DJ hasn't been too good about sending pictures, this is the 4th time, and he's been gone for almost 21 months. I know he's been working hard, by the look of these shoes...
His time as a full time missionary is coming to an end. I'm so proud of his hard work, and positive attitude. It has been our privilege to be missionary parents. What a wonderful son we have!
I've been thinking a lot about my mom lately. She passed away 2 years ago in April, and I realize more and more what an amazing woman she was. Recently, my sister, Ginny decided that she wasn't going to paint with mom's old paints, so she gave them to Wendy. I hope that Wendy is able to put them to good use. Just after mom died, Wendy decided to paint a picture, and it turned out amazing. She said that she felt grandma there while she was painting. I hope that using her paints will help her to again feel grandma, and her love of many things.
Mom started making silky quilts for her grandkids long ago, and they always became the favorite blankie. The tradition carried on for the great-grandkids. She had made a couple for future great-grandkids, and my nephew, Danny got the last one for his baby. Now Wendy is having a baby. I couldn't bear for her not to have a silky, so I have taken a shot at carrying on the tradition. It is not made that well, and isn't that great to look at, but I hope it will be carried around and loved the same way that all the others have. I'm thankful to have had a mom that loved her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, and was able to show it in so many ways.
We went on our annual trip to southern Utah this week. The day before, I got 5 calls from kids or their parents that said they were no longer coming. I was pretty mad, but it's their loss. We had a great time. The kids played beautiful music, went to the outlet malls and dressed up, and stayed up all night. They are such amazing kids. I almost quit this year, but I got reminded about how much I love to hear the music, and how much I like to be with kids. It's true, so I'm still here!
My friend, Karen invited me to her cabin, which is near Heber. It was gorgeous up there! We spent a couple of hours snow shoeing, and enjoying the sun (which is shining brightly up there!) It made me once again grateful to live in such a beautiful place.
Notice, my tracks are the only ones...it was pristine and I got to mess it up.
This picture doesn't do it justice, but the snow had ice crystals on it, and it was glistening in the sunshine. Enlarge it, and you can see it better...incredible!
Sometimes I get tired of Utah's winters, but then I get the chance to see the beauty of it, and I realize that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!
Whew! Emily left today, and Wendy left 2 days ago. That meant all the grandkids were together. We had a great time, and ran ourselves ragged. (I did anyway) It was so nice to have all 3 of my girls here at once!
This is at the Draper Temple Open House. It is beautiful, and we loved being there with our kids. In the Celestial Room, Sally said, "I hear Jesus."
On Wednesday, we went to the Children's Museum. The balls at the beginning, and the helicopter were the favorites.
We had both sides of the family come over Wednesday night. We figured on around 30, and had 43 people! We ran out of food, but I think everybody got something. Here are all the little kids that were there-including Danny's 2 and Julie's little guy.
We went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Coleman loves dinosaurs, so he was in heaven.
We decided to try to get a "professional" picture. We knew it was a long shot, and we were right. Cameron cried from the beginning, and the photographer only got 3 shots before he was on the ground screaming. It's not bad, considering...
All of the kids had a sleepover, while Grandma and their mothers went and made jewelry...that left the men to watch the kids. Grandpa set them up to take this picture.
They were all asleep when we got home...good job, guys!
My brother, Terry invited us up to his place, where we swam, tubed, looked at and fed horses, played Guitar Hero in the playhouse, did an art project there, and made and ate cookies!
Baby Alice, Sally and Coleman are adorable, and I'm sad that they live so far away, but sooo happy when they come!
Two of my girls are doing great at blogging. Do you notice one who doesn't do it?
I have badgered Wendy to do a blog forever. What's the deal? I don't know, but maybe with someone other than me, we can get her to do it. She keeps telling me that she has cute things about Coleman that she would like to put on, but just can't quite talk herself into doing it. So, if you have any words of wisdom about blogging, tips, or just a little more badgering, put it on my blog, and I will pass it on.
Meanwhile, here's Coleman when I was there. He is adorable, and needs to have some blogging on him too!
The Cleggs came over last week, and we found the perfect day for sledding. It wasn't too cold, so the kids didn't mind staying out for a while. Carson was very tough, and was great at bringing the sled up the hill.
After, we came back and Sophie and Carson learned how to make snowballs. There is one coming right at the camera!
