In Honor of Hannah

Yesterday was my girl, Hannah's, birthday!  She is our second born and was our tiniest baby.  She was born a few weeks early and has been determined from the start.  She has always been determined to make her own decisions, work hard, make us laugh, and never wear makeup.

From a young age, she's always loved animals.  During fair time, she's her dad's right hand man, choosing what cows to take to the fair and getting them ready. 

 She's fun-loving and crazy......although, unless you know her, it's hard to get her to show it!

She also loves basketball.  Even in the heat of the summer, she will spend an hour or two every evening working on her shot.  Her work ethic is incredible.

She still loves showing her cows!

She's still pretty crazy!!

One thing is certain......we love her and are so happy she is part of our family!  

Happy birthday sweet girl!!

Feeling a Little Old

Over the last month, two of my high school classmates have lost a parent.  I can't imagine the pain they must be feeling.  I spent a good portion of the day thinking about how fortunate I am that both my parents and my in-laws are still alive and also that we live so close to both of them.  What a blessing it is for my children to be able to make memories with their grandparents.

It's also been hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I could lose a parent at any time.  It seems like yesterday, they were the ones following me to my activities, now I am the one running around and  chasing my kids to this activity or that.  When was that torch passed?  In my rush to keep up with the kids, I guess I missed it.  Time is precious.  I hope that I am making the most of it.......

As I drove up to the mortuary to give my condolences, I thought about how quickly time flies and how many things can change in such a short amount of time.  A feeling of sadness came over me mourning the loss of time I will never get back....  

This feeling didn't last for long.  I arrived home to dinner on the table and the air filled with laughter.  My mood brightened.  In a more jovial way, I was once again reminded that I am no youngster.  As we were sitting around the table, listening to some 50's music I had turned on, my kids started singing along.  The song Mr. Sandman came on.  At it's conclusion, Hannah turned to me and asked, "Why does she want Mr. Sandman to bring her a drink?".  I thought I was going to die laughing.  Only moments later, Maren came out during My Boyfriend's Back.  I was cleaning up the kitchen when her words caught my ear...."hey, my boyfriend's fat, oh yeah now, my boyfriend's fat".  I guess the generation gap is effective both ways - I can't understand their music and they can't understand mine.  That's okay because we all sat around laughing together and at each other.  These are the memories that are really worth making before time runs out!

Flume Anyone?

Unless I am surrounded by locals, when I mention the flume, I receive some pretty strange looks - like I am speaking another language.  I then explain that the flume is the local spot for some cheap summer fun.  We visit it quite regularly!  It's a half pipe that takes the canal over the road.  

It's great because it's free, always open, and the water is really refreshing and cool.......clean, not so much!

The fact that it's a canal should let you know that there's more than just moss in the water, so germaphobes may be leery of venturing in!

The city cousins from San Diego were not afraid!  All except, for Timmie.  He wasn't quite sure it looked like his brand of fun.

Like any other summer activity.....treats are a must!!

Running back for more - one time down the flume is never enough!

 The temperature of the water can be a little shocking, especially for those use to heated pools!

And just one more time!!

Half Full or Half Empty

There is nothing like getting up early on a summer morning and seeing the sprinklers glistening in the sunshine.  The sparkle reminds me of fireworks......well, fireworks on the ground, during the day, in only one color, and  less dangerous!  Okay - maybe not the best analogy.  Anyway, it's peaceful and beautiful.

I have quite a large yard and it takes a lot to keep it green.  You see, I still live in the dark ages and pull a half a dozen hoses around my yard.  About this time of year, I get pretty tired of my hourly irrigation duties and very jealous of those with sprinkling systems.  I try hard to appreciate the ritual and avoid becoming cynical.  This can be difficult.

This summer has been pretty dry and pretty much rain free.  The days have been hotter than average and summer temperatures came much earlier than expected.  This does not aid me in anyway in having a good attitude.  This morning I tried really hard to be grateful for the water I have.  It might be more difficult for me than for others, but I have the water to use.  What would my yard be like if I simply didn't have irrigation... dry and ugly.  So today I choose to be appreciative for the blessing of water.  It keeps my yard green, my flowers happy, and me busy.

Summer is Here!!

Even though we've had much higher than normal temperatures and the irrigation pipe have been going for a few months now, it hasn't truly felt like summer until just the other day.  The heat has been relentless - the animals don't even dare venture out into the sun.  We are all feeling drained, thirsty, and are wearing our traditional red cloak of the "sun burn" race.  All of this should/would make it feel like summer, but something was missing.........our henna tattoos!!

Just being honest, like most people, we tend to wear less in the summer than at other times.  I try really hard not to offend those around me by showing mostly just my feet.  With more skin on display, we all really enjoy getting hennaed.  We were first introduced to henna tattoos at our local gardener's market.  It was kind of expensive, but thankfully not permanent!!  It only lasts a week or so and it's slightly less noticeable than it's real counterpart, being that it ends up a few shades darker than your own skin.  We love them!

Last year, Emilee decided that she would try free-handing her own henna tattoo.  We found some henna at a local shop that offered different goods from around the world.  Just looking around the store was an adventure in itself!  The henna we found came in a kit with everything needed.  It was much less than getting just one done at the gardener's market so we figured, why not?  We googled some images and found the most amazing designs.  It's culturally so fascinating and beautiful!!

A year later and a few hennas under her belt, Em is quite good and we are all happy to decorate our pasty white skin with something other than a sunburn!!

Lottie had Em do a guitar......it's her love as of late!

Em working her magic on Hannah!!

Good job girl!!

A Moment to Breathe

 Today is the first day in a long time that I've found myself with some discretionary "free" time.  Ever since Emilee's graduation the end of May, life here as been slightly beyond busy and past the point of crazy.  We've all been busy working on the farm, in the yard, various school camps and lessons, and squeezing in some fun here and there.

I woke up this morning a little lost - wondering what to do with myself.  I took some time to roam around the yard and take some fun pictures.  It was so peaceful, nice, and......necessary!  I love it when in still moments, I can reflect on all the beauty around me.  I am so grateful for the small miracles of nature.  I am in awe....and inspired!!

I cannot lie.  Most of the time, I am happiest when I am busy - busy working, creating, or laughing - all done with my family right along side of me.  Along with working together, we have some awesome summer traditions that we do as a family.  We go to the flume, get ice cream, have cookouts, show cows, pick huckleberries, and watch episodes of our favorite T.V. shows on DVD.  It's so nice to do all of these things together.

Our most sacred of traditions is our celebration of Memorial Day.  David has proclaimed this is OUR holiday.  As the kids grow up and move on with their own families, we will always gather on Memorial Day to celebrate and remember our heritage, and take our traditional Memorial Day photos.  David and I take one kissing overlooking Bear Lake.  This is where we had our very first kiss.  It's fun to hear the kids giggle and gag as their parents relive this experience.  

The other photo that is important to us, is one of the kids at Strawberry Springs.  This year we looked back at all the photos of years previous.  We enjoyed seeing the changes we've all gone through.  It's amazing how time flies and I am amazed by what David and I have created together.  Whether the "busy" is for work or for play, I am truly grateful for every moment I get to spend with these awesome people!  I am truly blessed!

Lasts and Firsts

As I was sweeping out the garage yesterday morning, the girls came out to take off for school.  Hannah announced, "This will be our last day of school together".  I really hadn't put it together, and for a moment I felt a rush of emotion.  I have taken pictures of these two on their first day of school for years.  You see, they are only a year apart and have had a lot of "togethers".  Then I was shocked as Hannah suggested that I take a picture (she hates having her picture taken!).  So I realized that this was a fleeting moment and even the girls felt it's importance.

These two have come a long way.  They are two very different personalities and have very different interest and talents.  For years the differences kept them at odds, but once they embraced the idea that they didn't have to be the same and that the differences would be a benefit to them, they have been very real friends.  I am not sure that there is anything more pleasing to a parent than when your children are truly friends!

 Later that day a "first" took place.  I took our new puppy up to pet day for Steven.  He's our youngest and I am sure that there will be complaints from the older kids.  It's Herman's puppy, so I got him out of class to help out.

The kids loved Maybell and I think she loved all of the attention!

I think Steven didn't mind it either!