Joeyology

~MIKE~

2012-01-23T20:57:00.000-08:00

Last year at this time we
were enjoying ourselves in one of our favorite vacation spots with some of our most favorite traveling companions. It seems that January is always just a little more bearable when you spend half of it in Hawaii. We have traveled to so many places with Mike and Ann. I often say that we have traveled the world with them because it pretty much sums it up! For 20 years we have been taking trips with these two and have enjoyed EVERY minute with them.

This year things are a little bit different. Mike is battling some major health issues that have us all wondering if we will be able to make another trip together again to the "Big Island". About 15 years ago he was the proud recipient of a liver which has been doing a phenomenal job up until this year...He is in liver failure now and is waiting to be placed back on the list for a new one. The process is a long and often disappointing one but, we keep him in our thoughts and prayers and give him little chance to give up or get too disheartened. He is such an inspiration to us all. I can not imagine one day without him in it and I tell him that all the time! I have watched him go from 6'3-210 lbs to 6'3-150 lbs. He has been in and out of the hospital so many times this year I have lost count yet, he shows up to our weekend "get togethers", "poop" parties ( that's a very fun little card game with slight gambling involved), and other activities that we throw at him. He is weak and exhausted most days now but never complains. His appetite is gone and he can't do what he absolutely LOVES...Golf, still he doesn't complain.

If I could give him part of my liver I would but he needs an entire one not just part. I think every one of us that know him would do that for him in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, we are forced to play the waiting game which is more like "Russian Roulette when it comes to livers but, play it we will and we will be grateful for each and everyday!

We love you Mike. Get well so we can go warm our old bones in the sunshine again and again and again...

2012-01-12T19:25:00.000-08:00

~TIME-OUT~

2012-01-09T14:10:00.000-08:00

Seriously...I need a vacation so that I can find a little time to blog. Sorry that I haven't kept up. I will be back when my temporary bout with insanity subsides...Until then just know that I am learning new things, many of which are totally unimportant and self-indulgent!

~MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE~

2011-12-23T03:45:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how it happened but, Christmas is almost here and there are things that I just didn't get done...Christmas cards being at the top of my list. So sorry that none of you received a charming picture from Steve and I this year displaying our beautiful brood, we really do have a bunch of the cutest grandchildren on earth and getting them all together for a picture is well...Impossible! I am going to seriously work on my organizational skill this next year and try to do better in many ways, "hopefully"!

We tried going to dinner the other night minus Stephanie and Cambria and this is what we got...SANTA! Just for OUR grandkidos!! They were super excited. Every one but Charly that is! (sorry Garett and Lisa, I took a picture with your camera and forgot to get one with mine :( Send me yours and I will add it to this post...). We had a great time but I am afraid the poor waitress had quite a mess to clean up after we left.

I can't wait to see the rest of my family over the weekend. I LOVE Christmas and my family

~FAMILY~

2011-11-29T18:25:00.000-08:00

This has not been a stellar month for me emotionally, death takes a toll on everyone involved especially those closest to the ones who are left. It really doesn't matter if you are 5, 25 or 91, there is never a good time to say good-by. The only thing that makes it bearable for me is knowing that I will see everyone who I miss so much again. I truly believe this is true and I can not even entertain the thoughts of how wonderful that reunion will be.

I miss those that are missing in my life. I feel the need to call my mom, go for a ride with Bruce. I need to eat sugar cookies with my grandma, you know those really thin crispy ones that I, for the life of me, can not make! There are just certain things that those who leave us take with them that we will always miss. Perhaps that is the Lords way of helping us to always remember the blessing they were in our lives.

My Aunt Mildred passed away this week. She was 91. The last living member of my mothers family, she truly was an "Angel on Earth". Sometimes when you would call her she didn't always recognize your voice so she would say stuff like: "Hello, I don't know who this is, but I do know that I love you!" She was always so happy to hear from me whenever I called... I should have called more often. One thing I have learned is that there are always some regrets, we are not always as thoughtful, kind and caring as we could have been but, if in realizing this we make a change, be it very small, we have turned a corner and have learned yet one more lesson in this experience of finding our way home. I can only pray that I do this "earth" thing as well as my Aunt Mildred did. You will be missed Aunt Mildred...For now.

~Do Good Things~

2011-11-20T05:29:00.000-08:00

"The Lord doesn't care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use--in His own way and for His holy purposes--those who incline their hearts to Him. God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior's example and spend the days of their lives doing good". Uchtdorf

~MISS MADDIE~

2011-11-20T03:59:00.000-08:00

Maddison is one of our little four year olds. She is beautiful and happy and one of the most thoughtful little girls I know. She constantly is thinking of everyone else making sure no one is left out! I just LOVE that about her.

She likes to clown around and make everyone laugh. I seldom see this little one in tears. She told me once "Grandma I don't like to cry, it makes me sad but, when we laugh it makes us happy! I like to laugh". She laughs a lot and is happy all the time. I hope that she can go through her life always laughing and ALWAYS happy!

Wherever Madds goes she gathers friends. She LOVES to do hair and I have been the recipient of many a hair-do by Maddie. She loves cowboy boots and horses, pretty dresses and dolls but most of all she LOVES her mommy, daddy, brother Cole, and sisters Bella and Whitney. She celebrated her 4th birthday this month. How quickly time goes by.

We are SO glad she is one of our 8 grand daughters! LOVE you Madds!

~JOEY'S PARELLEL UNIVERSE~

2011-11-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

We all have them, little chinks in our armor that we would prefer no one know about. We spend most of our lives trying unsuccessfully to cover them up usually to no avail. We make excuses for them and sometimes blame others for what they often get us in trouble for but, inevitably we have to face the truth, that being; they are OUR flaws and the only one that can fix them or learn to live with them is each one of us individually. I've learned to call this "dancing with demons"

I tend to have my share of these little critters that insist on infiltrating my already busy life. They seem to be very insistent on making an appearance on practically a daily basis. For me, I have found that it is so much easier to entertain them in short burst, bless you Classic Rock, Hip Hop, Alternative Rock and a "tiny bit of country"...You see, we were born with flaws, we will die with them however, learning to "dance with our demons" makes me and everyone around me so much happier and I like to think it sends the dorks into to sort of a sulk...Better them than me!

Let me just add: NEVER, EVER listen to piano music or try to entertain these little flawed ones with mellow stuff, you just may stay in your "funk" for DAYS!!! If you are like me this can be difficult, I happen to LOVE David Lanz, Jim Brickman, Kevin Kern, Kenny G, and all things soft and beautiful but, believe me you don't want to be dancing the waltz with these things!

Yes, yes I do believe that I have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other...That angel has save my butt more than once!

~ALIANAH~

2011-11-06T03:13:00.000-08:00

This is Ali. She is our "first" grand daughter and just turned 8 years old. Like me she loves all things that sparkle and are just a little bit "girly" much to her mothers dismay.

Ali loves her dolls and her makeup...(little girl makeup of course). She keeps us all laughing. I gave her a bath set for her birthday that had some powder in it...she came out of the bathroom with it all over her face! She looked like a ghost but, she thought it was supposed to go on her face so that is where it
went!

Being the oldest of all the girl cousins, she is always making sure that everyone is taken care of. She is the little "mother" to everyone. I am sure that she wishes at times that there were some cousins closer to her age but she never complains.

Ali is not afraid to try anything. She is the first to climb a wall, ride on a bull that is there only to buck you off, or slide down a 50 foot slide. Not to many things rock her world. Just as it should be if you ask me. Come see me soon Ali!

I Love you.

2011-11-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

TRICK OR TREAT!

Halloween was pretty quiet at our house...until...the little ones showed up! All on sugar highs they were ready to go! These pictures were taken after we had
been around the neighborhood filling their bags yet again! (Grandpa had filled them before they had even left to go trick or treating)! I haven't dared even ask moms and dads how the kids slept Halloween night.

Emma missed out on the pictures because she
got too tired and had to go home during the
walk around the neighborhood. She was our
little Lady Bug. I wish I would have gotten a picture of her before she left. She was adorable!

The little ones had a great time and their parents I am sure did to. hehe.

Madison and Whitney were in Arizona with their mommy visiting Lor's sister Ashley. We missed them. Rozzy was sick with the Flu so she missed Halloween all together poor thing. She is feeling much better now. There is always next year... We sent Gage and Ali their Halloween treats in the mail and made SURE that they would get there on Halloween...Stephanie didn't get the mail on Monday...SO, they got a Halloween surprise on Tuesday!!! Another candy high. Sorry Stephanie :)

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

2011-10-29T04:15:00.000-07:00

Sutherland, Utah
Sept. 27, 1929

(Today would be grandma's birthday, I think that it is odd how she never really mentions it. Perhaps she may have felt that it would be too selfish on her part...).

Dearest Ward,

Again I am spending the evening in silent visit with you. Why don't you write? Lover if you only realized how worried I am.

The children are all well and happy. The older girls share my anxiety. We watch the mail expectantly and then go to work disappointed.

Today has been a hard day. I have had lots to do and am not feeling very well. I went out last night to help the children with the sheep and have had to pay for it today. ( Remember she is 8 months pregnant).

All of our seed is down now. Marian has a little more to pile. It was so windy Al told her to wait until early morning. So she went out and helped Doris with the threshers. I can't tell just how his seed is running but maybe I can tomorrow evening.

I have a lot of business letters piled up but they can wait until your return.

Mr. Thornton hauled 2 loads of hay today. They had to quit because of the wind.

There is no news and as I write every day what there is will not get very stale.

I will close hoping to see you soon now. But let me know how you are lover, for I am lonesome in a crowd.

With all the love you can handle.

Sepha

(This was the last of the letters that grandma wrote to grandpa while he was in the hospital. To the best of my knowledge grandpa spent approximately a month in the hospital. The most part was spent flat on his back wrapped up like a mummy for the treatment of blood clots...It's a wonder that he survived the treatment! For those of you who read these little pieces of history I have to tell you that after talking to Aunt Mildred who, was completely unaware of these letters...She told me that grandpa had gone into the hospital because of a severe case of hemorrhoids, this is where my tendency to "over think everything" comes into play. Remember when I said that I thought that grandpa may have had colon cancer? I am convinced that if they would have had colonoscopy's in 1929 he would have been around for a lot longer. As it turned out however, he died about 4 years and two more children later from...Okay, I'm just going to say it "METASTATIC" BRAIN CANCER....That is just me making that diagnosis but, it makes a lot of sense doesn't it)!

The next entries from grandma are from her personal journal and some business journals. They are interesting and more than a little sad at times. Her life was hard. There was not a lot of time wasted. Aunt Mildred said this of grandma. "She was not a 'happy' woman but, she was a 'good' woman and I LOVED her! I am not sure there were many "happy" women during the depression, but to raise 10 children mostly by yourself the last one being a "special needs" child and still be a "good woman" is pretty much calling her a heroine in my book!

2011-10-27T06:09:00.001-07:00

Check out Bella's post...I thought that she needed a little COLOR!

~ABIGAIL~

2011-10-26T03:28:00.000-07:00

Abbie has been so fun to watch grow. Her hair is about as long as she is tall! She LOVES being outside and is always busy with friends or making conversation with...well anyone!

Abbs is #5 in order of grandchildren and an official member of the Three Musketeers (Cole, Madds and Abbs). They hike small mountains in an afternoon finding all sorts of treasures and fascinating things. We have such great conversations on these hikes, I especially love the ones about dog poop! They have learned to be strong and not cry when they fall, even sometimes when there is "blood". Abbie taught them that one! She learned very quickly that "blood" meant that you had to turn around and go home...Now it is just "red stuff".

She is a wonderful big sister to Emma and helps her mom all the time. She loves having her daddy home and is often seen at his side when he is in town (permanently) until he has to go again. He travels a lot with his job so she takes advantage of his being home when she can.

Abbs is a thinker. She has such cute conversations with her mom. I love hearing about them. You can almost SEE the wheels turning inside that little brain of hers.

Clark and Cami moved to Springville
not long ago so we get to see a little more of Abbie than we did when they lived in Farmington. YEA! I am trying not to make a nuisance of myself like I most certianly have with the rest of my kids so that perhaps they will choose to stay...

We LOVE you ABBIE!!!

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

2011-10-21T02:45:00.000-07:00

Sutherland, Utah
Sept. 26, 1929

Dearest Ward,

Once more I am writing to you. Are you getting tired of the same old thing? I sure could stand a few more from you.

Are you feeling better or are you kidding me? You see I am cynical again, but I am so worried. I sure will be glad when you are able to come home where we can see you and talk to you once in a while.

We are all well and very busy. I washed today. The girls have been cutting seed. Al and Norrah Erickson and Bro. Thornton helped them this afternoon. They will finish easily tomorrow forenoon if nothing happens.

The wind blew so hard that Mr. Thornton could not haul hay.

Your father and grandma Willis and Myrl came up and spent a couple of hours with me this afternoon. They are all better. They had been having a birthday dinner for Q. I didn't know his birthday was so near mine did you?

Archie Lewis was over today. He said Guy came down to Salina last night and told him you were in the hospital and as he was going to Holden he came on over. He sure is a fine old gent. He had another old man with him who fell for the girls. Both men commented on the girls taking things in hand so nicely.

Archie went out and looked over the seed. He laughed about it, but wondered why we couldn't get a real crop. Of course, we wonder that too.

Your father is quite emphatic in saying he thinks we ought to quit this place. Of course he doesn't realize the conditions. But really it would be nice if we could do something agreeable.

I am starting to stuff the two sows. George sold father's old sow but, I told him I wanted 3-4 little pigs so it will be just as well to fatten these for our nest. Don't you think?

The wind is still blowing and since sundown has turned off cold. No clouds so far. Maybe we will get a frost. We can't expect it to stay off much longer. As I sit here writing I wouldn't be surprised if we get an early winter.

I guess this is enough gossip for one time. I don't want to tire you altogether so you won't come home. But, maybe it will amuse you for a few minutes.

I will close for tonight. Maybe I can think of something else in the morning. With love by the car load and I don't mean a Ford.

I am you loving wife.

Sepha

Grandma was obviously getting frustrated but, the mail had to take some of the blame. By the time grandpa received one letter and tried to reply, grandma had written another...As you will see in this letter written to her dated Sept. 27.

L.D.S. Hospital
Sept. 27, 1929

Mrs. Sepha Robison
Sutherland

My Dear Wife and Family,

Your post card was rec'd yesterday and your letter came while I was eating soup. I was in hopes that I would be home for Sept. 27 but Dr. B.T.R. said this morning that it is a little too soon yet.

This is the second day I have been UP! Sneaked out of the hospital this morning. Went crost the street to the store...No one the wiser yet. I will try the same stunt this afternoon. I weigh 134 pounds this morning so you see that soup hasn't put much fat on my bones. I can't sleep nights but, daresent say anything. Fraid they will keep me here longer.

Let the bucks go but keep the date. (I am not sure what a "date" is but that's what it says in the letter...If anyone knows please tell me. I am SO not a sheep person. It has to be the female, but I have never heard them called 'dates' before...).

And take care of yourself. Will let you know when I can get out.

With lots of love to you and the children I am forever your husband.

Ward

Can you even imagine sneaking out of the hospital today? How funny is that!

~BELLA in BLACK and WHITE & SOME COLOR~

2011-10-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

I had to add some pictures of Bells in color. I just couldn't resist. She is such a beautiful little girl that although I LOVE her black and whites, I had to have pictures of her in color too. The problem is more, which ones do I choose. There are so many of this little girl that are adorable.

Bella is growing up so fast. She is now at the age where she does not want to be left behind. She is always surprising me with what
she can do even when I think she
might be too little...

I have always loved taking pictures of Bella in black and white. Never having been a big fan of B/W I seldom shoot anything in it. I have always preferred the colors...Except for when it comes to this little girl. There is just something about Bells that is SO awesome in black and white!

The fist B/W picture was taken last year when she came Triky Treating...She was a Bumble bee but, put her sister Maddie's witch hat on for this picture...Bee...Witching!
B/W Picture #2 was taken when the little
girls were playing "dress up". They love to pull out all of my scarfs and wrap up in them. This was ALL she had on!
#3 B/W is my favorite 2 year old pose... Looking for potato bugs in the back yard. The lazy days of summer...Gone so soon!

Bella is a charming little one. She's not big on long conversations yet but seems to be able to get what ever she wants with few words spoken, a smile or by leading you by the hand...Those big "baby blues" seem to get her point across also!

LOVE YOU BELLS!

~CAN"T GET ENOUGH~

2011-10-09T03:40:00.000-07:00

I can't seem to get enough of the beautiful fall colors! Steve and I risked our lives last weekend as we rode through the mountains taking in the breath-taking beauty of the changing leaves. Seems it is time for the sheep herders to get all of the sheep to lower range land for the winter. Lots of semi-trucks loading lots of sheep one of which was going WAY to fast ran us off the road. We were very grateful that we were not next to a cliff when he decided to come barreling down the mountain road and around the corner in OUR lane brake-less! It wasn't that he didn't have any...He just chose not to use them so that he could keep his speed up for the hill to come... After realizing that we were alright and that we hadn't rolled the truck we "sort of" forgave the dork, I mean, how can you stay mad in such breath taking surroundings...

Don't you wish the leaves could just hang on for a couple of MONTHS instead of weeks when they are so pretty?

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

2011-10-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

Sutherland, Utah
Sept. 27, 1929

Dear Ward,
I received your letter this morning and it goes without saying that we were glad to hear from you. I have been worried and I am sorry you are not doing so well.

We are as well as can be expected with all this rainy weather. Makes my back ache, both literally and figuratively. Rained again last night, still cloudy but the clouds are shifty. It may clear, surely hope so.

It sure beats the Dutch how you can live on chocolate! Maybe you will learn to like it.

Dr. Wright was here Wednesday. He wanted to take Eleanor's tonsils out but, I told him we would wait for awhile. I have a sneaking idea that he wanted some money too. Delilah said he visited them for $5.00.

Marion finished the seed down home Saturday. Eleanor went to work for Lawrence Christensen. She liked it all right. Got $1.25 for her day's work.

Everybody advised us not to shock the oats last week. They said it could be hauled to the thrasher all right but, because of the storms I kept Lela out this morning and started them to shocking.

Mr. Thorston is here now unloading some wheat. He had 155 instead of 165. He tells me he sold 55 bushels for himself unloading 45 bushels in our granary and will sell the rest to settle the threshing. Perhaps there will be a few dollars for us over and above the bill.

Mr Craner was here just now after oats.

Marlan sold the calf yesterday for $15.00. It hasn't been doing too well the last week. Both Lawrence and Howard thought that was a pretty good price. We haven't been herding the sheep the last two days. The bucks got out Saturday night. We couldn't separate them yesterday. Shall I try again or let them go?

Lawrence has been very good. He and Josephine were here a little while last night .

George is going to thrash the rest of his seed. I don't know whether we can get the thrasher before you return or not.

The girls say the grain is drying fast. Shall I try and get the girls started to school or shall they remain home and help get the fall grain in. If I thrash, shall I get the drill and some fall wheat from Al and seed the 20 acres or can that wait a little longer?

Do you need anything from home? Let me know and I will try and get it to you.

Grandpa did not write back...This is obviously very frustrating for Grandma as you will see in the next letter. I also thought that it was interesting that they opted not to have Aunt Eleanor's tonsils taken out...She would later die at the age of 53 from complication of Rheumatic Fever as a young girl. Too many strep infections and too little knowledge. Just a little penicillin when Aunt Eleanor had her sore throats would have kept her from a heart condition that eventually took her life at such a young age.

Once again how priviledged we are to have the technology we have in our lives today.

~CONFERENCE WEEKEND~

2011-10-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

LOOK UP!

~FINDING FALL~

2011-09-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

I have needed a little R&R for a while and decided that I wanted to see Yellowstone and the Teton range again. It has been years since I have been there and with winter just around the corner what better time to take advantage of this beautiful weather! Steve was just as interested in going as I was but for very different reasons...It being where the "deer and the antelope play sort of thing. I was in it for the mountains, rivers, waterfalls and color!!!

The week before we left I started thinking about how much my dad would like to see that part of the country again too so, I called him and invited him to come with us. He was so much fun to have along. There is not anything he will not try. The guy amazes me everyday. We hiked and hiked, one day doing 385 stairs down to the bottom of Yellowstone falls and then 385 stairs back up! There is not a place in Yellowstone that doesn't include a lot of walking. Dad is better at that then I am! I hope I grow up to be just like him.

We saw so many things that I can't remember all of them by name but, I have lots and LOTS of pictures. Here are some of my favorite. Most were taken in the bright sunlight making it hard to really appreciate how absolutely beautiful everything really was up there. Yellowstone is mostly pines so the fall color is not like it is here but, still very, very pretty. In 1976 over half of Yellowstone was destroyed by a fire that was started by a "controlled" burn. You can see in one of the pictures how much the trees have come back. They are about 10 feet tall now and SO thick. I would be completely lost in 5 minutes...Pure bear bait! Notice how tall the burned pines are. It really makes the little ones look small and they truly are about 10-12 feet tall!

From Yellowstone we made our way south to the Grand Teton National Park. What can I say? I think I will just let the pictures do the talking...And yes, my dad hiked up to inspiration point! It is a steep, rocky trail full of twists and turns yet, he was ahead of me the whole way. I never even heard him get winded. The picture of him sitting with his arms around his knee is at the top looking down over the lake. I can not tell you how many times I have seen him in this exact same pose. I had to snap a picture. He started to get a bit annoyed at me and my camera after about the millionth picture, well, as annoyed as my dad ever gets. I just told him it was for posterity and he seemed fine with that. hehe.

1. Colors of fall

2. The Teton's @ Jenny Lake

3. Jenny Lake

4. Look close, you can see the railing
from part of the stairs leading to
the lower Yellowstone Falls.

5. Inspiration Point

6. All three of us

7. View from Jenny Lake

8. Signal Mountain

9. Lilly Pads at String Lake

10. Can you tell I LOVE the Tetons...

11. From the dam

12. Old Faithful

13. Castle geyser

14. Steve and Dad at Mammoth

15. Yellowstone lower falls

16. The STAIRS! 385 down, 385 up.

17. At the bottom of the falls

18. Burned but not dead!

19. Chillin

20, 21, 22, 23, 24, Mammoth Hot Springs.

25. Petrified tree...Thought to be around 50 million years old.

26. Tatonka

27, 28, Painted Pots

29. My typical view.

30, 31. Riverside
Geyser

~ALI TURNS 8!~

2011-09-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that this little baby girl is eight years old! It seems like I was making my way to Vernal just yesterday to be there when she was born! What a beautiful little thing she is. Ali and I have so much in common. She loves "girly" things and everything that "Sparkles". We could shop til we dropped just about everyday and still find things that we wanted...Sorry Stephanie you were blessed with a daughter that has her grandmothers genes...It's really not so bad, you just bedazzle her softball mitt and make sure that you dress her in ANYTHING that sparkles for gym class and she will be fine with the "tomboy" thing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALIANAH. You are such a sweet and happy little girl. Don't ever change!

2011-09-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

HEY ROZZY...

When I get back...

I have a surprise for you!

CHOCOLATE & VANILLA!

See you soon!

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

2011-09-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

Sept 21, 1929

Dearest Ward,

I wrote you last night while the girls were at the hobo dance with McBeth's but, in our hurry this morning we missed the mail so I will write another letter and send it to town with Marlan.

I am so worried about you. Why don't I hear? Isn't there some one who could let me know something once in a while? I try to kid myself that no news is good news, but even that is poor consolation.

We are all well, as well as conditions permit.

Mr. Thornton treashed the wheat Thursday. He had 165 bushels, about 20 bushels more I estimated.

It rained Thursday night and intermittently all day day Friday. No frost last night, no rain today so far. Although we have cloudy weather and wind.

I guess we will threash the oats Monday the weather permitting. The sheep are uncontrollable when taking them to pasture. What about selling Mr.'s Cramer and O'Conner some oats? They spoke like you had partly promised them some each. I understand they want about 1000 lbs. O'Conner was just here and said that he would come again next week.

Marlan finished the seed down home. Eleanor is working out today. We are anxious to see how she likes it.

Your father and Grandma and my father spent nearly all day with us Thursday. Grandma is not very well but, she is planning a trip to Uintah next week. That is if they don't have to move Myrl there. From what Grandma said old Pan is pretty mean to Myrl and the Dr. ordered her to move to save her life. Myrl seems to have not come back. She gets up then gets worse.

$15.00 is all we can get for the calf. Shall we take it? 16 cents dressed. I guess Mr. Thornton will get after the hay as soon as it dries up again.

I think I'll keep the girls out another week. By that time you will be home with me. I'm not feeling too good, but I guess I'll hold out. (Remember she is 8 months pregnant).

Last night when the crowds were coming home from the dance three cars piled up out by Wind's. From what the girls say I don't see how they ever escaped. One car rolled completely over. Don't know who it was yet. Ruby was at the dance. She seems to have a bright and shining flame.

Father started south this morning to the reunion. He is very restless and unsettled. He wants to trade his old sow and 8 little pigs to me. We will see when you both return.

Write soon with lots of love.

Sepha and Kids

Salt Lake Butcher Shop (aka LDS Hospital Grandpa's humor again).
Sept. 23, 1929

Mrs. Sepha Robison

My Dear Wife and Family,

Your letter was rec'd and am glad the boys are getting all the hard work done. I am getting along fine but am weak and sore. Think I can talk Dr. B.T.R. out of a few days if I don't grumble about the soup. The swelling has been bad. The Dr. has been scared of blood poison, but that danger is over now. I am still wrapped in cotton with five hot water bottles from hips down.

Perry and Lorena just left. They are trying to get home before the storm.

About the calf. Sell it for whatever you can get. And let Cramer have some oats but, O'Conner can wait till I get home. Use your own judgment as to the conditions down there for I don't understand them now as you do.

There is lots I like to tell you, but I am laying on my back and am tired. So will close with all the love in the world to my wife and children. I am as ever your husband and father.

Ward.

Have the children write.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I have read and re-read these entries and talked with Aunt Mildred I have come to really wonder (being the nurse that I am) if Grandpa at this point didn't have colon cancer. In 1929 they had no way of knowing what colon cancer was let alone the obvious symptoms he was having. A few short years later he would die from another cancer...Could it have been a colon cancer (90% curable today) that metastasized? One can only make guesses and wonder how nice it would have been for our grandmother and their children to have been able to have THEIR husband and father in their lives a little longer...Technology is such a blessing.

~MY KIND OF SATURDAY~

2011-09-17T04:13:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you just have to say to "heck" with the usual Saturday stuff and spend the day with the grand kids! For the past couple of Saturdays Steve and I (mostly Steve and the boys) have been working on our garage. Now that it is done our Saturday project was "the GRAND KIDO'S! The ones who were in town that is...

A little golfing, shopping, and lunch and a lot of energy! Then home for naps to get ready for the big football game. I wish I would have gotten a picture of Cole all decked out in his BYU hat and shirt. He looked like a little football stud!

All of you know that in this family we are huge BYU fans but I am not sure that you realize just how young we start instilling that sense of loyalty. If Charly is any indication then you have a pretty good idea. We SO hate it when they lose and know that most of you SO love it! (We forgive you. You have the rest of you lives to come around).

I think that next time we have our "Saturday" with the grandkids we will plan a picnic. I really don't like taking them to the "slide place". It is just so not clean...If the weather holds out, I'm thinking a blanket, the park and a warm fall afternoon sounds fantastic.

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

2011-09-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

September 1929. Grandpa was in LDS hospital in Salt Lake City with what appeared to be a blood clot however, as I continue to post these letters you will find that this is just the beginning of his battles with health and hospital stays and grandma's battle to once again "survive" this difficult time. Grandma was overseeing the family at home in Sutherland. She was also pregnant with Choral #9 who was born on November 8.

Before posting this I wanted to talk to my Aunt Mildred the only surviving member of my mothers family to make sure that I had the birth order of all the sisters and brothers right. I LOVE talking to her and will make sure that I do it more often...Grandma's children in order:

Marion
Eleanor
Wayne (died shortly after birth)
Lela
Mildred
Ward
Betty Jo
Brooks
Choral
Sarah Ann (Sharon)
Alma

Dear Ward,

I just came back from Howard's and he told me you were feeling fine the last time he saw you. I surely hope that you are at least comfortable. I was terribly worried and I did not hear. The boys got home between 10-11 last night.

We are alright up to date. I got Marlan started in the seed yesterday. She cuts a little then uses the rake. It was against your wishes but we felt that under the conditions it would be better.

Frank Dickerson came after the calf but we wouldn't let it go for $15.00. Howard handed me your purse this morning. It contained $15.00. I will send you $10.00 and keep the $5.00. I may have threashers and I spent my money for peaches. I bought 5 bushels at $1.25 making $6.25. Then some bottle lids and that leaves me nearly broke.

Father came in Tuesday morning. He was awfully sorry he didn't know. He said if he had stopped he would have gone back with you. We received an invitation to the Abbott reunion but I sent our regrets yesterday. It is to be held Sept. 26,27,28.

Well, lover, I will close and go milk the cows. Will be glad when you can return.

With lots of love I am your loving wife.

Sepha

P.S. I loves daddy and want him to come home...Brooks
I love daddy and hope he is lots better...Betty

LDS Hospital
September 21, 1929

Mrs. Sepha Robison

My Dear Wife and family. Your letter was rec'd and was much pleased to get one letter. I am getting along as well as can be expected. Dr. Merrle and Dr. B.T. Richards was just here and said I would be very lucky if I get out in another ten days. I had a blood clot that has been bad. But yesterday I was wheeled back to the Top. So am wrapped in cotton. Tied in bed flat on my back. Nothing to eat but soup, soup, soup...They have gathered up all the old cow bones, horse bones, dog bones and even digging up the graveyard for bones o boil to feed fellers like me with a sore ____! I haven't seen a piece of bread since I came in. Three times a day my menu:
1 Glass of oil
3-6 gallons of soup
1 chocolate ice cream
*cup of chocolate
And with all that good stuff to eat haven't had a bowel movement yet...Seems to be important to them!

(Poor Grandpa, he's not going anywhere until he "goes").

Jimmie Gee just came in and he will post this letter.

I have counted all the nurses (150). Have counted 65 doctors. Mouse tracks on floor, 10,000. Fly specks on the ceiling 200,000. Can tell about a lot of stuff when I get home and that won't be many hours if I get my way. Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself. And look for the bright side of all conditions. So appreciate letters from home. Will chew off with lots of love to you and the children. I remain as ever your husband and father.

Ward.

P.S.
How are the elder boys getting along cutting seed? And are the sheep any easier to herd?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm thinking that Grandma was the serious one and Grandpa had to be reeled in most of the time...How I would have loved to have known them both!

~OREO'S AND ROZZY~

2011-09-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

She saw me coming with something in my hands...I had defiantly gotten her interest. Rozzy LOVES Oreo's but, only the insides...

How is it that they figure out that the inside of the Oreo is the most enticing at this young age? Every one that I handed her she somehow opened up and ate the icing out of the middle and then threw the cookie aside.

Rozzy is a "thinker" she carefully twists the cookie in opposite directions and opens it up. Very patient for a 15 month old. (okay, I loosened them slightly...).

She is a little sweetheart and I miss seeing her everyday now that her mom and dad moved her to Farmington. It was so nice just having her a couple of minutes away. We sure do take things for granted until we don't have them anymore.

I love you Rozzy Jean!

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

2011-08-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

A few days ago via email, I received from my sweet sis. Chris, some writings from our grandmother, Mary JoSepha (Abbott) Robison. She passed away before I was old enough to remember her, however, my mother made sure that I had a good education in "Sepha". What I missed out on was her sheer strength and iron clad will to make life better for her children. ALL of them.

In an attempt to share what I have with my children and perhaps help them to understand as I do just how much her blood, sweat and tears molded her own offspring, so those same tears also have watched over us. I stand a little taller today after reading these entries knowing that Sepha was MY grandmother. What a lady, and what an example. I wish that life could have been happier for her. I wish that life could have been happier for everyone during those desperate times. They did the best the could and when ever I asked my mom about her childhood...It was ALL good! My mother recalls being without a lot of "things" but she always said that she never felt as if she was "poor". "Poor" was the family down the road.

So, read the lines and then read between the lines for it is there that you will begin to really "feel" her thoughts.

Journal entry...No date, I am thinking that this was probably written after everyone had left home...

Shall I throw it away or keep it? Yes, I can see it is broken across the bottom and one of the three little legs broken off and another one made of plasti-wood.

But...

I received it for Christmas 1936. I shall always remember.
We were just digging out of the year of the depression.
That time was very trying to all people and very disastrous to many
including us. We lost everything we owned. Almost our self respect.
We were trying hard to regain a footing so we could climb back up to level ground
hoping that we could regain some of our losses and pay some of the accumulated debt.

CHRISTMAS, what a memory! 10 children to buy Christmas for and $5.00 to live and household expenses of $18.50 per MONTH.

Lela had $.50 to buy a Christmas present for me. This pink glass bowl was it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm not sure that I could have thrown it away either grandma. Some things just hold too many memories.

~SUMMER WORK PARTIES~

2011-08-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

First let me begin by saying that I know that all of you are STUNNED that I am actually posting! I had to pull myself away from Pinterest to do it but, I successfully find myself on Joeyology today posting a few pictures of our weekend and of coarse the grand kidos.

My work had a party this weekend and I coerced my children...ALL of them, into attending with their children. Guilt may have had something to do with it. Whatever it was it worked they were all there and I was so happy to show them all off! My boss had set it all up so that it was very "kid" friendly. I think that they had a great time. Gage even won the bull riding contest. I think that if Cole would have stayed just a little longer Gage would have had a little competition. As it turned out Gage stayed on the bull about 1 minute longer than anyone else in his age category. Way to go Gage...He won $20 bucks! There were slides, climbing walls, jumping "things" and all sorts of food. Thank you Riverwoods Surgery Center for all the fun! I even won a "Tablet" which I think maybe I will get to use today...Everyone has gone home :)

Thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to come to my company party. I think that the kids had a good time don't you?

~THANKS~

2011-08-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you Stephanie for the new look on my blog, I LOVE it. I am sure that everyone that reads my blog wishes that they had their own designer like I do that does all the work for them. You make me happy EVERYDAY! Thanks again. Love you!

2011-08-01T17:11:00.001-07:00

Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
Sweet Pea's Kitchen

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus more for rolling)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
3/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together sugars, butter and 1/4 cup of peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg, beating to combine. Stir in the flour mixture and stir to combine, blending well. Set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, mix together powdered sugar and remaining 3/4 cup of peanut butter until smooth.

5. Pull off a heaping tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten with your hands. Take about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter mixture and place it in the center of the chocolate dough. Wrap the chocolate dough around the peanut butter center, pressing to seal. Roll the cookie into a ball and roll the cookie in the sugar. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart. Using the bottom of a glass, flatten each cookie to about a 1/2 inch thickness.

6. Bake in preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes. Let stand on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then remove to a wire rack.

~SUNDAY WITH "GREAT" GRANDPA~

2011-07-31T18:50:00.000-07:00

I ditched my last two meetings today and went to Sugarville to visit my Dad. I am SO glad that I did. We had such a great time. I just love to go home to see him and this summer is so great because he has retired from the Canal District and is actually home...When he is not in Alaska, Piute Reservoir, Kusherim (I'm sure I spelled that wrong), or one of his other favorite fishing "hang outs". I took Cambria and Christina with me and Ruby and Rozzy were more than happy to tag along. Great Grandpa Bob was so happy to see the two little girls that he almost forgot about the rest of us! It is a rare treat when Great Grandpa can play with the baby's like Grandpa can. PLEASE let me be blessed with my dads healthy genes! We talked and took pictures all afternoon until before we knew it the time had come to get the little ones home. Another weekend gone. Another visit home ended too soon. There are always so many people I would LOVE to see when I am there... Somehow I usually only make it to my Dad's backyard!

What a wonderful place to be for an afternoon!
LOVE YOU DAD!

~ROB"I"SON~

2011-07-31T04:28:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my dad and my uncle Bill standing in front of the old Robison Ranch house on the boarder of Utah and Nevada where a lot of my mom's brothers and sisters grew up. It was taken last week by my brother Matt when they decided to go out and visit the old place. My mom spent a few years out there but after her father died her mother moved the family into Delta.

My strong and stoic grandmother lovingly raised 11 children while working this ranch with my grandfather the youngest of which was born with severe cerebral palsy due to an injury at birth. My grandfather died of cancer shortly after this last little girl was born. My mother was three when her dad died. She was child number ten. Alma their little CP sister was one, and would live another 18 years completely loved and one hundred percent spoiled by her mother, brothers and sisters.

The Pony Express came through just a short ride from the Robison Ranch. They even have a monument and a museum there with many relics from express days. I wonder if those men who rode those horses for days ever imagined communication like we have today...A click of a key and an instant message. How far we have come in a very short time. Someone told me once that what ever you imagine will someday be the future! Clearly, I am not very imaginative, or maybe I just rather like things the way they are because most days I honestly ask myself: " Does it get any better than this"?

If it does...BONUS!!!

2011-07-23T04:58:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been awhile since I last posted. I think that I have been a little busy with "life" and a lot of work but, I was BLESSED with a 5 day weekend and have a few minutes to actually sit down and put a few things on my blog. It feels so GOOD!

We had our annual King Family reunion last weekend in Mona. Less people are showing up each year. There are only three sisters left in Steve's mom's family and they sometimes forget who their own kids are let alone all the nieces and nephews! It is always great to see some familiar faces. Of coarse it gave me the opportunity to snatch a few pictures of our family that attended, mostly the grandkidos...We also had the pleasure of blessing Whitney Lynn on Sunday so Stephanie was here with Gage and Ali. They are getting so big. Gage had an unfortunate accident about a month ago and knocked out his front tooth. He had to go to the endodontist for a root canal and apicoectomy on Tuesday so they stayed with me for a few days. Oh, how I wish they were closer. They are so much fun. I LOVE talking to Ali. She is so wise. (except for when she's not). Gage is Mr. Talent...Give that kid a pencil and paper and he is entertained for hours! Stephanie loves them SO much. I hope they realize how lucky they are to have parents that are so willing to help them become the best that they can be. I could say that about all of my kids. They have all not surprised me but, made me very proud at how well they parent. Stephanie, John , Clark, Garett and Cambria I am in awe everyday and so, so blessed! I have to give 50% of the credit to their better halves who, are TOTALLY AWESOME! Thanks Jon, Lore, Cami, Lisa and Sky! Here are the latest pictures from this last weekend...A lot!

~LESSONS~

2011-06-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

My neighbor lost her husband to cancer in January. He was eighty something and had been her constant companion for over 60 years. As I watch her try to live life without him I am determined to learn to be independent and strong. It's not that I think that I could out live my husband but, if I do, I want to KNOW that I can go on, that my world will not stand still and that I will be capable of a life on my own. I mean NO disrespect, I just don't want to cease to exist mentally and emotionally...That scares me more than death itself!

Joey's lessons for growing older: (in no particular order)

Never act your age

You can't help getting older but, maintain a sense of humor about it

Never quit doing what you love

Keep good friends, they will ALWAYS be there in the lonely times

Make sure your grandchildren adore you even if their parents don't

Eat cake, cookies and CHOCOLATE before the diabetes hits (sneak it after)

It never hurts to tell people you love them

Don't ever let your children get away with being mean...They may pass it on to your grandchildren

Smile :) People love to be around happy people

Don't tell

Don't whine...Know one cares

And the wisest words ever...GET OVER IT!

~MUDDY BUDDY~

2011-06-05T05:51:00.001-07:00

Sometimes yard work and baby-sitting can be a little bit complicated however, the pictures are priceless. Charly was quite taken with her first mouthful of dirt. Mom, not so much...

~ROZZY TURNS 1~

2011-06-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that this little girl is 1! It seems like just yesterday Cambria and Sky were bringing her home from the hospital. What a fun year it has been watching her grow and make all her fun changes. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for her. Cambria worked so hard making a cake for her and putting together her first birthday party. Rozzy loved the ribbons most of all. The other kids opened the presents and Rozzy played with the ribbons... Gotta love a one year
old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROZZY!

~KINERGARTEN HERE I COME!!!~

2011-05-28T03:51:00.000-07:00

Cole did it! He graduated from Pre-School. This fall he officially enters the life long process of becoming educated. I hope he stays this excited about learning all the way through a doctorate in fact, I hope that for all of my grandchildren! What are the chances of that? It was fun to be able to see him perform his songs and play his violin. He even got the award for being the "cool" guy in the class. I am not sure what he thought about that one but, everyone else thought it was adorable.

~TUBBY TIME-THEN AND NOW~

2011-05-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of my day is
when I come home to these two little ladies. Every now and then they are together at my house and what fun we have. They are all giggles and smiles. They love to play with each other and I think that they will always be the cutest little cousins always. They remind me of myself and Chris as we grew up. We were inseparable. Honestly, I think Chris could have got along just fine without me, but, I would not have survived without her! I still can't! We spent so much time together that often it was
difficult for our own mothers to
tell us apart. I remember a couple of tongue lashings and one or two spankings that were probably supposed to be Chris'...But then again, we were a team and if she was in trouble it was usually because I lead her in the wrong direction. I was older but, in my defense SHE was smarter!

I hope that Ra Ra and Cha Cha have the same kind of relationship that Chris and I have. They are hard to find and so very precious.

~ONE SORT OF SUNNY MAY DAY~

2011-05-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

What a busy weekend. I don't think there was one hour when I wasn't doing something. I like it that way but holy cow, the darn thing goes by so fast!

May is a big birthday month for us. We start out with Lore on the 2nd, Bella on the 20th, John on the 22nd and Cambria on the 30th. With a numerous amount of friends between. Happy Birthday to all of you!

Our little Bella turned 2 this year. She is getting so big. It is hard to believe she was EVER as tiny as Whitney or Emma. Loreli made Bella's cake. It is always such a thrill to see what she invents for her little ones. Check this one out. Even the animals are made out of fondant. The best thing is, her cakes taste as good as they look! Bells loved every bite! So did the rest of us!

We had dinner on Sunday and the kids wanted me to go on a hike up the dirt trail with them. Cole was adamant about taking my picture with the girls. (He loves my camera). He now knows the frustrations of trying to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time and smile. I think that for a 5 year old he has talent...He even had to get a picture of Abbie's hurt finger. Abbie said that it wasn't blood it was just "red stuff". Ra Ra and Cha Cha had fun just being outside for a little while in the sun. We just haven't had enough of that "SUN" yet.

I almost forgot...our Royal visitor. (Those gals from across the pond have NOTHING on us).

2011-05-21T04:32:00.000-07:00

Vivint is company that is giving away $1,250,000.00 to local charities. There are three stages. We need to make it in the top 25 first. This is a chance for HART to get in on some great funding and awareness. Go to the website, "like" the company on facebook and then nominate HART- if you scroll down on the list we are number 16 in the mountain region. If we could forward this out to everyone I think we would have a great chance. Let me know if you have questions.

PLEASE SEND THIS OUT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND VOTE DAILY!!!!!

It only takes a couple of minutes and it could change so many lives...Please, please vote everyday! THANK YOU!

www.vivint.com/givesbackproject

~DIRT BIKING~

2011-05-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my 5 year old grandson Cole aka "I'm not afraid of anything" came over with his newest toy. He was SO excited to show me how it worked. I was a little worried about it because he is so little but he soon convinced me that size has nothing to do with ability. I just happen to live by the greatest dirt trails around. Loop-t-loops, climbing hills, and whoop-t-woos galore! In about 15 minutes he had them down. The best part of it all was watching his dad ride on the other little dirt bike next to Cole as he learned to do all the tricks. Talk about hilarious! I don't know who was having more fun. What a beautiful day for being OUTSIDE!

Gage! Bring your dirt bike down the next time you come there are trails to be explored and some "boyness" to be shared!!!

~TIP TOE THROUGH THE TULIPS~

2011-05-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

What a glorious day. We took the little girls to Thanksgiving Point to the Tulip Festival. They had so much fun riding around in their strollers looking at all the brigh t colors in the WARM sunshine. I have really started to wonder if spring was ever going to come or if we were just going to have winter until June or July! After yesterday I feel like spring really is here, you just have to go out of you way a little bit to find it.

I feel so rejuvenated, even work was better today because I was able to enjoy the outdoors yesterday. Isn't it so great that some of the smallest things can make you the most content. I love flowers. I wish my yard could look like Thanksgiving Point but, in all reality I know that it isn't possible. Just to be able to walk through a place like that is enough.

The entire time I was there I had the cute primary song in the back of my mind. You know, the one that goes..."Where is Heaven? Is it very far...When your with the ones you love it's right where you are"!

That is how it seemed yesterday among all the flowers, friends and family. I say, "Let's do it again real soon!

~SLEEP ELUDES ME~

2011-05-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

It's 2:30 in the morning and I am posting...Sort of shows you how my night is going doesn't it. I have been fighting this cough for the past week thinking that it was going to go away as fast as it came but, alas, it has gotten the best of me ( and Steve) tonight. I have been banned from the bedroom until I can be quiet. Like that's going to happen. I have to get up in two hours anyway to go to work so why not just make it a early, early morning? Who knows maybe I will be so tired tonight that I won't even wake up to cough. (That mixed with a little codiene cough syrup and I could be sleeping peacefully until who knows...Next week?).

We had a busy weekend. It was Steve's birthday, a BIG one. He doesn't want to talk about it so I'll just post it for the whole family to read! He turned 60...Ouch! I kept telling him that 60 was the new 40 but, he wouldn't believe me so out of frustration I just said okay, fine...60 is the new 57 and 1/2! That got a smile! We spent the weekend doing birthday stuff and then on Sunday we were off to Farmington to the blessing of Emma. What a cute little thing she is with all of her red hair. I think that she will have blue eyes but, we shall see. Clark and Cami are moving to SPRINGVILLE in two weeks! How great is that. It will be so good to have them close for a while. I do feel bad for Cami's parents in Farmington, they have been waking up to Abbie for a long time now and I am sure that she will be missed...Speaking of waking up, that is something that I need to practice up on a little. Tomorrow is Thursday (my day off) and after being up night after night with this annoying cough I would really like to sleep in and wake up without it!

~OUR NEWEST...WHITNEY~

2011-04-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

This is little Whitney, she is the newest member of the Caldwell Clan. She is so tiny and cute. We are so glad that she is here beautiful and healthy. We couldn't ask for anything more. The pictures were taken today Emma is just 6 weeks older than Whitney, can you believe that they change that much in just 6 weeks!

For those of you who haven't seen these two little ones. The pictures go -from top to bottom- Whitney, Emma Whitney, Emma and Whitney together...Whitney already has " blond" roots so we know that she will most likely follow in her sisters footsteps, but, what color will her eyes be? Emma is a redhead! Yea, for readheads. She has a really pretty dark auburn color which will probably lighten up to be like her moms. A really pretty strawberry blonde. This is going to be fun watching all these little girls grow!

~RUBY & EASTER EGGS~

2011-04-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

It is ALWAYS so much fun to get together with family. Today we celebrated Ruby's 1st, YES, numero UNO...BIRTHDAY. Can you believe this little girl is a year old. She is taking her first steps and learning to be just a bit more independent. What a little cutie she is. Here are some pictures from her birthday party. She looks so much like Nina did when she was the same age and she never holds still...Hummm, her looks aren't the only thing she got from her mom!! She LOVES her daddy and if anyone tries to play with him she gets very possessive and protective. It could get real interesting as she heads into her "two's" ... I love the picture of all the "little girls" No, not Jessie, Christina, Cambria and Lisa, they are cute but, I'm talking about Evelyn, (Evie) Ruby, Rozzy, and Charly. My little girls and their little girls!!! WEIRD, I don't remember getting that old ( except on the really cold days when it is hard for me to move). Seems like there are more people calling me grandma than mom now and you know what? I rather like it!

After Little Ruby's party we came home and had a Easter egg bash at my house with some of the other grand kido's. Abbie, Cole, Maddie, Bella and Rozzy all came over to color Easter eggs. I really hope that we get a WARM Easter next year so that before they are all grown up we can have the Easter egg hunt OUTSIDE a gain. We made the best of the rainy weather and colored lots and lots of eggs. They were happily entertained for approximately 20 minutes...That's a LONG time for this group!

~A FEW THINGS THE DEER HAVEN"T GOTTEN!~

2011-04-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

I took a chilly walk around the yard this morning just to see what the deer had left. I was surprised to find a few spots of color...Very few. I have a love-hate relationship with the deer. They are nice to have around in the winter time giving me many hours of entertainment in an otherwise rather boring environment. However, come spring I would really like it if they would return to the mountains and leave my yard alone! They are starting to become so docile that they actually play with our dogs!
Um, we got the dogs to keep the deer away...Now we have this new dog that is bigger and he can smell them but because of all of his wrinkles he can't always see them. He will take off in the completely wrong direction thinking that he is hot on their trail...The deer are "terrified" of him. ~(NOT)~ They look at each other and in their own "deer" sort of way romp off. I swear I can hear them mocking my dog as they go.

It seems like spring has taken it's sweet time getting here this year. I can only hope that when it decides to come and STAY, we will have many weeks of warm not HOT days to get out and make our yards beautiful so that the deer will have much to feast upon this winter!

~Flowers, Birds, Green grass, Warm Sunny Days, Blue Skies...~

2011-04-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

It's time! Time for flowers and warm sunny days. This "winter gal" is DONE. I need to get my hand dirty, dig up a few worms and make sure the soil is turned over and ready for planting...Yesterday as I was doing just that a Robin landed just a little distance from where I was working. I watched as he carefully hopped closer and closer to the soil I had been working with. Soon he was right next to me pulling the worms from the ground like a pro. The birds even want us out working in our yards! They are willing to set aside their fears just a little to welcome us back to turn the soil over for them so that they can easily fill their little tummies with food. I was glad I could help the little guy out. As long as I didn't make any "sudden" movements he was willing to stick around, however, you can't get a whole lot accomplished without moving...It was a short visit!

At times I actually consider moving to a climate that allows me to grow thing all year but then I think about skiing and I am not quite willing to give that up so, I will continue to LOVE the snow but, as my age marches steadily on, I am beginning to take great joy in the warm temperatures that wrap around my frozen joints and loosen up my achy body this time of year! Viva la SPRING!

2011-04-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

I hate breast cancer.

There, I said it. There are not many things in this life that I hate but, breast cancer is at the top of my very short list. I said good-by to my phenomenally talented sister-in-law on Monday another victim of BC. Too young and still too needed here to have been taken from us by this ugly disease. It plays tricks on you. It lets you think for awhile that you have actually beaten it and then just when you think that you have control of your future it slaps you in the face and lets you know that you will NEVER be able to face a day without wondering what this quiet monster is up to inside the walls of every tiny cell in your body.

I wear my BC awareness pin everyday. I now wear my mothers. The one she wore for her sister and best friend. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about the women I have known who have fought the fight. Most are gone now but, what examples they are to me. I have been forever touched for the better by your lives and your friendships. I love each one of you so very much.

~EARLY MORNING PERSPECTIVE~

2011-03-28T04:07:00.000-07:00

So, another weekend flew by and I am left wondering what happened to it! The funny thing is that even the week days seem to come and go so quickly now. Life is either getting way to short or I am getting a little too busy! I'm hoping that it is the later...Work has been steadily picking up and that has been a good thing for those of us that rely on a paycheck every couple of weeks. It seems like for a couple of months there things were looking pretty dim. Surprising how in this economy there are still those out there willing to spend thousands of dollars on themselves...A tuck here, a lift there, something added, something taken away. I am grateful that there are, not only does it help them feel better about themselves but it keeps me working!

Sometimes I start to feel sorry for myself that I am always working. I would love at times to have my "old" life back where I worked only when I wanted to, spent most of my week "hangin" with my friends skiing, golfing, biking, hiking, running, swimming...Those were good times and I am SO glad that I had them, a lot of people never do.

I decided to go to school when my children were all in school. I was feeling a little "disconnected" I guess you could say. I needed something to fill the void. I spent 3 almost 4 years working on a nursing degree and I have never looked back until now. It's probably because I'm getting older and just getting out of bed some mornings at 4:00 is painful. There are so many days when I wish I was getting up to go for a run or a bike ride instead of getting up to go to work!

I have always been a listener, and I think that almost 20 years ago I was listening to the whisperings of a future that would be very unpredictable. The Lord has always taken me by the hand and lead me in the direction that HE has wanted me to go. Where would we be today without my education? Sometimes the harder things in your life are the things that matter the most. Steve and I have been through some very rough times these past couple of years. What would we have done without the education that has allowed me to work in a profession that not only pays me well but provides us with health insurance for the OLD and DECREPIT!!!

My days may not be the way I pictured they would be at this particular point in my life but, they're pretty dang good. Sometimes I just have to stop and take in what is going on around me and think to my self...There isn't anything else I would rather be doing even if I could choose. ( Well, I might choose a humanitarian mission)!

No one has it perfect...NO ONE! The best we can do is just that... the best we can do but, it helps everyone so much when we go out of our way to help each other. May the Lord bless each of us that we always have enough to be able to give some of what we have away!

President Monson said:

He who gives money
gives much.

He who gives time
gives more.

He who gives himself
gives all.

~IS IT SPRING YET~

2011-03-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

Every year for our anniversary Steve sends me flowers from my most favorite florist in town, in fact, I think that she is my most favorite florist anywhere!!! Creativity and color are her specialty and arranging it all into a beautiful unique display is something that seems to just come so easy for her. I LOVE her work. Everything she does is so absolutely beautiful. I never see anything alike. Every one of her arrangements is a piece of art. If you ever want to give someone something extra special, may I suggest the "Veranda" at the Riverwoods. You will NOT be disappointed and neither will your recipient!

I LOVE taking pictures of flowers. I think that right now I am just so ready for spring that even a Dandy Lion would be a welcome sight!

Thank you SO much Steve for another "Veranda" bouquet. Where would I be without you XOXO.

~LITTLE ONES~

2011-03-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

Seems I can't get enough pictures of the little ones! They are growing up so fast. Now we have little Emma to add to the collection of photos. I can't wait until I can get my lens focused on HER!!! I have had fun this week with Rozzy and Charly. They are getting to be quite the little posers for my camera. Rozzy has pretty much grown up with a camera in her face so she is pretty used to the whole routine. Charly still gets a little bit scared of it all. She had on her BYU attire for the big game on Thursday. We really wish it would have helped but, somebody had to lose. If you could have heard
the Caldwell coaching going on from the couch at our house you would have wondered how they could have possibly lost that game. I wondered how they could not have heard my husband and boys yelling at the T.V...You would have thought that they were sitting on the front row and Jimmer and Jackson were listening only to them!

Rozzy takes it all in stride. She doesn't seem to let much upset her except her teeth. She is getting the two top teeth right now and that seems to be turning her world a little bit upside down. Poor little thing. I am glad that they don't remember that part of growing up!

Charly tried something new...Prunes and oatmeal. She really did like it but, it was hard to get it in her mouth only. The result speaks for itself! Needless to say she needed a BATH!

2011-03-11T03:26:00.000-08:00

Daddy got his way on naming this little girl, I am not sure what to say except that I already loved her even before she had a name!

EMMA JOELYN CALDWELL
7lbs. 7 oz.
20 inches TALL
Born March 8, 2011
Proud parents:
CLARK & CAMI CALDWELL
Proud grandparents: Dan and Ruth Anderson & Steve and Joey Caldwell :)

~ANNOUNCING~

2011-03-10T03:59:00.000-08:00

Clark and Cami's baby girl was born on Tuesday the 8th of March. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz. She has had a rough couple of days but I am happy to say that she is doing great now. They have not picked a name yet and pictures are yet to come. I assure you that my next post about her will bring you up to date with this beautiful little new comer...She is adorable!

~SUNDAY DINNER AND GRAND CHILDREN!!!~

2011-03-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday is always such a fun day at my house. It is the day when I get to see grandkids! We bribe them by fixing dinner and then inviting anyone who wants to come. Usually, we have at least one or two families show up. I really don't know what Steve and I would do if nobody came over for Sunday dinner. How would we entertain ourselves all afternoon? We have gotten so used to our little ones entertaining us that it would be hard to think of things to do without them!

Garett brought home this cool camo hat with LED lights built right into the brim from his business trip to Disneyworld. It was quite the hit with everyone. The little girls didn't quite get it but the bigger kids all wanted their picture taken with it on. It was quickly approaching bed time for Rozzy and Charly. They are both on schedules that have them in bed by 7:00. I remember those days! This picture of Charly was so funny. It just shows you how much she LOVES having grandma's camera in her face...Rozzy is a pro. She has grown up with two grandmothers that have a camera growing out of one eye! I think she thinks it is quite normal :)

Their lives are very well documented thus far in photos! Gage and Ali are even more lucky because Stephanie is SO good at taking pictures. Hopefully, we will have a new little grand daughter to take pictures of this week. Clark and Cami will be having their new little girl tomorrow!!!

I CAN"T WAIT!!!

~IF I COULD TALK TO THE ANIMALS~

2011-03-05T04:58:00.000-08:00

My dad has often made the comment that I should have been a vet. Well, there are days when I wonder if he wasn't right. I have ignored my affection for animals for years since moving away from the farm but, I really do love the critters, all of them...Even horses. I know, I know, that may come as a big surprise to a lot of you but, I have decided to forgive my girlhood experiences with a balky, stubborn horse and realize that there are some very lovable, loyal horses out there. Not for me but still...One day in the not so far off future you may even find me a top one of them again! My dad would be SO proud!!! For the longest time I was convinced that animals just didn't smell good. I thought that everything in my life and my surroundings needed to smell like cleaning solutions and flower gardens. I have found that in my line of work there are things that smell so much worse than a dog...AND, you can give a dog a bath! Don't get me wrong, I am not crazy about animals in my house but, as I have gotten older even THAT doesn't bug me as much. My kids always wanted a dog, Steve always wanted a dog therefore we had a dog...Inside. I do on occasion drive everyone including myself nuts with the "cleaning" but, the dog is just another person in our family and the cat and the other dog and my son's dog...I have to say that the cat is gone now but she was here for 18 YEARS!!! We have gone through our share of fish, lizards, hamsters, tarantulas, caterpillars and other creepy-crawlies but, it's the dogs and cats that seem to live forever! Must be that I like them or why else would I put up with a paw in my back at 4:00 in the morning...Whining for food at 4:00 in the afternoon. BARKING every time the garage goes up or down. Wet muzzles and muddy feet. A constant companion, genuine affection, and a face that makes me giggle...

~PARAPROSDOKIANS~

2011-03-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

My cute friend sent me these...I thought they were worth blogging. My favorites are #1, #4, #17 and #23!!!

1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

2. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

3. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.

4. If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

10. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

11. Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

12. I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.

13. Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "In an emergency, notify:" I put "Doctor".

14. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

16. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

17. The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

18. Hospitality: Making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.

19. I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.

20. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.

21. I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.

22. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.

23. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

24. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

~BABYSITTING~

2011-02-26T10:44:00.000-08:00

We have had Charly since Wednesday. Her mommy and daddy went to Florida for a "Work" vacation and since Charly is only 4 months old she wasn't invited! Hooray for us. We have had such a fun time with this little one. What a good baby she is. I had just put her under the "play gym" and in about 10 minutes she had played herself right to sleep! I think this just might be the first time that she has EVER fallen asleep somewhere other than her crib or car seat. I hope her parents forgive me but, it was just TOO cute!

~WEE HOURS OF MORNING~

2011-02-24T04:15:00.000-08:00

I have not had a lot of time to post lately. It's not that there hasn't been postable events in my life...just not a lot of time to post those events! At this very moment it is 5:15 in the morning, I have been up since 3:30...I am babysitting my granddaughter this weekend for Garett and Lisa while they are in Disneyworld. She Slept until 3:30, I fed her and she went right back to sleep but grandma stayed awake! Normally, I would be getting ready for work at that time anyway so it isn't unusual, the problem...My dogs! They think that they need to EAT! Crazy animals! I know it is my schedule but, DO THEY NEED TO BE ON MY SCHEDULE??? Poor Steve, he is just about ready to throw in the towel. He has NEVER been an early riser. The only 4:00 he ever sees in the one in the afternoon! Lately he has been introduced all to often to the one that comes when it is still DARK outside. He is NOT a fan!

I finally got my camera back from the hospital. The quick fix was not so quick. I now have to learn to use it again. All of my settings are skewed so, I will be working on those...meanwhile, here is a picture of ONE of the culprits...He is sleeping peacefully NOW...Empty bladder, full stomach, deer chased out of back yard...all is well in HIS world!

~...WHAT TO DO~

2011-02-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

Just because you feel strong doesn't mean you are strong...

No, I can not lift and turn a 300 pound patient, even with help. Maybe with a lot of help but, not with a small amount of help. Sometimes I am thrown into a situation that requires strength beyond my ability! My brain tells me that "yes, for sure you can do it", my back, on the other hand fails miserably at about the half way point! I'm really getting to old for this "NURSE" thing...Did I really say that? You only hear that from me when my back hurts and I am looking at having to stay home from my ski day. That is a sacrifice. Skiing keeps me balanced on my "pole fence" of winter. One side death, the other insanity. It's a simple concept...Stay balanced and place one foot ahead of the other in a forward motion. Eventually you will walk smack dab into spring! This is why I have always referred to Thursdays as my "Mental Health Day".

I'm still a little torn, I could go and just do the groomers all day but, I know I would be tempted beyond my ability to resist and just HAVE to ski a few moguls...There is NEW POWDER out there this morning :)

~ALL SMILES~

2011-02-13T07:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Charly!

She is getting so big and SO animated. It is such fun having her here with us every day. She even smiles when she sees grandma...Not so much when she see grandma with her camera. What is it with kids and cameras? As long a Charly is looking at someone else I can catch her smiles but, she doesn't like to smile at my camera. I guess I would be a little leery to if grandma suddenly looked as if she were growing something black from her eye!

I am excited for Valentines Day tomorrow. The grandkids will be over this afternoon and I have cookies ready to decorate!!! We will have such FUN!
Sorry in advance for the "sugar high" moms and dads...

~APPRENTICESHIP~

2011-02-12T04:12:00.000-08:00

Apprenticeship. Isn't that what life is all about? We learn from those who have been there and hopefully take from their insight what is the best part of this world...Most of us learn from doting parents, older brothers or sisters or great friends we meet along the way but there are a select few of us who have the blessings of aunts and uncles who adore us, who, in so many ways would without pause step in and give of themselves as parents do.

My Uncle Carl passed away last weekend. He was 86. There was never a guy on earth that made a pair of jeans, a white tee and a mustache look SO good. Such a talented and sweet man. Those piercing blue eyes will be missed for now by those of us left behind but, Something tells me there is a big family reunion being planned even as I write this... Mom, Aunt Choral, Aunt Betty...Keep it simple and yes, I would love to bring a salad!

Susan, Diane, Y'Vonne & Don
Uncle Carl's & Aunt Betty's
Children... All together again!

I LOVE these guys!

~Lala Salama~

2011-01-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

I got these pictures somehow by tweaking my camera lens that is broken... I broke it in Hawaii. I can't believe that I wasn't careful enough to get it there and back without an "incident". I got to babysit Rozzy the night we got home for an hour or so and of coarse, I had to get some pictures!

Hopefully, my camera will be a quick fix. I can't imagine being without it for very long. The little girls changed in just the week I was gone!

"Good night Rozzy or Lala Salama"...Learned that in Africa, it means: sleep in peace til morning comes :)

~KAILUA, KONA~

2011-01-27T15:48:00.000-08:00

There is nothing better than getting out of the cold for a couple of weeks and enjoying the tropical temperatures of the islands. One of my favorite spots in the whole world is Kona Hawaii. It's a crazy little place with an eclectic crowd that could care less where you are from or what you do. They just give you the thumb and little finger wave, a big smile and let you know that you are welcome in their part of paradise.

Mike, Ann, Steve and I have spent many vacations in this part of the world...Hopefully, many more to come. We have all of our favorite places to go but, seem to find a new place every trip to add to the list. Soon we are going to have to spend a month just doing all the things we love to do. Darn it!!!

As you can see by a couple of the pictures there was a day that was rather "gray". I loved it for pictures but, it was rather disappointing for the beach bums in our group! I just kept thinking that even the rain was warm!

We spent many afternoons in the sun and surf enjoying every moment of it. Steve and Ann are not REAL beach bums...Ann is a red head and after about 5 minutes in the sun she is burned but, she finds a tree with shade and has a good book, slathers on #50 sun screen and is happy as a clam! Steve is just a good sport, he will try anything...Once!

It was "HIGH TIDE" and the waves were really only for the natives to be surfing on but, we tried, failed and tried again. I couldn't even stand up to get out to the big ones, the LITTLE ones were knocking me over. Kona beaches are not known for their sand, they are very rocky so, if you find one you can actually boogie board on it's heavenly!

The water is unbelievably blue and as you watch the waves come in you can see the whales just beyond them as they blow. There are Spinner Dolphins and all kinds of fish that jump clear out of the water (scary) not to mention the Sea Turtles. Such a magical place.

We went whale watching but I promise we were not fishing for whales...It sort of looks like we were in these pictures! We were fishing for a 5-600lb. Marlin. No, we didn't catch one but we had a lot of fun trying!

It is always hard to believe how fast our time goes by while we are there. Before we realize it we are packing our bags and heading for the airport thinking to ourselves...Where did the time go. I suppose that if you lived there it wouldn't be all that, but, I sure would like to visit every month or so during the coldest part of our winter each year wouldn't you!

My favorite part?

EVERYTHING!!!

~NO PAIN, NO GAIN (A LITTLE INSANE)~

2011-01-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

I still bounce!

Things started off as usual on Thursday. The 40 minute ride to the top of Sundance deep in conversation with some of my best friends never seems as long or as cold with ultra stimulating topics to discuss. After deciding to take a "warm up" run down a "groomer" we took off for the sunny side of the hill to get our legs working. 40 minutes up and 5 minutes down unless...You guessed it, I caught an edge. This is why I often do NOT ski the groomed runs, I like to go too fast for my own good! My brain remains at the top looking down while my skies have taken my body downward so fast that it never has a chance to catch up until the body stops in a controlled manner or quite suddenly in a rather painful manner. After my brain re-engages I find myself thinking that I am a middle aged moron and I hope I haven't broken my hip! In the meantime SKI PATROL is on the way...I had fallen right underneath the lift and left a trail of equipment as I tumbled...commonly referred to as a "garage sale". Nothing inconspicuous about ME!

After shaking off my embarrassment and picking up my pride, I convinced the Men in Red that I really was okay (the problem is...They have seen me do this before... It's getting harder to convince them). Perhaps I should pause for a few minutes at the top and make sure that my middle aged brain is along for the ride before heading down from now on.

I'd be skiing by myself :)

~THURSDAYTHURSDAYTHURSDAYTHURSDAY~

2011-01-06T17:53:00.000-08:00

~ALMOST TIME FOR MORE, FOR 2 TO BECOME 4~

2011-01-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

The little girls are getting bigger, just in time for a new set of little girls...Move over RaRa and ChaCha for you are about to be up-rooted as the little girls. Your reign did not last very long as the newest little members of our family but boy, ( I really should say; "but girl,") won't they be fun cousins the FOUR of them!!!

~CHRISTMAS 2010~

2011-01-03T05:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010...

I need a bigger house! With everyone here we were comfortably crowded! Seems no one minded too awfully much as they waded through the piles of paper and triped over hidden boxes and an occasional toy that has been lost in the mayhem.

We opened presents in waves as each family made their appearance. It was so adorable to watch the faces of the little ones as they ripped open, tore through or daintily un-wrapped each gift. Even the babies were thrilled with the papers, the boxes, not to mention the ribbons! It was fun to have Nina and little Ruby with us this year. Just an added bonus for us. One which I can only hope they make a tradition!!! (Ruby's daddy...that would also be Nina's cute hubby, is a policeman and was on duty all Christmas :( We missed him).

As you can tell, Christmas around the Caldwell home is very much a "kid" thing. What fun we had with Santa, and getting presents for each one of the grand children this year. I think everyone was happy and well fed at the end of a very busy day. Little ones were ready for bed and the bigger ones were ready for another game on the Wii. All this
technological stuff baffles me. I am still learning how to use a computer! I think my little ones know more about computers and computer games, gigs & mega bites than I could ever learn in what time I have left here upon this earth! I hope that this New Year find us all Healthier, Wealthier and Wiser for the things that we have learned from this past year. I know that we have certainly been blessed in MANY ways but, on the very top of my list of blessing for last year, this year and the years to come are the faces you see in this post. I am thinking that 2011 will be most wonderful because we will be adding two more little girls to Clan Caldwell. I hope that they are as excited to come as we are to have them here!!! I am sure that Mom, Aunt Choral, Bruce, Julie and many, many others in both families have prepared them well for what they are in for...? I hope most of their conversations have been positive :)

I think they will be very happy don't you?

~PAST-PRESENT and FUTURE~

2010-12-31T05:49:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt like if you could just stand still long enough the world might just catch up?

I've been looking closer in the mirror lately...Not because I see me but, because I see my mother. The world is starting to catch up or should I say...Come full circle! We spent our 7th Christmas without mom this year. Have we adapted? I would say we have but have we liked it? Left without a choice I would have to say we make do but, Christmas just is not the same without my mom. What a wonderful lady she was and, as time goes on and and things happen to me (which remind me of her) I often think to myself that I AM becoming my mother. Now, in my more mature (?) mind I find myself saying: "Bring it on"!

President Hinckley said:

"It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead.. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for us all."

So, as I say farewell to this year and look ahead to next, I will not for one day forget the women who made my life rich with memories and wisdom and, who's examples continue to weave their magic into my everyday existence.

NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!!!!

2010-12-21T04:29:00.000-08:00

I woke this morning to a pink glow out my window...The lights reflecting off the new fallen snow. It was 3:30 am and yes, I had to take some pictures. If you have never been outside in the snow at 3:30 I highly suggest it. It's sensory overload...and might I add, VERY quiet...Yes, silence can truly overload your hearing! I think that I have been trained to only hear what man has made. In the quiet of the morning you can hear all the things that "man" has not made. So glad to have started this day out early. It may be the only moment today that is calm, quiet and relaxing...

DINNERS, DANCE, & SANTA

2010-12-21T03:55:00.000-08:00

Dinners, dance recitals, school programs, and Santa! The grandchildren are successfully wound up with moms and dads desperately trying to keep them calm until the big day. Oh how I remember my kids when they were little trying so hard to be good so that Santa would bring them EVERYTHING on their Christmas list! Awe, they just grow up too fast...

~THE LITTLE GIRLS...Rah Rah and Cha, Cha~

2010-12-13T04:16:00.000-08:00

They SIT! Oh, how I wish that I had some of these nice little inventions when I had tiny ones...I for sure would have had a "Bumbo".

~THE HOLIDAY'S SO FAR~

2010-11-27T05:14:00.000-08:00

I'm stuffed!

The funny thing is, I am sitting here eating a "Skinny Cow" (My new favorite treat) while I write. How utterly ridiculous. I started cooking Wednesday night and didn't stop until Thursday when I sat everyone at the table to eat. I have yet to learn to cook for less than an army and after everyone had gorged themselves beyond comfortable...There was still enough food left over to feed another family for Thanksgiving. I had put forth great effort into inviting some of the people from my work who really didn't have a place to go this year for Thanksgiving. They all were flattered but, declined to make an appearance. Seriously, how silly is that? I can be fun! REALLY!!! Mostly my OCD only shows up when I am being a nurse. I've learned to control it quite well in the other areas of my life...Honest, I have! I am a FUN and very SPONTANEOUS person who can laugh and joke right along with the rest of you guys...Okay, enough of the chit chat...I've got a house to decorate!

( To the tune of Up on The House Top)

Up on the roof top once again
Oh what a sight I must have been
Arms full of lights and a bag of clips
Oh my gosh, hope I don't slip

Right to the edge I bravely go
Focused on the roof not the ground below
It's cold and windy and wouldn't you know
Three lights hung and it begins to snow

Oh no no
I shouldn't go
oh no no
I shouldn't go, oh,
Up on the roof top
What a dumb chick
Who gratefully was rescued by 'Ol St. NICK!

I am now in the middle of shopping. This is a new experience for me since in years past I have this done by Thanksgiving...Yep, I'm a little late this year and paying for it dearly! I used to like being out in the hustle and bustle of the crowds but anymore I would rather stay at home and order it online. I hate to admit this but maybe I AM getting old...If I am then so is Steve for he actually conceded and went with me to my favorite of all Christmas concerts yesterday at the Covey Center...David Lanz...Yes, he is a pianist and yes, I LOVE his music but, Steve, not so much. He even stayed awake (mostly). What a good guy. Guess I am going to have to go to a BYU game now...

There are still many things that need doing and probably a lot of things that won't get done but, is that really what matters most? When I think about what this season is all about and what it is that we are celebrating I realize that I have been preparing all my life, and I am quite ready to show my Savior how grateful I am to Him for all He has done for me and my family as I am sure all of you are too.

~MR. EXCITED~

2010-11-22T18:35:00.000-08:00

COLE:
"Hello, my name is Cole John Caldwell. I am 4 years old and I am going to play..."

Cole had his first violin recital on Saturday. He looked so Very handsome all dressed up in his suit and tie. He is the youngest violinist in the group and so excited to be a part of something so great that it earned him a trophy with the title of : MR. EXCITED!!! We are so proud of you Cole! Keep up
your hard work and you will be playing
with the symphony one day.

Remember, CHICKS DIG MUSICIANS!!!

~COOKING WITH GRANDMA~

2010-11-22T18:25:00.001-08:00

I believe in starting them young...

~GRATEFUL~

2010-11-20T02:55:00.000-08:00

Is it really true that hard things make you stronger or do they just make your back hurt and leave a ache in your heart? No matter I suppose, they still have to be done and you still have to pick your self up and continue on. Life is full of hard things or maybe it's just that the difficult times are more easily remembered...either way, I'm not a big fan of hard. Unfortunately we are all dealt our share of hard times. I have watched family and friends go through the worst of times and marveled at their resilience. They have found times of happiness in the hard and peace in times of non-content and unanswered questions.

To my family and the friends who I learn from everyday. I'm still watching and one day thanks to you, I might even get it right...Until then, thank you for keeping me balanced and up-right on this bumpy road we call life!

~BREATH..I'T'S JUST A R.S. LESSON~

2010-11-14T06:16:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning...Oh the things I learn as I prepare to teach my lesson for R.S. each month. You take a simple subject, one that over the years you would think that you know pretty well and OH MY, what a little research will do to shake your confidence! It is humbling to realize that I still have so much to learn about simple gospel principals.

Was I "present" through all those years of seminary and institute? Thinking back I remember bits and pieces of the classes but not much of anything. How sad to be oblivious all those years when I could have been learning so much about how to really live my life. Hooray for teachers who can reach those who come to listen and learn. Who prepare so well that they actually make a difference in the lives of those they teach. Who are examples of the words they speak! Congratulations to the parents who instill in their children a respect for those who teach. A love of the gospel and the ability to look beyond themselves.

That is why I became a nurse...I'm so NOT a teacher!

~MADDIE aka PRINCESS BELL~

2010-11-10T05:59:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDISON!

Maddie turned three on the 8th of November...What three year old doesn't think that she is a princess? She was so adorable dressed as Bell. Her mommy even made a cake for her that was like Bell's dress! (Lore, you ARE amazing). Maddie no longer wonders what all the fuss is about...She knows it is HER special day.

~NOVEMBER~

2010-11-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

What a GLORIOUS day! November isn't usually one of my favorite months...Too many days where it is too cold to snow and too warm to well... Snow! You know one of those TopSeTurVee months that you can never really predict. You wear a coat to work in the morning and come home with it tucked under your arm in the afternoon. You think that you can wash your car, but as soon as you do a rain/snow/sleet/hail storm passes through just long enough to make the roads a muddy mess (because of all the construction) and you wonder why you even tried to look "nice" out on the stupid road anyway. TODAY however, was splendid, the weather and the company could not have been better. When I finally returned home the sun was at that point in the afternoon sky that just makes everything look so gorgeous. I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of the color that is soon to be covered up with a blanket of some of my favorite stuff :) There are even a few roses still trying to bloom and a flower here and there that hasn't been snuffed out by the deadly cold of morning frost. My little garden is still producing vegetables...At a much slower rate but then it is NOVEMBER!

We (I) am incredibly blessed. When Garett was in Guatemala during the rains and mud slides and all the devastation, I remember going to church on Sunday morning after receiving a call letting us know that he was safe and out of danger. We were singing the song "Because I Have Been Given Much" and I couldn't stop thinking...

"My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter overhead"...Really, with that and our families around us do we need ANYTHING more?

~TRICK OR TREAT~

2010-10-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

Halloween is one of my favorite
"little" holidays. It is so full of fall! Maybe it is just the time of year that I love so much but either way what could possibly be cuter than your grandchildren showing up at your door to 'Trick or Treat'!

I'm not going to lie, Halloween wasn't as fun when my children were little and I had to actually "go" Trick or Treating". Now, I just wait for the door bell to ring and hand out candy in the warmth of my home...diet coke in hand and favorite music playing
in the background. SOOOoooo much nicer than braving the elements
for a couple of bite sized candy bars. Mostly, this "grandma thing" suits me just fine! The one draw back I find, the thing I feel needs to be figured out is how come time goes by so fast now that I am "grandmatized"? Everything else seems to have slowed down but time seems to have gained speed. I have moments when I wish I could go back and enjoy things a little bit more, you know just really soak it in. Appreciate the people in my life who made me who I am. Who made my Halloweens special, who taught me to "feel" Christmas. Those people who brought Easter alive with trips to the desert, canyon or sometimes our own backyard. Those who knew that a family reunion was an important event that would keep us in touch with our home after we had flown far, far away...

As I begrudgingly say farewell to October I will try to keep in mind how blessed I have been these past few months...Not just because the weather has been glorious but, because "time" has brought us two new grand daughters to watch grow...I will try not to blink for fear I might miss something!

~FALL~

2010-10-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

Do you see what I see?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That my friends is snow on Maple Mountain...Now there has been snow on Timp. off and on for the last month or so but, Maple has not had ANY!

Isn't it breathtakingly beautiful!

I just happened to be outside yesterday
when the sun squeezed through the clouds
just long enough to turn everything...GOLDEN!
It always amazes me how beautiful this world is but, when you get a chance to witness moments like these you can't help but wonder what the future holds...

~CHARLY'S PHOTO SHOOT~

2010-10-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

We had SO much fun today taking pictures of our newest little member of the family.

****CHARLY JO CALDWELL****

I really think that they should consider changing her name to
"CHARLISA"...She looks SO much like her mommy it is UNREAL! Lisa's "mini me"!

Thank you Stephanie for coming
down on you day off to show off
your talents and also your patience in posing this little one
'just right'. Steph worked with her for about 2 1/2 hours and little Charly didn't even have a melt down. How great is that? Somehow I managed to get out of the OR early today...something that NEVER happens (twice now in the last month!) so I was so happy to be able to sneak in some pictures of my own. Cambria was here with Rozzy who is growing so fast it is hard to believe that she was once smaller than Charly. What cute
little friends they will be one day
in the very near future. I hope
they love each other the way I love my cousins. They are truly
my sisters...

Just as soon as Stephanie gets her pictures edited and all the fancy stuff done to them I am sure that they will be posted on her photo blog. {You can get there from mine if you don't have the link} Her pictures are SO much better than mine...Not only is she a better photographer but she knows the ins and outs of the world of Photo Shop! I may never become proficient with that program!

~CHARLY~

2010-10-04T03:49:00.000-07:00

..."But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day"...Need I say more?

~BELLA'S BOO BOO~

2010-09-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Bells has learned to climb and with that comes the unfortunate consequences of GRAVITY! What goes up must come down...She is not what her mother would consider a "fast learner" of Newton at 18 months so, I would imagine there will be a few more of these in her future. Let's PRAY that they are somewhere other than her pretty little face!!!

~SEPTEMBER~

2010-09-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than the canyons in September! Oh what beautiful colors are hidden in those green leaves all summer that are waiting to explode in the cooler, darker days of fall...Cambria, Rozzy and I took a little ride up Right Hand Fork in Hobble Creek Canyon yesterday to try and clear the smoke from our lungs and breath a little fresh air and to also take in the "eye candy" that is splashed all over the mountain sides this time of year. We were NOT disappointed! It's like a giant watermelon bust up there! What a beautiful world we live in.

Even littleRozzy seemed mesmerized by her surroundings. She is so much fun to take places because she is just "happy" to be with you! Just the mention of her name can get a smile from her...

The aspen are just starting to turn colors down low right now but the maples are really at their peak. The reds and oranges are magnificent. I know that every year I say the same thing but, I LOVE SEPTEMBER!!!

The last picture is of a log that Cambria and Rozzy were sitting on while I took some pictures...Cambria looked down and very calmly said to me..."Mom, there are lots of little eyes looking at me in this hole". Sure enough, there were about a dozen little baby snakes all curled up around each other in that hollow log! Each of their little heads were propped up looking right at us! She didn't sit there for long... We were pretty sure that they were water snakes but, there were signs posted all around to watch for Rattle Snakes! Good thing neither one of us are that frightened of snakes!

~WEEKENDS~

2010-09-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

I SO love Park City! It's one of those towns where you can go year round and find something to do that makes it so worth the trip! In my younger days I was always on my bike exploring a new trail here and there...In the winter it is ALWAYS the ski slopes. Lately, I have loved just lazy weekends of watching the summer turn to fall and enjoying the cooler temperatures. There are not too many better things in life than golf courses whose backdrops are splashed with the colors of fall. Greens seem greener, skies appear bluer and the clouds just have so much more personality adding that finishing touch to what I consider near perfection. Why can't we have fall for 3 or 4 months? Like so many good things, it's just gone too soon!

Monday rolls around and I find myself looking out the window again. Watching from the inside when I really only want to be on the outside...Tomorrow, my bike and my camera are coming to work with me.

~LIFE IN THE O.R.~

2010-09-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

OR #3

...I forgot (again) to put the grounding pad on my patient at the beginning of surgery today...This means TREATS on Monday. You would think that I would be learning this one by now. (I think that they purposely TRY to distract me so that they get "treats" the next day. It's a conspiracy, I am starting to completely believe that)! It's not so much that I mind making treats, it's more that I HATE forgetting stuff! Do you think that I am EVER going to remember EVERYTHING I am supposed to do in this new job? I sure hope so. I still maintain that one day, perhaps in the very near future, doctors are going to be ecstatic to have me in control 0f their operating rooms! Okay, maybe ecstatic is pushing it but, they are going to be shall I say "less disappointed!!!

~LABOR DAY MINUS THE LABOR~

2010-09-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

Labor Day usually means a weekend spent staining the cabin...In fact, it usually means the beginning of several weekends spent staining the cabin. Thanks to Steve and his new found expertise on stains, we used such a good quality stain last year that the cabin didn't need it this year! YEA!!! This left him with a lot more time for the grand kids. They LOVE to play with grandpa Steve. These pillows are really door stops to keep the cold air from coming in under the doors, however, the little ones think that it is great fun to gang up on poor 'ol gramps and see who can get the best "whack" in. Don't worry they are very soft. He just acts like it hurts for their benefit. (For some reason that makes them giggle). Maddie got a little concerned when grandpa put his hands over his ears and had to check to see if he was alright. This lead to her getting whacked and then...Well you can only imagine what happened after that!

They LOVE to climb on the post that runs through the main floor of the cabin...They think that it is a tree. Cole is just about big enough to hold on all by himself. Maddie and Abbie have a little way to go still. It is so much fun watching these little ones grow. AND, Clark and Cami announced that there will be another little addition to their family in March! Hooray. Abbie will be such a great big sister and oh so much help to her mommy. We couldn't be happier for them!

T-minus 3 weeks and counting before little Charly arrives. Lisa is...Shall we say, SO READY! As miserable as she has to be, Lisa always has a smile and a optimistic attitude. It will be so fun watching Garett and Lisa become PARENTS!!!

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, I have just not been my typical sarcastic self. (Maybe that is a good thing). Work has been full of LONG days and exhausting cases so, I think that for awhile it has just sucked the fun out of me. Hopefully, things are going to start getting back to normal and I can return to being quit flip and ridiculous at times which is, (if you can believe it) FUN for me!

~RUBY MAE~

2010-08-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

I got to babysit my little Ruby Mae today!! She is so adorable. Mommy went to get her hair done so I told Christina that she really needed to let Ruby stay with this grandma while she was there since the smells and the noise etc. are just not that conducive to an infants well being...pretty smart grandma don't you think :) I know that most of you don't get to see a lot of this little one so I took the opportunity to snap a picture of her. She was having a great time trying to get the bow into her mouth! Honestly, she never stops smiling. After this little photo shoot we went for a walk with Shatze, our dog. Ruby talked to her all the way around the circle and then fell right to sleep when we got home. I wore her out! That's good though because Rozzy is on her way up this afternoon for a play date! What a fun day this grandma is having. Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE Thursdays!

~THINGS THAT GO "BUMP" IN THE NIGHT~

2010-08-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

Something happened last night...I am living a nocturnal life and I don't even know it! Apparently I have taken up sleep walking. Steve being a very deep sleeper has never noticed me leave the room to wander aimlessly around the house or rummage through cupboards for unknown substances but, now that Garett and Lisa have moved in they have questioned the noise that they hear in the wee early hours when everyone should be asleep. Last night must have been a rather bad night for me because I woke up BOTH of them. Steve has been in Denver (not that he would have noticed that I had gone missing...) so, I had our bed completely to myself. Somehow my " totally illogical" subconscious self must have over ruled my "logical, do what you are supposed to do" self. I honestly don't remember a thing...NOT ONE THING! It does however explain the bruises that often times show up out of no where and the sheer exhaustion I sometimes feel at work when I think that I should have had a good nights sleep...All I can say is, hide the keys and make sure the doors are locked because you never know just where a sleep walker could end up!

Thank you Garett and Lisa for making sure I was safely back in my bed...And, from now on I promise to always wear pajamas! ( I am totally kidding, I ALWAYS wear pajamas :).

~COUNT MY MANY BLESSINGS...Gage, Ali, Cole, Maddie, Abbie, Bella, Rozlyn, and soon Charly~

2010-08-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

Does this little girl look exactly like her daddy or what? I have tried to pick out a Caldwell or Clark gene somewhere but as of yet there isn't one to be found. She is Robertson through and through! I love the different stages of babies but, I think one of my most favorite is three months. Rozzy is fast approaching that. She smiles and coos and follows you with her eyes. It has been such fun having Sky and Cambria just five minutes away. Yes, grandma has been just a little spoiled! What ever will I do when they move away? Maybe Garett and Lisa will have to live with us permanently!

We are so fortunate to have a very talented photographer (Rozzy's other grandma) in the family who takes amazing pictures...We will always have the very best of Rozzy to show off thanks to Grandma Shauna!

~WHO, WHO, WHO~

2010-07-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

We had a visitor tonight! This cute baby owl decided to land on our deck and quietly observe us as we observed him! He let me get pretty close with my camera before he got nervous. I know that I complain a little ( okay a lot) about the wild life that are always eating my yard, my last casualty was my tomatoes but, sometimes it is such a thrill to be able to see stuff that you just don't get a chance to see anywhere else. Tonight was one of those nights. How often do you get to stand three feet from an owl and take pictures? I did look closely to see if he had an envelope clasped in his talons because it was after all so very Harry Potterish...No envelope, no Hogwarts, no Sorting Hat again this year...So very disappointing.

~ROZZY~

2010-07-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

The many faces of ROZZY!

Photograph by her grandma, Shauna Rae Robertson/Shauna Rae Art

Yep, we think she's adorable!

~LOVE "YOUR" LIFE~

2010-07-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these flowers! They grow on vines in Guatemala. I was so excited to go back and see them again. The blossom is about one and a half feet long! I have TOO many pictures of the flowers of Guatemala but, they are so amazing. Can you even imagine something like this growing in our backyards?!

I have had a quiet day today, lots of time to think. It is at times like this that I usually sit down at the computer and count my blessings with gratitude mixed with a little humor and sarcasm... So, hold on!

It has been years since Steve has traveled for business. Yes, he has spent a day here and there but, a week at a time has just been unheard of for the past 10 years until today. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself, no one to talk to, no one to cook for ( not that I do that anyway but...) no one to complain to, no one to go places with. It's rather a lonely world without him around and it's only Sunday! I have always had the kids to fill up the house before, now they are gone too. Wow, how time changes things. I had the whole bench to myself today at church until one of my friends saw me sitting alone and came over and sat with me. The circle of life they call it. I prefer to think of it more as the process of becoming an orphan! One's life consists of several different stages some good, in-fact some GREAT! Some not so good. This one that I am in right now...Not so good, my health is spinning out of control, my future is a black hole, and the only thing I see right now that is a sure thing is that I have a job... Tomorrow! Not a lot of people can add that last one to their list so, I am truly blessed however, between the exacerbation's and the exasperation's I find myself quite incapable of getting up off the couch at times! That may have something to do with the mid-fifty thing...( My own personal summers about 10-12 times a day and night, and the introduction to replacement hormones that are a far cry from what my own body used to make). Please tell me that my sixties are going to be better!

Okay enough already...In all actuality things are going along rather smoothly for how really messed up they are or, maybe the Prozac is working exceptionally well and I just don't care...( I'm kidding girls, I know you worry when I say things like that, hehe...sorry). My job, although still challenging is getting better and I don't cry myself home every night. It's down to once or twice a week now and seriously that is SUCH an improvement! We have hired two more Circulators, one of which has a ton of experience and even helps me out when I find myself in a pickle...An almost daily occurrence for me. I am starting to feel more confident and comfortable in the OR and that, in itself, is a miracle! It has almost been one full year...(September).

Mostly, I love my life. I know that it is quite different from what it used to be but, different is okay, in-fact, different can be good! One day I think that I may look back on this busy time in my life and wish I could have it all again. For now, I will tell myself ( or maybe I will just let one of the many voices I hear tell me...Kidding again girls...) that I am never, ever going to get that old!

~THE CLARK CLAN~

2010-07-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

I must have been in one of my quieter moods today...obviously, when you have a couple of people ask you why your so quiet you have to wonder how obnoxiously loud you are normally. I drove to Delta today to attend the graveside service for my Aunt Shirley. She is the first of my dad's siblings to pass away. She was 88 years old and a beautiful lady. She leaves us with so many "Clark" memories that we will treasure forever. On the ride down today I started to think about how very blessed I have been to grow up in such a remarkable family. The Clark's are, in my opinion some of the best people in the world and I was lucky enough to be born into that family. What a great childhood we had. I say "we" because it was never just me. The Clark's are a tight knit group of family members that really didn't need many outsiders. We had someone for everyone within our own family. Dave, Matt and Nancy started it all and will probably be there to end it all. Ya gotta love those three. The rest of us looked up to them in awe thinking that whatever they did was pretty much God-like and should be revered or at the least mimicked to some degree. Attempts to do so were usually lost in translation or simply ignored. All our lives we have been Dave, Matt or Nancy's little sister or brother...You know, I really don't think anyone actually knew my first name until AFTER they had graduated from high school!

It is at occasions like today that bring us all together and get us reminiscing about our "yester-years" . What a great afternoon. I am sure that Aunt Shirley was smiling at all the laughter and stories that were being tossed around the table by family members as we sat and enjoyed each other's company. Sadly our busy lives and the miles that separate us, keep us from getting together more often but one thing is for sure, when we are together we are family, one big, loud, joyful, group of Clark's!

~PLEASANT VALLEY DAYS 2010~

2010-07-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

The cabin, carnivals, parades, bonfires and fireworks...Does life get any better than that? YES! A FOUR day weekend!!! Holy Fourth of July! Not to mention, my son Clark's birthday is on the 4th of July also. We really had reason to celebrate! Our cabin was full and so were our stomachs...ALL WEEKEND! We had 4 dogs and 2 new babies. A 1 year old, a couple of 2 year olds and a 4 year old. Parents galore and grandpa and grandma! SO MUCH FUN! I wasn't sure we would be able to sleep everyone but we did it! I hope that we can do it again soon. The cabin goes unused way too much and it is so nice when everyone is up there. Our busy schedules prevents us from going as much as we would like to but, when it finally does happen it is well worth the effort. Thank you everyone for helping out this weekend and being there. I LOVED it. (We missed you Jon, Steph, Gage and Ali).

~HOORAY FOR LONG WEEKENDS~

2010-06-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

My person told me a while back that it will get easier...I'm holding on to that statement with every ounce of positivity I can muster right now. So many changes. I wish I had a crystal ball and could see how it was all going to work out, then again...Maybe not! As I write it is raining outside, do you ever feel like taking your shoes off and jumping in the puddles? Probably a good thing I don't act on some of my impulses, my neighbors would probably have me committed with Steve's whole hearted consent! I'm not crazy, I'm not crazy, I'm NOT CRAZY!!!

Can you believe it is almost the 4th of July! Where does the time go? To me summer is half over after the 4th of July. We are headed to the cabin for the long weekend. Pleasant Valley Days in Scofield is one of our favorite family weekends. I haven't ever taken pictures of the magnificent festivities before so this year I will. The ugliest four wheeler parade, karaoke or, other attempts at "music" in the barn, handmade items for sale in booths set just a little too close to the pony rides... Icky. Rubber ducky's to float down the river, and all kinds of food! Yes, it is quite the celebration for tiny little Scofield. You can see and do it all in about 20 minutes! Honestly, it takes longer to find a parking spot and walk in. The best part of the weekend is the firework display over the lake. They do an amazing job for a small town. Perhaps it is because we have such a great spot to watch them that I like it so much. I've never enjoyed crowds and fireworks but, when you can go out onto your own deck and sit and watch without the crowd and without the traffic jam after, it is definitely worth it! Happy 4th of JULY everyone!

~A BELLA WEEKEND~

2010-06-27T18:08:00.001-07:00

I know, it's been a little while since I have posted...SORRY! I have had a busy couple of weeks. This weekend included but, I couldn't miss the opportunity to put up some of these cute pictures of Bella. Her family went to Lake Powell without her ( can you believe that)! Which meant of coarse that we got to spend a whole lot of time with the little cutie, YEA! Here is a sample of my weekend. I don't think she missed her mom and dad too much do you?

~SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT GRANDPA AND GRANDMA'S~

2010-06-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

It was a sunny, rainy, sunny, rainy sort of Sunday today so, in the moments of sunshine the little ones and I went trekking up the dirt trail to "see what we could see". (Something to remember when taking a 2 year old hiking... a 2 year old gets tired very quickly. Make sure that you have the strength and a strap for your camera to piggy-back and hip carry home however many 2 year olds you may have with you at the time ). So funny what they want to stop and look at and ask questions about...like dog poop! We had quite the discussion about the dog poop along the trail...Sorry, but to a 2 year old that is interesting stuff!

Cole wanted to try taking some pictures with my camera so with a little bit of instruction and a lot of helpful hands...He took the picture that I posted of Abbie! Not bad for a 4 year old! I think he's got some talent for taking a picture :) He snapped off nearly 70 pictures in about three minutes! Then it started to rain. Maybe we will try again next Sunday.

~CELEBRATE~

2010-06-12T01:20:00.000-07:00

I was asked today by some of our family members that live farther away, (STEPHANIE) to post more pictures of our adorable new granddaughter. They change so quickly in the first few weeks and I am so lucky that I get to see her every day! That could all change when Sky finishes school but, for now I'll take advantage of it!

It was my birthday yesterday so I took the day off work ( I always HATE being at work on my birthday). We had dinner at our house for everyone who wanted to come so Cambria and I took that opportunity to snatch a few pictures of little Rozy while she was sleeping...SO DANG CUTE! Then in walks Loreli with this beautiful cake! She is AMAZING! She spent the whole day making it... SO hard to cut it up and eat it but, we did and it tasted as good as it looked! The little ones ate their cake and ice cream and after a bit of chasing grandpa and Skyler, playing hide and seek and wrestling they were on such a "sugar high" it was hard to even get them fastened into their seats to go home! Sorry Lore and John!

Other than the weather...The day couldn't have been more perfect!

Joeyology

~MIKE~

~TIME-OUT~

~MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE~

~FAMILY~

~Do Good Things~

~MISS MADDIE~

~JOEY'S PARELLEL UNIVERSE~

~ALIANAH~

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

~ABIGAIL~

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

~BELLA in BLACK and WHITE & SOME COLOR~

~CAN"T GET ENOUGH~

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

~CONFERENCE WEEKEND~

~FINDING FALL~

~ALI TURNS *8*!~

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

~MY KIND OF SATURDAY~

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

~OREO'S AND ROZZY~

~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

~SUMMER WORK PARTIES~

~THANKS~

~SUNDAY WITH "GREAT" GRANDPA~

~ROB"I"SON~

~LESSONS~

~MUDDY BUDDY~

~ROZZY TURNS 1~

~KINERGARTEN HERE I COME!!!~

~TUBBY TIME-THEN AND NOW~

~ONE SORT OF SUNNY MAY DAY~

~DIRT BIKING~

~TIP TOE THROUGH THE TULIPS~

~SLEEP ELUDES ME~

~OUR NEWEST...WHITNEY~

~RUBY & EASTER EGGS~

~A FEW THINGS THE DEER HAVEN"T GOTTEN!~

~Flowers, Birds, Green grass, Warm Sunny Days, Blue Skies...~

~EARLY MORNING PERSPECTIVE~

~IS IT SPRING YET~

~LITTLE ONES~

~ANNOUNCING~

~SUNDAY DINNER AND GRAND CHILDREN!!!~

~IF I COULD TALK TO THE ANIMALS~

~PARAPROSDOKIANS~

~BABYSITTING~

~WEE HOURS OF MORNING~

~...WHAT TO DO~

~ALL SMILES~

~APPRENTICESHIP~

~Lala Salama~

~KAILUA, KONA~

~NO PAIN, NO GAIN (A LITTLE INSANE)~

~THURSDAYTHURSDAYTHURSDAYTHURSDAY~

~ALMOST TIME FOR MORE, FOR 2 TO BECOME 4~

~CHRISTMAS 2010~

~PAST-PRESENT and FUTURE~

NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!!!!

DINNERS, DANCE, & SANTA

~THE LITTLE GIRLS...Rah Rah and Cha, Cha~

~THE HOLIDAY'S SO FAR~

~MR. EXCITED~

~COOKING WITH GRANDMA~

~GRATEFUL~

~BREATH..I'T'S JUST A R.S. LESSON~

~MADDIE aka PRINCESS BELL~

~NOVEMBER~

~TRICK OR TREAT~

~FALL~

~CHARLY'S PHOTO SHOOT~

~CHARLY~

~BELLA'S BOO BOO~

~SEPTEMBER~

~WEEKENDS~

~LIFE IN THE O.R.~

~LABOR DAY MINUS THE LABOR~

~RUBY MAE~

~THINGS THAT GO "BUMP" IN THE NIGHT~

~ALI TURNS 8!~