jammin' time

you could read my post title and think I mean "dancin' type jammin'--but if you know me--you know I mean "raspberry--jamming time (:"

aren't these berries hugo--this year--with all the rain--I actually took this pic--I thought it was very 'artistic" eh? well--I am glad dad loves to grows these- (and help me pick 'em) its quite a feat--by way of thinking as it is time consuming but enjoyable--after the little buckets start filling up and we sit down to the table to eat them with a little milk and toast--

the raspberries were all set to pick when we got home from new mexico--we picked for an hour then the next day started the frozen jam--life is good--summer is my favorite ----time for fruit and trying to feel that urgency like the ant /to put up lots of stuff for the winter months--(:

fourth of july was great

brad and kerri and kaci---I'd guess saw the prize for the most impressive fireworks of the 4th of july celebration---making it up to our nations capitol and seeing them from near the Washington monument--congrats for bucking the crowds and having that memory in your life--I chuckled that kaci--got into it with her saying "boom , boom" as the impact vibrated the area--good job being brave--below are a random collection of 4th of july pics

a pic of the fireworks in DC --trying to imagine how much fun the brad call family had-------

wish we were all sitting around you on the 4th --you were in the big time---we are happy you were there--(we can only imagine--)
probably only the big shout out hayley experienced in portugal -surpassed DC ha--just kidding

sorry that the portuguese weren't all excited hayley about our independance--and freedom- (:

they'll have other celebration--that you can cash in on (like graduation--right-o?) kidding again

pic of kyle kirk on his first fourth of july

with abbie holding him--waiting for fireworks to start--

hunter really got the hang of going out to catch or pick up the candy the floats threw out--like me--he likes candy--um...um..good!

America the beautiful--we have been able to see some beautiful part s of our beautiful country lately--and each time it brings to mind--the hymn--How great thou art--and makes me think of the D&C sec 59--that the Lord made these beauties to gladden our heart--it gladdens mine

watched the 4th of July parade with Bryan and Brianne and hunter and mayley--then at night made it up to murray park--to share in the fireworks with nancy -stephen, megan, abbie anna and kyle--(but I ran out of battery) so I don't have a pic of the fireworks--but it was fun and we thought about you Hayley in portugal and thought of you brad and kerri in DC

so glad everyone--seemed to have time on the fouth to reflect on our great freedoms--and great country--I feel so grateful to a loving father in heaven to see fit that I live here and enjoy the freedoms day to day---after going to washington DC last spring--my patriotism has grown even more. so glad that brad and kerri and kaci got to be in washington--and I'm glad where ever you were on the 4th that we could all reflect on our loyalty to: our Father in Heaven--to family -to country.

great week in new Mexico

dad and pres hunter

our home away from home for a week

enjoyed going to classes with Anne and getting to know her even better

one hike we took had 7 (small ) waterfalls this is one of them

dear family we had a great experience sharing time --hiking--taking classes and learning at a training in new mexico this past week--it is called philmont--scout training--a very rich man who was the founder of the phillip oil /service station deeded that land to the scouts--he and his wife vowed to give away1/2 of everything they earned they made in their lifetime

it was a remarkable experience that brought us both a greater understanding not only of the scouting program but of the gospel principles and strenghthened our testimonies in the process--how delighted I am to report that back to you and I'll tell you more about the details at a later time but at least wanted to say it was easy to keep postitive upon entering the facility and rubbing shoulders with many other great leaders and people-- the time flew so quickly that I wasn't able to write you before now--but you were in my thoughts--and I often had the thought cross my mind during the day I wish my family members were here...

you were there in my thoughts--daily--mom

a" new look ".....(for the house)

Dear family as most of you already know --I keep saying I don't want dad climbing up so high and painting the house anymore-- (to dangerous--by my way of thinking_ ) so happy day

he won't have to anymore as you can see--the siding is in progress--here's some photo updates

love ya--mom

fathers day ---

kids eathing popcycles in the back of the truck

fun-food --family--phone calls from the ones away--does it get any better than that? hope all felt the love they should have on fathers day--I gave dad breakfast in bed--then he opened some new shirts--(and acted surprised since I made him help me pick the out) and then we went to church --he came to our ward--nancy and the girls and the baby came to church too--bryan and brianne and kids came right over after their church--then we ate and played--uno and grass, sky, fever, heart game

and we ate some more and below is a fancy pudding /fruit dessert that the kids helped me make

and gayle gertsch had left a cheesecake from the cheesecake factory for us to enjoy--then the usual rolls-and jam and everyone brought food--so I hardly cooked a thing and it was all fun--the kids went on a little "treasure hunt' that I had set up for them to take--and they found the clues--then we went for a walk around the block and visited some more--and then everyone had to say their goodbyes--and it was such a great day--to enjoy the church services--taking the sacrament and remembering because of our loving Savior--we can share family ties and family times throughout all eternity--and Father's day was a reminder of our wonderful earthly fathers helping us--strive to be worthy to obtain that goal.

picture of dad talking to brad on the phone

and Hayley sent a wonderful letter and the tee-shirt dad is wearing was from hayley

so he --saw or heard from all of you on father's day and he had a very happy day

Isn't summer time fun--especially swimming and playing with cousins--is so much fun--

Dear family
one of the reasons I love summer is to watch the kids swim and see how they are so much more brave each year as they come to enjoy the water
we got to see them show off all the new tricks they know--of back floats and splashing and swimming and just enjoying being in the water---we all were all over the place in the warm kids pool--to the slides--back to the wave pool--the time went by fast and about 3 hours later we called it good--before everyone got to tired or hungry--so what a fun water day it was for dad and I

I love it when the kids set up the little dishes and have little pretend dinners this was on fathers day---then we had a real dinner with big dishes and lots of yummy food--hope the dad's felt well celebrated ---

I love it when the books are off the shelf and being read --dad is always so good to look at a book with the kids--(so kids just ask and I'll bet then he'll read to ya--or listen to you read to him)

Uncle doug is 92 years old can you believe it???

here is a picture from the Pay family party --at the sandy park -it was richard walker,(kathleen hinckley,barns walker's husband)
and uncle dougs son, in the middle, and uncle doug on the side--he is 91 years old now--hard to believe--the way that he is so youthful and outgoing --we enjoyed eathing a picnic dinner we brought and visiting with the cousins-- not much to report-
*the aunts and uncle doug all seem to be doing well--aunt doreen and aunt Joanne just got back from leading a pioneer trek at martin's cove
as far as extended family-a few upcoming weddings for the partriage (elaine) family their daughter kristen and amy (henriksen) son is getting married
the kids are all growing up--it was amy's daughters birthday but she didn't want to be anywhere else but the pay party--now that is a cute 15 year old. in my book
a good time was had by all