"When a child is born....

...so is a grandmother". Fourteen years ago today this grandmother was born and a blessed day it was. I remember it vividly as we all gathered at Dixie Medical Center and endured some anxious moments in her mother's nearly 24 hour labor. Laynee Jane Wells finally arrived and I treasure the three days a week for that first year that I got to hold her in my arms while she napped.

She is the most pleasant person you'll ever meet, not your typical teen, just a joy to be around. I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with her in honor of her birthday. We lunched, we shopped, we cleaned and it was awesome. She loves to earn money and she babysits a lot. I know she does love her little nieces and nephews and is ever so willing to help out where needed. Happy Birthday, Laynee. It's been fun watching you grow into a beautiful young woman.
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...and speaking of fun, I was able to go watch the little guys play ball.  Seth and McKay were on a competitive baseball team that participated in the summer games and tho' they were playing against some really big kids and some good teams, they held their own. It was scary....and we call these "character building experiences" in our house. As the game ended and we got in the van to go to lunch between games, I asked McKay if it was scary being up to bat. He said to me... "did you see me shiverin'? I 'bout peed my pants".

Seth pitched a stellar inning and they both got to run some bases.They were up against some big kids throwin' some heat so hats off to my little kids that hung in there and saw what they can do in a few more years. I think they still love the game, I hope 'cause I sure do love watchin' them play it.
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While I was home for a visit, we had early church so I took the kids for the afternoon and went to the Temple Visitors Center and did a little geocaching in the area.

We were actually 4 for 5 on the day with a little trip up to the water tower on the Red Hill. We also created a cache that we placed out by their house so they can maintain it. Hopefully, it will get posted soon so the kids will have the experience of owning a cache. It was great to be home for the week to get caught up with the kiddies. Sure do miss them when I'm gone but life is good here in Folsom. I'm enjoying a pretty simple life here.

Got some tomaters growin' on the vine.....and I'm amazed. Saw this crane-like bird on the trail yesterday and I've loved these beautiful flowers growing here at our complex....and it's raining today. Life is good.

A wild and crazy summer....

..has begun. I took off last Wednesday, just me and my Accord and headed across Nevada to Traci's... hadn't been there for lots of months. It truly was great fun to see her and her little ones in action. I'd only heard about it and done a little Facetime here and there but I got to be right there in the middle of it for a day and it was AWESOME....

She's got that household running like a well oiled machine. Loved every minute of it. 

I'll let the pictures speak the thousands of words that they are worth.....the first stop was the zoo.

Then off to Ruth's Diner for lunch. The boys were great and the food was amazing as usual. This is one of our all-time favs......and the outdoor dining was divine.

I introduced my little detectives to Geocaching. Russ had just given the boys each their own little magnifying glasses so off we trekked....Jake was thoroughly enthralled with finding bugs while Scotty found our first cache. It was small but so fun to find one on the first try. The big one was our fourth. We were 2 for 4 on the day...not too bad.

I headed down the road in time for Maycee's soccer game in Cedar at the Summer Games....they won. Saturday found me up and early to a swim meet.

George and Emily both competed. Such good little swimmers and they seem to love it.

Then back up to Cedar for Maycee's championship game. It was a nail-biter but they won after two over-times and then a shoot-out. Oh, my.....what a day. I think I'll go to Pine Valley and relax.....

But before I sign off, it's Shana's birthday today so a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her on this day before Father's Day. I guess she pretty much has to share this day with Spencer most every year.

...and we all know not to mess with her, right? I'm glad she is the mother of this fine family.

Have a great day, Shana and eat some cake....and to all the fathers out there, Happy Father's Day tomorrow. I know I've been influenced by a lot of good father's in my life but most grateful to be the mom to three really great dads.

Every day should be a celebration...

...and today we celebrate the father of this cute family, James. Go HERE to see why...I love it all especially the part where
HE TELLS LAURI HE LOVES HER EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!

You are the best husband that a mother could wish for her daughter....thank you for taking such good care of her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, James. B-Dubs and cake, a great birthday does make.

With camera in hand...

...we headed up the road for a little "mountain time". Ice House Reservoir was the destination....

We planted a couple of chairs and watched the geese....

...and a squirrel. He pretty much posed for me for about 5 minutes. He had  food in hand so he wasn't going to let a human with a camera scare him off.

..then later, he just stood there as I snapped and snapped.

Strike a pose little squirrel....so cute. On the way home, took in a little waterfall to the side of the road.

That's pretty much it for our adventures this week. I've got a couple of tomatoes on the vine. Not sure they're going to do much more than this but pretty good so far. I'll give you an update on the orange tree soon if I can see some change. Never had a green thumb....so I'm pretty excited with what is still alive.

Meatloaf Monday at River Shack in Lotus with Tessa and Steve. Comfort food for sure.....

That's what I've been doing....how 'bout you?