A Great Loss..

My 20 year old granny smith apple tree had become so distressed by age, disease and pest infestation it needed to be removed, and today was the day. I have loved this tree so much as it has grown up with our family from a little sapling in a 5 gallon pot to one that has produced bushels of apples every year that we have harvested and enjoyed throughout every year, as well as sharing with family, friends and neighbors.
I am so sad today to see it go.

Let It Snow!!

What a way to welcome 2011, a snow storm in Vegas! Should make for an interesting time for family pictures in the park this afternoon, hmmm. It sure is beautiful though.

A Merry Christmas To All...

We had so much fun on Christmas Eve and Christmas this year. The McKeehans and Bitters were here for sandwiches, salad and dessert Christmas Eve, Santa came and brought pj's for all, and then after our guests left, our annual service project began. We stumbled into bed rather late that night, laughing and reminiscing about all those Christmas Eve's in the past when we would be up all night assembling toys, bikes, etc. and barely get to bed before the morning of Christmas arrived. At 2:40am we were awakened by the phone, Steve calling us to announce that 26 years ago he was being born! He likes to give me the opportunity to always be the first to wish him a Happy Birthday! We again laughed because this time it was Steve who hadn't yet gone to bed, he was busy assembling Christmas presents for Abby! (I love payback). Christmas day we had the Bitters, McKeehans and Torrances here with us for the day. There were games played, cousins playing together, lots of food and treats, and great chats. Best of all was Grandma (me) getting to rock new grandbabies. (We did really miss having the Cox's here, but are so excited to see them next week. Thank goodness for Skype!) What a magical time it is with little ones around at Christmas.

Stirring and Stirring and Stirring Her Brew...

Actually I'm making applesauce, IT'S APPLE TIME AGAIN!!

A Hard Day's Work

I spent most of the day yesterday reorganizing and cleaning my pantry. i took everything out, washed shelves, the whole deal. I am so excited with the results! This is a partial view, if you could see to the left, I even have an empty shelf! What a job!

I Really Lived

I got this quote from a lesson in Relief Society today, and I just loved it.
"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and I really lived."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Thanks Courtney, great lesson!!!

Family speaks about what saved them the day their boat capsized - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

Family speaks about what saved them the day their boat capsized - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

I don't want anyone to think that I am kidding around about the absolutely horrifying experience we had, but really, once the adrenalin and fear give way to sobbing which then turns to exhaustion, what is left but to pick oneself up, count one's blessings, clean up the mess and move on?? We are and will ever be eternally grateful for how blessed we were this day. As one of the park rangers told me, a tragedy became a triumph, and truly more than one miracle occured. One story I want to make sure is told is that of one of the boaters who picked up part of our group. They had put their boat in the water at Willow Beach that morning, and immediately came upon a group of Boy Scouts who had been on a canoeing trip and had capsized. These good samaritans picked up the scouts and their gear and got them back to shore. They then spent the day boating in the same part of the lake we were visiting. As the weather began to deteriorate, they turned around to head back to Willow Beach and get off the lake. Within a matter of minutes the woman told her husband to turn back around and go the other way, that she had a feeling someone was in need of help. He immediately did so and within a few minutes they came upon us in the water and came to our aid. Who says prayers aren't answered and miracles don't happen anymore?? You can be sure that each of us was praying with all we had for help, and those prayers were answered, as they frequently are, through this great couple. We are so grateful to the 3 boaters who came to help us at the risk of their own boats and lives, and the park rangers who have been so helpful and kind. They invited us to this media event today to tell our story of the importance of lifejackets as they are preparing to head into the end of the summer months. They presented our 7 grandkids in attendance with t shirts that say, "I got caught wearing my lifejacket", 7 brand new youth size lifejackets, and let Tommy run the lights and siren on their patrol vehicle. What is better than that??