gathering around smokey

gathering around mario kart

gathering around Bryan

gathering around the new little valentine tree

Ta DA.......yes the bathroom is remodeled

out with the 'old' in with the new--what do ya all think? of the bathroom floor now?

mayley and hunter helping put the new rug in the bathroom for the finishing touch

mom standing in the new 'improved bathroom" admiring the brightness of the new floor


dad is hard at work wiping down the last of the grout film before the toilet and sink go back in

loving the before and after of the bathroom downstairs--its is clean and nice and I love dad for all the hard work that he put in on completing it. (I ask myself --why we waited so long to make this improvement--like cleaning out a closet, I say to myself --hum should have done this long ago")

The more we get to "GATHER"

gathering around the computer

gathering around the table

gathering around the cakes
including brad's


gathering around the kids table
My dream is to always have our home as a "GATHERING PLACE" at the last funeral I went to so much was mentioned about Jo Kirby's ability to make her home a great place to gather.
So..then.. "GATHERING"--for family dinner As always was something we enjoy very much
*watching the little kids gather around the ping pong table to draw--
*watching the family gather around the pot luck dinner, the women gather around the table to visit after the dinner.
*gathering around the computer to get ideas for the Kirk's floor plan.
*Gathering around the TV for the superbowl.
*Gathering around the phone to sing HAPPY BIRHTDAY to Brad and talk to Kaci. (especially fun when I did finally dial up the right number and we really are singing to brad and not to my newphew John T. Lund that's another funny story)
*gathering around a book to read to a grandchild or to have them read to me.
*Gathering around the TV (up stairs )to play mario Kart with the kids and hear them giggling.
*gathering around the piano to hear someone play a song
It can get loud crazy but except for the risk of waking up the sleeping babies (kyle and Hogan) we it wouldn't have it any other way.

fresh air fresh snow

after we finished our housework and remodeling work on Sat. then we went up in the mountains and went walking on the packed trails. We had tried hard to find some snow claws that just fit onto your snow boots. We got them at Christmas time and just used them for the first time yesterday as life had been so busy. it was a beautiful day--blue ski --fresh air--fresh snow--good exercise

Everyday tender mercies (recognizing them)

the miracles of our family our too numerous to name them all --but please ponder on them this month K? In short we have been protected in our many days of riding, flying , biking, hiking, delivery babies, all the sports, rugby-surfing, basketball, football, lacross, softball, soccer, to name a few...we've been protected in driving, serving, learning, kayaking, it is amazing to me
glad you are all here to do what the Lord would have you do.

brad and kaci "pondering.." ..

Miracles of the Bryan Call and extended family

Dear family--take a minute to ponder about this as you do the dishes or wash your car--or make your bed, or drive to work......

I’m slipping a little—On Jan 29- of last week –Bryan Scott and I were talking about the tender mercies of Heavenly father.

*that was that day seven years ago when Bryan was spared in his serious accident. Then we talked of other miracles that our family has experienced. Previous to that dad and I had also talked about so many miraculous blessings have been given to us. We could hardly name them all. It reminded me of the movie “Seventeen Miracles” that came out in theaters a year ago.

*Well then I got to thinking about dad being spared not getting hit with lighting. *Hayley waiting long enough at a green light to avoid being hit by a car…just because of a feeling.* Brad not getting swept away by the ocean wave when he clung to the rock in NY.* Anna recovering from a burn on her face from hot soup* brad not getting lost in the mountains on his bike in Payson lake --when it got late * Mom not getting hit by a car when stopped on a icy bridge between Midway and Heber. *hayley not getting hurt by the whales--when they kyacked so close *Nancy recovering from a spin out on a moped bike in Hawaii. *Stephen getting struck while riding his bike as a child, *Joe avoiding accidents while –racing his bike,* and all the missionaries in our family- avoiding harm when in un safe areas.* and kerri being safe during surfing and *brad recovering from hitting his head surfing and *bryan brad being safe skiing, *the and Anna not getting cut more when hitting a ceiling fan, *kerri being protected in all her paulvaulting ,and *Dad being protected when he hit a deer * kerri getting Forrest here safe and sound after being on bed rest.* and then remember about all the safe arrivals of the babies in our family and how each one has been a miracle.* then remember too of hunter recovering from his staples in the head and broken arm all in one season. * Remember How Hayley got so dehydrated from having her tonsils out--but was blessed to get through it--remember how nancy, cracked her head against Julia's hip, remember how* Brianne was protecte in Brazil? *remember how hayley ran into the tree and scraped her face--but the scars healed..

There are so manyI'm just glad that you are all here to fulfill your mission in life and build up the kingdom--we'll never get to make a movie most likely but at life's end--it was be nice to Meet our Father in Heaven and express our thanks to him and let him know that we acknowledge and saw his hand in our lives and protecting and guiding us.

Well the list goes on and on—and I’m sure you could all add to it and I think we should until we get 100, because I am sure throughout the years there are even many more than that!! if anyone doesn't want my spin on their miracle --included in the above list --just edit it out. K? or edit and add more miracles in--I'm just one person I can't brain storm them all help...

forever painting

I keep saying that the painting days are over--well they are for me--but glad the grandkids still keep the painting and holiday windows going--it brings us such joy to see things painted by them.

happy birthday Nancy the big 32--

Dear Nancy

Happy Birthday !!!! I love to celebrate a person’s life on their birthday and celebrating yours is as easy as falling off of a log, as you have done so many wonderful things. You have made such a difference in our life and the life your family. Although dad and I are 21 and 23 years older than you in -- age to you brought many joys to us throughout our lives.

*We shared chocolate chip cookies, (making them and eating them) adventures, friendships of your friends and you of our friends (if that makes sense?) and talks together.

*we remember watching you learn tricks on the trampoline and imparticular—mastering the back flip always patient but always determined. You loved to jump on the trampoline and sometimes you and the kids (brad, bryan and Hayley) would get on the trampoline all together and make it work. Now life is bouncing us all around in difference ways and challenges and joys—but you four still have that friendship you started when you were out jumping.

We remember making up games together such as making up our own jeapordy game while camping

We remember you kids going on the the inner tubes on Murray hill. sometimes we did this outing when you’d first come home from Hawaii at college and you’d have been missing playing in the snow.

You are a good worker, as a child and now. Remember cleaning the house together and along side each other. Remember aunt Carolyn getting you all to clean saying “an hour together or four hours alone or something like that”? and dividing the tasks between us.

*You really think things thoughts and dreams (like the song dream BIG) you went to Hawaii when no one thought that it was do-able –and many examples since then –that is just one.

* You are prayerful before making a decision on things. You are endeared to so many people because of your sensitivity and good nature.

* You make your home so warm and welcoming. You are always glad to open your home to gatherings for family, friend, or Relief Society sisters , girls doing crafts, your kids birthday parties.

*The Lord instructed parents in the D&C to teach their children and so we’ve really taken that

* Your years of service in the church in various callings

LOYAL—you are--: to your family and neighbors. So many things you’ve done in your life that we will most likely never know about. (because your left hand knoweth not what your right hand doeth—but you’ll be rewarded in Heaven).

* You’ve been a good listening ear to so many, including dad and I.

. You also invited us to swim with you and share in their birthday parties.

* We have learned a great deal from you, without your saying the lesson out loud.

How you live is a better way to teach --than a sermon.

*You have a sense of commitment, integrity and above all charity, and kindness for those that come into your path.

* No matter what happens with various situations, you work through them and look for what you could have learned and look for the best in the situation at hand.

* looking for the best in others and finding their strengths instead of their faults.is typical of you

We have appreciated the time when you help with things for the extended family such as crafts at the cabin in oakley

It seems that you have enjoyed the seasons of life

*you and Stephen have taken trips to various places together and simply enjoyed the beauties of the world (like the big trees in CA) or a spontaneous trip with your kids to CA to Disney land.

You acknowledge a Father in Heaven who has created your spirit and your husbands and children’s spirits. You treat each of your family with love and respect.

* You are lady that goes the extra mile. When you go ..you go 100 percent like training for a ragnar, or finding out the best teachers, wheel chairs, dance classes, best recipes on the internet, finding out what would be good for FHE.

. You work hard & you play hard. Congratulations on your many accomplishments of the last 32 years.. How Magnificent! You are and just think –the best is still yet to come—buckle up for the next 32 year or so—they’re bound to be GREAT as are you.. Happy birthday

(:

Lotsa Love, mom and dad