Lava Bed Adventure

Melanie, Curtis and girls, along with their niece Amy, and I went to do some cave exploring yesterday at the Lava Beds. We had a great time at Hopkins Chocolate cave, and Skull Ice cave. Curtis hid and scared us a few times, and then we turned off all our lanterns and sat still in complete darkness, while I took a picture. We had a great time not only in the caves, but checking out the views and wildflowers everywhere. I miss them and love them all.

Family Reunion BBQ

We had a wonderful family reunion this year. Travis & Sharon's family couldn't make it from Guam and we surely missed them! Michelle and her family, Nick, and Cassandra were not here either and we really missed each of them! Mike, Ronda, Chris & Cameron - Cheryl, Boyd, Chloe, Hunter, & Bridger - Tonia, Mark, Mark, Danielle, Chelsea, Derek, & Max - Melanie, Curtis, Kelcie, Brynn, & Sara - Tonia & Dan - Brooke & Taylor - and Alexis all joined Dad and I at the farm. We went to Crater Lake the first day and had a blast there and at the fish hatchery. My camera battery was dead but Cheryl and Melanie took pictures and I will share them later. We all ate @ Abby's Pizza that night and the next night we had a bbq. It was rather smokey for awhile, but delicious. There was potato gun fun, 4-wheelers, target practice, and a great campfire which I will add details about later. I enjoyed every minute with my family and love them all with all my heart. It was a feast here and now it is too quiet again. Sigh, I can't wait until next year!!

Swim @ Malin

Melanie's family, Cheryl's girls, and Tonia went swimming while visiting us. Sara found a ladybug, Curtis executed several acrobatic dives, and everyone enjoyed splashing in the water. In a surprise attack from behind the pool manager almost threw Grandma in clothes and all, but he stopped because of my camera...whew!

Driveway Art?

While visiting in Centerville with Mel and family, a bucket of chalk provided some amusing antics and downright good art! Melanie thought handprints on her sister's behind would add some flair, and Brynn did such a great job of creating a drawing just like her mom's. Brooke and Alexis started a smear campaign, and Taylor was very careful with his excellent offering. Grandma just enjoyed the show Sara put on along with the rest of them. What a goofy good time we had!

Grandma's Trip to Centerville and KCMO 2008

Water Balloon Fight

Sara and Brynn

Chloe, Hunter and Bridger

Hunters Bedroom....Swim Meet Cuddle

Alexis, Kelcie and Brooke

(after the water fight, still friends)

What a wonderful time I have enjoyed with my family this past three weeks! I stayed with Cheryl's girls while she and Boyd went to Europe for two weeks and just had a blast with them!They are such good girls and took great care of Grandma while I was there. We ate lots of candy, played "Mexican Train", and enjoyed the swim meets. Altogether, I would jump at the chance to do it again. I stayed with Mel and Curtis on the way there and back. I brought a bunch of water balloons and we had a blast soaking each other and some of the neighborhood kids too! I always have so much fun with my sweet girls; they are so fun to goosh and play games with. Brynn and Sara always kill me at the "Match Game" and Kelcie swims like a fish. I also got to see Brooke and Taylor, and Alexis. Mel and Curtis always take such good care of me and anyone else I drag in too. Thank you my girls and my perfect grandgirls for such a sweet time; I will cherish the memories of this trip for a long time. Mel uploaded these pictures for me tonight and I will drive home tomorrow. It would almost be unbearable to go, but they will all be at my house in a couple of weeks for our reunion. I have missed Daddy so much and am so grateful for the wings he gives me to fly! I am so blessed and I love my family so much!!!!

Budd and Faelela, 62 years...

Yesterday I called and wished my parents a happy 62nd anniversary. My mom was asleep and probably won't remember that it was a special day, but my dad was there taking care of her, just as he has for 62 years. My grandmother, Thurza, told him that she was so relieved that Faelela had chosen to marry him because she knew that my dad would always take care of her. He loved my grandma like his own mother, and so he has always taken care of mom, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, he is still there taking care of her. I am grateful to them for choosing to marry in the temple, for being born in the covenant, and for being raised in the gospel. I know the angels are helping my dad take care of mom now. Happy anniversary Budd and Faelela.

Shhhh-Tonia is 36!!!

We celebrated Tonia's birthday today even though she won't be 36 until Saturday. She and I were supposed to meet at Abby's but then Derek jumped in the canal and we called it off, so I called Tonia P. to meet me for a quick burger before I left town, but Tonia changed her mind and decided to come, so we all ended up at McDonald's at Walmart, and had a blast for almost 2 hours!! When I left the store, the greeter in the foyer told me he never saw so much laughter and fun and thought we were never going to leave. That was the cheapest, funnest, and silliest birthday lunch ever,but I so love getting together with my girls. I told Tonia not to punish Derek because I jumped in Dixie Creek next to Corvallis High when I was his age, and if I had not, Cheryl, Melanie, and Tonia P. would not be here today. That story I will tell another time. Happy birthday Tonia!!!!