Nothing like a good surprise....

......especially when you can pull one off and Spencer was able to make this one happen because he threatened us all that if we let it out, we'd have to pay for the Hydrotube and so we were all very, very careful and Laynee did not have a clue.....if she did, she was a pretty good actress.

This old Hydrotube at the City Pool has been around a long time and simple as it is, compared to the "big time" water parks, it's close and the kids came here as kids so they've all let their kids come here at least once a year even though they have their own pools.....nothing quite like the Hydrotube. It's been a part of their school swim parties, hot summer afternoons, and recently, it's fun to go in the evening when you can rent it and it's "all yours"....Laynee especially loves this and so we celebrated her 13th birthday here last Tuesday night with lots of family and friends for an hour and a half of pure, wet fun.....with no rules. I'm sure the lifeguards had to cringe a little at some of the diving board antics but they just turned their heads and let it happen. The picture below is early 80's I'm thinkin'...and I think it's Kyle in the midst of an awesome dive.

Speaking of the 80's.....baseball camps have always been a part of the life of our "boys of summer". Here's the boys with their cousin Jeff (and others) at a camp in Cedar City.

The cousins are enjoying a night camp at Dixie State College this week-end. Fill up their summer with baseball, swimming and Snow Shack and it's soon over and done and they are back in school before ya know it. 

Brilliant idea to hold a camp from 6 to midnight....avoiding the intense daytime heat. They are lovin' it and so am I.

It goes against my nature....

....to leave anyone out but last night I had to have a "Boys Only" night as I had a "Girls Only" one a few months ago and frankly, it's getting more and more difficult to have them all at once (I do think the boys prefer the girls there 'cause they are a lot more creative in the "to do list" part of the evening)....we got along fine.

After the usual pizza and rootbeer, a trip to Snow Shack...

...a visit to Town Square.....

...and my love ran out about 10 but they were all pretty much bedded down by then. It was good. Why do I do it? Well.....mostly I guess I want them to remember me when I'm gone. Hopefully they will be good memories. I loved my grandparents and especially remember "sleep overs" at my grandma's house. I think we have to "try" if we want that....and I do (want that) so I try. They are all so adorable and very good boys.

It's a blink...

....from diapers to Depends (a quote from the movie "One Week"). This is ringing so true to me today, not that I'm needing depends right now but time is certainly passing quickly as my oldest grand child is a teenager today. Happy Birthday, Laynee.

I love all my grand kids but I dearly love any "one on one" time I have with each one of them to visit and get to know them on a personal level. Laynee is one really cool girl that everyone wants to hang with. A smooth, calming personality, all accepting and non-judging. So glad I've had 13 years with you, Laynee Jane, the first year getting to see you most every day while your mom worked and then the many visits to Kentucky. Keep being the good girl you are and you will go far......

....and speaking of wings, I don't know what it is about this family and wings but we all love 'em and especially at "B-Dubs"....and now that Lauri lives in Henderson, we're all over that when we are in the vicinity. No exception yesterday as I flew in and Kyle and Jo came to get me....we had to make a trip for the sampling of the wings.....Parmesan Garlic being my particular favorite but they were actually all very delectable.

Lucy enjoyed her mac and cheese but nibbled a bit on a wing or two as well......

....and BTW...it's been a month of wedded bliss for Randy and me.....yep, just 4 weeks ago yesterday we said our "I do's"......I am lovin' life. So glad we have each other to "depend" on in these golden years. I may be old but I'm feelin' young...what could be better than that I say.......

"Diners, Drive-ins and Dives"....

...has nothing on us today as we dined at Sandra Dee's.....soul food at its finest in Sacramento.

I joined Ambyr, (Randy's daughter) Jacob and Tiare for some fried chicken, catfish and tasty sides at this little diner....

 .....and it so reminded me of Mason and his dental school buddies that would find the "dives" of Louisville every Friday. I'll be lookin' for more of these unique places in the months to come for another "taste of California".....yum!!!! Speaking of good food....be sure to check out Lauri's Cooking Blog at
http://lauriskitchencabinet.blogspot.com/ for some great food ideas. She's back at it and I'm glad. Everything on there is tried and tested and very delicious. Thanks Lauri Bea....keep up the good work.

Let me just take this moment....

...to pay tribute to the three fine fathers that I helped raise.....and express my gratitude for the father that raised me and to the father of the three fine sons that I raised; also to the fathers that are married to my daughters and the wonderful father that I am now married to. Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there in blog land. You are loved...hopefully not just today but always.

May your sunsets be plentiful and as beautiful as this one last night from our deck......

Shoot....

.......it is your birthday today, isn't it? Just remember....

....there's scarier things than growing old.

 Not sure what but have a good one. Glad you're the mother of my grandchildren. They are in good hands.
Happy Birthday.....

If you are looking for it....

....you can usually find a little magic (enchantment) in every day. Mine came yesterday when I watched a man at the mall show off his bird to some little kids so I became a little kid too and started watching and laughing and thinking how much fun this guy has every day bringing Maya (the bird) to the mall and seeing the joy on the faces of children (and adults) as she performs her little tricks. Here's a link to the YouTube video that someone posted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS7OILeu2W8.

I asked him if I could take a picture then he said..."Here, let's take your picture"....and he put her on my shoulder then told her to climb on my head but she wouldn't because my sunglasses were there but once I removed them, up she jumped. I stood still and got the shot.

Then I went outside (still with a big smile on my face) and saw a little gardenia bush and picked me one. I just love these and they are everywhere, like magic, these little flowers that smell just like the big ones that ya pay big bucks for at the florist.

Then, I got home and because I have been missing my satin pillowcase, I whipped me up a new one with my little "piece of magic" sewing machine. I know it's not fancy but it  made me smile watching it make the fancy little stitch on the hem.....you can see it doesn't take much to amuse me. It really was a magical day....just wondering what today will bring. Hope we can all find a little enchantment in every day.

I cannot tell a lie....

....I miss my family and friends immensely but I'm loving my new adventure. Randy gets me out and about exploring nature and yesterday was no exception and I'll call it a Sunday stroll but it pretty much was a bit of a hike....and it was really fun. Folsom Lake is really close and this little trail that lead us down to the lake where we watched a lot of boaters, skipped a few rocks and snapped a few pics.

I cannot lie about how I feel about pets, especially indoor pets. Mostly I'm afraid of dogs and a bit intolerant of cats but Minx was left behind here and I've gotten used to her, actually, I really quite like her and I've petted her a few times. Anyone that knows me will really wonder if I'm lying but I'm not. I'm liking having her around......

I cannot lie about my love of coconut and I'm wondering if I've been coconut deprived but here's my item of the week for my "Jillynterest" list....these yummy Coconut Frozen Fruit Bars that Amber has introduced me to from Whole Foods. She took me there Saturday and showed me around and picked out a few of her favorites. They are a wonderful coconutty treat, loaded and making you wonder if you just ate a fresh-picked coconut.

I've been accused of being "brutally honest"....and I hope the emphasis there isn't on the "brutally" but I never did lie very well so know that I'm telling the truth when I say life is good....bad things come but it's always for a reason 'cause what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. It's always better to tell the truth then ya don't have to remember as much. I'm not lying when I say that I hope y'all have a good day.

Birthday wishes...

...to James today. James Stewart joined the family 2 years ago when he married Lauri; it was a happy day and I hope today is also a happy day as the two of them (I should say 3 1/2) of them are settling into their new life in Henderson. James is such an awesome husband to Lauri and father to Lucy....

 Happy Birthday, James.....make sure you eat some cake today. Have a good one!!!!!

Just gotta share...

....and I've heard the place to do that is a place called Pinterest. Never been there; I think I joined once but didn't know what to do with it but I understand it's a place like a bulletin board where you "pin" your "interests"....catchy and a good idea (hope someone is getting rich from it) but since I'm not really interested at this time I'm just going to start my own and call it "Jillyntrest" 'cause I've got a couple of things that I'd like to share so if we went to lunch, it would be my first topic of conversation and I'd start something like this. "When I was in Kentucky, there was this amazing ice cream made by Graeders called Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip that I absolutely loved. I could eat a whole box of it by myself in one sitting and Mason used to stock it for me and I'd sneak down to the freezer in the night and eat it....and, it's weird 'cause I don't really get off on ice cream very often but this one was amazing. I've looked for it everywhere since the boys moved from Louisville.....can't find it, or anything like it. Tried buying Black Raspberry and putting in my own chocolate chips but just didn't do it for me but guess what.....(then you would say "what" in a very interested tone of voice)....I found some here in Northern California but it's just Breyers so I'm sure you could get it anywhere.....anyway, just wanted you to know that.....and I've almost eaten the whole carton. The chips aren't as big and it really isn't as good but it's close enough.......

....and then there's this other thing I was introduced to the other day by a family member who sheepishly told me about this. It's not something we talk about on a "regular" (that's a pun) basis but so totally worth sharing and they totally work. It's these little gems and you can click on this link  http://justadrop.net/. You are gonna want to carry them in your purse, have them in every bathroom in your house and spread the word....they are amazing. There you have it, my "Jillynterest" items for the week. Hope you don't mind my sharing my new finds.

Just one more item of interest....

...this beautiful sunset off our deck last night. Have a great day and find something to share and someone to share it with.

Oh, the places we've been.....

Blogger is giving me fits on this computer so I'm not sure how often I'm going to be doing this but I won't complain....and for the record.....it's been a great week, from Pine Valley, to Zion, back to Pine Valley catching a little "fishing action" at the Gardner Pond then on up to Tahoe (which I lost all the pics from my SD card)....then to San Francisco yesterday. Oh, yeh....the places we've been and it's been a blast.......

This picture took me back a few years to the first time we took the boys to San Francisco. We went to see Bruce Hurst play in Oakland and rode the BART over to the city. At Ghirardelli Square, this guy (we call him Guitar Joe) was playing and making us laugh with the rhymes he would make with the kids names. He was much younger then (had to have been over 25 years ago) but he was still there. I asked him to sing "Jumbalaya " and he really couldn't. He turned away from us when we wanted to take his picture until we put the "green stuff" in his guitar case. Still laughing and making rhymes....."I'm Mawvin....and I'm Stawvin'".......

Just some random pictures from our travels. A boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz was awesome. Just walking on the wharf, seeing the vendors and of course, having a hot fudge sundae at Ghiradelli Square.

Lizzy and Brione (at the Gardner Pond) provided the pole and Randy dug up the grubs. They caught two fish in about 20 min.....

We enjoyed the evening with Randy's daughter Amber and her family. Randy got "schooled" in ping pong by his grandson Spencer.  Good times......I hope anyone reading this is enjoying life 'cause ya shouldn't postpone joy. Have a wonderful sabbath day.

Lots to celebrate....

....and I feel like this past week has been one big party but today, the party is about George. He's one boy worth celebrating and he's twelve years old today. Here's hoping the day is as big as his heart. This is one special guy with creativity out the yang-yang and talent to match. He plays piano and plays in plays (just got done doing Titanic at Tuacahn) and has never-ending energy.

We had a fun family reunion/pool party for the May birthdays.....Miller, Jake, Scott and George. Then.........

....Saturday was our wedding in Pine Valley. It was a wonderful day and we've just returned from five days of celebrating together and I will post more later as the pictures come in.

I just want to thank my friends and family for their wonderful support of this decision in my life. We had a wonderful day and the marriage was beautifully performed by Pres. Allen Cannon of the Pine Valley Branch (also a good friend and classmate). Off we go to our new life together.........not "going away" but "coming together" as hopefully our families will open their hearts and let our new life into theirs. Check Spencer's blog for more pics and another perspective....thanks Spence!!!! (click on this link wellsweirdos.blogspot.com).

As the family gathers....

......for my big day I have to admit there are so many feelings floating around my mind but as I retire this night, the one that surfaces is a feeling of gratitude for the support I feel from family and friends and the joy I feel as I watch my adult children enjoy dining out together, leaving their kids home with the older ones in charge and coming home to a sweet "calm" as they are so familiar with each other and being in my home....they've learned to play together and care for one another; and I'm grateful for the fact that I've been able to surround myself all of my life with a strong support system to be with me through the hard times and the good times. In this "good time" of my life, it's the same people that have stuck by me through the years and are happy that I'm happy and people that I pray for and that will pray for my happiness. I've always felt like the more people that could love my children the better; but now I know that the more people that I can love and feel love from, the better. I feel like I'm adding a whole lot of new people to love as I get to know Randy's family. We celebrated with Josephine as she and Spencer would have been married 65 years on this day.

We are also celebrating Jakes big day.....he's four years old  and I'm so glad he's here so I can share his day. He actually had his own celebration last week but today is his day. Happy Birthday, big guy. Love that little toothless grin and sweet, loving spirit. Always a "hi, grandma" when he sees me and big hugs.

Scotty (he informed us that he's Scott now) turns 6 tomorrow and seems and acts more like 16...good, good kid and a big help to his mom. Always talkative, animated to the point of entertainment and creative and enegetic as well. This kid's is going places.....always surrounds himself with love as well. Smart kid....it takes a friend to be a friend and Scott is everyone's friend. Happy Birthday, tomorrow Scott. I will forever on share this date with you....May 26, your birthday, my anniversary. U R A Q T for sure. Love you.

It's late....

....I can't sleep....I'm sick.....I'm accused of having my "head in the clouds"....'cause I'm getting married I guess....and maybe I do but I'm enjoying the ride.......and I've enjoyed the last couple of days with the kids.

 I always go back to my favorite quote from my favorite movie, "Hope Floats"...."Endings are sad, beginnings are scary...it's what's in the middle that counts"....and my " middles" have been good. I remember heading out on my mission 7 years ago this month....all alone....probably the scariest thing I've done....but the middle was good and the ending was sad but it prepared me for living alone and now I have a chance for companionship....and I'm goin' for it. I have been blessed; I'm a little frightened but fear and faith don't dwell in the same house so I will forge on in faith and tho' many say it will be hard, and it may....I must move on.....and make my next "middle" count.

*********************

Maycee's dance recital was amazing, Emily is awesome, the eclipse was educational (we all learned the word "annulus" as we heard Kyle repeat it many times)...and Sunday nights at my moms are very enjoyable....life is good. .SCHOOLS OUT this week!!!! Fun times ahead.

Playing with fire....

...is o.k. if you are a Hibachi Cook....and that's what Miller chose tonight for his birthday dinner, Sakura Hibachi.

Miller is actually afraid of this but it's what he chose and he was quite proud of himself tonight....'cause now that he's 4, he's not afraid. "I'm only afraid when I'm 3 but now I'm 4" (as he puts up 4 fingers.) So proud of this milestone....making great strides, if ya ask me. Ya, we don't want our kids to be afraid of fire.....do we? I'm thinkin' this place is promoting a bit of pyromania.....oh, and don't try this at home.

The little ones are the only ones that used chopsticks tonight....impressive.

So there you have it..."Miller Time" today and he's not going to let you forget that IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY and HE'S FOUR YEARS OLD. He went around the table and made us all tell him Happy Birthday. It's gonna be a great day.

Happy Birthday, Miller....it's your day so let's go party.