more alaska --trip info

oct 16-2010
I just can't quit talking about Alaska--(to pretty much anyone who will listen) it was one of the most fun weeks I've ever had in my mortal life. Of course the visit with you kerri and brad, kaci and Forrest--tops the lists-
-it thrilled us to see Forrest recieve his name and blessing at church and for dad to be able to stand in the prayer circle
-then in second place--going to rain forest, going to the glaciers, going to the ocean, biking, hiking, eating 'reindeer hotdogs" yes reideer--sort of a sauage /hotdog that you buy at a stand and delicious too.
* loved the fall leaves, snow capped mountains, sunsets over the ocean, stars at night, even saw the northernlights as we flew out at night. all in all--a glorious trip--(pic tell a thousand words)
love mom

Alaska Adventures

The carseat covers are my birthday present. Nice huh?

They'll look nice in my new El Camino.

It's my 52nd birhtday and I'm thrilled to death about it-no pun intended on the 'death' part

Dear family, am going to stick by my story that every year gets just a little better!!
well I love being 52. I'm am that old and "I don't care who knows it" (think of the line from elf when he says, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it) well I'm that too-(in love I mean
- but I also am 52 & so happy to have had the life experiences of my life to this point the Best is yet to come--I love each year and what it brings (the good with the bad) and the growth from each year...so below are some of my
birthday thoughts...
we (Bryan and I ) had a time to remember how I was born --on a Sunday--Dr. Horne delivered me at the LDS hospital in Salt Lake City--I had a problem with my tummy and had to stay an extra week there. When I did get home--my adoring 6 older brothers and sisters took care of me--along with my father (Ray ) and wonderful mother(Maeda). Ode' to my mother and father for having the courage to pray to Heavenly father to send me down when they all ready had six kids in a 4 bedroom home. Bless them for truly wanting me and praying for me--never making me feel in my lifetime anything but wanted. Bless them for naming me Lynda after Lynda Darnell a movie star that dad danced with while serving in the army in WWII, it is a name I have always loved as well as the last name Gertsch. I have tried to live up to that good name. I was always proud to be from the Gertsch clan and waved that flag so high that most of my associated know that was my maiden name. Then if that name is mentioned (which it often is, in conference and such) they say something to me.More importantly though--being a Gertsch meant to me that I would be honest, not be mean, try to befriend others, give of my resources, go to church on Sunday, not drink coke, not playing with face cards, keep a clean house, be mindful of my blessings, take care of my body, have family prayer, have family home evening, tell stories of my anscestors and revere them, work hard, play hard. pay tithing, keep the word of wisdom, go to the temple, be married in the temple , live the laws of chasity, keep my covenants and love others with all my heart. now I am a Call and I love that name too, I told dad of all my blessings he is at the top of the list, being a call means all those same things to me as above mentioned and together we have established those same goals and tried to live those same rules and added in some more--such as serve breakfast in bed, laugh a lot, go campling to payson with our kids, tell the nativity on Christmas Eve, decorate gingetbread houses, make pancakes for some of our dinners (supper) as I like to call it. Save up for things, play the accordion on Christmas eve, keep our yard looking nice, be nice to each other, take trips to see our kids where ever they live, encourage education, live the golden rule. and love, love , love our kids and grandkids without being spoilers, but trying every which way to show them we care and want to know what is important to them in their lives. These continue to be my goals for my upcoming 52nd year.

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

This little girl had a birthday --this one sitting here-....Father in Heaven bless her throughout the coming year!!!!!!!!

* we love that you are beautiful inside and out,

*you are thoughtful and kind to others

*you run 'fast' like the wind, especiallyin soccer

*you help your parents and sibblings --lots, modeling pics for them to draw, clapping for them

encouraging them, helping them organize their room...and so on

*you are funny--you tell jokes and have a sense of tease and humor-i.e wearing the funny red glasses --to be comical

*you are a tryer--you try knew things--to see if you like them--like;gymnastics, or roller skating

*you do your best, you color pretty, draw your best-do your best work in school, clean the bathroom your best--always your best, never sloppy

* you are a sweetheart all around and we are glad that you are in this extended family-Life if so much better because you are!!!!

kid's corner

picking grapes

we've had fun the last week being around the kids for the fun of it. some of the things we did with one or the other of the kids, were : pick grapes, clean them, steam them bottle them--

*go to soccer games *and go swimming, or goof around, dance class, playing in the yard, get one of the girl's and my ears pierced (one of the close of pic shows ears pierced but hard to tell)and we went swinging on swings at the park and we , and sleep overs and such...--so here are a few pics capturing the fun

big news

always thrills us to report a new addition to the extended 'family' since I won't be able to give details by 'blog' due to that we're not private--I'll just post this and those whoe know --already know by phone or email--and such but loved the pics --what a perfectly wonderful time to reflect on the blessing of a baby's safe arrival. and our love for him already.........

Happy Birthday Bryan

Twenty nine years ago we had the wonderful blessing of having Bryan join dad and I--and be the first boy in the family. As with all the pregnacies _ went on bedrest. This only lasted for a few months at the start of the pregnancy --then things looked good and he went full term. The only complication was that the ambilical cord had been wrapped around his neck--keeping him from gaining weight but luckily it --didn't strangle him in the womb or in the birthing process. This was the first of many tender blessing of protection that the Lord has given Bryan throughout his life. I was canning a few more lovely peaches and doing one more load of wash, when I went into labor. My sweet neighbor--finished processing the peaches for me so all the work I had put into them wouldn't go to waist, then she went the extra mile and finished the wash (and Ironed it too)--my faith in man kind was restored that day///I mean--people are sooooo so nice and have been to me all my life --we went to the hospital at night--(uncle bruce came to tend nancy so she could stay asleep in her own bed) by morning bryan was born and we were all estatic!!
we were thrilled when bryan weighed in at a 5 lbs 11 oz. -handsome and beautiful olive skin from the get go
-we didn't have very good insurance at the time--Bryan was just starting a new job on the day bryan was born and so he started the day after bryan was born. things have a way of working out and our world was complete and wonderful --even though it was financial tough time in our life--it was One of the six happiest days of our mortal lives---just to remind you--that when you have family and kids--you are RICH!!!!!!!!!!! and how rich bryan has made all of our lives.

here's some things we love about you Bryan
&*you are good at seeing the funny side of life--even today _I had to laugh out loud as I read a text message from you.
*you are good to help dad when you can--and give us ideas how to better the house or our lives
*you are good with numbers, people, animals and the youth of your ward...they really need someone like you to model their lives after--(serving a mission, marrying in the temple--having fun but not by doing bad things) you know what I mean..
*you are good with your kids--patient and understanding--trying help them --but not too much
to where they aren't independant--but just enough that they get the problem resolved.
* you are good with the neices and newphews--taking an interest in them--talking to them
* you are good with the business and work that your company expects of you--you work hard to provide for your family without complaint