Time spent together

Over the past couple of summers, since we purchased our four-wheeler Paul and I have gone out on several rides. Enjoying the mountains or the desert and the beauty that God has created for us. This summer has been the exception. Not because the desire hasn't been there, it just seems like every weekend we schedule to go something comes up. We have good friends that we like to go with but sometimes our schedules don't match up. Yesterday Paul and I decided that no matter what we were going to go. We did have to go alone but that isn't so bad. We haven't had alone time very much this whole summer. So to end the summer we got out, enjoyed each other, the beauty, just relaxing, and forgetting about everything that needs to be done. Our ride took us up past Joe's Valley, Grassy, and Jewkes Lake. As we past this pond I couldn't help but remember all the camping trips I enjoyed as a little girl. Riding past where the old family cabins once stood. Dad loved telling us stories of when he was a little boy spending the summer in the mountains logging. At one time there was a saw dust pile so big that it was fun to jump into. All of that has decayed and gone the way of the world. The past is gone from this area. I don't even think we could find one tadpole or baby frog. Of course Paul and I didn't even try. We continued on to the skyline drive. There are a few remaining snow banks on top. Even though they are very small. We dropped down to Pete's Hole and again remember all the fishing trips and the many times that Paul and Lydell tried to be the first ones to break into Pete's Hole. In fact one time one of them broke an universal joint in their truck and we had to walk off the white dugway. This was also my Grandpa Bell's favorite place to fish. The lake is still full which is usual for this time of the year. Several people were out enjoying fishing with their families. We had a great day and Paul even got a very rare picture of the two of us enjoying our lunch on top of the world as Paul liked to say.
Also I would like to send out a huge congratulations to Michael. Yesterday was his big day. He took his three hour exam to receive his MRI Tech certificate. He has been worried about this all summer and Michael didn't need to worry. He passed this test and is officially finished with school. That is until he decides that he needs more stress in his life. We are so proud of him but then like I told him yesterday we are proud of him no matter what.

Toni you asked for it

I have been trying for the past couple of weeks to update this blog. First I thought that I would wait for Ashton's birthday so I could post pictures. Then I spent last week at the hospital with my father. We finally have him home and on the mend. Plus every chance I have had to just sit I have had a book in my face, even while tying a quilt. If you have not read the "Twilight" series I strongly recommend it. As for the title, Toni left me a comment about needing to know whose kids belonged to who. I need to apologize realizing that we haven't seen part of the family for years. So here goes.

Les is living in Ogden and loving it. He has bought him a home and is working at remodeling it and making it his own. He has completed a bedroom and the front yard. His front yard now requires very little water and has native Utah plants. His neighbors didn't like it when he let his front lawn die but they appreciate the beauty that Les has brought in their neighborhood. He is now working on a bedroom in the basement. He is working at Weber State as a Maintenance Electrician. He lives a couple blocks away which has really helped out with his fuel cost. He loves his job. We don't get a chance to see him very often because he is busy but we do take the chance whenever we head north and he meets us in Layton, my new favorite place to shop. He has a new friend, Waldo, an orange kitten that keeps him company.

Nicholas is still working at Wal-mart and has applied to get back into the management program. He figures that this will be best with his children growing up. He is the father of Kyler, Lexie, and Ashton. Kyler is now four and is so excited to begin pre-school. I don't think it is going to be that much different than the day care he has attended at the school where Danielle is teaching sixth grade. Kyler is a big help to us, helping Grandpa every chance he gets, especially outside digging. Lexie is two and is all girl. She is Grandma's pretty princess and will remain that way until other girls come into the family, which I hope will be this next year. She loves to shop, carry a purse with a cell phone in it, and shoes. She loves having her hair pretty and wearing dresses. Ashton is now a year old. He is a big boy and is trying so hard to walk. He would love to keep up with the other two. He can crawl fast though. He is such a joy to us as all of our grandchildren are.



Ashton and Grandpa at his party





Michael, Kassy and Josh live in Bountiful at least for now. They are looking for a new home closer to where Michael is now working. The new IMC hospital in Murray where he is an MRI tech. He loves his new job. Kassy is almost four months pregnant and we will soon be finding out what they are having. For now the baby is called Molly, pending to change. We are so excited about the new baby. Josh is a typical three year old pushing all his mom's buttons. He loves to run and play and be outside. He loves to watch his Dad fly airplanes and everything he has becomes an airplane. He is like a little monkey though. He can wrap his little arms and legs around you so tight that you really have to pry him off which I don't do very often.

Mark and Tara are living in Bountiful also, a few miles away from Mike and Kassy. Mark is working for a landscaping company spraying trees and grass. His job is year round and during the winter months they put up Christmas lights for those rich enough to afford this service and then take them back down. Tara is working at the dentist office and loves her job of looking into people's mouths. She keeps a close eye on the kids mouths in the family. They have been able to do a little bit of traveling this summer and have loved it.

Cyrena, Chris and Bauer live in Rockford, Illinois, which I don't like very much. I guess at least it has given us the opportunity to travel which we wouldn't have done other wise. They have their own carpet cleaning business and are doing very well with it. We are looking forward to a visit from them in October as well as spending time with them in San Diego. Cyrena is also expecting in April, two months away from Kassy. She has really messed up our travel plans. We normally see them in June, on Bauer's birthday. We haven't quite figured out our plans for next spring. Bauer is a normal two year old training his mom for future children. But he is a great little boy and we really miss him. Grandpa and Bauer especially became close a couple of months ago and it was hard telling him good-bye.

As for Paul and I we are just trying to keep up with it all. Years ago I lived in this fairy tale land where I imagined that my life would slow down as the kids all left. That Paul and I would finally have time to do what we wanted, when we wanted. Again that was a fairy tale. My mom warned me that as we get older life gets faster and now I believe her. We have looked forward to going camping and especially going on four-wheeler ride. We have only been able to go camping once and that was to girl's camp and a ride once. Thank goodness for girl's camp because I have to go with my calling and Paul is also there to be such a big help. We both love girl's camp and I don't know what we are going to do if I'm ever released from young women's. I guess Paul will continue to go without me. We are hoping to go on a ride in a couple of weeks, before we have to park the bike for the winter. School has officially started as of today and I have already received days to sub. So I guess that summer is over for me. But I like it this way. I enjoy being around the kids and sometimes I do learn new things. Plus it will help to have to extra money with all the trips that we will be making next year. Some day I'm going to retire from the schools but as one young women told me, it will be when I die. I guess we will see.

Sorry this has been so long but as the title says, "Toni, you asked for it"!