Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Monday, June 21, 2010

Free advertising...

...for my girls.

Check out Shay's Etsy shop at:

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=shayzrbeam&search_type=handmade&ref=auto


Aubrey gave each of us these bags for Favorite Things this year and they really are awesome beach/camping/carry-anything-anywhere-bags.


...and if you need a new watch check back here later for Aubrey's Etsy shop.

I can't believe what I did...

...because I usually can't get this kind of thing to work.

...but thanks to a great health teacher, a.k.a. Lala, I not only made a family video, I downloaded it to Youtube.

...due to the length, I had to do it in two parts.


...enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT0vhKg70Hk&feature=player_embedded


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYYkfFj0LBw

Friday, June 18, 2010

My children are wonderful parents...

...and I know this, because of the goodness I see in our grandchildren.


For example....






... we were gathered together with several other families to test our team work on the ropes course at the Heber Valley Girl's Camp. The missionary in charge asked for a volunteer to say an opening prayer. Surrounded by about 60 complete strangers, sitting on Uncle Mike's lap, Carlee's hand shot straight up and she said, "I'll do it!"


People chuckled at the boldness of the little girl. Probably a few doubted her ability to speak, even in prayer, in front of so many. Carlee, with her rich sense of who she is and who Heavenly Father is, offered a lovely prayer and though Uncle Mike was with her, she shared her own thoughts and words with the Lord.


Many adults might have struggled to find the words or the courage to do what she did.


...so when I see this picture, I'm back there, sitting on a beautiful hillside, listening to the sweet prayer of a perfect daughter of God and finding joy in my posterity.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Little girls...

...and sure to be best friends.


Over and over again, I watched these two little girls being kind to each other, sharing, helping, hugging and playing.






What a great way to start out life, knowing you have someone there who really loves you. I love the thought that years from now they will still be best friends, calling each other, laughing together, attending college together, being at each other's weddings, and having little girls of their own to be best friends together.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

So sweet...


No pictures for this, but...

...it was a cherished moment.




It was a moment that cameras couldn't be used, but the picture will be forever etched in my mind.




Precious...unforgettable...proud...joy...cherished are the words that come to mind when I think back on the moment.




Our family expert on geneology, Shay, took several hours out of her short stay to help me with some family history. We went to the family history library and sat at the computer at home entering names and dates of people long gone, but still remembered.



Cards...pink, blue, and yellow, were printed and with Matthew officiating, using his priesthood authority, we added links to my eternal family chain.



...then the moment that will forever be in my memory, kneeling at the alter, looking up at their dad, Michael, Andy and me, together. My boys and I, together, creating a spiritual bond, I looked down and saw their hands.




I remember teaching those hands how to tie a shoe, zip a coat, roll a pie crust, hold a baby. Their dad taught them how to tie a fly on a line, put air in a tire, prepare the sacrament and make a Boy Scout sign. Now strong enough to swing a hammer, draw a blue print for a new building, give life back to a dying patient by massaging a heart, tie a water balloon and gentle enough to wipe away the tears of a two year old.



There was something else familiar about those hands. They had square nails like Matthew's, long slender fingers like mine and strong, sinewy like my dad's. I saw generations before and generations yet to come, being blessed by those righteous hands.


I love that memory.



...but wait, I said there wasn't a picture, then I found this picture and thought it was perfect.









Mike holding Tessa and Andy holding Amelia...in their hands.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Random photos...

...can be the best. So here you go, check 'em out.





Nope, not syncronized swimming...






...it's just Lukee and Porter playing keep away. They had a blast together.


...and then there's the new scooter that Matthew bought. We called Andy and told him we bought an electric scooter for Porter to play on. His first response was....



..."Did you get a helmet"? What do you expect, he's an ER doctor.

Andy and Shay hosted a friends picnic at Smoot park. It was a great evening to see how much all the kids had grown and the adults had graduated, moved or changed jobs.

...the best part of the evening was watching the kids enjoy the toys...


...and watching Jake chase Cameron. Hey, Jake, I think we need a bigger slide!!!

...one of the stars of the family reunion was also the quietest...

...but don't be fooled by him not talking, he did a great job of communicating. Logan was all smiles and goo's.

...and being seperated in age by over 80 years doesn't mean you can't be best friends...


...the day after they left, Grandma Great told me she missed Carlee more than anyone else. Carlee was always the first one to check on her when she got up in the morning or when we got back from being gone. They both look like angels in this picture. Carlee has been a blessing in GG's life, making her laugh and helping her feel loved.

...and speaking of angels...

...Tessa May gave me angels hugs every few minutes. If I close my eyes, I can still feel her chubby little arms wrapped around my neck...sigh!

...and then there is the little brown-eyed angel that melts my heart everytime she smiles at me.


...I can't believe how lucky I am to have this angel in my life.

...and speaking of angels and hugs...


...Cameron is definitely Grandpa's little buddy.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

You know the saying...

...every once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, a fairy tale happens.






Several months ago I had a thought...







...do you think that Cinderella might make house-calls? Sure enough...




She arrived in a lovely blue dress, wearing gloves and diamonds, beautiful slippers, gorgeous blond hair, driving a red mini-van...???!!!




Hey, even Cinderella has to get the kids to soccer practice!





The girls were all aglow. Eyes sparking with anticipation of lunch with a real princess.











...and what is lunch with Cinderella if she doesn't sing a few songs and tell a wonderful fairytale? It even made me choke up a little, to think that Cinderella came to MY house to have lunch with MY girls!































We did our pretties, face painting, fingernails and sparkles everywhere.

















We even kissed a frog and though Prince Charming he wasn't, he made us all laugh.













...and we all live happily ever after.



The End.

How do I ever...

...capture the memories of the past two weeks? Well, I have to start somewhere, so let's just start blogging and see where we end up...


Uncle Caleb had a little help with his homework. Carlee and Porter were right there to offer encouragement and an occasional snack.




Andy has really missed the elk hunting in the fall the past two years. He tried to make up for it by killing cardboard boxes in the back yard. Porter proved to be a good shot. Gotta love little boys (and their dads) and B.B.guns!




Monday, June 7, 2010

And then they were gone...











....sigh!



...fortunately, I have hundreds of pictures that I will be blogging about, so check back...tomorrow.