Women I Admire

One of my biggest priorities amidst all of the partying this summer was to visit my Grandma's. Both of my Grandma's are now widows. Grandma G having lost her husband only a few months ago. I love my Grandma's so much and want my kids to know them as well.  As they get older and their health declines I feel like my time is limited.  I need to glean all I can from these amazing women. 

 Grandma F. was a war bride.  Isn't that awesome?  I love her stories.  Like how she and a friend wanted to see their husbands who were stationed in California.  They hopped on a train but had no money and ended up spending the night sleeping in a boxcar.  She has lived through a lot.  Joy and of course sorrow has been a part of her life.  One thing I love about my Grandma is that she is optimistic and joyful to be around.  She can mention the fact that her hands are so crippled that she can no longer open a can, as flippantly and lightly as if she was telling me she missed her favorite TV program.  She just does the best with what she's got .....  and always has.  She seems to be one of those people who knows what matters most and lives life with those priorities.  She makes time for people and for love and for friendship. 

I love this picture because Grandma forgot that she left her curlers in.  After she realized it, she insisted on a retake.  Grandma G. was married to my Grandpa for nearly 70 years.  They raised 7 children.  She lives the simple life that I sometimes envy.  She makes her own bread (even now) and gets her milk from the dairy up the road.  She is good down to the core of her.  You can just feel it.  She is gentle and patient in a way that I can't even imagine.  I remember her telling me how my Dad used to have such a hard time going to sleep when he was little.  She used to sit and hold his hand until he fell asleep.  She did this until he was THREE.  She said she finally had to draw a line when he was three because of course she had another child or two by then.  My patience would have lasted a night or two max.  Not three years. 

When my Grandpa got sick, Grandma got sick too.  She seemed to decline right along with him, almost as if she was enduring everything right along with him... just like she did in life.   When I saw her this summer I expected to see her in poor health and with her failing memory getting worse.  Instead I found my Grandma doing very well.  Her memory was better than it has been in a long time, and she seemed almost sprightly as she fluttered around taking care of her guests.  She joked with us.  She proudly showed me her book of mormon and told me of the goal she set to read it this year.  Even with her failing eyesight, she said she doesn't think she's too old to stop learning yet.... and so she will persevere.  She does what she still can for herself and graciously accepts the help offered.  She still likes to walk, cook, read, attend church and never misses "Little House on the Prairie."  I begged her to tell my kids the Indian tales she used to tell me.  She is one heck of  a story teller.  I admire her spunk and her wisdom.  

And so it continues....

My Grandma's were and are courageous women who sacrificed much to raise their families and teach them right from wrong.  They made my parents the amazing people that they are.  My parents then sacrificed so much for me and my siblings.  They passed on those great truths again and in turn made me who I am.  Now it's my turn.  I only hope and pray to live up to what these women have taught.  Their legacy is now my goal and it's a beautiful thing. 

More Summer Fun

Because I am being orderly about this... and cannot blog about the 1st day of school until I have finished off blogging about the summer... I am now forced to do a mighty "what we did this summer" post. Hold on to your hats...

 Aaron's family has the dry farm tradition (see previous post) and my family usually comes up with some exciting adventure, usually a camping trip.  This year however, with 6 kids under 2 years we decided to do more of a "stay-cation".  It ended up being just as much fun. 

The first day of staycation Grandma took the BIG girls out to lunch while Grandpa took the BIG boys to Thanksgiving point.  Everyone had a great time.

  

 The next day we spent playing at liberty park.  I love this picture of them hanging out on a rock.

We had a fun family barbeque that night and games for the kids.  Grandma was awesome and put together a fish pond and pinata for the kids. 

We roasted marshmellows and camped out in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.  I might decide that I like camping with running water and easy access to a kitchen.  :)

 On the last day, we all went up to snowbird and spent the day jumping, climbing, sliding and riding across the mountain ranges.  It was truly a beautiful day.  I love the mountains and love them even more when my family is there to enjoy them with me.

Although I know we did lots more and these are only things I happen to snap pictures of... but also wanted to mention how much fun we had...

Walking in the 4th of July parade with Aaron's family's ward.

Hiking up Milcreek Canyon.

 Eating out at Red Iguana.  WITH NO KIDS.

Kids playing in the back of Grandpa's pick-up.

We also loved:  Fireworks, food, laughing, riding horses (thanks Kristin), swimming with friends (thanks Kalleen), eating some more, hanging out, watching movies, visiting Grandma's, water slides, bouncy houses and pretty much every fun summer thing we could think of.  And now... back to real life.  I guess that's nice sometimes too.

Dry Farm

Almost every year since Aaron and I were engaged, we have joined Aaron's family at the dry farm.   Which means, I think, that it is farmland that is not actually used for growing crops.  For us it means that this spot belongs to his family and over the years has evolved to make the perfect camping spot.  Kids can run free with little concern about dangers.  The "long drop"  or porta-potty is set up with a privacy shield and a pipe run through the spring provides fresh drinking water.  It's awesome. 

Here are some essential things that make the dry farm what it is.

#1  Kids must get really dirty.



This place is named "the dirt hill" .  It got that name because it is, in fact, a hill of dirt.



#2 You must eat insane amounts of food.  I mean really WAY too much food.  I don't actually have any pictures of the eating, because usually I am a little bit too busy.... well.... eating.  But this is the dining fly where it all takes place.

 #3 Dogs.  There have to be a lot of dogs.

#4 Uncle teasing. When I first joined the family I was warned about "the uncles".  There are quite a few of them.  But, turns out, it's really not so bad.  Especially now that my kids are the focus of the teasing.  Here is Uncle Les pretending to sleep... naturally, the kids decide to tie him up.

Get him good!

 Here is my nephew Milo, anxiously waiting for him to awaken and discover what they have done.

 Oh no.  You're going to get it now.

 #5 Every year someone brings some wierd new addition to the party.  This year it was this enormous camp chair.  Awesome.

 #6  We always devote a lot of time to spotting cool wildlife.  We've seen beavers, deer, moose an eagle nest and this year, we saw this badger.



 #7 Beautiful scenery.

#8 And then, of course, there's family.  Lots and lots of wonderful family. 

Happy camping!!  We love this place.

Planking

Okay so.... I know that planking is dumb.  But sometimes I get in the mood for some plain 'ole silliness. And it is really a good feeling to have such powerful convincing skills that you can get someone to try this. 

Me: Hey. I want to take a picture of you planking.
Other person:  Huh? What does that mean?
Me: Well you just lay down on your belly on any surface you choose and stay real stiff like a board.
Other person: Huh? Why would I do that?
Me: Because it's just a cool thing to do.
Other person: Are you kidding me?
Me: No seriously. It's so awesome. Just try it.

And then....

a taker.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

Everyone agreed that it was, in fact, awesome.  Or atleast really really funny.  Or atleast entertaining for 20 minutes or so.  You should try it.  Seriously.

P.S. Please vote for the planker with the best technique. 
P.P.S.  Some of these photos may not actually be mine.  But I wish they were.