Thanksgiving and such

Guess I am a little behind in posting happenings...It has been busy lately with Christmas cards, cinnamon rolls and going to school christmas concerts (which are very fun!)

Here are a couple of pictures of Thanksgiving and other sundrie items. One is a picture of the snow and the marvelous snowman and snow fort that Jeff and Calista made; a picture of madison out IN the snow; Ewan being himself; and Carson dressed up as Grandma Shar....does she look like me?

Hope your Holiday season is memorable and satisfying!

seasons

Here are three pictures....of three seasons at my house. Same backyard...different colors!

Also some pictures I took of Jared, Ashley and Madison when they crossed the new Elwha bridge on bikes. Brrr!!!

Adoption!

Yesterday at about 9 am, Madison became a Smith! We are so happy to have it official, and that Jared is the legal father. It was very nice, too, because the Judge is a good friend and our Stake President, Brent Basden. It was a good experience!

We had a nice lunch at Chestnut Cottage with Jared, Ashley, Madison, and Ashley's Grandpa Jim Miller. Woo Hoo!!

Here is a picture of the lawyer, judge and participants!

Love you guys!

fun times

We had some fun at my house with Play Doh a few weeks ago. Erik, and his little kids were over, as was Madison. We made some interesting play doh "creatures". I bet you can tell which one Erik made!!!

Also, a picture or two of Autumn in my back yard.., and my christmas cactus that is a bit ahead of time. I love Autumn! Crisp air, orange, red, yellow leaves, and a different kind of light outside. Hoping for more fall and no snow this winter!!

more pictures

Here are a few more pictures from our trip. One of Elliot in the car, and dressed up as a dragon (or dinosaur, depending on who you talk to), and a couple more of place we went. One is Ole's Cabin. Fun!

colorado/utah trip

Stu and I had a great time visiting Colorado and Utah a week or so ago.

First we stayed at Timm and Megan's home, and did some grandparent things, like: going to soccer practice, going out for ice cream, and helping with no-time-to-do, chores.

Both Harrison and Elliot are darling kids. Very intelligent, too, which keeps you on your toes! Stu and Timm went on a bike ride to prepare for"the bike ride" in Utah.

Then we drove to Utah in Timm's new van, (which if I had money I'd get one, too- it was amazing on the trip!) which was fun. We even got through a crossword puzzle together! (which is also amazing since at least half of us get car sick!)

We stayed with Megan's parents in Perry, Utah overnight and I went to a local park with the other grandma and Megan's siblings. Fun times! Timm took us into Salt Lake to get a key made for his van, and we walked downtown for a while. Hot...90 most days. Then we got a rental car and drove to Ole's home. (stu's brother)

We had a grand time visiting with Stu's family and my family. Ole lent us his cabin in Heber, Utah on a friday night, so Timm and Stu could get a good start on "the ride" the next morning early. We were hoping both Stu and Timm would be able to do the whole 100 klm-each had knee issues or "hill" issues. They both made the entire ride! Yay! Ole's friend had lent Stu a $4000.00 bike...that helped immensely!

While they were gone, Megan , kids and I met up with Megan's family and we played in a park , while the Pickett men went scuba diving at a crater. They treated me to lunch at a yummy mexican restaurant, then Megan and I waited for the boys to be done on the ride. My mother and father came to see them and took Timm and Stu out to the same mexican restaurant. It was a good time for all!

Timm and Megan then went back to Perry, and then back to Colorado. We stayed with Ole and Dena and went to church with them . I sure love them...they are the greatest! Ole even took Stu and I on a tour of the new buildings and projects at BYU, where Ole is Vp in charge of facilities.

Very fun and interesting.

Two other things we did that were fun- visited a friend , Linda Kubalek, who used to live here, with Stu's mom, Verna. We were glad to see her and her daughter, Teresa. Mom was happy to be getting out to visit, and see Linda, who she knew from the Joyce branch.

Stu and I also got to see one of my mom's friends who was dying of cancer. We are glad we got to see him when he was still "Beldon"..he passed away the 3rd. Also went to lunch with my great aunt, Alene, who is my grandmother's sister. She turned 95 recently and my parents took her out to lunch. I got to go, which I enjoyed. She is all there mentally, but is sure small physically! She told me she used to be 5'8"...I bet she's 5'1" now!! She is a kick!

My sister's two boys and their "girls" were at my mother's home for dinner one day. It was good to see them, also. Funny, they should still be 5 and 6 yrs old!!!My brother Matthew, also was good enough to get us in for our every time we go to Utah dental appts. Yay!!No cavities!! we went and sat with Matthew and Judy at their son's soccer game in West Jordan. Cute kids! Interesting to see how much they've grown since last we saw them! Too bad we don't live closer to all these people, but i don't want to live in Utah!!(I love where we live!)

We went to a Smith Family get together at Karen's new home in Highland, Utah. It was very nice to see people we haven't seen for a while. Lola is always fun, and of course, the kids have all grown up!

My Mother and father and Stu and I went to the temple the day we left. It was nice- always wish we could do that more often.

I hope I haven't left anything out! Here are some pictures we took - Wish you had all been there, too!

a murder

Each morning, just as it is starting to get light, there is a loud racket in the trees behind our house. Loud Caws and grumblings and answers and murmurings, etc...for a good 10 minutes. I went outside one morning to see what was going on (this has happened for the last month or so), and watched ( I counted) 27 crows fly from one tree to another, "yelling" all the way.
I looked it up on the computer and found out that the American crow is a common but very smart bird. If you have a group of them, they are called "A Murder of Crows"....Apt name for them. Maybe the noise and grouping in the morning is their "coffee break", where they sit around and decide who to "murder' that day....whether there are any dead guys around that need picking...(eww) or who to annoy, etc...just a thought!!
I also found out that if you have a group of Emus, it is called a Mob....yes, I can see that, too!

bike ride

Last weekend, Stu decided to ride in the "Senior Games" bicycle run. I had it in my mind that there would be a lot of guys and ladies over 50 riding their bikes on the Discovery trail...WRONG. It was 20 miles of up and across O'Brien rd and back. Took Stu about an hour and 50 minutes. He was the ONLY one on a mountain bike; the ONLY one without the fancy pants, snap in shoes, mirror on the helmet, lithe body of a 18 year old. BUT, he did it!!!He may have come in last, but the other guys and gals all invited him to come back next year. Knowing him, he will!!

Here is a picture of him, his bike, his number, his medal and his smile! Great going, Stu!!

We won a prize!

My friend, Stephanie Mitchell is the new Activities chair for our ward. She is a go-getter, and is trying to get some fun activities planned for our ward.

Last night, we had a "Drive-in Movie" night, where we brought our own cardboard cars to sit in while we watched people's home movies.

I was frustrated, because the only paints I had available were engine paint(spray paint =enamel); Indoor latex paint; sundry felt pens, and kids finger paints.....SO, our "van-wagon from the 60's" is very poorly painted....sorry...BUT, if it is going to look awful anyway, make the most of it!

Stu and I dressed up in 60's wear- headbands, clogs, sandals, wild shirts and beads...it was fun, and out of 2 adults that brought "cars", we won first! Woo Hoo!!!

Here are some pictures of our marvelous car. Sorry, i don't have any pics of Stu and me...you wouldn't want to see us , anyway!!!:)

pics of trip

pictures of: moose valley-the lake we stayed next to- beautiful, isn't it? Our camper on "The Road"- narrow, dirt, next to a cliff....mostly on my side...; Stu fly fishing; and a picture of the smoke from the wildfires- it was thick, and that was the sun up there....you could hardly see it. It was very dark that night!

trip to Canada

Stu took me on our yearly "Surprise Anniversary Trip". I don't want to know where we are going or what we are doing. I leave that up to him, since he LOVES to plan trips. He says it keeps him going during tax season. :)
This year, we bought a camper for our truck, and took it on a trip through part of British Columbia. We stayed at 7 different campgrounds. I really liked the Provincial park campgrounds better than the privately owned and operated ones. In the parks, you are on your own for water, electricity and showers. There are outhouses available, which i don't mind. Our camper worked great, and after I got over my fear of driving on really rough roads, and roads along cliffs, single lane, and dirt...I did great! Learned how to be very conservative with water and what things are easier to cook, etc, on a gas stove.
My favorite place to camp was Moose valley. It was a long drive on a very rough road, but the destination was wonderful! No one else there, portaging 4 lakes, no noise, nice trails...yes, i loved it there!
I also loved the canadian people. They were very nice, to us, the American tourists...I try to be savve, but I never am. I must look pretty stupid to them, sometimes, but you know, I blame it on being blonde! :)
We also went to church at the Bela Coola branch. There were 5 people there-7 if you counted us.
Stu and I got to give talks in Sac. Mtg, and I played the piano/organ for the meetings. Really nice people- all were related and all over 45 years old. The other members live in the rest home. I worry that after they all get old, there will not be a branch there anymore...But, they were glad to have visitors and conversation!
It was a fun trip. Stu had a great time. His secret passion is fly fishing on rivers. He is quite good at it, and I enjoy seeing him in his element-which is anything outdoors and using his scout skills.
I enjoy being outside, too. I thank my parents for that!!!(cabin and ranch!!!)
So, for all you city folks...you are missing out!
I will post some pictures, as soon as i can!

some summer fun

I have had a good time riding my bike (recreationally...not for 'competition') I enjoy being outside and riding the bike gets you there faster with less knee pain. It is harder though, than walking.....huffing and puffing is not attractive! Anyway, I also went to visit Kelli and her family for a few days so we could see "Eclipse'. She and I have a tradition in that we watch the movies from the Twilight Series for the first time together. It is very fun when your daughter likes the same kinds of things that you do...so much more to talk about!! (Although she is the one who got me interested in vampire things.....or faeries, etc.....never to old for that!!!:)

All my grandkids are great- we had most of them over the other night for Angela's birthday cake and ice cream get together. The little kids all like each other and that is a plus!!!

The pictures are of Kelli, her friends Becky and Emily, and I going to the Eclipse movie in Moses Lake, Washington; Jared and the little kids in the "smith swimming hole'; and the "group " at Angela's birthday get together. See if you can name them all!!!

things I like

Recently,I have had the fun opportunity of doing two things I really like to do...They are: watching the Kentucky Derby on t.v., and going to a reunion with people I grew up with in Seattle.

The Kentucky Derby is always fun for me. I grew up loving horses, and anything to do with horses. My bookshelves were full of books from Marguerite Henry, my favorite being "King of the Wind". I also bought Breyer plastic horses whenever I would receive birthday money or babysitting money.(til age 13..) I drew horses, played horses at recess, and more or less lived horses until I actually owned one. Romance over...I still love horses and think they are beautiful, but I wouldn't want to own another one. SO, watching the derby is very fun and exciting. I can't sit and watch, I have to be up and right in front of the t.v. urging them on. Stu took me to Emerald Downs( a racetrack in the Kent area) once for my birthday, and that was exciting!

Stu and I also went a week or so ago to a 50th reunion of the Seattle 10th ward. My mother and dad were up for that, as was my brother, Matthew. We went to dinner with my Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen, then went to the ward building. It has changed a little since it is now the Shoreline stake center. I LOVED seeing the parents of friends of mine. And, the friends I went to church with and otherwise knew during my growing up years. I always feel like I am 14 years old, but it's so great to have people hug you and really like you!!!

So, those were a good couple of weekends for me. I am putting a picture of me here at the reunion with one of my good friends from highschool, Evv. She goes by Joy now(which is her middle name) for the same reason I go with Shar instead of Sharene. People have less trouble saying it!!!

Hope you have had some fun things this past weekend!

playdoh and other sundry items

I have had the grandkids over lately and it seems their favorite things to do are: playing with playdoh, and going outside. I am putting a few pictures of the grandkids: "the little ones"- Carson-5; Ewan-2 1/2; and Madison- 2 and 3 mos. The first picture is of our resident robin home- this year on top of a ladder, so you can't use that ladder...;the second is of the three kids;the next one is of Ewan's "fish with the big noses"- he put the noses on; and the last is of Carson and Ewan at the bird feeder with out resident squirrel on top of it. I swear I was feeding him instead of the birds, most days! I spend my time outside with the kids doing three things: chasing Madison around- Madison does like to run!!!You can't take your eyes off of her for very long, or she disappears.. picking up rocks- Carson likes to look for bugs under rocks, and Ewan likes to put rocks in the tonka trucks, and carry a stick around. I enjoy seeing things from their points of view. I just wish I could remember the funny things they say and write them on this blog. I have what one of my friend's calls a "teflon brain"- which means that things just slide off!!!

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

spring has sprung

Just thought I'd add a few more pictures of how Spring is trying so hard to appear. Our trees in the yard have green on them; the tulips are up; and my poor hubby was alone for 9 days while I had a grand time at Kelli's house. He doesn't mind cooking for himself or doing laundry when he runs out of things, and he DOES try to keep things clean. During tax season he only eats and sleeps here. I felt bad for him when I came home to this evidence of his being hungry enough to buy a mix!!! Glad I came home to "take care of him", but I miss those babies! I am putting a picture of my room to show that I followed the advice of my daughter-in-laws and painted one wall green.....a stab at being more "decorative" than my usual cream or white...hmmm. I've decided that painting is a hassle, but kind of fun in a torture kind of way!:)

spring and young-uns

We can tell spring is on the way- daffodils are almost gone, the moss has taken over the lawn, the squirrels have taken over the bird feeder, and the deer have returned to the apple trees.

I am including a picture of the daffodils, from a couple of weeks ago. They are cheery, aren't they?

I had the little grand kids over yesterday. They "made" cinnamon rolls- very fun. The dough certainly gets a workout!!!Ewan liked his rolls "big" and plain. Carson liked hers "little" with a lot of cinnamon and sugar (and TONS of frosting!!!) . It was fun playing with the dough, and them!

Madison came over a bit later and also had fun with the other little kids. She decided to use a "fork" to get her piece of cheese off of her plate....very cute!

I enjoy the grandkids- they are all great kids!

Calista and I share several Weds. a month together, as I am the Activity days assistant, and she is in that age group. Last week was St. Patrick's day, and she came up with the whole activity. We learned a bit about St. Patrick and the legends, then she had the girls color, cut out and paste a shamrock on construction paper, and also write 4 things they had learned about St. Patricks day. We then decorated green cupcakes with green frosting. Also, played a couple of board games. Good ideas, Calista!

I get to go to Jeff and Calista's music concerts, also. Reminds me of the concerts I used to go to with our kids- seems like yesterday!!!sigh....

Have a good "rest of March!"