Fun with Steve and Linda

Putting off this morning what you can do in 2 hours

2011-09-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

I should be packing, but I have reached the point where I really don't care what I take to wear on vacation, no one knows me, and really, Steve doesn't care. He always thinks I look good, except when I wear what he thinks is to short a dress to church. So instead of packing, I'm recovering my counter stools. I found this great iron-on vinyl that makes materials water and stain proof. It was easy to use and has endless possiblities. I'm starting to think of all the material I could use this on. Now I just have to find the time.

It has been awhile

2011-08-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it has been awhile since I last posted something on my blog. I turning over a new chapter and have commited to post more often. I noticed I have been deleted as everyone's friends blog. Time to change. I'll start with our most recent trip. Great Britain. It was wonderful, so much history, so many castle, so many palaces.

Here we are at Loch Lammond, first I must say we were prepared for the awful rainy English weather. Jackets, long sleeves, unbrellas. It rained all of 15 minutes the first day, then it was sunny and hot for the next two weeks. Anyway, the Loch (or lake) was beautiful as was the surrounding countryside in Scotland.

This place is called Chatsworth House. Some house, it was grand in the grandest way. I think they filmed a part of Pride and Prejudice here, Mr. Darsey's house. It was something to see. The grounds were immense. I think it took us two hours just to walk around all the different gardens.

Here we are at the entrance to Edinburgh castle. Edinburgh has been around 1300 years as a city and always had a something guarding it for as long. This fortification and castle has only been around since the 11 and 12 century. We started the day up here and made our way down through the city

We stayed at the lovelyest hotels. This one was on a golf course and was an old manor house. Here we are at the back door. (I still have to figure out how to put a better background, you'll get more later)

2010-05-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

So it has been awhile...

I haven't been so busy that I didn't have time to update, I just haven't made the time. Steve always says that you can make the time to do what is most important to you. Guess this wasn't it. But we have been busy nonetheless.

In February we went to Lake Tahoe to ski, and up to Utah to see our grandson, Derek, baptised. In March we went to Disneyland with Kent & Stephanie and grandkids, we came home and went ski again to Tahoe. In April to celebrate our 36 years of marriage we went to Hawaii, the big island. In May we welcomed 3 new grandkids into our family, Porter, Lyla and Scarlet, thanks to Craig & Nicole.

In June we move back out to the country and then four days later leave for Italy and Switzerland for 3 weeks. See you soon!

Halemaumau Crater

Hiking thru a lava bed crater,

Above the clouds on the road up to Mauna Kea,

Elevation 13,796

2009-12-26T15:35:00.001-08:00

The Christmas Tree Forest

We only had a week until Christmas when we returned back home from Orlando. Steve and I went out first thing Saturday morning to buy out tree, I still buy a real tree. But while driving to the Christmas tree lot, I started thinking that we only had 1 week until Christmas, why buy a tree now. So we came back home tree-less. I looked around the house to see what I could use so it wouldn't seem like we were total Scrooges and to have something for Scotts presents.

I came up with the idea of a christmas tree forest. You all have those pencile thin trees, so do I. Steve was at the office and when he came home and saw my creation, he really like it. But then, he is cheeper than I am. So this is our christmas tree(s). I say, four trees are better than one. (Craig, Nicole & Scott are not too sure about it.)

2009-12-21T12:36:00.001-08:00

Disney Doesn't Disappoint!

For almost 25 years Steve has wanted to go to Disney World in Orlando. We were always busy, had too many kids, too little money, boys always had some sort of ball game. Now that we no longer have any young kids at home (I know we still should count Scott, but he's in college. Although he is mad we went during finals and didn't invite him), we have the time and money. But even better, we have grandkids. For 7 days we were in Disney heaven with Kelli, Ryan, Derek & David. We went to Disney World, Disney Aminal Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios & Disney Epcot. The weather was perfect, at nice 80 degrees. We went to Kennedy Space Center and the beach and swam in the pool almost everyday. The boys were so good. They walked all day long, never complaining or whinning. We were somtimes surrounded by kids crying, screaming and thowing fits, but David (5 yrs old) and Derek (7 yrs old) were the best grandkids ever. We had a really good time and I'm not sure who was more tired at the end of the day, grandma & granddad or the boys. It was so much fun, Steve is trying to plan another trip there with more grandkids. I just want to get through Christmas first.

2009-11-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

Dress done, Waiting for baby.......

The blessing dress Stephanie (my daughter-in-law) asked me make is finally finished. Stephanie sent me an email link to the dress she wanted it to look like. I at first thought I would just buy it, but the $250.00 price tag shut that thought down. So off I went in search of material, trim and pattern. Who would have thought it would take almost three weeks to get it done. Well, I couldn't find a pattern with everything she wanted so I had to adjust, add and redo, make up. The trim is pretty darn close to that on the original dress so I was happy with that. The material was the biggest problem, she didn't want anything to shinny. Kelli (in Utah) finally went off looking and sent some down for me. Turns out it was the winner, just hope Stephanie likes it. A big thanks to my friend Rebecca for letting me use her serger on the seams, it makes the dress look so professional, not that a 2 month old baby cares if the seams are serged or not. Oh, speaking about the baby, she's late, not here yet. I would mention her by name but I notice that Kent & Stephanie haven't giving the name up yet, so I'm not going to be the one to spoil the anticipation.

I'm leaving for their house on Tuesday, Stephanie said if she hasn't had the baby by then, she is being induced that morning. So either way, there will be a baby born on Tuesday. I hope it doesn't rain for the three weeks I'm there, typical Seattle weather.

2009-10-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

No Beans in Beantown

We just got home from being in Boston for a week and I didn't have any beans, but I did have a Boston cream donut. There are Dunkin Donut stores on every corner,really, every corner. I have never seen so many in one city. Didn't find out why it is called beantown until the end of the week.

I had the great idea not to rent a car while we were there so we took the "T" (Bostonian for the subway train) everywhere. It was an adventure and very fun. I recommend it to anyone going to Boston. They have a 1 week ticket for $15 that gives you unlimited riding on the "T" and the buses. We walked all over too, walked the Freedom Trail, saw Fenway Park, took the "Duck tour", went to the museum on a rainy day, walked around Beacon Hill, visited Paul Reever's grave & house, and many more historic site from before the Revolutionary War. I loved it. Boston is a great city to visit, you should go there sometime.

Our room is in the building with the clock tower, pointed at the top, on the 14th floor.

Walking through the Beacon Hill neighborhood, it was old and lovely

The harbor view from our room "Make way for ducklings"- the book based on a real incident in Boston. Love these bronze ducks

We went to Fenway Park and took the tour

Steve can always find an old ship to tour, a battleship from WWII

Our tour on the Charles river.

2009-09-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Perks of the President

The nice thing about having presidency meetings at my house is that I can make dessert. Since there is just Steve & me home, if I'm in the mood for a cake or something sweet, there is no sense in making something just for the two of us. But now I can subject my counselors to my sweet tooth whims, so sorry girls. They are always so gracious and accept my baking frenzy with humble thanks. Last night I tried to stay on the low calorie side of dessert, this made from scratch angel food cake, from Cooking Light magazine, was only 270 calories a slice. It was really good and Steve even had two pieces. I think it's a keeper.

2009-08-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hot from Guatemala We started our trip in Guatemala City at a very nice hotel. It was sure a welcome after the all day flight. It was a 11 day tour with lots of bus rides, boat rides, smaller bus rides, plane rides and really small plane rides. It was a truly great way to see some possible site from the Book of Mormon. To read each day from the Book of Mormon and maybe be in some of the areas was wonderful. We had a great archaeologist, he gave us a study guide and versus to read everyday to open our minds to the possibility of Guatemala being the place for some of the Nephite and Lamenite lands. We were both visually feed as well as spiritually.
We had a police escort all the time we were in Guatemala. Two of them were with us where ever we went, even walking through the ruins. They were even helpful when I was throwing up in the bus and couldn't find the light in the bathroom. Good thing we went first class and had air conditioning and a bathroom on our bus.

We stayed at beautiful Lake Atitlan,

Hiked to the top of the ruins at Tikal

Hiked to the top of higher ruins

Rode through the jungle for two hours on a bumpy dirt road

Saw the beautiful ruins in Caracol, Belize

Listened to a lecture in the rain

Then sweated until out shirts were wet from sweat

Stayed in the jungle in an eco-lodge before going cave tubing

My dad was with us on the trip

Took a boat ride to get to more ruins in Belize

Hike up a very steep ruin, you needed a rope to hang on to

Spent two relaxing days with a beautiful view out our window on the beach

We are now relaxing at home, anticipating our next trip in October, stay tuned

Mermaid or Whale?

2009-08-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

OR

Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym.
It said:
THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?
A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.
To Whom It May Concern:
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans).
They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have
adorable baby whales.They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia.
Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs.
They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.
Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up
outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity
crisis. Fish or human? They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them......not to mention how could they have sex?
Therefore they don't have kids either. Besides, who wants to get close to a girl who's skin is all scaly and smells like a fish store?
The choice is perfectly clear to me... I want to be a whale.
P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful,
I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my Grandkids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a latte with
my friends.
With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much
information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.
Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good gosh, look how smart I am"!

Lake Tahoe

2009-07-21T10:39:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful week at Lake Tahoe with the kids and grandkids.The weather was perfect, the nights were wonderful. Steve didn't want to come home, it was 107 when we arrived home. As he always does after a trip he said, "Now remind me why we live here."

It was fun to hike and play with everyone and ejoy the beautiful mountains all around us. Thanks everyone for coming! Kelli & Ryan from Utah, Stephanie from Washington, Nicole for flying back and forth to drive down with Stephanie and the boys, Kathryn for coming up the hill. Looking forward to next year.

2009-06-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad

This weekend we celebrated my mom & dad's 80th birthday. We had a grand celebration at my sister's house, my parents live next door. All my brothers and sisters were there as were many of the grandkids and great grandkids. There are 7 children, 30 grandchildren and many,I don't want to count them all, great grandkids. It gets harder and harder each year to all get together so this was extra special. We always take a funny picture and convinced my mom to bare her thinning hair (after her next chemo treatment she will probably lose it all). The funny one is always the best picture and that is usually the one you see in our houses. My mom and dad are wonderful parents and we all own them many thanks.

2009-06-21T21:44:00.001-07:00

Switzerland

2009-06-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

Back to the Mother Country

It is hard to imagine why anyone would leave Switzerland. But my grandfather did in 1918, he didn't have a great life there. His mother was a widow with two small children she couldn't support so my grandfather was put in an orphanage at age 8 and was there until his mother remarried, age 10. He wanted to be an architect and there were only old buildings in Switzerland (I love the old buildings)so he left and came to America by way of Ellis Island.
Steve & I are so blessed to be able to travel. We love going to Switzerland and renting a little apt. and living there for 2 weeks. At night when we came home from a day of hiking in the beautiful Alps, the dairyman would be driving his cows down the middle of the village main street after milking. We had to dodge fresh cow poop, but somehow we didn't mind. Everyday we would pick a new place to hike and everyday the views were breathtaking. Paris was wonderful, but Switzerland is all Gods work. I wish you could all see the beautiful views we saw everyday. I wish my grandfather was alive so I could share with him the love he had for his beautiful country. I still have the music box he brought back from his trip there when I was around 10. We rode the trains, buses and boats and had a wonderful time, I love how the Swiss people put the dates on their houses of when they were built. The house in front of the one we stayed at was build in 1766, and it is beautiful. Our apt was on the 2nd floor of the home of the Bruggers, a lovely older couple who spoke very little English but willing to help any way they could. It is good to be back, but I we are thinking how soon we can get back.

2009-06-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Paris in the Spring

It is sometimes hard to believe as I sit here eating the last of my Swiss candy bar that I was really in Paris for a week. Eveyday life kicks in real fast when you get home and you find yourself back to the same routine, only with a little jet lag thrown in. But here is a recap and some pictures. One of the things I read in my trusty Rick Steve's tour book was dont let anyone offer to take you picture in Paris. Apparently it can be a tourtist scam and the would be picture takers run off with you camera, so I only have one picture of Steve & I together. Of course I took plenty of other people's picture, I must look trustworthy.

We flew all night and arrived in Paris around 7:00 am, by the time we got our bags and figured out how to get from the airport to the hotel, a train ride and metro ride and a short walk, it was around 10:00. Luckly the hotel would hold our bags until check-in at 1:00pm. We had tickets for the Open Air bus ride, a double decker bus, around Paris that stops at all the main site and you can get off and on all day. It was a good way to get oriented to the lay out, we just didn't plan on it raining off and on all day. We sat on the top with out umbrella's for a while but it was became too windy and wet, which wasn't a bad thing when you are going on about 5 hours sleep in a 32 hour period. The following days were better and the weather was really pretty good, not to hot, but I was suprised by the humidity. We went everywhere: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre (the biggest in the western world) & Orsay museums, Sainte-Chapelle (built from 1242-1248 with 6,500 sq feet of stained glass and more than 1,100 different scenes from the Bible), Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon's Tomb, Rodin Museum, walked down the Champs-Elysees a couple of times (our hotel was right in the middle), Sacre-Coeur basilica, Opera Garnier, Orangerie Museum, St Sulpice Church (featured in The DaVinci Code), we went to the Sunday mass and stayed for the organ concert after, it was great. We walked through the Left Bank, went underground to the Catacombs which contain the bones of 6 million Parisians, it was bizzare, it goes on the about 1 1/2 miles. And last of all, I think my favorite, Versailles, home of kinds and queens of France. We went on a Saturday when the fountains are going, it was awesome! I have never seems so many fountains in one place going off at the same time, it was just beautiful. Well, I could go on much longer, but who wants to read a long blog. Hope you enjoyed the pictures ( I took over 500 and edited them down to 300, don't worry you didn't see them all)

2009-06-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

Jet Lag, but we're back!

After being gone for 3 weeks, one week in Paria and 2 weeks in Switzerland, we arrived back home Friday night. What can I say, our trip was awesome (I wouldn't call it a vacation, I came home ready for a rest). We have been on the go the whole time. We started in Paris on Thursday, May 14 after a 3 hour flight to Dallas then a 3 hour flight to Boston then an over night 6 hour flight into Paris at 7:00 am the next morning. I can only say Thank goodness for flying First Class. I think that was just as much a fun part of the trip . We loved the seats that went flat into a bed and your own personal T.V. that played about 40 movies and video games, I loved the little kit they give you with the sox to keep your feet warm, the ear plugs, night shades, tooth brush, hand lotion and chap stick.

The flight home wasn't as much fun. Leaving Zurich at 7:00 am, flying to London (only 1 1/2 hours). London to Dallas, 9 1/2 hours, a 4 1/2 hour layover in Dallas and finally a 3 hour flight to Fresno, home by 9:30 p.m. It was daylight the whole time. We were awake for about 22 hours, so this is just a short post, with more pictures to follow. Glad to be back, I missed everybody, my grandkids, people speaking Engligh and your blogs.

2009-05-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

36 Years and where do we go from here?

On April 27 Steve and I celebrated 36 years of marriage. I not sure where the time has gone and it has gone by much too quickly. I has been wonderful, fun, sometimes rocky and never a dull moment. Five terrific children (and 4 children in-law) and 5 grandchildren (with one on the way) have added to the wonderful moments. We have seen the blessing of our temple marriage enrich our lives and carry us through the tough times. So what will the next 35 years hold for us? We thought we would find out in the most romantic city in the world. We will be gone for 3 weeks, first to Paris, then to Switzerland. See you in a month!

2009-03-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

Disneyland fun..past & present

We had a great time a Disneyland this past week with Craig and Nicole, Kent, Stephanie, Taylor and Erik. Having grown up in So. Cal., I have always loved Disneyland. I remember when each ride had a different ticket value and it was hard sometimes to decide which ride to go on. Thank goodness that changed, I think we went on Buzz Lightyear 8 times. That was Taylor's favorite ride. We were there three days, but never seemed to make it over to Tom Sawyers Island, (aka Pirates Liar). Things seemed to be a little more commercialized but it was still a happy place to be with kids and now grand kids. I'm a good grandma to take, I don't like many of the rides so I can babysit! It is sometimes more fun to just people watch anyway.

This is 1965, I'm the one with the camera, the others are my brother and counsins

This is in 1984, before Scott was born, I know we took him to Disneyland, but can't find the pictures, isn't that how it is with the last child?

Here we are on at the Captian Eo show, Jack is sitting between Steve & I, that used to be one of my favorites, but Michael Jackson has fallen far and that 3-D show is now "Honey I shrunk the kids". It's 1985, Scott has been born but we left him with my mom.

2009-03-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

When skiing is fun..or is it?

This past weekend we headed up to Lake Tahoe for some skiing. It has been a pretty dry winter and finding enough snow can be challenging. But due to recent storms in Northern California there was plenty (for me) up at Tahoe. It was a beautiful day on Saturday, sunny and somewhat warm (40). We had a lot of fun skiing between the Nevada side of Heavenly and the California. It was while we were skiing on the Rim Trail going back to the Nevada side, that I began to wonder, "When do you know if you blog too much, and see a good blog in the happenings around you?" I was much relieved to find out the answer, I don't blog too much, because if I did I would have taken a picture of the man who had gone behind a not to hidden tree to pee. He was right off the trail in plain sight! I soo wanted to stop and take a picture for my blog, but better judgment came through. So now you just get to see boring pictures of me and Steve.
The weather started turning on Sunday, it started to rain in the afternoon and continued on through Monday. When we hopped on the Gondola down by the lake to ride up the mountain is was raining. It turned to snow half way up the ride. It was snowing pretty good but it was a really wet snow. Visibility was pretty low and our goggles would get frozen spots from the snow hitting the goggles then melting then freezing. It was not fun, the ride up the lifts was windy and cold, so after three runs I was finished. By the time I skied back to the gondola and got down the mountain I was pretty wet, but the lodge was nice and dry and the fire was warm.
It was still a fun time and finished it off with dinner at my sister's house in Elk Grove. Thanks Kathryn. (If you double click on the pictures, you can really see the snow coming down)

2009-02-25T18:34:00.001-08:00

2009-02-25T17:10:00.000-08:00

Zion.....We've Arrived.....Finally

So once we finally filled up the car in Cedar City we were off to Zion, the National Park. Steve had wanted to go there in the winter for some time and this seemed like to perfect time. Utah was in between winter storms and so off we went. It was beautiful with snow on the mountain tops and even some in the valley. We did three little hikes and each was different. One was pretty muddy hiking to a little water fall, once was snow covered hiking along the river to where the Narrows starts and on the last one we were shedding jackets. Steve gave me a new camera for Christmas (Nikon D90) so I took about 200 pictures learning the new settings. I finally figured out the timer so I could set it and run and get in the picture, pretty good for setting it on a rock and laying on the ground to see if everything was in the picture. Steve does pay attention though, for my birthday a week later he gave me a tripod and a camera back pack, now I can be like Craig. I have edited down the pictures to about 50. Enjoy (if I can figure how to do a slide show).

2009-02-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

When does "E" really mean empty?

We went up to Utah this past weekend to go through the temple with our daughter-in-law. It was a cold, snowy day but the feeling inside was warm and beautiful. It was good to look across the isle and see Steve and Scott sitting together, and to be with Kelli and Kathryn (my sister). Megan had a wonderful experience and was alternating between crying and smiling the whole day. It was truly a heavenly experience.

Steve decided to head to Zion National Park on the way home. He has this little "quirk" to not stop for gas until he absolutely has to. But driving a rental car, you don't always know what that "E" really means. We we 1/2 miles from Cedar City, the sign was right in front of us, when we ran out of gas. Steve looks at me and says,"What do we do now?" I said it looks like you are getting out and walking. So he did and I sat in the car and waited. The view out the window was none to pretty, and those semi's go by pretty fast. But Steve was in luck, a good Samaritan stopped and picked him up. He even took him to his house to get a gas can that was full of gas. It only took 40 minutes out of our day. Now Steve has to it "pay forward".

2009-01-30T19:05:00.000-08:00

A Heavenly time was had by all...

This past week Craig, Nicole, Steve and I went to Lake Tahoe. We went skiing at Kirkwood and Heavenly. You would think after all these years I would know not to take Craig's advise and go on the chair lift he suggests. But no, so off we went up "Cornise Express". Of course it was a black diamond run, and steep, but at least it was groomed. I only fell once, not bad. The snow was pretty good considering it is a pretty low snow year, so when you fell it wasn't too hard. As much as I hate the cold, I find it odd that I like to ski. It was a warm 28 degrees up at the top of Heavenly on Thursday. I hate wearing hats, they drive me nuts so I just wear an ear band. I was pretty warm skiing but the chair lift ride was pretty cold and sometimes windy. I try not to embarrass Steve too much, but once when we were in the lift line I just fell over, my skis crossed or something. He just keeps going and I'm the old lady trying to get her big lard butt off the ground. Some young snowboarder came along and felt sorry for me and helped me up. I was laughing the whole time. Steve just waits for me at the front of the lift line.

Nicole was a good sport and put up with skiing with the "in-laws". Craig skied one or two runs with us then went off to find the steep stuff. We had a great time and the weather was sunny and warm at Lake Tahoe, if you call 37 warm. We do hope for more snow for the next time we go at the end of February.

2009-01-18T16:28:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Susan to list some things about my husband. I usually ignore these taggs, but because it gave me a chance to write about Steve, I'm going to respond. I am married to the most wonderful man. Here are the 5 things you might not know about him
FAVORITE THINGS:
1. Cold Stone German Chocolate Cake Ice Cream
2. His mom's meat pie
3. Golfing with his sons
4. Visiting with his daughter
5. Mountain hikes

THINGS ON HIS "DO TO" LISTS:
1. Dive the Galapagos Island
2. Make a Cobra kit car
3. Go on another mission
4. Learn to do family history
5. Make sure his next wife likes the cold

SNACKS:
1.Anything chewy
2. Anything crunchy
3. Anything sweet
4. M & M's in his office
5. Never fudge!

FACTS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW:
1. He is very generous
2. He gives the credit to me when he is due the thanks
3. He graduated from BYU, not married
4. He loves to travel
5. He doesn't like hot water

QUIRKY THINGS:
1.He keeps the temperature in the car at 68 summer, spring, winter, fall.
2.He doesn't like me going out at night
3.He would love to dance, if only he had a wife who did(see #5 above)
4.He does not like having his picture taken
5.He wears socks with sandals, which his kids love to tease him about

As you can see, I am a very blessed woman. I wouldn't trade him in for anything or anyone!

2009-01-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Scott is off to college.........

This past week we headed up to Utah to take Scott to BYU. First we had to get him a car, and after numerous trips to just about every car dealer in Salt Lake, he finally is the proud owner of a new 2009 Ford Fusion sedan. It is all wheel drive for the snowy Utah roads and has all kinds of electronic stuff inside. He was up the next morning, in 10 degree weather, trying out all the gagets it came with. It was with bittersweet emotions that we dropped his belongings off at his new apartment, he has only been home about 2 1/2 months and he is off to start life as a college student. I thought I was the only one sad about it but it seems that Derek thought that Scott was going to be living with them while he went to school, when Scott got ready to leave Kelli's, Derek was quite upset that Scott was going, he was really excited about the having his uncle living with them, he was even willing to give up his room for Scott. Kelli had to promise a trip down to Provo to see Scott's apt. and BYU.
It sure was quiet when Steve and I got home. After having Stephanie and the two boys here for two weeks, Kelli and her two boys for a week and then Jack & Megan & Cali here for three weeks I was ready for the quiet. Steve wanted to drive home from Utah via Kent's palce in Washington, I vetoed that idea. He is ready for a trip somewhere, anywhere. I'm still putting away Christmas, it sure seemd to pass by fast.
I'm finally getting over the cold I've have for four weeks and feeling like crap. I still sound like someone who smoked five packs a day, hopefuly that will end soon too.
I hope everyone had a great holiday and is looking forward to the new year. My word(s) for the new year is "follower of Christ". I think I can do a better job in all aspects of my life in living more how I know I should.

2008-12-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

Grandparents day at school......

We were lucky that while we were in Utah over Thanksgiving, they were having Grandparents Day at our grandson's, Derek, school. It was fun to visit in his class room and go to the different stations with him and see how smart he is, surely the smartest in the class. We went to the reading station and he read "Hop on Pop" to us. We went the the math station and played Math Facts Bingo, and them we went to the Art center and made Thanksgiving cards. It was plain to see that Derek is not only the smartest in his 1st grade class, but also the most handsome, probably because he has such good looking grandparents. I think he just might be a brilliant scientist when he grows up.

2008-11-20T12:00:00.001-08:00

Happiness in Hilton Head

We had a great time last week in Hilton Head South Carolina. We went because we have always heard about Hilton Head and now seemed like a great time to go. We had a great time and it is a fun place to go if you like golf and the beach.

Our first day at Hilton Head was of course golfing. We golfed at Royal Plantation, it had trees everywhere. Pines and big oak trees lined the course with moss hanging down from the trees. You had to watch out where the ball landed. Craig was the only one willing to get close to the alligator. We rode bikes on the beach, the tide was coming in on the way back so we had to ride fast. Craig and Nicole left for Minnesota after four days, so we took them to Savannah and spent the day touring the city. I fell in love with Savannah! It is a beautiful old city, the only city that General Sherman didn't burn in Georgia during the Civil War. It has beautiful old houses and fountains and we had lunch in an old cotton warehouse turned into a restaurant on the water front. The streets are still paved with cobblestones and bricks.

2008-11-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

Book Club read for November

I just finished having book club here, it is always insightful and interesting to see if anyone likes the book that you have picked. It is also a great excuse to try out new recipes on my friends.
Everyone liked the book and the food. I liked this book because it makes you realize that, yes, one person can make a difference. That if anyone put their heart and soul into working for a cause that they truly loved, you can make a change. After reading this book I wanted to find someone/something I could do to help make this world a little better place, still looking for that.If you are looking for a good book, give it a try, the writing isn't the best but the story is great, it makes you think.

I also made up these little tiles, with help from my niece Joy(http://www.fullofjoyvinylstickers.blogspot.com) to pass out to a ladies who were there.

Whenever I think of this saying, I remember my dad singing this song, usually on Sunday afternoon when I was laying around doing nothing, trying to sleep before church again in the afternoon (yes I'm that old) I hated it. Now I sing it in my mind all the time, darn those parents.

2008-10-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Time waits for no man...or woman

Just when you think that $25 jar of wrinkle cream is working, someone, or some little kid, comes along and sees more wrinkles than you ever see in the mirror. Here is my story:

Steve and I walk every morning, almost. While we were walking the other day, we saw two little boys from church riding their bikes to school in front of us. One of the boys, Micah, fell off his bike and was laying on the ground in some kins of trouble and appeared to be upset over something. When we reached the boys we found that Micah had gotten his scarf wrapped around the inside of the peddle sprocket. He still had his scarf around his neck and couldn't get it off the pedal or his neck. Steve and I stopped and helped him, I took the scarf off his neck and Steve turned his bike upside down and unwound it from the bike. It didn't take long and wasn't that hard to do and soon Micah was on his way to school.

I saw Micah's dad a few days later and told him the story. The next morning Micah's mom, Kelly, called me and this is Micah's side of the story after Kelly asked him about it:

Yes, he did have some trouble with his scarf and bike and two old people stopped to help him. Kelli asked how he knew they were old, Micah replied: They had white hair and wrinkles. His brother then said he didn't think they were that old, he thought they were from church.

So there you have it. Steve and I are now the old people from church with white hair and wrinkles! Excuse me while I go eat a pan of rice crispy squares. :>(

P.S. I still trying to figure out why he was wearning a scarf when it was 80 degrees that day.

2008-10-17T15:51:00.000-07:00

He's Back........

Scott is now home! It is wonderful to have him back, still the same kid who left, but in so many other ways, a very different young man. He seems a bit thinner, but that will change soon if I keep making a different dessert every night. I'm saving the triffle for next Sunday, when everyone comes to hear him talk in Sacrament meeting. He sometimes wonders around the house just looking at things, it is funny when he takes a shower you can hear him really enjoying it; like he hasn't taken a real shower in two years! His English is pretty good but he sometimes struggles to find the right word to say. He did a good job Saturday night at Stake conference. You could see him trying to find the right English word for his testimony. One reason it took so long to make this blog, I now am sharing my computer with him, I had to kick him off to write this.
He has grown into a fine young man and had a good mission experience. We are lucky to have him for our son.

2008-10-16T19:34:00.001-07:00

Only 1 more day.........

2008-10-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Only 2 more days....

We are getting ready for Scott to come home, his closet is cleaned out, I'm going shopping today to buy him a few clothes so he has something to wear. I looked at the clothes he had saved, and they really look out of style, not that I know what is in style for kids today. I'll just head over to Old Navy and pick up a few things. Our list of things for him to do is getting longer, like trimming the bushes, cutting the vines from the neighbor's plants that have grown over our fence, cleaning out the gutters, cleaning out the garage, fun stuff like that.

2008-10-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

The count down continues....... 3 days to go

In only 3 days Scott will be home from Brazil.

In his last letter home , Scott gave a list of all the foods he hasn't eaten in 2 years, it looks like I'll be busy cooking for a while. But he couldn't just pin down one thing to have on Friday night, seems like I will have to decide. I hate that, just tell me what you want!

2008-10-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

The count down begins....... 4 days to go

In only 4 days Scott will be home from Brazil. It sometimes seems to have gone by fast, but at other times, it feels like it has been a very long time since we have seen him. We can hardly wait to see the young man that our awkward teenager has grown into. His letters don't begin to tell this story, we just have gotten glances into this wonderful young man. So, we will soon find out in only 4 days! He already has 2 speaking assignments, one on Saturday and the other in Sacrament meeting on October 26, 12:30, see you there! He lands at 12:00 noon in Fresno.

Last Monday in Brazil

In his last letter home today, Scott gave a list of all the foods he hasn't eaten in 2 years, it looks like I'll be busy cooking for a while. But he couldn't just pin down one thing to have on Friday night.

2008-10-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to take a stand... literally

A lot of us would rather hang upside down than be political. All those years of says the Young Women's motto of taking a stand, the test is now. Will I "stand as witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places"? Prop 8 (www.protectmarriage.com) has sure made us all think about that. To find out what the church's stand is and what they expect of the members, go to: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/. This morning, with members of the ward and Clovis 3rd ward we took a stand on the corners of Shaw & Willow. Luckily we didn't get any things thrown at us. And it wasn't hard to hold up a sign for an hour. Hope everyone is doing their part to make sure this prop is passed. Where do you stand? Are you registered to vote? Are you doing all you can to help keep marriage as the Lord intended it to be.

Fall tripping

2008-10-06T15:28:00.001-07:00

Somewhere in time....walking through history

We started out in Springfield Illinois, land of Lincoln. We went to the Lincoln museum, the Old State house, Lincoln's law office, Lincoln's house, Lincoln's church, Lincoln's tomb. It was great.

After going through everything, I had such a feeling of compassion for all the things this wonderful man suffered. It was a look into history, to understand who this man was. The Museum was wonderful, as was everything Lincoln we saw that day. We were only there one day so we saw as much as we could.

Next stop was Carthage Illinois. It was very sobering to be here, where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed.

We spent two and 1/2 days in Nauvoo. We went to the temple and visited all the spots

Next up was a drive across Iowa to Winter Quarters Nebraska, Council Bluffs Iowa. It took us just 5 hours, the saints 4 months.

On to Missouri, Adam-ondi-Ahman, Far West, Haun's Mill,Liberty Jail & Independence.

I can't begin to write about everything we saw, it was sometimes funny, sometimes sobering, sometimes moving us to tears. It was a trip that made you think about all you have been blessed with because of the suffering and perseverance of others. Because of others willingness to follow and obey, give up the luxuries they enjoyed, I am here, where I am today because of them. It makes me think, what am I willing to give up, to do without, to suffer because of the things I believe in.

The last day we didn't fly out until 3:00, so we went to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The ride to the top was like a ride a Disneyland. You sat in little pods that titled with the arch. There are windows at the very top. It is one of those things you have to do, but don't really want to. When you look out the windows at the top, you are looking straight down, it was a really eary feeling. We didn't stay up there too long. I kept thinking that the arch was going to fall over, how does that things stay up?

Falling into sewing....

2008-09-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

From this ......I wanted a table runner to go with my fall decor but couldn't find anything I liked. I was at my friends, Rebecca Sorenson, and of course she had one that she had quilted. She got me started on the right tract and I spent the week making one. It was fun sewing again, I just don't like lugging out the sewing machine from the closet. But the finished project turned out pretty good. I happy with it. Now I just have to get into the fall spirit (it is kind of hard when it is still warm out. Hopefully on our trip to Nauvoo and various church history sites this week, the weather will be cool.

To this

2008-09-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

Yosemite through anothers eyes....

It is always good when we can get to Yosemite anytime during the year. We were able to go last Monday for the day. We had the sister missionaries for dinner about three weeks ago and in talking with them they had never seen Yosemite. Steve just couldn't stand for this, so he told them we would take them. Their P-Day was Monday and we picked them up at 6:30 a.m. (not so early for them, but it was early for me). It is so fun to see the reaction of people when they first see "our favorite place on earth". We went up to Glacier Point first. Of course the view, as always, was perfect. They really like it, then it was down to the valley. Unfortunately there wasn't much water in the falls, zero in Yosemite, a trickle in Bridalveil. We took the shuttle up to Happy Isles and walked around a bit, pointed out the rock fall, how the big flood had washed out the bridges and such. We walked back along the river and had a snack, then walked over to the Ahwahnee, it is such a beautiful old hotel. They both wanted to come back and stay there. We had lunch in the village enjoying the outdoors and people watching. I don't think anyone went by without the sister saying hi to.
They had to be home by 5:45 so capped off the day with a stop at El Cap meadow, they were so impressed that we could pick out the climbers on the wall. It was a wonderful day, thanks Sister Needs and Sister Dreschell.

2008-09-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

Scott's turning 21!

Here are 21 reasons why we love Scott

1. What's not to love ................ 2.He's cute

4.Looked good in a bathing suite 5.A great goalie

6.Liked soccer..................... 7. He used to smile

8.Loved baseball....................... 9.Had fun everywhere

10. Looks great in a tux......... 11. Liked going to church

12. Liked hiking with his brother......13. Loved Yosemite

14. Liked fishing with 15. Kind of liked piano lessons
his brother-in-law

16. Likes Lake Powell............17. Wanted to be a missionary

18. Still a great kicker......19. An example to all on the team

20. He loves life.....................21. He loves Brazil
Scott turns 21 on Sunday, I know he would love to hear from you, send him a birthday greeting he reads his mail on Monday, his P-Day.
saunders@myldsmail.net

2008-09-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

What time is it?
As my kids all know, it was time for annual grape picking service at the Lord's vineyard on Saturday. For those of you who don't know, here in the central valley the church owns raisin vineyards, and it is up the members to work at the farm. That means pruning in January, picking in September. It is always hot, hot, hot. This year we had six long rows to do, that was our wards assignment. A row is about three hundred yards long, that's roughly three football fields. We started at 7:00 in the morning and finished around 12:30, it was only 101 on Saturday. You cut the grapes and fill up you pan, then lay them out on the grape paper trays. It seems like you are never going finish, but as the morning wears on more ward member show up to help. There were tons of grapes this year, the trays were right next to each other, side by side. In about four weeks we go out again and roll up the now dried grape trays (raisins) and toss them in the tractor that goes down the row in front of you. It is way more fun than watching your kids play soccer on Saturday!

2008-09-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Fun in Mammoth

This past Labor Day weekend we spent four beautiful days up in Mammoth. Most of the family was there, only Kent and Scot were missing, even Ryan with his pigeon flu (see Kelli blog for that story) managed to be there. He couldn't miss out on the golfing with the men. We had a grea time hiking and fishing and playing. It is always a good way to end this summer. The weather was perfect with it cooling down each day, Sunday was really windy all day and by Monday it was darn right cold. I forgot my camera so go to the other family members blogs to see the real pictures.

2008-08-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

On the road to Education

After being gone for nine days I' m finally home. My brain is full of information yet to be categorized. On our way to Education Week, we made a stop at Great Basin National Park. We went up to Wheeler Peak campground, who would have thought there would be a beautiful forest in the middle of Nevada. We also went through Leeman caves at the park. It would be a great stop for anyone driving through the middle of Nevada.

Fun at Education Week

This year education week was a bit different, we all stayed in the dorms, the price was great, $100 for the week. But the wierd part was we stayed in the womens dorms and the men stayed in the mens dorms. I stayed with Terry and Paula was in the room next to us. We all went to different classes, I had some with Kelli, one with Paula, some with Steve, some with my friend Terry and some by myself. This year I think I set a record for me, seven classes in one day. Steve beat me with 8 classes everyday. I would have lunch during the 3:10-4:05 class. I started the day at 8:30 going to a different class each day. Finally found one I liked on Thursday. I think my favorite class was on The Infinite Atonement. It was great.
Now that I'm home I have to start putting into practice all the things I've learned, the really hard part. After all, what's the point of going to get "educated" and just coming home with a notebook full of notes?

2008-08-15T19:02:00.001-07:00

It all about the clothes!

even at a young age

I volunteered to make the blessing dress for Cali, Megan & Jack baby, I then I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I went surfing on the e-net to look for different dresses thinking I might be able to buy a cute one instead. But all the dresses I liked wre $150 and up. So I made up my own. I think it came out pretty good, looks better in person. You can see it on Cali next week, that's when she will be blesses. Check out their blog after Sunday, Aug24. I'm just adding a satin ribbon for a tie in the back just in case it is too big.

2008-08-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a beautiful morning.... Oh, what a beautiful day........

This is what my world looked like this morning at 6:20. Friday is the day I work in the temple and as I drove it was beautiful. Reminded me of Alma30:43-
...the scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motions, ....do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
When I arrived at the temple Angle Moroni was glowing bright gold, it was a beautiful sight. I was put in the right frame of spirit to enter the temple that day, usually I'm still cussing at all the lame drivers on the road that early, but this morning it was great to be in the right spirit. And to make the morning start out even better, one of the temple workers brought donut holes for everyone.
Hope you day was a good as mine!:)

2008-08-10T23:39:00.000-07:00

Not so young, but we still have it.

Even though neither Steve or I are in the youth program, we still get calls to participate in their activities. Our stake had a super activity this weekend. Hiking to Twin Lakes. Craig & Nicole went too, Craig installed the zip line you can barely see by Steve's shoulder. The kids had great fun, we did too. The hike was two miles in, not too bad, slight uphill most of the way. The elevation (8,000 feet) was the killer.

2008-08-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Scott's address in Brazil, only 2 months to go:
Elders Scott Saunders
Rua Feliciano Nunes Pires no 42
Centro FLORIANOPOLIS/SC
BRASIL CEP 88015-220

2008-07-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

Her earns must have been burning....

Yes she is at it again, just when you thought it was safe to go home again. The story: Steve had some continuing education to do so we went down to Fallbrook this week for Monday-Wednesday. We ate dinner with mom and dad on Monday night, and what do I find in the chicken noodle casserole? Yes, it is true, zucchini! There was no hiding under chicken or noodles, just out in the open zucchini. Dad was not to happy, he wondered if zucchini can ever be good tasting. I was a bit afraid to eat the brownies, who knew what might be in them. Ever here of zucchini brownies? But I could relax, they came from Paula's. So just to let all of you know, the "Zucchini Queen" still reigns. Kathryn, be aware, be very aware.

2008-07-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

Scott in Brazil-
Scott has only three months left on his mission to Brazil. If you haven't written him yet, you better do so now. Or you can just wait until he gets home and tell him how you were always going to write but never got around to it. He just got a new comp, only his second American on his mission. His English might not be too bad when he gets home. Here are a few pictures of his busy life, the knee is from ward soccer
Scott in Florianopolis to meet new Mission Pres

Road Trip to Vegas

2008-07-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Road Trip!
As any one who had ever driven east from L.A. can guess where we went. Craig has a room mate from college, Mark Fernandez, who lives in Las Vegas and needed some accounting help so we went and made a fun 24 hour trip. We left Friday around 10:00 and came back home Saturday after they helped Mark. Las Vegas is not one of my most favorite places to go, in fact I really dislike having to spend any time there, but I figured since we were going we ight as well make the best of it.

Nicole had never seen Phantom of the Opera so I was able to get tickets for Friday night. It was quite production. The theather is in the Venetian Hotel and was built to look like the inside of an Opera House, it is really convincing. We had a fun evening after the play walking through the hotel where they have made the shops look like you are strolling down a street in Venice Itay complete with water and gondolers .

How many of you have ever seem this sign drving into Baker?
I have been seeing it for years and years since I was a kid always wondering what a Greek Gyro is. Well, I finally got to stop and find out. I told Steve we were stopping in Baker there for lunch, he put up a bit of a fuss of course, it wasn't the usual grap and go get back on the road fast food.
Let me tell you, it was delicious!I'm still full. And the strawberry shake was great too. So next time you stop, make it Baker (where the worlds tallest theometer is), and get the gyros, you really can't eat it in the car they are so full.

2008-07-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

4th of July
For the 4th of July we decided to drive to Kent & Stephanie's house. I had never been up Highway 1 along the California coast, so we went that way. The things about the coast, its foggy.
And that is what we saw most of the way up there. We were about half way up the coast of Oregon when we decided we had seen enough, or not seen enough, and headed inland for Eugene.
One of the fun things we did on the way up, we stopped at the Rogue River and took a jet boat 45 miles up river. It was alot of fun and pretty wet. We also did a little hiking in the Redwood Forest.

2008-07-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

This spring we flew to Washington D. C. to move Kent and Stephanie to Washington state. Like most men Steve wanted to drive across the country with minimal stops. But I wanted to make a few stops along the way. I have always wanted to see Mount Rushmore, it is not on the way to anything but we were going to be close. We spent a whole day driving around the area. We just took Kent's car off the trailer. I also always wanted to see where Devils Tower was. You might remember it from the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Especially the part where Richard Dreyfus make a model of it from mashed potatoes. Steve agreed, luckily it was only about a 30 minute detour, what a great husband. Both stops were well worth the effort.

2008-07-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

I have found the fun of blogging and am attempting to start a blog for Steve and I. Our life at home is pretty quiet and borning compared to the rest of you, buy you know the saying, "Been there, done that." Maybe this will blog will be an insight into your lives in 20+ years, hope we can show you the fun we are having.