I haven't blogged for a few months.  My life got so busy. We were traveling a lot and this just seemed the thing to give up, but I want to get back to it....it is a new year and although I don't make resolutions, I still have a couple of goals I want to reach. One of them is to not let go of blogging completely because that is my journal.  My memory is not good enough to "not" write down things that happen in my life.  I can't catch up the last few months (because I didn't write it down and can't remember it, ha) but I will still put in photos of a few things and then go from there. 

Today just happens to be my birthday.  It doesn't hurt like 60 did.  In fact I plan to enjoy it completely.  My goal is to do nothing but read, play on the computer, eat some chocolate and later go for dinner at Carraba's for scallops.  Mom and Dad called early this morning and sang to me.  I consider it such a blessing that they are both still here and that they can still sing to me and tell me that they love me. Susan Welton dropped by with a wonderful little book for me  titled " The Beginning of Better Days" that I can't wait to get to.  I also had lunch with the ladies this week.  I had a Cafe Rio salad and Susan W.  had gotten a chocolate pastry with a candle on it to share.  How cute is that?  Tricia got me some good smelly stuff and a set of 2 lb. barbells.  Susan Welton, Laura Turner, Tricia Garside and I get together for all of our birthdays.  We worked together in the Relief Society Presidency years ago.  It's amazing how friendships are born, broadened and continue when you work together closely and I just love these women so much.

My son Shon is supposed to have surgery this morning.  He has Diverticulitis that has worsened and my prayer is that is is OK and everything goes well.  That would make it a better birthday.

Montana in September

 

We were visiting in Montana last month to see our son and his family.  Shon and Kee moved from Billings to Hamilton, Montana this summer.  Shon had lived in Billings his whole life except for a while at college and a couple of years in Alaska where he served a mission.  I was not sure how the family would do with the big move but they all like their new home and area even better than they liked Billings.  It is supposedly a beautiful area, but when we were there the fires in Idaho and Montana were so bad that we couldn't tell.  Glacier Park was beautiful but the closer we got to Hamilton, the smokier it got.  We couldn't even see across the street,  The smoke was overwhelming and after 3 days of it I was ready to get back to Utah.  When we got home the car, our clothes, suitcases and bodies smelled like smoke.  After detailing the car, the smell still lingers.  Now I worry about the lungs of Shon and family for having to live in it so long.  We had a great time. Shon and Wayne fished, Kee and I went to antique, craft and scrapbook stores and just hung out.  The kids were in school each day so we didn't get to see enough of them.  Joey is in cross country so had a meet out of town and when I took parting photos, he was not in them.  Sorry Joey. ( Next time)

 

I hadn't gotten a photo of Shon and Kee for quite a long time.  Here is the newest.

 

 

 Lissie (the girl) with Grandma

 

 

                                                         Wayne and Shon

 

                                                      Wayne and "the girl"

                                                Two of my most favorite men

 

                                              Toby the twelve year old

                               
Lissie had just gotten up and wasn't ready for pictures, but I had to show her new red hair color.  She looks good with red hair and she did smile.  Alex is living in Billings still so I didn't get to photograph him.  Next time I 'll get photos of him and Joey.  It seems weird to have Alex up and out of the nest.  Where, oh where does the time go?

Five Years

 

 

Could it really be that five years ago, our little Emerson was born?  He has been such a sweet and kind child and soooo good. 

 

I took him to the store last week to see what he might want for his birthday.  He went through all the aisles and then he said,  "I don't want or need anything".  I said what if I get you a shirt? (knowing little boys don't like clothes for their birthday)  He said OK, and just throw in a Match box car.

It's That Time of Year

Well here it is once again.  Time to gather all the tomatoes, apples, onions, corn etc. and put them away for the winter.  I have been canning tomato juice again and put up 13 pints of chili sauce.  Wayne made plum/ apple jelly and I will do bread and butter pickles soon.  It takes time to follow the admonition of the prophet to plant a garden and store the food but it is worth it.....except for one thing......

This is my wrist.  See the fish shaped blister I got while canning boiling hot chili sauce.  I was running it through the blender and the heat was so intense that the lid popped off even when I was trying to hold it down and my arm got burned.  At least I could find the humor in it and draw around it so I could get a picture.  This is quite large, about 2 inches across. Yep, it hurt!!

 

A day later the fish shape was gone as it got bigger and bigger.

Now a week later it is down to a large red scar about an inch across.

I am liking giant band aids and Neosoporin and a little hydrogen peroxide.

 

 

And as usual, I leave it on the counter to look at it for a couple of days before storing it in the basement.

 

Blessed Baby

Guess who is smiling about her big day?

 

 

Yes, little button eyes was blessed today, Sunday, August 19th, 2012.

 

Guess who is getting wrapped around whose finger?

 

Mama Amy was is so in love with this little bundle.

 

Uncle Matt gave her the sweetest blessing.

 

The whole family photo

 

 

She was styling on her big day and was as precious as they come.  We love you little miss  Era Colett.