More Summer Fun

Summer goes so quickly, but we have had some fun this year, and hope to extend our summer attitude and activities well into the fall.

our anniversary collage ~ many years worth of memories

We celebrated our wedding anniversary, who knew we would ever be old enough to be married so long?

you can't learn to use a drill too soon

We got to have our grandson with us for a few nights while his parents went out of town.

Our hard work last spring is beginning to pay off, we are getting delicious vegetables from our garden.

our standard wedding gift

all packed up and ready for delivery

We have been invited to many weddings, 10 just in August!

it ended up being a free-for-all

The annual Pirate Party in the YSA ward was as fun as ever, Dave was part of the relay race in the pool.
And lest you think we are resting for the rest of the summer, we just bought paint for our house.
Our walls are still all white so after 7 years we are finally adding some color! 
We will share pictures of the finished product soon.

Love Stories

I love love stories, especially true-life love stories ~ here are my top two all time favorites.
The number two top love story started in 1975 at Lake Perris California. That is when and where I met Dave. He was home on leave from the USMC for a month or two and since he is a good friend of my brother in law Gene, he and my sister Holly invited him to our waterski outing. We went to dinner a few times with Gene & Holly, then he returned to his duty station in the east. About a year later he was stationed in Orange County where he and I both lived. We started dating off and on; but I also saw him with other girls at activities we both attended ~ group dates, Young Adult dances, firesides, etc. There was no talk between us of marriage, no ‘I love you’, and only one kiss. I was under the impression that we were just good friends. One night in the spring we were together walking through a park. We found a place to sit and started talking. Then, totally unexpectedly, he looked at me and said: “I think we should get married.” I wondered for a second if he was giving me some general advice; there was no shortage of people telling me and other young people my age about the importance of marriage. After all, he is a few years older than me ~ I wondered who he had picked out and even if he had a suggestion for me. So the first words out of my mouth, in response to his surprising statement was, “to who?”
It turned out that he had chosen someone, and he had also picked out someone for me. His response to me was, “to each other!” We talked a little about it, and I am embarrassed now to admit that I asked him, more than once, if he was kidding. He convinced me that he was serious, that he really wanted me. He did not get an answer from me that night. During the next few days I began to see him differently, to understand what he was offering me ~ his love (although he still hadn’t used that word), to support me, to share my burdens, our own home and family. Three months later we were married in the temple. That was many years ago, and only the beginning of our love story. We have shared many wonderful times together, a few tragedies, sorrows, and frustrations; we have had quite an adventure together. Still, the 30 plus years we have shared are only the beginning. I have heard it said that real love stories never have endings ~ and because of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his plan for our happiness, our marriage and family can last through the eternities.


The number one best love story began before we were born. It was then that our relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ began. We all knew and loved Him there, we learned of the plan for our progression and trusted Him to play the vital part He volunteered to play in that plan. When we read in Matthew “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ...” we may think that Jesus is giving general advice. It’s true that He wants all people to come to Him, but His invitation is to all of us as individuals. If we ask, and ponder, we will become convinced he truly wants us, that His offer of love, companionship, redemption, peace, and so much more, is to us individually.
As we accept His invitation, He will walk with us through the trials, challenges, and joys of our lives. This story of love between us and our Savior truly has no ending, it will go on throughout eternity.

These love stories are my favorite because I live them, they are as breath to me. They bring me purpose, direction, and immeasurable joy.

Surprise!

On Monday Scott showed up on our door step! What a wonderful surprise. He was just passing through, going to a convention with 3 co-workers. On their way back home today we saw them again, this time I was prepared with cookies and a goodie bag for him to take to the boys. He didn't stay long enough, but I got some pictures and more than one Scott hug.

Love this guy!

Steve and Cache were here

three of my all time favorite people

What I like best about being a mom

Mother's Day is sometimes a difficult day for me. I feel that I don't measure up to the ideal, more than a little inadequate, and frustrated with my weaknesses and failings.
This year I feel gratitude; I love being a mom!



I have learned everything I know about mothering from my own mom. She continues to teach me about mothering adult children, being a grandmother, and a mother-in-law. I will always be grateful for her teachings and, even more, for her constant example of love and service.

Today I want to share a few of the things I love most about being a mom.
* I love seeing my children succeed. From school work, to sports, friendships, work, marriage, and being parents themselves, my kids make me proud.
* When our children were living in our home, I loved to occasionally catch a glimpse of them kneeling in prayer in the privacy of their bedrooms.
* Five of the best days of my life are the days I first held my babies. My love for them started long before that day, and I treasure those first few moments when we met face to face.
* I love hearing the voices of my children on the phone. They often call just to touch base with us, make sure we are still getting along and haven't gotten into too much trouble. I love that they call to share their joys, heartaches, frustrations, and fun little things that happen in their day.
* I love to see my kids, and their families. We look forward to time we can spend together, wherever and whenever we can. They are definitely our favorite people to be with.
* I am grateful for the lessons I have learned about love, service, unselfishness, and focusing on what is really important that motherhood has taught me.
* My kids all have a great sense of humor. They are so much fun to visit with, and constantly surprise me with their comments and outlook. I love laughing with them.
* I love that our children have made us grandparents. Being far away from most of them is hard for us, but we love the phone calls, Skype, and our visits. We think about and pray for each of them every day.
* I am so grateful that our children often turn to us when things get difficult for them. They have grown to be such capable and confident people, so when they call with heartbreaking or disappointing news we know they can handle whatever comes their way. We love to share their burden, give encouragement and reassure them of the power at their disposal within our family and from their Heavenly Father.
* I love what being a mom has taught me about loving. My capacity to love has grown with the birth of each baby, with each of our childrens marriages, and addition of each grandchild. Learning to love as our Savior loves is my goal, and being a mom has taught me more about this than any other experience I have had.

Scott

I keep wondering how it is possible that my kids are getting so old!
But what sweet memories I have.
I woke early today thinking of Scott and the day he was born.

Happy Birthday Scott!

as you can see, Scott loves his birthday!

And he was such a fun boy to have around.

a favorite picture of Scott and Rachel

our three boys

he is such a fun dad

I told you he is a fun dad.



yet more evidence.


an all time favorite picture

last 4th of July

I like this fishing picture best because of fishing buddy Bryar.

Scott loves to ski!

He loves his family.

I love this picture!

I read this quote recently and thought instantly of Scott.

Life should not be a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely
in an attractive and well preserved body;
but rather, to skid in sideways,
body thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
screaming, "Woo Hoo, what a ride!"

I'm so glad to have shared this ride with you Scott, I love you.

Robin's Birthday

Our sweet Robin recently had a birthday.
Years ago my friend Kim told me that I am getting so old that I have to start lying about how old my kids are ~ and that is more true as each year goes by.
But we are so proud of the beautiful, strong woman Robin is.
She has many talents and abilities, she loves life and laughs easily, she is a happy and patient mom, and she brings me and her dad much joy.
Here are some of our favorite pictures of her.

in our snowy yard in Idaho

on a visit to Grandma's house

with little brother Steve ~ I think he prepared her to be the mom of boys.

senior picture

the day she brought Dennison into the family

on a family outing

definitely one of our favorite pictures!
Robin may be our most adventurous child, she has been known to surprise us.

another favorite ~
Robin, we love you and your amazing family!

what we have been doing lately

Last week Dave and I were invited to have dinner with several couples we know from our Provo ward. It was a fun evening, so good to reconnect with such great friends.

This is Dave's mom's cousin Linda. We met her one morning on our daily walk as we wandered through the city cemetary. She was parked by Dave's mom's families graves so we asked about her family and made the connection. She visited at our house and we compared genealogy information and family pictures.
Who knew we would meet family here when we moved to Spanish Fork?

Mostly we spend time with Cache. He is so much fun, and he gets all our hugs and kisses, in place of all the other grandbabies who are so far away.

Happy Birthday Rick

Today is Rick's birthday.

Most of our children came easily, but it took many prayers to get Rick.
Some of the things we love about Rick are:
He has a fun sense of humor, always has a clever, quick come-back.
He knows how to work hard.
He gives great hugs.
He has a tender heart (but in true manly style, doesn't show it easily).
When he decides to do something he is totally dedicated, he is unstoppable.
He takes teasing like a champ.
He finally likes my cooking, now that he lives so far away.
He is just all around amazing.
We love you Rick, never forget how important you are to us!

I love this picture of my two oldest boys, they are SO cute!



Rick with the nasty tasting ducks his dad shot.
I only cooked duck once, it was pretty bad.



With Scotty during one of the summers he stayed with their family in McCall.



Rick made a trip through Idaho and stopped to give Rachel and her kids a ride.

Rick finally went to Alaska two years ago and had a great time fishing.

We have met Rick in Mesquite at the shooting range several times,
he and Dave have a great time trying to out shoot each other.

At the airport last spring on our visit. This is the helicopter he was flying then.

At the Hoover Dam, he knows more than he really wants to about this dam.
That's why he is the best pilot/tour guide ever!

Fun with Cache

We are having such a good time having Cache with us so often. Being grandparents is better than we ever dreamed.

Of course he likes the box best.

He smiles like this pretty much all day.