Party ON!

Remember when Memorial Day was the "first weekend of Summer"? The weekend that we planned the first big camping trip, the first summer picnic, the first family barbecue, the first cool dip in the lake, the first fun filled road trip, the first crazy outdoor adventure of the YEAR? It seems that as the years have gone by that Summer doesn't really happen until July 4th when we celebrate Independence Day...and even then Summer weather is a bit "iffy"...so do we wait for summer to come or do we just say...BRING IT ON BABY?!

I guess in my family we say~

Bring it on Baby!

My brother didn't let a little cloudy weather and a cold breeze detour his plans for a Memorial Day barbecue! All of my siblings were together, as well as their spouses and kids, which doesn't happen very often with our busy, hectic lives. It was great to see two of my aunts as well, one coming all the way from Vegas and the other from the Salt Lake valley. Parties with my family are always full of laughs, LOADS of food and a lot of fun! Clouds and rain didn't put a damper on our fun filled night!

The guys were out playing a game of basketball~

One of my sweet little nephews was out for his own game of basketball...

Kim and one of my adorable niece's, Alex, having great one-on-one time!

My awesome Aunt Jo from Salt lake...catching up with my sister

My brother getting razed for his "choice of plaids"...think we'll turn him in

to "WHAT NOT TO WEAR" for a little clothing make over...ha ha ha

Two of my amazing nieces performing a song they wrote...talk about VERY TALENTED!

My dear Aunt Saundra enjoying dinner and trying to stay warm...

My wonderful dad and Aunt Jo...all smiles after dad sang "The Mountain Dew Song"...HILARIOUS!

Most of the "boy cousins"...we're just missing my other tall SON, Erik...

my son-in-law Jack, and my grandson Kenron

THE AMAZING CHEF and party planner...my brother Aaron and cute nephew Riley, hanging out~

Most of the girl cousins...all except my daughter Dayna and daughter-in-law, Dana.

It was a great party...it always is when my family gets together.

I might be a little prejudice,

but I think I have the most amazing family ever...come rain, snow or shine...they are the best!

Little MR, Boo Boo, Munchkin Baby, Handsome Boy...AKA "Grandma's Little Angel"~

I don't know what I would do with this little guy in my life!!

He seriously brings me so much joy!!!

I love his chubby little cheeks, his roly poly legs, his adorable toes and button nose.

I love his infectious smile, his bright blue eyes and how he gets so excited when he sees me!!!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my little Angel boy!

Kenron just turned 9 months old yesterday...leaves me wondering where all the time has gone?!

I can't believe how fast he is growing up, I know, cliche'- right...? but its true!!

This adorable little guy continues to be an extremely happy baby...

he's always smiling and giving grandma lots of kisses

...I was tickling his bare feet when I took this picture and he just giggled and giggled.

Kenron is learning to sit, learning to use his hands better and

even uttered his first word,

"Ma Ma"

What a little sweetheart! I'm so glad that I had kids because they have always been the joy and heartbeat of my life...and grandkids just make all that even sweeter!!

I know I've said it before, but I can't wait until I have dozens of sweet grandbabies,

climbing all over my lap!

Our temporary TeNaNts~

Do you remember my post last year about the birds we had building a nest in our tree in the front yard? The home they never completely moved in too...in fact they moved out as soon as their little nest was finished. I have to admit, I was a little sad because I was looking forward to watching them raise some babies...and right out my front window.

WELL....A few days ago I was looking out my BACK window, into another tree, and saw a nest WITH BABY BIRDS already in it. Their little heads were bobbing up and down as they were chirping for food. I have to say that I felt just a little twinge of excitement. I love hearing their little peeps every now and then (when the wind isn't howling and the rain isn't pouring). I took a few pics of the family, but our new little tenants are quite a ways up the tree. My camera being what it is...just a plain old camera, nothing special- can't quite get up close and personal with our new neighbors. I guess they want their privacy and thats why they built their house of of reach.

...one of the babies is standing on the side of the nest...use your imagination, he really is there~

...mama bird feeding the little guys as they all flutter around in excitement.

...then she sits down to keep them warm...what a good little mommy Robin!

I am going to do my best to get a GREAT family picture of them all...

I will share it with you when it happens.

All these little reminders that it REALLY IS SPRING even if it doesn't quite feel like it.

The RAiNs came DoWn and the FloOdS came UP...

Rain, rain and MORE rain....and yesterday brought yet even MORE rain...instead of the regular daily drizzle of rain- this storm came fast and furious bringing with it sheets of water and piles of hail. The water filled basements, gutters, covered the roads and caused all kinds of havoc. Lightning hit a power pole less than a mile from our house, taking out the power in over half the town. With no power and nothing to do, we decided to go out and drive around town to see what kind of trouble the storm was causing....

...we found the river roaring and spilling over the banks in many areas~

(sadly enough, this will only get worse before it gets better...there is still 12 ft

of snow left in the mountains that has yet to melt and come down)

...we found this bench that is usually on the BANKS of the river,

its meant to provide seating for

fishermen that desire to fish the river~

...The water rising higher and higher~

...we found bushes that aren't usually under water- but they are now!

...baseball fields being turned into

lakes and ponds~

...and yes, we even found a waterfall....

The rains came down and the floods came up...the water filled every nook and cranny that it could. As much as I enjoy a quick little rain storm...I would SURE like some sunshine and even a bit of wind to dry things up a bit. I'm ready for the heat of SUMMER, weekly lawn mowing, planting my garden, WATERING my OWN lawn, weenie roasts with the family, picnics at the park, hikes in the mountains and evenings sitting outside watching the sun go down. I'm ready...BRING IT ON....................please????? yes, I'm begging!!!

up, up and away...

We have a hill (a small mountain actually) by our house. When my kids were young, especially the boys, they liked to go "explore" up on the hill with a few of their uncles. In most instances the only thing they brought home was a few dirt filled shoes...but I do remember one instance when they brought home a jar of scorpions asking if they could keep them for "PETS"...hmmmmm NO, NO and NO....was my answer! This hill has been a part of my children's lives for years and years, their playground, their hiking trail, their picnic spot and their opportunity to explore and be kids. But for me it's just always been "THE HILL". THE HILL that we are supposed to climb (to the top of) if the Starvation dam broke. THE HILL that my children talk about, reminiscing all the many fun adventures they have experienced there. But I had never actually been up on top of THE HILL until last year, when my hubby and I hiked up to the top to catch a wide eye view of our beautiful "little" town. It was a pretty steep but short hike. The trail is a "deer trail", so its narrow and full of obstacles like shell rock, cactus and sagebrush. BUT...in spite of the rough terrain, its a fun trail to hike and the view is worth the "inconvenience" of a few bumps along the way.

Dayna and Jack came out for the weekend....and Jack suggested we go hike THE HILL. I was all for it.. as was everyone else. I am always up for a hike...its one of my favorite things to do, especially on a beautiful day. So off we went...UP, UP AND AWAY....

Jack and Cam watching Draego (our dog) wander all over the hillside...

...found some pretty cool flowers in bloom along our journey~

...a view of part of our little town...there's no place like home!

...Cam stopping for a break and looking over the side of THE HILL

..."we can do this"....

Kim taking a break and catching a breather....

Dayna and Jack...and Ann....looking over Dayna's old stomping ground!

Someone else decided to catch a wide eye view of our little town too...

They flew over THE HILL several times while we were out hiking...

don't know what they were looking at, but they seemed to be enjoying their ride.

Whew...we made it to the the cell tower on top of THE HILL...really, it was quite an accomplishment and alot of fun!

So glad we got to enjoy the day together!!!

She had a birthday...shout HOORAY!

Happy 14th Birthday Halle Marie!

It seems like only yesterday when she was born...

I say that to myself on everyone of my children's birthday's...

because to me, it really DOES feel like only yesterday.

Time flies and before you know it...these little squirts grow up and are out on their

own, living life and moving forward. Won't be too many more years and Halle will

be out exploring the world and finding the path that she wants to take.

...BUT until then, we will enjoy the minutes, days, weeks, months and years that

we have left with her living under our protective wings.

(Being an empty nester just doesn't sound very appealing to me~)

Glad your our baby girl Halle...hope you have a very special 14th year of life....

We love you!

Opps...did it again~

Remember last October (yes, I realize that was only 7 months ago)

when I painted my living room...giving it a "springy" new look?

The walls were a "Spring Green" and the room had pops of teal here and there...

...I thought I loved it...and I DID, I really DID~

But after awhile, I lost interest in the color...it wasn' t "homey" and left me feeling

like I was sitting in someone else's living room, not my own. SO.....

I pulled out the paint and gave my living room ANOTHER MAKE OVER~

a much "WARMER" new look...something that was more ME.

The main wall is now a LEATHER BROWN and the other 3 walls are a

TOASTED SESAME (tanish color).

I absolutely love how it turned out!!! I couldn't be more pleased!

With the help of a very warm day, open windows and a slight breeze (dries paint in a jiffy)...I completed this project, painting and all, in a matter of 6 hours- from start to finish.

The pops of teal stayed because I LOVE THEM...and didn't tire of them at all. BUT I added a few little pops of yellow here and there...which is so fun and fits my personality

as well as my likes...they are perfect for me!

I found these funky little owls at Target...although they were not so cute when I bought them. They were a little "animated" for me...so I pulled out some old textured RUSTY BROWN paint that I had and sprayed them down. I think they turned out quite adorable if I do say so myself. They yellow bird in the back was a Dollar Tree find...they were a bit "nautical" but it wasn't anything that a can of yellow spray paint couldn't fix...what would I do without my trusty KRYLON paint?!!!

Don't you just love what I found at the DI for $5.00? Its much more adorable

in person...but it is still pretty cool in a picture. Its a heavy stone mirror, adorned with gold trim. Whomever disposed of it...I thank you! Its made its way into a good home and I would have to

say its one of my favorite home decor items now!

I made this window frame and added the homemade wreath...which made for a perfect accent to my wall~ Woo Hoo!!!!

I painted a few of the balls from my "October living room re-do" to go with my NEW look....a brown ball and a yellow ball...added to the cream and teal ones,

make for perfectly new table table decor.

I am feeling more at home in my own house now...EVERYONE in the family loves it. We all agreed that the green was fun, bright and cheerful...but none of us were sad to see it go.

Once again...our house feels like OUR HOME!