Summer is Over

So, I've been in school over two weeks, and this is the first chance I've had to quickly post the last events of the summer.  We were lucky to have Debbie and four of her children stay with us for a few days.  Austin happened to have his birthday on the last day, and  I actually remembered to take my camera and snap a few pictures.

Austin sort of smiled for the camera!

A dinner of pizza, soda, and cake was supplied for the partiers.

A Merry-Go-Round and lots of other rides provided the entertainment.

Even a 17 year old can have fun on the bumper cars.

Everyone seemed very interested in Austin's presents.  Happy Birthday Austin.



Zona Summer of 2011

I flew to Arizona hoping to hang out with the grandkids and help with a new baby.  We had to wait a bit longer than we thought to welcome the youngster, so we had some fun while we waited.  One day we took the kids to the children's museum, and they loved it.  The had a fire truck, motorcycle, and train to explore.  They were also able to try art in many forms and do some experiments.  So they were both sad to leave when it was time to pack up and head home.

We had a celebration dinnerfor Chase's birthday a week early so that Sabrina and I could be there.  We had great food and company.  This is a picture of Brett and Sabrina two days before Parker's birth.

Parker decided to show up on his due date, and was home that night.  These picture were taken the next morning.  Of course, we were all excited to welcome him home.

 Welcome to our family Parker!

The Long and Winding Road

My parents have become great traveling companions during the last few years. We've been to Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, and Southern Utah together. The past week we decided to go on a road trip to the west coast, and my sister, Kate, accompanied us. We had a wonderful adventure, and covered lots of territory. On the first day we drove to Reno and explored Virginia City without my camera. However, the camera was handy the next morning when we stopped by Tuckee and the site where Donner Party was stopped on their way west. The monument shows how deep the snow was in 1846.

San Francisco was fun as we spent time on the wharf eating lunch and checking out Pier 39. We also went to Ghiradelli Square and Lombard Street before heading over the Golden Gate Bridge.

The most amazing part of the day was spent in Muir Woods. The pictures do not do this place justice. It was so beautiful and we went just as the sun was setting. The carving is of John Muir, who was one of the first who suggested that we set aside beautiful places for our children and grandchildren.

The next day we loved seeing the vineyards and beautiful settings of Northern California. Again, the pictures are only a glimse of the true beauty. One of the vineyards has a castle that is built like the castles in Italy. It was quite impressive.

It is clear that my mom enjoys being a queen in a castle.

The castle even came complete with a drawbridge.

We found that Mt. Shasta is still covered with lots of snow, and visited Ashland, Oregon, the home of the first Shakespeare Theatre in the United States.

Late one afternoon we rowed in canoes around a wildlife refuge.

In Klamath Falls, Oregon we met up with Kate's daughter, Chelsey, and her husband, Austin. Austin is playing baseball in a summer league. We went to a couple of his games and visited Crater Lake National Park with his parents and grandparents. I've never seen a lake so deep blue. It was incredible. What a fun vacation we had visiting our beautiful country with loved ones!

Party, Party, Party

Our family has loads of birthdays in the summer, and we were able to attend a few of the celebrations during the past few weeks.Kam has only one more year until he's a teenager (although he already sports a mustache). He's started scouts and enjoys it. I think he's even looking forward to school this year since he'll be in junior high.

His family had a party for him at the park and supplied a delicious dinner and fun for all.

We headed for the hills to celebrate the 235th birthday of our country. Many of my siblings' families were there too, and we enjoyed hanging out with them. This is a picture taken right before some of them left and before Kate's family showed up. (Diane took the picture).

 

We did get a picture of Kate for her 50th birthday party that came complete with a coffin and a cane. Fun times!

We also attended a birthday party for my great-grandmother's 131st birthday, but I forgot to take any pictures. My grandmother's 95 year old sister attended, as well as lots of relatives (some that I know, and others that I don't). Summer is great!

Surf, Sun and Ceremony

What a fun couple of weeks we had in Florida! I loved the beaches in the Tampa area, and it was so fun to watch TJ chase after the birds and play in the sand. We also went to Wakula Springs with Amelia's family, and had a blast on a boat tour and in the water.
 

We were thrilled to be invited to Trent's white coat ceremony. This means he is half way done with his schooling and can work on patients. I think I'll keep my mouth closed around him from now on.

This is the family all ready for the event

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Amelia and TJ wave to Trent as TJ's cousin, Kalil watches.

Here's another family picture that includes the new coat and the beautiful scenery of Florida.

We had a great time and can't wait to go back (or have them visit here)!

Going Out in Style

Uncle Derrald and Aunt Helen returned from their mission to Louisiana ten years ago in May. That week Aunt Helen was diagnosed with cancer, and she passed away in September of 2001. Derrald has missed her and has wanted to join her for the past 10 years. Tuesday he stopped breathing, and got his wish.

He was a great Uncle who teased us and told us stories by the campfire. As a carpenter, he supervised the building of the Coalville Stake Center and then devised a fencing product called Easy Fence. After he obtained a patent for it, he sold the fencing material throughout the west. Most importantly, he raised 8 amazing children. (One son had left before pictures were taken). I'm sure my dad and his parents had a wonderful reunion with him.

I loved his funeral. All 8 of the children spoke and many also played instruments. His grand children and great grandchildren sang. He was taken to the cemetery in an old-fashioned wagon pulled by horses. It was very classy.

School's Out for Summer!

The best part of being out of school is...........grandchildren!
 Summer started out with a visit from Debbie and her children. (James and Braden were here, but I didn't pull out may camera until a few days ago, after they left). We were able to go swimming, to the park, and hang out at home. Unfortunately, I only had one day where I wasn't at work during their visit, so our time was limited.
One night Tyssie made a great taco dinner, and we were able to hang out with their family too. Alas, once again I forgot my camera. Austin wasn't with us though. He's been in the hospital all week getting his lungs cleaned out from cystic fibrosis. He was quite sick at the beginning of the week, but gets better every day. I took a picture of him during his treatment this morning. We're really grateful for medical science, and look forward to healthy days ahead. I'm also excited to have more grandchild time scheduled during the rest of this month. Summer is awesome.