Happy Memorial Day

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your day off. I hope also that you take the time to remember the reason for this holiday. In today's world, where there are so many people of questionable character that people idealize because of their athletic ability, or their acting ability, or their singing ability, there are people who are truly heroes in this world. My heartfelt thanks to all those who serve in the Military. There are no words to describe the gratitude I feel for those who dedicate their lives to ensuring our freedom.

To the families of those who have given their lives serving our country, again my heartfelt thanks. There are no words to properly give thanks for what your family has given.

She's Back!!! And she looks terrific!!!!

What did you think I was talking about? The van, of course!!! We picked it up yesterday afternoon & she looks terrific! It is so nice to have the van back!

Spring Time!

I was in Idaho Falls on Monday. It was such a gorgeous day!!! A little bit too warm for me for this time of year, but gorgeous nonetheless. I think it's finally spring here!
This is our spring kitten this year. We don't have a name for this little cutie, but she sure is sweet!

Meow-Meow is the kitty cat queen bee around this place. She is the boss & she knows it!
On a totally separate note, my mom is an amazing quilter! I have been telling her for years that she should make her quilts available for sale and do custom orders. I think I about have her convinced to branch into that. I'm going to start making her a blog for her work this weekend. These are a couple of her most recent table runners.
This is called Trip Around The World. This runner is made out of leftover fabric from making me a quilt of this same pattern. She decided she wanted to make this pattern & I just fell in love with the fabrics she selected. She generously decided to make the quilt for me & I cannot wait for it to be done being quilted!

She appliqued these flowers on for this spring table runner. I think it's so pretty & it's fun to walk by the table and see it every day!

Fun Service Project!

We sure had a fun evening around here tonight! Josh told us Sunday on the way home from church that the Teacher's Quorum was doing a service project at our house tonight. They needed us to give them a list of what we wanted them to do. So, after racking our brains, we decided to have them remove some dead branches from trees & remove some suckers from around tree bottoms and move a whole bunch of dead limbs from a tree that was removed last fall.

So, we had three fine young men in our home this evening, along with two of their leaders. They did a great job--the trees look terrific! The yard they mowed looks wonderful, the branches are in the burn pile, and none of the trees have any suckers!

Ladies I grew up with--prepare to feel old when you see some of these kids, all of whom are 15!

Terrance Anderson looking up at the branches that needed to come down

Apparently, the best way to bring down a branch is to hang from it like a monkey!

Josh checking out the tree that needed work

Figuring out the best way to handle this tree thing was apparently a big thought process!

Terrance's work is finished in the tree
oLadd Carter and TerranceLadd taking down the final branch
Todd Woods trimming the apple tree
Josh & Mike left the tree trimming to Terrance and went & cut all the suckers

Of course, after all their hard work, we had to provide them with dessert. What 15 year old boy, or for that matter, grown Young Men's leader, doesn't like brownies & ice cream? I am not sure how it started, but the boys ended up using Colton Woods as a human barbell. Either Terrance or Mike won, but certainly not Josh.
Terrance in the background, Mike Wynn lifting Colton

Mike in the background, Terrance lifting Colton
Josh lifting Colton

Colton was loving it!

The poor van!

Last Friday, I had an inspection in Pocatello. My mom went with me, because she wanted to go to the quilt shop down there. After we left the quilt shop, we crossed Garrett Way, on Poleline. About 40 feet down the road, some guy decided to change lanes into our lane. Only he forgot to make sure that he was in front of us before coming into our lane! So he munched the front panel on the passenger side of my mom's van with his rear driver's side door. Crazy guy! So here's the poor van...
Thank goodness for good insurance! Her insurance covers rental car payment, so she's had a rental car for a week now. And what a car it is! While it's a little large, it is so plush & has so many features that the dang thing practically drives itself! It's a 2009 Lincoln Towncar & man! It is a nice car!
I never thought I would say this though. As nice as the car is, I miss the van & will be happy when the old girl is back with the family!

The Cutest Baby Girl Ever!!

I was so excited to get to meet my sweet niece Val's new baby yesterday! Lori Jade was born April 8th, but I didn't get a chance to go to Boise until yesterday. So one of the first items of order on that side of the state was to visit Val, meet Lori Jade, and take presents! May I just say that Lori is the most beautiful baby!

Checking out this new person who is her great Nana

With mom, my niece Val

Nana just loves her!

Val & Lori

Where have I been?

I didn't realize it had been almost a month since I posted! Where have I been? Working, that's where! When I left Melaleuca to go out and do my own thing, I was really worried that I wouldn't have enough business to make a living. The last month has proven that might not be all that much of a concern, however. I have been so busy that most weeks I can't even finish everything I need to do. I have, however, been to some pretty places.
We went to Driggs last week. We went to a charming little restaurant with great sandwiches and fries & had an enjoyable drive in a beautiful valley. It was a nice sunny day in the valley, but the clouds were dark and stormy over the mountains.
I went to Sun Valley twice in the last month. I love Sun Valley!!! It's so pretty, no matter the season.
We went to Ogden and then Logan one day last week as well. I have never made the drive from Ogden up to Logan--it is just gorgeous making that drive from one valley to the next. No matter that I see the mountains every day, I never fail to be amazed by them. The barn is an old abandoned one that we saw as we were driving through some little town & we just thought it was super cool looking.
I went to Jackson last week & while it's not very close, I did see a buffalo, which I was pretty excited about, because I never see wildlife while I'm traveling.

Of course, there's also been track, which is now officially over. Josh's 4X400 team placed 2nd at Districts, but each district only takes one relay team to states. Some photos, however, from the last meet that we went to.

Emmett preparing to get his start

Terrance, Kenzie, Hannah & Josh

Kaitlyn--I sure love this girl!

Josh running the mile
Kallie--this girl is super fast!