Nothing exciting...

Even though the calendar says we are in the last half of June, it has been unseasonably C-O-L-D. This morning the low temperature was 34 degrees. Yesterday it was down to 33 degrees. We had a temperature of 21 degrees when our fruit trees were in blossom. It wiped out most of our anticipated crop. If we are lucky, we might get a dozen peaches and a dozen pears. Last year we bottled nearly two bushels of peaches off our peach tree. The yard and garden are looking nice. We have also had a lot of rain. The mountains are still so green but have received a fresh dusting of snow this past week. We have to work fast when the sun shines.

One or the other or both of us:

Wandered around Summerfest.

Worked on sprinkler system.

Painted outside door frames.

Weeded flowerbeds.

Tilled garden.

Edged lawn, mowed, watered.

Transplanted lupines.

Planted more flowers.

Had 12 over for brownies and ice cream for Reed's birthday.

Voted early.

Visited Courtney at a snow cone shack. (she's working)

Ate at Frederico's with friends.

Went to 'Sub Zero,' compliments of Jill.

Did lots of housework.

Worked on the family history blogs.

Played solitaire to relax after working so hard.

Finished a long book.



Since we're about caught up, maybe we can go have some fun one of these days!

Cub River - Saturday Ride

We went for a ride up Cub River...oh the wonderful sights, sounds and smells! It was beautiful and green. The temperature was cool. Wildflowers were abundant, birds were twittering in the trees and the raging river was roaring. The spring-fed streams were cold and crystal clear. Smoky campfires wafted in the air and mixed with the pungent aroma of yellow-flowered mule ears. A couple of startled deer bounded away from us. The roads weren't dry and dusty. My better half showed me the pretty place he'd like his ashes scattered. I replied that I want mine mixed with wild flower seeds and scattered in a nearby meadow. I'd bring forth a profusion of color each year. (Yeah, right) Nevertheless, it was good to get out. With all the rain we've been having, we've sort of been homebound. I've always thought Cub River would be a great place for a family picture, but not when the water is turbulent and 'white.' I'd be a nervous wreck with the grandkids. Does anyone want to go whitewater rafting?

Looking downstream

Looking upstream

A spring--Preston's water source

Willow Flat

We drove by a couple of homes for sale up Cub River that we've been keeping our eye on. They are in a neat setting. After a chat with some really nice neighbors in the area, we ruled one out completely, and were made aware of a potential problem with the other. We'd have to sell our home first anyway, but it is fun to look.

Reed made some tomato cages...anyone need some? We had to buy the whole 330 foot roll of fencing material! The traditional wire cages don't work well for us. Reed has been working on stripping one of our oak dining chairs. All of our chairs and table edges need refinishing. In between the storms I have been scraping peeling paint and sanding the door frames on the back of the house and garages. They need repainting in the worst way. I have spent lots of time at the computer updating the family history blogs and adding some pictures. I've also been doing detective and search work to locate some of Reed's ancestors and re-construct their lives from online information and images. It has been quite interesting. We're afraid the temperatures will go from 'rainy spring coolness' to 'hot, dry summer heat' with the snap of our fingers.

Reed has been going to Bishopric and Bishopric training meetings early Sunday mornings, doing building lock-up, and clean-up. Since the Logan Temple is in desperate need of help, we're going back as ordinance workers after our Palmyra volunteer job and the temple's summer break. (July 27th) We will be on a mid-day shift twice a week.

Right now, but not for long, we have 4 granddaughters age 1 and under: Olivia, Brooklyn, Aubrey and Abigayle.

Busy, busy...birthdays, baptism, etc.

Kaden turned eight on June 3rd. We took him to lunch at Wendy's and then Sam's Club to have him pick out a cake. He's a guy after my own heart, he chose chocolate. Among the gifts Kaden received were scriptures and a new suit. He was baptized on Saturday, June 5th and a delicious dinner followed. (I didn't take any pictures)

Brynlee had her sixth birthday today (June 7th). She hasn't been out of school long but already misses her school teacher. She doesn't miss the homework. We went to lunch and then made a trip for her birthday cake. Brynlee's dad, Bryan, was glad to change from swing shift to day shift today.

The Burkhardt family stayed the weekend with us. They came for Kaden's baptism. Here is a picture of Grandpa holding Aubrey's hand and trying to get her to walk.

Jill and Brandon have been doing lots of landscaping. Their yard is looking really nice and their garden is coming up. They got a whole pallet (100 bags) of brown rubber landscape chips. I sure wish we had them instead our wood chips that bleach out, decompose into dirt and blow in the wind.

Reed had a former classmate (Wayne Owen) come scan a bunch of Reed's old class pictures for their upcoming 50th high school reunion. These guys always sat cross-legged on the front row of elementary school class pictures with the other 'short' kids.

Reed has trout soaking in a brine solution so he can smoke them tomorrow. He has cut some of our fragrant dark purple lilacs and put them in a vase on the kitchen table. They smell so good. They are Reed's favorite. Our bright orange poppies are out. I love this time of year when we have a succession of pretty flowers and blossoms. Our columbines and hostas look better than they ever have but other things haven't done as well. We put out nectar for the hummingbirds. Tonight is our first irrigation turn of the season. It is a good thing as our grass is so dry. Last Saturday Kim, Jill, Robin, Courtney and I went for pedicures together. It was a Mother's Day gift I received from them. The temple presidency called us again. H-m-m-m-m.

Home from the Hawkins Household

The following pictures of our Hawkins grandkids represent the week we spent with them in Oklahoma. Most of our grandkids enjoy their grandpa more than they enjoy me. He's a lot more fun. He plays games with them, reads with/to them, wrestles on the floor etc. I spend more time doing things like bathing the kids, changing diapers, laundry and housekeeping. We had a good visit and hope we were more of a help than a hindrance. Ty is really busy at work and spends long hours away from home. He is a great cook/grill-master. Jodi is very patient with the kids. She has her hands full, but like I say, it is better to have full hands than empty arms.

Abby

Here are some shots of the precious new baby during her first five days of life. I think her mommy is having a great time dressing her up. Abby has been a very good baby so far.

Olivia

The reason Olivia doesn't have a shirt on is that she and her clothes were covered with chocolate. When everything got too quiet, I went to investigate. Olivia and Miles had found their mother's candy stash. Olivia had unwrapped and crammed some candy bars in her mouth and was drooling chocolate. Olivia operates the VCR and DVD player very well. She knows a lot of sign language. We learned a little bit of it. An hour or two before we left, Olivia had a trip to get her split chin glued together.

Miles

Miles can put away more watermelon than most adults

Miles is always on the run. He enjoys anything with wheels. He is always pushing something around. His bedroom is really cute and has room to set up all their geotracks. The foam mats work great to cover the tile and form a nice soft play area.

Owen

Sneaky Owen. I made some banana bread and sliced it all. I walked in the kitchen to find that Owen had snitched some and was 'hiding' in the corner while eating it.

Climbing and reaching

Got it!

At 4 1/2 years of age, Owen reads on a level of someone at least double his age. He reads a chapter in the Book of Mormon each day and does well with the words and comprehension. He circles words that refers to diety...Lord, God, Jesus etc. He packed around one of the volumes of "The Work and the Glory" and was reading from it. The book Owen was climbing for and wanted to read was "Articles of Faith" by James E. Talmage. Owen can read storybooks to his brother and sister. He can also give a great Family Home Evening lesson. Sometimes it is hard to remember he isn't even in Kindergarten yet. Owen is also very tender-hearted. He was upset at the 'awful bully' who bombed the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in OKC. He couldn't fathom why anyone would do such a thing. When his sister split her chin open he cried and cried, saying how sad it was that she was hurt. He had lots of empathy for her and tried to console her.

Some of Jodi and Ty's friends went to the hospital to see the new baby. They brought an outfit for Abby and these neat battery operated bubble blowers for the other kids.


I'm just a bragging grandma!