Monday, August 29, 2011

1st day of the last year...


It was the first day...of the last year of preschool!
Sophie was so excited...
"Do I have school today?"
has been her question every morning since her sisters returned back to school.  
She loves everything about it.  
As we get there...she stops for a kiss...
and then skips right in.

Her enthusiasm makes it difficult to feel melancholy about it at all.
Because of her November birthday she missed the kindergarten cut off with most of her friends...
but I have her a little bit longer which I think we both need-
her- to learn a bit more before she starts...
me- to see a piece of my heart skip away as she heads into the elementary school classroom.



Saturday, August 27, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

first day of school


top:  Ellie-Bellie      middle: Kate, Ellie & Grace     bottom:  Kate-Kate

Our cute carpool gang!  I love these girls!
Ellie was so excited for school to start---
sometimes she admitted and sometimes she didn't :)
Back to her old stomping grounds---loving every minute of it.
I can't believe she is a 4th GRADER!!!!

My Kate was so nervous...
She is entering 2nd GRADE at a new school for her.
She had been on the waiting list since last year.
She wasn't sure about entering a new school---
without friends she knew and teachers she recognized.
I was nervous for her---
and felt a little guilty for being the cause (insisting on the new school) of this change.

I arrived early to pick them up---and saw them both happily rushing to car!
THEY LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!
The first thing Kate said to me, "Two girls asked me to be their friend!"
I was so relieved and happy for her!
Those two girls made such a difference that day!
Kate has been excited every morning walking into school and each day as she has left.

I hope to be a person that has that kind of positive influence on people around me.
I want to look for those who are new or sitting alone.
Very small acts of kindness and gestures of friendship can make a big difference.

 

Friday, August 19, 2011

lemon lime ice cream


We almost let the summer pass without breaking out the ice cream maker.  
Last night Ellie and I hosted a bookclub gathering at the pool.  
I immediately thought of my friend Lindsay's lemon-lime ice cream!



prep. time:
15 minutes!!!!!!
servings:
24

ingredients:
5 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. lemon juice
1/2 c. lime juice
2 c. heavy cream
2 t. lemon extract
3 qt. of milk
1 pinch lemon zest
(i do a bit more and lime zest too)

preparation:  
mix ingredients together and freeze in an ice cream maker!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

summer is fading


The sun is going down earlier and earlier...
there is a coolness to the air in the mornings and evenings...

I am looking forward to the routine of school---
but moments like this make me wish that summer would last forever.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

happy 80th birthday


It isn't everyday that a person turns 80 years old!
Annie asked me at the beginning of the summer what I thought we should do for dad's special day.
We thought about a large party---but he likes to be at home.
Annie said, "What about his history?  We could have it printed."
It was the perfect idea!
Everyone was on board.
We printed his life-history that my dad had created in a digital/web form.

To mark the occasion---the out of towners (Annie + Mike and family) decided to fly in and surprise him.  We planned a regular Sunday dinner.  All of his kids and their families gathered at the corner of the street and drove up together.  Dede and I walked in with our families (as expected).  Right behind us was cute Braden, Mike's son.  He walked in casually and said, "Hi Papa!"  My dad nearly jumped out of his chair.  The remainder of the "surprise" guests walked in...and his evening was already made!


One of my favorite quotes from the book regarding his childhood:
"Mama was able to get a job at the local sewing room and I think she was paid about 20 to  30 dollars a month.  She had to work long hours and she was always tired and her fingers were sore.  Mildred worked at a new business model called a 'drive-in' restaurant and the money she brought home helped out some.  Harry worked at a bakery at night and made a little money.  Joyce watched the younger kids and did some babysitting.  I stayed busy being incorrigible."

On the back of the book we printed our own "book reviews" of his history.

"A life filled with fun, adventures, loving, caring and sharing.  There's not much he hasn't experienced and it's been my great joy to be a part of 'his wonderful life'...then, now and forever.  I'm so thankful he has written this memoir for our posterity to enjoy all the years to come."
Connie

"Tom Sawyer meets John Wayne but neither hold a candle to the tales of Bobby Gene.  This memoir explains why he knew to be strict as a parent and why his kids know that they are lucky to have him as a dad."
Dede

"This is one of my greatest treasures.  I am so grateful to have in print, the stories I have loved to listen to my whole life.  It's beautifully written from a loving father."
Carin

"Pretty cool reading a life story that culminates with me, his pride and joy.  I consider his life a good start."
Mike (his legacy, buddy & pal, Mikey)

"This is a brilliant story that also serves as a guidebook that life should be lived with adventure, wit, tenacity, optimism, charity, spirited passion and love.  I will read it often and treasure him always."
Annie

Top (left to right): Danny, Carin, Annie, Dad, Cameron, Bill, Connie, Dede, Mike, Reagan, Annie Lee
Bottom (left to right): Chase, Sophie, Ellie, Wesley, Kate, Brade, Grace, Sara


Happy birthday Dad!  
We "LOVE you BIG much!"

Thursday, August 11, 2011

a snapshot


a snapshot of the first moment you met our sweet Kate...
and the last picture we took of you.
i can't believe it has been seven years.
we miss you.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011



I bought them...does that count?
Where has the summer gone!?
The workbooks have been cracked open a few times...
But that apparently wasn't enough---
my girls have forgotten all of their math skills!

Ellie spent one hour on one page....
what will homework be like when school starts!?!?!?


summer road trip


July 22-25
two states
windmill fields
Ashley Forest
starry nights
beautiful bridge
Flaming Gorge Damn
a day at the reservoir

Sunday, August 7, 2011

she loves her


Sophie didn't want to leave Annie's side during this visit.
It might have something to do with the fact that she downloaded Justin Bieber on her phone...
just for Sophie...
and then billed me later ;)

Friday, August 5, 2011

outdoor concert

Our Friday night began at Sharon's computer- searching the classified adds for convertibles :)

Afterward we headed up the canyon to a beautiful wedding reception. I had forgotten what beauty lies up Millcreek Canyon. The evening was so lovely.

We changed clothes in the car and headed down to Provo to meet Sharon, Jason and our girls to the rooftop concert. Danny and I made it as Joshua James began. We really enjoyed the music-- and the atmosphere! A delightful summer evening~





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my Granny

Aunt Vivian, me, Granny, Dede and our mom

She was born on August 5th, 1896 in Louisville, Mississippi.
She would have been 115.
I always think of her when her birthday comes around.
We LOVED visiting her when we were kids---
and felt spoiled by the candies and cookies she shared with us...
even when my dad protested.

I love what my dad wrote of her in his life history-

"When she died she left very few possessions because she never wanted much. The only ambition she ever had was for the well being of her children and their families. She spent her life doing back-breaking work struggling to keep her family intact. When someone understands all the obstacles that she faced during her life it is clear that her battle was an impossible one.  One thing we can be sure of is that she never gave up and would face any challenge. She would not back down from anyone or anything in defense of her children or her beliefs. There are so many things that I could praise her for but it would consume volumes."

Thursday, August 4, 2011

flowers dancing

While talking to my sister on the phone I saw this little shadow out my window ...




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