Miscellaneous

We had our email account hacked and some unauthorized, questionable and embarrassing emails were sent out. Since this is the second time this has happened, we took both computers in for check-ups. It has been really hard to live without a computer for a week! Now we're playing 'catch-up' and are trying to get everything set up again. At least we didn't have it as bad as several of the missionaries at the Family History Center in Salt Lake (Reed's cousin's wife included). Their accounts were hacked, phoney emails were sent to people in their address books asking them to send them money as they had been mugged on vacation and needed to borrow money immediately to settle their hotel bills. Then the email account password was changed and they were locked out of everything.




Here is Courtney working at a snow cone shack. When we dropped by to see her she said she was supposed to work from 12 to 5 p.m. but her replacement didn't show up. She had to work until 10 p.m.




The Schvaneveldt kids took turns going on short 4-wheeler rides with us. Here are Hailey and Natalie checking out the main waterfall up Providence Canyon. I'm going to return with walking sticks to hike to the top of the spring. We still need to take the rest of the grandkids to the waterfall.

Our roses are blooming, looking pretty, and doing well.

We lost one of our climbing roses for the second time and decided not to replace it. The other one has been making up for both of them. This number of blooms and the growth this year are incredible.

* Jill had us up at her home for a really good grilled steak dinner on Father's Day * Kim had a birthday on the 23rd of June * Reed's dad would have been 100 years old on the 27th * His mother would have been 95 years old today * We are frustrated with our sprinkler system, or more accurately, our secondary water system * We are sad to hear of the death of a 17 year old young woman who collapsed and died on a hike at Heber Valley Camp. A final report hasn't been given but heat exhaustion was suspected. The death took place on her first day of camp. The girl's mother was one of the leaders and was on the hike too. One of our granddaughters is sceduled to attend Heber Valley Camp this summer and three more get to go next year * Jill and Brandon were on their way to eat tonight before attending a concert and were rear-ended * We postponed the family hike to the Wind Caves that we had tentatively scheduled for today * We are going to have a family gathering here on Saturday to celebrate the 4th of July *

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN 4TH OF JULY!!

Family Bear Lake Day

Robin and Andrew rented a condo at Ideal Beach (Sweetwater) in the same building where we had our unit for 25 or so years. They invited the family for a beach day. 22 of us participated. Burkhardts placed their gazebo and chairs on the beach to stake out a place for everyone else's gazebos and stuff. We had removed the trolling motor, downriggers, nets, tackle boxes etc. from our boat and loaded up the knee board, tow lines and life vests. Several were able to go knee boarding while some just went for a boat ride. Unfortunately, not everyone got a turn as the day was cut short by high winds and rain in the afternoon. I was especially proud of the first-time boarders - Mason, Tanner, Hailey, Natalie and Ashley - who overcame fears and did so well. Some were 'naturals.' The old pros did well too - Jill, Courtney and Kaden. We found a sandbar to take off from. Jill and I positioned the kids on the board and gave them pointers and encouragement. Reed was a patient driver.














We had a few problems...the beach was a long way from the parking and the loads were heavy, the tow rope got wrapped around the prop, Brandon got his van stuck in the sand, the wind blew the gazebos over, we battled big waves taking the boat back to the marina, it was difficult loading the boat in the wind, the rain started in earnest when we were covering the boat, we got sunburned, the sand removed the toenail polish from my recent pedicure etc....but everything worked out and we had a great time! Thank you to the Burkhardts! And I almost forgot, we saw a moose on the way home.

Family Reunion

The Milo and Mary Ransom Reunion was held on Saturday, June 26th, in Centerville...just 2 or 3 blocks north of the old house in Bountiful where we lived when Kim was born. There were 72 family members in attendance. The food was excellent. We're in charge of the reunion next year. Reed's mother was the oldest child of Milo and Mary. Aunt Betty is the youngest and only surviving child. Aunt Irene (O'Dell's widow) and Aunt Idella (Don's widow) round out the oldest living generation.

Irene - Idella - Betty

The next oldest generation consists of grandchildren of Milo and Mary. Front row, L - R: Diane, Janet, Susan, Sharon and Karen. Back row, L -R: Lynn, Jeff, Richard, Bob, Ross, Reed and Bill.

Five of the Conlin/Dana cousins in attendance: Front row - Kim, Heather and Brooke. Back row - Tami and Candace.

Big brother Mason with little sister Brooklyn

Some of our grandkids hanging out in the shade:

21 month old Brooklyn was so excited and happy to play with Bob's dog. She was so careful, gentle and loving when she pet the dog. She would giggle when she got licked in the face.

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!