Sadly, Summer is Really Over!

We have had a wonderful summer. I wish that everyone could have been with us. We've seen Donner's Pass, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, drove across the Golden Gate bridge, rode a boat under the Golden Gate bridge crossing by Alcatraz,watched the homeless, fed the seagulls, rode the open top tour trolley. Smelled fresh fish, listened to the honking of seals as they basked in the hot California sun. We watched a long hot pink limo pick up 'someone' important in front of Macy's at the Business Square. (That Macy's is the largest in the country.) It must have been someone important because of the body guards,guys with their walkie talkie's and the police escort. Humm, still wish I could have seen in those dark windows. Ha, ha!. We loved seeing Sacramento, joining a small town for a country fair in celebration of the local apples. It wasn't too small. It was really fun. We loved seeing Yosemite, the beauties of the granite rock that seemed to reach the sky. We were lucky again to see this through another opened ride. That is the best way to go. We saw Muir Woods, Large redwoods, Fast drivers, fun campgrounds with wonderful swimming pools. Hot times driving through Sahara Desert and Los Vegas,hitting Vegas at rush hour of 5 p.m. (Never again) We were stuck at a crawl for over one hour. We should have found a spot to stop and rest but it was hard to even get off the freeway. We went to a campground outside Zion's National Park and decided to stay there for two days. We loved the free tour bus through the Park. We took time to stop at the Large Zion's Lodge. We ate lunch sitting on the lush green grass under the shade of a large oak tree along with many other families enjoying the ah's too. We drove home on Sunday evening getting home in time for school to start the next day. We were gone three weeks. It was a marvelous time for all and quite the education for the boys too. The dogs love going as well. We loved the new Motor home as it was SO comfortable for all of us. I'll try to post some pictures. We would have loved going for another month if we could have stretched our the summer. It is truly a blessing that we are able to do this traveling at this time in our life. It is an activity that is easier for Gus to do than other activities that other family get to do. Enjoy these few pictures.

Oh my gosh!

I finally got some pictures to download. It must only work at midnight!! Ha. ha. Enjoy!

Home From Colorado and South Dakota

We have had a wonderful time visiting grandchildren in Colorado and seeing the beautiful land of South Dakota. We loved staying in Custer and participating in their 4th of July Old Fashion County Celebration. Their fireworks were unbelievable. I've never seen a small town or a large one for that matter, put on such a large and wonderful show. No wonder the clerk at the grocery store told me to go TWO hours early. We did and we were so glad. They held them on a hill and the parking was adjacent to that hill. They parked cars for the whole two hours. It was amazing.
Mt. Rushmore was touching to see. As you approach the monument you walk through a corridor holding all 50 state flags. It truly made you feel part of this place.
Crazy Horse Monument was of equal fascination. The story was amazing. It is worth a google search if you have time. The Custer State Park has to be some of the most beautiful lands we have ever seen. It ranks right up there with Oregon and Yellowstone Park. In fact, we often said it was even more beautiful. It was rolling hills, green, opened, and quiet. The wildlife was exciting and the weather was perfect. The days high hit around 72 every day. I could really handle that.
It was great.
Now, if I can be a computer person, I will try to post a few pictures. So far, I haven't had much luck with the other tries. Here it goes!!!

Computer Dunce

I have having problems posting a few pictures from Fla. Maybe I'll try again later. Ooops.

Back From Florida

We had a nice visit with Mom/Grandma in Fla. Bob came down and surprised us with a visit. I'll post a couple of pictures. I know I've been bad at the blog site since I hooked up with facebook.
Is anyone reading this blog? Let me know. I miss family so I really enjoyed being with fam. in Fla. The boys loved it. They often feel the effects of living so far away from family members.
We are recovering since the basement flood. We don't have the floor boards finished or the furniture back in but the carpet is fixed and my long arm is back on its frame. Now I need to down load the quilting program to my computer and I will be off and running. More like standing and quilting!!!
Enjoy the pictures:
(if I can get them to download!)

Mother's Day Surprise

Adam woke me up this morning at 6:30 a.m. and brought me breakfast in bed. He was so thoughtful. It consisted of a small bowl of Frosted Flakes and a cup of lemonade. He had made a card at school so that garnished the side of the bowl. He was SO excited to have done this gesture of love. It was touching to my heart....even if it was 6:30 a.m. on my day to sleep in.LOL
I have just returned from four days after spending it in Sandy Utah at a quilting conference. It was wonderful and I learned so much. I hope I can find time now to turn all that knowedge into experience.
I'm taking the boys out of school two weeks early so this is their last week of school. Next week we are flying to Florida. We have a three day commentment to Hilton then we will spend the rest of the two weeks with Grandma. I look forward to the break. I can hardly believe it is almost summer already. I love summer and love having the boys home. I can hardly wait!!!!

Just another Update.

It's been so long since I've blogged. I got myself hooked on Face book and have neglected my blogging duties.
The basement is coming along. Gus worked on the replacing the sheet rock where the wall had to be cut out. The carpet people came back in and laid new padding and was able to relay our carpet. It was still new enough and wasn't ruined. That was a blessing for us.
The boys are busy at school doing year end testing. I will be doing a 3rd grade music program on May 13th. This week from May 6-9th, I will be attending a quilting conference. I am looking forward to it and am so excited about all the possibilities of learning new things. Then on May 18th the whole family will be flying to Florida. We have a special condo through Hilton. We get to stay in a really nice condo and hear their spill about buying a time-share. Of course, we have no intention of buying a time share but the trip will be nice. Then we will spend the second week with Grandma. We look forward to that. I am already missing the 'girls'. (dogs) We've got a lady that will come in and feed them and check on them. But, they are such social girls, I don't know how they will survive.
Anyway,this will be a busy month for us. And yes, I am taking the boys out of school two weeks early. Both of them will have finished all their core testing and I've cleared it with their teachers and the principal. They are excited.
Matthew completed his state report this past week. He was assigned the state of Indiana. The report turned out nice and he scored a perfect 100% on each of the four areas.
Matthew had asked me on month ago if he could have a sports party if the Jazz went to game 6 or 7. I had told him yes, but since the Jazz was eliminated there would not be a party. So last night he asked me if he could have a few friends over to watch "Hotel for Dogs". He organized it all. He had ten friends over of all ages. They had a great time and I stayed down stairs the whole time working on organizing my CD pictures. It was a win-win for all.
I think that is about the update for now. I don't even know if anyone is reading this beside myself but it is a good way to journal the current events.

Our life continues..

This week has been quite the adventure. Our basement is finally starting to dry out. The carpet pad has been removed, more fans moved in to blow under the carpet and our hopes are lifted that there might be an end one day to this challenge. Home teachers have been our rock. Not only did they help install a new drain in the basement window,they brought a chain saw over and trimmed fruit trees, dead quakies, and any other bush I pointed it. It was fun, full of laughter and teasing, which certainly helped lift our spirits. And even if our house is a total mess from having the basement moved to other areas of the house, the yard is beginning to look as if it is ready to welcome in spring. The boys are enjoying the real spring weather as are the girl dogs too. Enjoy these pictures.

The mud and water went as high as the leaves. Ugly huh?

Trying to post a few more pictures. Let's hope it works this time.

Don't fool with Mother Nature???

Do you know what Mother Nature did to us since I was complaining about looking for spring? Left us with a basement soaked with mud and water.Lots of blessings....
again, our lifesaving home teachers came to our rescue and stayed over 5 hours. And that was only last night. Doesn't count the time they spent today too. Young men showed up to move out belongings. My quilting equipment was fine and only a few bolts of fabrics were wet. Thanks to a good friend who just happens to be our Relief Society President, they are all now washed and dried and safe in her home. We returned Monday night from a wonderful time with Chris and family in Oregon. Oh, love those grand boys. They are SOOOO cute. Anyway, Tuesday we got up and took the boys to school and then I came home to face and tackle 6 loads of laundry. After getting everything done all day, I put dinner in the over about 4:45 p.m. and decided to go downstairs and work on another quilt. Oh to my surprise, I thought we had been hit by a tsumia while we were gone. O.k., not that bad, but with every step it squished even more. It is a sickening feeling to hear those sounds. Everything had to be moved out. We are doing better today, but the process has only started. Once the carpet and floors are taken care of, then cleaning and moving everything back in will begin.
Anyway, as the snow falls today, I will NEVER complain to Mother Nature AGAIN!!!!

Updated Pictures

Happy Easter

Here we are in Pendleton, Oregon at the KOA. We started our morning in Newport Oregon. We've traveled along the Columbia River all day. It has been beautiful. We drove north into Portland and drove right by the temple. It was beutiful and very exciting to see. Even at 60 miles an hour. It has rained every day since we arrived. It has been a fun few days with Chris, Chanda and Kyle and Silas. What darling boys!!!It is hard to return home and have to put the boys back in school. I am ready for summer and I think they are too. We have enjoyed seeing the beauty of Oregon. It is amazing. I'll try to attach some pictures.

Where's Spring?

This weather must be a game like "Where's Waldo". I have decided I am going to have to really look for spring. I don't think the weather has been nice since we took the boys to the Hot Springs. So play the game "Where's Spring" with me.
I found some spring on our apricot tree. It was in full bloom until the snow hit. The poor little blossoms look pretty sad now. I will be amazed if we get any fruit from the tree this year. I also saw some spring in my front flower bed. I have about 2 inches of green plants coming up. Then they got covered by Spring snow. I spied Spring when the boys got out into the front yard and played baseball. I spied Spring when the yard is so wet that two boys footprints are seen on the hardwood floors. But theirs are nothing compared to three dogs, twelve paws and their footprints on the hardwood floors. Gotta love them ALL. I see Spring when we got the motorhome out, un-winterized it, and will now take a trip to Oregon over spring break to visit Chris and Chanda and their boys, Kyle and Silas. I guess I must be bored with trying to 'find' spring around here so we will drive to find it!!! We look forward to the break and warmer weather. I know Spring will return to Utah.....sometime!!! Smile.

Swimming in March

Two weekends ago we went camping to the Hot Springs. The ward scouts were there too. Matthew and Adam had a great time swimming with all the big boys. The scouts were great to play with our boys. The weather was beautiful, almost 68 degrees. I am glad we went because it was a small taste of spring. This past week the weather has been very snowy. We look forward to spring.

Matthew receives his Arrow of Light

Matthew finally received hisn arrow of light in scouts. I guess I should clarify that statement. He earned it about two months ago but the den didn't award it to him until the Blue and Gold Banquet. It was a fun evening with a dinosaur theme. Matthew now moves to Eleven Year old Scouts and Adam moved to Bears. We love scouts and what it does in their lives. We love our scout leaders. They are the best around.