Family

I love this cozy swing that Dad made for us. I have just been sitting on it thinking about how much I love my family. Katy and Shawn have spent a few nights with us. We cleaned out the Messing Tree, clocked quite a few hours on the four wheeler, and made pink salt dough. They molded round little bums and laughed and laughed, it must be an inside joke. It is so interesting to see how much these children are like their parents. Shawn says the funnest things that are so Bret. Katy was constantly wanting to feed the horses, Trigger being her favorite. Both of them got a longing look in their eyes when they talked to Nicole on the phone.Then we went to Kim's Sacrament Program. Oh how proud we were. Lucy grinned and started out the program with style, she sang every word. Abbie was gorgeous is her baptism dress, Max was handsome and serious. Each of them gave their speaking part perfectly. The best part was watching Kim smile from ear to ear through the whole program. These children know they are loved. Can't believe Emilee wasn't up there too. She is now a beautiful teenager. We were late and sat on the back row through the sacrament, little Jayne has so much charisma, she was bare foot, dressed in pick, and such a flirt. She kept teasing us by coming part way to us and then turning around and running back to her safety net, her mom. What an amazing family the Millers are. Bret is such a blessing to our family right now. There is no way for me to express the gratitude I feel for him. Prayers are often answered by members of a family, whether on this side of the veil or the other. I love Matt. How I wish life was not so hard for him. I wish I knew better how to be his mother. I wish I could just cuddle him up on the front porch swing and hold him like I could when he was a little boy. I know he is sick and sad tonight and I feel that way too. I long for the Heaps, I love their pictures on Jamie's action filled blog. They are growing up way too fast. Dax just recited his Primary talk that he gave today. . . so official. He was so proud and so was Jamie. Oh Happy Day In The Morning, Jamie just said they are coming for Thanksgiving!!!! She has some new games for us to play. These September days are so beautiful, I must not wish for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Thompsons, how I wish I was babysitting for you this week. I want to see how everyone gets ready for school. What they had for lunch and what their dreams are. I hope Kelly and Heath are having a wonderful trip. . . I wonder if they know how lucky they are to get away alone to exciting places so often? I guess what I want to say after all this rambling is that I am so honored to belong to you. You are parenting me and Dad too. We watch you all and smile. Thank you for all the car pooling, and homework and scouts and sports; thank you for always being there and never giving up; thank you for cleaning up the throw up and the leaky diapers: thank you for reading scriptures at breakfast and praying together. Someday your kids will thank you, but for now I will be their voice and say THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!

Birthdays

Happy Birthday Sweet Katy! You are one happy energetic child. We love your new gymnastic moves, your chickens, and the horse you named Sadie. She is mighty lucky to have you on her back. Grandpa and I hope you have a Wonderful Day Tomorrow. Happy Happy Birthday! We can't wait to see your new ear rings. Both of these pictures are pretty darn old, but they still make us smile. McKinnley we hear you got make up for your birthday and you are trying out for cheer. Your Mom had some mighty fine moves in her day, she is a good teacher. Sounds like your Dad made you a yummy Birthday Dinner. Everyone loves McKinnley!!!!! Grandpa and I sending you Birthday Wishes and Kisses. XOXOX

Saying Good Bye To Summer

Clark Doofs

This blog is for Kade. Here are your favorite cousins sending the secret wave and goofy look. Hope you know how much you are loved!

Kade you inspired us all, love Tyler and Grandma

Hold It Men

Only Jamie could stop our future life guards in their morning run to take a picture with the ladies. The first guy on the left can't figure out what is going on, but he has white thighs anyway. But Wha La, a new cover for Sports Illustrated. Matt you could easily kick their butt.

These are the days!

These are the days we will remember forever. It feels like yesterday that we were at Lagona and I had five small children, I turn around and I am a grandma of many beautiful beach children. Life passes so fast. Heaven lies about us in our families. We must hold each day carefully and count it a gift. This is from our Family Mission Statement written long ago:"We treasure the beauty of this world and our ability to laugh and be happy as a family. We want to be eternal friends. We must have the courage to act on what we believe and know to be right. We will be one to the end. . .or the beginning."

Matt was in my thoughts constantly. I could imagine him catching a pigeon, or doing a back flip, or loving to see the octopus that we found in the rocks. I look to the day when he too will have a partner.

Thompsons you were there with us. We could hear all your laughter, imagine you jumping the waves, running to the hot tub, swimming all those mighty fine swimming strokes. We love you all so!!! You are always in my heart no matter where I am. I can't wait to come out, or have you come here. Kelly keep a good eye on the plane flights. Grandpa and I love you all.

Abbie's Baptism

Yesterday Abbie was baptised. July 31, 2010. We are so proud of her. She looked beautiful in her fancy white dress. She sat so proud on the front row with her Dad all in white, and little Lucy. Max gave the opening prayer and he looked and sounded like a missionary.There was the most beautiful song, Jesus Came To John the Baptist, sung by a cute family. When Abbie bore her testimony in the chapel after she was bastised she metioned that she felt the Holy Ghost when the girls sang. I think we all did. Abbie you did such a good job. You are lucky to have your Dad baptise you! We all love you!!!

What a darlying 8 year old!

The 24th was fun this year. Emilee drove the Ranger and everyone had a squirt gun. The best part was Kim and Jason's sharing of their experience at treck. Grandpa and I loved having the Millers for a few days all to our selves.

More Happy July Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Sweet Little Grady! Those eyes of yours are gorgeous! Long lashes and juicy lips. I wish I was at your house to put you in the tub and play with jumper the frog with you.

I would love to watch you blow out your birthday candles. Lets celebrate your birthday again in Laguna. I can't wait! You make my heart thump!Happy Birthday BEAUTIFUL Kelly! What a thin darling Mom and Wife! This picture brings back many happy memories for me. What a free and breezy morning we were having. You are an inspiration to me. I am glad your new family arrived safely. What doings must be going on in the Thompson household tonight. I bet there are some thankful friends who are counting their lucky stars! I wish you strength and energy and many happy times. I love you always!

Happy Birthday Darling Abbie! What joy you bring to everyone you are around. I can't wait to pick you up tomorrow! We are going to play and have so much fun. I want to sit on the swing and listen to all you stories about your friends and your dreams. Let's do some art too. You are such a fabulous artist. It is OK if Katy is giving you two little ears on your head, you are still cute! Happy Birthday. . . can't believe you are going to be 8. . . . that is Baptismal Time. What big doings are ahead for you! I love your bones!

Tyler, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! I wonder what you and Max are smiling at? Was it the cannon getting ready to go off, or the clowns, or the horses, or motor cycles, or some cute young girl smiling at you from a float? Whatever, I love your enthusiasm for life. You always have so much to tell me and I love it. You are a great 4 wheeler driver and I had such fun with you last week. Keep swimming like a fish and be happy. You are very handsome! I love your kind heart!

A terrible, horrible no good day!

Yesterday I was unkind to Matt. I was hot and tired and I went to my scuba class dive at the Homestead Crater. I put on a oxygen tank that felt heavier than me. When I got in the hot murky water, something snapped and I had the worse anxiety attack. I kept chocking on the dang water. I had to go to the top and breath. It was the hardest thing I have ever done to go back down there. But when it came to taking off my mask 30 feet down, there was just no way. I did complete the dive but I will never go back there! I tried to sleep but both my ears were hurting from the water pressure so I got up and decided to clean the kitchen. I opened a drawer and out ran a mouse almost up my arm. I live in the country and should be brave, but he scared the tar out of me. I had never had one that close. Then to top it off I think he was more that a half a bubble off. He honestly just kept coming out running around my feet. I brought Sam in to do his doggly duty, but he just layed there and relaxed. I finally made Dad come in and set a trap at 4:00 AM, and you can image how that went over with him. So this morning when I got up and found my foe upside down in the trap I had to copy Abbie with a gigantic "YES!" Now to clean out the cupboards and dishes. They need it anyway. I have to make darn sure there is not another lunatic brother or sister. It has been years since we have had a mouse in the house. No more mice and no more swimming in the crater in Midway! Today is going to be, today is going to be, today is going to be a better day!

4th of July

The 4th of July seemed just right this year. It was peaceful and fun and I so loved sharing it with Dad. He is my forever partner and I count myself lucky for each day I get to spend with him. He has a new peace about him, we are even having a family dinner on Friday for Aunt Liz. She is marring David Lambert, an old school mate. She seems so happy and we are thrilled for her. Hope you are all happy today. I am imaging you all this Monday morning, swimming, driving to Flaming Gorge, feeding the chickens and brushing the new horse, heading out for another adventure. Know that my thoughts are always with you. It makes smile all day long to think of you. OXOXOXOX me

At Daine's Cabin

I just spent the most wonderful week with Diane and Mom. The morning we were leaving we woke up to a big herd of elk bugling. It was misty from a night rain and there was a double rainbow. We decided it was a gift from Dad saying, "Margie I am getting ready for you." Mom read old letters from Dad when they were separated during the war. I didn't know my Dad was so romantic. Mom just beamed and cried. She just found these letters and can't stop reading them. Our bodies grow old but never our spirits.

89 and still handing in there. We laughed and ate and rode the ranger, and then did it over again.

Ya Ba Da Ba Doooooo!

Summer Birthdays Gallor

Happy Birthday to the Sweetest Little Tweet in all the world. This has to be my all time favorite picture of you Madison. Nothing but goodness shines in your eyes. Grandpa and I are crazy about you! I bet you are beating the tar out of your competition in the water this summer. Wish I was there to cheer you on. Be happy Birthday Girl and take care of your Mom for me. I love your heart!

Dax the big brother, Happy Birthday! You have darn big shoes for your younger brothers to fill. I hear you can down the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a flash. Oh I wish I could plant a great big kiss you you today! You are my favorite action hero, I love you, from here to eternity and beyond!

Awesome Mr. Max, Happy Birthday to the first place runner in the school. My favorite part about you Max is that you have your Dad's gentle spirit. You are kind to everyone, especially Jordon ? Hope that is the right name. You are a young Nephi. How is your sword doing? Tell your Mom and Dad thanks for giving you such a grand Birthday Party. I love your bones Max!

Oh Lucy, Lucy, Lou, I do love you! I loved it when you fell asleep on my stomach last night watching the fireworks. I loved how excited you got over your big coloring book. You really are an artist! I love your sparkling eyes, and long hair. I am glad you had such a fun birthday party too. I can't believe you are five and going to Kinder garden, whats the deal????? Happy Birthday to a burst of sunshine, I love you!

In a blink of an eye. . .

I wonder how these little bodies will look in 2010?

I can't wait to take the next picture!

Summer

School is out and that means I have been lucky enough to spend a little time with my favorite people. Jenny and Emilee are wolfing down two tiny ice cream sandwiches. Emilee is the queen of the chicken fights and Jenny is the master of the noodle races. What fun you are in and out of the water! You both have the cutest shapes, smiles and sences of humor!

Abbie is so darn cute here! She worked so hard to fix up the meshing tree. I think she wants to get it ready for when the Thompsons come. She rocked at scaling the creek in her undies.

Lucy I loved how you are always singing and making everyone happy. You roast marshmallows like a pro. You take such good care of Jayne. I am so glad the fingernail polish came off your Mom's table. Hope you aren't grounded any more, because your neighborhood is awfully boring without you. Happy summer nights.

Kate you drive the 4 wheeler like a grown up. You make up good words for the Messing Tree Song. You climb a tree like a monkey, and I will never tell what you were wearing as you hiked the stream. You are a joy! I am glad you and Jenny got to do basketball camp together. Katy you always were asking me if you could help me, and then you did help. Thank you so much! I appreciate you!

Max and Tyler, you are amazing how you know how to put out fires the "Boy Scout Way". I loved our early morning hike on a cool misty morning. We really did find 30 different kinds of wild flowers, didn't we. You have good eyes. We will have to take Kade up the mountain to find him a Nephi's sword or Moroni dagger. I found a bed spring this morning up there, I can't wait to show you. You two are so dang cute, I love you!

I long to be with the Heaps and the Thompsons. You are in my thoughts all of the time. I am sending you vibes of love and happiness and gentle nights. I can't wait for Lagona. I am still having a hard time believing that it will happen. Isn't the Internet just the best that we can all send notes back and forth and see each others pictures. Families are the Best part of life! I love you all! Grandma

Changes

Dad and I look like twiners. I love him! What a week of change. Walllsburg isn't looking the same. The first few days we worked on cutting down the trees that were dead in the back yard I just wanted to cry. But what good does that do. I am leaning that nothing ever stays the same. We have to expect change and embrace it with joy. We now have a great soccer or baseball field. More light will fill our backyard, maybe more warmth in our house. Everything is looking cleaner. Life is good. Hope you are feeling better Kelly!! Jamie I want to call you back today and get some details on your summer life. Kim thank you for the pictures they are PERFECT! Nicole life is sounding so busy and fun at your house. Happy Friday! Date Night!