Where does time go??

July 24th is a BIG day in Utah!! It is always a lot of fun. We do not attend the parade anymore, we watch it on T.V. All of our kids (except JaLynn's) came over this afternoon. We had a barbarque dinner, the kids had a water balloon fight. That was fun to watch. Jen had a birthday cake for Kaylee. She was 14 years old on July 22nd. To end the evening, Gpa did fireworks. It's always fun to watch the kids during fireworks. We love family outings!!

JaLynn leaves for her Alaska cruise, tomorrow. She sounds so stressed out. There is so much going on with her kids while she is gone. They work with sheep & steers to show at the county fair. Jay & I have to get up about 3 a.m. to go to the temple. We go on the 10 a.m. session, which means we will not get through at the temple until about 12:30 p.m. Then, we will come home, gather clothes & ect. we need & drive out to JaLynn's & tend her kids. She will return on August 4th. The next few weeks are full. I have an umbilical hernia which I am going to have repaired on August 11th. I have had so many little health problems the last few months, I feel like my body is falling apart or trying to tell me something!

Tara, your book is on its way. You may receive it, tomorrow. As I told Tara, the name of the book is "My Dear SISTERS" by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley. It has beautiful thoughts & pictures for women. Till I check my blog, again. Have fun!

BRYCE'S CANYON/FAMILY-JULY 2008

JaLynn & her family, Mike & Heather's two children, Brooklyn & Braden, & Jay & I were the only ones who ended up going to Bryce's Canyon. Bret & Ken had things going on at work they felt they couldn't leave. But we sure had a good time! Cassie, JaLynn's youngest, rode with us. When we were on our way to pick-up Brooklyn & Braden, Cassie said, "Braden never talks to me." Well, those were her famous last words! When Braden got in the car, he started talking & laughing, & did not stop until we took him home!! He & Brooklyn were so cute. JaLynn's kids were cute with them. Duane was cute with Braden. We drove thru the canyon & saw many beautiful rock formations. The formations are different shades of orange. Beautiful! We had a picnic lunch under the big trees in the canyon. The weather was so nice all the time we were gone! Salt Lake was hot!! We visited shops in "Old Town." I wish I knew how to include pictures with my blog. They had these cut-outs of a cowboy & a saloon girl, the kind you put your heads in. Everybody had to have at least one photo of themselves. It was so funny to watch. Everyone enjoy laughing at the others! Oh, yes, we saw a chipmunk (or something like that). He was so friendly, he's run right up to you. I think that was Brooklyn's favorite moment. I took pictures of him. We were only gone three days, but they were worth it!

JaLynn & friends leave on July 25th for an Alaskan Cruise. They will return on Aug. 4th. Jay & I, along with Shalayne will make sure someone is with them at all times. I don't want JaLynn to worry about anything. I want her to relax & enjoy!! She deserves it. The death of a young loved one has to be the hardest, especially when you are so close to them. I know what Pat & Farrel are going thru. Jay & I still get emotional about Tracy & Laura. Hope you are having a great summer!

CONGRATULATIONS to TARA!

Tara is the winner of the drawing for the free book. My granddaughter, Shalayne, drew the winning name. Thanks to all who participated in the drawing. I wish I could give a book to all of you, but you know how it goes. You can tell by the time of my blog, that I have a hard time sleeping.

I saw Angie when I was home in June. Their is a sister who works in the temple with me who served a mission in Birmingham, AL. It is a small world, when I asked her if she knew Angie, she said that she did. She went on to compliment Angie & her family. I did not know that Angie's oldest son sings. She told me how reverent Angie & Tony's boys were when they were passing the sacrament. You never know when someone is watching you. I also met Angie's oldest son's girlfriend. Angie has high hopes for them!

When Jay & I go to GA in October, we will stay a little longer, so hope to get to see everyone.
I have not talked to Betsy for awhile, but she called me. I have to call her back. She doesn't blog, but she reads everyone else's blog. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Gigi. Sorry, it has taken so long. I went to Georgia for a week. (Not long enough) June 29th was a year since Tracy was killed in the Neola North Wildfire. We spent that weekend with JaLynn & family. She's doing pretty well, but it is still hard. JaLynn's brothers went out early on Saturday morning, along with Jay & JaLynn, they cleaned her yard most of the day! They cut down a couple of trees, mowed, edged, etc. There is still more to do, but it really looks good. Jay & I, JaLynn & family, Bret & family, Ken & family, maybe Mike & family, are going to Bryce's Canyon on July 11, 12, & 13th. It should be lots of fun.

Okay, here goes, list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 joys-my family, my membership in the L.D.S. church, my country.
3 fears-SNAKES!!, poor health, loss of a loved one.
3 goals-clean my house, learn Spanish, take a photography class.
3 current obsessions/collections-beanie bear babies, trying to do for all my grandkids what I do for one, photographs of my grandchildren.
3 random surprising facts about yourself-I was engaged to a non-member years ago, I served a six month church mission when I was 19 years old, I always wanted 12 children, until Jay & I had a serious car accident in 1963.

Echo, Courtney, Amanda, Sandy & Phil, you are tagged! Enjoy!!