Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Christmas Traditions 2011
This year has been full of so many changes for me personally, and for our family in many small ways...loudly shouting or whispering softly. Especially since I started preparing to teach about so many different winter holidays to my elementary school kids (I got a part-time job working at one of the local elementary schools in the mornings as a literacy aide (think, part-time teacher of specific programs) for kids ranging between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade), I found myself learning more about the sources of so many of the traditions that I personally treasure as well. It has gotten me to thinking about which ones I would like to add to our own list of things we like to do to help make the holiday a magically memorable event that is felt and experienced far more than just one or two days. I'll have to post about it later (I'm all out of time for tonight), but I would like to extend a challenge of sorts to those few who may read this: please take a moment to sit down and look through your own traditions and the reasons for continuing them....are they carrying on simply because of enjoyment, or do they actually mean something to you? Have you shared that with your own little flock of loved ones?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
A Day for Giving Thanks
(This is an incredibly long post, something very filled with emotion, so if you do not want to read this please just skip it entirely!)
This year, the title "Thanksgiving" has taken on a whole new meaning for today's holiday...
When my husband and I were married, like most everyone else I married a man with an interesting family full of different dynamics and characteristics....and characters, many of whom I had admired for years (since we both graduated from the same high schools, I had gotten to know them in varying degrees and in different ways as some of them we went to school with as well). One in particular was his step-mother's mom, who had just enfolded the 2 additional grandchildren that were added to the family when my husband's parents were married. This was something that pretty much the entire family proceeded to do, following her lead, and then extended to include me.
After our wedding, we have always lived far enough away that our extremely limited budget did not allow for visits to see this amazing woman we have all called Grandma. In spite of that, she never stopped sending little things during holidays and such to remind us that she was thinking of us as well as messages relayed through the other family members. I'll be the first one to admit (and you only have to look at how infrequently I post in this blog to know this for a fact) that I am horrible at maintaining long-distance communications, but still the holiday gifts and words of love would come for us and then for our children. Even more striking to me was the kind of impact that her gestures would have on her family members (even the ones not directly on the receiving end), regardless of circumstances.
A few years ago, this incredible woman was diagnosed with a degenerative disease a great deal like Alzheimer's (the technical name escapes me at the moment), but instead of attacking the brain's memory center this attacks the brain's communication center. As time has gone by, she has always remained very logical and precise...but her ability to communicate with those around her and to understand what others try to communicate with her has little by little disintegrated. About a year ago, she reached a point where if she was thinking about you and wanted to convey it she would dial your phone number....and then listen silently to the voices on the other end for a time before simply hanging up. But she would still do this, even for people like myself who she didn't know very well...because she still loves, regardless of how much communication there was left, and was determined to share that.
I know this is sad to hear about, and terrifying to imagine yourself going through it. It has been an extraordinarily difficult thing for her family to go through with her...but that has been the kind of love they have shown for her. At one point, she did move into a kind of nursing home for a time....but then she decided that she wanted to be home when things got worse. So, loving children that they are, they moved her home to where she wished to be and then made arrangements so that one of her children was there 24/7 to help take care of everything.
Last week, this sweet woman took a turn for the worse. She developed pneumonia, and hospice was called in. But she had done her best to try and bring her entire family together for the Thanksgiving holiday, and they have taken it to heart. We finally managed to find a way to get even my husband down to be with them all (though the kids and I had to stay here), and since yesterday they have been gathering.
Now this family is not exactly a peacefully co-existing family under incredibly good times (all those characters rubbing elbows sometimes slip and elbows are painful when they fly), and they have their own special dynamics. But the interesting and remarkable thing to me has been watching them cope with each other and the situation....and continuing to be there regardless of bruised feelings or sore elbows. Even this sweet woman's ex-husband is there with her, intensely holding her hand now that that is the only way of communicating that you are there which is recognized. And they have continued to gather: children, spouses, grandchildren, boyfriends/girlfriends, step-children (some who barely knew her) and their children, and so on.
Today is Thanksgiving....and so, we are all in our various places, waiting to hear the sad news that one so overflowing with love has gone while life moves on around us with feasting, family, and fun. Yet the love of this woman is still reaching out even beyond just the family that has gathered and beyond her now non-existent ability to personally communicate it. As I have been watching from afar, I have seen words of love for the family and particularly her begin to pour out in waves of encouragement and support, and with a great many memories being shared of funny, sad, frustrating, sweet, or painful moments when she was still reaching out to give that same love to every person who would let her.
So when I say that "this year Thanksgiving has taken on a new meaning for me" I am referring to the kind of love that has suddenly begun to shine and illuminate even some of the darkest corners of my heart (the ones everyone struggles with when they feel discouraged or hopeless). Because this year, I am seeing the powerful, crashing love that I have been so incredibly blessed with in my life...and in the lives of my husband and children. And I am giving thanks with a full heart and eyes brimming over, because while we may not have much in eyes of some....we do have an incredibly intense connection with God and family, and what could a person ever truly need more?
This year, the title "Thanksgiving" has taken on a whole new meaning for today's holiday...
When my husband and I were married, like most everyone else I married a man with an interesting family full of different dynamics and characteristics....and characters, many of whom I had admired for years (since we both graduated from the same high schools, I had gotten to know them in varying degrees and in different ways as some of them we went to school with as well). One in particular was his step-mother's mom, who had just enfolded the 2 additional grandchildren that were added to the family when my husband's parents were married. This was something that pretty much the entire family proceeded to do, following her lead, and then extended to include me.
After our wedding, we have always lived far enough away that our extremely limited budget did not allow for visits to see this amazing woman we have all called Grandma. In spite of that, she never stopped sending little things during holidays and such to remind us that she was thinking of us as well as messages relayed through the other family members. I'll be the first one to admit (and you only have to look at how infrequently I post in this blog to know this for a fact) that I am horrible at maintaining long-distance communications, but still the holiday gifts and words of love would come for us and then for our children. Even more striking to me was the kind of impact that her gestures would have on her family members (even the ones not directly on the receiving end), regardless of circumstances.
A few years ago, this incredible woman was diagnosed with a degenerative disease a great deal like Alzheimer's (the technical name escapes me at the moment), but instead of attacking the brain's memory center this attacks the brain's communication center. As time has gone by, she has always remained very logical and precise...but her ability to communicate with those around her and to understand what others try to communicate with her has little by little disintegrated. About a year ago, she reached a point where if she was thinking about you and wanted to convey it she would dial your phone number....and then listen silently to the voices on the other end for a time before simply hanging up. But she would still do this, even for people like myself who she didn't know very well...because she still loves, regardless of how much communication there was left, and was determined to share that.
I know this is sad to hear about, and terrifying to imagine yourself going through it. It has been an extraordinarily difficult thing for her family to go through with her...but that has been the kind of love they have shown for her. At one point, she did move into a kind of nursing home for a time....but then she decided that she wanted to be home when things got worse. So, loving children that they are, they moved her home to where she wished to be and then made arrangements so that one of her children was there 24/7 to help take care of everything.
Last week, this sweet woman took a turn for the worse. She developed pneumonia, and hospice was called in. But she had done her best to try and bring her entire family together for the Thanksgiving holiday, and they have taken it to heart. We finally managed to find a way to get even my husband down to be with them all (though the kids and I had to stay here), and since yesterday they have been gathering.
Now this family is not exactly a peacefully co-existing family under incredibly good times (all those characters rubbing elbows sometimes slip and elbows are painful when they fly), and they have their own special dynamics. But the interesting and remarkable thing to me has been watching them cope with each other and the situation....and continuing to be there regardless of bruised feelings or sore elbows. Even this sweet woman's ex-husband is there with her, intensely holding her hand now that that is the only way of communicating that you are there which is recognized. And they have continued to gather: children, spouses, grandchildren, boyfriends/girlfriends, step-children (some who barely knew her) and their children, and so on.
Today is Thanksgiving....and so, we are all in our various places, waiting to hear the sad news that one so overflowing with love has gone while life moves on around us with feasting, family, and fun. Yet the love of this woman is still reaching out even beyond just the family that has gathered and beyond her now non-existent ability to personally communicate it. As I have been watching from afar, I have seen words of love for the family and particularly her begin to pour out in waves of encouragement and support, and with a great many memories being shared of funny, sad, frustrating, sweet, or painful moments when she was still reaching out to give that same love to every person who would let her.
So when I say that "this year Thanksgiving has taken on a new meaning for me" I am referring to the kind of love that has suddenly begun to shine and illuminate even some of the darkest corners of my heart (the ones everyone struggles with when they feel discouraged or hopeless). Because this year, I am seeing the powerful, crashing love that I have been so incredibly blessed with in my life...and in the lives of my husband and children. And I am giving thanks with a full heart and eyes brimming over, because while we may not have much in eyes of some....we do have an incredibly intense connection with God and family, and what could a person ever truly need more?
Friday, November 11, 2011
Veteran's Day 2011
So, this is a day that has been incredibly full....so much so that I can't come close to listing it as just a line or two, so I'm going to post an entire blog post (no one pass out from shock, you aren't allowed! lol). But they all boil down to three main points:
1: Today is Veteran's Day, as well as being the 11 day (you know, 11-11-11?). This is a special day for history's sake as well as being a special remembrance day as Nov 11th is the day the peace treaty was signed after WWI as well as America's (and Britain's too?) Veteran's Day....a day set apart for Americans to give special honor to all of our military service men/women as well as all of our military veterans (and, at least in my opinion, their families as well). I was so incredibly happy that Hillcrest Elementary (the school that I work at part time as a literacy aide) was having a special assembly....though in truth I had thought this was a normal thing for all schools to do as this was the point of setting the second Tues in Nov. as Veteran's Day to begin with. In preparing for the assembly, stars on paper were handed out for people to put in the information of who they are, who the military service members are/were, the relationship, the applicable war(s), commendations, etc. They then included some ribbons to each of them, and posted them along the wall of the lunchroom. They also asked that if possible the applicable veterans/service members would come to the assembly the school was holding. During the assembly itself (which started at 11 am...not very surprisingly), the did some pretty basic things to pretty much make it more obvious and meaningful to the children (especially the littlest ones) what we were really doing in honoring those present....and especially those not present. I still get tears in my eyes when I think of how respectfully the kids treated everything. After a final applause was given to honor the veterans present (which included a full standing ovation, which took a bit for the kids to understand but surprisingly enough even the adults were hesitant though willing to follow after 5 or so of us stood up), a great surprise came when one of the veterans asked to applaud the kids as being the ones who would eventually take their places. It really was very emotional all the way around, and something that made me very proud of the amazing men and women who have sacrificed and served either themselves or by supporting their own loved ones who served so actively in my family and life.
2: Imagine my surprise when during dinner after I asked my own children about their day and what happened I found out that their school didn't do anything at all for Veteran's Day. I was extraordinarily shocked and appalled to learn that my own kids were not even taught openly about such an important thing as honoring the men and women who put their lives, health, and sanity on the line to protect all of us (as well as their own loved ones who are forced to live so far separated from the, always fearing that dreaded knock to tell them of a loss or missing report, and carrying the weight of their family without the aid of child, parent, or sibling). It was left to the individual teachers who (thankfully) did include activities, but I couldn't believe that a school which I otherwise have been very glad for didn't publicly and openly acknowledge the entire point of Veteran's Day. How sad is it that these kids didn't get the opportunity to know that this is Their claim of pride and humility, that this is Their opportunity to give that respect and honor to another. How severely disappointing is it that the kids in one school have such a marvelous, personal experience...and the kids just across the city were only exposed to the details of the holiday...
3: This is the really, truly amazing part of our day. For months...ok, for years...we have been struggling severely to find good ways to make ends meet. Several times over the last few years, we have had miracles happen, love and charities given....but today has really started to top it all. My very last, high stress bill for the month was due today....and I had to find a miracle way to come up with the last miserable dozen to be able to meet it in full. The reason for this was because this is (of course) Veteran's Day, which means...wait for it...the banks are closed. Smart of me, I know, but I hadn't thought about the fact that the banks close for federal holidays even though the rest of the country doesn't (including the bills I was required to pay). So as my friend and I were scrabbling through our bags for change, my miracle occurred...as I opened my wallet to search out the coin purse, I found, to my amazement, a whole series of bills which I still can not find their source. Enough so that we were not only able to make the required payment, but so that my son's birthday party tomorrow is not as much of a worry since we'll be able to do a few things to help show him how important he is to us as well as meeting other demands on us which have been put off several times over. My head is still reeling from it, but more than anything else it has brought home to me (especially after looking up all of the accounts) how much we are truly being looked after from on High!
How does that sit for you for a day to remember those who truly give us what we need? :D
1: Today is Veteran's Day, as well as being the 11 day (you know, 11-11-11?). This is a special day for history's sake as well as being a special remembrance day as Nov 11th is the day the peace treaty was signed after WWI as well as America's (and Britain's too?) Veteran's Day....a day set apart for Americans to give special honor to all of our military service men/women as well as all of our military veterans (and, at least in my opinion, their families as well). I was so incredibly happy that Hillcrest Elementary (the school that I work at part time as a literacy aide) was having a special assembly....though in truth I had thought this was a normal thing for all schools to do as this was the point of setting the second Tues in Nov. as Veteran's Day to begin with. In preparing for the assembly, stars on paper were handed out for people to put in the information of who they are, who the military service members are/were, the relationship, the applicable war(s), commendations, etc. They then included some ribbons to each of them, and posted them along the wall of the lunchroom. They also asked that if possible the applicable veterans/service members would come to the assembly the school was holding. During the assembly itself (which started at 11 am...not very surprisingly), the did some pretty basic things to pretty much make it more obvious and meaningful to the children (especially the littlest ones) what we were really doing in honoring those present....and especially those not present. I still get tears in my eyes when I think of how respectfully the kids treated everything. After a final applause was given to honor the veterans present (which included a full standing ovation, which took a bit for the kids to understand but surprisingly enough even the adults were hesitant though willing to follow after 5 or so of us stood up), a great surprise came when one of the veterans asked to applaud the kids as being the ones who would eventually take their places. It really was very emotional all the way around, and something that made me very proud of the amazing men and women who have sacrificed and served either themselves or by supporting their own loved ones who served so actively in my family and life.
2: Imagine my surprise when during dinner after I asked my own children about their day and what happened I found out that their school didn't do anything at all for Veteran's Day. I was extraordinarily shocked and appalled to learn that my own kids were not even taught openly about such an important thing as honoring the men and women who put their lives, health, and sanity on the line to protect all of us (as well as their own loved ones who are forced to live so far separated from the, always fearing that dreaded knock to tell them of a loss or missing report, and carrying the weight of their family without the aid of child, parent, or sibling). It was left to the individual teachers who (thankfully) did include activities, but I couldn't believe that a school which I otherwise have been very glad for didn't publicly and openly acknowledge the entire point of Veteran's Day. How sad is it that these kids didn't get the opportunity to know that this is Their claim of pride and humility, that this is Their opportunity to give that respect and honor to another. How severely disappointing is it that the kids in one school have such a marvelous, personal experience...and the kids just across the city were only exposed to the details of the holiday...
3: This is the really, truly amazing part of our day. For months...ok, for years...we have been struggling severely to find good ways to make ends meet. Several times over the last few years, we have had miracles happen, love and charities given....but today has really started to top it all. My very last, high stress bill for the month was due today....and I had to find a miracle way to come up with the last miserable dozen to be able to meet it in full. The reason for this was because this is (of course) Veteran's Day, which means...wait for it...the banks are closed. Smart of me, I know, but I hadn't thought about the fact that the banks close for federal holidays even though the rest of the country doesn't (including the bills I was required to pay). So as my friend and I were scrabbling through our bags for change, my miracle occurred...as I opened my wallet to search out the coin purse, I found, to my amazement, a whole series of bills which I still can not find their source. Enough so that we were not only able to make the required payment, but so that my son's birthday party tomorrow is not as much of a worry since we'll be able to do a few things to help show him how important he is to us as well as meeting other demands on us which have been put off several times over. My head is still reeling from it, but more than anything else it has brought home to me (especially after looking up all of the accounts) how much we are truly being looked after from on High!
How does that sit for you for a day to remember those who truly give us what we need? :D
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Merry Christmas!
I know it is a little blurry, but at least with this one you can see everyone's gorgeous smiles! Christmas this year was amazing and wonderful...and quiet. This is the first year we've had as just our family since John and I's first Christmas after we were married. It was different, that is for sure. Different in a good way, that is. We invited everyone over for our traditional Christmas Eve feast (Christmas Eve pig out might be a better way to phrase it...), which was so wonderful. Thanks to everyone who came, it meant a lot (especially to Rachel, who is still hyper emotional after the baby and all the lovely hormones that come with...). After that, we mostly just got dinner cleaned up, dishes done, Christmas cartoons watched, Christmas stories read, Santa's milk and cookies (and of course carrots for the reindeer) put out, and kids put to bed. The next morning there was no mad dash to prep anything, so we just took it easy. At our house, Santa doesn't wrap any gift he just puts your stash in a pile with your stocking in front to identify who's whos and covers it all up with blankets. The next morning, the rule is that the kids can't wake us up before 7 am...little did I know that I was going to wake up at 6 and not be able to get back to sleep! Everyone finally woke up about 7:30, and after shuffling around to make sure their rooms were all clean we got to uncover everything. Oh, what joyous rapture, can you believe it? Santa came! He ate all the cookies, fed his reindeer, drank his milk, and even left stuff for everyone...everywhere! After managing to sort out who's stuff was who's, Rachel spent the morning helping to unpackage toys while John made breakfast (you know how the Who's down in Who'sville would "feast, feast, feast, feast"?). After that, the kids had so much fun playing we couldn't get them to get things completely cleaned up until about 4 pm. Then we finally got to the business of unwrapping all the gifts under the tree and we were off again! At least we didn't have to worry about cooking anything...
Anyway, since then we've had ever so much fun playing and watching and playing some more. Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful gifts and thrills, not to mention all the goodies and treats. And that doesn't start to mention how much we've loved all the phone calls and e-mails and Christmas cards!!! We love you all, and give our thanks to God every day for all the wonderful people we have in our lives. We send our love out while wishing every good thing for you this next year, and since I'm feeling terribly original I'll just end by quoting Charles Dickens: "God bless us, everyone!"
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Pioneer Day pics
Ok, so I know that this is more than a little late; but in my defense I have been a little busy. I promised I would put up some pictures of the picnic and fireworks fun, though heaven only knows I'm not the best with my camera yet (if you've ever watched me try to figure out how to read directions at the same time as follow them...yeah, I have a hard time walking and chewing gum at the same time sometimes too), so go with me as best you can and then through a pound of salt over your shoulder.
For July 24th, I always harass people into going to Willow Park for the fireworks, and usually a picnic before. This year our semi-willing victims were Garth, Laura, and Ashley. Johnny made this amazing pulled pork BBQ, and we managed to limp by with the rest. After dinner we had fun kicking a soccer ball around, tossing a frisby back and forth, and trying to keep up with the kids. After it started getting dark we pulled the glow sticks out and had fun playing around 'til the fireworks started. Ready for the photo album now? ;)
Aren't they cute? They're all sending their love...
Here's the soccer/frisby fun...what you get, anyway
Just a few pictures of people having fun!
And this one...can you say "Busted!!!"
I had to save some of the best for last: the great Before and After shots of funny Garth!
For July 24th, I always harass people into going to Willow Park for the fireworks, and usually a picnic before. This year our semi-willing victims were Garth, Laura, and Ashley. Johnny made this amazing pulled pork BBQ, and we managed to limp by with the rest. After dinner we had fun kicking a soccer ball around, tossing a frisby back and forth, and trying to keep up with the kids. After it started getting dark we pulled the glow sticks out and had fun playing around 'til the fireworks started. Ready for the photo album now? ;)
Aren't they cute? They're all sending their love...
Here's the soccer/frisby fun...what you get, anyway
Just a few pictures of people having fun!
And this one...can you say "Busted!!!"
I had to save some of the best for last: the great Before and After shots of funny Garth!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Happy Events around the Kitchen
Wow, so much has been happening! I hope you have patience for a novel!
First off, our anniversary was Tuesday, July 1. Congrats to us, we made it 10 years! (And big raspberries to those who were soo convinced we wouldn't make it a year ;P ) Actually, it was wayyy more laid back than we'd originally planned. But all thanks to Steve and Sarah Richins (you guys are becoming our regular champions!), we were able to go out sans kids after all. We ended up going over to the Logan Aquatic Center (where we were informed that we couldn't kiss because there were kids present...don't ask me why, this is the only time we've ever been told that after spending the last few years of summers there with our kids and still acting the exact same way every time), and then up Logan Canyon for a quick weiner roast. We found this really great spot called Wood Campsite that has several sites but is much more private than a lot of more popular or commonly found campsites. Plus it is literally right on the river, so the sounds and smells (not to mention the plant life) are gorgeous and soo incredibly peaceful. If we are lucky enough to ever find someone willing to take our kids for a night or two, I know just where we'll be heading!
This is the picture I could take from my chair at the fire.
Just for proof, if you look above John's head you can see the bank.
This is a quiet little spring that we found that was right across the river from our site. It is much easier to enjoy this picture if you click on it to enlarge it a bit.
The other major thing that happened has been (of course) the 4th of July. Thanks to the fact that we live in Logan, of course the big fireworks show is the day before, which just happens to be Ashley and Dad's birthday. So whole holiday activities sort of get stretched out. But it really was a ton of fun! First, Ashley came down from Rexburg and came with the kids and I (John had to work, of course) to a BBQ up in good ol' Aggie village with the Prows' and Richins'.
This is Steve entertaining the kids while Sarah (and Carmel, though she made me promise not to put up the pictures) got to work cooking the meat.
This is (of course) the new adult Ashley with Tia the hugger, Caelen the watcher, and Kieran the busy britches.
Then we jumped down to the stadium to join up with Garth and Jaron's families for the concert and fireworks. By the way, a HUGE thanks to Cindy for getting everyone the tickets! It was a lot of fun, and my kids loved it!
Here's a picture of the whole gang (plus if you look carefully you'll even find Jaron's stash...yum, more sugar to keep the kids going!), and there is a picture of Caelen's fascination while Tia is just cute...
Then we went back up to the Prows' for homemade ice cream while we waited for the traffic to die down. Out to drop Ashley off at Garth's where she was staying for this trip, and then to revive my car which decided to slip the battery cable just enough...fortunately Jaron was still up and he came to my rescue and saved my car from the severe beating that was about to commence. Let's just say that the kids were more than sound asleep in the back seat and didn't know a thing!
The next day it was time for the parade in Hyrum so we grabbed Ashley and headed out. My goodness but the kids had fun chasing all that candy!
Just look for yourselves!
Then we hopped over to my aunt Jean's for her annual BBQ and visit with the family. Thanks a million Jean! I can't begin to say just how fun it was to see most everyone of the cousins I spent the most of my childhood vacations with! Kind of fun seeing what we are all like now that we're all the grown ups in the family and the kids now outnumber us! Then later that night I took the kids back up to Jaron and Garth's apt complex for sparklers. (If you really want to see more pictures, let me know. I have them, I just wasn't sure you all wanted even more from the same entry!)
The next day I made Ashley's cheesecake (I would still love a detailed critique on that by the way Ashley!), and Johnny taught her about the fluids in her newly 'inherited' car. Unfortunately, by the time Ashley left we only had about 30 minutes we could have spent interrupting everything at church before we had to leave again to get Johnny to work, so I basically just set the kids to playing in their rooms and died for the rest of the day. What a week!
Now it is just a matter of clearing out the rest of the boxes and such...anyone needing some fuel for a ward camp out or something? I've got a terrific idea for you! ;)
First off, our anniversary was Tuesday, July 1. Congrats to us, we made it 10 years! (And big raspberries to those who were soo convinced we wouldn't make it a year ;P ) Actually, it was wayyy more laid back than we'd originally planned. But all thanks to Steve and Sarah Richins (you guys are becoming our regular champions!), we were able to go out sans kids after all. We ended up going over to the Logan Aquatic Center (where we were informed that we couldn't kiss because there were kids present...don't ask me why, this is the only time we've ever been told that after spending the last few years of summers there with our kids and still acting the exact same way every time), and then up Logan Canyon for a quick weiner roast. We found this really great spot called Wood Campsite that has several sites but is much more private than a lot of more popular or commonly found campsites. Plus it is literally right on the river, so the sounds and smells (not to mention the plant life) are gorgeous and soo incredibly peaceful. If we are lucky enough to ever find someone willing to take our kids for a night or two, I know just where we'll be heading!
This is the picture I could take from my chair at the fire.
Just for proof, if you look above John's head you can see the bank.
This is a quiet little spring that we found that was right across the river from our site. It is much easier to enjoy this picture if you click on it to enlarge it a bit.
The other major thing that happened has been (of course) the 4th of July. Thanks to the fact that we live in Logan, of course the big fireworks show is the day before, which just happens to be Ashley and Dad's birthday. So whole holiday activities sort of get stretched out. But it really was a ton of fun! First, Ashley came down from Rexburg and came with the kids and I (John had to work, of course) to a BBQ up in good ol' Aggie village with the Prows' and Richins'.
This is Steve entertaining the kids while Sarah (and Carmel, though she made me promise not to put up the pictures) got to work cooking the meat.
This is (of course) the new adult Ashley with Tia the hugger, Caelen the watcher, and Kieran the busy britches.
Then we jumped down to the stadium to join up with Garth and Jaron's families for the concert and fireworks. By the way, a HUGE thanks to Cindy for getting everyone the tickets! It was a lot of fun, and my kids loved it!
Here's a picture of the whole gang (plus if you look carefully you'll even find Jaron's stash...yum, more sugar to keep the kids going!), and there is a picture of Caelen's fascination while Tia is just cute...
Then we went back up to the Prows' for homemade ice cream while we waited for the traffic to die down. Out to drop Ashley off at Garth's where she was staying for this trip, and then to revive my car which decided to slip the battery cable just enough...fortunately Jaron was still up and he came to my rescue and saved my car from the severe beating that was about to commence. Let's just say that the kids were more than sound asleep in the back seat and didn't know a thing!
The next day it was time for the parade in Hyrum so we grabbed Ashley and headed out. My goodness but the kids had fun chasing all that candy!
Just look for yourselves!
Then we hopped over to my aunt Jean's for her annual BBQ and visit with the family. Thanks a million Jean! I can't begin to say just how fun it was to see most everyone of the cousins I spent the most of my childhood vacations with! Kind of fun seeing what we are all like now that we're all the grown ups in the family and the kids now outnumber us! Then later that night I took the kids back up to Jaron and Garth's apt complex for sparklers. (If you really want to see more pictures, let me know. I have them, I just wasn't sure you all wanted even more from the same entry!)
The next day I made Ashley's cheesecake (I would still love a detailed critique on that by the way Ashley!), and Johnny taught her about the fluids in her newly 'inherited' car. Unfortunately, by the time Ashley left we only had about 30 minutes we could have spent interrupting everything at church before we had to leave again to get Johnny to work, so I basically just set the kids to playing in their rooms and died for the rest of the day. What a week!
Now it is just a matter of clearing out the rest of the boxes and such...anyone needing some fuel for a ward camp out or something? I've got a terrific idea for you! ;)
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