Happy 4th

Blogger and I aren't getting along well tonight so I will just post here and you can decide what is what with the photos. We had a glorious 4th of July week. We enjoyed being with our family. Jennie and Jason hosted a BBQ and invited their friends and relatives. We ate well ! Good food, good company, good times. The kids enjoyed the Maestri's festive yard, got their faces painted, and waited patiently for a turn to be swung around and around. Kelsey designed and painted her own t-shirt. Sarah had multiple festive outfits and had to wear each one as they won't fit next year. Grandpa followed Sarah around with his camera, I got to hold little John - who slept cozily most of the evening. The Cousin-Cousins had art camp. They painted, they visited art museums, and the older cousins were excited to find a amazing race car display at one of the museums. A Happy Festive Week with lots of Family. Hurray !

Nutcracker

This weekend I was invited to attend a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet with my
granddaughters Emma, Ellie and Kelsey and their moms. We had a fun time and really enjoyed the ballet. Afterwards we had super deluxe cupcakes at the Sweet Tooth Fairy Shop.

While we were enjoying our ballet the guys all went to the Conleys to watch the BYU Football Bowl game. Then for dinner we gave up waiting in line at the Texas Roadhouse and tried a fun new place in Highland where the Lee's recommended the Macaroni and Cheese.
Our weekend was full. We attended the Maestri's Ward Christmas Party, Jennie's performance Sunday in the Ward Choir, A lunch that included Jason's freshly smoked bacon,
We watched Barb make yummy neighbor treats, wrapped Christmas gifts until after midnight, had a fun FHE concert with piano performances by Kayson, Keanon and Christian. A recorder performance by Barb and a guitar duet by Kayson and Grandpa performing an original song written by Kayson. We woke Tuesday to a world covered in snow - but we needed to go home so we inched our way slowly southward - stopping for a short visit and gift delivery at the Simmons home.

Turkey Day continued

To reach our destination we had to travel through Zion National Park which was glorious in the snow.

We arrived at the Clear Creek Ranch and we welcomed by the Jon Lee fam and the party began. The next morning we found these cool icicles out our window.


The most popular activity of the week was enjoyed by the kids. They loved being pulled around in the snow on their sleds.

While waiting for dinner time - Jim and Dad went to winterize the cabin only to find that it was already winterized.


We had a moment of panic went the electricity went off for awhile but never fear for Jon had propane ovens and he and Jolynn had dinner under control.

"Al" poses proudly here with 12 of our cute grandkids - just before our Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey Day

To continue our turkey story we show you "Al" amidst the snow as we traveled to our meeting place.

Sleep when the wind blows

With "fowl" weather being forecast for the next few days, we decided to enlist the aid of our friend "Alamo" as we finished up a few chores that we thought might be better accomplished while the sun was still shining.



Aunt Trish kindly shared some iris bulbs with us - so we got those planted and Dad is always glad for a helper when its time to hang the Christmas lights.

Now we are ready! Bring on the "fowl" weather!

Alamo the Great Gobbler

Perhaps some of you will remember "Alamo". He is our prize turkey from a previous trip to Houston.
Well here he is celebrating with us this holiday season.
Alamo, Dad and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

39 Years

To celebrate our 39th anniversary we pulled a handcart in the Days of 47 Parade in SLC.
I'd never make it as a pioneer. We walked 3 miles and I was exhausted.
A nice spectator from the side of the road hopped up to take this picture for us.

red, white and blue

Some things never change! Some things are too good to change - like cabin breakfast. Diet or no diet there is nothing like bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast and hot chocolate for breakfast at the cabin.
As we left town and cell phone access I checked in with Jana to tell her we were headed to the cabin. She asked "are you going to dress up?" I didn't understand the question because no one dresses up to go to the cabin. But the next morning as Dad and I put on our red, white and blue t-shirts and posed by the cabin flag I understood her question.
Of course we are going to dress up - it's the 4th of July! And even though Dad and I were the only ones staying at the cabin we still celebrated in our traditional way.