Anabeth's Bracelet

Just wanted to show everyone Anabeth's bracelet~ Isn't she getting big? Helen and Kevin took her to the Dr yesterday, and she weighs almost 19 pounds!! Such a good diet she is on!!

Storie & PaPa

It's been so beautiful outside, and Storie loves it! All I have to ask is "do you want to see the birds?" and she wants outside! However she was a crack up on the blanket ~ She wouldn't go on the grass/ she would touch it, but didn't like it! Which was nice, cause she would stay on the blanket with PaPa! I let her crawl around on the patio, and of course she was "dirty" So Kilee had to bathe her in my big tub! She's getting so much personality, and is so fun!

Storie Ann

Old Vacation/Joseph Smith

Three years ago we took a family vacation with Misha, Jeremy & twins, and Jeremy's parents, brothers, sisters, grandma--to Nauvoo, and Carthage to visit Church History sites. It was a wonderful vacation, which included attending Jeremy's sister's wedding in the Nauvoo Temple. We crossed the Mississippi River on a barge, and went to Carthage to visit the jail where Joseph Smith was shot, and killed. I can't exactly explain my feelings when we drove into town. The little town is built around the jail and visitors buildings. I just couldn't believe that people would live so near this special place knowing what had happened there. I really had a chip on my shoulder towards this town, and the people living there. When we came around the corner and saw the well where Joseph landed/ someone was kneeling and praying--I broke into tears! I knew the day would be hard from then on.
This year we are studying the life of Joseph Smith in Relief Society, and it's been wonderful reading about him again, and thinking of all he went through while establishing the Church on the earth again. The persecution that the people went through was so unfair~ Reminds me of the closed minded people making fun of the FLDS people in Texas now. I have a very hard time with what is happening--Not that I'm for polygamy or for child abuse/Just that I'm not sure they had the right to go in and take children away from their mothers without absolute evidence that abuse was going on. It just reminds me of what the early members went through/ made up accusations and results that were deadly!!
Enough of my soap box politics! I love the Church, and the wonderful History of the people who went through so much to establish it!!

Carthage

Jimmie King Jr

Yesterday I finally went to the trading post to get Anabeth a little silver and turquoise bracelet--I had planned to do it several days earlier, but for some reason had put it off. Anyway as I was looking at the bracelets, a Navajo man approached me--It was Jimmie King--We hugged and talked for almost 2 hours--He is the most amazing man. He is the man who named Misha, and probably the last time I had seen him was when I was pg with her! He makes the most beautiful Navajo jewelry/ Granny had a collection, and I have several of his things also. He has been in Arizona Highways, and numerous other publications featuring his beautiful jewelry. The first thing he asked about was Misha, the daughter he named-- and wants to see her the next time she is here for a visit. Was surprised that she has 2 children!
He is almost 70 years old, and is in a band and bungee jumps!! He said he had gotten bored jumping out of airplanes. Tomorrow night he is performing at the Casino, and I think we will stay and go and see the show. He is such a character! It was just wonderful seeing him--Myrle and I had tried to find his house in New Mexico but without luck. I was just at the trading post at exactly the right time!

Colorado

We are in Colorado again~ and it's a lot colder than we thought it would be. The mountains are still covered with snow, and there aren't any leaves on the trees yet! I still love it here, not sure when my very favorite time of the year is. Today I heard my favorite bird~ Not sure if it's a meadow lark--I love the sound they make/ Misha you know which one I mean. Sometimes I think I would like to just sell this place, but then when I'm here I remember why I love it, and enjoy the peace I find just looking at my mountains.
It's been hard without all the grand kids. Our trip was wonderful seeing everyone. Course I cried and cried whenever we left each place~ I hate being away from everyone! Keep checking airfare to NC for our next trip!
PaPa seems to be doing great. He must be taking his medication the right way. He is reading our Amish books, says he likes them, except they sure do a lot of praying!! Ha! That might be good for him! He's on the 4th of a series, that I haven't even read yet. Who knows maybe he'll be wanting to move to PA and find an Amish cutie! He might enjoy our vampire books next! I sure miss Bella, Edward, and Jake--Have to wait until August to read more about them. And I'm missing LOST--I'm just a mess.

California

Can you believe all these rolls? She is such a cutie! Kevin and Helen (especially Helen's wonderful food source) are doing a great job with their new little girl! I can't believe how much she's grown since I was here~ She coos and carries on conversations with Mom and Dad like she knows exactly what she's saying!
Myrle has been busy working on Kevin's yard! It needed some mowing and trimming. He was just so happy to see some green grass after all the snow we've been in the past few weeks!
We've already gone to two of our favorite places to eat here in CA--Georgios, and Lobster Shack! Wish everyone could have been here with us to enjoy!
The drive from Kodi's (Klamath Falls, Or) was just beautiful especially around Lake Shasta! Unlike the drive from Misha's (Idaho Falls, ID) to Kodi's!! It's one of those drives that I was glad we did ONCE--but never want to do again!! Flying is the only way!! I'm thinking I could live in Redding, CA--It was really pretty there. Oh, and the most important--I experienced my first EarthQuake!!! Only I didn't even feel it. I have been so "OCD" about earthquakes ever since Kevin and Helen moved to CA--always looked them up on the internet to see when they were having them, and how strong they were--Well after we got to Kevin's --Helen was in the bedroom getting Anabeth fed, and she felt one, but couldn't yell out to us--Anyway I didn't even notice a thing!! Darn!!! Maybe I won't worry so much now at least!!!
Tomorrow is Easter--We plan to attend church at the chapel near Kevin's--and he's doing the cooking! Happy Easter everyone!

Anabeth

Oregon

Today we went to Crater Lake with Jeremy, Kodi and Trenton! I couldn't believe all the snow! And it was so clean and white! They had about 10 feet/ and it was cold--in the 30's. The pine trees still had snow on them-- It looked like Christmas. And of course I had on my crocs with holes!! We didn't do alot of walking, but did climb up a small area, to see the lake. Crater Lake is 1987 feet deep!! It is so beautiful, I don't think I've ever seen water that color! The elevation is around 7000 up there---The skies are so blue and the air just seems so clean!

Lodge at Crater Lake

Crater Lake

Myrle's New Job

Misha's Backyard

Kolby & Mallorie Birthday!!

Storie Ann

Prison Break

Storie Ann

Kilee sent me pictures of Miss Storie Ann! They are so cute, it makes my heart hurt--I miss her== I keep checking Christtina's blog to see new pictures of Trevor! Kodi loved his new haircut! It's wonderful being here with the twins, I'm going to hate leaving them. Mallorie has already shed some tears with the thought of us leaving again. And I will really miss Kolby's hugs (bear hugs I might add) It just isn't fun being away from my grand kids! I look forward to seeing Trenton on Friday, and of course Miss Anabeth! I remind myself of my own Granny, we always called her our "Traveling Granny"--she traveled from place to place visiting everyone. And usually spent the most time at our house. I was after all the number one grand daughter. She didn't have a home of her own after Grandpa died in OKlahoma, until a few years prior to her death, and still didn't spend a lot of time there.
We are enjoying our time with Misha, Jeremy, and the twins. It's cold here, but Misha's house is nice and warm--We have them hooked on "Lost"-however Jeremy is ahead of Misha, so she's in one room watching and he's in another--Crazy! But we're pleased they're hooked too!