Ya can't be everywhere....

....and we chose to be in Florida, leaving on Christmas morning and flying across the snowcovered country to sun laden beaches and oh what a good time we had (but just so ya know what we missed out on, the good times of the family at the derby and sledding, check out Spencer's blog wellsweirdos.blogspot.com and it looks like they had a ball).

We stayed in a little apartment on the waterway where the water taxi goes up and down the canal and we were able to catch the taxi one day and see how the other half lives.....some of these yachts cost more than the houses they were parked in front of. Upper left is Randy waiting for the taxi (he got me this great new camera for Christmas that takes wonderful night pics).....

The beach was lots of fun....went there twice and found some great eateries. MaiKai is a Polynesian restaurant that Kyle remembers from his mission that has been owned by a Polynesian family since 1956. We enjoyed ice cream at Jaxson's (worth the wait) and the best shrimp and strawberry shortcake at Bubba Gump's....a little shopping at Los Olas and got off for shopping at one of the stops on the water way.....and of course the zoo where we rented a bike....so fun.

We had a wonderful time hanging out with James, Joslyn, Ella and Ever and Kaila was there also for a few days with us. It's been a wonderful holiday season with family. We got to enjoy the kids seeing Santa before we left so here's a collage of some of my shots......

Check out Penny's blog for some more pictures of our family fun and games......HERE. Happy New Year one and all..........

This is what it's all about.....

Merry Christmas to all......

...and to all a good night.

Is it ever enough?

What do we do with our days? I don't know about you, but some days I just have a tough time getting up and going but usually, if and when I do, I've got plenty to do and never really get it all done....and, oftimes beat myself up a bit.....so I found this little saying on a board at a gift shop and I bought it and hung it on my wall.  It helps me remember to ".....make whatever I do, enough." My late husband used to be a goal setter...he would write stuff down, prioritize it and check it off, but if he didn't get it done, it would just go to the next day's list or even next week's but he plugged along and worked away until he got what he needed to have done, done. Franklin Covey has a system...tried a couple of times to do the day planner thingy, but somehow, I just like this better right now at this time in my life.

I'll be the first to admit that I do have a lot of time on my hands right now and I have fun filling my time with things I like to do. I'm even finding some new things to do....I am enjoying my bike and the limitless trails around here. Here's what I'm reading right now.....always love it when the new Ensign comes in the mail.



Here's what we're watching right now.....trying to get caught up before the new season starts in January. Click HERE to read more about it.

I used to oil paint a bit. Never really good at it but when I met Randy I saw this picture and fell in love with it. It's the center of our apartment now.....it's a "paint by number" done by his daughter, Joslyn.....

...so, I remembered that I used to like to do paint by numbers so Randy and I bought a couple one day.....this is what I'm working on.  I'm pretty much getting ready for the old folks home in my future. (I probably shouldn't admit that I'm doing this....but sometimes we need "mindless" hobbies, right?)

I enjoy discovering new places to hang out. Randy introduced me to Danio's Farmer's Market in Roseville. I've never seen anything so huge....it would take several Saturdays to get through it.....

Randy enjoyed trying on hats....saw some way outrageous cowboy boots. This place is amazing. It was a good thing it was cold.....we couldn't stay very long, but we'll be back for sure. I've enjoyed finding new little "dives" on our Friday night dates. It was my turn to choose so I asked Ambyr for some suggestions. We went Hungarian after I read this review...click HERE. The review is really worth reading if you have a minute and it was a very "quaint" place to eat. The review was very accurate.

I was prepared, Randy wasn't so I think I liked it better than him but fun, none the less (there were really only 5 tables and scrunched really close together). It was fun to be invited to a holiday party and it has been fun getting to know Randy's children. Jake and Ambyr and their family invited us over for dinner. We had a good time, enjoying a little "Taboo"....guessing the number of candies in the jar (I missed it by 3, maybe next year)....and some white elephant gifts.

Good food, good company and lots of laughs. I missed my annual Gingerbread House Party hosted by JoEllen (she really does a lot of work getting these put together ahead of time) but the kids had a good time without me. Click HERE to see the cute pictures on Spencer's blog.

I miss my family dearly but I'm so happy to see them enjoying the holidays and our traditions. Change comes to our lives....sometimes whether we are looking for it or not and we adjust. Sometimes tragedy comes to our lives in many forms but we forge on with faith and at this time of year, I'm especially thankful for my testimony of the Savior and His Atonement. It's a comfort that I don't have to do the hard things alone. May we all remember the "reason for the season" and make sure that..."love so easily understands, what you can see is the smallest part; you don't need Christmas in your hands, when you have Christmas in your heart". Merry Christmas...and may most of your days be merry and bright.

A bit o' blogger's block.....

...and I don't know why other than maybe I've moved into the hustle and bustle of the season and it doesn't seem all that exciting to blog it but I'll get back on track and get out 'n about so I'll have something to share. I've been busy getting my Christmas cards out and one cool thing happened last night.....I connected with an old friend on Facebook. I was looking for the Gill's address (some friends that Kyle knew on his mission that we have stayed in contact with until recently and I just got a hankerin' to send them a card and to find out how their little family of 6 kids whose names all start with "t" are doing, so I set out to find them. I did "Dexonline.com"....that didn't work....so I went to Facebook and there he was....good ol' Steve Gill himself so I "friended" him and he accepted and we chatted and then he friended Kyle and so on and so forth...then I find out he and his wife are divorced and he's in a relationship with Randy's niece....(such a small world) then he called me this morning and we had a good chat about life, memories, good times, tough times.....so good to be in touch with old friends. Once a friend, always a friend and if ya meant something to me once, ya still do so my Christmas card list is huge and I do it mostly 'cause I like to hear from everyone. In this day and age of instant communication, the Christmas card is becoming extinct....so I'm doing my best to keep it alive. This is my card in case you didn't get one.....
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Randy and I ventured last week to Folsom Prison.....wanted to look for some cool t-shirts (they do have a museum and gift shop) and it was fun to go in and see the memorabilia and check out the Johnny Cash shrine........

The picture on the left is a ferris wheel built out of toothpicks.....I guess the prisoners have a lot of time on their hands after they put in their day of making license plates. I'm looking in on one of the toughest in the house.....and Randy and I pose at the front gate. It's enough to make you want to obey the law for sure......and speaking of laws, I think there is one that says you have to make at least one batch of fudge during the holidays.

 Well, I did it tonight and Randy got the bowl all clean so now we just need to give a lot away or pace ourselves.........and speaking of pacing...my pace was pretty slow today as we decided to head out on our bikes for Sacramento....a mere 26 miles of trails that runs through this neck of the woods.....

Lots to see along the way and we stopped for a bit at the fish hatchery and tried to see some spawning but not the right time of year....but lots of guys fishing, geese sunning and lightning fast bikers passing us along the way. It was a beautiful day for a ride.....and, just so ya know, we only made it about 5 miles then stopped for lunch and shopping then caught the light rail back to our car. A good time was had by all.....I'm going to see if the fudge has set yet then heading out to the treadmill and the hot tub.....see ya.

Molly's first white dress.....

....the same one worn by her mother just 29 short years ago.

It was her blessing day today and we all ventured down to Henderson to support Lauri and her family.
The dress was as beautiful today as it was back then as little Molly was held in the arms of her father, grandfather and uncles.....to be given a name and a blessing. James did a great job....Lauri did too. I'm so very well-pleased with both of them and their sweet testimonies.

This has been a week of family and the cousins have had a chance to get to know their newest additions to the cousin's club.....Harry and Molly have both had their turns at being passed around.

....and the parties just appear out of nowhere. Kyle texted everyone...."tacos at our house at 5".....I think he forgot to send one to JoEllen but she was a good sport about it all. Kyle had some friends from China visiting the college and invited them over to the chaos but they seemed to enjoy it.

When we blog, life just seems to be one big party, fun and games all the time. We joked that we should start blogging about the "mundane"....so, just so you know, there's a leak in my kitchen faucet and the downstairs toilet,  my garage door is broken, I just had to pay my taxes and I'm broke, Mandy had to have some heart surgery, (she's doing fine)....I'm tired as heck (and I get ornery when I'm sleep deprived), every once in a while there's a little misunderstanding between loved ones (mostly because we become sleep deprived) .....but I'm surrounded by my loving family and every once in a while, a party breaks out so it makes it all worth it.....

I think Harry has the right idea....just sleep through the tuff stuff and wake up when the party starts....

Bring on the crazy....

...and I figure I can handle anything for a few hours so we gathered, once again for a "mini camp" version of Crazy Grandma Camp....totally spontaneous. When ya gotta watch a few kids (Mandy is in the hospital)...it's just easier to bring along a cousin or two or three or four or eleven....ranging in age from 3 to 12.....and I do pretty much let them go crazy for the whole two or three hours.

Oh, I try to organize, and we kinda got an obstacle course going, a dance contest, a little bit of food and lots of treats....but mostly just loud. I always try to start with a "pow-wow" where I try to talk to them a bit....this time about family traditions. Our first Wells Family Tradition started just 40 years ago on the steps of our Logan apartment when we declared it BLT day.....just because that was what we were eating for lunch and we wanted to start somewhere. So Happy BLT Day to my family....I love these crazy kids!!!!

What goes up....

....must come down and as I was hiking to the top of the volcano on Thanksgiving morning, I  realized just that, and found myself wondering how it was going to happen but I kept going, knowing I wanted to see inside the volcano. After seeing it all of my life coming to and from Pine Valley and knowing I would probably never do it, I actually did and glad I didn't chicken out. (I hiked the trail around the back side while the young 'uns climbed up the face). Coming down was far worse than climbing up. We all made it....some better than others. Most of the party took the speedy way down...I myself, figured I was safer going down the same way I came up but it was mostly on my butt.....and even tho' I ruined a pair of pants, it was worth it.

I'm thankful for my family that invites me to tag along, for my health that allows me to tag along, and the beautiful weather and scenery that makes it pleasant to tag along.....for the beauty of the earth I truly am grateful.

For years I paid the price...

....the 80 smackeroos it cost me to procure a season pass but as of today and a mere 10 bucks, I can enter any National Park for the rest of my life....for "free ninety nine..."

On the way up, we visited the old ghost town of Grafton and explored the old buildings and Randy especially enjoyed the old farm equipment. Our little "couple of hour" trip turned into the whole day as we ventured on up through the tunnel to Mt. Carmel Junction where we dined at a little "hole in the wall" diner where the sign said "Good Food, Good Price" but we were greeted by the girl at the cash register with..."um....if you can finish in 30 min. we can seat you. We have a bus of 60 people coming in." We assured her that we would eat quickly and we enjoyed the food and the price. Then on over the mountain to Duck Creek and on down the freeway home....oh, my...it was a picture perfect day. Happy Thanksgiving......grateful people are happy people.

Happy Birthday today...

....to the mother of this cute family. JoEllen joined our family back in 1997 when she took Kyle off our hands and she has done amazing things with him....supported him in all his moves, his educational pursuits, his athletic trainings, his business successes and failures, and been a high-profile mom in the kid's school, in her church callings and is basically a good, good person and fun to be around and always makes things happen.

Happy Birthday....you certainly are loved. Have a good one and eat some cake today.

It's very probable....

....on this Friday, Nov. 16, the birthdate of Scott Gordon Wells, that it would have been a "normal", get-up-and-go-to-work kind of day because he never really liked any hoopla on his birthday but I'm hoping my kids will just give a shout-out today so my grand kids will know a little bit about their Grandpa Wells and here is one of my favorite posts of things I want them to know about him. Click HERE.....

After surviving Leukemia in 1985, he learned to "balance" his life. He learned that his "leisure" was as important as his work and didn't hesitate to give his "all" to his family, a very valuable lesson learned early in life. As I go through each year, there are dates I remember associated with that important time in his life when he was fighting for his every breath.....this very day, 27 years ago, being the end of his total body radiation and Day 1 of his injection of new bone marrow from his brother Gawain. I remember thinking...."wow, what a birthday present". So take a minute today, breath some fresh air, be grateful for life, hug your kids and your spouse and be glad to be alive in honor of this good man today. Our world is a better place because he was here....

Baby, it's cold outside....

...at least in Pine Valley. Got these gorgeous pictures from Facebook and been thinking a lot about my favorite spot on earth and kinda glad I'm not there right now as I've come to love the warmth of the winter sun on my face but I'm sure it is beautiful.

This one was taken by Donna Gardner, a neighbor that lives there year 'round....

This one by Rex Winterton, also a full-time resident and excellent photographer. One thing about Pine Valley and snow, for as long as I can remember my mom did it and I did it.....when the snow flies and you can see a dusting on Pine Valley Mountain, the under shirts go on the kids. When the snow melts in the spring, they come off. I'm sure that isn't the rule any more but long live the under shirt.....Just thought I'd check it out and see if anyone really does put these on their kids any more so I went to Mamapedia.com (click Here) to check it out........

A month of thanks giving....

...and a lot of people on Facebook are posting what they are thankful for each day and as I thought it was a good idea, I opted out just because I'm not very consistent with anything these days but I do think about what I'm thankful for each and every day so on this post, I'll just mention a few, the first one being "date night" and more importantly, someone to do "date night" with.....

Randy is good to think of fun things to do and things to show me. Last night we drove to Sutter Creek and Jackson and enjoyed the old town atmosphere of these old mining towns here in Northern California then enjoyed the seafood buffet at the casino in Jackson...and of course, ate far too much. I don't know that I've ever seen a full rainbow and my camera phone couldn't capture it exactly but I was thankful to be there at the moment and see how beautiful it was. We are thankful, as well for the rain in this dry area....

Earlier this past week, I was going to start doing my gratitude post but never did get around to it and I was especially thankful that day for the smell of homemade bread again in my house. I decided to try whole wheat and it was delish........I gotta give credit to my 30 year old Bosch.....best investment ever.

One last item..... I get the "Daily Motivator" from a cousin every day and most of the time, I read them and enjoy them but every once in a while, one just hits home to what I need for the day so I'm going to share a portion of today's....."Let the world be the way it is, and let yourself see the possibilities. Embrace the reality of what is, and make use of it to create positive value. Choose to be fully at peace with the way things are. From that peaceful, powerful perspective, you can make things better and better." 

It's all about Harry....

....and Sunday was. I'm grateful for these ordinances  to bring family together to rejoice in this new little life that has come to the Staheli family and Russ gave him a beautiful blessing, as he was held by worthy priesthood holders in that sacred circle of love. It was a joy to be in church with Traci and her family and listen to her bear witness of the Savior in her life and to feel the love of their ward family. It warms a mother's heart to know their children are loved where they live and thriving in their neighborhoods. It was a great day.....and I was glad I could be there.

Kyle, Spencer and Mason made the trip for the day to be there and support Traci and her family and we were able to take in Music and the Spoken Word before going up to Bountiful. I'm truly grateful for their efforts to support their sister and her family on this special day.

It was fun to meet up with Kaila, Jonathan, Megan and Joey for Randy's birthday dinner at Cheese Cake Factory on Saturday.  Couldn't get blogger to upload the pics but it was fun. We played a fun game called "Compatibility"  (click on it to learn more about it) and since I'm not a big "gamer"....I was skeptical but it was really fun. It's been a good week of celebrating with family. Party on....50 days to Christmas...who's counting?

This is dedicated....

...to the one I love because it's his birthday (Nov. 3)..... Last May 26, I married Mr. Randy Reber and my life changed forever. He has added that something extra to my life that we all need, even tho' sometimes we don't think we do....to love and to be loved. We both love life and being active and doing "stuff"....sometimes it doesn't really matter what "stuff"....a bike ride, an evening walk, watching a movie, playing a game....or just being quiet together. It's having someone you love to share that "stuff" with that makes life fun. I've done fine for the last 10 years and I would be fine without Randy, but I'm "finer" with him.

He's not perfect, but he's perfect for me. Happy Birthday, Randy. Thanks for joining me on this ride.

The party's over....

....and a good one it was. As always, waiting to see what Mason will be and he did not disappoint. Watching too much "Swamp People" I guess this year.....

We sported plenty of vampires and tho' I don't really understand the holiday, I do have to enjoy it as I watch the excitement of the children as they decide "what they are going to be"....as for me, I'm just me, but there was a time I was "something" and it usually involved a pretty dress.

Now days, a witch hat and an orange shirt is the best I can do.....

Party food and brew......

A lot has changed since my early party days......

But the theme is always the same.....

It was another successful Halloween at our house. And as always, I hate the holiday but love my birthday.....A new year begins for me and I will continue to make my life "one big party"........

Just a few years back....

....39 to be exact, I got an early birthday present. After 9 months and 2 weeks of waiting, we got a little boy. Cutest little guy, with a rough road ahead....paving the way for his siblings and he actually turned out o.k. He's emulating, as we speak, his role as "firstborn" and has become the "father figure" of our family and does it well. I'm sure we wear him out as he really is our "go to" guy. At one time, he would take care of five households (or more) on his monthly bug spraying duties and I know if anything, I mean anything, goes wrong with our houses...."call Kyle".

He wears many hats (and looks good in all of them).....so our hats off to you, Kyle on this, your day......speaking of hats, he's worn his marathon running hat for eleven years now....and, speaking of running, he chaired the Midnight 5K this year at Dixie's Homecoming and turned it haunted....inviting the zombies from Tuacahn's Thriller to come by for the scare....

...and we made it a family affair.....

...and the winners are....

Even though the hour was late and the air was brisk....it was good family time. I would highly recommend it and hope we can entice more to join us next year. It was a good run.........Happy Birthday, Kyle. Thanks for making these fun times happen.

Just remembering....

....32 years ago yesterday, I gave birth to my 4th little son, David Barber; but didn't get to keep him. Carrying a baby for 9 months and having something go wrong, causes us to think what miracles we watch as new little ones come into the world, normal and healthy as have my daughter's two little babies this past month. Molly and Harrison, two little miracles and HUGE blessings for their families.

I'm grateful that I have been able to be a mother to five....and especially now, grandmother to 17.

And speaking of miracles......this past week-end I've experienced "nature"...and many of God's miracles that surround us every day. The changing of the seasons is always fascinating to me and we were able to witness some of this beautiful "art of nature" around Lake Tahoe. We biked along the lake, through the forest and through several neighborhoods where we saw many fascinating sights. Top left is the back yard of a home that we particularly liked. Randy noticed the trim that had been cut from a single tree. Bottom left, the most amazing orange tree I've ever seen and middle bottom, the most Halloween place one could even imagine. (Actually, I can't even imagine anyone liking the holiday enough to decorate like that).

We took a little detour on the way home and stopped by to see Wright's Lake. So beautiful.
We have been enjoying our bikes and being up-close and personal with nature. Nothin' quite like it......My family has also been out "communing" with nature. Check out Spencer's blog to see where they have been wellsweirdos.blogspot.com

Who needs a car anyway....

....apparently not me....I have a new "ride" and I'm lovin' it......I flew back and left my car behind but I can get where I need to go and there is a phenomenal trail system here that I've had a great time exploring.

Why, just this morning I took a new turn and found two beautiful parks and miles and miles of more trail....and some scenes like this as it wound around the back yards of a beautiful neighborhood.

It takes me about 20 minutes to ride to my favorite shopping center with a Target, JoAnn's, Trader Joes and Home Goods. It's a good thing I can't buy more than what can fit in the basket I will soon have for my bike.

My plants are doing well.....lovin' the banana tree....

.....and we enjoyed hooking up with the Summerhays to celebrate Spencer's birthday. Beautiful family and a joy to be around. All is well in Folsom.......