"oh dang" i'm a statistic

This has not been my year for 'wellness' . . .

I always wondered what it would feel like to be a statistic! I'm here to tell you, it feels lousy! I totally feel like an out-cast on my favorite 'fun day' of the year! Decided to go to the doc last night to see what was going on and he informed me I most likely had H1N1 and would treat me to some TamaFlu meds- oh yummmm. But really, it is yummm when you think it cuts down on the time sick by 50%. I'm all for that.

We had a FUN night planned (long ago) to throw a family party at The Ridge party center - but all was cancelled Thursday evening. Cameron was on his way up from Utah when he found out I was sick. He stopped the car, turned around and went home! Tell me I didn't feel like c.r.a.p.o.l.a.!

So, on this Halloween day/night I'll be sitting home watching TV and feeling sorry for myself - but loving the idea I have antibiotics to keep me company . . . oh yeah, and Bob too!

I'd like to take this time to thank Schuy-lard for sharing this wonderful virus with me. We happened to visit Whit and Schuy when he was still contagious. There it was under the microscope - Schuy's genetic code linking him as the donor! ! ! (I just made that up - sounds good, doesn't it!)

happy birthday A.S.P.E.N. babe

Happy birthday, little one! Sorry we missed the big day - we'll see you in a few days!
Aspen's cute outfit by BORNReady.

fall carnival

About a month ago, when I was asked to put on a carnival for close to 100 people I thought I would . . . die! Well, with the help of a lot of people, we pulled it off tonight! We DID IT! The carnival was a success and everyone had a blast! Here are just a FEW of the hundreds of pics I took - just couldn't help myself! Everything was running so smoothly I grabbed the camera and went all through the building capturing the moment! Here is just a SAMPLE of what I saw!











We had "Rice Krispy" walk, musical chairs, ring toss, dart game, fishing, face and nail painting, bean bag throw, baseball toss and much more! Think I'm going to sleep like a ROCK tonight! Just had to share this with you!

The MOST AMAZING part of the whole experience - EVERYTHING was donated and we saved a lot of money - no one had to pay a penny to come to the 'party'! Now isn't that sweet, or what?

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coming soon!

teton surprise

You know, it's been awhile since we've been able to see the Tetons - either clouds, smoke (forest fires) or overcast has covered them up. Sunday was a pleasant surprise!

mosaic monday

I've been somewhat vocal that we were 'robbed' of our fall this year - with the hard freeze that hit us. We might have been slightly short-changed, I must say nature did put on a show, if we were watching! Today we went to visit family and stopped quickly to say 'Hey' to the mighty Tetons at sunset - just to be reminded that winter is knocking loudly at the front door! Bodin came to visit us with his fancy green boots while mom cut untended locks of hair. It's fun to watch the fall colors through closed windows while trying to invade the warmth of our home. All in all, I decided we were not robbed this year of a splendid fall, we just had to be sure we didn't blink before it was all gone!



Drop by Mary Carroll's place to see some beautiful 'fall scapes'.

"That's what I love so much about late fall - nature has a sense that it's time to slow down and rest for a season. Although our society is always in OVER-DRIVE nature is there is calm our spirits and say, "Hey, wait a minute - there is a time a season for everything!" We would be wise to listen. Shhhh, can you hear?" (bboice)

don't honk at old people

A woman was video-taping her son riding a skate board when her attention switched to an elderly lady trying to cross the street. It is the best direct hit I have seen in some time. Pay special attention to the driver of the car after the 'hit'... You can hear the woman who's taping giggling as she records the event. click the button; it's a quick one, but you will get a good laugh.... Watch it twice so you can get all of it. (scroll down to bottom of page and turn music off to get the full effect!)

the BIG one

(click photo for a closer look-see)

getting ready for the BIG day!

Trying to play 'catchup'. Lots to do - tomorrow is Bobby B's b-day - the big one! Any suggestions on an awesome b-day cake OR gifts . . . for the guy who's got everything he needs? I'm getting really 'bad' at this gift-business these days.

• Up super early for lessons - no one showed ! ! ! ! Bummer!
• Planning "Fall Carnival" for over 100 people (in one week) Yikes!
• Trying to plan a b-day party. Holy cow!
• Went to two church meetings tonight and it's a . . . Thursday! What?
• Haven't even thought C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S. yet! Where's my favorite cousin?
• All this 'thinking' is making me tired! ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz!

More tomorrow.

(photos taken while in Utah)

Last Friday while Ash & Henry were napping and Cort was off to work, G-pa and I took Oli & R.O.B. up Provo canyon. We turned off on a road that took us to the top of the world and this is what we saw:

The road got narrow, turned a corner and it got narrower (such a word?) with a flurry of activity - the view was amazing:



This girl was getting suited up and ready to fly. Check close, her makeup is perfect, including lipstick!



I think I followed this dude the longest - his preparation was impeccable:

This dude in blue and gray helmet was from Germany, as well as the girl in the brown t-shirt. It seemed to be an international group - some from Japan as well:

Once they left the cliff, their glider would sink (somewhat) and then all of a sudden it would catch an air current and:



Up, Up they would sail hundreds of feet above our heads and they would continue to climb in a circular motion and gradually work their way to the very top - then they would run out of lift and would head their way down into the valley and eventually land. Oli and R.O.B. had a real treat this day, not to mention G-pa and I:

back on my feet and raring to go

Who's that handsome, spit-fire-red soccer player - oh yeah, Carson!

The mighty flu struck Monday and I've been 'out of it' until today - feeling GREAT!

After a much-needed rest from teaching, I was back at it today and actually had a fun time. Harvest vacation in the schools here put everything on hold until kids were back in school and home from vacation. Over the years harvest vacation has been reduced to one week rather than two but during that time people are just g.o.n.e. and no need to go on with lessons! . . . we're eating putty out of the windows but who can't loose a little weight anyway, right? So, we're back at it again. I really think I would be lost without teaching (visual: sucking thumb and finger up my nose!) . . . however, I could (possibly) get used to the idea of taking pictures non-stop!




Remember the job Heather got for me - my first with SOOOO many humans all at the same time? Well, here's a sample of what we got done! Could NOT have done it without Heather - she was my 'serious assistant'! This could have been daunting for my first experience - but she stayed calm, told me not to sweat it. Although not perfect, I think it came out okay considering we had 'zero' to pick from as far as backdrops, sprinklers going full speed (hot that day - even for a early fall day) and direct S.U.N. (a photographers nightmare!). The kids were absolutely adorable and yes, they do have girls on the team - sweet!

Well, guess what? The FIRE DEPARTMENT, in Heather's little town is now calling for pictures - how funny is that . . . all that testosterone in one place at one time! Time to freak-out again!

oli and r.o.b.

This was a pretty cute candid moment that didn't last that long. Most of the time they were actually spitting at each other . . . .BROTHERS!

monday - trying to catch up

coming real soon. . . . plus some FUN pics to follow.

sunday haps

Today we said, "Goodbye" to our cute family (I did my usual crying routine - just can't help it!) and pointed our car north and headed home - the tears stopped around Salt Lake (haha)! We stopped for some dinner and got home around 5 p.m. The 'kids' were just fine when we got home - their caretakers do an amazing job - their tails were wagging a million miles an hour! It's so much fun to get home and have someone who's excited to see you. We flopped down for a quick rest and decided to make some carmel corn as the weather outside was a little blustery - nothing better on a fall day.

utah and loving it

(click picture for a closer look)



If you LOVE PERFECT weather, NEWBORN babies, not-so-new grandkids, F.A.M.I.L.Y, GOOD food, visiting, soft beds . . .then, you'd just LOVE being with us in Utah! I'll share pictures and stuff with you tomorrow when we get home!

one year older & so much wiser

(simply click image to enlarge)

a fall to remember

Quite honestly our fall was stolen from us this year. The colors started to change but then a hard freeze came through and most trees lost their leaves while they were still green. So, I will cherish these photos of the leaves I did capture. Love this time of year.

our lucky number - {13}

Our family is pretty excited about the newest member of our family - little "Henry (AKA: Hank) Ephriam"! Ok, I guess I have to admit this to the world - Henry is our {13th} grandchild. Fiona is Henry's cousin - she was born the day before little Henry and they're taking naps together already! They will grow to be great friends, I'm sure. We haven't missed very many of our grandkids being born - but, we were definitely going to miss this little guy's appearance. I asked Cort if he could call and leave the phone receiver off so I could hear his first cry. I was in the middle of drying my hair when Cort called and then laid the phone near the bed! It was fun to hear all the coaching going on - and, as usual, couldn't hear a 'peep' from Ashley! Before I knew it, he was there - quiet at first and then all of a sudden he let EVERYONE know he had arrived! Of course, being the composed person that I am - snot and tears began to flow freely! Child birth is a very emotional subject for me! I was so proud (in a humble sort of way) of Cort, Ash and Heavenly Father and the great job they did delivering our LUCKY {13} to us safe and sound. Thanksgiving came to our home a little early this year!
(click photo for a closer look)

he's coming

Baby Henry is ON HIS WAY TODAY! Just got word that Ashley and Cort are in the hospital as we speak! I was thinking Ashley was having her baby next week - so, much to my surprise, I found out the BIG event is happening today! Good luck Ashley - can't wait to see this adorable little bugger!

sunday - 'welcome home' dinner

moving day + blizzard = major stress

MOVING DAY FOR WHIT & SCHUY & BODIN -

It's sad when the weather man hits the forecast 'dead-on' when it's moving day! Schuy headed south with a rental truck and hauling their vehicle behind. The weather was no problem once he left the state of Montana and arrived at Heather and Brian's last night at 9:30 p.m. I'm sure it was a long, long day for him and early this morning was up early and ready to head to the 'basin' to their new home. Whit stayed behind to clean and was leaving early in the morning. The storm that was forecast did arrive in all it's fury and the fastest she could drive was 30-35 mph - almost the entire drive.

We headed to the 'basin' this morning and met Schuy to show him the way to his new home. He and Whit only saw pics of their place - we actually got lost as the snow changed the look of our surroundings - but we finally found it and got a call from Heather (and the boys) and we met them and showed them the way. Together we got the truck unpacked in record time! Schuy kept saying, "Whit's gonna love this!" - I think Schuy was excited especially when he saw his new shop! The place is perfect for their little family. Bob drove the U-haul back to Sugar and I followed him. Whit finally showed up at 6 p.m. and Schuy had Bodin's room all setup and also their bed for a little R&R.

It was so weird when I talked to Whit on the phone and said, "Come for dinner Sunday!" - I've been waiting for this moment for over 10 years! Sweet - and welcome home, you guys!

***Brandy & Jessica, Whit is your new neighbor!***

moon on earth

Just a few photos of "Craters of the Moon" national monument in Idaho.
A few snippets of what the moon looks like! Astronauts trained here before actually heading to the moon. The environment is so similar to that of the moon's surface (all except the Toyota and the guy without the space suit! ! ! ) "Grown in Idaho"!

More journaling and highlighted photos to follow!

grunge day

Took this photo on our way home from Sun Valley. It's entitled, "Tree of LIfe"!


Shhhhhhhh, listen! Silence - only the hummm of the old-clunker computer in the background. It's been busy around here today - noisy, kids running and wrestling, dogs barking with lots of company on this cold (almost winter) day. It was one of those days when you don't bother brushing your hair or putting on makeup - GRUNGE DAY, least that's the way I looked (and still do). There's something refreshing about being a SLOB-FOR-A-DAY - I must make a memo 'to self' to do this more often.

I pulled out the crock pot and rice cooker and cooked in bulk today and put things in the freezer for quick n' easy meals for this week! I did that several weeks ago and when it got busy around here well, it was a life-saver. I'm trying really hard to ban sugar (the slimy-sweet-stuff) from my life. In the past, I've tried to come to terms with the #*%* stuff but slowly it creeps back into my mouth and onto my butt, stomach and thunder thighs - not to mention my triple chin and bulbous nose (yes, you heard it - my nose is growing)! When I'm doing this, all I think can think about is Jonna's blogspot with all of her ridiculously delicious treats - I believe they call this with-drawls! I do believe sugar addiction is worse than cocaine, alcohol, meth - sugar is everywhere, in everything - you can't get away from it.

I'm pretty excited as there will be another little soul joining our family in a week from Tuesday - that would be Cortney and Ashley's little guy - I know his name but not sure I've been given permission to divulge it? I'll check - if it's okay I'll come back here __________ and fill it in for you. Let me tell you, it's darn cute! We're going down to help for three days - can't wait. This will be #13 grandkid (who me?) - I'm way too young (haha) - that excuse is no longer legit, Berta-babe!

Well, since my chin is dragging on the computer key board, think I'll hit the hay for now - if I think of something I missed, I'll fill in the blanks tomorrow. Chow and sweet dreams, fellow/sister bloggers in blog land. Sweet dreams.

welcome to sun valley

***click individual photos for a closer look and journaling***