Exciting Christmas 2008

This would be Greg's last christmas home for a few years, so we all wanted to be together as much as possible. It was snowy and cold, but we had lots of fun. The kids went sledding and went with Grandpa to the "farm" and played with Diamond. They enjoyed just being with each other. Doug brought the big Belgin Drafts from St. George, but we did not use them to pull the wagon, instead we used the truck, we had fun caroling on Christmas eve, and Maryann you were not the only one with tears, it was so fun and put us in the Christmas spirit. Next time we will use the draft horses and really be authentic, just links us with the past, the good ole days!!! We did not use horse and wagon when I was growing up, but Doug remembers hitching up the horses for work in his grandfathers pea fields. Just beautiful memories we want to share with our children and grandchildren.Dogs, horses, and cows, farm life and good hard work!!!! Greg got his mission call to the Colorado, Colorado Springs mission. He leaves on Feb 18th. We are very proud of him. I'm sure he will find those people who have memories of the past and the good ole horse and buggy days.

Fun Lake Powell trip

I will admit that I have been very apprehensive and protective in letting anything take the place of Priest Lake. I know I am very nieve and closed minded on the subject, but when you have a memory like our family trips to Priest Lake, it is hard to let it be replaced. But I will only let it be shared with other "want-to-be's" like Lake Powell!!!!! There will be other memories and that's good. We shared a wonderful week at Lake Powell with family. We missed Doug and Tami and Sydnee, McKay and Cy. The grandkids played so hard and enjoyed every minute. Dad and I were able to show Greg that we are not that "old" the slalom skiing came right back and we added the wakeboard to our repertoire. It was just fun being with everyone. I didn't get very good pictures, so you'll have to check out the other blogs.

Visiting Travis and Lauralee in Flagstaff

We were so anxious to be able to finally visit Lauralee and Travis in the new home in Flagstaff Arizona. They have been there a year and we had not been to see them. Laur even had a baby, well we finally went and it was so nice. They live in beautiful Flagstaff, it really is pretty and full of pine trees, even right in their "backyard". We walked a half a block and were in the "forest". It smelled so good and reminded me of Priest Lake. The kids even love it and love to find rocks and bugs and little critters. Caden is always helping Matthew see the beauty in everything, they are so fun to watch. We are glad they are in such a great place to visit.Michelle and Cam had visited the weekend before and Maryann and Leanne went that same sunday that Michelle and Cam left. They had fun.

Priceless Memories

I went to my 40th class reunion in Boise Idaho. I graduated from Boise High School. We drove to Boise on friday August 8th. I went with Karla Sorenson Harris, and Kathryn Dunn Colvin. They are two friends I graduated with. Debbie Bodily Larsen was busy with her daughters reception in Salt Lake so she could not go. We met Kay Larsen Kowallis in Boise . Those are my best friends, Kay, Karla, Debbie and Kathryn. Elaine Evans was with us till she moved in high school, but she was not there. We were all together from 1st grade through 12th. What an exceptional group and what a blessing!!! And I mean it, just like Alma who "rejoiced exceedingly to see his brethren;(sisters) and what added more to his(her) joy, they were still his(her) brethren(sisters)in the Lord"!!!! yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men (women) of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. Such a treat to see those who are still living, in the Boise 1st ward where I grew up. People who asked how my parents were and how they loved them and were such a part of our lives. Kays parents are 99 and 96 and doing remarkably well, and it was so nice to see them. Debbie's mother passed away and we`were able to attend her funeral on monday. There is always a degree of sadness but knowing the Gospel plan and knowing her mother is with her father out weighs the sad. After 54 years of marriage and her mother being very patient, her father took her to the temple and they were sealed for time and eternity, so you can imagine that reunion. Debbie and her sister Linda gave a very beautiful tribute to their mother. Karla lived right next door to me on Mobley drive and we got to see her older sister Kay and younger sister Annette, and I got to hear a CD her brother John made of his senior recital at Boise State. He has a beautiful voice and you know his parents who both are gone are so proud of him. We got to hear a concert given by three of our classmates who have excelled in voice, piano, and violin. Just a wonderful weekend. The first picture is me, Kathryn, Kay and Karla. Then again at Boise High School, and then my home on Mobley drive.

Much has happened

Time really does fly!!! I know when you kids have not posted for awhile, I miss knowing what's going on and by the time I read everyone elses I am to tired to post anything, or I've run out of time, but, like bearing your testimony, it should be done for everyone to hear and be uplifted. I know I appreciate all of your messages and thoughts, and I am so grateful for all of our children. The month of May was especially eventful!!! I was pleasantly surprised with a party for my birthday and "retirement" It was the most awesome tribute I have ever experienced. My children and Mother worked hard to gather past students and family members and had a concert. Of course the greatest tribute was to have our own grand children perform, they are the best reward of all. The nice thoughts by our own children and the violin performance of the Bach Double, it all brought back such wonderful memories. Getting the keys to a brand new SUZUKI Car was shocking, still can't get over it. I think of everyone every time I drive it.

The next event was Greg graduating from High School. It was great, and he is very excited to move on. Greg is rebuilding our deck and he has helped with some very heavy work at Judy Kings place, he really knows how to work and is a good worker. He looks forward to lots of water wakeboarding and surfing this summer.

Doug looks forward to his last year in the school district and was given a new set of golf clubs for Father's Day, at least he won't get bucked off golfing.

Doug and I took Jordan, our oldest grand child to the Meacham reunion at David and Linda Lindsey's place in New Plymouth. We enjoyed seeing everyone again and Linda worked really hard to make it a very memorable event. We learned about Dad's great grandfather and his grandmother. Got to see cousins and their grandchildren. Some of them brought a grandchild or two like we did and they had lots of fun. Did some geo caching and floated the Payette river, road horses, played games etc. Linda is really good at having things for the kids to do. Grandma Meacham (Pearl) went and got to see some of her family, her only two living siblings and her favorite sister-in-law who turns 90 in august. It was lots of fun and memorable. Dad was in charge of a dutch oven dinner friday night, it turned out great. We had Swiss chicken and potatoes, elk roast(cooked with a pork roast) potatoes and onions and green beans.

SELF-RELIANCE AND POTENTIAL - Talents and Gifts

"And again, I exhort you, my brethern,
that ye deny not the gifts of God.
for they are many; and they come from the same God.
And there are different ways that these
Gifts are administered; but it is the same God
who worketh all in all; and they are given
by the manifestations of the Spirit of God
unto men, to profit them."
Moroni 10:8

Happy Mothers Day to all my beautiful daughters and daughters-in-law. I love you very much and as it says in D&C 64:33 "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

Let a mother counsel her children with love as well as with knowledge, for a proud youth may not heed his mother's words---but he will not forget her love.

President Benson said, "Mothers in Zion, your God-given roles are so vital to your own exaltation and to the salvation and exaltation of your family. A child needs a mother more than all the things money can buy. Spending time with our children is the greatest gift of all.

Ah the feeling!!!!!!

I'm sure you have know idea what you are looking at, but these are some pictures of our "new" garage. It is beautiful, and I should have taken before pictures but Dad said you all know what it looked like before. Chris and Greg have worked very hard to clean it up and repair and paint and paint the floor. I even took the freezer out and will replace the old fridge with a more energy efficient one. Anyway, the feeling is great and we threw lots away and will throw more away. Clean and organized, that's what we want and thankyou to Chris and Greg for making it possible.