Mega Post Alert!!!!!

It's been over a week now. Been in Pine Valley. No internet.....but lots to catch up on so hang on tight and if you make it through this post, you will be entered in a drawing for the grand prize. I'll knit the winner a pair of socks.....no joke. Just let me know you made it through this and I'll put your name in my drawing. So here goes. FIRST and most important. My birthday boys.....

Jake's was on Saturday, the 25th and Scott's was on Sunday, the 26th. I was in Pine Valley with no internet so I couldn't post but I was thinking about them and their cuteness all week-end and knew their mother would throw a mega-party for them. Jake just started piano and will enter kindergarten this year but can read already....loves to do his work books and has mega coloring skills. I'm not sure about the T-Rex thing but as soon as I see him, I'm gonna ask. Scott has mega Tae Kwon Do skills and the tenderest heart. I'm not sure what color his belt is right now but he's making great progress. He's such a handsome kid with the tenderest heart.(It does deserve mentioning two times....mega tender heart).















Warms my heart to think of these cute kids.....A great big (mega) late HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jake and Scott. I hope to get to see you real soon.
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Randy and I were heading home for the Annual Reber Clean-up Party in Pine Valley on Memorial Day week-end but I had the urge to head out early to take in some family activities. I was able to get home in time to hear Mark and Marian report their mission. They just returned from New York where they served as activation missionaries in New Paltz and it was great to hear their stories.

 We had some great family time with them at their cabin after church. It's so good to have them back.

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Tuesday, I was able to get in a little baseball as Miller's team (coached by Mason and Justin) played Jack and Evan's team (coached by Spencer and Aaron, with Kyle helping). There's nothing I like more than watching my little kids play baseball....especially if they are enjoying it and these little boys look like they are having a blast. Jack announced that he was going to get Miller out.....and he did. Kyle was coaching first base when Miller hit the ball. Jack was on first and when he tagged him out, Kyle said...."hey, that's your cousin!" Jack looked at him and replied..."This is baseball". Later at home plate, Miller was running into home from third as Jack chased him with the ball. Miller got his revenge and dodged his tag. Wish I would have had my camera up on that one. So, who won the game? It doesn't really matter 'cause they all think they are the champs. I heard one of them say..."hey, their trophies are just like ours". In this league, everyone wins.......

Not so on Wednesday night. The stakes were high as Seth and McKay's team played for the championship. Real pitching. Seth starting on the mound. He got 7 strike-outs as the beginning pitcher. They played hard and tough and got the win.

Aaron has done a great job working with these boys, helping them improve their skills so they could enjoy the game. We like to think that it's not all about the win...but it is. It's also about the hard work that gets the win. These coaches and boys have put in the time and effort.

It all started with Jim McArthur and Scott Wells...wanting their boys to have a good experience so they would love the game. (I wish I knew what all these boys are saying in this picture). It's such a privilege to watch the next generation holding the trophies with smiles on their faces...hopefully, learning a life lesson here...getting a little tougher as they face adversity and feeling the reward of hard work and discipline.

Great job guys.....so glad I got to be there for these two nights of baseball. In the two games I was able to watch 5 of my grand sons enjoy the game.

Little boys and baseball....ya gotta love it...and I do.

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Mike sent out the e-mail a few months ago beckoning all the Rebers to come to Pine Valley for a work day/BBQ to get Josephine's place ready for summer so she could move in. We all did just that and it was a wonderful day of work and family fun.

My family came to the mountain as well and we were able to enjoy some time at the cabin and at Mark and Marian's.....they have an amazing place for kids to play, the main attraction being the zip line.

We are ready for summer......bring it on!!!

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One year ago on Sunday, May 26 I married Randy Reber in the Pine Valley chapel and it has been a wonderful year of companionship and fun. We love to get out on our bikes, explore the old mining towns and cemeteries, we've learned to Geocache, we've had a date every Friday night, watched lots of movies, and put in lots of miles on road trips to Utah to see our families.

We celebrated by enjoying a delicious dinner at the Brandin' Iron. Click HERE.  I feel blessed every day to have Randy in my life.  No more one dimensional....I'm now livin' in 3D and lovin' it.

Randy shows off his Pine Valley Real Estate....just purchased. Awesome view. Hope he doesn't have to move in any time soon....but it's good to know he'll be comfortable in his final resting place.

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We love to gather on Memorial Day to not only pay tribute to those who have lost their lives serving our country but to honor our loved ones who have gone on before us.

I love this picture of Lucy....just wonder what she is thinking....

We enjoy breakfast together then head to Pine Valley for a day of family fun.

The kids enjoyed the zip line...a little hike to a geocache we had found on Saturday up by the cemetery....

...and no Pine Valley day is complete without S'mores.....

We do love our "Porch Time" in Pine Valley....(just a few more random shots.)

These past two weeks have been a blast and reminded me of what is important in life. It's not the "stuff" we accumulate....it's the family ties and memories we make....watching the little ones grow and learn....struggling through hard times and relying on each other. It's helping our aging parents find comfort in being content with what they can do and doing what we can to help make them comfortable. It's living in the moment, not looking back with regrets and not looking too far ahead with anxiety....but enjoying the here and now, doing the best we can with what we have. I loved watching my children grow...now I'm watching their children grow...but I'm also watching them watching their children grow! Life is good....that's why I wear these t-shirts (click HERE).

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." Nathaniel Hawthorne  

(I was able to get this shot on Saturday....don't you just love it?)