Had to share this one

What a doll!! Love this boy. Laura, wisely, has been keeping Jack from his nap so he will go to bed easier. That makes between 3-6 very dangerous, we called it the bewitching hours. No Nap Zone! My favorite gramma trick was to take him out back to water the plants. He'd skinny down ago his diaper and have a great time.

My summer party is ending

Catching up---
Stephanie married Spencer, and oddly enough we don't see them much anymore. Kim moved back to Provo, so we only see her and Aaron on the weekends. Laura went back home, Joseph enrolled in a few institute classes, (which is so good!!) and Jacob is now in school. It's really different around here. It's good and sad too. It was so great to have a houseful for a little bit. I love love love my family and am so thankful that David still is home!!

ToyStory 3

Laura put the movie on for Jack and both big boys came in to join us. I was sewing but it warmed my heart to have them with me.

Laura and her littles had to go home

Sorry about the blur- action shot

First day of school

But I didn't take the picture till the third day. Poor last child. Can you tell he's a drama guy? Sorry. It should be "theater" guy.

We have peaches!

This was just the first gleaning.

My at-this-moment picture to Aubrey

Today - another great day

A few days ago we were told that a dear member of the cedar hollow ward had passed away. David and each of the boys had home taught them the whole time they were in the ward. Brother Fred Pola is a kind quiet wonderful gentleman and blessed our family in such a loving way. As things went the family was in need of two eagle scouts to stand with the military 21 gun salute. Sister Pola asked if Jacob could help, and when I offered Joseph's serve as well she was very happy and relieved to have the two scouts she needed. Joseph and Jacob were flag bearers of the US and the Utah state flags. They looked so great and did a great respectful job. It was such a great funeral. It was full of love and tears. Neither of my sons had been to a funeral before. We hoped it wouldn't be too different for them. They both had such a great experience and felt a great reverent sacred spirit. I'm so thankful for this great service to my boys that Fred Pola gave to us. He is certainly a hero to us.

An amazing experience

Last spring I heard about a woman's retreat that was going to be near my house. It was going to be held at the end of July which seemed so far away. I have been out I my groove for awhile and I hoped this might help me out. So I went and it was great.
I wasn't there 30 minutes before two ladies in my group told me they had been in abusive marriages. I heard women speak of their addictions, as well as the plague of porn and the wake it leaves. "my problems we quickly put into perspective. One night we had a fireside with Kenneth Cope. He sang the whole time and I was close (with in a few yards) so I could watch his hands while he played the guitar. It was great in so many ways. There was such beautiful spirit there. Went I got in my car to leave the news was on the radio, I felt the world come back into my life. It wasn't good.
After months of being a little lost, somewhat apathetic, I came away from this retreat with motivation and focus and a determination to be happy-- really happy. I've made goals having to do with my attitude and my relationship to my Father in heaven. My heart has been softened-- humbled, all in a positive loving way. It's hard to describe. I'm so thankful I went, and though they might say some of the same things next year- id sure like to go again. The last day was salon day and this picture is a few of us when we got back to the retreat.

4th of July

Seeing if this works. This is the interesting place we stayed on vacation

This summer is going along so wonderfully!

I know you are dying to know what's been going on with this group. We've been pretty busy and mostly really happy with all we've been up to since our vacation. Here's a few or a lot of pictures so you can be caught up quickly. Btw, the facial hair is not mother approved, but I pick my battles.

Girls camp

We got home from vacation on a Monday, and the next day was girls camp. Things were such that I was only up for the afternoons and part of the evenings. We have such!!! Great!!! Young women!!! Another sweet slice of summer.

Kimmie left for Vermont

Kim auditioned and made it into a ballet school for the summer. It's in Vermont. It's only for 6 weeks, but it seems like a long time.

Ya-- another snake

I can't believe my best little kitty friend is so vicious

A picture to keep forever

One evening while Steve was in China and Laura was putting the baby down, Jack came out while Dave and I were working on the yard. This little guy does like to skinny off his clothes and on a hot June night this grandma saw nothing wrong with that idea. He found a pair of garden gloves and put them on his feet. I wanted to snap a picture so I told him to smile- so he did. This picture makes me so happy!

Mystery pictures on my phone

Who took these? That's not my left leg.
Clue #1

Mystery photographer

Clue #2

Photographer mystery

Clue #3

V T ing via libby

I fulfilled my June visit teaching by picking up one of my lady's dog from the groomer. How cool is that?

A proposal

Our niece Stephanie has been staying with us while she has a job, and a b-o-y-f-r-i-e-n-d in Utah county. Sooo! We got to be a tiny bit in the know for the official proposal. It was sooo cool!! Spencer will be a great addition to the big family

Popsicles with the grands

Jacks 3rd birthday

Laura made this great birthday cake for a jack birthday celebration. She is so creative abs talented. Steve set up a life size angry bird game too. Those pictures are on the fancy camera...

A fire near us

Fires have been crazy this summer. Earlier in June there was a fire across the valley from us, but right before the 4th we had one by us. It was really fast and people up in Alpine had to evacuate. Everything turned out ok- (after many prayers) (infact at stadium of fire, the prayer offered there was humble and submissive and very much pleading for help-- the next few days it rained and helped the fire situation. AWESOME!!!)

The news

The USS Iowa

The ship my dad was on during WW2 has recently been docked near my sisters home in California- near Long Beach. Not much had been interesting to my dad but when he heard about the ship he was really impressed. The family all tried to get down to orange county for a special day on the ship for the veterans. It was to be on July 4. All my sibs, except Krista and I made it down. We had thought there was no way for Dad with his limited mobility to get on the ship but it turned out that he did! He was also interviewed for the news. Mom said she was sure being there brought things back to my Dads mind that were pretty powerful. I was so glad he got to go.

Stadium of Fire

Jacob worked behind the scenes at stadium of fire at BYU. He gave us two tickets so we celebrated part of our fourth there. It was great.

They had to leave

Laura and the kids had to leave :(. Steve, bless his heart, took off earlier that day in the car. We know they had to get back to real life but it was awesome having them here.

Memories of jack linger

Kim dances in Vermont

Each Saturday night Kims show is streamed over the Internet. Aaron has come over twice which is so nice of him, and we watch Kimmie together.

The engaged couple

Rio with the boys

A few years ago I made a deal with the boys. If they happen to mess up during part of the sacrament at church they needed to know it was not the end of the world, so I told them we'd go to cafe rio if it ever happened just to soften the experience. We never go on Sunday FYI. Anyway we got to get a rio therapy in July. Rios strawberry lemonade is the bomb

Jacob wanted to try blond

Garden goodies

We have too much shade over the garden yet we are getting some stuff to grow. The raspberries didn't make it in to the house, but their presents are all over my hand ;)

The painting

Here's the picture of the drawing or painting I thought about while in Nauvoo

Saturday in Adam ondi ahmen

We spent the night in Jamesport. It's a great little Amish town. The place we stayed was so great-- we felt very welcome and taken care of. The owners visited with us a bit and told us they could tell we were LDS and that everyone of the locals would know too. Indeed when we went to get a little dinner we felt like we were being watched.
Saturday was spent getting to independence where we will head home from on Monday. We went by Adam ondi ahmen and walked around a little. It seems at each place we stop David and or I have a chance to share feelings and testimony of the sacredness of where we are. It certainly was a sacred spot in Adam ondi ahmen. It is very peaceful and big and safe. Later we went to the Far West temple site, then to two old pioneer cemeterys. The kids were so good and patient with the whole cemetery visits. I know it's not their favorite thing to do.

*whining up ahead. Warning*

We ended up in a "bed and breakfast" that is really odd and interesting. The kids make it really fun laughing at all the oddness. I am thankful for the bed and hot shower and don't mean to complain, but it's a old house or mansion that is creaky and musty. I couldn't sleep well cause I was so freaked out about the mustiness and wondering if all the pictures came alive in the middle of the night. This place is full of stuff and I'm feeling crowded because of it. The owner had some music on when we got here which was chimy type music. Kim said the boys were kinda creeped out with the whole thing. I just must stop. I can't explain it all but I'm kinda bummed we are staying here again tonight.

The view

Friday David and I got up early to walk the trail of hope in historic Nauvoo. It is the path the saints took as they left Nauvoo for the last time. All along the path there are posts with the words of some that left. It was a very sweet experience with my great husband. We had a chance or go to the lands office and get information on some ancestors that lived in or around Nauvoo.
We went to the Gun makers house and shop. In the back yard, the view was familiar. David pointed out to me that we have a picture in our home by Lyndi Mott of the same vantage point. She painted it as it may have been the fall before the saints had to leave. I'll post a picture of that picture when I get home and we can see how close we were in our guess.
In the picture the small white fenced area was where a small baby's grave was discovered when they were excavating the land. That is where the little girl still is buried.
I've been blessed to be in Nauvoo a few times, and I will always love it. It is beautiful. It is full of history of love, joy, sorrow, and miracles. It's The City of Joseph.

Thursday in Carthage

We started the day going down to Carthage. The presentation has changed from the last time we were there. It's a bit less intense than before. All but Kaylee and Jack went through the tour. Later Kim Joseph David and I went to the nauvoo temple. It was miraculous and wonderful to be there.

Wednesday in Nauvoo

I love it here so much and could spend much more time here. We got to see a few of the sites when we got here. We ended the evening at the senior missionary performance. Its so great to be here

Hannibal

We had lots of fun today looking in caves and trying out the zip line. Later we traveled to hannibal where we are spending the night. We are making good memories and seeing this part of our great country. The Mississippi river is right behind us.

The top of Saint Louis

We began our family vacation this week. Thankfully Laura and Steve and company could join us. Our first stop was the Gateway Arch. The day was kind of cloudy and a Monday and the crowds were sparse. We got up to the top in a little willy wonka type elevator train pod. It started to mess up my crystals (meaning it made me dizzy) until I just closed my eyes to the whole thing. Joseph tried to trick me into opening them. Speaking of which he did not even flinch or stress about the airplane ride, nor the freaky tiny tight elevator, nor being up 630 feet in the air. All issues that have been too much in the passed. Major score!
This picture is at the base of the arch. You can see the south end of the arch just over Joseph's head. Notice jacks awesome smile it's our favorite.
More to come

The final look

The dress

We finished the dress really last night, but had to make a few stitches to gather the sides up at the last minute. Kaylee was not thrilled with the whole primping. Kimmie made her a little pearl bracelet to finish off the look.

A new sister

My brother got married yesterday. He found his true princess. I am so happy for them and for me.

What the sisters did on sister day

Some of the brother in laws pitched in too.

What I did on sisters day

I figure it was kind of lazy, but I also figure I won't always be able to hold his hand.

One person FHE

While David and Jacob were at Timberline all last week, I found myself alone for FHE. What's a woman to do? I went to a nearby place and got a great pedicure. They have a great sugar scrub and then use warm lotion. It was awesome.

The dress so far

Here's the second sample dress I sent to Laura. She added the sleeves and the ribbon. The real sewing on the real fabric starts tomorrow. Could be interesting 8)

Guest appearance in the year book

I had lunch with the pope youngers I think it was in the fall. It was so fun and the oatmeal cookies were amazing. AND it got documented in the school yearbook

A very very good night

Tonight has been one of the very best nights for awhile. We were able to spend some time with an Elder that has been serving in the same mission Joseph was called to. He is home for some medical treatments. Though he has only been a missionary for 4 months, this Elder is wonderful and powerful and humble and very much an angel in earth. He is still a set apart full time missionary and came over with a great spirit to strengthen and comfort and bring hope to us all. It was an amazing night Words can not describe all that was communicated. Joseph is making progress and still wants to serve in Florida, and this night was certainly a high dose of ....? Happiness? Motivation? Hope?
I am so thankful.
Elder Dumas now has an extra aunt or something to send him stuff when he gets back out to Florida ;)
I'm so thankful

Kim and Aaron to the rescue.

It's Friday- my steady date is off being an awesome father. Instead of being all alone ( Jacobs with David, Joseph is at work) Kim and her bud Aaron took compassion on me and made me dinner!! Chicken curry on rice. Frozen yogurt at nearby orange leaf for dessert. They are too good to me!

The challenge

I'm going to attempt to sew THE blessing gown for little Kaylee. I will attempt something based off the pattern pictured on the baby--- with a few custom requests. I'll keep ya posted.