Maren's Birthday

Tonight Tucker, Peyton, Neal and I met Maren, Greg, Jaden, Brock and Boston out at Tsunami for dinner.  This is Maren's favorite place to eat.  We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed laughing and talking and of course, the incident of naming Lyndsy's baby Tsunami came up.  Tucker says that he still gets blamed for that when it was Maren who started it.

After dinner we all went back to Marens and had a nice visit until about 10:30 when Neal decided it was time to go home.

Maren, we hope you had a happy birthday and loved spending some time with you this evening.  We love you!

Another Fun Day

Today we all got up at different times because we stayed up the night before until well after midnight.  This is what we usually do when we have a group for games.  I got up early this morning and blogged recent events.  Neal got up early because he had to stretch before going to play golf and he had an 8:00 hair appointment.  When he got back he and Tucker and Jeff went golfing up at Bonniville Golf Course.  Here is the picture Tucker sent, with the caption below:

"Our Primary Colors are one, two, three . . . . . . ."
Great picture of the boys having a great time on the golf course.

Meanwhile back at the ranch . . . . The girls were all getting ready for a fun outing to Gardiner Village.  We had fun wandering through the shops and actually ended up buying a few items.  I bought Maren a birthday present and some small snack cups.  Jamie got a present for her mom.  And I was able to buy Jamie a skirt for her birthday.  I felt like she got cheated just a little bit on her birthday because she wasn't home when the chocolate covered strawberries arrive so Tucker and Peyton were treated.  We probably only got to see about half of Gardner Village and then realized that it was almost 4:00 and Jamie and the girls were going out to Layton to visit one of Jamie's friends and was supposed to be there around 4:00.

Below are pictures of our adventures at Gardner Village.

Tonight Neal and I along with Tucker and Peyton will be going out to dinner with Maren and Greg for her birthday.  We are going to Tsunami for dinner and to celebrate.

California Family Arrives

Wednesday evening about 11:15 the Maxfield rolled in.  Neal and I had been outside enjoying the summer evening and anxiously awaiting their arrival.

 After getting the car unpacked we gathered around the table in the kitchen and talked until about 1:30,  even though everyone was exhausted from that long drive.

The next morning was spent just visiting and talking about what our schedule for the day was going to be.  Jamie snapped this random picture.  I remember clearly that discussion was whether Neal and Tucker were going golfing that day or not.  The answer was NOT.

 What was decided was that we were going to East High School so the girls could take pictures and wander through the halls and feel the ambience of where the musical had been produced.  When we got there we found out that they were filming a Disney TV series of the musical.  Of course we weren't allowed in where the filming was taking place but the girls did get to wander all over the school.  The school actually has a map of the significant places of filming.  I don't remember anything about the movie.  I think I may have watched part of it.  I'm going to have to take the time to watch it, now that I've heard so much about it.

You will notice as you look at the picture that windows have been blacked out for the filming.

 We were able to go into the auditorium and on stage.  We had to talk and beg the girls to do a part of one of their dances.

 Of course Neal was in his element walking through the halls.  I'm just not sure that I care to wander back through the halls of Provo High School.  I loved high school and have great memories of events and friends.  But, don't have a need to go back.

 After we toured the building and the girls had a ton of pictures taken of them in different parts of the school we wander back outside and took a couple more pictures of the painted E on the side of the hill.

 It was close to 2:00 and none of us had had breakfast.  So we headed to Hires for a delicious hamburger and fries lunch.  Fun and delicious.  There was one funny incident with the waitress.  She was asking us if we wanted any drinks and the girls asked for water.  Her comment went something like this and kind of directed at Jamie:  "Do they really want water because I don't want to bring it unless they are going to drink it."  Never had a waitress question whether I was going to drink my water or not.  And just as an added comment, the girls did drink every drop!

 On the way home from Hires we stopped at Costco and shopped for incidentals and food for the big Sunday dinner and then into Best Buy to get a new plug for one of the lights and from there to Farr's Ice Cream shop for a treat.

 We landed home about 4:30 and played games the rest of the evening.  We played Shanghi and Reds.  Just for the record, I won both games!!

We love having our California family with us!  I'm already wishing time would go by just a bit slower.  But we have three more days with them and I shall soak in every moment I can.  Love you guys so very much!

"Come Follow Me"

Since the church has introduced this program, Neal and I have been pretty faithful about coming home each Sunday and studying the lesson outlined, reading the scriptures that go along with it and talking about our feelings.

Just recently we have been studying the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  We've been studying and reflecting on the times when we have felt the Savior in our lives.  We realize that we obviously can feel his love more fully when we align our life and choices to his teachings and commandments.

I make choices every single day of my life.  Do these choices that I make always reflect the way I feel about my Savior?  As  I partook of the Sacrament today did I truly think about the fact that he died for me.

I am so grateful for each new day and another chance to try and be better than I was the day before.  Christ was loving kind, patient, compassionate and served his whole life.

The more we study the New Testament and the more I learn about the life of the Savior and his atoning sacrifice the more I want to be a better person.  I want to show my gratitude and love to him by being a good wife, mother and friend.

I am forever grateful for his unconditional love to me and that I have been born in a time when the gospel has been restored.

I have a testimony of my Savior.  I know that he lives.  I know that he knows me and loves me.

Love is in the air

I've debated whether to post this or not and finally decided that it is okay to mention it.  It may develop into something and then again it may not but either way it is part of the history of a member of the family.

Mallory and Tyler have known each other since they were born.  Tyler is a few months older than Mallory.  Tyler served a mission in Brazil (I think) and left a few months before Mallory.  He and Mallory wrote each other during some of his mission and then when Mallory left on her mission they continued to write.  Tyler came home before Mallory, so when Mallory had her welcome home, Tayler and his mom, sister and her husband came to the welcome home.

A few days later Tyler sent Mallory a text and invited her to ride to Arizona with him and his family.  They were going down for a family event.  Mallory accepted the invitation and the story continued.  The two of them had a fun time together getting more acquainted with each other and finding out that there might be 'love in the air' so to speak :-)

Mallory is now planning on going to Star Valley, Wyoming to work and spend the summer with Tyler and his family and see where this romance progresses.  He is 6'5" and Mallory is 6'1".  Perfect, wouldn't you say?

Here is a darling picture of the two of them.

I'm hoping this story has a very happy ending.

My new project

I haven't posted my last finished project or my newly started one.  This is the project that I'm starting now with a picture of how far I am.

I have a feeling this will be one of my favorites - because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!

Emmi's New Adventure

Last week was a big week in the life of Emmi.  It was also an emotional week for her, her family and for her grandparents.  Emmi was leaving for her adventures and service in the Navy.  I had everyone over for dinner the night before she was to leave.  I tried to make the dinner setting as festive and red, white and blue as possible.  I think I achieved my goal.  It was perfect.  Uncle Sam and Mickey Mouse were the center piece.

We had a great time eating and visiting.  After dinner and dessert we sat around and talked until it was time for Emmi to report to the hotel downtown.  The next morning we all met at the MEPS building out past the airport.  We had to wait for nearly 4 hours before she would be sworn in.  Annie and I went and grabbed some subway sandwiches.  We all went in the lunchroom and sat around the table and enjoyed our last few hours with Emmi.  Right after lunch, they called us into a room where we all watched as Emmi was sworn in to the Navy.  It was a proud and very emotional moment in time.  We were each given an opportunity to express our love, being proud and any advise we wanted to give her.

 This is the gentleman who did the swearing in ceremony.  He was a really nice guy.

 Lots of very emotional hugs from everyone after the ceremony.

 It is official!

After the ceremony, Emmi was taken on a military bus to the airport and from there she left for Chicago for her Boot Camp Training for the next 8 weeks.  She was only allowed one phone call when she arrived there to let her parents know that she was there and safe.  She won't be allowed to write home for the next 2 or 3 weeks.  But she can send us a post card so that we can write her letters.  Nothing on the computer.  Everything through snail mail until she is done with Boot Camp.  I will continue the story as I learn more and as she is finally able to communicate with the family through mail.

A Poem by my Mother

Mother was known for writing funny poems along with serious ones.  Lila Mae found this poem among some written material of mothers.  I read it and laughed at mother's talent for writing and for her humor.

School is Over for Another Year

Jamie sent me these pictures of the girls and herself celebrating that school is over for the year.  Its over for the grandchildren in Utah as well.  Abby and Taylor graduated from high school, Andrew from junior high and all the other kids completing their year and moving on to the next grade.  With school out that means that we will get to see the California family in a couple weeks.  We can hardly wait.  LOVE it when they come in to town.

Candy Crush

I love the game Candy Crush.  I guess you could say that I am a bit addicted to it.  I finally reached 2,000 and had to take a picture of it.  I know, not much of an accomplishment, but I do enjoy playing it and getting past each level.  And yes, I'm still playing it!

Just a fun picture

it is rare that I have a picture taken of me that I like.  this was an exception.  Neal had a family outing planned with his brothers so he couldn't go to the open house for Sally and Jerry's 50th wedding anniversary.  I called Linda and Dave and asked them if I could go with them.  They said I could tag along.  As we walked in the back yard they had someone there taking pictures.  This is the picture they snagged of Linda, Dave and me.  Rather cute, don't you think!  I love this couple.

Neal's Eagle Scout Sliders

Neal has been busy making more sliders for the boys who get their Eagle Scout Awards.  He had three this last week and these are the three he made. A sow board, a computer and the boy scout sign. Apparently the boys were thrilled with them.

Neal also had a scout meeting and was asked to bring a Dutch Oven Dinner.  He cooked it in the garage (with the door open) but now when you go in the garage you can still smell the meat.  It has permeated every thing in the garage.  He did barbequed pork with my sauce and potatoes.  He brought some home and it was delicious.