Ryan’s 5th Grade Program

Mindy called me yesterday and told me that Ryan was having his 5th grade program tonight.  I was happy that, for a change, I didn’t have a stake meeting that I needed to be to.  Yahoo!  A free night.  The program was absolutely wonderful, telling the history of the United States.  I was proud of Ryan.  He had a speaking part talking about Ferdinan Hintze and also did the Charleston.  The Charleston is from his Grandma Ross’s teen years. 

The pictures aren’t wonderful because I just couldn’t get close enough but I did the best I could.  Great program, Ryan, thanks for inviting me. 

As the program started I noticed Grayson rocking out to the opening music!

       

Lyndsy passes her tests with flying colors! I think she is now official. YEAH

Lyndsy called me to let me know that she took her test and passes with flying colors!  congrats Lyndsy.  She called back and asked if I would tend River for a couple of hours while she and James went to dinner to celebrate.  River had not eaten dinner so I asked him what he would like.  He said, “Easter eggs”.  I told him that he could have all he wanted but he had to eat something good first.  He decided on Frosted Flakes and a banana.  Not wonderfully nutritious but not too bad.  While he was eating he said, “Gam, why don’t you take me to Paradise Bakery and get me some mac and cheese.”  Now seriously, how many five year old do you know that would ask to be taken to Paradise Bakery over McDonalds or even know what Paradise Bakery was?!  I told him that maybe we could do that another time.  Then he said, “Well, Gam, why don’t you take me to Paradise Bakery and get me a blue cookie with the sprinkles on top.”  I again told him that maybe we could do that another time.  I’m still chuckling over the fact that he not only knows Paradise Bakery but he is knowledgeable about what they have that he likes.  I’ll have to give Lyndsy a bad time about spending too much time eating out.  :-)  Oh yes, River built a road out of Lagos. Bella was chewing on a sock and happened to accidently bump River’s road and moved a few pieces.  River jumped down off the bed and said, “Gam, you need to tell your dog Bella that she isn’t to knock over my road anymore.”  I quickly informed Bella, who had no clue what I was saying, but it made River feel a lot better.

We finally captured a floor board bug

Ever since we’ve had our new wood floors we’ve noticed little holes appearing in certain boards.  I took pictures of the holes and posted them some time back.  The floor people came and put plastic over the holes and taped the plastic around the outside edges.  That was over two months ago.  This morning, like every morning, I  checked the plastic trap (so to speak) under the piano and low and behold there were two bugs out of their little board homes.  I ran and got some tweezers and very carefully lifted the plastic, snagged the vermin and put them in a ziploc bag for the floor people to take and see what we are dealing with.  We need to know if it is something that they will have to fumigate for or if they are going to have to replace part or all of the flooring.  I took a picture and also took a picture with a pencil beside so we could get an idea of the size of them.  ICK!!!

 

The pajama brigade begins

It takes me two or three evenings and most of a Saturday to get all the Christmas pajamas cut out and ready to sew.  I have no idea just how long it takes me to sew 16 pair.  Months I would venture.  I like to get them cut out in the Spring and put together before summer begins.  I sew all the basic seams leaving the hemming and elastic, buttons and button holes for the fall, when I pull them all out again to finish them before November.  It is a long process but one that I love doing for the grandchildren.

Just a touch of Spring!

How interesting it is to be outside where the snow is lazily drifting down and as you walk along you look down to see this sight.  As a primary child I always loved the song, “Little purple pansies touched with yellow gold.  Growing in one corner of the garden old.  They are very tiny but must try, try, try.  Just one spot to gladen you and I.”  Granted these pansies aren’t purple but the message of Spring in the air and the message of brightening up someone’s corner of their life is a wonderful message.  How often do we sing the words of a song, but we don’t take the words into our hearts.  One could write a gospel based talk from every single hymn in the hymn book or the primary song book.  Singing the hymns is almost like reading the scriptures!  Anyway, it is wonderful that Spring is just around the corner.  That is really what this blog entry is about.  And I am thankful for the changing seasons and the colors that are starting to appear.

An added note

I talked to Maren last night while they were traveling to St. George for a dance meet for Taylor.  She told me that she has been in two accidents in the past two weeks.  One, she was backing out of her driveway and backed into a parked car doing damage to her car and the parked car.  Then, this last Thursday or Friday she was coming home from Costco with Boston and Brock and ran into the back of another car that she thought was on the move through the intersection.  She said the car she hit barely had a scratch on it but her car got crunched good.  They had to leave their car to get the damage on the front and back repaired and in the mean time they are renting a mini van for the week.  Thankfully no one was hurt in either accident.  I feel like my daily morning prayers to protect my children and grand children have and are certainly answered. 

On a little happier note, we are very excited and happy about Taylor’s interest and progress in her dance, cheer and gymnastics.  She so reminds me of Maren when she is on stage performing.  She loves the stage and draws the audience to her.  We are proud of you Taylor!

I almost forgot – Mindy’s styling boots!!

I just had to get a picture of Mindy’s new plastic boots.  I didn’t know they made such a thing and they are darling.  Mindy said they are great for her because she now takes the Trax to work and has to sometimes walk in the rain and/or snow.  This is a picture of Mindy’s styling boots.  I had her put her foot up on the wall and pull her Levis up so we could get a full view.  What do you think?

Mindy’s 40th birthday

Mindy invited the girls for a dinner night out for her birthday. Maren couldn’t come because of prior commitments with Taylor and Jaden. And, of course, we didn’t have Jamie, who lives too far away :-(! We met at the Outback Steak House and had a wonderful time visiting and laughing. Mindy even got Lyndsy laughing so hard that she spit the drink of lemonade, she had just taken, out her mouth and her nose. Didn’t get a picture of that and probably just as well! Thanks, Mindy, for planning a fun evening.

Saying ‘goodbye’ to Mexico and ‘hello’ to home.

 

Day four – getting our toes done

 

More fun

This is where Neal actually found a golf ball!

Mexico trip 3rd day and it was rather cold!

I got a par on this hole.  It was a 4 par.  I was feeling like a pro!

Neal and Ron doing their usual ignoring the signs and hunting for golf balls!

 

This is the fog rolling in from the ocean.

  

Tee number 18 – over the water.  A very fun hole.

   

More about our trip and golfing adventures on the second day.

 

   

These little varmints are all over the place.  They are kind of cute and not one bit afraid of humans.

Judy getting ready to hit across the lake.

 

I had to take a picture of these two golf balls.  Judy and I hit and this is where our drive landed.  We couldn’t believe it.  Same distance and that close. 

 

These is a sign that we see on almost every single hole.  One that Neal and Ron totally ignore!

 

This is a picture of Neal laying on the ground to make sure he knew just how to putt the ball.  All this preparation and it still didn’t go in!