Summer Hiking...Headed To The Top

There is a hill/mountain (depends on your perspective of what a hill or mountain is) behind my house. Its quite a jont to the top, but I wanted to climb it this summer as part of my "Summer Bucket List". 

One sunny Saturday morning, Halle and I ventured out to make this happen. 

Every step you take, you can see more and more of the neighborhood and the town below......

The pictures just don't do the view justice...its a bit breathtaking and crazy beautiful. You can see 

where the town begins and ends...its gorgeous!

As we walked farther up the mountain, we looked off into the distant to see this "make shift potty"...

Didn't know for sure what to think about it....interesting for sure!

Finally made it to the VERY top and could see the entire town......I love this little place I live!

The cactus were in bloom, something that comes and goes so quickly that you don't often see

the beautiful flowers that the ugly cactus produce.

On TOP of the mountain with  the cell towers and other "towers" that keep our electronic 

devices going............

We hiked for about 2 hours....ventured home and ate homemade Baklava, something that 

I ADORE!

It was a great trip and a fun day!......I am glad I live in a place where I have "adventures" 

right out my door!!

In Honor Of....the ones I love~

Memorial Day is one of those times that cause us to reflect on our loved ones

that have passed...at least it does me. I wasn't able to visit the graves of all those that have gone, but

I was able to visit one the cemetery where a few of them are buried. 

I have been lucky enough to have many wonderful people in my life, as a child as well as an adult. My grandparents on both sides of my family have always played an important, and special part of my life. 

Not too long after I was married, we moved to a city that was very close to my dad's parents. I got 

to spend alot more time with them. Grandpa and Grandma were always there for me. It didn't matter

whether I needed a recipe, a babysitter, a friend or just a hug...I knew that I could call or visit them any time

and they would be there for me. I miss them terribly and can't wait for the day when I get to see them again. Dayna, Halle and I were able to pay a visit to the cemetery where they are buried, along with one of my dear cousins who just passed last year, a very special uncle and my sister, 

who was born, and also died before I entered the world.   

Some may not feel that it "appropriate" to take pictures at the graveside of someone that you love, 

but I feel its a great comfort to be where their body lay to rest and feel like in a small way I can still be with them. As I sat there looking at the headstones I had many wonderful memories come to mind of these special people and am grateful for the time I was able to spend with them on earth. 

As we sat by my sisters headstone, I couldn't help but wish that I knew her, that she could have known my children. I think she would have loved them so much and been such a fun, special aunt. I imagine her taking them places and spending time with us....I miss her, even though I didn't know her!.....Someday, I have faith, that I will see her again!

Till we meet again!!! I love you all!

Little Floaters

We have a river that runs very close to our house. Ever since my older children were 

teenagers, it has become a favorite summer activity for the kids to float down it. It brings a little

anticipation as well as excitement as they prepare for the several hour journey down the cold and swift

water. The older kids always had a sibling to float with them....or a pile of friends.....Halle on the other hand, being the youngest in the family,  is sort of an "only child" at home. She doesn't have siblings to hang out 

with or to do things with. She has asked me a few times to float down the river, but I'm not as 

brave (or crazy) as I once was. Her cousin, Brittley, was over one weekend so she

jumped at the chance to have someone to be able to float tubes down the river with.   

After having a plate full of veggie pizza, they jumped in the car and I took them to the "starting point" of their
river floating journey. As they crossed the fence and started creeping into the water, they discovered how miserable cold it was. I was almost sure they would back out and change their mind....but much to my amazement...they persevered and got right in...for a "supposedly LONG ride".

I left them to have an afternoon of fun, went home and carried on with my daily chores....only to see them show up shortly thereafter.....wondering what happened, I asked....come to find out, their tubes got snagged up with a mean old Russian Olive tree, therefore popping their tubes.....SO MUCH for floating the river.
Oh well....they made some fun memories and were able to laugh about their experience. Cousins are awesome.... and Halle has the best ones around!

The BIG 17

I remember when I turned 17...in fact it was just a few short years ago (*wink, wink*). Our 

youngest munchkin turned 17 (okay, it was 3 months ago, but I'm playing "catch up"). I can't believe how

the time has flown. Her birthday is alway momentous for me because of the things

that surrounded her birth. She was born 2 months early and had a rough start. Each month, each year, was a milestone....so reaching age 17 seems like a little miracle in and of itself. 

Halle has overcome many obstacles in her life and continues to be a fighter. Her 

favorite things include playing with her nephews, enjoying yummy food, good belly laughs and watching movies. She isn't anxious for graduation in a year as she will be starting a new chapter in her life....BUT

she has many goals and aspirations as she looks toward her future~

We try to make birthday's a HUGE thing in our family....after all, everyone's life is a reason

to celebrate....every birthday signifies another year of a fabulous person!!!

Happy Birthday to this beautiful girl! She is a sweet young lady and 

has much to offer the world as she ventures into becoming a grown up!!

We love you Ms. Halle!!!

AKA "Mary Ellen" ;)

Summer Bucket LIst 2014

Summer always comes and goes, not matter what I try to do to stop it. I look forward to those HOT summer days and WARM nights for what seems like an eternity and then it's ALL gone before I know it. For the past 2 years (this year being the 3rd) I have made a "Summer Bucket List" of things that I want to do during those hot and wonderful summer months.....BUT for the last 2 years, very little was ever accomplished from my list. THIS YEAR I want to change that, I actually want to complete most, if not ALL, of what I put on my list. I want to be able to look back on summer with a sense of "FUN", with a sense of "EXCITEMENT" and have memories that go beyond pulling weeds, mopping floors and watering the lawn. I want to have pictures that remind me of my fabulous summer........................SO in order to help myself actually ACCOMPLISH the THINGS I set out to do, I made a list, THEN I actually scheduled my bucket list of "to do's" on certain days in my day planner. Then as I'm doing the things I've written down, I take pictures of all the fun I'm having....sounds fun right?!...well, here's proof that my summer is going to be FUN!

Summer Bucket List 2014
hike the Moon Lake trail, from the beginning to the end
*start a potted herb garden
watch a sunset at the lake
go to the library and check out books
read a book for the afternoon, outside
watch a movie outside with Halle
take a day off to go out and play with my camera and develop my talents
*eat a majority of my meals outside on the deck
write a letter to my future self
go techno free for 1 full day
go to the drive in movie
make a picnic and go to the mountains
go for a bike ride
*hike the hill behind our house
help Halle with her cooking skills
finish recipe book
go to the zoo
take Halle to Lagoon
*BBQ with extended family
spend a day at the lake
go for a scenic drive
*go watch a sunrise
do a crossword puzzle
make homemade rootbeer
*have a July 4th BBQ
play flashlight tag
*go miniature golfing
lay on the grass and watch the clouds
prank someone and film it
have a hotdog roast at our house
skip rocks at the lake
sketch a picture while sitting on the beach at the lake
*watch the fireworks
make popsicles
*watch a sappy summer movie
refinish old pie shelf

So far I've done 9 of my 36 things....its a start!! I think thats more then I did the last 2 years put together. I'm enjoying my summer a little more because I have things to "look forward" to. Its Halle's last summer before she leaves for college (she may or may not be here next summer) so a good chunk of my activities will include spending time with her. I also have a VERY HARD time relaxing. Its not in my nature to relax or to take time for myself....so many of my "bucket list TO DO's" involve just that, relaxing and taking time out for me...which I think I need (as does everyone) right now. Everyone relaxes in their own way, I chose the things that I enjoy, and that will make me smile. Summer doesn't last long around here, nor is it predictable....somedays its hotter than one can stand, and other days its colder than one can stand, but I hope to get everything done regardless of the weather and have a blast doing it!

"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures"

....THIS is my summer 2014 MOTTO!

From The Mind Of A Three Year Old...

Kayson and Kenron spent the morning at our house several months back. 

Kenron kept asking if we could go for

a ride in "grandma's white car". I don't have a car seat for Kayson, so I told him that later

I would take him for a ride. "Later" arrived and I told his dad that I had promised to

take Kenron for a ride, so we loaded up in the car. I asked Kenron where he wanted to go. 

He very quickly said, to the store to buy a soda, then he wanted to go throw rocks in the water.

We went to the store and bought a "juice"...which we called "soda" and then drove out to Borem Lake.

 This is the lake that I grew up calling, "THE LAKE". I didn't know there were any others

close by because this is the one that we always went to to have hot dog roasts and to swim in....as far as 

I was concerned, this was THE "ONLY LAKE"!....so I thought, why not introduce Kenron

to  "THE LAKE". He wanted  to throw rock in the water, and touch the water....sw we did. He giggled and

thought it was fun.

 Then he decided it was too cold, the wind was blowing a cool breeze and I agreed with him...

 So he said he wanted to, "walk back to the car".....Kenron isn't able to walk on his own yet

because of his Cerebral Palsy, but with the help of someone, he can take small steps

with his leg braces on. He was SOOOOO excited to walk in the dirt. So little by little

we made our way back to the car. 

He kept saying, "I'm doing so good, grandma". I was doing all I could to hold back 

my happy/sad tears as I watched and helped this little angel walk. He WAS DOING SO GOOD, and I

made sure I let him know how PROUD I was of him.  

Someday this little man WILL WALK on his own...he will be able to run and skip and 

do all the things that the other little boys and girls get to do....but for now, we are SOOOO proud

of each and every milestone that he makes, and walking from the lake to the car, was HUGE! 

I love this little angel that God has sent to our family. He is a blessing on ALL LEVELS!

I can't imagine my life without him and I can't wait to go with him for another "ride in grandma's car". 

Swimming Like Fish

While we were down to St. George for Kim's graduation, we stayed in a hotel

with a swimming pool. Halle hasn't ever been a real "fish". She has always liked to play in the water, but swimming was a fear she has had for years, but especially after she almost drown in a lake a few years back. BUT.... after returning from an overnight school 

trip, she kept telling us that she had learned to swim from one of her friends.....WELL, now we 

wanted to see...............

This girl, surprised me when she jumped right in the 8' water and swam to the other side!!!!

She swam back and forth across the water. She tread water and had a great time. 

After talking to her a bit, I understand her fear. Swimming in the pool is much different than swimming in open water, for one, the edge isn't too far away, but you can also SEE the bottom. I also have a bit of a panicking feeling when I swim in open water. I was proud of her for wanting to learn to swim, even if it was when she was 17. She may not be a super swimmer yet, but she can at least have fun in the "deep" end of the pool with friends and family know! 

It was a great pool and we had a lot of fun just hanging out, splashing around and enjoy the summer

heat of St. George!