No S.A.D. (Singles Awareness Day) for me.

No sirreeeeeee. I was able to spend a wonderful Valentine's Day (actually pre-Valentine's Day) with my hubby, Randy this year. We spent yesterday in Zion....

.....and as you can see, a perfectly beautiful day and one of our favorite places to be together.

We dined at Zion's Lodge, another of our favorite spots...and outdoor dining was the way to go.....

A selfie, some salmon cakes and the views from our table....and not that Valentine's Day is all about food but on the way home we picked up some steak and lobster for our dinner and we went as gourmet as possible......at home tonight.

It was great spending the day with my sweetheart and just enjoying being in this peaceful valley together in our home and out enjoying the sun shine on the snow.  Hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day.....and if it's SAD Day for you, all I can say is "been there, done that".....and I like this a lot better. P.S.  I'm still not caught up but will fill you in on our "Girl Friend Retreat" (last October) in up coming posts. Until then.....enjoy.

The BIG SURPRISE is documented....(previous post)

...but the month-long celebration of our 65 started in Maui. This year we traded our Lake Tahoe (not that we're tired of it) Time-Share for a week in Hawaii and it was a very good choice. It was beautiful from the start and our room had a terrific view of the ocean from the living room so we just moved our mattress on in for the week.  Randy's a bit of a "hotel snob" but changing to a better room would mean "no view" and I would have none of that so we compromised.

Top right is from our balcony. I actually was in the ocean quite a bit but I'm the picture taker here so Randy is the center of attention. We took rides each day to see the beautiful country side and drove the Hana Highway.....

...enjoying the culture and the beauty.  We stopped at various up-scale hotels to check out their beaches. Trust me, they are all beautiful. Some amenities were better than others but we enjoyed pretending for a few hours each day. We loved the scenery....both floura and fauna including huge turtles, lots of chickens, tropical birds and beautiful ocean views.

We decided we would do two commercial tours while there for the week....the first being the snorkeling trip to Molkini. We were supposed to snorkel in the semi-circular area (left) and we were supposed to see this (right)........but Randy found much more exciting things to see.  Notice the dot on the bottom of the picture on the left.

That's actually what he wanted to see and beckoned me to come and not hearing the instructions from the captain to stay inside the semi-circle, I went over to see what I could see which really was cool as it went from a few thousand feet deep to several thousand feet deep and that's actually where the rip-tides like to hang out and one came and got us. I had a noodle so I was fine but Randy started pulling me back to the boat but we were going no where fast. I saw this look on his face that I hadn't seen before and said "Are we in trouble"....."yes"...he said and he wasn't kidding....as we went up and down with the wave and further out to sea. He started hollering help and I started waving my noodle. I didn't feel impending doom. I've felt it before and this wasn't it but I think Randy did, I'm not sure but in our struggle to move any way we could.....
Ben Affleck showed up.......

....and rescued us. He was actually Ron but I couldn't think of him as anything but Ben, our life-saver for real.  He told us that Michael Phelps couldn't even swim this wave and he told us to hold on and he took us to another boat that was closer than ours. Chelsea, I think that was her name but she looked like Gidget to me, but she was so kind in our stupidity.  When I told her Randy always liked to push the limits.....(I wasn't really mad  just so scared thinking of what could have happened to us)....she put her arm around me and said..."but don't you two have a good time together". That we do. I had swallowed and thrown up salt water so I was done for food for the day so I pretty much figure the money we spent for this tour....well, it was worth it because we were both so very humbled and thankful to be alive.  What an adventure. I can now say for real....."I've been rescued from the unpredictability of the ocean and I appreciate it even more than before. The ocean is the boss.....we are just guests. Obey the rules people..........

It really was a fun adventure but one I will always speak of with humility.....probably the closest I've ever come to meeting my Waterloo.......but our last night was truly the icing on the cake....

...matching outfits and all. It was a beautiful evening Dinner Cruise, an experience so relaxing and a great way to end an amazing vacation. Let's do it again some time....k? Aloha.....'til then.

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Coming next.....the holidays in full swing. Good times....check back in soon.

Oh, I was surprised......

....and as I take up blogging once again, let me start by recapturing this wonderful surprise (and believe me, I was surprised....and I was surprised that I was surprised because I'm not easily surprised)....on the occasion of birthday number 65.

So this is how it went down. Randy and I have birthdays only 3 days apart so we are always together the end of October and first of November. Since I sold my home to Lauri and I am now living in Pine Valley, I  no longer felt it necessary to throw my own birthday party which I've done for so many years and I don't think I'd have too many takers here at my new place so "no party for me this year" just a quiet evening at the Brandin' Iron with my best bud.....but for some reason he wanted to go to The Cliff Side Restaurant to celebraate. "But I like the Brandin' Iron" I would say to him. "But I've had these reservations for a while now". "But you can cancel reservations really easy. I'm sure they won't mind". Randy always does what I want to do so this one time I decided I could oblige him and do what he wants to do because  he seemed so determined and wanted to go there so badly. Off we went to our 6:15 reservation only to be escorted into a private room off to the side of the restaurant to be greeted by.....

....my adult family (minus Mandy who was running the New York Marathon). Top two pictures they are hiding and waiting for my arrival.  The food was great and the bottom two are of me blowing out my candle (still so very shocked that they pulled this off). Traci was supposed to be representing at Aunt Maureen's funeral in Salt Lake. "Oh, thanks so much Traci for doing that for me. I just don't feel like I can go and leave Randy"......."No problem, Mom". They were all here. I couldn't believe Mason came either. I was sure his kids would want to stay there with their new found friends for Halloween but it was just so very fun. A highlight of my life for sure. I didn't think they could top the funeral book they gave me for my 60th birthday but they did. Thanks kids.....mostly Lauri and Traci but everyone participated and for that I was grateful.

I do love these five kids of mine and every one of their spouses. This just makes me smile all over again. I guess I was for sure "Queen for the Day" (notice pic on wall. Thanks Lauri. We decided to leave it there and tag this the Queen Jillyn Room. Actually, really my kids are fighting over it.....no actually, and really, Randy has it hanging in our bedroom as a reminder of my youth.)

The kids were all at the house waiting for us to come home. A lot of sillyness including the re-creating of a one of my favorite pictures of the boys (lower left) when they were little. They had cakes for both Randy and Me as his birthday is Nov. 3.  This was Friday night and Halloween was the next day. I did go down and enjoy the evening with the kids in their costumes as they took in the neighborhood treats.

I'm so grateful that Scott and I were able to establish some memorable family traditions and equally pleased when the kids liked them enough to carry them to the next generation. One in particular is the pumpkin carving we would do on the Monday before Halloween.

Kyle and JoEllen hosted a great "Carve Fest" this year enjoyed by young and old alike with the addition of power tools this year.

So I've got a really good start at catching up and I was planning to make a really long blog post but decided I need to avoid burnout so watch for "Here Today, Gone to Maui" later.......

Celebrating 65 in style.....

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."

Not sure I can remember how to do this ......

....but it's good to be back. Hope it sticks. I've got a lot in my head and heart that needs to get out in this amazing transition year for our family but first and foremost, a great big

  HAPPY FATHERS' DAY

to the five wonderful fathers of my 19 amazing grandchildren. (pictured left to right: Russ, Mason, Spencer, James, (Mother Mary) and Kyle. Y'all are the best.....such great husbands and fathers and doing just the right things for each of your families and as a mom and grandmother, I appreciate that. Nothing warms my heart more than to see happy children whether they are mine or yours and I think we're all basically pretty happy these days.

As I mentioned, a time of transition. I've moved and sold the family home of 35 years (tears, smiles, and trying to not be sad that it will be gone but glad that we built it and it wrapped it's arms around my family for so many years)....and I know houses aren't people but we tend to get attached to something that protected us and kept us comfortable. Thank you, house at 765 S. Lexington Dr.  I will pay tribute to you later. Mason is moving, Lauri and James are interviewing, we all welcomed our dear little Mae (fifth child to Traci and Russ) and it has been a challenge to watch my mother age and lose her ability to serve others and difficult as we try to serve her to the capacity that she needs and deserves.....but all in all, we are blessed. I feel very blessed this day to be in Pine Valley (more about that later) and to attend church in this historic valley and to greet new faces each week as everyone wants just a "little bit of heaven" for a day.  I'm loving being greeted by the squirrels, sung to by the birds, taunted by the turkeys, surprised by the deer and tricked by the beautiful elusive butterflies each day.  I hope I never get tired of it. And on this day I especially appreciate so much the father of my children.......

....so in his element here in Pine Valley with open arms to one and all and cooking dutch oven. He truly was a very "present" father to our children and we miss him but feel his "presence" with us as he left us with many good memories and lessons of life as we learned by his example. And my own father.....

...who worked so hard for our family and was a great example of what a father should be. I always knew I was safe with him and can remember waiting anxiously in the wee hours of the morning for him to return from his water turns so I could go to sleep. I love him and miss him so. I'm also grateful to have another wonderful father in my life as I've been married to Randy for these past three years.

He is the father of nine children and I have come to appreciate the fun dad he is and how much he cares and still takes care of his kids. He learned from a fine example as his father has been a big influence on both of our lives these past few years. We miss Spencer J. Reber but his excellent example will live on and we are especially honored to be able to live in his beloved Pine Valley home. He and Josephine are here in spirit for sure. So, to all the men in my life who proudly wear the name of "DAD" I once again pay tribute to you all for the great jobs you do every day as you wear the many hats of fatherhood. It's been a wonderful sabbath day to honor you and let you know of our love and appreciation.
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I will continue to update the past three months but will leave you with this today. Thanks for checking in. Come back soon.