Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Well I got a text from James this morning at 5am which woke me up.  I guess he doesn't know that when he's not here I don't go to bed as early as I should.  Since I was up I took a picture of the sunrise.

Well of course my first item of business of the day is to remind the cows that they are not welcome on Lambson acres, at least where I can see them from my window,

The wood floor is giving me fits.  It is so hard to strip wax.  When it first goes on it looks gorgeous until it starts developing streak marks.  I think I am going to leave this project until next week since I have to leave for the valley in time to get to Dallin's graduation party at 5pm.

I left around 12:30 but made a few stops.  The first stop was to take a picture of James's favorite tree.  It almost looks as cool dead as it did alive.  We have several pine trees on our property that are dying and we aren't sure why.  Of course our neighbors the Cranes don't have any which makes the matter even more disturbing.

A nesting place for an eagle.

We have several youth from our Chandler ward who graduated today.  One of them is this guy, Taylor Wanlass.  As his former bishop James cannot say enough good things about this kid.  He will soon be a missionary in the San Antonio, Texas mission.

From kindergarten to high school grad.

Another high school grad is Cody Miner, Dallin's good buddy.  Cody and Taylor both graduated from Hamilton High.

McKell and Cody Miner

The rest of these photos are random pictures taken at Dallin's graduation party:

Cheesy and the Thinker

Adam walked in just after we took this picture.

Ruby and Grandpa

 An uninvited guest

The two graduates and their friend Holly

Dallin and his girlfriend Holly

I wonder if Sarah knows

Dallin and Sarah

Stacy and Dallin

The Gonzales family

Austin Field, Chandler High School Graduation

Thanks to Aunt Kim for helping Stacy frost the sugar cookies that were such a big hit at Dallin's party.

Some of the people who attended the party: Aunt Tara, Nicol and Chad Schaub and their family, Shelly and John Johnson, The Lukes, Darrel and his kids, Kim and Joe, Sheri and her boys, and of course James and I.  We are proud of Dallin for graduating.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

James left at 4 am.  I was up shortly after to study and take a picture of the sunrise.

I love the views from my porch!

The darn cows are back again today.  I guess they knew yesterday was a holiday so they took the day off.

My gospel study went something like this: finished reading Jacob 5 with the young women, read Alma 2 for my personal study, and Alma 51 and 52 with James.  I also read Elder Hales talk, "Stand Strong in Holy Places".  

I am trying to clean my wood floors.  I have looked for ways to get wax off wood floors on Youtube and Google but the best I came up with was vinegar water and steel wool.  It is a long and tedious process.  After stripping the old wax I put some paste wax on but now I need my floor buffer which is in Chandler.  I must remember to bring it back when I go down.

I got a text from Alicia Hunsaker today.  She said a dog kennel that was ousted from Taylor has bought property here in Vernon just down the road from her.  All of the people in the surrounding area are protesting.  I guess some of their practices are questionable. All the renegades come to Vernon.

I visited Rosie Lauritzen today.  I always enjoy my visits with her so much.  She is a fourth grade teacher and is looking forward to her summer.  She told me about a fieldtrip her class went on to Williams and then the Grand Canyon.  They rode the train and said it was so much fun.  There was even a staged train robbery.  I would like to do something like this with my grandkids this summer.  We will see. What do you think Sheri?

Watched The Voice and Body of Proof finale.  I don't always like Body of Proof but the finale was one of the best I've seen.  They actually tied up all the loose ends!

Sunset

Monday, May 27, 2013

Balloon festival in New Mexico

These pictures were taken from Jared & Tricia's backyard.

Today is Memorial Day, the day we honor those who have or are serving our country.  James mentioned last night that during World War II his dad went to enlist but they turned him down because they said he had seven brothers serving and that was enough from one family.  I am grateful for those men and women who serve our country to protect our freedoms.  Thank you so much.

Since today is a holiday James cannot get concrete so he spent the day with me. I studied, I read Elder Nelson's talk "Catch the Wave", jumped on my mini trampoline, watched the news, and did a little cleaning before we went to town.  It was overcast on our way into town as I read to James from The Grecian Princess.  We stopped at Licano's for lunch and I had my traditional carne asada burro with green sauce.  Afterwards we did our traditional Walmart - Home Depot run.  

We came home and took a nap.  I also worked on Personal Progress.  Yes, the leaders are suppose to get medallions too.  When James got up we went outside and did some planting.  I bought some flowers and strawberry plants from Walmart and James helped me plant them.  Surprisingly there were no cows to chase today!

Plants on the porch

James gets all ready to leave for the valley this evening but instead of leaving he stays with me!  For FHE we watched the Ron Clark story starring Matthew Perry.  It's a true story about a young teacher from North Carolina who goes to Harlem to teach because he wants to make a difference.  He really does make a difference in the lives of the kids he teaches.  It is one of the best movies I've seen.  Right up there with "To Sir with Love", "Stand and Deliver", and "Mr. Holland's Opus."

  Sunset on a beautiful day.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

I was up early to begin preparing for the meal I want to feed Jared and his kids before they leave today.  I put a roast in the crockpot with some bbq sauce.  I boiled some potatoes and eggs and made a potato salad. 

It was a busy morning.  Sacrament meeting was very crowded as it always is on Memorial day in Vernon.  We were lucky to find seats in the front next to Kilee Hunsaker and her family.  Trenda Wilhelm was the youth speaker today.  She spoke on appearance and dress from For the Strength of Youth and did a great job.  Marilyn Tice and Clint Pope were the other speakers.  Jared's kids went to their classes and I never heard a complaint.  They have them trained well.  In Sunday School we learned about the building and dedication of the Kirkland temple.  Kaeli taught the lesson in Young Women on the importance of a testimony.  We got approval for our trip to the valley on the 23rd so we announced it to the girls.  I told them they had to be up on their Book of Mormon reading and we are calling it our Book of Mormon and Personal Progress retreat.  We will be staying at our timeshare in Scottsdale.

We had a nice lunch before Jared and kids left.  BBQ beef sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob and ice cream for dessert.  Jared cleaned the kitchen while James and I took the kids up to the swing.  Of course James knows exactly where it is.  Here are some pictures: 

James is flying.

Not a normal Sunday activity but we had to make an exception 

this time.

Anna in flight.

Ready for takeoff.

Molly didn't come with us.  She didn't like the hike yesterday so she decided to stay home with her dad.

Emmy's turn.

This girl is a daredevil!

As soon as we got back to the cabin it was time for Jared's family to leave.  Tricia is anxious to have them home.  She didn't come because they are moving in two weeks and she wanted to get some things done.  

James and I lay down for a nap.  This evening we studied.  I read Jacob 5 and am trying to devise a way to teach what it means to my young women.  

Sunset

Saturday, May 25, 2013

James's alarm didn't go off so it was around 7 am before he and James Hayden left for the Black River. 
It was after dark when they returned home.  The first story was how James got caught in some "quick mud" up to his waist.

James said it was very difficult to get him out.

I love this picture!

They only caught 16 fish and were pretty exhausted when they got home.

Addy had her first guitar recital today.  She played "Ode to Joy".  I am sorry I missed it.

Anna and I called her this morning to wish her luck.

Watch out Taylor Swift, here I come!

The first thing Emmy said she wanted to do when she woke up this morning was go to the pit. I asked her if she had ever been on the swing by the pit and she said no.  I told her how much fun it was.  Jared loaded the girls onto the Ranger and headed out and I was right behind him in my car.  We hiked up the hill but apparently I don't remember where the swing is because we couldn't find it.  The girls were a little disappointed but they still had fun riding the Ranger down the sides of the pit.

 Ready for some action!

Since we couldn't find the swing Emmy climbed a tree instead.

We came home and had some lunch and then headed out on the Greenspeak road.  I thought it would be fun to go to Sheeps Crossing or Greer but then Jared thought of riding the lift at the ski run.  I checked on my phone and today is the first day it is open for rides.  The kids loved it and the views were spectacular.  At the top stopped for some indian fry bread.

And away we go!

Gorgeous view!

Emmy with her fry bread.

Back at home Emmy started a game of baseball with a big plastic bat and a tennis ball.  This girl is always looking for something fun to do outside.

Go Molly!

Molly striking a pose.

Hamming it up.

For dinner we went to the spaghetti fundraiser dinner at the Vernon Park.  We had spaghetti, breadsticks, salad, and Texas sheetcake both chocolate and almond.  Afterwards Jared came home and made a peach cobbler in the dutch oven.  

Back in the valley Evan and Rowan had their last soccer game.

Go Evan!

The Three Amigos!

Dallin went on a date with Grandpa and Grandma(Panchita) Johnson and came home with some fancy new clothes.

The new Dallin.

Friday, May 24, 2013

James chased the cows for me this morning.  I let him take over that pleasure when he is here.

We took a trip to town today.  James stopped at Horne's for less than ten minutes.  As we were going back towards town we saw a four seater Polaris Razor for sale.  The guy wanted $13,500 but James got him down to $13,000.  It's a 2010 but only has seven hundred miles on it.  It's exactly what we want.  Before going home for the checkbook we stopped at C-A-L where James bought some more primers and a "chimney" for our dutch oven.  We had lunch at LaCasita.

 James finishing off his green chili chicken enchilada

I bought lots of groceries at Walmart in anticipation of Jared and his kids coming tonight.  James did some shopping at Home Depot and then picked me up as is our usual habit.

After putting groceries away, which took a long time, I went in to figure our finances to see if we could afford that Razor.  Well it didn't take me long to figure it would not be a wise decision to buy it, so we didn't pursue it anymore.  I have to just put it out of my mind.  

I spent a couple of hours cleaning the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs for Jared and his family.  They arrived around 10:30 and went straight to bed.  Molly wanted me to polish her nails but Jared said she would have to wait until tomorrow.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Sunrise

There were cows outside this morning.  I went out on the porch and when they saw me they turned and ran.  I am not sure whether I should be happy or sad.  

My gospel study this morning went something like this: 

"The Gospel to All the World", conference address by Elder John B. Dickson. 2nd Nephi 32-33, Mosiah 29:27-47, and Alma 40-42.  I also answered questions from Alma 5 for the Virtue Value Experience #3.

I delivered my graduation gifts to MaKenzi Hunsaker and Mary Swift this afternoon.  They graduate tonight in Show Low.  I got a call from James.  He's coming home.  He stopped at Papa John's and picked up pizza.  I love their Hawaiian pizza with chicken, BBQ sauce, and pineapple.

I watched Sister Monson's funeral today.  President Monson looks heartbroken.

My heart goes out to our Prophet.

Alex got his braces off today.  

Happy Day!

The Jodi Arias jury could not agree on what her penalty should be so they have declared a mistrial for the penalty phase of her sentencing.  Proceedings will begin again on June 20th to determine if they will pick a second jury to decide her sentencing.

I saw this picture on Facebook of the largest arthropod in the world, the coconut crab and I just had to post it.

 Why is he climbing a tree.

James and I played Five Crowns this evening.  I also read to him from our book "The Grecian Princess."  We watched a PBS mystery, "Death in Paradise", and part of North America until the Killer Whales started to attack a baby orca and that's when I turned it off.