"Go take a hike"....

...are words I'm loving to hear most every Saturday....(actually, it usually comes in a text saying something like..."we're heading out on a hike, no biggie)...and I just assume it's an invitation and my schedule is such that it's easily adjusted to join in...
.....and I'm even willing to let the grandkids throw rocks at me in exchange for the pure pleasure of discovering the beauty with which I'm surrounded that I've missed the last 60 years living in this beautiful place. This one was Red Mountain Trail north of town....as far as the "no biggie" part. Well, let's just say it was a little bigger than expected but well worth the "trudging on" to see what we would find at the end. Aw....beautiful vistas. We are so blessed.

Speaking of blessings....let me count Disneyland as one of them.

One of the great escapes where nothing is real....and for a couple of days, sure can cure the winter blues....especially if it's 85 degrees, no crowds.......beautiful blue sky, lots of sunshine......

.....and plenty of churros. But, as my mother says...."you have to eventually get back and face reality"....aw, but the good times take the bite off a bit if ya ask me. Thanks, Walt, for creating this place. May there always be Disneyland!!!!!!!

Tonight was a reminder...

....of how much I love Dixie State College. I've always loved to go to the basketball games. Scott and I always had season tickets and seldom ever missed the games. I continued to go alone for a lot of years and so you must know how much I love being surrounded by my family now at these games.

There are those who don't like change....I have to say I am one of them but I also have to say that I'm in favor of the changes that have taken place and that are taking place at Dixie State College. Though I'm not in agreement with some, (I wish the Bull's name was Reb as in Reb Bull) but I do like him and he does a great job of generating Dixie Spirit. I think he's "Big D" and that's o.k. too. The games are a lot of fun and when all the kids show up, it's even more fun. The team is good this year and very enjoyable to watch. I stand and sing the Dixie Fight Song with pride. Dixie State College has given me and my family a lot of opportunities through the years and good memories. The growth in this community has allowed my kids to come back and enjoy these same opportunities and create these memories for their families. So, I say....Hail, all hail to thee....oh, oh, oh, Dixie College dear old school...we know your worth, the best on earth....we'll honor you and stand by every rule. Oh may, we never do aught that would bring dishonor to thy name....but may we be, e're true to thee, adding honor and glory to thy fame.....go Dixie....

I totally forgot.....

....that I have a tendency toward Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which explains why I've been a little blue for the past few weeks. Yes, it is a disorder and you can read about it HERE 'cause you may have it too but I just haven't felt like doing much....get the necessities done (barely) but the mood has definitely changed and once I remember that I have this, I'm able to do some things that combat the symptoms like.....hang out with the grand kids.

We hooked up at the 150th Anniversary of the City of St. George. The kids enjoyed this photo op at the law enforcement booth then we headed to Chuck a Rama for some grub. Good times.

Another remedy is to get out and enjoy the sunshine....this we did. Joyce and I took mom and Aunt Beulah out to see the new little lambs. Beautiful day. Love the blue sky.

A "sisters lunch" at Cracker Barrel....good company is a definite remedy.

Here's a sure cure....go listen to one of your favorite singers. Eric Dodge was performing at the celebration. His songs always bring a smile to my face.

Hangin' out with these kids really is a sure cure for me. They are enjoying Spence Esplin's hat collection. I won't let the seasonal blues get the best of me. I'm gonna get out in the sunshine and count my blessings. Life is good.

Some days just aren't that great.....

...... but this one is 'cause it's Spencer's birthday.....

....and it was a very good day 36 (is that right) years ago when my second little son was born in Moscow, Idaho.

....and his days just keep gettin' better and better 'cause he's home now and is trying to make up for the 9 years he's been away from God's country by finding a different hike every week-end. Glad to have you home, Spence. Happy Birthday, son.

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Can I whine just a bit here and tell you my computer crashed and I hate change....this has been a difficult one trying to learn a new computer and I missed blogging about Mandy's birthday in the chaos but want to let her know how much I love her and send a shout out for a belated birthday wish. Hers was last Thursday. Happy late birthday, Mandy.

And so....I must move on....new computer, new year, new beginnings, lots to be grateful for. Change is good....it keeps us humble.

Thinking of my dad today.....

...'cause it's his birthday and he would have been 84 years old and he was the best dad a girl could ever want.

I have lots of fond memories of New Years Day in Pine Valley.....

....and when we were younger he always took us somewhere to find some snow.

So we will celebrate his life today and remember him as the fun-loving, joke-telling, hard-working kind of guy he was and maybe tell a joke or two in his memory. But....lately we don't spend a lot of time going to the snow....'cause the sun is lots more fun....

We all had a good time hiking to the Petroglyphs down by the Arizona Strip yesterday. We drove a ways then piled in Kyle's truck for the rest of the way......

...and enjoyed a beautiful day in the sun just exploring.....what wonders we have in our own back yard.