FHE

For those of you who are not aquainted with the term...FHE stands for Family Home Evening. Randy is the ward clerk in the YSA (Young Single Adults) 8th ward at Snow College. About every three weeks we have the opportunity of having a group of students in our home for a short family home evening and dinner. I must admit that FHE usually falls on a Monday that I think I can't possibly squeeze one more thing into, but the Lord must think it's pretty important because everything usually works out. What amazes me is that these kids are away from home and no one is telling them they need to go to church...they CHOOSE to come to church on Sundays and to FHE all by themselves.  It gives me hope in the youth of today and our leaders of tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to Me

Nothing in life gives me more joy than being with my children and grandchildren.  Today is my 57th birthday and the kids got together and planned a birthday celebration at Sizzler in Provo.  We are quite a motley crew when we are all together and we aren't really known for being very quiet.  What a blessing they are to me and I take the time to thank my Heavenly Father each and everyday for allowing them to come into my life.  As I looked around the table it was amazing to see how our little family of 7 has grown into 23.  Amy made my delicious cold stone birthday cake that we all enjoyed and I didn't even get embarassed when they sang Happy Birthday...which I'm sure anyone within a 5 mile radias could have heard.  Thank you Randy, Brandi, TaNeal, Wayne, Holly, Aaron, Amy, Daniel, Jason, Krysten, Ian, Kenzie, Gavin, Wyatt, Logan, Haylee, Dominic, Damon, Taite, Tailar and Jonas for making this the best birthday ever...and thanks Morgan for the sweet text, it meant a lot.



Since Bea was the one who took the family picture above,
 I wanted to make sure she and Jonas were pictured
so I can remember everyone who was there.



Weather in Sanpete

I remember when we first moved down to Spring City, someone told me "if you don't like the weather here in Sanpete, wait just a minute cause it will change!"  After reading Brandi's comment about taking a picture before we left for Provo, I looked out the window and guess what...all the white stuff was gone and all that was left were puddles of water and a lot of mud. I was really excited that the poor little birdie wasn't still on the road...if you know what I mean!  And don't you just love our eco friendly landscaping?!?!?  Randy keeps the weeds down and I don't have to mow the lawn...I guess it works for us.

WHAT THE HECK!!!

I'm not going to lie...I am really looking forward to spring and the warmer weather.  So to say I was a little shocked to see snow this morning when I looked out the window would be a gross understatement!  I want to find that Puxitony Phil and punch the little fibber!  While it was beautiful I hope it melts soon.  Look at the poor little birdie in the tire tracks.  He's wondering where spring is too!

Dominics Baptism Day

Today was a very special day for Dominic.  We gathered at the Picket Lane ward house to watch him be baptized by Daniel and confirmed by his Grandpa Randy.  As a person who has come to realize what Heavenly Father's plan is for his children, I am so excited when they choose to make the choices that will bring them back to Him.  When I gave Dominic a hug and told him how proud I was that he had made this choice, he said as only Dominic could "That's what we have to do...follow Jesus...right?" How true those words are and it doesn't make any difference how old you are.  He had lots of people there to be with him on his big day.  After the baptism and comfirmation we gathered for a nice luncheon with family and friends.  Thank you for making good choices Dominic and for letting us share in your special day. Granny and Grandpa love you!!

Anyone who knows Daniel knows that he NEVER smiles for pictures!
And that's when he will even let you take a picture of him!! 
But if you look close, you will see just a little smile in
each of these pictures :-)

Dinner time for Smokey

For some reason the grandkids love to go with Grandpa in the old brown truck and help feed the horses and cows.  Today it was Haylee and Taites turn.  We piled into the truck and headed for the pasture.  Smokey was the first one to the fence and while Randy was spreading out the big bales, Taite and Haylee were feeding Smokey little pieces over the fence.  Making memories is what this life is all about!

Smokey licked Taite on the head and I'm not sure he
liked it...but the look on his face is priceless!

Carma...

When I was called to be the Relief Society president, I never realized the wide range of responsibilities that come with the calling.  We live in a ward the with a lot of elderly people and Carma is one of them.  But she isn't your normal sweet grandma type of person!  While Carma told me stories of the men she loved in her life, she never married and has lived life alone...without the love of children and grandchildren. She could be very demanding and kinda awnry at times, but I really think that the Lord brought her into my life for a reason.  I think she caused me to learn a new level of patience, tolerance and caring for the elderly.  I got a call from Carma early yesterday morning. She was in Sanpete Valley Hospital and they were taking her to a care center in Ephraim.  Since she didn't have anyone who could take her down there, she was wondering if I would.  I arrived early and our first stop was to her home to pick up a few things she would need.  As she walked into her yard, she headed for her peach tree.  Even knowing that she will most likely never see her home or her tree again in this life, she took the time to try and re-wrap her tree to keep the branch lifted.  The whole experience was very humbling to say the least! Then as we drove away, she looked back at her home and asked Heavenly Father to bless it...I can only hope that my karma in life has been changed because of the things I was able to do for Carma.

Our Lady Hawks

Now that cheerleading is over, Kenzie is keeping herself busy by playing on the North Sanpete girls softball team.  She gets to play on the freshman and JV team.  She doesn't have a set spot yet...she has played 1st and 3rd base, outfield and short stop.  She is quite the athlete.  She also earned her Varsity Letter for cheerleading.  If I sound like a proud granny...I am!!  When she got her uniform for softball she came running in and told TaNeal "Look...I'm number 28!" TaNeal asked her what famous player wears number 28 and Kenzie replied "ME!"  Now that's my Lou!!

Birthday Dinner at Applebee's

It's hard to believe that Dominic turned 8 on March 20th.  It seems like only yesterday Amy and Daniel brought him home from the hospital!  After I left Brandi's I headed west to Stansbury Park to spend some time with Dommers for his birthday.  He really wanted to go to Taco Time for dinner, but we talked him into Applebee's.  I'm sure that Taco Time would have been a lot faster.  We waited FOREVER!!!  They did bring the kids some dessert because they had to wait so long.  Dominic looks like he really enjoyed his!!  I can't wait until next weekend when he will be getting baptized...but then that's another blog story :-)

The Granny Nanny

I'm always excited when I get a call to come spend time with my grandkids! Brandi asked me if I would come watch the boys while she and Morgan headed for Wendover to celebrate their anniversary. We had so much fun! The evening started with dinner at Sizzler after we picked Ian up after track practice.  Then it was several games of Uno, watch a few Erasure videos on You-Tube, bath time, story time, a few more games of Uno and then off to bed.  When we woke up I told Damon to come and give me a hug. I was talking to him and all of a sudden he started waving his hand in front of his face and then he says "That's some breath you've got there Granny!"  OH MY HECK...I just about fell out of the bed laughing!!  I even got up earlier and fixed Ian belgian waffles before he went to school...I think he was impressed I would drag this old body out of bed @ 6 am.  After waffles for Damon and Jonas, we got dressed and headed out for a little adventure.  Then after hugs good-bye and a Lusty send off, I was on the road again. I did get a text from Brandi telling me the boys were crying and missed me...then I shed a few tears myself...Another good memory to blog about.

Dinner at Sizzler

These two are killer at playing Uno...they did let me win a couple of games

After listening to Erasure on You-tube, we decided to pay a visit to F.Y.E. and get a CD so we could listen to Always and Sometimes while we were driving.  Unfortunately, they weren't on the same CD.

The next stop was Glaus french bakery.  My friend loves their little pettifores so I went there to pick some up for her birthday. Damon and Jonas got a cookie for after lunch and a taste of a boston creme cake they were giving away as samples...YUMMY!

Our last stop was Ikea for some swedish meatballs for lunch...and a little trip around the store to pick up some Bilar!

It's a Boy!!

There is just something about spring and seeing new life all around us. Randy came home from checking the cows on Saturday and was so excited to announce the birth of our first baby calf of the year...no name, weight or height to announce :-).  We have 14 more that will be calfing in the next week or two.  I can't wait for the grandkids to see the newest addition to our family. 

Welcome Home Elder Riley

Sunday took us to Stansbury Park for the homecoming of my nephew Tyrell.  He just returned from his mission in San Antonia, Texas.  It was awesome listening to his report of just some of the families he had a chance to meet while he was there.  His faith was tested many times in the mission field, especially with all the health problems he endured.  And what a powerful testimony he bore of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the miracles that can happen because of it.  Welcome home Elder Riley! 

After Sacrament meeting we headed over to Amy's house for a little dinner before heading back home.  It was great getting to visit with her and her little family.  Grandma Rydalch and her friend Barbara and Grandpa Rydalch also joined us.  Then we loaded into TaNeals van and headed for home.

Going For Gold

Yesterday, Wayne and Wyatt traveled to Salt Lake so Wyatt could participate in the Utah Junior Olympics for archery.  This competition is so classy that they have to wear slacks to participate.  Not knowing the dress code, a quick trip to Shopko took care of the dress code violation and the competition began.  Our super shooter Wyatt took 1st place!  This year has been kind of a whirlwind for Wyatt and his love for archery.  As young as he is I'm not sure he can really comprehend everything he has accomplished.  Hard work and determination will take him far in this life.  Keep up the good work Wyatt...there isn't anything you can't do when you put your mind to it!!

Hangin' with Grandpa and Granny

You just have to love spring down on the farm. When the snow finally melts, it's time to bring out the tractor and the blade and grate the road to get rid of all the ruts that were caused by driving on all these dirt roads...something people living in the city don't have to deal with.  Haylee was orphaned for the day, so we invited her to come and spend the day with us.  Grandpa put her up on the tractor and away they went.  We also took her to lunch at Subway and made some St. Patricks sugar cookies.  But what she is most excited about it that she got to be in a family blog done just for her :-).  Thanks for spending the day with us "old" people Haylee bug.

Grandpa's Helpers

Gavin and Logan came to visit us Wednesday night while Aaron drove to Salt Lake to pick Holly up at the airport.  While I was busy making dinner, they went to help grandpa feed the cows and horses.  I sure like it when I get a day off for good behavior...or when the grandkids come to help...which ever comes first!

Lunch with my girls

There are some things in life that should never have to come to an end...being with friends is one of them.  It became a tradition that I would take the girls out for lunch on the Monday closest to their birthday and even though we aren't together as a presidency any more, we are still good friends.  It was Camilles birthday on March 1st so we gathered at Cavalier Pizza and enjoyed good food and good company.

National Cheer Champions

Kenzie and her North Sanpete cheer squad got to travel to Universal City in California to compete in the national cheer competition...which opened the door to a lot of firsts for my Kenzie Lou...first time on an airplane and first visit to Universal Studios.  Their squad took 2nd in their dance routine and 1st in their cheer!!  TaNeal was even able to make the trip with her.  Nothing like a little mother-daughter time together.  Congrats my little hula lula!  I'm not going  to lie...I am really jealous I didn't get to tag along!!

That's some interesting makeup on those beautiful eyes!

Call  me proud, but I still think my granddaughter is the cutest girl on the squad!

It was TaNeals first airplane ride too! One of the girls on the squad told her it was the worst airplane ride she had ever been on...it's a good thing she and Kenzie didn't know any better!

Can you even imagine taking a group of teenage girls to Universal Studios and living to tell about it!  Miracles do still happen!!!

Kenzie got to visit the cockpit and meet the pilots while they were waiting to leave on the connecting flight from Las Vegas to Salt Lake.  They even let her pass out the peanuts to the passengers on the way home...FUN! FUN! FUN!!!!!

Hot Time in the Big City

Once a year Randy has to go to Salt Lake for a week and do some re-certification for work and so I get to tag along.  While he is straining his brain, I get to have fun with our kids and grandkids!  It's a tough job but somebody has to do it :-)  We didn't get to spend time with Jason and Krysten this time...Jason was headed south to Mesquite to do a little golfing, but we had a good time with Amy, Brandi and Holly's families.  Monday night Amy and Daniel had us out for some yummy swedish meatballs, Tuesday night we went to dinner with Bea and the boys, Wednesday we met Holly, Aaron, Gavin and Logan at Zupa's and Thursday Brandi and Morgan invited us for a delicious potato leek soup. Then there is the time the kids get to spend in the hotel swimming pool.  While Amy and Brandi were both there and were both in their swimming suits, to stay on friendly terms with my sweet daughters, you won't find any photo's of them...especially since I wouldn't want to find pictures of me in a swimming suit on their blog!  SCAREY!!!!!!!  Holly even came and spent the night in our mini apartment so I could take her to the airport Thursday morning...she was headed for New York...again.

 Ian looks like a young man...oh, wait a minute...he is a young man!!

Our sweet Jonas looks like a little angel!  He spent all of his time in the hot tub.

 I think Tailar really loves her big brother!

The four amigos!  Jonas came out of the hot tub just long enough for me to shoot this picture.