Category Archives: Family Fun

Airplanes

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Airplanes are amazing.

Definition: A vehicle designed for air travel that has wings and one or more engines.

I used to love to watch airplanes as a child; flying across the sky, landing and taking off to who knows where. It always made my imagination waunder and I’d wish I could go on a trip to many places.

While in junior high school one of my teachers had his pilot license. He offered to take several of us students for a ride in his airplane. One thing he required was a note written by a parent stating that they would be ok with him taking us. I got the note and couldn’t wait to fly. I believe there were 3 of us kids. We all met the teacher after school, and he drove us out to the airport.

I felt no fear. I was so excited to fly! It was such an unusual experience. Something I’d never felt before. The teacher flew in a small twin engine airplane. He did a few tricks like climbing straight up and then coming down fast. We felt weightless when we came down fast. It was one of the first experiences I’ve ever had that I felt so adventurous. As I look back on it now, I’m surprised my Mom let me go, but I had so much fun and was so glad I went.

While growing up we really never took airplanes on trips. If we went, which wasn’t very often, we drove. Flying was too expensive. We went to Oregon, Washington, California, and even back to Minnesota, all in the comfort of our family car. No A/C, no seatbelts, just windows down and music playing. All of our trips took days, or weeks.

Just out of high school I flew with my best friend Julie to St. George. Her Dad had a pilots license and flew us down. I had barely had to have stitches in my knee from a horseback riding accident, and had to thread my left leg through the middle of the two front seats. That was an adventure. At least it didn’t take very long to get there.

My first commercial airplane ride was when I left on my mission. I was so blessed to represent my Savior and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I served in the Texas, San Antonio Mission. I was excited to fly there, but nervous to leave home. It was so different than the little twin engine plane I road in with my teacher in junior high school. I served my mission for 18 months. All of us missionaries would keep track of who was getting close to going home, and tease them about being “Trunky” which means you’re having a hard time working and concentrating on finishing your mission with gusto, because you couldn’t wait to leave and fly home. It is a real thing that happens, but I think all missionaries try to stay focused and finish with honor and dignity. So when the other missionaries found out I was leaving soon they would tease me. They called my going home -on a airplane and not returning my “Deplanage”. They bought me a little tie tac that was an airplane and made me wear it. It was all in good fun and the airplane ride home from my mission was wonderful!

Since then I’ve flown on planes many times. It is more nerve racking now than it was back in my younger years. I don’t really like the “leaving” part of going on trips, I love to be home. Once I’m there though, I’m so glad I’m there and really enjoy the trip and the places we see.

One of the best things about airplanes is that they take us to places we may never be able to go to in our lives if we couldn’t fly there. I’ve been so blessed to fly to San Antonio, Boston, Seattle, Atlanta, Charleston, Los Angeles, and New York. They allow us to experience the “trips of a life time” and for a lot of us that is such a grand experience!

My Philosophy on Money

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Money is hard for me to wrap my brain around.

I know I need it to live, buy things, and enjoy life, but I don’t always know for sure how I’m going to do all of these things. I just do the best I can and it seems to work.

One reason why I think money is hard for me is because I’m not a number gal. I’m not good at Math, I don’t speak the language, I mean basics yes, but I’ve always struggled with remembering numbers.

Let me share an example; when I go to the store to buy bananas they have a price. The labeled price may be higher or lower than the last time, best price or average price. I would never know the difference. I don’t know how much bananas sell for. If I need bananas, I buy them. I know this sounds weird, like I never shop, but I do. I should know, but I don’t. Even right now I have no idea how much they are and I don’t care. Maybe that’s why I don’t know or pay attention, is because it’s not important to me. Interestingly enough. For years when I would make a trip to the store for some groceries, my total, without adding or counting what I had in the cart was almost always around $70-$75. No kidding! Yes, I bought a lot of the same or similar things but not always. If we needed it, I just bought it and if we didn’t I didn’t. I’m very frugal anyway and always have been. Now my average is more like $100-$120. Still that’s not much compared to what most people spend.

I don’t really like to shop for clothes much. I love to thrift! One of the funnest things about thrifting is the hunt. Looking for a treasure! “One man’s garbage is another man’s (or woman’s) treasure,” is truth. Something about buying a used item, and it’s still usable makes my heart happy.

I would also consider myself very humble as far a my looks go. Honestly I’m just an average looking gal. I went to cosmetology school when I was young, and still have my license, but I don’t spent much on myself. I remember my teachers in school telling us that what we do is enhance or compliment the natural beauty. What that tells me is blue hair, super long nails, and incredibly long and thick eyelashes are not natural. I have are hard time spending money on things that are not necessary, and cost a ton. I know that lots of girls get hair extensions and they can cost thousands of dollars. I know that is not a good thing. I colored my hair for years. Then I didn’t want to pay someone to do it, so I taught my sweety how to do it. He struggle with it a little and I finally thought “Why?” I don’t care about having my hair colored, I’m getting older and I think I should act my age. So I quit. I was only spending about $10-$15 dollars a month on my hair, so I decided to donate $10/month to our churches Humanitarian Fund. It’s not much, but I feel better about that, and I have grown very fond of my gray hair.

As far as going on trips and adventures go, we are very careful about that. We are trying to prepare for retirement, and feel like we don’t want to struggle then. Paying extra on our house, doing some investing, and living frugal will hopefully make retirement happen. But we do have very generous people in our lives who are always blessing us with fun things to do. My best friend is a gem about letting us visit and enjoy fun times with them. My siblings have helped us go on sibling trips by sharing the financial responsibilities. We mostly just do visits with our friends and family close to home.

When the kids were little money was such a challenge, but we paid our tithing and still do, and we have never gone without. We were able to help 3 of kids serves LDS missions, and enjoyed a few trips a year to Bear Lake and Park City. My in-laws had a trailer at Bear Lake and a timeshare at Park City. We had so much fun and spent very little money.

To some up, I’d say my philosophy about money is respect it, what it can do for you, even if you live modestly. Always have a grateful heart. Like I told the kids years ago, not all blessings are financial. We have everything we need and we are very comfortable. We use only what we need, and share with others.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

God is good. Money is a necessary part of life, but when you careful and always grateful there is always enough!

Easter Time!

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Spring is wonderful, with so much to celebrate!

New life-Trees with buds and flowers blooming, baby chicks, baby lambs, and babies all around. More sunshine and warmer weather. What blessings!

Pretty dresses-Each little girl wearing a new dress for Easter. It’s a special feeling to get cleaned up and put on a new pretty dress to go to church and sing and pray. To remember Jesus on Easter morning. As a little girl Easter was the only time I got a new dress, and sometimes new shoes! In my bedroom, I would hang my dress where I could barely see it in the darkness as I fell asleep. My shoes would be positioned next to my pillow in their box in my bed, so I could reach over and touch them or look to make sure they were still there. I felt so special that I could have new and beautiful things.

Egg Hunts-Fun times with kids and grandkids hiding and finding the eggs. As I’ve gotten older and can host or help with Egg Hunts it is so much fun to get everything ready for the kids to come. My Darlin and I work hard on the yard to make it look nice, and invite all the grandkids to come and hunt. The are so adorable and seeing them having fun is the best. When I was a kid, eggs would be hidden around the house. We would search and search. Funny thing is we would almost always miss one and find it a month or two later.

Sweet Treats-Baskets with treats and candy. Some people don’t believe we should give kids candy in abundance. Well, we don’t have candy all the time, but when I was a child it was so fun and unusual to get candy and a chocolate bunny in my basket. To me it gives all of us something sweet to look forward to in life. Landmark dates that keep us going and celebrating life. Treats are a must!

True Love-Most important and overwhelming is the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ who gave all for us. And our Father in Heaven who gave us a plan and way to learn and grow, because He loves us and wants us to become more! He knew we would make mistakes and need a Savior. When I think of the death of Jesus and all that happened on Good Friday I get so sad. I can think about it but it hurts to think of all He went through. I’m so grateful for Sunday morning and for His resurrection. It is finished. He accomplished what no-one else could do and because of Him we all are blessed. I love my Heavenly Father and His Son our Savior.

Happy Easter!!

Reunion Time!

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I have a dear friend named Julie.

She has been my best friend since high school. We have been friends for long enough that we have some pretty troubling and embarrassing stories of our time together. I am amazed we made it though some of them. I’m so thankful we did. She is a gem. So loyal, and generous, and fun!

We have had this friendship and history for years, before we both got married. Then we both got married the same year within a month of each other. Both of our husbands names are Brett. Only her hubby’s only has one “t”. We started having our children within a year of each other. Because we love each other and we like to be with each other, as our children were born, they became friends. The kids don’t quite match up as far as ages go, but each of our kids are very close to each other. We used to call them our chosen cousins.

Let me add here that she has lived 350 miles away from me since just after we both got married. You have to put a big effort in to stay best friends when you live far away from each other. Also, we used to write letters to each other, because it cost too much to call and talk. Now we have cell phones and communicating is easy.

Our children are all adults. Almost all of them are married. Most of the married ones are parents.

We haven’t had all our kids together for years. They are all so busy and when my darlin and I visit them, it’s usually just the two of us.

We told Natasha we were going to visit with our friends and have a reunion. She says, “Now how are we related to them?” Kelsey said, “We’re not.” Natasha said, “What!!! We’re not related to them?” Haha, we laughed and laughed. All this time she thought they were family. Well, they are! We chose them.

So we had a reunion this last week in a little town in central Utah named Marysvale. It is an old mining town. There are lots of trails for riding 4 wheelers and hiking. We had so much fun! All of our kids and their spouses and grandkids where there. Wow! We know how to multiply.

What a fun time we had! It was very crowded, noisy, and fun!

I love our chosen family. And my bestie Julie!

2018 Highlights!

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This past year has basically slipped by and I haven’t shared much. When I look back on the blog there isn’t much. So here is some highlights:

April-

Our oldest, Riley and his sweet wife, Janet and children were sealed for time and all eternity is the temple. What a blessing. To be in the temple with their little family as they were dressed in white making covenants, and knowing the promises of a forever family are real. It is by far one of the most precious and sacred experiences of my life. I love them, and I’m so proud of them!

A future so bright!!!

Families are Forever!

Our “Bonus Baby’s” baby Willow, turned “1”!!! What a sweet little dolly. We have enjoyed having our sweet grand baby in our lives, and we love her so much! Grand parenthood is the best!

May-

Our grandson Julian had a birthday!! This great kid is always keeping us entertained. He does an excellent job communicating what he thinks and asking us about the world. I sometimes have to steal hugs, but he is a very sweet and fun boy. We love him!

June-

Our family vacationed at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. It was so fun to be together. The family went swimming in the huge swimming pool while I tended a napping grandbaby. We traveled to a ghost town, sort of, Chesterfield is a town that was founded back in the 1800’s. There has been families, descendants of the founders moving back and fixing up some of the old buildings. There was a super cute General Store. Riley and Brett tubed down the river. We hiked up to a metal effigy of Big Foot that was near our camp ground.

The down side? Allergies.

I enjoy being with family more than anything.

Not Very Amusing, Or Is It?

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In our part of the world we have a popular amusement park. It is the closest thing Utah has to Disneyland. It’s called Lagoon!

We went every year when I was growing up. The park would send discount tickets to our church, and we’d get to go and save a little money. The day was called Stake Lagoon Day.

Some families had lots of kids, like ours, so getting a discount for admission was a big deal, and it was expensive enough that most families only took their kids once a year. At least I thought that, it might not even be true, I know we only went once a year. Anyway, I loved this event, and looked forward to it for most of the summer. I couldn’t wait to ride the scariest rides. Or see how many times I could go on the fast ones. I have such good memories of summer trips to Lagoon.

Our family would pile in the car with a picnic and make our way to the park. It was about a half an hour from our house in the car. Once there, we’d put all the needed items for the picnic in the wagon and enter the park. After purchasing our tickets, and going through the gate we’d all walk to the rear of the park where there were many small grassy areas to set up a picnic. Some areas had only grass to put a blanket on and some had picnic tables. We’d always pick what we thought would be the best spot. When we were little, one of our parents took us around to the rides while the other stayed with our food, wagon and blankets. It was a kind of Home-base where we could leave things like prizes or jackets or treats to be looked after by Mom. As we got older the same routine happened except once at the picnic area, Dad would give us instructions for who could go where, always using the buddy system, then send us out into the park for a period of time and telling us to come back to eat at an appointed time. He always left the park for a little trip to go get fried chicken at KFC or the local grocery store. What fun memories!

I worked there one summer right after high school. It was a fun job, because I could stay after work and ride the rides. I could go on my day off and ride, all at no cost, because I worked there. It was so great!

Then something happened. I started not feeling very well after I rode the rides. What seemed to be a headachy feeling turned into a queasiness. Oh no, you guessed it. I was getting older, and what I remember happening to my dad, and other older people was now happening to me. One of my favorite summer activities was not going to be fun anymore. Bummer!

It worked out though.

Here’s why, by the time I wasn’t enjoying myself much on the rides, I had become a Mama of my own kids. The first time I saw my little boy Riley on

Bulgy the Whale, tears came to my eyes.
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to see his happiness, his complete joy at what he was experiencing was sooo much better to me than the experience of riding the rides myself.

Being a parent and watching my children experience life, especially the good things in life is the best! It makes me think about Father in Heaven and how He must feel when He watches us enjoying this life experience. What a blessing it is that God has allowed us to experience in some small way what I’m sure makes Him happy, watching His children loving life. When our kids are happy and loving life that gives us the same joy.

So Emily, my “Bonus Baby” went to Lagoon with Kelsey, my “Dream Come True” recently, and when they were riding on one of the fast rides Emily passed out, and her head whipped around and hit Kelsey in the face. The back of Emily’s head hit Kelsey’s cheek to be exact. Kelsey got a bruise, and Emily got a concussion. They laughed a little right after, but they were both really sore. Emily was sad because she said she doesn’t enjoy the rides like she used to when she was little, or young. It has already changed for her. I told her, “Just wait till your sweet tiny girl is a little bigger, and she can go on Bulgy the Whale.” Then I shared with her the secret about being a parent and watching your children experience true happiness!

It’s a Landmark!

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My cute daddy used to be a bricklayer in his younger years. He was also a genius at doing rock work. In the yard of the homes I grew up in, there were always rock walls, pathways, and fire pits. My dad is amazing!

I always wanted to have some of this rock work around the home I now live in with my sweetheart, so we have been looking for something we could do.

One thing I wanted was to get a new mailbox. The one that came with our home was not very nice looking.So we decided that was it! The project would be our mailbox!

Well, daddy is 83 years old. We can’t ask him to do this for us. We can’t even ask him to help, really, but we can ask him to supervise! So we picked a day and had him come over to supervise and help us start the rock mailbox project!

He put my little darlin to work, digging, mixing cement and preparing the sight for rocks. Next step is deciding which rocks to start with. Here is the mailbox about 1/3 of the way done. We had to leave the old mailbox on till we got to the spot where the new mailbox was going to be so the mailman would have a place to put our mail. We also decided to keep the post the same since it was in place and very secure. We have been working on it for over a month. We mix up a bag of mortar and work at it till the mortar is gone, wait a day or two, until we have time to do it again. Slow and steady! Looking good!Almost done!

We’ll finish in a day or so, but I love it! And now when I look at our mailbox I’ll think of daddy, and his awesome talent, and always be so glad to have a reminder of him at our home. It is a landmark, our landmark. It represents, gifts from God, love of family, building things, and beauty.

Eight is Great!

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Today it has been eight years since I started my blog. 

As I read through the blog, I am so happy that I have been able to share these stories and experiences with everyone!

I am so thankful that I have written them down.

They are a treasure to me.

My life and all that I have experienced is wonderful. Even the challenges have taught me so much. Some of the best things I’ve learned in the last eight years are:

1-Family is everything. I can’t imagine my life with out my family. Both the one I grew up in and the one I have with my Darlin. I feel blessed to have a sweet husband, wonderful children, and I am in love with my beautiful grandchildren. I’m thankful I have a blog full of memories of my family.

2-A knowledge of God and my Savior, Jesus Christ is a blessing in my life everyday. The gospel gives me direction, and hope for my life. 

3-I am so thankful for my ancestors. The family who came before me, and who paved the way so that life would be better for me. They left homes they knew, for the unknown. They gave up comfort for the challenge of a journey to a new life. I can’t imagine what they went through, but I am so thankful. I love them!

4-Grandbabies are the best!!! I am completely in love with them! They are my reward for not killing my kids. Haha. But seriously, how wonderful it is to have these sweet little people who I get to love, and spoil, and then send them home. It is the best!

Thank you for your visit to my blog!

I love to have you come. 

Happy Birthday, Flexy!!!

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Happy Birthday to a sweet and loving son!!!

I am so blessed to have you in my life.

You are- a hard worker, a good provider, a chef, a handyman, patient, sensitive, strong, easy going, handsome, a good friend, spiritual, a good teacher, smart, responsible, quotable, slow and steady, my third child, so much fun, a sleep anywhere guy, my second son, a fan of South Africa, a giant soul, a soda lover, and a soda maker, a family guy, and a forever lover to Amber! 

I hope you have the best of everything! 

Love you, sweetie!!!

Bear Lake-Pool Time!

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We have enjoyed many years at Bear Lake. It is one of the fun and usual family activities we do each summer. We spend a few days, sometimes a week at the trailer that my in-laws own. It has a beautiful view of the lake and enough room for our family. We have had so many fun times swimming at the lake and pool, along with evenings playing games or watching movies together. It’s important to get a Raspberry shake or two during the stay. You can’t stay at Bear Lake without learning that they are famous for Raspberries.

A fun activity is to go for a ride around the lake, I prefer in the car. It is around 50 miles. A few times my sweetie has ridden bicycles around with a few of the kids. He did it Kelsey our Dream Come True. It was quite a feat! He also did it with Alex for a merit badge in scouts one year-with Alex’s friend Colter, and Grandpa Pearce, my father-in-law.

Pearce’s Mama, Ruth is from Montpelier, Idaho, just north of Bear Lake. It’s fun to go to the cemetery and find relatives. The Bear Lake Valley is so beautiful and fun to visit. The lake is usually cold to swim in, the kids call it Burrrrr Lake sometimes, cause it freezes you when you get in. It’s still fun once you get used to it. So beautiful.

 

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I had the hardest time getting this little guy to look at me, or smile. 

He’s still super cute though!