Monday, July 7, 2014

"I know of no single practice that will have a more salutary effect upon your lives than the practice of kneeling together as you begin and close each day.  Somehow the little storms that seem to afflict every marriage are dissipated when, kneeling before the Lord, you thank him for one another, and then together invoke his blessings upon your lives, your home, your loved ones, and your dreams."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

 Yosemite

Kim, Brian, Joe, and Alex left around 5am for home this morning.  Brian has to be at work by 9am. Alex and Joe said they really enjoyed hearing some of the stories from his life that grandpa told and they think he should write a book.  I didn't get a picture of them before they left but here is a picture of Joe and Amanda.

James had an appointment with Dr. Moffat today.  The doctor says his voicebox is still swollen and he has polyps that may need to be removed.  James came home a little discouraged but he also brought two Pappa John's pizzas for lunch.  Addy says she doesn't like Little Caesar's.  

James went up to help the kids with the clubhouse.

These three have got big plans for the clubhouse.

Rowan says Addy gets the best chair because she is the president.

Another favorite pastime around here is looking for lizards.  Well, at least for Rowan it is.  Addy goes with him to be supportive.

 And, of course, Ruby has to come too.

The kids and I took the Razr in to the post office to mail Jared Ammon's birthday card.  Afterwards the kids wanted to chase jack rabbits but we were completely out of gas.  James tried to syphon gas out of his truck but just couldn't do it so I went to Stanford and got some gas.  

All of the firemen and their equipment are gone from Vernon.  All that is left are the Thank You Firefighters signs.

James takes the kids on a rabbit hunt but they don't see any.  James says they are hiding because of the rain and cool weather.  

The kids had hotdogs and mac and cheese for dinner.  No one wants to take a bath so we pack their suitcases.  They are leaving early in the morning for home with grandpa.  Rowan was being silly.

  The underwear outfit.

Addy and Rowan watched Harry Potter 6 while Ruby and I watched Tom and Jerry in the bedroom.

These boys are at football camp in Show Low right now.

Ben and his best friend, Ian Wanlass.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

"The commandment 'thou shalt not kill, nor do anything like unto it' is founded upon spiritual law that protects all of God's children, even the unborn.  Long experience suggests that when we ignore this law, immeasurable sorrow results.  Yet many believe it is acceptable to terminate the life of an unborn child for reasons of preference or convenience."

-Elder Robert D. Hales

Ponytails by Addy

Our fast and testimony meeting was mostly gratitude that the fire was out and that the rains have come.   Shelly and Tamara Applegate talked about their trip to Palmyra and doing family names at the Palmyra temple.  Our bishop has been gone for over a month now and we all miss him.  Oh yes, we sat in the very front row while Kim, Brian, Joseph, and Alex sat in the very back row.

 My new book and sacrament journal

Wendy DeWitt was the teacher in Sunday School today.  Brother Wilhelm is on vacation for the third week in a row.  The lesson was on the friendship between David and Jonathan.  

Sandra Wilhelm gave the lesson in young women's about ordinances and covenants.  Those attending: Alice, LeeAnn, Shelly and Jordyn.  We also had two visitors from Gilbert, Olivia and her sister Vanessa.

Back at home the kids were excited to go up to the clubhous and go on a Razr ride to chase rabbits.

 The clubhouse needs alot of work.

Addy is hopeful that Emmy and Anna will be

here later in the month to help clean it up.

 Ruby is ready to go, goggles and all.

The weather has been rainy and cool and so enjoyable.  

Addy and Rowan watched Harry Potter 5 today.  Not exactly a Sunday movie but Addy has been reading the books and Rowan was so excited to watch it with her.

For dinner we had steaks and burgers.  Brian cooked a burger for Addy and we cooked a steak for him.  Of course Ruby had mac and cheese and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  After dinner grandpa made a fire for them to cook smores.  We used the giant marshmallows but they were so messy and gooey.  

The kids all took a bath in our big tub, first Rowan and then Addy and Ruby together and then I read them one of my favorites stories about two little pigs named Toot and Puddle.  Rowan and Ruby watched the Curious George movie.

Alex took us to the girls(Michael's cross country team) clubhouse.  It was really cool but too far away.  I need to go back in the daytime and take some pictures.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

April Allen and Sean Hunsaker were the speakers in church today.  April spoke on forgiveness and Sean on not being offended easily.  President Williams and President Van Winkle were both on the stand.  President Williams was ask to give the closing remarks.  He talked about preparing to recive ordinances and missionary work.

In Sunday School Brother Wilhelm did a review of the year and made a list of class members favorite scriptures from the Doctrine and Covenants.  He also encouraged us to read the booklet "Our Heritage."

The Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Men and Young Women, met together during the third hour to be taught by our bishopric.  The Theme: Family History.  We watched several short videos and were given a booklet entitled: "My Family Stories That Bring Us Together."  Children who know about their families and ancestors are more resilient and better adjusted according to a recent study.  It was a great meeting!

Kim, Brian, Joe, Michael and Alex arrived while we were at church.  They had lunch ready when we got home.  We had hotdogs and chili.  The roast I put in this morning wasn't quite done.  We had it for dinner and it was delicious!

I played Five Crowns with Kim this afternoon and indexed 100 names.  It was after 8pm when Darrel and his kids, Addy, Rowan, and Ruby arrived.  I watched Despicable Me 2 with them.  It was my first time.

Facebook finds:

Evan at one of his favorite places,

The Lego Store!

Christopher and McKell Hughes

Saturday, October 12, 2013

This morning I made the Archer Farms cinnamon pecan pancakes.  They were a hit.

After breakfast the boys went on a Razr ride.  When they returned we all took a drive up to see the trees on the mountain.  James and the boys went on the Razr and Kim, Brian and I went in the car.

All bundled up.

The drive was beautiful.  James took the boys on top of Green's Peak and they had a wild ride down over the bumps.  Kim, Brian, and I drove out to highway 260.  All of us took pictures.  Kim had her camera and so we made a few stops.

Yes, that is snow on the ground.

For lunch we had leftover roast which was actually more like a stew.  Afterwards James got ready for his stake priesthood leadership meeting which starts at 4.  Chuck Crane picked him up a little after 3.

The boys played a game on the floor.

Later Kim and I played Five Crowns with Ben and Max.  Brian went to Midway Station and brought us back some candy bars and drinks.  I took a nap and then went out and washed my car.  Afterwards I went in to get ready for the adult session of stake conference. Kathy Crane rode with me.  James and Chuck saved us seats.  For notes on this session of stake conference see my stake conference journal.

I spoke with Denice Hall this evening.  She said Kendall was having a difficult time getting his passport to Argentina because of the government shut down.  Consequently he may have to serve part of his mission in the states.

Pictures on Facebook

 Rowan and Ruby at the park.

Evan and Josh at Evan's lemonade stand.