Summer 2011

This has been one of the craziest summers we've had in a long time. We started off by celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary - which is crazy that we're old enough to have a 40th anniversary, and crazy that we're still married (or crazy because we're still married??) We took a long weekend trip up to Ashland, OR for the Shakespeare Festival. We went last year and enjoyed it so much we decided to do a repeat. We saw Love's Labors Lost, The Imaginery Invalid, and The Pirates of Penzance. All were superb. It's so lovely to sit outdoors in the Elizabethan Theatre. This year we were wiser and took jackets and blankets. We also did a jetboat trip on the Rogue River, which was fun, beautiful and exhilarating.
When we returned home, we helped the Lyons move to San Ramon. They'd decided a year of being apart was enuf - or they decided a year of living with us was enuf. Either way - they are all together again and Aaron is just 30 min from his school.
Then the crazy stuff really started . . .
The Tripp kids were here for 3 weeks. I was supposed to go to Los Alamos to take care of the crew, while their parents helped chaperone a youth Pioneer Trek, but the week before my departure they were evacuated from their home due to a huge wildfire. So they decided to bring the kids to me. We had a blast swimming and hanging out together.
Also about that time Josh's family arrived in Cali. They stayed in Roseville at Courtney's folks, other than a few nights here and there with us. You can read more about each family's experience on their own blogs.
Just after the 4th of July, my dad had a mild stroke. He went to the hospital a couple of times, then it was determined he would be better cared for and receive intensive therapy if he was placed in a Skilled Nursing Facility for 2 weeks. He did that, and made good improvements which enabled him to return home to his Assisted Living Apartment. He seems to be stable at this time, and can take care of his personal needs.
Mid-July, we took a long planned for trip to Yosemite with our 10 oldest grandchildren. Cory and Andrea tagged along with Amanda, and Megan tagged along with Tyghe and Ada Jane. We spent 2 nights camping outside the park, and one very full day in Yosemite Valley. The kids were all great sports about hiking and looking out for one another. What a treat to spend time like that with the "grands" who were almost 8 and older. They were all tons of fun and we laughed a lot.
Megan and her crew headed back to New Mexico, after being away from home for 4 weeks!
Then Josh's family came to stay with us for the last week of their 4 week vacation.
We are so grateful for our pool - which got used to the max!!
After 2 days to change beds and move a few things around, the Lyon kids came to stay for 3 nights. Emily had a conference in San Diego and I volunteered to watch the kids. It was nice to have the "Reds" back at our house. They do love their new home though.
So here's a few pic to document "July."
Yosemite was spectacular this year. All the falls were going full blast from all the snow this winter.
I will do another post with some photos of the other BIG event in July.

 

This is Mr. Burned Marshmallow Man. Can you find the image of a face. I was hoping to sell him on Ebay - but he got eaten.

 

 

 

 

Pierce and Isabelle's 70th Wedding Anniversary

 

 

Last Saturday, April 30th was my parents 70th Wedding Anniversary. What a milestone! We held an Open House for them which was attended by some of the family that live close-by and friends from Church. They were pleased to see a few Gridley friends from the time they lived there. They truly enjoyed visiting with those in attendance and felt honored to be recognized for a marriage of such duration - a rarity! The cute little wedding cake topper on the cake is from their original wedding cake. We found it for their 50th anniversary, and I've kept it safeguarded since then.
My parents were married in a 'civil ceremony' at a little chapel in Santa Monica, CA, then the next day they were married in the St. George, Utah temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They are parents of 5 children - 3 still living, 24 grandchildren and 64 Great Grandchildren - last count.
They lived most of their married life in Mar Vista, CA which is where their 5 children were born. They then spent 12 years in Simi Valley, CA, 11 years in Gridley, CA, about 6 years in Yuba City, one of which they were on a mission for the Church to Atlanta, GA. They always wanted to live in Utah, so they did that from 1994-2001. They've spent the last 10 years back in Yuba City, CA. They now reside in a lovely Assisted Living Facility where they are safe and well taken care of, yet still enjoy a degree of independence. They are both still able to attend Church with us every Sunday. I think they are the oldest folks in our ward!
They don't feel like they are old enough to have been married 70 years. In fact, just last week my mom asked me if I couldn't see about getting her a job at the Health Food Store where I work part-time. She thought she would enjoy it. She hasn't mentioned it again, so I haven't inquired at work ;o)
They both use walkers, and my dad has an electric chair he revs up for trips to the near-by Target store for small items (think candy, cheese puffs and soda pop). Their facility takes them on monthly trips to Wal-Mart and occasional lunch outtings or scenic drives. They miss not being able to drive and go where they want, when they want.
We love them and are glad they live near-by.

AZ Jan 2010

We had a great long weekend in Arizona, visiting Micah and his cute little family. We were able to catch a soccer game of Jackson's where he scored the only goal for his team. He was so pleased, especially because he had prayed he would be able to score, and he did!
If ever a little girl looked like her dolly, this one sure does. It's a shame her big blue eyes don't show up as well in the photo. We got lots of loves and cuddles from Rachelle.

 

Dad is always happy when he can help out with a small task. The guys were able to hang a new ceiling fan - a must in Arizona. The box said it was a 5 min job. It wasn't - but at least the thing worked when they got done.

 

And no trip to Gilbert is complete without a trip to Joe's Farm Grill. On our last visit in April the grill had caught fire, and the place was closed down for a few hours, right when we showed up. So we didn't get our famous Fontina Burger. Got it this time, and it didn't disappoint. Also got the sweet potato fries - yum!!

 

Thanks for having us, Micah and Sarah. Your children are adorable and we love ya tons.

Christmas 2010

We spent Christmas 2010 in Iowa with Josh's Family. We were fortunate to be able to schedule our newest grandbaby's blessing while we were there. These grandchildren are such a blessing in our life and we are grateful when we can take part in some of these milestone events.
We had a nice visit with Bud's dad in Omaha. He is almost 88 and is doing well. He lives in an Assisted Living facility and is content with life. He has trouble remembering the simple things in life, but he does recognize us when we visit and is always eager to hear how his grandchildren and great-grandchildren are doing.
Josh's kids were tons of fun to be around and we managed to play lots of games and get in a game of bowling at Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl (Bass Pro Shop). As fun as it is to visit family, it's always nice to come home to California's mild weather. We are so spoiled. I don't miss the days of having to bundle up kids just to get into the car.
Our travels to and from Iowa were safe and uneventful - a real blessing when traveling during Christmas Holidays.
We spent a quiet New Years Eve at home with the Lyons -playing games and eating fondue.

New Year's Day was spent at the Sacramento Temple for a Stake Temple Day. What a treat to have my oldest daughter, Andrea, and my youngest daughter, Emily, with me at the temple. Got some nice compliments from others about how beautiful they are. Missed my Megan and my dear daughter in-laws. I'm feeling very verklempt these days about having family spread out across the country. It stinks.
We had fun at the Runyan's after the temple eating good food and playing games. Thanks for sharing your home with us again on New Years, Runyans. I'm grateful we didn't have a repeat this year of the chicken murders :(
Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May all your dreams come true and all your needs be met.

Sport Stud

This was just too good to pass up! He was catching a nap before the BYU game, and Brielle must have decided he needed some companionship.

 

Thanksgiving 2010

Yeah - I am behind, but at least I am Thankful. We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving with the "usual suspects" The Runyans and The Lyons. Unfortunately, my parents were feeling under the weather that day, so they opted not to come. We missed them. The food was great, and the company was entertaining. We decided to start a new tradition this year. We bought a chicken pinata and let the kids stuff it, then whack the heck out of it. The younger ones scrambled for the candy and the older kids scrambled for the cash. Then Sam stuck the chicken on top of his head. He is such a fun guy.
We are looking forward to the Christmas Season and wish all of you the choicest blessings.

 

 

 

 

I love fall!

It was a long time coming, but fall has finally arrived. This is my favorite time of year. I love the fall colors and I love the first day I put on shoes and socks, rather than flip flops. I'm sad to see the swimming season end, but it's sure nice to not have to worry about keeping the pool clean and sparkly.
Fall is never truly fall without a trip to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm. It seems not so long ago I accompanied Micah's elementary class on a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch, which consisted of - a pumpkin patch, where the children could pick their own pumpkin and a smallish shed with a few crafty items displayed. Nothing like the present day Bishop's Pumpkin Farm which boasts a train, hayride out to the pumpkin fields, corn maze, coyote mountain with slides, petting zoo, bakery and lots of food venues, etc, etc. We avoid the weekends, as it is just too busy with crowds from Sacramento and even the Bay Area. Thanks to the Bishop Family for creating such a lovely place to spend a cool fall afternoon.

 

 

This is our first foray into "designer" pumpkin carving. We made the effort in honor of the launch of Micah's new website: www.craftbattles.com
Check it out for future crafty battles/competitions.