The Weekend via my I-phone

Friday evening it was off to my parents for a relaxing weekend with family.

I love going to my parents house.

It's like getting a mountain experience with all the comforts of home.

 

Brooklyn, Bailee, Kyle and I went.  Linc wasn't able to go, he had work this weekend.

It was Kyle's first time visiting the Grandparents house...

hopefully it didn't scare him away.

We are a family who likes to laugh and tease.

I love it!

 

There were times I laughed so hard  my stomach hurt and I had tears in my eyes.

Laughter is the best.

 

We rode the 4-wheelers

The kids visited Blackhawk camp.

 

Blackhawk camp is a tradition started by Grandpa so long ago I can't even remember.

My parents own a lot of property and on the property is a very big hill or small mountain,

up in the trees is a mock Indian camp called Blackhawk.

The story goes that in the night the Ghosts of the Indian's come back to the camp and visit. 

 They sometimes leave gifts for the kids to find.

My dad has hung beads in the trees and there are arrowheads and pieces of flint scattered about.

I think even a fire ring and maybe even an animal skull???..

I haven't been there in years...Maybe next time I will go with the kids.

Anyway since the kids were littles they have been going there to find treasures left by the Ghosts of Indians.  Once the kids got older we told them not to expect Blackhawk to leave gifts for them anymore.  But, that doesn't stop them from making the short hike up the mountain into the trees.

And surprise to us all they came back bearing gifts.  They were each left a beaded necklace.  It's actually really cool looking and they all were wearing them. I wish I had thought to take a picture.

 

We played games

We ate good food, we are always fed well at grandmas.

We went to church, which was more crowded than usual from all the people who have summer property and cabins they visit.

We spent quality family time, and we probably stayed up too late.

 

But as always it was a blast.

 

Next time I need to take my big camera, it just takes better pictures.

 

Brooklyn, Nash, Nick, Chase, Kyle and Bailee after a 4-wheeler ride. These photos were taken from the deck looking down. 

 Bailee and Kyle

 Sunday lunch of Tacos in a bag.  This was a really yummy fun idea.

You take a small Doritos bag and smash it up before opening.  Then you slit it open down the side and add your taco meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, olives, sour cream or Ranch and stir it all up and then eat it right out of the bag.  It was delicious and fun. 

It would have been really good with a Diet Coke...But, I resisted and had water.

I'm still Diet Coke free since April 1st.  The last Diet Coke I had was Easter weekend at this exact table. :)

It's fun to have dinner with this many people.  There is always a lot of fun conversation.

 Brooklyn, Uncle Marty and Nick.

Brooklyn managed to talk Uncle Marty into a game of Farkle on the ipad.  This wasn't too hard as Uncle Marty is always up for some fun.

 Grandpa, Brooklyn, Uncle Marty and Nick

 

It was a great weekend that ended too soon.  Me and the kids had to come home on Sunday evening because the engaged couple had work.  We are just grateful we had some time to go.

I can't wait until the 24th of July holiday. 

Back to Grandpa and Grandma's for the rodeo and some more family time.

There will probably be double the fun as more of the family will be there.

I can't wait!

"Fatsy", "Little Boy", "Little Man"..Ceasar

I document almost all family, personal happenings and milestones on this blog.  So it only seemed right that I would somehow document the passing of our sweet little puppy.

I know some people may say it's crazy to mourn the loss of a family pet, but Ceasar really was a part of our family.  We bought Ceasar when Brooklyn was just turning four.  He was the cutest little thing, about the size of a tiny kitten, but a bouncy puppy.  Ever since we brought him home he has really been my shadow.

He has always followed me around from room to room constantly under my feet. A true lap dog.  If I was sitting he wanted to be on my lap. :)

He had such a ferocious little growl, it would make you laugh.

He liked to herd Brooklyn.

If I would raise my voice to the kids at all, he would join right in, telling them what to do with a bark.

He would chase them until they jumped up on something higher than he could reach.

It used to make us laugh that this dog who weighed less than 5 pounds and was barely taller than their ankles could chase and corner them so successfully. He even had a few tricks up his sleeve.  He would sit, sit up high (like a prairie dog), stand high, wave with both paws, shake, and a trick we called "leave it".  Although, in his geriatric years (as the vet called him) he was less likely to be able to do some of these.  He has had bad hips and knees for about the last two years, but still always greeted everyone with the, I'm so happy to see you I'm not just ganna wag my tail but give you the whole body shake.

He and the Cat had a true love hate relationship.  The cat loved to tease and torment him and he loved to bark and chase her around.

He has traveled with us to Lake Powell, Yellowstone, St. George, Las Vegas, Mount Rushmore and many many camping trips to all kinds of places. 

We will miss him.

2010

 2011

 2012 

April 19, 2013

 Nap time

2003-2013

Uplifted and Edified

Today I listened and watched the first two sessions of the 183rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was a glorious four hours.  What a blessing it is for me, a member of the church to feel the spirit and receive instruction, guidance and inspiration from living prophets on the earth today!  There were many talks that I really enjoyed.  Sister Dalton, was one, what a great example to the Young Women and Women of the church.  I personally am so grateful for her service and dedication to the Young Women's program.

I also really enjoyed folding laundry and watching the programs in the middle of the two sessions.  If you missed them, you should really watch.  I really enjoyed The Tie: Be Thou an Example.

I was really touched to hear the statistics of the church.  14 million plus members of the Church!  Two more temples announced.  60,000 plus current full time missionaries, with 20,000 called but have not yet entered the mission field and another 6,000 with their papers in process.  That means soon we will have around 90,000 full time missionaries!!  That truly is an Army, God's Army.
D&C 6:2 "A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men."  This scripture has always been a favorite, and it just echo's in my mind even more now.  The church is growing, the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in it's fullness, it's here on the earth today, it is true, I'm blessed to be apart of it and I love it!

I can't wait for tomorrow!  You can read or watch for yourself here !!

Facelift

Life is all about change,
I feel like my life has been full of changes this year.
All of them good, but change none the less.
I am a creature of habit by nature so change is always a little stressful
and emotional.

That being said,
I felt like it was time my blog underwent a change as well.
~sigh~
It was a process that took way more time than I wanted...
I think I like it!

Happy Easter weekend!!