2nd Annual Girl's Craft/Candy Making Day!

Girl's Day is Coming!

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

It is in 2 days!

Yummy Fudge

I can't wait!

Favorite Caramels

                                           

DIY Gift Tags

Every year, on the first Saturday of December, we get all the girls in our family together for our annual 

 Girls Craft & Candy Making Day!
  I look forward to this every year  (well, actually only the last 2 years since this is our 2nd Annual)!  Above are some of the projects we will do this year.  Oh, and did I mention that we have a luncheon and eat, eat, eat?  But mostly we visit and giggle!  

Fall Means Family Pictures

Every fall we try to take family pictures.  This year I had the brilliant (yet not very original) idea to take the pictures in the canyon with the fall leaves changing.  It worked out great...but I forget how much work it is to get everyone together, coordinate outfits and colors, and make sure no one is grumpy.  At any rate, here are some sample pictures of the Fam.  I had to restrain myself from posting 100's of pictures!

The Jones Family - 2012

The Jensens'                                     Me and my baby!

 Grammy LOVES this baby girl!

This is perfectly my Louise and her hubby!

The kids being silly--a natural state!

Just walking along the road of life!

Fun Times!

Sometimes things go right!  Sometimes there are a lot of good things that happen and that helps us to remember how blessed we are.  Here is a quick peak at my fun week!

Viking Circle

First game of the year was a win, 52-25!

Micah had the chance to do an appearance for Richard Paul Evans as the character, Michael Vey, in Evans' newest released book, Michael Vey, Rise of the Elgen.  He also got to do the trailer for the book which was fun too!

Micah and Richard Paul Evans at the launch party for the book.

"Wicked" at the Capitol Theater--wonderful!

It has been a very fun week!!

See trailer for Michael Vey HERE

Loved Ones On the Other Side

Sometimes those we love 'go home' way to soon to suit us.  This is true.  This is hard.

Today my little sister, Sue, would have been 47.  We called her "Essa".  She died at the age of 24.  It was awful.  She left a wonderful husband, 4 year old daughter, and 3 month old son.  I miss her every single day!

When she was 41 years old, my mother died in an motorcycle accident.  I was only 20 years old.  Her birthday is in 3 weeks, and she would have been 73 years old.  This is a picture of my mommy helping me learn to walk.

Still, life goes on, as does love.  Those who remain here on earth miss our loved ones, but are left with fond memories, other family members, and the promise of eternal families!

2012 Memorial Day at Sue's grave.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ESSA AND MOM!

Stupid Things

So many STUPID things lately!  Some I cannot control, some I should have prevented.

Don't ya just hate when STUPID things just jump right our of your mouth before you think?  You know, like asking a plump women when she is due--and she's not pregnant...STUPID things like that.  Yep, I had a major STUPIDITY moment lately.  No Bueno.

Then there are the STUPID things that one cannot control that just come and dare us to deal with them...usually several STUPID things at once.  These are the things that though unexpected, can usually be handled ONE thing at a time.  However, when several happen at once it can be overwhelming.  I usually handle this situation by staying in bed!  Don't worry, I'll get up tomorrow and try again!

Ever feel like you are continually banging your head against a wall?  

Yeah, me too!

Fathers

This is my family when I was really little.  My Daddy looks so young!

This me me and my Daddy now.  Neither one of us look quite as young anymore!

Here is my honey and our daughter and grand daughter.

I hope all the Dads out there know how important they are, and how much we love them! 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Wanna Go For a Bicycle Ride?

This is John and Kate.  John is my little brother and Kate is not only his wife and biking partner, but the smartest choice he ever made!

For fun, they like to ride their bicycles around different countries.  They have toured Ireland, Italy, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and are now riding across the northern part of the United States.

Mostly they camp along the way.  The amazing thing is that they pack and carry everything they need on their bikes.  There is not a support vehicle--so they pack their tent, sleeping bags, rain gear, food preparation items, and lots of other necessities.

I totally love Kate.  She is the most amazing person.  She works as an RN in the surgical ICU of a local hospital.  She loves my brother which makes her tops on my list!  Oh, and did I mention that Kate is diabetic?  Yep, among everything else she carries on her loaded down bike, she includes all her medical supplies, syringes, insulin, etc.  She is wonderful! 

This is their route.  As of today, they are almost to North Dakota.  

They have on their iPhones a GPS tracking system and a website that enables me to watch their process.  They also have a blog they update weekly.  I stalk them daily!   The links are below if you'd like to live vicariously through these amazing people...like I do!


John and Kate's Blog:  http://minersbigride.blogspot.com/
GPS Tracking:  http://gpskit.garafa.com/squawk/webview.php?wc=578264273&gid=e876a6fd3e

John and Kate inspire me.  They are the few who work hard so they can live their dreams!

SYTYCD Melanie & Marko - Turn to Stone

I've never watched SYTYCD.  I'm not sure why, I LOVE dance.  But yesterday my Marta friend showed me this YouTube video of the little gal who won the competition recently.  Dance and music are the two things that can evoke emotion in me when least expected.  I was in tears by the end of this dance number.  The dance ends about the 2:00 mark.  I invite you to take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy these talented dancers.

A Post About Pictures

I like to take pictures.  I'm not a pro, but I have fun.  Sometimes pictures can tell a story.

For example, this is my granddaughter, she is wonderful!

This is a collage I made to display some of pictures I have taken of her.  Did I mention she is wonderful?

This is my doggie, Blue.  He is almost 12 years old and I'm sure he can read my mind. When I am sad he doesn't leave my side.  He is a love.

 I love roses.  I actually have 12 rose bushes in my yard.  I always end up with scratches on my hands and arms when I prune them.  My Honey gave me these roses for our 30th Wedding Anniversary!

This is my lovely daughter, aunt to my granddaughter.  My daughter is amazing!

I hope you have enjoyed this random post about pictures! 

These are a few of my favorite things!

Raindrops on roses...ok, not so much.  But I love these things...

Musicals--yes, I love when they randomly burst into song!

a good beach!

a lovely steak, medium rare!

 Bean & cheese burritos, especially at Taco Amigo!

Diet Cherry Coke--preferably served with pebble ice

French fries with lots of salt and yummy fry sauce--Taco Amigo or Purple Turtle!

 muffins!

ice cream sandwiches...yummy!

 and FOOTBALL!  (especially my favorite player!) 

...these are only a FEW of my favorite things!

-probably not a good sign that most of these favorite things are food!