Mother's Day

Look at this cute custom Mother's Day card made by Jill.

This is the front of the card:

This is the back side:

I've never had a professional pedicure before. This should be fun.

And this is what came with it! Yum-yum!

Reed gave me these favorites (Victoria Rum). I am not good at sharing. In fact, I won't even tell you if I have any chocolates left. So much for self-control!

This is what the ward gave for Mother's Day:

Jill, Brandon and family invited us to a very nice ham dinner with all the trimmings. It was really tasty. We had a good time visiting. A big 'thank you' to my family for the gifts and phone calls.

Burkhardts

Today we went to American Fork to visit the Burkhardts, deliver birthday gifts and check out the progress on their yard. Aubrey will turn one year old on Sunday the 16th and Robin's birthday is on Tuesday the 18th. Andrew starts chemo again on Monday and will continue for about three months. We hope he won't feel too yucky. Kindergarten (Ashlyn) and Pre-school (Katelyn) end next week. The yard is coming along if only the weather would cooperate. The trees and stumps are removed, the yard is graded, the rock wall is in and the fence posts are being placed. They still have a patio to pour and a sprinkling system to install.


This shows the raised NE corner of the property. They are leasing it from the HOA. It will be used as a garden.

Here's the rock wall & fence posts along the north property line.

NW corner of property. They finally got the trampoline up. The Mt. Timp Temple spire is slightly visible if you know where to look for it.

What a difference a year makes! Aubrey was such a difficult baby. All she did was scream, puke and refuse to sleep. Thankfully, she is now a content baby. She eats well and keeps it down. Aubrey sleeps 12 hours straight at night and has two naps during the day! She must be making up for all the sleep she missed earlier. She doesn't walk yet but runs 'lickity-split' in her walker. She crawls and is very active. She gets into everything. Aubrey has her one year check-up on Tuesday. We're guessing she weighs about 27 pounds! Aubrey's molars are coming through, her hair is growing and is getting lighter.

This is what Aubrey looked like shortly after birth. She was quite black, yet her oxygen levels were normal. They claimed her color was due to bruising. It didn't take long for her to 'pink' up.

One the way home we stopped at the Family History Library in Salt Lake. We talked to Gary and wished him a happy birthday on Monday. We also had a nice visit about family history with Bart and Ruby. We went to Marilyn and Gary's apartment and enjoyed the talking with them, Jennifer and Sadie.

Our Latest News

We put our home up for sale on KSL.com on a Friday. The following Monday night, we placed 'For Sale' signs out in front. I created a blog giving all the details. The address is: http://www.mynibleyhome.blogspot.com/. We can't tolerate the long, cold and snowy Cache Valley winters. If we sold this home we'd purchase a small one in Franklin or Cache County for the summer and travel to warmer climates during the winter. We found a few possibilities. With the current economy and housing market, we're not holding our breath. We don't have to sell, so we aren't willing to 'give it away.' It would take just the right person to be interested in what we have to offer. The day after we put the signs out we got a call from a member of the temple presidency to see if we'd come back and serve as officiators. He told us to think it over and get with him later. The next day Reed received a phone call and was asked to serve as 1st counselor in the bishopric of the 8th Ward of the USU 1st Stake. He accepted. That puts a kink in our winter plans for three years! As long as we'll be around we decided to serve at the temple too. When we were in the temple president's office and were discussing the shifts that had the most urgent need, Reed casually mentioned that a shift in the middle of the day would work best with his responsibilities at USU. With that disclosure, we were told that bishops and bishop's counselors cannot work at the temple while serving in a bishopric. I was actually disappointed. (We could still move with either church job as long as we stay in the valley. This house would certainly lend itself to large gatherings better than a tiny home would) We'll be really involved and busy in the student ward...not just the regular block of meetings but a million activities, FHE at our home each Monday, Ward Prayer every Sunday night etc. Reed will have all the other regular bishopric meetings and responsibilities as well. A wife of one of the counselors said it seems like all they do is feed the students. We will meet in the 'golden toaster' building. Four wards meet in the building from 9 to 12 and four more have meetings from 1-4 p.m. Our ward is a singles ward, mostly freshman, who live in some of the dorms. 2/3's of the ward members are girls. Each school year a completely different group of students are in the ward. This is finals week and the ward will not re-convene until August.


We purchased airline tickets to go back to Palmyra and serve as volunteers at The Sacred Grove and Smith Farm during the Hill Cumorah Pageant in July.


We've been reading lots of books. We've been working a little on family history. There is so much to do but we aren't having much luck. I posted two more histories on http://www.myransomfamily.blogspot.com/. They are on Reed's line and are of Ira Ames and Ira Ames Jr. I haven't had time to proofread and edit them yet. We have a rich pioneer history. I think the histories are fascinating. Along that line, I am the new Secretary/Treasurer for the Sunflower Camp of the Cache Far South Company of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.


I've been sewing doll hospital gowns for a humanitarian project for Primary Children's Hospital. Here are what they look like:



We've been happy to have some visitors: Roger and Deon, Marsha and Ralph, Julie, Michael and Lauren.


Reed has been eating radishes from the garden. The tomatoes are growing inside the walls of water. Our corn isn't up yet. We start begonias inside and they need to be transplanted outside but it is just too cold! It is pretty pathetic when you have to wear a coat to mow the lawn between rain and snow storms in May. We have to take advantage of the good days that have been few and far between.


We are headed to Oklahoma City on the 26th. We are crossing our fingers that Jodi's baby girl doesn't come before the scheduled delivery on May 28th.


That's all for now!

Fishing at the Dam

Today we took the boat to Hyrum Dam for the first time this season. It was a beautiful, warm day. We got a little sunburned. The water was only 52 degrees and it froze my legs when I waded to load the boat! We saw an owl, two bald eagles, two large hawks, two kingfishers, some swallows, lots of assorted waterfowl and too many seagulls to count. Fishing was slow but we didn't come home empty-handed. It was a wonderful spring day on the water except that I lost my 'lucky' lure.

Bits and Pieces

HAILEY made the newspaper for being on the Honor Roll.

REED has a whole bunch of radishes up.

BURKHARDTS are digging out a backyard, removing trees.

ANDREW got his wound vac off...abdomen is almost closed.

Cousin MARCIA flew in from Dallas and stayed a night with us.

We got all 2100 square feet of our garages cleaned and hosed.

Hyrum Dam is full and the dock is finally in!

NATALIE received a citizenship award.

JILL has been called as Stake YW Secretary.

At 6 feet tall, RILEY weighs in at 128 pounds.

Our muddy rain splattered windows are clean. Yippee!

We are hosting a social after Ward Temple Night on Thursday.

We have airline tickets to Oklahoma City at the end of May.

I plan on winning a contest for $20,000 in travel money.

Oh no! We found out about another cookie outlet store.

My baby is turning 30 on the 22nd...that makes me feel old.

Greatest news of all...ANDREW had a PET scan and it was clear!

ANDREW'S blood tests were also the best yet. He will have a 'maintenance dose' of oral chemo starting when his wound completely closes. Things are looking great for him. We couldn't be happier!

Visit from the Burkhardts

Robin drove up with the girls on Thursday, the 8th, for a spring break visit. Andrew was able to join them the following night. We watched Aubrey while Robin, Ashlyn and Katelyn went to a movie with Kim and her kids. We tried to fly a kite but couldn't get it up. Robin and I took the girls to the Willow Park Zoo. Reed and I tended the girls while Robin and Andrew had a date at 'The Cracker Barrel' in Paradise. On Saturday night after Jill, Brandon & family got back from St. George, the Burkhardts went to visit them. Ashlyn and Katelyn enjoy all the dress-ups I have. I had some fancy fabric and made a glitzy dress-up skirt for them. Burkhardt's original plan was to attend 'Baby Animal Days' at the American West Heritage Center. It was too busy and crowded so that idea was abandoned. A guy who attended the Naval Academy at Annapolis with Andrew (fellow church member), who also ended up living in Bremerton when Robin and Andrew did, and who left the military at the same time as Andrew, was passing through before his relocation from Houston to Canada. He phoned Andrew and was able to come over for a visit. The Burkhardts went home Sunday morning in time to get ready for their afternoon church.

WILLOW PARK ZOO

Aubrey gets to be our youngest grandchild for a full 12 months. She has a bunch of teeth. Her hair is getting lighter. I put her hair in an elastic but her 'pony-tail' is only the size of a toothpick! Aubrey is so much happier than she was as a little baby but she is getting really frustrated at not being able to crawl. She is a big kid...I'd say about 26 pounds. Aubrey is 10 1/2 months old in these pictures.

April Fools, Easter, Spring Break Etc.

March came in like a lamb and out like a lion. We woke up to 9" of snow on April 1st. We didn't like Mother Nature's April Fool's Day joke. Because of the cold and wet weather, we've spent only one day working in the yard. Reed did get the fruit trees and blackberry bushes pruned but there is so much to do. Reed also potted the begonia bulbs to get them growing. We didn't have a problem with voles this year but did have some snow mold. The ice on Hyrum Dam finally left this week. We'll have to wait for the docks to be installed before we take the boat over.

BRANDON had a birthday on April 2nd. KATELYN will turn 4 on April 7th. She is having a Princess Birthday Party. Starting last week, ANDREW has been going to work for a few hours each afternoon. COURTNEY and HAILEY both had their names in the newspaper for being on the honor roll. RILEY is now 5 feet, 11 3/4 inches tall! Give him another month and he will hit the 6 foot mark. COURTNEY and ASHLEY have done well in dance competitions. It is spring break for our grandkids this week. SCHVANEVELDTS and VANWAGENENS will each be spending a week in St. George. The HAWKINS family just moved from Tulsa to Oklahoma City.

Easter was quiet around here. We didn't have a family Easter Egg Hunt this year nor did we purchase any Easter candy. I was going to stick some colored plastic eggs out in the snow and take a picture. The nice thing about being by ourselves was that we were actually able to sit down and watch General Conference without being interrupted. For one session we went on a ride to Mink Creek and back while we listened to conference. More snow is forecast for tomorrow with a high temperature in the mid-30's. We made some tasty homemade cinnamon rolls today and had the Johnsons over to share them with us. Some day, spring will come.

Vacation ends, we're home again

During cold weather in St. George, we sat by the fireplace and read a lot of books. We never did use the swimming pools or hot tubs. We missed seeing some of our friends...Shar & Morris, Jon & Ronda, Susan, and Conway & Pauleen. We had a nice, beautiful drive through Zion's National Park. There was quite a bit of snow there. Being married to a senior citizen does have some perks. Reed's Golden Age pass has saved us a bundle! Next month we need to get a new State Park Adventure Pass and new fishing licenses.

After spending two weeks in St. George we headed home. We stopped in American Fork to see the Burkhardts. Aubrey loves her 'jumping jenny' and goes wild in it. She looks like a little kangaroo. It is too bad this picture didn't catch the action. Andrew is slowly gaining strength. He said he has walked a little in the neighborhood. They made a visit to Cabela's which wore him out...walking in that store wears us out too!

Our next visit was at the VanWagenen's home in West Jordan. We took them some maps and brochures for their upcoming vacation to St. George. Brooklyn, 18 months, is really growing up fast. She liked to run around and show off for us. Mason, who normally sports a shaved head, had a full head of curly hair. Jory's leg has finally mended and he is getting around quite well. He said he can soon start running. I lectured him about being careful while climbing/hiking/walking etc. while experiencing southern Utah.

We were glad to see the snow in our yard had melted while we were gone. We sure have a lot of yardwork to do if it warms up sufficiently. I am loving Daylight Savings Time. Reed potted the begonia bulbs and placed them in a sunny window to get them growing. He bought me an Easter Lily to replace the red Christmas Poinsettia that wouldn't die. The local home/garden/farm stores have fluffy yellow chicks, baby ducks and cute little bunnies. It makes me want to take some home.

Pioneer Names, 'Hole in the Rock' Pioneers, Pioneer Park

Those who have read my other southern Utah posts are probably tired of red rock pictures by now. I won't promise, but this might be the last post showing all the neat rock formations. We went back to Snow Canyon and did some walking/hiking/climbing along some of the trails. The first picture below shows a kid rock climbing next to some pioneer names which were supposedly written in the red rock with axle grease during the latter part of the 1800's. (Click to enlarge). I am hesitant to believe the names are really as they were when they were written. Following that picture there are a few more taken on our Snow Canyon visit.

Like several members of our family and some of our friends, we recently read the book, "The Undaunted," by Gerald Lund. It was a long tale (fiction based on fact) about the 'Hole in the Rock' pioneers. While we were hiking we often commented on what it might have been like to go through the area with wagons and no trail to follow. Sometimes we lost the trail for a while as it crossed rocky outcroppings. Other times we would sink into deep sand which slowed our progress. Sometimes our ascent or descent seemed a little treacherous. Anyway, I took pictures of our own 'Hole in the Rock' pioneers. Ha-ha!

Every time we pass Pioneer Park in St. George it makes me nervous that so many people appear to be standing right on the edge of the red cliffs high above the ground. We wonder how many people fall or are injured there each year. We decided to walk around and explore the crevasses and unique formations. We talked to a young couple on spring break from USU who were rock climbing and rapelling. The remaining four pictures were taken in Pioneer Park.

A bridge from one big rock to another

View of Saint George Temple

A few tidbits

After spending about a month in the hospital ANDREW finally made it home. We were saddened to hear that Andrew's 29 year old sister, BECKY, who previously had her colon removed, has cancer spots on her liver and in her pelvis. ROSS had back surgery. Happy birthday to LANDON who turned seven years old! COURTNEY had her name in the paper for being on the South Cache Honor Roll. COURTNEY and ASHLEY were in dance competitions in Pocatello last weekend. ASHLYN got an award for being the top Kindergarten student at Odyssey Charter School. If everything works out, REED and I will be working at the Smith Farm and Sacred Grove during the Hill Cumorah Pageant in July. TY and JODI spoke in their sacrament meeting on Sunday. It was their 'farewell' prior to moving to Oklahoma City. They are renting a home close to the temple. Their ward meetinghouse shares a parking lot with the temple. The JOHNSONS' ward was split. They go to a different building now and meetings are from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.