I love my neighbors....

......actually, most of them. I'm sure there's some I haven't met yet and I'm a little nervous. I've smelled some of them close by and I'm pretty sure I don't want to meet them so I'm trying to stay on the "down-low" and mind my own business but here's a few that I do know and I see quite often and I do love it when they stop by....

I wasn't too fond of Mr. Lizard at first but he's pretty "chill" with the kids so I don't mind him as much anymore. My little Yellow Bird comes quite often but I haven't been able to get him to be friendly enough to stop and chat but I do enjoy these creatures.

...for the most part.

 ...and speaking of visitors, I've really enjoyed some fine company lately. Kyle's kids spent the night with me last week after we lunched at the Brandin' Iron where Kyle cooked our meal then we got a little ice cream. We decided it was getting too hard to have CGC so we created our new "P-Party". (Pizza, Pop, Pie, Popcorn and Pajamas). I love that I have places for all my kiddies to sleep comfortably when they come to see me. I have loved having Traci and her little ones here this past week as well......

They all got their bird houses painted and hung.....

 ...... and we enjoyed some really awesome "Mountain Time" here in Pine Valley doing all the Pine Valley things. 

We enjoyed an afternoon of zip-lining and swinging at Uncle Mark's and Aunt Marian's.

These pretty much are not really kid swings but it's fun for the adults to get their "kid" on once in a while.

We got to celebrate an early birthday with Max....5 years old and Kindergarten bound. I was really glad that my mom got to meet the two latest "greats"......Mae and Ida Mae. (Michelle's)

This family just keeps on growing and as my dad would say....."and to think I'm responsible for all of this" as he would look out over his posterity. I'm sure he's smilin' in heaven. We've all enjoyed Spencer and Shana's pool this summer.....

Never a dull moment with a pool in the back yard. I'm sure Spencer has things he'd rather do than life-guard duty but we all 'preciate it a bunch.

I can't pass up a chance to brag a bit when one of my own is published. This is Laynee's time to shine and shine she does. This picture could be on a box of Wheaties for sure.......

Click HERE to read the article about her in the "High School Sports Insider". Way to go Laynee Jane.

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I must close this post tonight with a shout-out to my great family. This move has been difficult on all of us and there are times that I'm sure they wished I would just be satisfied with status-quo....stay in their family home all of my life and keep the family cabin.....but I didn't. I've moved on and I love it very much. As hard as it is for me to ask them for help, I did and they came to my rescue. I knew they "wood"...ha, ha. Grandpa joke there. They helped me turn this.......

....into this........and I'm sure it was record breaking time. 

I should have timed it and then tried each year to beat the time. I had ordered four cords and this is just two.  Kyle emphatically told me to cancel the other two. We'll see how the winter goes. This is my first annual Wood-Stacking Party. I'll be better prepared next time with food.  Once again family. THANKS from the bottom of my heart. In case you hadn't figured it out yet, I love Pine Valley and I love my family. When I get to have both for a while, I'm doubly blessed. Can't wait to have Mason's family visit in a couple of weeks and Lauri is moving this coming week.....Randy will be here Tuesday. Aw......call me blessed.

Every now and then....

...I get the urge to catch up my blog.....but it goes away quickly. However, on this day, almost 2 months since my last post I guess I'm acting on the urge because as Matty told me the other night when she slept over....."Grandma, nobody needs you so you can do anything you want."  Dang right Matty and today I choose to blog and I applaud myself that nobody needs me (that's not to say that I don't need anyone 'cause I do) but I have some very successful and independent children whose aid I would come to in an instant but for the most part, they don't need me so I'm here in my dream home (like an eternal camping trip only more comfortable) and I do as I dang please most days. I tell you, I can understand Judd Burgess a lot more now that I live here. It's hard to pull oneself away from the cool breezes and go down into the dry heat of the city.... so here's my new camp site.......

...cool breezes included every day.  Here are a few random views from inside which I love too.

 Bottom left is the view from my window and I watched the moon change for about 20 minutes. It stays so cool all day, kinda like a cave in which I'm planning to hibernate this winter (if nobody needs me, wink, wink).

I've enjoyed the random flowers that have popped up in the yard throughout the summer and an occasional storm that happens by. Can't think of a lot that I don't like about Pine Valley except the pesky flies and mosquitos but we've taken some measures to minimize those including a zapper and I can't get along without this stuff........

When I was a kid my mom used to get a product called "Skin So Soft" that was also used as an insect repellent so I looked into it and this is what I found and all my fond memories of Avon came flooding back so I succumbed to the pressure to become an "Avon Lady" once again and because my cell phone number is 435-632-Avon....how could I say no. Anyhow, let me know if you are craving any Avon products or memories from your childhood including bubble bath, awesome make-up and skin-care products and I still have to look into whatever else there is. Don't worry, I won't bug you....I hate bugs, that's why I signed up for Avon....and speaking of bugs....

....the kids found this one as they were enjoying a little slip 'n slide action. You can see why I've loaded up on Raid, Zappers and anything else to eradicate these creatures. The kids got Kyle a year-round fishing license for Father's Day so it's fun to hit the favorite fishing spot whenever they can....

Drew and George were throwing in the net and then reeling it back when the rope broke and they had to go in for it. They were pretty good sports to jump into that yucky water and not give up 'til they found it. And speaking of cute kids.......

...Mae was born 4 months ago and she never got her just publicity so here she is cute as ever with her cute mom.

 A little girl after 4 boys, what a treat.

Of course, the first thing I had to do was try on her Mary Janes.....Harry's disappointed that he can't quite fit into these pretty little things.

Just a few more, she is changing so fast.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Lauri and fam as she and James participated in Jacob and Anna's (James' sister) wedding on Temple Square. I stayed with the kids at the Kimball then headed over to see them come out all happy and excited. This cute family will be missed up north as they are heading to reside in St. George........and this cute family will be missed in St. George.......

....as they start their new life up north in Daybreak. Mason is working at Jordan River Dental.....click HERE to learn more about it and if you ever need a really good dentist, he's the one. We couldn't let Mason and Mandy get away without at least one trip to Powell. They are such good hosts so here are a few pics from the fun we had.

July 22 is the day we remember Scott....my husband, my kids' father, everybody's friend who left us on that day 14 years ago. The girls and I would always try to head to his favorite places on that day but everyone has their families and busy lives now but I was grateful for the invite to share lunch with my daughters to remember him on that day. "The Garden" at the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial was one of his favorite places so we enjoyed lunch together there in remembrance of this great man.

Life goes on, things change as does my love for my family....it deepens with each milestone and memory and it's such a pleasure to watch my children become parents and they all do it so well.  I'm so grateful Randy and I have this opportunity to live in Pine Valley in such beautiful surroundings. Please come visit me if you ever come to town.,....688 Oakridge Ln, Pine Valley, Utah. If I'm not there, come on in and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, the cool air and sit on my porch for a while. Keep smilin' and always remember my favorite quote....."Let whatever you do today be enough."