Fall time-Don't ya love it?

This has been an exceptionally beautiful fall season here in Ut. and I think we had great weather in Alaska this fall while we were there last week --as well (pictures here from both Ut and Alaska)
I love being out of school for UEA convention (even though I barely started teaching) I love the kids to come draw pictures on the sidwalk--I love the fall apples, and fresh potatoes from the garden that wait to dig up in the fall.

I love the sunshine and fall colored leaves, I love the pumpkin Pie with ginger snaps and whipped cream that we had in Alaska for my birthday celebration --I love the birthday celebration! thanks for all the kind love letter and sweet gifts by the way-some of the cards were from susan chapman, LaNae, Carolyn, and you kiddos, then some of my gifts included, card seats from brad and kerri, a food warmer and yummy smelling bath gel &balloon from brianne and bryan and earrings from Hayley and a new blender from Stephen and nancy, and shirt and pants from dad, and a love note and breakfast in bed. I also appreciated phone calls from Lyle, Ellen and LaNae, and Laren and all of you kids. all in all Oct 5th was a marvelous day I taught school and then went out with dad to a movie call "You again" it was comical. Then we had a party in Alaska complete with pie and balloons and singing and then we sang again at the baptim dinner and ate choc chip ice cream cake. One can't wish for more than that can they? So a birthday- isn't my only reason for loving fall--but it was a big part. Now let me add some more reasons to love the fall. --I love the feeling in the air. I love the change of seasons and the sense of crisp air as I rode Brad's bike around last week or currently as I ride my bike to school just for the fun of it. I love walking around the block for fun, in the afternoon in the fall air with dad.

happy, spiritual days

This past month has brought such wonderful experiences. Seeing all the beauties in nature was happy and spiritual for me--holding a new born baby was spiritual to me, attending church in a different ward,(in Alaska) yet feeling welcome there was spiritual to me. Going to the Alaska temple and being the witness couple was spiritual to me. Reflecting on conference talks (both Stake conference and general conference) was spiritual to me. Listening to a prophets voice (Pres. Monson) at the Gen. Relief Society meeting and at conference was spiritual to me. Enjoying listening to the tabernacle choir sing on Sunday morning was spiritual to me. Having my visiting teachers drop by with a message was spiritual to me. Reading the scriptures at night with Bryan (we are in the Pearl of Great Price)
was yes...again.. spiritual to me. Hearing about the Tender mercies that Heavenly father gave some of my friends was spiritual to me. Having tender mercies in my own day to day life has given me strength and was spiritual to me. I just have really enjoyed that things that have brought joy into my life this month and I wanted to write them so I wouldn't ever forget, how much a part of our lives, from day to day, are joyful and spiritual.

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