mesa verde

stones used to grind the corn

the city of the people built into the hillside (this is in colorado) near cortez the holes you see that people are around were covered with thatched roofing in the winter and two -4 families would live down there to stay out of the cold. --there is access to water--back behind those walls with windows in them--(lots of water)

a beautiful hike from up above on the ridge over to where the actual ruins were group of people are huddle together listening to the guide telling stories of the people and how they did things-- the man joined the wives villiage --so the family he was leaving would throw mud balls at his new family--at the wedding--is that where the tradition of rice throwing started? Ha--

there were air vents for fresh air to come in and the little round spot is of course the fire place--we stoped at the places pictures plus hiked to some others not shown--that were a little different style--but still typical of each other

then the 'great spirit" as our tour guide explained--directed the people to leave this home land and this area after generations of living there and move out to the plains--in arizona and new mexico--and they left basically cause they were directed to--do so--by a higher power--it was time.

On the way down to New Mexico a few weeks back we stopped by a place I had never been called mesa verde--where the ancestors of the pueblo Indians had made their homes--I found it so interesting and wanted to share a few more pics of it even though I already sent you grandkids a post card of it--I will never complain about my living conditions again--if I do--well

slap me or something--It was a lot of work for this culture to even survive and yet they were very creative and they made it oh so pretty--as they knew how--we climbed down and up ladders

my cup runneth over

everyone got in on the raspberry picking at some point --here is anna with her treasures

balloon toss--dad and bryan-pass over to abbie and anna--they got tossing them pretty high and made some good catches too

anna and anna demo the slip and slide

the could run and slide on their bellies on the tubes too--the other kids got in the action too

lots of water--lots of kids lots of jumping--not shown is bryan holding the hose to make a rainbow for them to run under--they really liked this about the best of anything I think

lets settle down around the fire after we put up tents for sleeping

matching flipflos for the girlies--at the lake

everyone got a turn on the wave runner-from young to old

what's your favorite song ? (we got if your happy and you know it--twinkle little star, wheels on the bus, bingo--)

AS THEY SAY IN MIDWAY--A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL----------

dad and I always enjoy any time you kids are able to take time off work or come on a weekend

we enjoyed --this past weekend it reminded dad and I again how lucky we are to have you as family and even better as friends what stands out in your mind is the good times and a grandpa who is ever ready to help roast a marshmellow or make smores--or play with the kids--and wrestle with them and watch tv with them or toss water balloons in a towel well its just bound to have some fun in there somewhere------for someone--we missed you brad and kerri and kaci and hayley we prayed for you in the FHE around the fireplace and you were all noticibly missed (lots) you all make our lives happy--

Happy 30rd birthday Stephen

good sport to include your extended family--in things your all do

always a good sport to join in the traditions of FHE--decorating gingerbread houses or repeating what about bob lines

willing to go on outings--rain or shine--cold or warm

never too big/or too old to build a snowman

you make your kids part of your interests and hobbies

a good heart towards all of our brothers and sisters--in your own family--our family and in our Heavenly Fathers family

you are sealed to your family

The other night I was telling stories to abbie and anna about stephen--from way back when we first knew him--they were surprised I think --that we have known him for so long--you've been singing this song with us for a long time--so now we'll sing it for you--.....

"this little boy had a birthday--this one standing here....Father in Heaven bless him, throughout the coming year"!!!!!!! hope it is the best year ever--check your email for your Personal "top 10"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! its a celebration of a very great year and a very great life....

finished product

old house siding --old rain gutters old shutters--pic taken last april--I took this shot when it was snowing--the underneath part is called the facia and sophet--this was all replaced as of last week----------

new rain gutters--new shutters-trim and facia and sophet (spelling) and of course new siding--

the last thing to come is yet on order a glass screen door--I will call or tell you when I update the blog with that--but here is the nearly finished product...(just lacking the screen door as I said) --what do ya think????any comments?

when we pulled up to the house--after being gone a week--dad and I decided I would close my eyes then open then once we got in front of the house--I was so tickled about the finished product of the house--"re-do' like anything it takes a little getting used to--but I love its clean -fresh-exterior--I just wish I had a pic on file on the computer how it looked 21 years ago when we moved in--"we've come a long way baby" as the advertisment used to say---this has been a 21 one year old dream of mine--how blessed we were to have the resources to improve the exterior finally--HAPPY DAY!

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