sunshine lollipops

I was on my way to pick up Gary from work last Tuesday afternoon and I saw this most amazing rainbow. 

There is a look out  at Watson Lake and I pulled over to take a photo.  All I had with me that day was my cell phone and I tried to get as much of it as I could.  It was a complete arch and it was so brillant that there were two of them.    Many other people had the same idea as I because cars were pulling over two and three at a time to take in this beautiful scene.  This is one of those times when you just take the time to enjoy nature and all it's beauty.  Wish I had one of those fancy cameras....my phone just did not capture this magnificent beauty.

 Looks like I can drive right to the rainbow

The Dells/Watson Lake Look Out, Prescott Arizona

Spending time with the Fam

The weekend The Balls headed home to Idaho they stopped by for a visit. The Listers also came up for the day. Gary got out the old pink bow for entertainment..  The Prize was a 10 dollar bill pinned to the target. Whoever could hit it, won it.  Needless to say, it took about an hour but someone did capture the booty.  Uncle Kevin was triumphant.  Below are just a few pix of the contestants.  It was a fun way to pass the time.

First, G.G. had to get reacquainted with Rylee and  we had dinner.  Beef roast, corn on the cob, rolls, salad, grape and orange crush, fresh fruit.

Now that every one has food in them and Rylee and GG have spent some time together it's Family Activity Time.  Gary set up the target, posted a 10 dollar bill and competition began.

Some instructions had to be given for safety purposes.

We had a wonderful time together.  Uncle Kevin enjoyed himself.  We ended our visit with a game of "Guess what I'm thinking" which is always a crowd pleaser.  As the Listers were leaving we caught a glimpse of Jessi 's attempt to dress up the Honda.  Poor baby she has to drive her father's car.

Now that school is in session we won't see much of each for a while.   It was sure nice to spend some quality time with the FAM!

Look alikes...not really

I came to work one morning and Jenna was wearing the same top as I.  We were both wearing light colored bottoms as well.  What are the odds of such a thing  happening, especially with our age difference.  Should we become Walmart models for the young and skinny and the old and fat?  Ha! Ha!

showing their true colors!

The honeymoon is over in Seminary.  The kids are now brave enough to test my patience.  Good thing they waited until Friday so I have a couple of days to forget I am disappointed in them.  They don't care of course, but it causes a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I witness behavior unbecoming of Latter Day Youth.  But they are only kids.  So by Monday I will have forgotten and all will be well.  These kids are wonderful and we do have some fun in class, so I can't complain.  Any suggestions for hushing the chattie-cathies that are determined to sit in the back of the classroom challenging my authority.  I'm up for something creative.  Onward Christian Soldiers...

Back to school

Seminary is in full swing and I have been getting use to my new job and teaching early morning.  The students in my class are delightful.  16 different personalities.  So far they have been pleasant  and getting to class on time, but we will see  how long that lasts.  I plan on soaking up the"honeymoon" period as long as I can.

I am also enjoying my job.  The lady who is training me is a hoot.  I laugh everyday, which makes the time I spend there enjoyable.  I'm re-learning how to multi-task.  I can not believe how lazy I have become in my thinking process since I stopped working at the school.  The stress level is also minimal since I am not in charge and just do what I'm assigned...I'm technically the lunch relief for Jenna who is the full-time employee.

What do I do for four hours a day?  The company  is A & E Reprographics.  It's a copy center for large format items such as floor plans.  Our main customers are  architects, builders, plumbers, electrician, landscapers, etc.  I scan the prints and make copies.  We also do copy work for Attorneys.  If it's on  a piece of paper we copy it. They also do computer design for all sorts of projects; business cards, banners, signs, photos on canvas, enhancing old photos, etc.  I have already learned so much about the Photo Shop and Adobe Illustrator programs.  There is so much to learn.  Today I was sure my brain was going to explode.  It's amazing how invigorating it is learn new things.  I hope to be able to save enough money so we can visit our children in Alaska, Hawaii and Idaho more often than once a year.  It would be nice to buy a home, but that's just a dream right now...you know what they say, when you dream, dream BIG.  Who knows, it could happen!

Rylee's first 4th of July

Smile and Laugh

 I woke up  this morning with this little poem in my thoughts so I wrote it down and perhaps I'll do something with it...

smile some

laugh some

enjoy some giggles and grins

smile some

laugh some

it's the best medicine.

I do not know why that came to me, but I've been cheerful all morning.

I Love You More than....

My honey, Mr. Love Bucket, is on this new kick.  Everyday he tells me that he loves me more than something.  For instance.  The first day  this started he said, "I Love You More than...my guns"  now I don't know what you think about this statement, but for Gary, that is a gi-normous load of LOVE.  What came next, oh yes, " I Love You More than...food~"  that's another big one.  Ummm, here is another good one...I-L-Y-M than...buttered popcorn with peanut m&ms!" Oh there have been many others including a BIG GLUP,  and WATCHING MOVIES,   It is so cute to hear these affirmations of his love for me.  And to answer the question on everyone's mind, No, he hasn't said he loves me more than HUNTING.  But maybe he is saving that for a special day.  giggle, giggle.  I sure do love that man of mine.  How could I not, I mean he loves me more than all his other favorites, it can't get better than that, can it?

              this was taken at Krystal's wedding reception one year ago...June 26, 2010

G.G.Meets Rylee

Krystal and Bruce are spending the summer in Phoenix so Bruce can work with his dad (jobs are far and few between in Rexburg).  So what that means is we got a visit from Rylee.  G.G. got to meet Rylee.  Rylee is currently loosing all her 'birth' hair and so you will see quite a resemblance to her grandfather in the pictures below.  G.G. also went shopping and Rylee now has a new addition to her wardrobe.  Even though I just saw this family two weeks ago, I was so happy to be with them again.  If you live in the Phoenix area and want to see my adorable grand daughter, give Krystal a call.  They plan to be here until August.

 One happy grand dad!

 up close and personal.  can you tell what physical  feature they share?

Gary first saw these cute little socks when we visited Madison (Misty's little girl) and he had to have some for Rylee.  Plus G.G. thought she should have cool, comfortable, cotton dress for church.  He gets so much enjoyment shopping for the grand children.

A Father's Love

I went looking for my men and found them taking a snooze. I had to take this photo, the words to a song came to mind as I was photographing these two sleepy heads....Let me tell you a secret about a Father's.love...fathers don't just love their children every now and then, it's a love without end, amen.

Cub Scout Boot Camp---day two

These past two days have been a lot of fun.  The activities planned for the scouts have been amazing and the staff gets fed the best lunches.  Yum, yum, yummy.  Only one day left.... 

 Name of our station assignment

 squad #10 was made up of the scouts in our ward

 code names...               Mama Bear               Susnshine

 squad leader with visual aide

 a  solider preparing for under cover work

special ops soldier ready for mission assignment

Cub Scout Boot Camp

 Cub Scout Day camp began today.  Little boys are too much fun!  Today I saw Elaine Couch who is a family friend.  Her Cub Scout den attended our "Special Ops" class.  She is my daughter Kim's husband's sister's mother-in-law.  So she literally is a friend IN the family.  Here in the Prescott Area we often run into relatives of Nate because this is where his family resides.  We attend the same ward as Nate's sister Destiny's husbands brother, Randy Barnette.  For fun we always introduce ourselves as "family" when we really are not the ones related to them.  It's just fun to mess with everyone.  It's easier than explaining how we know each other.

Elaine Couch with Special Ops trainer  Sgt.Mama Bear

Memories of the house on Keim

Today I found an old SD card and opened it to see what might be on it.  I found pictures of the home we lived in  at 4544 W. Keim Drive, Glendale, Arizona.  It must of the been the day we moved out because the house is totally empty.  Oh what memories came into my heart when I saw these pictures.  Isn't it remarkable how the mind works.  I could hear, smell, see all the different things we did as a family living in that home. We moved into this house in August 1995 (on Kerri's birthday) and we moved out December 2006 (when Kerri graduated from BYU-Hawaii and she announced she was pregnant with Kaci).

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

I came home to pretty flowers and a bowl full of treats just for me.  My hubbie said he missed me while I was gone and that for the entire day I was not allowed to venture any further than an arm's length from him.  He kept pretty close tabs on me.  This morning as he left for work and said, only for the 700th timel   Did I tell you I missed you?  It's wonderful to be loved by that man of mine.  I love you my Honey!

Mesa Falls with BJ's family

Today BJ's older sister Liz came for a visit.  We had a light lunch out on the lawn and then we made our way up north about 30 minutes to Mesa Falls.  It was National Get Outdoors Day, so we visited the Falls for free.
You will see Liz, John,  Olivia, Neeve, Caleb, Danny, Matt, Camille, Krystal, BJ, and Rylee, Verda and her  bear friend.  We hiked to the Falls and visited the Mammal exhibit inside  the Lodge.There were pelts from  different animals native to the area on display and you were encourage to touch them.  Mink, fox, skunk, beaver, wolf, etc. I favored the fox, Liz liked the mink better.  There were other exhibits outdoors as well, like the bear you will see in the pictures.  A beautiful place to visit.  The falls are 175 tall 200 feet wide.  This was Rylee's first visit to a National Park and her first trip with her Aunt, Uncles and cousins.  It was a grand day.

 No it wasn't raining, this is Mom keeping the sun out of Rylee's eyes.

 Matthew and his soon to be bride Camille.  What a cute couple.

And to finish the day, dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe.  YUM