Whilst on my morning walk....

....I happened by my childhood home. We lived here until I was 8 years old then moved a few blocks up the street but these were my early formative years and we had a good little neighborhood where we could roam free and play to our hearts content....part of that playing was on the grounds of the beautiful temple.....

.....so I couldn't find a picture of my house as it was back then but I found this picture to show the proximity of our home to the temple. These were simple times....we were practically on the outskirts of the town. I remember that I could walk uptown and know most everyone I would meet. East Elementary was only a block away and when we went to Woodward, we would walk the couple of miles uptown. Many a Saturday morning was spent taking the walk "uptown", doing some window shopping, getting a drink at the fountain at Dixie Drug or going to a matinee. I remember even walking home at night if there was a group of us.

Here's another one that shows the temple and our old Chevy.  My dad has been gone from us ten years now.....he was such a good father and I do miss him but I'm so glad he didn't have to get old. That's one thing he never wanted to do. He was always so young at heart.

Here's what the temple looked like Monday morning as I was out walking.....and appreciating the fact that we will all be together again someday because of the redeeming ordinances of the temple.

 Something else I noticed as I walked the old neighborhood were all the pomegranate bushes just bursting with crop.....I have just finished squeezing the ones I got from Grandma Rose's bushes (thanks Kyle and JoEllen for getting those again this year)....and I got a few from Josephine's tree but it's so tempting to knock on doors and ask if I can have them (and I may do just that)....but for now, I'll be satisfied with the six quarts of  "gold" that I have been able to harvest.

We do love our pomegranate jelly.....and if there's anyone out there just letting some of these little beauties go to waste, (I need the deep red sour ones), give me a call. You'd get a couple of jars of jelly out of it for sure. Speaking of families.....

...it was great to be with Mason's fam to celebrate his big day at Sakura....we always love the entertainment that comes with the good food.

There's always time.....

...to stop and pose with the kids on the marathon course....and Mason did just that this past Saturday as he came to our post. He is, first and foremost, a family man that nurtures and loves his kids and on this day, I wish him the happiest of birthdays and pay homage to the very fine man he has become. He has the tenderest of hearts....camouflaged in his "gruff at times" demeanor that has frightened some, caused others to fear him, but those of us that know him, get our laughs....and lots of them from his "tough guy" antics.

 He dentists by day....but is a soccer dad on week-ends as all three kids are playing.....and he has coached all of their teams at one time or another. This year he's concentrating on Miller's and does it with the utmost of patience.....

....and speaking of patients, he has many of those as he is a very well-respected dentist in Hurricane. HAPPY BIRTHDAY on this day to Mason Sullivan Wells........it was a good day 34 years ago in Fresno, California, when I became the mother of three sons.....it's been, and continues to be, great fun.

Marathon Weekend....

.....has become quite a tradition for our family and it's been especially exciting this year as my three sons and a daughter-in-law were running....but first....

...let me just say how beautiful the valley looked as I drove in last night....

...then as I headed out looking for some color....I was not disappointed.....

...then to the cabin for the "carb load" pre-marathon party....Spencer wondering why everyone is so happy...he's scared to death....but......

.....they all made it, Mandy kickin' it with 3:19, Kyle 4:00, Mason 4:19 and Spencer a very respectable 4:43. I'm very proud of all of them and feel the joy enough that I don't have to do it, however, every year, I wish I could and more, I wish I wanted to. I am a very avid fan and supporter...

 

...as are the kids. They love lining up and giving the runner's high fives.

 ....then it's off to an afternoon of soccer. They all had games, some at the same time...I could only make it to 4 of them but it made for a very full day. Loved it all....now I'm here arguing with blogger. It won't let me do what I want to....so I'll just let it go tonight....and hope it behaves for me tomorrow. I'm looking forward to General Conference tomorrow and getting caught up on what I missed today.

Moving on...

Been in Henderson and now back to St. George to watch my boys and Mandy run the marathon. Things are great here.....Lauri and girls doing well.

Lucy is indifferent toward Molly....that's good though. It could be worse. I couldn't get her to even get close enough for a picture....not sure what she is doing in the bottom left picture but Molly certainly is a little Lauri. It's been good being here and getting acquainted with little Molly and bonding with Lucy. We had a good shopping trip to Toys 'R Us.....I was tempted to get her a Barbie doll but I resisted. Good luck to all my marathon runners......

On the road again....

...it's just good to be on the road again especially when I get to see my new little grand babies (and my daughters, of course)....but I just got back from visiting Traci and her boys (Russ is out of town for a few days) and she certainly does have her hands full but handles it well. I don't feel like I do much but it's good to watch the action for a couple of days.....

Meeting Harry for the first time.....he's adorable....and good as gold.....eats and sleeps like a baby should.

Surrounded by her bevy of boys.....So how is it that you raise boys? With your eyes closed, I say, but Traci's are wide open and she's doing great....

Scott is showing off some of his Tae Kwon Do (sp???) and his mom helps with his sit-ups...he's workin' on his 6-pack. Max and Jake remain fascinated with their light guns....good times at the Staheli house.

We ventured out to Gardner Village to meet the witches there...after dinner at Archibald's (yum) Max and I found a yarn shop and boy were we excited.....(I went right home and made him a hat.) Gardner Village is such a fun place......I can relate to witches anywhere.

Meika and Scott showed up with dinner last night. It really was good to see them and enjoy their little ones for a couple of hours. Now...on to Henderson to check on the Stewart's.....see how Molly and Lucy are getting along with their parents. More fun times.....(Randy, if you're reading this, I'm having a good time but I miss you tons. I'll be home soon).

Update......

Here's the family.....we took Lucy over to the hospital today. She was shy at first but it didn't take her long to want to poke Molly. Good times ahead......

Not much better in life than having a sister......

Waiting patiently....

....for this new little person to join the Stewart family, I'm sure Lauri is wondering what the future will be.....she's in labor as I type this post. The blankets are done, Lucy had one last outing with her parents to herself....we are ready.

Lucy and I watch cartoons....I talk to her and tell her that her little sister will be here soon; she smiles and signs "more" as I've given her some crackers and grapes while we watch "Signing Times"....they are doing the sign for "feeling" right now and going through all the different faces along with the sign...."sad"....."happy".....I'm sure Lucy will be feeling lots of things that we'll never know and she'll never remember but she is about to be joined (dethroned) by another little princess. It will be fun to see how that goes.
*****************************
I remember 34 years ago in Fresno, California, anxiously awaiting the birth of my #3 (not knowing it would be #3 son) and I wasn't very patient. I think his due date was about this day that many years ago and he wouldn't come for 3 weeks after that....those Fresno times were magical times for me and I never wanted to leave there. We had friends, a beautiful home, Kyle had started kindergarten and was well adjusted (could walk to school).....but Scott had started his Veterinary practice in St. George and we would leave it all behind and start over again. I had the chance to visit Fresno as I passed through on my way here day before yesterday and was able to hook up with some dear friends.

Top left is Audrie and me....we both talked a mile a minute but did get pretty much caught up before Cecil came home for dinner. (middle top) Never have I had better friends than those two....I hated so much leaving them behind so many years ago but we have stayed in touch and they truly are great people and life-long friends. Top right is me with Susan...she lived across the street and baby sat for me and made birthday cakes for the kids. Bottom left....her parents, Bob and Dorothy Starr. I enjoyed them as neighbors so very much. Outside of Utah, you could live by someone for years and not know who they are but we got to know these neighbors and loved them dearly. It was so good to see them again. Bob is struggling with Parkinson's but he seemed happy to see me again. It was so kind of them to take the time out of their lives to say hello. Bottom middle is our house on Callish Street and bottom right is Robinson Elementary where Kyle attended Kindergarten for all of two months. Good memories and good times....all a part of the fabric of our lives. Now....we just wait. I'll finish this post tonight and introduce Molly to you. SHE'S HERE...SAFE AND SOUND....So cute....

Mom and baby doing fine. James and Lucy are too......I've enjoyed Lucy today. Probably overloaded on t.v. but hey, the days are long with a toddler. We had a good time......

I just have to....

...post this picture of Kyle visiting Traci and the boys. Everyone once in a while, there's just something that instantaneously makes you smile....this did it for me. I can just see the joy in those little boys showing off their new little brother to their uncle for the first time and hooray for Kyle, taking the time to break away from whatever business he was doing to go see the new little one....and speaking of happy moments.....

...I pause to think about the 4 months (tomorrow) that have passed since I chose to change my already very comfortable, happy life for the unknown....which has turned out to be even more comfortable and happy than before. Never could I have imagined that life could be so good and that I could be this happy with someone again but just for the record, it's been a wonderful 4 months....and never a dull moment.

 It works because it's right....and it's right because we make each other happy.

"Choo, choo, choo....

.....what's coming down the track...." just a little song I used to sing to the kids and tho' having a bit of a fascination with trains through the years, always loved to see them when we traveled, I realized that I've never really been on one.We took the opportunity yesterday to travel to old down town Sacramento where we met up with the Wintch's and their German friends and Richard's sister, Mary and visited the train museum there. It was fun to walk through the trains and picture how it would be to travel on one. We walked through the regular coach seating to the sleepers and through the dining cars. I really think it would be a fun way to travel and would like to try it one day. We did travel by train a little bit in our European travels but nothing too extensive, not like these with all the amenities.....the fine dining, etc.

....and speaking of fine dining, we then walked a block to "The Firehouse Restaurant" (click HERE to read about it) and enjoyed a most exquisite lunch.

We all tried something different.....and enjoyed every one. Yum....and I ended the day with a beautiful sunset.....can't get much better.

Let me just say....the space shuttle Endeavor flew over us yesterday and tho' I ventured downtown after the fact, I did try to see it from Folsom but was not successful but it made for quite a bit of news and buzz around here so here are some fabulous pics if anyone is interested.

We were downtown only hours after the masses that had come to see it had cleared away.....click HERE for some pics. Pretty fascinating stuff for sure.

If it's cake you want....

....this is the one. Lauri posted it on her blog (clickity click HERE) and I tried it last night. It was a hit and I was transformed to Chili's or Applebee's (I think they both do a version of this) and it was delish....to say the least, it was the most. I'm just sayin'........

...and speaking of cake, I hope McKay has one today 'cause it's his birthday and he's eight. I'm wishin' I could be there with him to give him a big birthday hug and eat cake with him.

He's got the biggest heart and gives the best hugs. He's into soccer, gymnastics, baseball and basketball, loves being with friends and cousins.....and I can't wait to see him baptized next month. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, McKay....I miss you so much and will see you real soon.  Have a great day and eat lots of cake.

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".