healthy most not so healthy)
* telling stories
*celebrating birthdays
*canoeing
*swimming across the lake
* playing games
*just hanging around the lake
*and sharing time together--
*crafts
You all are wonderful to make it so much fun
can't wait to do it again next year