Where in the world is...

....Evan Kyle Wells. I'll tell you where he'll be on his birthday which happens to be on July 31, which is Saturday.

He'll be in LegoLand (check it out) celebrating in fine fashion (I think that's true but I've never been to LegoLand so I'm not sure what to expect but I will for sure be singing "Happy Birthday To You"....to him and hopefully eating cake. Yum...maybe a lego cake or something. I'll keep you posted.)

Evan's a cute kid and a bit of a tease at times. He was named after my dad and I imagine my dad at age 4 when I look at Evan. He's always got a big hug for me and is a big softy but he can really be a tease as well. I'm excited to spend the next 5 days with this kid and his family on vacation in SoCal. An early Happy 4th Birthday to Evan. I'll let you know how he celebrated when we get back. See ya....(wouldn't wanna be ya!) I'm glad I get to be one of Evan's grandmas.

From a hundred twelve today....

...probably in the shade in St. George, to 75 on my porch in the mountains!!!!

Yep, another beee...u....teee....ful day in Pine Valley, Utah and I was there to enjoy the clouds roll in to deliver a fresh breeze through my open windows and yes, we all need to be up there instead of here in this heat. I'm showing off a few improvements to the inside that I've made lately. I posted a pic of the outside sprucing up but here is my new floor. How d'ya like it?

...and I inherited Kyle and JoEllen's entertainment center. I like it a lot.

I beckoned Kyle to fix the sprinklers before I had guests for the week end and I headed down to the Gardner's to get a part that he needed and Justin and his family were riding horses, so guess what....

....we took the kids to ride horses too (he invited us of course). It was just really fun and kind of Justin to offer. I found myself asking the question...."so why are we going on vacation?" We have some awesome fun right here in our own back yard. When I get back from SoCal, I'm heading up to sit on the porch. Anyone want to join me?

I really don't know clouds at all...

.....but I know that I like them and especially today; I've been totally captivated by them driving home from Powell today. Joni Mitchell says it best in her song "Both Sides Now" ....... (click HERE for complete lyrics or to listen to the song or get a ringtone. Great song).

I've looked at clouds from both sides now....

From up and down....and still somehow

It's cloud illusions I recall....

I really don't know clouds at all.

I've looked at life from both sides now...

...from WIN and LOSE and still somehow...

It's life's illusions I recall....

I really don't know life at all..... but I do know that life is good and it's all about family and I've had a great time today at Lake Powell with some of my family.

Thanks, Mason. I saw a bumper sticker on a boat today: "MY BOAT DOESN'T RUN ON THANKS".....I'll get you some gas money real soon. I had a great time!!!!!

You know it's been a good family reunion....

.....when it's really, really late and you just don't want to "hang it up". That's just what I felt last night as we had to drag ourselves away from the final craziness that took place in Pine Valley yesterday. Mark and Marian Wells host our George Wells Family Reunion each July 24th and they have just the right place to host this as there is so much for everyone to do. When I saw the movie "Dan in Real Life", I just loved the concept of the family reunion that was portrayed in that movie. So what is it about a family reunion that makes it such a great success. The first thing needed is a planner or planners: I'm pretty sure it's mostly Marian but Mark does a heck-of-a-lot of work as well. These two are amazing when it comes to hosting parties; always have been and always will be the social gurus of the century, in my book anyway. They make everyone feel welcome. This year, I noticed there was a lot of delegating that took place and a lot of very willing participants. I digress....let me go back to Saturday morning at the Pine Valley Church. Mark and Marian's day starts early as Mark is involved with the community breakfast. This year he recruited John to help out.

Marian is in the community band and plays a mean gut-bucket. She's the quintessential instrument specialist and has learned or taught herself to play several interesting intruments throughout the years, including the gut-bucket. (Click to learn more about this instrument).

This is about as "Stars Hollow" as it can get without being there but since Stars Hollow isn't really a place, this is pretty "small town" cool stuff....right here, folks, in our own back yard.

Breakfast for all....free. Can't beat that. (Maybe it really wasn't free...hm....well, I didn't pay so it was free to me.)A great place to beat the heat and meet....with family and friends

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As I was saying; Mark and Marian do a lot of work here then host this huge Wells Family party . Looks like John was in charge of the obstacle course. Here he is taking entries for it and we all know that every good family reunion needs a little competition.....ours started with the obstacle course.....

....here you see John and crew staking it out. In the above picture, you see Jason, also with a list.I think he was in charge of the talent show. Every good family reunion also needs a talent show....and oh, my...ours was actually pretty good.

Here are the Wells girls getting ready for their number. A lot of talent right here. Their voices blended well in their harmonizing of several "dream songs".

Looks like Karlene was delegated the dutch-oven contest duties. She organized it and handed out the awards. Oh, did I mention that every good family reunion needs a dutch-over cooking contest. That way, the food committee doesn't have to work as hard. I actually entered this year for the first time and I don't cook but I wanted to participate. That's what happens when you do this year after year, everyone wants to come on board and eventually participate. Some of the wonderful items included Dr. Pepper Baked Beans, Ultimate Baked Beans, What's On Ya Lasagne, yum...some kind of chicken that Gawain did (at least he took the credit, I actually think Gayle did the cooking and I heard they tried it before they came....no wonder they won!!!!) Gawain's concoctions are always the ones to beat but Gary and Marsha always put on a fine show as well. I think Marsha's dessert won this year....I didn't taste any of the desserts. Didn't get there in time. Here, Karlene awards the top prize to Gawain.

George, Emily and Evan won for their Desserts in the junior division. Way to go....George won last year for his Mac and Cheese.

I didn't get really good pics this year and my camera ran out of battery so I'll get more from JoEllen. I enjoy Mark and Marians giant swing. Miller wasn't too sure he liked it but it relaxed him for a few minutes anyway.

Nothin' like a family reunion to get to know some new friends. Miller had a good ol' time hangin' out with some new cousins.

....and I enjoyed a little chat with a few of the children of the nieces and nephews. Ya just gotta love it.....

....and every good family reunion otta have a zip line....

This one was a hit for young and old alike..

...but the ultimate hit of the day was the Pickle Ball Court. Mark and Marian decided they wanted to take up Pickle Ball (click on it to see what it is) so they decided to build a court. I swear it only took them a week. I think I was there last week when they were telling me about it and then I come and it's ready to go. I loved it....didn't get a chance to play at the reunion because it was so popular but went up the night before and tried it out. I'm hooked as was everyone else at the reunion.

Here you see Mark and Marian schooling Jason and Kyle in the game. I wanted pictures of the talent show and spontaneous dance and a lot more relatives but I wasn't prepared. My camera ran out of battery so look for more to come later when JoEllen ships me her pics. So, you see I've mentioned a lot of things you need for a good family reunion but there's really only 3; A planner, a place and people to come. HOWEVER, for a GREAT family reunion, you really do need a zip line, a Pickle Ball Court, fabulous talent and exquisite food, the best of which comes when prizes are involved. Well done, all who made it happen. Especially Mark and Marian....who, over the years, never cease to amaze me. Next year, you should plan to come....because, as someone said as we pointed out some "not so familiar" faces, "when you're here, you're family".....(or is that at Olive Garden)....whatever, everyone is welcome. It was just a really good time and I hope to entice even more family to make the effort next year and keep this thing goin'.

This day I give thanks....

.....for the 29 plus years I was married to this kid. We knew each other since 7th grade and dated quite a while. I count myself lucky to have been chosen by him. Since he left us 9 years ago today, (actually it's really tomorrow 'cause it's late but not today yet) let me list 9 things that he tried to teach me in this life....some I learned, some I'm still working on.... he never ever "harped", but taught us by example. One of my only regrets in life is that I didn't pick these things up a little quicker.

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1. Set goals and make "to do" lists....daily lists, (his little black books) weekly lists, monthly lists and yearly lists. Cross things off your list, add new things to your list and if it doesn't get done, move it to a new list until it does.

This is just a sample of one of his lists....I especially like #8 and #9. I think he was fairly successful in these and I especially like his "follow-through". What a guy.....cha ching!!!!!!
Click it to enlarge.

2. Read the Book of Mormon every year and be in the scriptures daily.....and read other uplifting material on a regular basis. He did make it a goal to read the classics and got through quite a few of them.

3. Don't let what happened yesterday hinder what happens today. He was always able to make peace quickly and move on and make each day count. That's what happens when you know your days are numbered. In his later years, he never did get "into the thick of thin things".

4. Live within your means....something he could have followed a little easier if I would have cooperated better. Notice one of his goals is to get the credit card paid off...I think that was one of those goals that was constantly on the list. He made this little plaque, a gentle reminder, I'm sure for me!!!!!

5. Always pay your tithing first...then there will be money for your wife's allowance....and there was.

6. Start and end the day with prayer and pray several times in between.

7. Do your home teaching (visiting teaching).

8. Give thanks every day for life, but be ready to go when it's your time. Scott always enjoyed his "mountain time"....where he could reflect on the goodness of God and enjoy the beauty that was created for us all.

9. Most important of all....love and appreciate family. He loved his family more than anything else in the world. Thoughts of his children pulled him through Leukemia in 1985 and he spent the next 16 years totally dedicated to us and serving the Lord.

He wasn't perfect but he was perfect for me and for my family and these are not big things that he lived but they made him a better person. All he would want for any of us is to do the best we can. He never forced his standards on us but lived what he believed. I am happy today that I got so many good years with this good man and when I have a "pity party" once in a while and whine because I'm alone, wa, wa,....I have to remind myself...."ya git what ya git and ya don't throw a fit". Those 28 years were truly a blessing.

We miss you Scott Gordon Wells but knowing you has made us better.

(Nov. 16 1949-July 22, 2001)

The verdict is in...

.....and it's still Colin Firth but I discovered today that comparing the stage version to the movie is like comparing apples to oranges and though I loved it, it's just different. Pride and Prejudice stage version took on more of a comedic aura that I wasn't expecting and the story just seemed totally different to me. I loved it though.....and it was very entertaining. I thought to myself as I watched it how easy it is to watch it time and time again, discovering something new each time. I loved this interpretation and watching the characters be able to interact with the audience reactions and bring a totally different feel to a timeless love story. It is called a romantic comedy and that's exactly what it was. I give it a two thumbs up and highly recommend it.

We enjoyed being on the grounds of the Shakespearean Festival again as it had been a while for the both of us. Can't get away without trying a tart....I think lemon is the best. We did not coordinate our outfits today, I promise....but don't we look nice together, so color coordinated!

Who is the best...

.....Mr. Darcy? Colin Firth is at the top of my list but tomorrow, I may have a new favorite as Joyce and I head north to see Pride and Prejudice, the play....at the Shakespearean Festival. I'm excited....since I discovered Jane Austen a few years ago (really wish I had paid attention in my English classes in high school instead of figuring out ways to report the movie instead of the book or read the Reader's Digest Condensed Books instead of the real thing). I actually didn't discover reading for pleasure until I was in my late 20's or so and the first book I read and couldn't put down (it got me hooked) was Sidney Sheldon's "Bloodline". All you readers out there are gasping at the thought of someone that doesn't like to read but believe me, I didn't....but I do now. In the last month, knowing I'm headed to see this play, I've devoured every version of P & P that I could get my hands on, including the oldest....which was a little painful to get through but it was o.k., actually quite interesting as a comparison. If you want to get caught up to speed on this story, click HERE for an article I ran across while looking for some pictures. Last night, I watched "Becoming Jane" again....(love it, love it, and so sad, but don't let that keep you from watching it.) It's the story of her life and her life was sad. I've really tried to find out more about her life but must believe that it follows it closely enough for me. It was interesting that she seemed to be so consumed with love, finding it, helping someone else find it, losing it, helping someone else lose it, analyzing it, judging it, in all of her writings. I do love them all...(the ones I've read)....but none like P & P. It's just such a fascinating concept to me that she wrote of such current characters, feelings and conflicts so very long ago. Love is love....no matter when in history it's written about. It's the core of our existance and she writes so eloquently about it. We still want that companionship for our children and in a way, it does consume us a bit until they find "the one".

May a little bit of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy live on in all of us.......

We can dream can't we?

It's summer....

.....sum 'er here, and sum 'er not but I'm here...... and barely enduring....the heat, that is. I've never liked it and never will but there's enough that I do like here that I stay. The other 9 months of the year make it worth it. The sky is never quite as blue as it is on a hot, hot day and then add a few very white clouds, it makes for amazing scenery (viewed through the window of a nice cool home). I love the sky.......

....about as much as I love the ocean and Traci and Russ got to go to the ocean. They ventured to the east coast...I'll be hittin' the west coast here in a couple of weeks and I love other bodies of water as well, and hope to make it to Lake Powell at least once.

Aw....but I do love my Pine Valley. She's lookin' pretty darn good, don't ya think? Come on up and sit on the porch with me and let me introduce you to my new neighbor, Mr. Hopper. You'll like him. He doesn't stick around long though...but he'll be back.

We went up to Mountain Meadows and hung out with the sistas for a few hours....good food, good company and it was cool.

Here we are, almost the last of the original Sweet 16th....gray hair and all but we can still find something to smile about. Someone asked me if I'm Debbie's mom...ouch.....

Saturday is a special day....

.....especially when ya get to spend it with family and be in Pine Valley and then go home and take in yer kid's baseball game at the Heat Stroker Tournament. Dunt get any better than that, folks.......and it was such a perfect day in the mountains today; overcast most of the day with a fun, hard rainstorm in the late afternoon. Aw, the smell...wish blogs could capture smells. Kyle and JoEllen really hauled on getting the latice on the porch and the railing painted. They are both pretty much work horses....and deserve many kudos for their hard work today. I pretty much just sat around and watched, but that's what I do best. I did take a nap with Matty...so I guess my job was to keep her occupied so the work could get done and I did pretty good at that.

Look at 'er go...if you want a job done, get JoEllen on it. I was impressed and very grateful for her willingness to help out with a shortage of manpower. Womanpower is just as good....or I should say "JoEllen Power".

A little before and after shot. Looks great, don't ya think?

As usual, George was fascinated with the power tool.....

....and my dad's brother, my Uncle Wes stopped by. There for a minute, I thought it was my dad holding Matty. It was good to see him and his son Kent and visit with them for a few minutes.

Evan got into some heavy water action here. Some may be wondering at this point where was Mason while we (I mean they) were all working so hard????

At the Heat Stroker Tournament!!!!! It was hard work too and a very noble cause for this baseball lovin' mom. The Wright Brothers, (Joe, Ray, Dan, Ron, etc. etc....) get together every year (Dan and Mason played ball together in high school) and they invited Mason to be on the team this year. They started Friday night and played through the night until 10:00 Saturday morning only losing one game...sending them to the second bracket (not the loser's bracket 'cause they just ain't losers in my mind) and they played from 8:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., takin' a brief break then finishing off from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Mason and Dan catchin' up on life in the dugout......

It's 11:30 and McKay is hangin' in there.....There ya have it. A pretty rockin' Saturday and I'm headed out to the final games of the tourney. Peace out...for now!!!!!!