Another fun weekend

 Most people would not think building a rock wall is fun.  I would agree but the satisfaction of doing it and having it look so awesome is fun to me.  I got a crazy notion and decided to do another wall on the side of the cabin.  It took a few days but the cost was zero only a sore back.  Braelyn helped shovel dirt to finish it.

 Kellee brought her girls up to play on Friday.  After swimming Berkley took Karsen downstairs and found her a outfit to wear.  They played so well at our cabin and Grandma Moon took Braelyn and Kiley to the ranch house to play for the afternoon.

We have a deer that has adopted our cabin.  She could care less if your outside and just keeps on eating.  Berkley named her Bambi.   

There are three of the cutest puppies at the ranch house and Heather is in love.  She is not a dog person so this is surprising to all of us.  The girls have had a great time playing and holding them. They named each of them and I wish I could remember who is what.  One is a stinker and here she is hanging on her mom's tail and beating up a sibling.   

 

 One is very shy and at first they named her panda but changed it to peaches.  She is so cute and roly poly.   Bellamy just gets so excited and wants to pull their face.   

July 4th

 I did not pull the camera out much on the 4th.  We had a great time at the cabin and Starvation so I don't know why I didn't get more shots.  Me and Steve and Heather and the girls went out Tuesday afternoon.  That night Taylor and Taryn came and our good friends son Jared came out.  On the fourth we headed to the lake.  Our first time at Starvation this year.  When we got there it was overcast and the water was not smooth.  Regardless me and Steve got in and

skied.  It was chilly and with the sun covered by the clouds I about froze.  We set up camp at Indian Bay and the girls had the best time playing in the sand and climbing the rocks.  Kellee brought up Kiley and Karsen and the girls had fun playing with their cousins.  Here the girls thought they were so cool as they jumped off the cliffs.  At their age that is brave.

Taylor and Taryn being goofy on the boat.  Someday I am hoping they will outgrow the need to slap each other.  Soon the water smoothed out and everyone got a good run in.  Braelyn even came out with me and rode the skim skate and loved it.   

 The sun rarely made an appearance, but that made a nicer day for Bellamy.  She was really good and loved playing in the water.  Taryn and Taylor went home that night to watch fireworks and the rest of us went back to the cabin for dinner and a very dusty four-wheeler ride.  It was a fun day for me. 

Here is Heather and her friend Alex driving the mustang to her 10 year high school reunion. 

And the little one who is spoiled rotten and has us all wrapped around those chubby fingers. 

The best Grandma

 On Monday my sweet Grandma passed away.  She would have been 95 this August.  She was lucky and able to live on her own.  She had a massive stroke on Wednesday, they life flighted her to the University Hospital and was conscious for a few days but unable to speak.  She will be missed terribly, but I'm thankful she didn't have to spend the rest of her life in a rest-home unable to communicate or walk.  I know most people would say they have the best Grandma, but hands down I did.  When I was born my Dad told her to get her sewing machine out because she had a granddaughter to sew for.  I loved the things she would sew for me.  I remember the sparkling red pant suit she made for me in elementary.  I thought I was hot stuff and wore it all the time.  One year she made me and Jodi and our barbies matching pajamas.  She was an excellent seamstress.  She gave each of my children a quilt when they were babies.   Very talented.  She grew up in the depression and was very frugal.  She made a doll house out of a box and the furniture out of cardboard.  I loved playing with the doll house and would get it out every time I went to her house.  When Mom would come pick us up, I would bawl because I didn't want to go home.  She would also take us up to her cabin in strawberry.  We were in heaven when we got to go up.  She would fill up this big steel round tub and we got to swim in it our she would drop us off and we would tube down the river.  I still remember her killing snakes up there because we were scared of them. 

She told me a story of when she was in her 80's and was out mowing her lawn on a riding mower and somebody stopped and told her that her lawn wasn't big enough for a riding mower.  I'm impressed that she even mowed her own lawn.  She was very independent and would not allow anyone to help her.  Last year me and my Mom went over to wash the outside of her windows and do some light cleaning.  She was so embarrassed that she had not gotten outside and done her windows yet.  When I went to dust her bedroom I noticed on her night stand she didn't have any pill bottles.  I asked her where her pills were and she said all she took was a vitamin daily.  I hope I can say that when I'm 94.  She was such a sweet, quiet woman and I'm so lucky I got to have her in my life.  She got to be reunited with my Grandpa who has been gone for 23 years and her two daughters who passed away.  What a beautiful reunion.  Love you Grandma.

Mothers Day

 This year I had all my children and grandchildren over for mothers day.  In the morning Steve and Braelyn made breakfast for us.  Then after church they all kicked in and made a wonderful lunch.  It was a great day and ended with Bellamy soaking my skirt.  You would think I would learn by now and keep a diaper on her. 

 And what mother's day or Sunday I should say would be complete without everyone wrestling Taylor.   I guess some traditions they never outgrow.  Love my kids.



Bellamy's Baby Blessing

Bellamy was blessed on Sunday.  She is such a blessing in our lives and we all look forward to her huge smiles.  She cracks us up when she stares you down.  Taylor once tried to win in a stare down with her but finally gave up.  It's like she looks into your soul.  This picture is says it all. 

 All my kids were able to come for the blessing.  Because of the unique situation we held it in the Relief Society Room after church.  We have a wonderful Bishopric and each of them came to support us.  They were inspired and helped make it a success. 

We love our Bell's.  Just look at those cheeks and they are wonderful to plant big kisses on. 

Easter

After four years of the boys on missions and Heather and the girls in Georgia and Kentucky, we finally had everyone home and we made plans to spend the weekend and Easter up at the cabin.
Friday morning me, Heather, Taylor and the girls took off to open it up. The weather was cold and windy so we spent the afternoon inside dying Easter Eggs.
I really don't know what Berkley was doing.
Greg and Lauren made it up around 8:00 that night and Taryn picked Steve up from the airport and they made it around 11:00 that night. Like every morning around here Braelyn and Berkley were up before 7:00 that morning and soon everyone else followed. The Easter Bunny had come that night so the girls spent the morning finding eggs.


Bellamy is almost four months old. She is a busy baby and doesn't nap very well. There were plenty of adults around to help hold and entertain her.
Steve took off to work on his ditch first thing the next morning so we thought we would hike along the ditch and find him. Just as we started up the path Greg, Lauren and Taryn all heard a loud hiss. We stopped and looked all over but could not find out what was making the sound. For good measure I carried a big stick.


Luckily we didn't need the stick for anything other then breaking up the ice on the ditch.
Saturday the weather was perfect and we spent alot of time outside. The girls loved Greg's hammock he brought out.


We needed new family pictures so after church before anyone could change we got some. Steve had to keep running back and forth to set the timer.

Berkley was made that she couldn't sit on her mom's lap. I love this picture.

She got her way and is much happier, but not Bellamy.


My cute kids. I love when they get together, I just sit back and listen. They are such good friends and truly watch out for each other.


My shoes were too cute and matched my dress so well that I had to get a picture.

Lauren is such a sweetheart and so easy to be around. She is a great addition to our family.

We finally got Internet up to the cabin and it was a good thing so I could look up how to make fried chicken. I've made it before but it was nothing to rave about. This time it turned out pretty good. Everyone is helping get the meal on the table.






We grew up rolling our Easter Eggs down a hill. I've kept that tradition with my kids and it took us a few tries to find a hill that would work. Of course we only get a few rolled down before it turns into an egg fight. This time it was everyone against Steve and Taylor. The girls thought this was great and Braelyn told us that this was her best Easter ever. I would have to agree with all my kids home again.