Precious beyond words....

....as my #16 grandchild was born yesterday and #4 boy for Traci and Russ. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 14 oz. and has various combinations of features of his three older brothers....so, a new little version and we couldn't me more excited. Mother and baby doing awesome......will fill in more details as they become available.....

Grandchild #13 celebrates a birthday today and she's a cutie for sure. Matty is just growing up too fast and thinks she's one of the big kids. So fun to watch her try to keep up with them and she chatters as fast as they do.....her mom usually has to translate but if you listen real close, you can usually get a bit of the conversation. Have a great day today, Matty. I miss you but I'm sure you and your family celebrated in style in Disneyland. Can't wait for some pictures.....

Happy Birthday.

I've just returned from a week-end with my BFFs and it was another successful rendevous with some great friends.....this time in one of my favorite places on earth, Zion National Park where we ate, hiked, ate, shopped, ate, talked, ate and laughed our heads off.

It was a picture perfect day and tho' Carol Ann wanted to do Angel's Landing....because some of us were afraid of heights (that was the only reason)  we had to settle for the next hardest hike of all....Weeping Rock.

We got to dine outside a lot and enjoyed all the amenities that Zion is famous for....especially it's softserve ice cream at the lodge.

I was so glad we took the time to stop and say hi to my mom....it made her day as she has always loved my friends. She and my dad were always "Haleila" to them.....and, just to keep it in the family, my brother Bruce was driving the shuttle that day and we got a lift from him and a little history along the way.......

We ended at another wonderful Southern Utah location, Tuacahn where we took in "Hairspray".... It's fun to have friendships that last a lifetime and when we come together our once every year or so, it's as if we've never been apart.......still laughing after all these years....at the same stories. There are advantages to aging.....our secrets are safe with each other .)

On this day....

....eleven years ago, I got my new AC unit. Yep, me and the repair guy, out in the back of my house hurriedly gettin' 'er done  'cause I had more important things to do (Drewby was going to be born)....when on the t.v. came the news of the terrible disaster that will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. I mention this little unit here because it really does mean a lot to me....it keeps me cool in the summer and warm in the winter....where would I be without it? (I'd be hot in the summer and cold in the winter).

The lifespan of one of these units is about 12 years, or so they told me so I'm thinkin' it's gonna die soon. It was strugglin' here a couple of weeks ago and the guy warned me that there's not much time left but I'll continue to enjoy and appreciate until the end......and speaking of "lifespans".....

...I can't look at this kid without an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that he's still here to enjoy life and bring joy to our lives as I'm haunted by that day a few years ago while visiting Kentucky that I almost shortened his (lifespan) by running over him. Happy Birthday, Drew. You are one special young man with lots left to do in life. I was driving up I-15 on that fateful day eleven years ago amazed at the tragedy that had just happened but feeling the joy in my heart as we were about to welcome you to the world. What a blessing you have been to everyone and this grandma is very grateful for you and the choices you are making. Keep up the good work and have a very Happy Birthday....and speaking of "happy"....I got to wondering today why some people are just happy all the time no matter what life throws their way. I found this article ("15 Powerful Things That Happy People Do Differently")  that I really liked because I'm striving for this. Happy people really do things differently.....click HERE if you'd like to know what....and I especially liked #15.......They take full ownership over their lives and they rarely use excuses. Happy people understand that the moment you choose to blame some outside force for whatever is happening to you, you are in fact giving all your power away. They choose to keep their power and take responsibility for everything that happens to them."

I'm grateful to be married to an optimistic, happy person and learn from him every day....he is teaching me to keep life "real" and in perspective.

Go out and find something to smile about today....I'm smiling with Drewby....He's eleven and he's happy.

It's totally impossible....

 ....to be two places that you want to be at once so choices must be made and it's awfully difficult when we have so much from which to choose....so I'll just post about the things we were able to fit in and the good times we had.

I was able to hook up with my boys for Drew's and McKay's birthday lunch at Marv's.....

..then shopping. "Oh, my, what to pick". It didn't take them long.

Six of the kids had games today but I only made it to four of them....from Dixie College field to Staheli Farms....it's really hard to get to all of them. It was good to see everyone out in mass to support and there will be many more games to attend before the season is over. Who would have thought soccer would dominate in this baseball family but it does. Then off to Kai's baptism....so good to see his father, Jacob (Randy's son) perform this ordinance.

I was proud to see Randy in his whites to assist Jacob and Kai. It's always a special occasion to have four generations together for such a special event. Kaila and Jonathan drove down and Kaila did a great job giving the Baptism talk.

Randy has been working hard but we found time to hook up earlier in the week for dinner with Jacob, Sarah and Family. Randy was even able to take an hour out of his painting to visit Jadyn's class and talk a little Navajo language to them. We spent some time in Pine Valley with Josephine enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air, found some time to get Kaila in to Mason to get some dental work done, we've had a good visit with Larry and Boni, I attended the Jeffrey Holland Commons Building Dedication and we have even taken in a play at Tuacahn.  Busy, busy, busy.....

We are so happy to be here amongst our family....so for now, we'll come when we can and keep on taking "a day at a time" enjoying life.

There's never enough time....

...to fit in all the stuff ya wanna do on a weekend but we gave it a good shot. We're back in town for a while and so you know, there's a lot to do so we started by heading to Pine Valley.....first stop, Veyo Pool just for the heck of it and to see it as it has been a very long time for both of us and we just had to have a Pronto Pup (Corn Dog) and the big question is....are they the original recipe? The cook thinks so but couldn't give us a definitive yes. I must go to the source and you know I will when I get the chance but it was still mighty good and we were both glad to see the place is still there. Just wish we would have planned enough time to take a swim....we'll have to wait until next year as it's closing today for the season.

Then on to Pine Valley where we met the family for a day of usual fun....and I noticed how easily the kids have learned to entertain themselves with apple baseball, golf cart shenanigans and a lot more stuff that we probably don't want to know about but it was fun to watch them run around and have a good time.

The boys and Mandy had all done a long run and they were tired so James filled in with a little baseball....but later we all drummed up enough energy to head to the water towers. It's been many years since I had been there and the horror of it all returned very quickly as I watched the kids climb and the dads laugh as they climbed and show a lot of "unconcern" as they jumped from tower to tower. I was glad to have that activity end....not sure why I'm even posting but all is well...and Kyle reminded me that the kids need these opportunities that threaten their lives!!!!!

And we all know the favorite part of the evening...

......the food and the smores.....The Troy brought the biggest watermelon ever (I don't think we even cut it) and Gary's black raspberries were even bigger than last summer.

One last thing though.....we did spend time with Randy's family and earlier in the summer I had put 10 gold fish in Josephine's pond. I could only find two. At church, I got to talking to Bonnie Lewis and she told me how Spence and Josephine would come to their pond and get gold fish so she told us we could do that. They came and brought us a couple but we wanted the "fishing" experience....more like a "netting" experience but fun nonetheless.....

We paddled out to where the goldfish hang out and got one....but it was a big one and a very shiny one as well. Mike and Yvonne came and their little grandson's Bubba (Will) and Hank came along in the boat with us and Hank was proud to be able to put it from the bucket to the pond, more like from the mansion to the apartment but I'm sure it will be happy. What a great week-end it was and we are so enjoying being back around our Southern Utah Family enjoying the beautiful color country that we call "home".

What we blog about....

 ....are the things that bring us joy and that we want to remember and as I was thinking about my years of blogging, (I think I'm in my 5th year) I'm realizing that it's been a good way for me to rejoice in the good things in my life....one of those being my sister. She and her friend Marie and I headed north to the cool country to take in a play. "To Kill a Mockingbird"...and it was an experience to definitely remember. It was so well done....I was mesmerized through the whole performance and it went by so quickly. If it weren't about to end, I'd put in a plug here and say it's a "must see" but I'll just have to leave it at an "I'm sorry you didn't get to see it"....maybe next time.

 I always like to blog about my tomatoe soup (one of the very few things I'm really good at)....and it's especially nice when I don't have to pay for the tomatoes. Karen brought these to me and I was able to get a whole case of soup out of the box of tomatoes. This will make for some mighty fine lunches and it's always a sign that Fall is in the air...and I do love that.

...and what's more blogworthy than a beautiful summer rain completed by a beautiful rainbow. On our way to Pine Valley, I couldn't help but try to capture this beautiful scene.

So let's all go out there and find something to blog about today. It's raining as I type this....now that is definitely blogworthy.

So, what's the big deal.....

....about A Cappellastock? It's a big deal because I make it a big deal and I have for the last 8 years. I started going to this while on my mission in 2005 and have made it a really big deal ever since and will continue to do so until T-Minus 5 decides that it's really not a big deal....anyway, it's just a whole lot of fun....that's about all I can say and an amazing night of listening to many talented people do amazing things with their voices. Just come join me next year and see for yourself....

This year featured one of my all-time favorite groups," Eclipse"...along with "Delilah" that appeared on the Sing-Off this past year and a group called "The Bobs" (didn't really like their style but they were good at what they do)...and then of course, "T-Minus Five"....always excellent.

I was able to talk Randy into coming even though he didn't know what he was coming to....when asked if he wanted to join me he said...."are there hot dogs there?".....and he did get his hot dog and a dollar taco.....the big "deal" of the day.

After a night at Little America, it was up and early to catch Music and the Spoken Word..... and Delilah was there and introduced by Lloyd Newell. A couple of the girls are LDS....what a great opportunity for their friends to hear the choir....always top-notch awesome and they really are a big deal.

Then down to the Young's where Spencer and Shana's kids have been hangin' out and it's always a big deal to get to stay there with this dream backyard.....with duck's that let you hold 'em and a mom that lets you jump out of the bedroom window onto the trampoline.

Nothin' in this life really is a big deal unless you make it into one....and it's important to choose wisely what you want to make a "big deal" out of. So here's to some of life's little pleasures (or irritations) that once in a while we choose to make into a big deal. My AC is not working.....and it is a big deal so it will be getting fixed real soon.
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Epilogue....the AC got fixed to the tune of $225 and it could be just a band-aide fix...we'll see but I'm grateful for the cool air at this moment in time and there's just one more thing that this family has apparently made into a big deal....B Dubs......and we had some Buffalo Wild Wings recently. Yum!
.......and hooray for garlic parmesan....my favorite.

Stole this off Spencer's blog HERE......

Livin' as large as possible....

...for a couple of old folks but we did get another quick camping trip in....this time the mountains. It was perfect weather...the bees thought so too. Not sure which I'd rather bother me, bees or skunks....but the bees proved to be harmless. Just a lot to learn if we're gonna do this very much. It was beautiful....we found some great camping at Gerle Creek....right by a stream getting in a little fly fishing last night...then off to see Loon Lake. Just a whole lot of awesomeness.....

...and then to top off an already perfect trip, we stopped at Placerville to check out a yarn shop that I found on line. And now,

 .........next stop......ACAPELLASTOCK!!!!!!!!
Another little guy that's livin' large these days....it's Max and he turns 2 tomorrow. What a darling little kid about to be a big brother. He spends most of his time these days keeping up with his two big brothers and does a pretty good job at it.

Happy Birthday, buddy. Have a great day. Can't wait to see you again.

Just another day.....

...but it was a good day!

Twenty-nine and holding.....

...and a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Lauri today. She's my original Betty Crocker and has her own cooking blog in case you didn't know and I had a picture of her that I wanted to post but I can't find it (I'll keep looking) of her and her first little kitchen that I got her when she was just two years old and now that she's 29, she's had several kitchens and here's her Lauri's Kitchen Cabinet cooking blog (clickity click HERE to go there).

She is an amazing cook, was first known for her chocolate chip cookies which you can find on her blog and now for her amazing authentic Mexican cuisine but I know her mostly for her mellowness and thoughtfulness....an amazing daughter to me, wife to James, mother to Lucy and friend to all. Enjoy your day today with your sweet family....

.....and speaking of cooking, we did a little camping and cooking these last couple of days as Randy and I headed out to the beach....to CAMP...ya, I camped and he cooked on this nifty little cooker borrowed from Ambyr and Jacob.....probably the first time I've really camped since 4-H....and I was reminded, ever again, why I don't like to camp....don't get me wrong, it was an adventure and beach camping is a whole lot different than Pine Valley or Panguitch Lake camping....we were out in the open on the east side of a dune with the ocean beyond the dune which I loved....but, it was cold....and I don't like being cold......

..... it really wasn't as cold as it looks and I was able to walk in the water and enjoy it. I do love the ocean and seeing the people and what they do. Most of them have dogs that they walk and throw tennis balls to and the dogs obediently chase them hour after hour.....

We made it through a night in the tent....which we shared for a short while with a skunk but were able to get him out before he sprayed us....(another reminder why camping isn't my favorite activity)....

After a night, we headed down Highway 1 for some sight seeing and stopped at Nick's Cove for a little Crab....Randy had the sandwich and I had the mac 'n cheese, yum.....This is an old fishing village and sits on the ocean with reminders of the 20's and 30's everywhere. Cool little place....you can rent a tiny, unique bungaloo for a cool 600 a night....we passed on that one and went on our way to......

.....Sausalito and checked out the houseboats there. People do live here and we checked out a few neighborhoods and found our favorites...and some just plain weird ones. Two girls were painting a mural on their houseboat. Some people just have too much time on their hands.....

...and this is Phil McGovern. He lives on a small fishing boat, pays no rent, just anchors his boat and comes to shore periodically to charge his battery and go through the dumpsters. Cool guy and very willing to talk to us about life on the water. It's been an adventurous couple of days...to say the least and I really enjoyed every minute of it...most every minute of it. I will go camping again....just hope for a warmer day.

She ain't heavy....

 ...she's my daughter.... and as I see these pictures on Spencer's blog, my heart is full as I think about the circumstances last week. Laynee broke her leg early in the hike....Spencer hadn't joined them yet but was able to hike up later and assist in carrying her out.

My family has found great joy in hiking the Subway in Zion National Park for many years. It was never my choice to join them but I would always breath a sigh of relief when they would return with their tales to tell. It's a difficult hike but they've done it so much that I'm sure they are baffled that I worry...but it's just one of those things that mothers do, at least this mother. I know they have had a lot of "close calls" that they have never told me about. So, when I heard they were taking my four oldest grand children, once again I thought about it but that was all...maybe I offered a small prayer but I distinctly remember asking one of them to call me when they returned so that I would know all was well. I didn't hear at all that day but texted Laynee and she told me she had been hurt and had to be carried out.

The more I think about it after seeing these pictures, I get a tear in my eye, not because Laynee was hurt...she's fine, but because my boys were so willing to carry her out the 6 or so miles of rough terrain. Like they said, though...what else could we do? They are so strong in so many ways. Maybe it's the marathon training that they have had that helps them to know they can do hard things...I know they have the physical strength but it's the mental strength that makes this mom proud. They have all done hard things...and succeeded and will be asked to do many more hard things. I'm sure it was just as hard for Laynee to be carried as it was for them to carry. This was a "bonding" experience for my boys and their kids. They will never forget this experience...and Laynee will be forever grateful for her dad and willing uncles that did this for her.

I'm so grateful that my boys have grown up knowing and loving the beauty of Southern Utah and that they want to share it with their kids. I'm grateful that they want to do it together. I always said that the best way to raise sons is with your eyes closed. I think I'm still doing that today. It really could have been worse....we are so very blessed.

Many lessons to be learned here...maybe the greatest was learned by Laynee....we must let others help us sometimes. Why is that so hard?...................
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Speaking of Southern Utah.....and those that appreciate it, this is Jon B. Fish and his wife Shauna. Jon B. and his family lived in St. George when we were all so very young.....over there on Flood Street across from the hospital...and I remember the family well. His father was killed in a terrible  accident leaving his mom with 6 little kids to raise. They were an extremely talented family and good to the core....I remember the tragedy well. The Fish family and Randy's family lived in the same stake for many years and once I discovered they knew each other, I've been anxious to meet them and talk.

We did just that yesterday for about 2 1/2 hours and had such a good time getting re-acquainted and talking of the good times in St. George. These are good people that do a lot of good here in this Sacramento area. So much to learn from them and their willingness to serve.

Something sparked a memory....

.....of when we were kids and used to answer the phone in weird ways like...."hello, Sullivan's summer home, sum er here and sum er not".....or we'd call someone randomly and ask if their refrigerator was running and then tell them to go catch it....oh, we thought we were clever but back to the summer home thing.....my summer home has been filled with lots of good fresh food lately....not due to my green thumb or anything....but like a wise person once told our kids...."if you want a boat (or a pool) go find a friend that has one"....well, I've lived that philosophy with my garden....and we found a friend that has one and he dropped these wonderful veggies off yesterday and I made this delicious casserole with the veggies...(just boil up the veggies a bit, add Stovetop Stuffing and Cream of Chicken soup then bake).....then topped off the meal with this luscious fruit pie (click HERE for the recipe from Lauri's blog).....makes for a great summer meal....

....and, speaking of good things, I found a yarn shop the other day and it was a pure delight to spend a couple of hours there browsing and knitting and getting help with my project (will post later when it's finished).

Keep finding the good things to fill your summer....good luck to all my kiddies getting ready for their first day of school.

Always a fun time....and always good to get back to a schedule.

This is what Laynee gets to wear to school on her first day...you go girl. You always were a "trend setter". Click HERE to read more about it on Spencer's blog.

I have great admiration....

....for people that work hard because I don't, but I also have great admiration for people that schedule in some R & R with their hard work. Randy works very hard and our rest and relaxation this past couple of days has been Lake Tahoe......

.....where we chose to visit some mansions of the rich and famous of days gone by.

We talked a bit about our fascination with how the rich spend their money and these two beautiful places were just exactly what I would have purchased had I had their millions back then. First, the Vikingsholm Mansion, which was a mile hike down to the lake......read about it HERE. Most amazing.

I first saw this when we rode the Dixie Queen a few months ago (this is the view from the front of the mansion) and really wanted to go inside. It was only a mile down...but that meant a mile back as well. .....gained a greater appreciation for the "mile"....but we made it and it was really worth it. Money well spent, I would say.

The next one was the Ehrman Mansion....read about that one HERE. It was built in the early 1900's and was enjoyed by family and friends as they were invited to the property and treated with the highest degree of elegance from amazing beachfront amenities to formal dining every night at 7:30....(complete with a washed and gased car upon departure.)....and speaking of cars......

.....we stumbled onto "Hot August Nights"....read more about that HERE. We enjoyed wandering and admiring the restored vehicles and taking advantage of the craft fair and entertainment.

I especially enjoyed Sharon and the Chevelles....read about them  HERE . I could have listened to them all day...my kind of band. I enjoyed wandering the shops and meeting people, finding out where they are from....etc. etc....just doing the touristy stuff. Loved the beach, the pools and we found some "wings to die for" at Goodfellas Pizza...had them both nights. It was a great time.....now I'm resting from the R & R. So....there you have it. Work is necessary but so is play. It's always fun to take advantage of the beauty that is close by....it doesn't have to be extravagant....just a drive to Pine Valley, Zion, and now, for me,  Lake Tahoe. For the beauty of the earth I am grateful this day.