quilt time

trying out the quilt for size

sisters --sisters--there were never more devoted sisters--(this show the back of the quilt --green with brown border--) front floral with br. binding

Dear family

one project this week included help Katherine Richardson tie a blanket to take to college with her

it turned out pretty cute--she picked cute material and we set it up on stands in our front room

reminded me of all the quilts we've all tied together through the years--a good time was had by all

congrats Brad on getting your Masters degree

Dear Family

I'm just now getting around to posting our congratulation post to Brad to getting his master's degree and finishing up his most recent semester of school. He has not only done it--he's done it with style--Way to Go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is so fabulous--love the dedication and ambition that you showed in reaching this goal

above are some pics of the college JMU that I took while we were there at the campus in Mayoh we loved the beauty of the campus and the nature walk on the campus you see with the bridge

beautiful plants--loved seeing brad's classrooms (through a window they we're locked) and also seeing the computer lab--

(just to make this post a little more interesting with pics) love mom

Book club/ Books in general---book sorting

I've been in a 'book club' for awhile now--its enjoyable--it keeps me reading books--and that is something I love to do anyhow--our book for the upcoming bookclub is the theif Lord--others we've read include--my sisters keeper --the boy in the striped pajamas--these is my words--
some of my other favorite books--not part of book club--but other books that I love to read and that I treasure are--
Book of Mormon
A Lantern in her hand(bess Aldrich)
The Far Pavillions (M. M Kay)
Call of the wild
Where the Red Fern Grows
Emma (a love story) Lundgreen
Birds Christmas Carol
A white Bird Flying (Aldrich)
Pres Hinkley's book (compiled by sherry Dew)
A marvelous work and a wonder (Legrand Richards)
Not without my daughter-
Charlie
_____________________________________________________
Dad and I have been sorting --sorting --sorting through a number of books stored out in the garage--I know most of the books we have I could give a way and check out from the library or re-buy a Desert industries--but it is ohhhhhh so hard for me to part with any books--I love them--really I do --in the olden days--(Lincoln's day) Lincoln walked 10 miles _+plus to borrow books and to think we have so many at our finger tips--well--we are blessed --very blessed.
I hope all my grandkids come to have a love for reading and for books--I have the best job in the world trying to help kids at school have a love for books and reading--

pioneer day--pioneers -my 'heros"

the 24th Celebration was fun this year--we watched part of the days of 47 parade on tv and went to the spanish fork parade--after we got back to nancy's house the girls and I put on pioneer skirts--aprons and such and played like we were walking--for lunch we all had bar-b qued 'buffalo" (as we called it) it was really chicken--dad said "this buffulo tastes just like chicken" we all laughed--cause of that saying that 'all weird meats such as rabbit and pheasant tastes like 'chicken" it was a good day for remembering--instead of us telling the kirks the pioneer stories--they told them to us as they have been learning all about them from nancy--we were surprised and happy to hear the stories in their own words and when they get to Heaven they will know these --people through their legacy and journals and stories handed --down--down --down--(:

not pioneers as you would think of but I think of grandpa harold as a "one who paved the way" as he is pictured here with some people--he was a very determined and ambitious law student and provider

is evelyn (and some of the grandkids of george pay_) by Pioneer cabin--there were 12 kids including grandpa pay lived in this small cabin

more pic of the pioneer cabin

I enjoyed thinking of the pioneers--as re telling their stories--especially those from our own family tree-mary goble pay and anson call and even telling stories about those first immagrants who came after the trains were in place--(technically we don't refer to those who came after the trains as pioneers) webster dictionary terms a :[pioneer) =as one who paves the way for others

so in that sense--Conrad Gertsch sr. --Ingrid and Lars Johnson--and even grandpa Conrad and Elise were some of our pioneer ancestors--if you want to look to heros-for leaving their beautiful homelands to immigrate to america for the intent to build up zion in the rocky mts.- I suggest them

their stories--make them heros to me--

happy 2nd birthday Kaci

kaci with us last may in DC



in a beautiful garden in DC

last summer 0f 08 when they were in Ut

when our family was together at brad's grad. (pic at the beach after)

all snuggly

hi guys -- just being cute

big yawns-cute cute

giggling

0f all the babies that left the hospital the day

bet she was the only one styling in a swimming suit--what a cute idea--of her mommy and dad

Dear Kaci--so very happy you joined your mom and dad to share mortality when them (*& us)

* we love your contagious giggle

*love that you draw on your piece of canvas and on the paper and make so many pretty things

*love that you warmed up to us--when we came back east to visit you

*love that you enjoy eating your food and so independant from way way back when you were small doing that

*love that you love animals and flowers and books, and swimming

* love that you are so fun to go places with in the car and so patient till we get to where we're headed

*so happy that you love to runwe -love that you say--mark-set -"go" and race your mom and dad-down the sidewalk

_love that you are playful and cute and tha you play hide and seek, and that you're such a smartie and say your colors and stuff to us on the phone-

*that you are just a little sweetie--have a wonderful -birthday---and know that you are loved by us--all year long--grandma Lynda and papa Call

happy 2nd birthday Hunter

some pics of hunter on his 2nd birthday---we had fun--cake and gifts and he was just excited and happy and in to loving life--as he should --birthdays are FUN!

pushing in new birthday toy (mow lawn) as he calls it--

with his two grandpas (two of his best friends and fans)

gotta love the new cowboy boots (these boots are made for walkin') (:

Flashbacks to hunters birth--

what a happy day it was when you arrived--we were so happy that you were sent to your mom and dad and you have brought so much joy to the extended family as well--we love and adore ya

to us there is

nothing is quite as sweet as the mother holding her sweet baby--the day he was born

she has gone through so much to bring this little spirit here from heaven and they have so many bonds already--and so many ahead of them

so sleepy--but so handsome already

cousins and grandparents came right away to the hospital to welcome you and to hold the sweet first grandson and cousin and friend...you were welcomed with loving and open arms---and still are today--when ever you are around us--hope you never get to big or too tough to like our hugs

This cute little boy had a birthday --this one sitting here--father in Heaven bless him throughout the coming year--

Hunter we love ya --much--you smile this contagious smile--you always run to us -when we get to your house-and give us a scruch (hug) then you are off back to playing with your truck--you love to push heavy things--you love other little kids and try to share your candy with them--you are good at building blocks and then knocking them over with great delight--you are independant and climb that ladder to the trampoline--by yourself (which scared grandma lots) you jump high on the trampoline with vigor and ride in the little red car--(sorry you hurt your foot last time) you are cute --cute --I mean handsome --handsome--*and smart and funny!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY--

swimming in the great salt lake /my pioneer trek preparation

I got thinking about pioneers before I left on trek and how when
they got to this valley they used to LOVE to go out to swimm in
the great Salt Lake for recreation--so one fine day last week
I went swimming out their to reflect on pioneer stories I knew
while I swam

this is the rock I parked by--there were no people there but me and it
was very quiet and peaceful

beautiful day--warm weather--warm water--good place to ponder

I remembered last year we were out here swimming with
the Hebner family--and I was remember our secronized swimming
and canoe last year on the 24th of July--it is really a fun relaxing
area