Father's & Son's...

It's that time of year again...
...the traditional - the wonderful - the exciting...
Father's & Son's Campout!

This year Kevin & Ethan, Todd, and the Dad all piled into the Subaru Forester and headed for Pivot Rock, a campsite just north of Strawberry...the dads tried to talk the sons into staying overnight at the cabin on a soft bed but Ethan would have none of that...

They met @ Kevin's (their ward got the draw this year) and packed up all their gear and headed out... Upon arriving, friends were found and there was much fun to be had...

As soon as the tents were pitched...it was time to eat... and of course there will be hotdogs...

...and a fire...
Let's see how many we can put on one stick, Ethan...Ethan?...Ethan?...OK!
Oh forget it...a rock will be easier...
Todd wants to try out his new equipment...
Stew-in-a-can is the way to go...
Hey...this stove works pretty good...
Mmm...tasty....I wonder if those hotdogs are done yet?
In the morning...breakfast burritos hit the spot...
"Dad, will you take us on a hike...?"

"Right now... pretty please... we're asking nice!"

And the hike is long...but will it be worth it...?

"Oh look...there's a cave....!"

Pretty cool cave...huh?

"Camping is great...but I think I'm ready to go home now."

So long until next year...!!!

Happy Birthday, Hub!

Here is a collection of chronological moments in your life:

...thanks for the memories...

from...childhood...

Dave and Patty - 1960

to...young adulthood...

on his mission in Uruguay-Paraguay - 1973

to...parenthood...

Family pic - 1978

Family Picture 1999

and now...grandparenthood...

Grandpa and Liddy sledding @ the cabin...

Yesterday was Dave's (Hub) birthday and I didn't get to post because he had big plans...

He likes to cram everything that he likes to do and everything that he ever wanted to do into one day...the problem is that he wants me to do everything with him...

*- first off we did some yard work (didn't want to do this but we had to get the garden in before it gets too hot)

*- then he decided he wanted to go biking (I was already tired from the yard work but I'm still game)

*-now he thinks a racquetball game would be fun

(of course he knew I was no challenge)

...but I said 'no way'...

(I have a few more aches and pains than he does...it must be because he's younger than I am- 2 months can be very significant)

*- finally Dave decides to eat lunch and watch

a Bonanza rerun

(we always have 10 or so recorded on the dvr)

...this was also great because I got to sneak in a nap...

*- by this time, Dave is winding down

(did I mention age before??)

so on to the sample eating adventure at Sam's Club...this is one of hubby's favorite activities because he thinks it's 'free'...(I don't mention all the other stuff I'm buying and he pretends he doesn't see it...)

*- the big birthday dinner consists of veggie pizza and fresh strawberries for dessert because we have to be careful not to have anything that might raise our cholesterol...

*- of course the day wouldn't be complete without a movie

and 'Old Dogs' seems pretty appropriate...

Oh my...I thought that was such an exciting day - 

but life doesn't sound quite so thrilling when we write it down...

(is that why we're supposed to keep a journal?)

...or maybe we could just 'get a life'...

...oh ya...been there...done that...

Ain't it great to get old?...less expectations...

I think I like that...

Happy Birthday, Hubby....glad you're in my life!

Our very own Moms/Grandmas...

This day would not be complete without writing a little something about our own mothers/grandmothers...

.......................

'Nana'

...memories of 'Nana' for the kids are centered around going to Mexico...they remember all the good food...playing with toys and games...all piling in the back of the pickup (even Nana) to go for a ride over the 'ceja'...and Angi remembers 'Vince' the dog, Nana's long-time pet and friend...

...they remember 'Nana' as always being busy which she is still today...making quilts & educational kits as the humanitarian specialist in her ward in Utah...her service in the church has always been an important priority as she labors diligently and dependably in her callings...what a great legacy and example for her posterity...

...one of our most poignant traditions was 'going down home' for Thanksgiving...we had so much fun as we gathered together, laughed together, and enjoyed each other's company...this tradition that 'Nana' helped instill in us is still important as we 'gather, laugh, and enjoy' each time we get together as friends & family...

...Dave remembers all the good food mom would make and her interest in his career and political opinions made him feel so important to her...

...when I think of Mom, I am grateful for her hard work ethic and her love for music...she taught me to appreciate both along with the importance of having a willingness to share whatever talents we may have...I am thankful she agreed to become our 'mother' (not an easy choice) and I will always love & admire her...

Dayla - Nana - Jaxon & Shakespeare

...this is a cute one w/Paul & Jessica...

...mom in action... w/Aunt Nellie, Uncle Keith & Aunt Naoma

...trekkin' w/Bob and Marci...(sorry Mom, I just had to put in this one)...
...I wonder if the pioneers had sunglasses...??

.....................................

'Grandma Jo'

(I wanted to insert more current photos but my scanner isn't working)

...the kid's memoris of 'Grandma Jo' are of her reading them stories...

Dave's memory of his mom include her cultural refinement and appreciation of the arts...she taught her children to love classical music and poetry...

...this looks so much like Patty...

...and here she looks like Carolyn...weird huh?

I remember going over to Dad and Mom Wolford's every Sunday for dinner when we were first married...she made an awesome beef roast and potatoes...I thought of her as being very patient and kind especially as she endured such pain with her arthritis and other illnesses...I am grateful she raised a kind and worthy son to be my husband and I will always love and admire her...

...is it really Mother's Day???

Hey...I'm not trying to sound facetious here

(ok..so I am trying)

...but does Mother's Day mean that the mom is supposed to...

- dig up the garden to get ready for planting...

- work on the courtyard (a never-ending project)...

- teach 'daughter' (C#5) how to hem pants...

- go fix the pool vac/filter @ the rental house...

- and...oh ya, get Hub to go shopping & invite kids for Mother's Day dinner...?

...hmmm...I must be missing something...

Ok...so I am being just a wee bit self absorbed...besides the fact that Mother's Day isn't until tomorrow...- Hub was working right alongside me digging up the garden that I want to plant...

- working on the courtyard that I designed...

- I would probably feel unneeded if C#5 didn't ask me to help her with the pants...

- my hand is the only one small enough to fit in the pool filter...

- and...oh ya, Hub had the kids come by to take me to

Cheese Cake Factory

(one of my faves for dinner...)

Kevin (C#2) even let me ride in the front seat of his car

(a real treat if you could see his Geo Prism)

So yes...it really is Mother's Day...and I wouldn't have it any other way...even if I had planned it...

Another tidbit: @ dinner Lydia (GC#2) leaned over and asked me, "What did you look like when you

weren't so old, Grandma?"

...that little darlin' just makes me smile...

...and isn't this about the cutiest loveseat you ever saw???

(thanks, Hub)

Epilogue:

This is Sunday and the 'real' Mother's Day...

- Sac Mtg (@ 8am) was nice with the choir and

 most of the YM and YW in the ward singing 

"Mother Mine"

(a beautiful song an old friend, Kathy Openshaw, composed) 

I am the choir director so it was great to have the choir loft completely filled...

A few years ago, Rusty (C#4) and Dayla (C#3) 

sang this song on Mother's Day in our ward in Gilbert 

and I bawled all the way through it...

....Rusty looked down at me and started to choke up, too...

...that is really a cherished memory...

Mother Mine

"You sang to me, ah, so sweetly. You held me close in your arms. 
You were always there, beside you is where I knelt in my very first prayer.
 You pick me up when I fall, you wipe a tear from my eye. 
You build me up, you give me your love, 
Mother Mine.

Mother, mother, I love you so. I see your smile, watching me grow. 
My joys were yours, my sorrows, too. God sent an angel when he gave me you.
 Mother, mother, forever more, blest be your name and glory your crown.

You sing to me, ah, so sweetly. You hold me close in your arms.
 You were always there, beside you is where I knelt in my very first prayer.
 You pick me up when I fall, you wipe a tear from my eye. 
You build me up, you give me your love,
 Mother Mine."

We plan to visit the cemetery and leave some pretty roses for Grandma Jo and then reconvene at our home to Gather - Laugh - and Enjoy (and eat lasagna)...

After a few phone calls, (to 'my mom' and from 'other daughter')

this Mother's Day should just about be complete...

PS - I just got a message that Lisa and Jenny got in an accident yesterday 

(head-on collision with another car)...

Jenny broke her back in 2 places and a gash above her eye and Lisa is bruised up pretty badly but everything looks positive for a complete healing...I'm sure they will be kinda sore for a while...the accident was completely the other driver's fault...

We are so grateful the results were not any worse than they were...the Lord is watching out for us...

Strawberries...here I come...

As you may have noticed, I have found a few blogs

(a few too many as Dave would say)

that inspire me in one way or another...

Since it is strawberry season, I am feeling particularly inspired in the 'food' or more specifically

the 'strawberry' department...

Other than the traditional 'smoothie' that is great with strawberries in it, here are a few 'recipe treasures' that I ran across and look 'muy delicioso':

Stuffed French Toast

(this looks like a great Mother's Day breakfast to me...)

Here’s how to put it together:

a loaf of French or Italian bread, (homemade whole wheat is a healthier-delicious substitute) sliced 1 1/2 in. thick - cut a slit in the top for the 'stuffing'...

...mix softened cream cheese with sugar and fresh fruit (strawberries are best of course) and stuff into bread pocket... (yogurt could be used instead of cream cheese if you don't want it quite so rich)

...dip both sides in a batter made with eggs, milk, and cinnamon and brown in frying pan... (be sure to use non-stick spray)

...sprinkle with powdered sugar or top with syrup whichever you prefer...

...you can add slivered almonds (or other chopped nuts) on top just for the fun of it...

Take a fork and savor every bite... if you don't simpy love it then you are not a real woman!

Strawberry n' Pudding Angel Food Cakes

(this is ...oh so simple... but still very refreshing)

These can be made with an angel food cake mix in muffin tins or buy the small cakes used for strawberry short cakes... (you know me...always looking for the easy way out...)
Just add vanilla pudding and a strawberry and sugar glaze on top...a dollop of whipped cream would probably make these perfect... they are so good and easy, it is positively sinful...oooh...did I just say that?

Strawberry-Pretzel Dessert

...last the best of all the game...

(I make this alot and always get great feedback...)

1 lg. pkg strawberry jello - dissolve with 2 c. boiling water and then stir in 2 c. ice cubes

add about 3 c. sliced fresh or frozen strawberries & place in refrigerator to thicken

Crush 3 c. pretzels in 9 x 13 pan (glass looks nicest) and pour 1-2 cubes melted butter mixed with 3 T. brown sugar - bake @ 400 deg. about 5 min.

Mix 2 (8 oz.) pkg softened cream cheese and 1 1/2 c. sugar--

--stir in 1 (12 oz.) tub cool whip and spread on cooled crust...

When jello thickens, pour over top of mixture... (if it is already set then stir it up and spread it on)

Refrigerate at least 1-2 hours - do not cover... (it can be made the day before and it is still really good)

...the pretzels give it a crunchy-nutty flavor and make it taste yummy...

...like I said...everyone likes this one!

La Ùltima Fiesta...

La Ùltima Fiesta...

at the Lexington 'Rancho'...

(I think we will miss this fun 'party place'...)

The Malais' (renters) were very gracious to allow us

to return and enjoy...

My niece, Becki and Aaron Nelson had a beautiful wedding and garden reception on Saturday, May 1, 2010...

- the Flower Girl and the Ring Bearer...Tre-

- the mother of the bride, Elaine, keeps them going in the right direction -

...the beautiful bride and her proud father...

- walking her down the aisle -

...do you Rebecca, take this man...

...presenting Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Nelson...

Jake and Haylee...

Brad and Katie...

Bill Morris & Kathy Soucie...

(Elaine's husband and mom)

Josh (DJ) - Priscilla - Chris - Mike...jammin' mexican style...            Chris and Mike sing so beautifully together...they even let me join in on a couple of songs...

the camera crew - Saac and Ben w/Ciera and Pam

...part of the Wolford clan...

...some more Wolfords...

hey...here's another one...

...and still some more...(note the 'paleta' and 'Peñafiel')

...'mucho comida...tamales - mole - tortillas - desebrada - arroz - frijoles -fruta y tostitos con salsa y guacamole'... GramScilla's slush punch is always an added favorite...

...even the yard was in good form...

It was a 'gran fiesta'...a good time was had by all...

Mike, Elaine and Bill and Aaron's folks did a great job in planning, decorating and making all the food...
We've had many a wedding here so this is a good memory                  for the ole' spread on Lexington...

...joining the ranks...

Todd and Becky have just connected the final link in our 'year of the houses' chain...

...their new home is located on Dolphin

(Lindsey and Pueblo) in Mesa...

We are so glad they will be much closer to us and won't have to make such a lo-o-o-ng drive to work every day...

...beautiful brick fireplace in the family room...

...great kitchen..

...and awesome pool...

Rusty started the trend last May (2009) by buying the home on Hopi (Greenfield and N of Frwy 60) in Mesa from Kevin and DaNelle...

(photo insert)

...so they (Kevin and DaNelle) could purchase their 'farm' on Mesquite 
(Lindsey and S of Elliot) in Gilbert.

(photo insert)

In August 2009, Dave and I bought another home on Monte (Power and S of Baseline) in Mesa in order to downsize from the Lexington 'spread' in Gilbert...

...then in March 2010...

Dayla purchased her first home in Provo...

...that brings us back to Todd and Becky who just made it under the wire to qualify for a federal rebate and completing the 'family fad' of home purchases within one year's time frame...interesting...no?