My Number Six......

...is nine today. Nine and fine....that's my McKay. Always quick to give me hugs and "thank you's"......

He's very multi-faceted and likes to try it all.....soccer, basketball, baseball and he showed us his stuff at Powell a few weeks ago.....

He's smooth, got dance moves, loves to look good and strikes an awesome pose. Another big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one amazing kid.

I'm sure he celebrated big today....and so did we. At the beach....Dillon Beach.

One last beach adventure....just had to get this one in. Beautiful sky, no wind, awesome camping and interesting neighbors. It all makes for a great adventure. I think this is going to be an annual "end of summer" ritual for us.....so let's just say, "Our Second Annual Dillon Beach Experience" is history. No skunks in our tent this year 'cause we didn't sleep in a tent (but we heard it scratching at the van). Next year I think we'll try a beach cottage. We saw some for rent!!!!!!

Someone is celebrating today....

....and he's a year old. It's Harrison Staheli (aka Harry) and he is so adorable. Here, see for yourself.

These pics are from one of my photo shoots when I was visiting there last month but there's not a bad one in the bunch. He's a cuddler and I loved his juicy kisses. He keeps his mom busy but being boy #4, he didn't have any time to waste to get to keeping up with his brothers. He's walking now....soon will be running....then on the ripstick. Happy Birthday, big boy. September birthdays are plentiful in our family as I have five....each one from a different family. Tomorrow, we celebrate Matty.

Matty is a walking celebration. Just looking at her you know she's one happy, energetic and "colorful" child. She's really grown up fast and loving her life adventures with her ever-active family. Way to go Matty....4 years old, rockin' the college pre-school for sure. And....speaking of celebrations. We were able to get out in nature again.....

Randy finished a house he had been painting so we had half the day to kill. We had wanted to get back to Loon Lake before the snow flies and we literally had it to ourselves yesterday. We only saw one human being the whole time we were there. A couple of boaters came by as we were leaving but it was amazing.....a celebration of God's creation. Our kayaks are our birthday presents to each other so each time we take them out, we are celebrating.

You've got mail....

....usually means "electronically" but isn't it great to get something other than bills or ads in the mail? It happened this past week and frankly, I was a bit shocked. It was an actual letter to Randy, a "thank you"....and it came by mail. Could have come by e-mail just as easily, or even a text message but ya know what, the fact that it came by mail just made it special. I got a hand-written thank-you note as well, left in my suitcase (along with a little gift, thanks Lauri). Who writes thank-you notes any more? Well, I hope I will start hand-writing and snail-mail sending notes from now on. It's just something we all aught to get back to doing. jmo....

 I just downloaded a book called "The Art of the Hand-Written Note" by Margaret Shepherd and she reminds me that compared to a phone call, "a handwritten note doesn't arrive demanding to be read when you've just sat down to dinner; it courteously lets you know who sent it before you open it; you won't be annoyed by the sounds coming from the pens of compulsive note-writers at the next table in your favorite restaurant. You'll never get a busy signal from a mailbox; you won't have to play "note tag" to get read; and your readers won't use "note waiting" to put you on hold while they open a note that arrives while they're opening yours. And in contrast to e-mail, a handwritten note looks beautiful and feels personal; you won't get an electronic virus from opening a handwritten note nor find a list of last week's lamebrained jokes." Here are a couple of little hand-written notes that Traci shared with me this past week.

I've saved all my notes from my kids through the years and I do treasure them. Margaret Shepherd goes on to say..."A note in the mail brightens a dreary landscape of junk mail, form letters, and prefabricated greeting cards, and it shines through a virtual blizzard of abrupt digital memos and disembodied voice chat. When a handwritten note comes in the mail, people pay special attention to what it says. Ink on paper is still the classiest way to express the thoughts that really matter, on the occasions that really count." 

I came across this blog the other day (Click HERE) that reminds me of why I like to write handwritten notes. I especially love "new" paper and I'm always looking for the next "most wonderful" pen. I treasure my pens and I know Scott always had to have a Cross pen in his pocket. The next time you go into Staples or Office Max, peruse the pen section and see what little beauty you can find to put in a special place in your purse or find some wonderful stationery and then sit down and write me a letter. We could be pen pals....and if you think it's just a "girl thing"....well you are wrong. Real men write notes, lots of them...from Napoleon Bonaparte to George H.W. Bush (and I'm sure you know many that do). This web site actually is for men.
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So, when I'm not sitting at my desk writing hand-written notes, I'm out on the water. We are loving our kayaks and I love being on the level with the ducks.

Ducks on the pond do quack a happy song and I was able to get a "ducks eye-view" of the Sacramento Temple from Lake Natoma....

I'm turning off the computer now and I'm going to get out my pen and paper and write a letter to my mom because she is the queen of the written note (maybe it's a blessing she refuses to learn to use the internet). She sends out more than 365 birthday cards per year and many other notes of correspondence. I'm sure she doesn't get much real mail in return but she will be getting one from me this week.

Kyle, this picture is for you. No feet!!!!

Let's hear it for the boy....

...the birthday boy, Drew (aka Andrew Scott Wells) who is 12 years old today. Yep, I'll always remember this one. The day after nine eleven, and we all know where we were on that day. I was on my way to Salt Lake to welcome Drew (aka Drewby) who would arrive on nine twelve. What an awesome kid he has turned out to be.

He's just good to the core....and "so far, so rad". I got to take in one of his soccer games this past week and it's been so fun to watch him grow in the game as I remember those early days when I would visit him in Kentucky. It's been great to watch him grow in life as well....he's on his way to adult awesomeness for sure. A great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout out to Drew today. Love this kid.....and speaking of love....

..I got to spend some time with Lauri and her girls helping her recover from gall bladder surgery. It was a blast....

These two little ones are so adorable and reminded me so much of my days of raising two little girls together.
Never a dull moment. Lucy and I got out so her mom and sister could rest. We went to lunch and shopped for 3 hours. What a trooper. Loved it so much.

I always love a little Pine Valley time when I'm home....and it was good to be invited to Mason's Hurricane Dental Party. The kids enjoyed the golf cart, target practice and marshmallow roasting. We watched the invasion of the hummingbirds from the porch and some deer came in for a visit. Always a good place to be on a Friday night.

Here are some random pictures from my week with my family. Saturday morning there were seven soccer games. I made it to six of them. Lucy is quietly enjoying her corn dog and coloring and Molly is queen of the house. Soccer, soccer, soccer.....the game of choice right now. They all play and love it.

On the road again....

....and I'm feeling like that's my theme song lately. Just got back from Henderson helping Lauri and James out a bit. It was a blast hangin' with the girls. They are a couple of little dollies and delightful as all git out...even tho' they both were a little under the weather. That justified our 9 to noon PBS watching and it was hot as heck down there so we just stayed inside. Loved every minute of it.....

Lucy makes a cute little garden gnome, don't ya think? Lauri's surgery went well and she is on the mend. But before I went down to help her out, I got to go to a Cross Country Meet....my first ever because my first ever grand child, Laynee Jane, was running in it......

She's a darlin'....and runs well too. She came in 2nd on her team and 5th overall. It was fun to be in town and be able to see what it's all about. But before that.....we spent Labor Day in Pine Valley.

We took the kids and hiked the trail that goes behind the reservoir. I'd never been back there before and they have made it really nice.

We walked past the old stompin' grounds of my 4H days and they have taken out the amphitheater that we used to use at camp each year. They have put in a bunch of really nice camp sites back behind the reservoir.

We had some nice photo ops on the trail. It was a fun little hike that I would highly recommend to anyone that has not done it. I can't believe I hadn't done it yet but now I have so there you have it. Oh, one more before I leave this subject....

I blog to document my existence.....so I have to make sure I'm in a picture or two. I always love being surrounded by these little ones. Meanwhile, back at the cabin.....this place has served us well through the 30 years it's been in the family.

...we had lunch then headed down  to Jeff's Ice Cream Parlor for some good stuff. We were finally able to do S'mores because it had rained a lot and the fire hazard was "moderate". It's been a long, hot, dry summer so good to finally break out the mallows for a little roast. Randy drove down with me for the holiday week-end and we were able to get his mom up to Pine Valley for the day on Saturday.....but before that, we were at Lake Tahoe for the week with his family....

The air was heavy laden with smoke from the Yosemite fires but we didn't let it slow us down much. We got out a couple of days and enjoyed the kayaks and the scenery. The upper right picture is what the sky was each night as the smoke would settle. It was hard to capture the real color of the red sun each night but it was a very beautiful sight. Whew....it's time to settle down now and enjoy the fall. Looking forward to the cooler weather and trips to Apple Hill....maybe a little Fall camping and exploring. I guess I'm just trying to live life large while I can.

Maxed out.....

....on fun this past week-end but first and foremost, speaking of MAX....it's his birthday and this first collage goes out to him....man of the week and a little man he is in every way. Strong-willed but very cute about it and with that smile, he's a charmer. Love this kid and hope he has the best day ever. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, big Max. You are awesome in every way....

....and speaking of max, I maxed out my camera this past week-end at Lake Powell 'cause we also maxed out on fun.....I really don't think we could have put any more of it into the 2 days we had there. So here come the collages....

Ya gotta start out with a bit of swimming and just relaxing....kinda testing the water....

..then some fishing and jumping off the dock.....

...with a little cliff jumping.....

...some boogie boarding (Evan is rockin' this one)!!!!

Throw in some wake boarding (the kids did awesome on this one but it was good to finally see the pros at their finest).

...and just riding in the boat.....(my favorite part of it all. I could do it all day and all night).

I just love being with my family and watching the cousins play and get along so well. I have to add one last collage just to let you know how they watch out for each other. Notice Maycee (upper left) is trying to signal to the driver (Mason) to slow down a bit because they all realize that McKay isn't doing so well......

Kyle's trying to give encouraging words but it's just not happening fast enough so George takes it on himself to jump so the driver will stop the boat. Way to go George.....McKay is fine and Kyle's just taking it all in. They carry on and once again, we are home safe and sound, no casualties. I am so grateful each time we get home safely. I used to pray really hard when my boys would hike the Subway and then give a prayer of gratitude for their safe return. Nothing has changed....they still play hard and are teaching their kids to play hard so I will keep praying (and close my eyes a lot). Thanks, Mason for a fun couple of days. He and Mandy are always willing to sacrifice so we can have this yearly trip. Everyone's lives are so busy, a lot of things have to be shuffled (some even missed) to make it happen but it's so worth it.  

Emily got to spend some quality time with her dad. This will be her Daddy/Daughter Date picture that she missed. Thanks again Mason. We do love our "Powell Time". Now I'm off for a little "Tahoe Time" with Randy and his family.

Redemption.....

.....finally getting a proper birthday blog post for Lauri.  I hope she had a wonderful "day after her birthday" and that she got the celebration she deserves. James made a book for her of her accomplishments over the last 30 years which include a mission, a 3-month BYU study in Mexico, a B.S. degree in Psychology, a wonderful mother to two, awesome wife to James....and a very important one is being a sister to Traci....(sorry Traci, about the finger in the nose but this was the best one of the two of you)...

...and an exceptional daughter to me. She has a wonderful cooking blog that you really must check out if you haven't already. lauriskitchencabinet.blogspot.com All recipes are tried and tested with only the best making publication.

She's accomplished a lot in her 30 years on this earth and brought a lot of joy and happiness to a lot of people. This little girl came to me after 4 boys so there was a lot of pink in the house and a lot of oohs and aws. Here's to another 30 and then some. Hope you got to eat some cake....

....and to quote Emily, "may there always be cousins". Lucy enjoyed her cousins in Traci's back yard on Saturday. I saw this quote about cousins the other day ....“A cousin sees the first tear, catches the second, and stops the third".....and it really should say.. "A cousin causes the first tear, catches the second and stops the third". There are always a few tears when the cousins get together but they never last long. Cousins are the extra brothers and sisters we get to have because our parents couldn't handle us all....they are the childhood memories that we can always take with us. These kids made some really good memories last Saturday. Thanks, again Traci. It was lots of fun.

Not sure I'm gonna make it back to town in the next couple of months so I took in this last night.....Tuacahn is just the most amazing venue. It's hard to be "from" here and not take in all the plays and concerts that are offered. So, I must.....('cause everyone knows that I don't wanna miss a thing).

I'll take in this one tonight. The St. George kids are all back in school (even Kyle) and Scott and Jake will start next week in Bountiful. These kids are bizzzzzy......oh my, I do remember those days. Makes me tired thinking about it. Can I just finish this with one last picture to put a smile on your face......

....and just so you know, I do love my family....each and every one of them. 

Expectations....

....it's just better to not have them and one can avoid a lot of disappointment. I'm sure Lauri's big.....  three oh was a disappointment as today was spent on the road and as I sensed a little dismay in her voice as to how the day was going, I could tell her expectations for this birthday probably had not been met very well. But, Happy Birthday anyway Lauri. You are loved.....

I flew into Vegas on Thursday and we motored to St. George for the night then on to Bountiful to spend some time with Traci and her boys. It was relaxing and fun but the real reason for the trip was to go to our annual Acapellastock in Ogden.....of which we always have high expectations and those expectations are always met...and then some. The show was awesome.....

We all had a really good time....

Even our "newbys" this year seemed to enjoy it. 

My expectations of the show were really high 'cause my favorite Acapella guy, Paul Sperazza was the M-cee.. He is so awesome. There were some really great groups and we loved them all....especially Nota, the winner of the 2009 Sing-off. It was all just very awesome awesomeness except for one thing and my blog will not have integrity if I don't get this off my chest here and now. This wonderful, fun group (Nota from Puerto Rico) invited the whole audience to come down front and dance and they did. I always pay big bucks for front row seats....and my expectations were just shattered all to bits as we had to watch bare bellies jiggle and huge behinds bounce to the salsa tunes of Nota.....I Nota like it very much, just so you know my world isn't completely perfect. I figure if ya'all are gonna have a party, don't charge top dollar for seats. Just charge everyone the same price and we will all dance to our hearts content. There, I said it, I'm done. Next year...general admission then we'll go down front and dance our heads off with the rest of 'em......it was a great show though.

We got up this morning and headed down to Temple Square....where every expectation was met as we enjoyed the always enjoyable surroundings of this beautiful edifice......

...and the ever-consistently excellent Tabernacle Choir and Music and the Spoken Word. If you had high expectations of this blog post, well I'm just really sorry 'cause I'm tired and I my pictures aren't the greatest but I just needed Lauri to know that I wish her a happier birthday tomorrow when James will make sure she knows she is loved. As I was thinking about my big three oh.....well, it wasn't so great either. I lost my 4th little boy to still birth just 10 days before my birthday and went on later in that year to have part of my thyroid removed. Now if that isn't just a downer I don't know what is but the point being....keep those expectations real low folks if you don't want a little disappointment around the corner now and then. As my dad said....."cheer up, things could be worse. So I cheered up and sure enough, things got worse." Happy Birthday once again Lauri and thanks Traci and Russ for hosting us. Now I'm going to bed expecting a good night's sleep. Aw...there I go again, inviting disappointment. Good night!!!!! 

The winding down of summer....

.......puts me in a philosophical mood but this says it best.

I've loved my summer days, lounging lazily in the sun....but now it's Fall....I really must get something done. How philosophical is that???? Yep, I have big plans to finish up some histories, some UFOs (unfinished objects in my knitting bin) and maybe (I said "maybe") get a head start on Christmas. We have been out enjoying these last warm summer days. I'm always amazed when we find new places and hide-a-ways and discover new favorites. We have been passing this restaurant for a year and a half now but decided to try it...got seating on the deck on a beautiful evening overlooking the American River and the food was wonderful....

Randy hasn't missed a Friday night taking me out on the town. I do love my Friday night dates......

As we were out enjoying nature this past week-end, I finally got to try out a kayak...and I must say, I LOVED IT.....(I had the camera so there is no proof but I did it and I'm hooked). The American River is really a nice place to play. Excitement is in the air and I have fond memories of this time of year. I wait anxiously to hear about the first day of school from my grandchildren. I must get some tomato soup cookin' to get the full effect.....good bye summer. It's been great!!!!!