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

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