EASTER 2014

Easter Sunday is always a good meeting.  It is all about our Savior, Redeemer, brother and friend.  How blessed we are to know the true doctrine of Christ and to be a member of His true church.  We are so grateful for His atonement and the opportunity to repent and change our ways to be more like Him. 

After church we got ready to have the kids for dinner.  I was so excited to make my first blueberry yum yum.  It is a Caswell NC favorite.  I had so much fun making it.  They all liked it.  (IT WAS "DELICEOUS"!!) 

Scott' family wanted an Easter picture.  Nixon just woke up.

 Erik and  Scott’s families came and we had a fun dinner of ham, rolls, salads, funeral potatoes, and  desserts.  We ate until we couldn’t hold another thing.  The 4 little ones ate outside.  

best friends

buddies

I cooked 2 hams so everyone would have leftovers.  I also sent rolls home with all.  (We have been eating ham for a week)

After dinner we went outside and enjoyed the day.  The kids played many games and just had a good time together.  Because it is too heavy for Dad and me we had the boys help us move the fishing boat from the back yard around the house to the side yard by the Richards'  All helped.

needed some rear weight

I thought you fished from inside the boat and on water.  Guess not.

Scott and Erik were the leaders. (I'm the leader, I'll say when we go!)

Everyone helped in picking up balls, shoes, food and whatever off the lawn.  I think Nixon thought he was a toy.

It is always good to have family around.  We so missed Kristin, Clark and Tiffani but knew they were happy with their families and they also had the full meaning of Easter.

I don't remember if it was Saturday or Sunday but during one of the visits Erik became the tickling machine.

Monday we went to a luncheon at Thanksgiving Point held by our financial company.  It was very informative and interesting.

We got home in time to have Nixon.  He spent the afternoon helping granddad with all his projects.

 After all the work, Nixon wanted to play on the jungle gym. 

This week Dad helped me scrub all the oak cabinets.  Wow did that make a big difference in my day.  They are now oiled and look brand new.  We visited the doctor to get the info on Dad’s sleep test tomorrow night.  I am not looking forward to a night alone and Dad is not looking forward to the sleep test.  He doesn’t snore now that he has the pace maker and sleeps so much better.
Scott came and treated our fences.  They look so good.  We will one day have to replace the back one but it is still solid but just looks old.  The paint is off most of it.  You can see it in the picture of Nixon above.  I was playing with the grands and hit my head again.  Just a bump on the same cheek as the fall.  (Looks like it came off the Post office wall!)

Dad went to his sleep test.  He even slept which I didn't think he would.  We get the results next week.  I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep without him but I read until after midnight and did quite well.  I almost called Scott to bring Tanis over but I wasn't even nervous.

I was looking at Dad's phone and saw this  picture of the boys with Bronson at the Spring Scrimmage.  Thought you might like it. 

Erik and Shanelle came over the other night and we had such a good visit.  He told about a "feast" they have in seminary at PG High School.  They invite someone to come at lunch time to talk to the seminary students.  They asked Erik.  He told us about his talk and we were so impressed.  He gave examples of his points he emphasized and we must say we had not heard of all the things he confessed.  He was stressing 3 points that he wanted the students to use in their lives.

1.  Don’t just go along doing things that are not bad but thinking you’re okay because you’re not doing bad things. But choose to be actively doing good things.

2.  Surround yourself with good friends.

3.  When the Lord positions you to do something, do it. No matter where you are, you are there for a reason so do what you’re supposed to do.

(Erik, if this is not right just let me know and I will change it.)

We are so blessed to be the parents of 5 wonderful children and 17 absolutely perfect grandchildren.  The Lord knew we had to have good ones to lead us and help us in our eternal progression.  FAMILIES ARE FOREVER and we are so glad.  There's no better place to be than with your own family.  WE LOVE YA'LL.

LOVING SPRING

Easter in South Carolina

It was a great fast Sunday.  We had it after conference instead of before.  I even bore my testimony.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is so true.

After church we went to Erik’s for Kolton’s eleventh birthday.  My how time flies.  We can’t believe he is already 11. 

He is a very gifted boy.  He loves art and can draw just about anything with great skill.  He also loves his piano and does very well.  He excels in all sports but the thing we admire most about him is his love of our Savior.  He is a good young man and loves his family. 

We had yummy homemade slushes and delicious chocolate chip cookies Parker had made.  It was just a fun evening.

Tuesday was tax day. OUCH!!!

We went to Bill Strunk’s funeral Wednesday.  He died suddenly while working in his yard.  It was a nice funeral.  His son Dave spoke.

Thursday, Camden’s team in third grade won the school reading challenge. 

He loves to read. That evening we went see Kolton at  the Marriott Center in the “Hope of America” program.  It is put on as part of Provo’s Freedom Festival.  It involves the fifth graders of 70 different elementary schools in the valley.  It was amazing.  They knew every song and all the actions that went with them.  It was truly inspiring and helped one feel the patriotic spirit.

  Afterwards we went to the BYU Creamery for ice cream.  It was just a great evening.

Friday we went out to Erik’s to see if we could help him fix his dryer.  With Dennis Stoutsenberger’s advice they were able to find the problem.  We ended up having a fun hot dog dinner with yummy fresh fruit and veggie dishes. 

The next day we got the water pressure machine from Scott’s to finish the fence. 

This time he was prepared for the mess.

That evening Erik’s family came to our home to mow the lawns.  Erik helped Granddad put a work table together. 

A man cave?

When the lawns were finished we ate again.  We had hamburgers and pasta salad.  It is so fun to have family around.  The boys do a great job mowing the lawns. After dinner Scott and Bethany came over to leave the kids for a few hours while they had some time together.  The two families played all kinds of yard games and just had a great time.

chalk drawings

Quidditch with Aunt Shanell

Winding down after a fun day.

  I’m certain all concerned fell into bed that night.

We certainly did.

We are feeling so good now and love being together.  Spring has come in so beautifully and we are enjoying every bit we can.  We love our family and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

SPRING HAS FINALLY SPRUNG

our tulip tree  edged in brown from frost

Boy do we ever love Conference Sunday.  We had a great Saturday conference but we love Sunday because the kids who live close by come between sessions to have waffles with whipped cream and fresh berries.   We add juice and sausage which the kids really love.  Everyone pitches in and we have so much fun gaining calories.  

They loved how I labeled the cups

We were so uplifted by the wonderful and inspiring talks.  We can always do better and follow the prophet and apostles.  We love the loving counsel given and consider it an invitation to do better.  How wonderful it is to have people concerned about our eternal welfare.  We love general conferences.

A special thing about this Sunday conference is that it is the anniversary of Granny and Granddad’s marriage.  What a great example they set for all of us.

Erik’s family stayed to watch the second session with us.  The boys were so good and quiet.  They are a joy to have around.

  After the session, 8 year old Camden was in charge of treats.  Shanelle had an incredible recipe for them to try.  It was so good and I’m sure there were no calories.

Monday found us cleaning the house and working in the yard.  The place is really starting to look good.  Dad felt so good he used the weed eater, the edger, the tiller under the trees, and sprayed for weeds.  Erik came to finish the tilling in that he needed the tiller but it certainly helped Dad.

Tuesday Dad went golfing for the first time since the pace maker.  He said it was great and didn't cause one bit of trouble.  That's probably going to be a weekly thing.  That afternoon we put mulch around the roses and worked in the yard.  

It felt so good to be outside and warm.

roses on left and fruit trees in back

like brand new

We took Lucy to Clint for her face lift after the side swipe.  A full repair was $2,500.  The do over was only $150. so we were very pleased.  It really looks good.  We spent the entire day in the yard again.  
We put soil on the place under the front windows and in the blackberry bed. 

 Dad fertilized the lawns and I weeded the berm. 

 Dad also took everything out of his shed and organized.  Yeah retirement.

When we were in Saltsburg, Austria, I found some beautiful eggs.   I wanted to buy some but the store was closed for the weekend.  Kristin ordered 3 for me on line for a present.  When we were  in  Old Salem, NC, the gift shop had the eggs from Saltsburg for sale.  I only bought 3 because there weren't many to choose from and they were pricey.  

favorite eggs

We continue to work in the yard and try to make the place nice.  It's hard but so much fun. Dad fixed all the sprinklers so we can have them ready.  
Saturday dad planted our first 2 rows of peas.  It will be 31 tonight but peas can handle that.

the peas and my little shed

At the end of each day we sit on our North Carolinaish  chairs and think of all the wonderful things we are blessed with, especially the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and our family.  We can never get to the end of all our blessings before it's time to go inside.  We love everything the Lord has blessed us with so much, even each other.

Notice the NC bird house,  Loved those flea markets.

This has been left out so I am now putting it in.

what a root system

We had a terrible storm last night and a huge tree blew down at the Reeders’.  It made us think of the time our tree blew down in Millville.

Sunday was fast Sunday because of General Conference.  I have for some time wanted to bear my testimony but just didn’t get it done so this time I did.  I feel it is important to  use our faith and testify of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so true.  We love it.  The meeting was very good.

After church and dinner we went to Erik’s to celebrate Kolton’s birthday.  He will turn 11 Monday.  He is a special young man who wants to do what is right.  He is very talented in many ways and loves just about everything.  He excels in athletics and loves to draw. He is a good friend to many and loves doing things as a family.  We are so happy to have him in our family.  We had a fun time and had yummy slushes made by Shanelle and delicious cookies made by Parker.  We ate way too many.

I had my last protein shot and hope all will be well now.  Dad and Nixon  pruned some more trees.  They work so well together.  I’m not sure who is in control of the project.

STILL SNOW

Will spring ever come?

Ward Conference was Sunday.  I guess we sat too close to the front for Sunday School because Dave and Tiffani couldn't find us.  Sacrament meeting was so good.  It's always fun to have family sit with you.  They went home after dinner and drove through much snow.
We had the missionaries over for dinner Monday.  They are so good and obedient.  One is from Missouri and the other from Wales.  They left with giving us a good lesson.
Tuesday was Tiffani's birthday.

 She has always been such a fun daughter.  We love her positive attitude. She lives by the scriptures and has always tried to choose the right.  She loves to run and be busy.  Her joy is her family and doing things with them.  She and Dave make a great team.  Just as Tiffani gets the kids calmed down and ready for bed, Dave comes along and winds them up higher than a kite.   Next to the gospel and her family we think Mickey Mouse comes next. {Well, maybe BYU football}  She loves Disneyland more than the kids do.  The ocean is also a love of hers.  We feel privileged to have her for a daughter.

the loves of her life


On Tiff's birthday I got my stitches taken out.  I was so surprised that I didn't feel anything.  It was my first time for stitches.

 The doctor said everything looked really good.  I can't have sunshine on my head for at least a year to prevent more scaring.
Today was my second protein shot.  It hurt but the doctor did take another x-ray.  If it doesn't get better he'll do another scope.  George's cardiologist said he is doing just fine.  Doesn't want to see him until Oct.  He can now lift his arm but he's had it down for so long he doesn't raise it.  He can do anything he wants but lift over 30 pounds.  He mowed both lawns that very day.
We bought our BYU football tickets this week.  We love BYU football.
Thursday we had Ava and Nixon because Ava had been sick and they didn't want her around others.  She was great and we had a fun time.

That evening we went to the boy's piano recital.  All three did such a good job.  They played some difficult numbers and did very well.  It was at a recital hall in a music studio.

 
Camden 8 

Kolton 10

Parker 12

They have a great teacher and they love playing the piano.  We took them to Yogurtland for dessert after the concert.  It's always fun to be with the boys.  They are so polite and such gentlemen.  They'll be a great help with music on their missions. The next day Erik gave a presentation at the Utah Technology Conference for Education.  He was so nervous.  They wanted him to report on his Masters' Thesis.

They were so impressed with it.  He was very nervous but felt like he did a good job.  Many teachers came up to him after to talk to him.
Saturday Scott and Bethany showed up between sessions of conference to power wash the fence and till the garden.  We have been wanting to do it for a long time.  They brought a yummy lunch with them.  Bethany started on the fence but Dad took over.  He was so happy to be doing hard work.

during

after

 Bethany helped  me with the roses.

 Scott tilled the garden twice.  It looks really good.

Ava was at a cousins and Nixon didn't feel good.  All he wanted was daddy.

Scott went to priesthood meeting with Cory and Dad, Erik, Parker, Clark, and Riley met in Heber for dinner and the priesthood  meeting.  They had a great time and the meeting was so inspirational.
We are anxious for tomorrow's conference sessions.  It is such a boost every 6 months.  We love our prophet and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so true.  We love our eternal family and each other.