It was fun having Cheryl and the girls out to visit, do fun things together, and be a part of Alex's mission activities. Then I traveled out with them to Kenosha to spend a few days. I will be flying back home the day after she starts school...the 5th. I haven't bought a new camera yet so to see pictures of the trip, etc. check out Cheryl's blog.

Bard country - July 18, 2012

This week Dad (Jim) and I are enjoying some Shakespeare at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City with Grandma.

Monday evening I went to the outdoor play "The Merry Wives of Windsor". It was so funny and one actor really stole the show plus a guy who played the part of Falstaff. During intermission a young girl from our ward saw me (I didn't see her) and came over to visit. She is an awesome young lady...reminds me a lot of McKenna...such a darling personality and a strong testimony of the gospel. It was so fun to see her...she is here on a Governor's Award activity and is seriously thinking of going to SUU. After she left to go back to her seat there was a raucous up above me in the balcony and everyone was looking back to see this guy and girl hugging and kissing. Then a guy with them yelled down that the guy had just asked the girl to marry him and she said Yes! Then they got applause from the audience!

Yesterday Dad and I went to the indoor theatre to see "Scapin" (pronounced Scapan)...and we about rolled off our seats the whole time with laughter. It was a play written by a man who lived around the time of Shakespeare.

This afternoon we will go see a play in the indoor..."To Kill A Mockingbird".Tonight I will go to the outdoor theatre to see Shakespeare's "Mary Stuart"(Mary, Queen of Scotts). Thursday we head home.

I still have not been able to get my blog to work on my desktop so Cheryl suggested I try my laptop and it works...I just don't have pictures to put with my post. Sorry!

I AM BACK!

Hi everybody!! Cheryl helped me get my blogspot up and running!...So I am back! The problem was that blogspot had a new format and I thought something was wrong with my computer or rather my blog. But she figured it out and set me up a new background. Thanks, Karen, for your help that you sent. I still couldn't figure it out...so I think it helps having "a helper" that can SEE what's going on and figure out the situation.

I am having a great time at Cheryl's! The first several days we did a Harry Potter marathon. We finished the last movie before Abi got home from school on Friday. Cheryl had Hogwarts classes and treats such as Butter Beer, etc. to go with the movies. Yesterday (Saturday) we had a Barnes and Noble day. We went to the store and bought each other a book (Cheryl, Abi, and me), had a pastry at the store (I have always wanted to do that!), and then came home to a little book party here. I brought my camera with me but Cheryl has taken all the pictures so she will post them on her blog when she gets a chance. Suffice it to say...I AM HAVING ALOT OF FUN! In a few days we will be leaving for Mackinaw Island. See you all later when I have more to post.

Hope of America

The Hope of America program was performed on Tuesday evening, the 17th in the Marriott Center at BYU. We were invited by Stephanie and Courtney (and McKenna and Dan) to meet them to see the program and because Courtney wanted to sing a special song to her Grandpa for his military service. That meant so much to him! Stephanie's photos are so much better than mine! I only took a few as I just felt like my camera was doing a not so good job of taking photos. But I thought I would share 2 of them just for fun! Above are the "Green Guys" playing their drums. They were really good ands it was fun watching and listening to them.

Above the flag is made up of students...I don't know how many but alot! Courtney was in the middle section in the top yellow area just off the aisle on the right side as you look at the picture. She had a white flower band in her hair so it made it easy to see her. The program was so good and we were so glad we got to go. I love our country! And I love Courtney! Thanks for inviting us!

The King Easter Party and Egg Hunt...April 7, 2012

Enjoy some pictures from our King Family Easter Party and Egg Hunt! We started out with lunch on the Floyd deck. Then the Easter Bunny hid the eggs and then the hunt began! It was alot of fun and the kids got their fill of eggs with treats and surprises...enough to fill their baskets/bags...whatever they were using to collect the bounty.

Part of the Easter "feel" was having real live bunnies as part of the day! Courtney has some very cute little friends. McKenna is cuddling one of the lucky ones.

Here is a close-up of cute little bunny teeth!

Dan catching som rays! It was such a nice day. cool enough to wear a hoodie but warm enough with the sun out to get a sunburn.

The kids checking out their "loot". Courtney is siting at the table and was color-coordinating her eggs or organizing the candy or something like that. It was adorable!

Easter Party...April 7, 2012

Navy Blue and Gold Over the St. George Skies

This weekend (Saturday, March 17) we decided to go down to St. George with Greg, Angie, and the boys to see "Thunder Over Utah" air show. The featured guest was the Navy Blue Angels presision flying team. This was their first time to perform in Utah! We hadn't seen them in many years and thought a little Navy would be fun! And it was. We had so much fun with Gerger Meister Meister Berger and the family!! Above...a little photo shoot of Logan and Austin in front of Blue Angel #7. Logan was thrilled to see Navy stuff!

Me and my cuties! I had a really good day and felt so full of energy. I was grateful.

The Blue Angels #1-6...the flying team ready and waiting to perform. I was so excited to watch them.

Before the show we walked around to look at a few different planes on display. Here's Austin and Logan standing in front of a Russian Mig.

The first performance was done by an Air Force jet. I can't remember what kind of fighter it was but it is a new one. The pilot did a fantastic show!

This is a Marine Osprey. It is a helicopter and plane in one. Right now it is hovering with the propellars upright like a 'copter. When it is ready to fly faster the wings go down to the sides. Pretty cool!

This was a small plane and the pilot did stunts that were amazing! He has won First Place two years in a row in the U.S. for his show and abilities!

Logan in Navy dress modeling the sweatshirt we gave him for his birthday purchased from the Navy Exchange at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago (Waukegan). He looks pretty chipper!

The Blue Angels (#'s 1-4) heading for the ceiling! Awesome!

The Navy's Blue Angels! What a fun show and a great time except that the weather turned for the worse midway in to their show. As you can see it is very cloudy and a dirt storm got stirred up with the heavy winds. I am glad they were able to perform safely. I am really glad we went!

A Visit from Chery, Abi, and Maddy...February 2012

It was so fun to have Cheryl , Doug, and the girls come out to visit! Even though we couldn't do alot we still did some fun things and so here are a few pictures of their visit to Santaquin.

A early birthday for Cheryl...just had to celebrate while she was here...even with a burning candle in her Blizzard!

Cheryl and her gifts from Pa and I...a movie we like and a card for more books for the bookworm!

Abi loved playing in the snow! So glad they brought her snow clothes with them....brrrr.

Abi and I at the piano. We made a lot of noise but had so much fun! Another budding pianst?

I think you all agree that Maddy is the little apple of our eyes?! What fun to watch her at work!

Saying goodbye is always hard to do...but it has been so much fun for our family to enjoy time with them. Au revoir....

Coming Home - February 2, 2012

What a couple of weeks this has been! I am so grateful for my many blessings...my life and my family and love and prayer and coming home! And this is what greeted me! Courtney wanted Stephanie to get balloons and to put up a sign on the garage door that she had made. What a beautiful and fun welcome home. I had several neighbors tell me that they thought that was such a nice touch for me...and that they then knew I was home! Thank you for your adorable sign, Courtney! I had Grandpa take it down the next day and put it in the family room so I could see it all the time!

Some of the flowers I had in the hospital. The first one was from Brent, Karen, and family. The next from Dan, Stephanie, and family. The next one was from a dear friend of mine in the ward. And the next one was from the Relief Society President and friend.

The brown chest was from a friend of mine (Karen Blauer...who made quick friends with Stephanie in the hospital!) and the little bear was from Uncle Paul and Aunt Phyllis and the box of candy was from my friend and former counselor of mine,

I had Dad bring in the balloons, too, so I could enjoy them! They are pretty much defalted by now but are still in the kitchen until after Valentines!

Sorry I posted this before I realized I hadn't turned the photo! The tall orchid is from a dear friend in the ward whose husband passed away from cancer in November. I was so touched that she would remember me. The bouquet with the bear and candy is from aunt Celia and Tricia.

These are some of the cards I received. I soon had so many I had to tape them on the pantry door and it is filled!

These are adorable items I received in a package from Doug, Cheryl, and the girls. The two girls (for our anniversary) are Abi giving a big hug and Maddy giving a small jug! The rest are cards they all made and items for a care package while I was in the hospital. But it got detained in the mail (Abi said it was because of a snowstorm) and I didn't get it till Friday. But what fun I have had with it and the items like shampoo, etc. have come in very handy!

Thanks to each of you for your love and prayers and all that you did for me! (And dad!) Words cannot express all I feel in my heart and how much I love each of you!

Whoops!

I thought I would experiment with my blog. In times past I would move the pictures up as the distance got further between each picture and write-up. But I got to thinking that maybe the blog automatically moves everything up as it publishes. But nope! I found that out as I viewed my blog and the picture got further and further apart! Sorry about that! :-)

It's Christmas Day!

It's Christmas Eve! Outside and in!

The village in the Guest room window seat.

...The Master bedroom...

...The dining room...

...The Foyer and "Grand" staircase...

...The Living room...

...The Family room...

...The back deck...

...The Playroom...

...The Study...

...The downstairs Family room...

On Christmas Eve we enjoy dinner and the George C. Scott "A Christmas Carol".

It's Christmas Day! After Church we opened our gifts. Dad with his gifts from Santa!

Me and my gifts from Santa!

Our gifts from neighbors and friends.

Our gifts from extended family.

Just had to show you the ornament Maureen made for me! I love her ornaments and have a tree specially for them! There are two others (of the many) she has made on the left and the right.

Gifts from our family...the DVD from Brent's family, the gift from Stephanie's family (a trip on May 12th with them to go see Brian Reagan's show at Touchan!), Jenny Phillip's CD and DVD that McKenna is featured in, and the 12 Days Of Christmas from Cheryl's family! Thank you all!

Cheryl and Abi put together the 12 Days of Christmas and it was so much fun! We started on the 14th and ended on Christmas Day. (Cheryl created the darling instructions!)

(1st Step)

Day 1: A partridge in a pear tree should have been a cinch, but they were both stolen by the famous Mr. Grinch. So, to keep this Christmas merry let's all make a deal...whenever you feel "grinchy" just take a Grinch Pill! (Green tic tacs)
Day 2: We had 2 Turtle Doves. They were ready to ship. Then Santa Claus came to Kenosha on a trip. He wanted to buy them. So, we made a trade. We gave him the birds. We're sending you the $2.00 he paid. (2 Dollar candy bars that we ate on the 15th!)

Day 3: A Hen lays eggs that can be fried so it's an honest mistake that we MADE...You can use this to buy some "french fries" that will be yummier than any eggs those hens could have laid! (McDonalds gift certificate)

Day 4:The Calling Birds run up quite a large bill. We weren't sure how that would make you feel. some say the art of "snail mail" is dead. But we're hoping you won't mind some "letters" instead. (The DVD "Letter To Juliet")

(2nd Step)

Day 5: We really wish we could have bought those 5 Golden Rings but they wee too pricey so we're sending some Snowman things! ("Snowman breath: Gum with snowman faces drawn on the plastic covering of each piece and "Snowman Poop" - Abi got a kick out of that one - white tic tacs)

Day 6: We found the 6 Geese laying down to sleep...they were listening to this music and it's now yours to keep! ("Shepherd Of My Soul" CD)

Day 7: We went to pick up the swans at the lake on Stephen's Lane, but instead we brought home the hot cocoa that tasted like Candy Cane! (2 packets of Stephen's Candy Cane Cocoa)

Day 8: We knew that the maids milk just wouldn't last, no matter the shipping: no matter how fast. So we had them make it into some "milk" chocolate bars. these would stay fresh no matter how far! (2 Hershey's milk chocolate bars)

3rd Step:

Day 9: The 9 Ladies Dancing put on quite a show. Their feet were so tired, so wouldn't you know...we're sending some socks for soothing your feet. They are comfy and cozy and all wrapped up neat. (a pair of red fluffy socks)

Day 10: We watched the Lords Leaping, they were leaping so high. It was kind of annoying - I'm not going to lie. So we thought you might rather have something that jumps but then stops...something that is yummy to eat after it pops! (2 bags of Homestyle popcorn)

Day 11: There is something about "pipers" that reminds us of the military - the ceremonies sometimes have pipes the bagpipers carry. So we thought thisgift would be a great "win"...you can decorate your favorite tie with this Navy pin! (A Navy tie tack that Dad loves!)

Day 12: The 12 Drummers were so fun to watch banging on their drums, but we thought you might like a drummer that's less loud and MORE yum! (A can of cashews)

Thanks to the Van Wagenen's! This was so much fun!