Summer

 In August we went to visit Shelby's family.  It was a great time!  We visited lots of parks and Kris had a great fishing trip with the guys.  We got an Air B n B and it had the bath tub with jets.  The kids loved playing in it and one day we had a bubble explosion.  The kids have gotten so big.  They are darling and we loved seeing their cute personalities.  We explored a lot of parks and also played in the yard.

We also took a trip in July to the St Joe River.  Kris was in heaven taking his raft down the beautiful river with his brother.  

We also did our annual waterpark trip with the kids.  I love taking the grandkids and their mamas and dads who can come to spend the afternoon in the sunshine.  This year we went a little later and it was so fun.  We did a lot of rides and also conquered the lazy river. 

Our friend Shaylee was married... 

Now that it is fall.. it is still pretty warm outside... and we are enjoying the slightly cooler difference.  Not having to turn the heat or ac on is awesome.

Amanda is baking all sorts of fun treats.  

Dad keeps us good company and we enjoy seeing mom at her care home.  She recently had a sock hop and I got her a cute poodle skirt and corsage for the event.

Happenings

 Looking back on the past little while it amazes me how quickly the time is flying....

June was filled with our annual family trip which we made this year to Utah.  We rented an airbnb and had almost all the kids with us.  We had some really fun activities which Hailey shopped for and coordinated.  We made homemade pizzas, smore's ... went fishing... hot springs -ing  .. rode the train in Heber which included a  hippie experience... and visited the mountains and waterfalls near our accommodations.  We karaoked and played games.

Lettie was blessed that Sunday and we had a barbecue after.

My niece Savannah was married a week later and I was able to attend this with my dad and Hailey's family.  

July has been busy with working and is going to include more fishing.  

Amanda turned 21 and is waitressing and home for the summer.  We enjoy her!

The rest of the summer we are anticipating :  another trip to Colorado... water park fun and redoing our deck out back.

Update

 It has been awhile since I have updated ..... I ran into some issues with the blog but I'm happy to say it seems to be working today. 

The last few months have been filled with super highs and difficult lows , as most people experience.

Highs:  Another beautiful granddaughter and being able to go to Utah and stay with her and her family for almost 2 weeks.

All of my brothers came in April and we were able to make some good memories and help mom and dad.

Spending Easter weekend with my daughter and grandsons for her book signing and a fun Easter Egg hunt where Tripp won the golden egg!

Also Amanda is home for the summer and that makes life so much more exciting!  She is cooking for us most nights and making amazing meals. 

Lows:

After almost 2 years with us , we had to make some adjustments with Mom's care .  And that has been bittersweet.  Relief mixed with sorrow.  

Watching our daughter deal with some very difficult life changes and having to advocate for her safety and healing.  

I am crocheting some super cute Lego blankets !!! 

And Life goes on......

February

 We got to do some fun things in February...

• Hockey Game with the grandsons!
• Saw the movie Dog man
• Saw Hailey, Joe and Amanda
• Got pedicures with Stef and Brooke
• Played Legos!
• Went to the temple together

There has been a lot of snow ... Feet and feet and it is cold.  Only 11 degrees.  I have been wearing my heated coat a lot.  

We are looking forward to the birth of another grandchild!  Coming in March.....

Happy New Year

 Reflecting on 2024 I think it was an interesting time…

Having Amanda home for the holidays has made me realize how much I miss having kids home.  They just provide so much energy and excitement. I miss that.

We have had a year of adjusting and learning and regrouping.  Laughter has not been optional.

It has been essential.

I read 112 books this year … and I’ve started keeping a list! 

Kris has pivoted and isn’t coaching anymore . He is tying flies and fishing and working out.

Things I want to do in 2025….

Spend time with my grandkids and kids

Read

And keep laughing 🤣 

Must remembers!

 I want to remember that this summer we went to the water park!  

And also that Zeke had an awesome birthday party at our house! With a balloon arch and fun games.  I neglected to write about that earlier this year so here are some photos.

Fall

 It's been a few months since I have updated the blog.  I do write a brief description of each day in my planner.  What have I written over the months of October and November....

Well...

There has been a fair amount of working.... 

Lots of watching BYU football.  (much celebrating occurred during their undefeated streak)..

Lots of watching weekly episodes of the Great British Bake Off

We attended a few weddings together (Kris and I).....  Lots of young people that we have known for years are tying the knot and we have enjoyed celebrating these.

I have been accompanying the community choir... Dallin my young talented director has us reaching new heights of awesomeness with his song choices and abilities.  We are singing Candy Cane Lane which is ultra catchy and also several other more traditional types of songs.  

I'm also still ringing the bells in bell choir.  

Relief society is pretty busy with lots of opportunities for service and activities and meetings.  

We bought a new car for me which is super fun.  It has remote start and heated seats and steering wheel and it is just a new experience.   It was definitely time since we have over 500,000 miles combined on our other two vehicles.  

Kris has been fishing a lot and also doing some pheasant hunting.  

We spoke together as a couple for his high council assignment at a prison.  It was a super cool humbling experience.  

Last week I hosted a baby shower and made another  balloon arch... which seems to be my party go to for 2024.  

Mom and dad go for lots of drives together and we also enjoy having our nightly dinners.

For the holidays we are looking forward to seeing everyone.... and I plan to get a grandkid jammie picture and also distribute gifts I have been amassing.  As well as a picture for my holiday card.  

I think I decorated for Christmas the earliest I ever have.  

Why not?