This guy is about to turn 13 years old.
Richard’s family gathered at our house this weekend for a meal. We decided to serve birthday cake for dessert.
May all your dreams come true!
The familiar back-to-school feeling with its gold-toned memories and crisp air is all around us. I can’t keep my eyes off the mountains above our house. The red maples have been brilliant for a few weeks, but this weekend, the aspen trees erupted into bright yellow color. My autumn heart is satisfied and happy.
Over the weekend we opened up our bed and breakfast to some cousins. Some of our activities included playing with Legos, Styrofoam, cars, planes, remote controlled vehicles, board games, markers, Sparky, Polly Pockets, and Ellos. We played basketball, painted the girls’ nails, gave jeep rides, slid down the banister, watched Scooby Doo, and invited my aunt and her family to join us for dinner. Nine house guests at once made me smile. That’s the total we would accumulate in 2 or 3 years in Arizona.
Another benefit from living in Utah is we can tag along on family gatherings without having to buy a plane ticket or take time off from work. Richard goes to Fish Creek faithfully… probably once a year, but it has always meant that he leaves our family behind.
Well, not this year. The kids and I were able to go this weekend. I have been to Fish Creek a few times before, but Mark and Timothy had never been. It’s pretty much a land of enchantment. Let me tell you what I mean.
Fish Creek is the only place in the universe where we ride in the back of a pickup truck. I told Mark that it’s the only place he will ever be allowed to do this, even after he becomes an adult. Some rules just have to remain eternal or I won’t be able to sleep at night.
Fish Creek is the only place in which we use the pronunciation, “crick”.
Fish Creek (are you saying “crick” in your mind?) is the only place where I loosen up enough to ride a motorcycle.
Fish Creek is a place where you fit 16 people and two dogs in a pickup truck. You eat fried chicken, cheese curds from Beaver, eggs from the Russ and Nancy farm, and licorice in all its varieties.
It’s history, it’s cousins, it’s dirt roads and mining cabins, leaves changing color, big sky and peace. We had a great time.
And here is the outtake of the day:
Here’s a closeup of the best part. I call it “Sparky’s worldview.”
We enjoyed some family time to celebrate Paige’s Sweet 16. Everyone signed a book for Paige and she received many thoughtful gifts. We filled the house with people who love her. Aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, parents, and grandparents were all there to cheer as she reached this milestone.
For entertainment, we gave house tours and the girl cousins tried on Paige’s ballet costumes. The boy cousins played in the moving boxes.
Paige’s license will be delayed a bit because of our move, but at least somebody can drive around in our yard. These are some of Paige’s cousins. Too cute.
Here we sit restfully right by the sea,
Some of us building, digging and finding,
and some of us reading and thinking.
If we could hear these crabs talk, I’m sure they’d be screaming.
(This is not supposed to be a poem, but I couldn’t help myself.)
The bikers are out in great number,
While a wave dashes all their hard work back to sea.
A pirate was seen on the grounds of the temple!
We paused and enjoyed the peace we found there.
The tide pools were teeming with critters and squishies.
The ocean seems to gulp down the sun in just minutes.
We had a great Independence Day.
The sellers accepted the offer we made on their house in Utah. Here is a sneak peak of what it looks like. I’ll post more pictures when it’s really ours.
We went to the annual Troop 54 breakfast and visited with old friends. We went to the parade, Spring Lake, looked at new lambs, ate fried cookie dough and cheesecake, participated in Tank Wars, and watched the fireworks from Fox field with a pile of little kids.
Here are some photos of the kids playing at the frog pond at Spring Lake.
Daniel has a mouse in that container. Mark’s smile is so charming.
My sister’s kids are so cute.
Grandpa and his namesake enjoy some time in the shade. It was hot!
It was such a fun family day. It makes me happy that we will live so close to our people. My kids love their cousins.
The other night Timothy and I weeded my parents’ garden. It awakened all kinds of old memories for me and hopefully created sweet remembrances for him.
We filled two five-gallon buckets with weeds.
The boys helped Grandpa paint the fence. There was no Tom Sawyer trying to sell the idea. They just loved it. Those are my boys.
Summer evening + kids + dogs = bliss
I drove the kids up to Utah this weekend. We arrived in Spring Lake just in time for a party for Sarah.
These are some of the cousins at the playhouse.
And here are some more in the trees.
Mark is happy, but the zombie-werewolf-pirate game required a serious look.
Happy birthday, Aunt Sarah!
Little helpers for the trick candles
Such sweet sentiments for Sarah from the nieces and nephews!
It’s good to be here for July 4th celebrations. I am house hunting. Paige is at BYU for a summer camp. Richard’s new job begins next week!
I’m thankful for the mothers in my life. My mother, who gave me just about everything and my grandmothers who carried faith, traditions, etiquette, and propriety through the generations. I’m glad to have elements of a Victorian woman in my own skill set because it’s kept me out of some trouble.
I’m thankful for the women who have mothered me, even though I was not their own. Some had children of their own to love; others did not. My experience has taught me that they, too are mothers.
I’m not a big fan of Mother’s Day for my own benefit. I don’t want a lot of fuss made about the “sacrifices” of motherhood. Frankly, I’m living the life I always wanted. I don’t need a cake to compensate for my time! I love to being a mother. I always have.
I will be accepting extra hugs and kisses from my children all day today. Happy Mother’s Day!