Spring !

I have a new camera.  I'm not very good with all the bells and whistles it has - but I am excited to take my own photos.
Here are a few samples of the photos I have taken and others have taken with my new camera in the past few weeks.

 Roland receiving his Excellence in Art award from Mayor Pike

 Family members that came to the award ceremonies

 My sisters and I  - Trisha, Barbara, Nellie

             This was so sweet - I ran to find my camera.-  Brianna holding new cousin Emilia

 Before sno-cones.  Jon, Jolynn and family at the art festival - shiny and clean.  I wish I would have taken photos of each family as they came to the art festival before they ate sno-cones

     Roland with his blue ribbon painting

   Big day for Kade -Supported by his grandpas-Simmons and Lee -he will be as tall as they are someday

Cute shot of the Simmons fam all dressed up for Spring.

Sunshine !

Our grandchildren came to visit and to feel the warmth of the sun.
First we hiked in Snow Canyon.

                                                                       Spider Max

                                                     Emilia's first hike in Snow Canyon

 

Ta Da !   The perfect day!

Music, music

Music, music coming from all over the house.
Those folks at the Simmons home are sure full of music.  I had a fun two days staying with them and hearing them sing and play the piano .   Friday night we went to Kade's Band Concert.  Wow, was I impressed with the quality of their performance.

Zach playing an Indian song.

Kade ready for the Band Concert

Little Miss Mia

Met this little one the day she was born but she sure has blossomed since that first day !

Everyone needs a new dress for a special day

The Lee's 

Emilia's support team

Travel adventures

In February we had the pleasure of visiting the Cherry family in their new Colorado home.
It was grandpa's first visit and he loved their "home in the pines".   It was a bit too snowy for me
but I enjoyed watching the kids - which included Phil, Jana and Grandpa - playing in the snow.

                                                          Cold ride from the bus stop

Happy Home Owners

It takes a while to get these girls all dressed in their snow clothes.But they sure love the snow.

We loved listening to Matty practice.

And enjoyed hearing his whole orchestra play.

Don't worry - we will be back again soon.

Cheerleaders

We had a fun time  hanging out with these guys and cheering Travis on at his basketball game.

Ninety-nine

Today is my mom's birthday.  Although she has been gone 29 years and not with us to celebrate, I  feel like there are ways she is with us still:
My hands  -  when I look at my hands they remind me of mom, polka dots and all.
If I go for a walk in my neighborhood I have to pass the home she lived in for many years.
My grandchildren with hazel colored eyes always remind me of mom.
My sisters and the different traits they picked up from mom.
Chocolate in any form reminds me of her.  Semi sweet chocolate chips, hot chocolate, a big bar of
solid chocolate,  See's candy, mousies, etc.
We just finished our Sunday breakfast, bacon, eggs, toast, with a special jar of chili sauce.  Yum!l
But not a yummy as she could make it for us.  I just can't get the fried eggs quite right.
Last month the grandkids got to play dress-up and there among the dress-ups were some of her old dresses.
Gone but not forgotten.  Happy Birthday Mom, we love you !

Special day !

A special day for this beautiful girl  -   who we love so much

Surprise !

Our new year started with a surprise !    A new grand daughter !  Emilia Elisabeth
Here's grandpa holding his new granddaughter.

Its been a long time since Grandpa was available when a new grandchild was born.  He was super helpful with Jack and he had suggestions for naming the new little one.  His idea was to name her Rolandra.   ROLANDRA !  What kind of name is that for a sweet little girl?  I said if she has one grandpa's name she needs to have the others grandpa's too.  That would make her Rolandra Phillipa.
But lets not forget her grandmas  - how about NormaNell?
It's a good thing Jennie and Jason were in charge - Emilia Elisabeth is a beautiful name and I love that it has connections to her ancestry.

Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra ! Happy New Year

Dad and I had lunch at Panda Garden to celebrate the new year !

Fa ra ra ra ra  to all.   Happy New Year.