Laughing with the grandkids

Kayson got Cody laughing so hard using a "Whoopee Cushion" that we were all rolling on the floor.

Check out the video...you'll be laughing too!

Closed for the Season!

Unless we have some amazingly warm weather this month consider the cabin closed for the season. Dad and I went up Tuesday and gathered in the outdoor furniture, drained the water jugs, and closed up the cabin for a long winter's nap. Looking forward to an early Spring and more time at the cabin next year.

Love One Another

These cuties love each other and put up with a lot from each other. Aren't they the cutest!

Wrongfully accused

This is Lizzie (Izzy), Jon's new puppy. I accused her of trying to steal my shoe
only to find out that the velcro from my tiva was stuck to her collar. Sorry Lizzie!

Still Standing After All These Years

We've been wandering again and visiting those we love but our final stop was at the cabin. That's a place we've loved for many, many years. It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed just sitting in the sun and soaking up the peace.
Of course, it was more fun because we found our kids and grandkids there enjoying too.

Four Eyes Two Teeth

I know Sam's had lots of blog time lately but he is so darn cute!
He loved trying on Grandpa's glasses and made us all giggle with his professor look.

Softer Side of Football

Jon must be softening up lately. He's let the girls come to the football games the last two weeks. Don't they add something beautiful to an otherwise rough and sweaty game?

Fun Times

Aunt Verona and I had a busy weekend. She taught me the finer points of the New Family Search and we have lots of names ready to submit. We even divided up the work and she is going to work on the Van Galen lines and get them ready.

up and down, back and forth, here and there

As we travel up and down the I-15 highway this summer we run into the nicest people.
Here we are enjoying a visit from Jodi and sons. Kade is trying his hand at watercolor in Grandpa's studio.

We stopped in Cedar and found Zach and Ellie enjoying a computer game

Sam and Josh enjoying the sandbox.

Josh, Emma and Ellie are watching Grandpa paint at Thanksgiving Point.
The next day (sorry no pictures) I got to attend Kelsey and Keanon's soccer games

Of course, Grandpa was in town for the BYU game and had Kayson, Alyssa, Christian
and Travis (not pictured) there with him. Alyssa brought a new dimension to their
game watching - she was interested in the cheerleaders.

We took a little side trip this weekend and got to see Jon's family. Here they are showing off their newest family member - Lizzie the Puppy.
We love our family and are glad we get to see them as we travel back and forth.

Emma Rides the Bus

It was fun to be there for Emma's first school days. She proudly and confidently strode right up and jumped on the bus, pausing only for a quick fashion shot with her new pink backpack. Ellie inherited Emma's old backpack and wore it to the bus stop too.

In trouble now

Grandma always wants to make everyone happy. That was the case this morning.
Joshua and I were up early and had cereal and toast for breakfast and we'd been playing outside for an hour or more before Emma and Ellie woke up. We all stayed outside for a while longer before they decided they were ready for their breakfast.
Jason and Jennie were busy preparing for a big singles festival and their living room
has been the storage point for all kinds of goodies including about 20 giant bags of popcorn.
Emma suggested that we have ice cream for breakfast and I thought that sounded like a great idea. So I scooped up big bowls of chocolate mint ice cream all around and added a bowlful of popcorn to round things out. Everyone ate with great enthusiasm.
When we talked about our not-so-healthy breakfast Ellie said "my mom's going to put you in time out!" Guess I'll be in trouble soon but it sure was fun.

Tonight the girls were demonstrating their tumbling moves and invited me to join them. My excuse for not doing summersaults and hand stands with them was "I'm out of shape" to which Emma replied "well, why don't you get in shape?" Yikes!

Getting an education

This week and next I am spending time with our grandchildren. It's great to get to spend one-on-one time with them.
Little Sam Simmons and I spent quality time trying to keep each other entertained in a hotel room. We both agree that it's more fun to be outside.
Serving dinner to Ellie Maestri last night - we put butter and parmesean cheese on our pasta - obviously I'm not the gourmet cook her parents are - she asked "only one kind of cheese?"
And then this morning visiting with Kelsey, she was practicing her ABC's in ASL and wasn't sure of the right sign for the letter "s". When I told her I didn't know either, she asked "Grandma, didn't you ever go to Pre-school?"
I'm learning a lot from these little ones - the most important thing I am learning is that I love being with them.

Blesssings

Brianna was irresistably sweet as she offered the blessing on our dinner last night.

We salute!

The above photo, among many others, is framed and hanging on the wall of our cabin. It is in memory of the many fun times we have had there together as a family. Our grandson, Christian was fascinated by this particular photo and asked his family if they would dress-up and try to re-enact this re-enactment. I was so please that they really tried Here is their version of our "salute to our country" photo.

Cabin Camp

We welcome this years' first-time cabin camp attendees - Little Cody and Big Dallin

Roland leads the little campers on a hike to explore the mountainside.



Aunt Barbara had time to create some festive and fabulous hairdos for Brianna,
Hannah, Kelsey, and Alyssa.

A salute to the cabin chores of the past - these strong young cousins are called
upon to fix the rock edging on the cabin driveway.


Tired but happy helpers have finished their chores and now can go swimming!

Happy 4th

We started our holiday morning by hiking up Main Street to Ancestor Square.
Of course we were waylaid by the water fountain at the Town Square. We stopped to cool off for a second and then continued on our way. There was a fun Farmer's Market happening in Ancestor Square which included some Irish fiddlers and entertainers.
Rather than go directly home we took a side trip to the Vernon Worthen Park where there was all kinds of activities. Watermelon seed spitting contests, all kinds of good Mexican food boths, sno-cones, karaoke (some good-some bad) and I think the weirdest thing we saw was a booth selling deep fried twinkies - Ugh!
We've had an enjoyable day and plan to top it off by walking up Main Street again tonight to sit and watch the fireworks from Town Square. Love to you all!

Science Camp

It was our pleasure to go to Cedar and attend the closing banquet of Science Camp.
Although I know the boys - Jake and Trav - had a good time they were still very happy to see their families coming to pick them up.

Happy places

Okay Lee kids can you remember this place? Do you have any memories of this place that you would like to share?
I think I will go for a visit and see if it is just as wonderful as I remember.
Splash!

More Cousins

We gathered on Sunday, June 7 for Cody Lee's Blessing Day.
I think we have a picture of all the kids, except Cody.
Oops! Looks like we are missing Dallin and Sam and our Houstonites.
We are quite the crowd when we are all together.

Cousins!

This month we have been to visit all of our grandchildren. As we download our pictures we will try to share some of the fun times we have had while visiting.
This was at our FHE with the Lawyer Family. It was fun to be with all our cousins and cousin-cousins.

pictured above - Hannah, Kelsey, Kade, Travis, Christian, Kayson and Ellie

Uncle "fish fish" Robert

we take this moment to honor one of the all time great fishermen, and a darn good guy to boot. Happy Birthday old man!

Interested in everything

Here's a boy who is interested in everything! We are excited to wish you Happy Birthday #10. Have a great day exploring the world. We love you Kayson!

Once upon a time

As you can see, I once was young and cute and now I am just plain old.
But life is still fun and I'm glad to still be around.
Thanks for all the birthday gifts, cards, and wishes.

My First Gift

Here he is! My first mother's day gift. Jim was born on Mother's day many, many, many years ago. Happy Birthday Jim! What does one get for the guy who has everything? Why cheese, of course.

Love you, Mom and Dad

Friday Activities

After a long day at the park this old pioneer was saved from certain starvation
by a yummy lunch at the In and Out.




Friday morning Grandpa and his friends gave "tours" to the 2nd graders and taught them about the different wagons and means of transportation used in the early days.
Some of the young people had no idea that this was a stagecoach. Doesn't anyone watch westerns anymore? Some suggested that this might be a fire engine and one even thought it was a princess carriage.

Sons of the Utah Pioneers

This weekend we got to ride in the Washington Cotton Days parade with some of our friends from the Son of the Utah Pioneers.

Couldn't let this day go by -

Uncle Bill has celebrated many many birthdays - but we couldn't let this day go by without remembering him. Wasn't he a cute little guy?

Happy Birthday Bill - we love you!

Max

Grandkids don't come more loving, cheerful, full of fun and inquisitive than Max.
Have a happy day Max, we love you and hope you have a birthday full of fun.

Miss Ally

Happy Birthday to Little Miss Ally! We love you!

Family Names

Today, thanks to lots of help from lots of people, we completed the work for 87 of our family. Take a minute to think about all that that includes. I thank you all for your willingness to help.

Happy Easter!

Kade's Big Day

Guess who is celebrating today! It's our amazing grandson Kade!
I will have to guess that he is turning 6.
Have a Happy Birthday Kade. We love you!

Fun with the Cherry Family

It has been fun to have Jana Phil, Mattie, Katie, and Ally in St. George for a visit. We're making sure they get a healthy dose of sun and sand! They especially liked hiking in the desert by Grandma and Grandpa Cherry's house. Katie and Grandpa Lee made sand castles while Mattie and his dad explored some neat lava caves. We saw quail, rabbits, roadrunners and ANTS! Katie does not like ants very much.



It was super-fun when Kade, Zach and Sammy came to visit. We went on walks to the town square and floated sticks down the gutters. Katie liked playing with the Fisher Price Barn animals.

An elegant occasion

Alyssa wanted to be sure we included a "tea" party with our activities this weekend when we all gathered to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. Of course, it was ladies only at the tea party. And a tea party isn't complete without Auntie Trisha in attendance. We had a delicious and elegant party. Thanks Alyssa for your fun idea.

Small teachers

Grandpa's fun birthday gift from all the family was an Ipod Touch.
Who's going to teach him how to use it? Why Max(age 4) and Ellie (age 3)!
They are already experts with their fathers' Ipods.