The Awesome Trip to Idaho

We planned a family reunion last year hoping that everyone could come from far and near to be together for a weekend away.  Unfortunately, things change and we were missing some very important people. However, we viewed this as a dry run for next year. My dear brother, Brent and his wife, Sharyn, offered us the use of their "cabin" in Idaho for the weekend. I knew it would be a fun weekend but it exceeded all expectation! It was "entertainment every second". We all participated in bringing food and games and our meals were great. Brent and Sharyn knew every fun nook and cranny and shared all their toys with us. We were so happy that they were there with us. The adventures were non stop and we played outside all day every day somewhere on his 200 acres. Following are some pictures so you might get a small glimpse of the fun we had together.

This was our car packed to the top with gear for the weekend.





The children had a great time splashing in the lake while others were canoeing all around.

 


Every night was a bonfire with smores or smores and hot dogs cooked over the fire.







We rode in the back of the truck to the place where we could fire the guns at targets. Everyone got a chance to shoot.

 





Every child learned to drive the 4 wheelers. Of course, with an adult on the back. Some of the rides were pretty wild for sure.



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Our awesome hosts just chillin' and watching everyone play in the water with their canoes etc.



This is a Cabin????



The trip was not complete for Lindsay until she got to drive the dump truck.




How about that wonder woman? She could hardly reach to push in the clutch which had to be double clutched to change gears.
Many thanks to all who came and made this such a fun memory.



Easter

We had a wonderful Easter with this group above. We invited the girls downstairs to join us for Easter dinner which turned out to be really good.

A Happy Easter it was!




We had an Easter Egg hunt after dinner and since Chris and John hid all the eggs we all joined Abby in the hunt. It was a great event as we all learned something about Heather (girl on the left in the blue shirt. She is a chemical engineer with a master's degree. She is very soft spoken and seemingly shy until.....the Easter Egg hunt. We opened the door to go out and out she ran gathering eggs like a wild woman! We saw that so we all got into the game and everyone was running to get the eggs, Lindsay in her high heels! It was a laugh a minute. I wish it was on video. Heather was the winner of course but Abby came in a close second. It was the best hunt ever!

Here's some of the loot.
Yes, we did remember the true meaning of Easter and it isn't "presthanths".





 

Ahhhh Sunshine

                    Joy Joy Joy. We are at the Cocoa Beach in Florida with our grandchildren. We met Carrie and her girls in Orlando and had a wonderful week together. We were sad when we had to all go home.
                Wonderful Disney World

                   Fabulous, fabulous show.

Analisa just happened to be in Orlando with her school. What a great surprise for the cousins.

                               The cousins!

With the week of 80 degree weather we came home to rain and snow. Ugh

Before and After

This is the real deal after I went to class!

The no help picture.

Amazing how much a teacher can help!

You Never Know

You never know what you can do until you try.
Well, I have always wanted to take an art class but I knew that I had no talent since my high school art class was such a nothing experience. So when my artist friend moved to town I felt safe enough to take a class from her. We started in October or November and I have enjoyed every lesson although every time I go there, the project she has chosen for us to do that day scares me to death! The hardest part is turning off the logical side of the brain and seeing through the creative side. Not easy at all. Since you asked.....here is a sample of what I have been learning:

This is my teacher, Renon and my friend Susie who takes class with me. We are in Renon's dining room/studio

This is a drawing with watercolor.

This was the first day of class. Watercolor. 

This was a snowman that I loved when it was done. It is done with pastels.

Another watercolor.

Picture is not as good as the original oil painting. I couldn't get an angle with the camera that could capture the vibrant colors but you get the idea.

This winter scene was done with acrylics.

On my own, I tried to copy a picture of a grandchild. It's ok but hopefully I will get better.

Now you can see that I have been having fun at this art thing. We are exploring all kinds of materials. I'm not sure what I like the most but I do like the adventure of exploring a new thing in my life.

Constance

This is Constance (in the middle) with her daughter and the missionary (Christopher) who was in the right place at the right time and brought the gospel to her which changed her life! She lives in Utah now and has brought that great zeal of a true convert with her. She feels it is her calling to bring back the lost ones who have wandered from The Church. She is fearless and bold. One day while working out at the gym she had a conversation with a young man who happened to live within the boundries of our ward. She boldly told him that he had a responsibility to contribute his time and efforts in building the Kingdom of God here on earth and that he had to get himself back to church. The next Sunday he arrived at our building asking for an appointment with the Bishop! That's power. There are many other stories I could tell of Constance but we are thankful for her being here and the enthusiasm she brings for the things we so easily take for granted.

Chrissy Boy - The Funky Uncle

This very day in 1976 a little baby boy was born to a grateful family of two brothers and two sisters. We celebrated another birthday Sunday afternoon because of his crazy, busy, work schedule at this time of year. Here are some highlights of then and now and before. Enjoy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTOPHER

Let the Party begin!

Who couldn't love this little baby?