That shoe on the wall shouldn't be there at all.

It all started Sunday morning at 7:30ish am. We got a pleasant wake up call from a very happy little guy, with another one in the background. Though he wouldn't say anything to us, we knew he was happy just to have his Mom's cell phone. The morning continued to be normal, Dad got up and started on his sunday school lesson (how he can do it in just one sitting I will never know and the morning of) I, Mom got up and took my shower, got Ally up to take hers while I did my hair. It continued normal, we ate breakfast, I even had time to read the paper and start the puzzles. Dad had gone up stairs, suddenly he called me up, telling me, he knew it was a bother, but he needed me. I came up the stairs, when I got to the room he had me close my eyes. He guided me to his desk and then told me to open my eyes and look out a certain window. I opened my eyes and there on a high tree branch was a red walnut?- no, not a red walnut, but a red TOMATO!!!!! After a good laugh and my running downstairs to get the camera, we took a picture, now I'm sure everyone would like to see the tomato on the tree branch, but alas, I have yet to figure out how to post a picture on this wonderful blog. I decided that it was probably better that I just write this time, rather than try once again to post a picture and get frustrated and do nothing at all, since it has been a rather long time since the last time Dad blogged. Now back to the tomato, earlier we had watched a chipmonk grab the last few remaining tomatoes that were on the ground and scamper up in Big Bertha. Not realizing that it had just set one of the tomatoes on a branch. Dad did say later that it came back and took a couple of bites and then left it. Even this morning it is still there. I wonder if the chipmonk is looking for salt to go with it!!!!

What a jouney!!!

It's been an adventurous 2 weeks!!!

Todd and I left Indianapolis @ 8:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 6/22 and drove straight through to SLC. We made it @ about 4:45 p.m. MDT...nearly 23 hours later. We had the van set up with a bed in the back (only had our bags in car top carrier and some boxes for Nate), so we alternated driving and resting. I don't hink I could have done it w/out Todd...THX, son!!!

We spent several days in Syracuse, UT w/Nate and his fam, bought Shelley a car, had dinner w/Nate's fam and the girls @ Macaroni grill, packed up Kris's belongings and then just kicked back and relaxed for a few days.

Laurel and Ally had flown out the week before. On Friday, 6/27 we packed up the car (our stuff and Kristin's...it was TIGHT!) and set out for Atlanta. Our first stop was Topeka, KS for the night. We had a SMOOTH journey. I was AMAZED to so clearly see why the star spangled banner uses the phrase..."amber waves of grain". It's EVERYWHERE this time of year in Kansas. Golden and beautiful.

We left early the next morning and made it to Newnan, GA (just SE of Atlanta) by 9:45 p.m. Saturday night. We drove through a WHOPPER of a thunderstorm between Chattanooga and Atlanta. One side benefit was that the MAJOR bug layer on the front of the ca and car top carrie was washed right off!!

We attended church w/Kristin, her fianceTroy Wardwell and much of the Wardwell family in thier son Trent's ward...he's the Bishop. After church, we unloaded Kristin's stuff @ Troy's cond0 (CLEARLY a bachelor's abode!) and spent the afternoon w/the Wardy's. That evening, we went up to my sister Margie's and spent the evening w/my folks (who came over for a visit) and Margie's fam. She had baked a cake that looked like a cupcake for Todd's bd...which we celebrated there.

Monday was "spend the day w/the Kohl's" day. Todd, Ally and Grant (Margie and Biil's youngest) spent 4 hours @ White Water doing the water slides. The adults chatted, shopped and relaxed.

Tuesday morning we packed up the car yet again (but there was WAY more room!) and headed home. We arrived @ about 5:00 p.m.

4400 miles later, we were done w/an AMAZING trip!

It's great to be home!!!

Thought for the day...when you can afford one, get a GPS...they are OUTSTANDING!!!

A journey begins...

Mom and Ally left today to visit the fam in Utah! Danny is at a LDS Encampment. Jordan, Todd and I are trying to decide who will make the stroganoff. I think it's going to be me!!!

I'm going to fry my noodles!

I just feel blessed for all the wonderous things that are happening in my life right now...Krisitin is engaged to a man who is named after an ancient city. Jordan is enrolled @ the "Y". Ally likes Chase. Todd is becoming the world's great WOW player. Danny has his drives license. Mom is a foxy babe. Shelley is getting a new car. Nate and Shauna have a shady patio. Andy and Anna live in a sata bigger than many countries.

Sooo many blessings!

Thought for the day...never stop dreaming...while you work to make those dreams some true.

As promised, the first of Jordan and Danny's LDS Prom pics. they both looked SHARP!!!

Another BEAUTIFUL Saturday

Today was a wonderful, beautiful, busy day.

Mom and I accomplished LOTS, Jordan and Dan went to the "Mormon Prom" (it's where they are right now...pictures to follow). Ally played with friends all day. Todd played video games and didn't come out of the basement much at all (although he did cut the front yard).

We're winding down now...bed sound REALLY good!

Thought for the day...

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives.

May Madness!!!!

Thought for the day...

May...Spring time! Yard work! The end of our Fiscal Year blitz! More yard work! Rugby! More yard work! BEAUTIFUL weather...this year anyway!

It's a GREAT time of year...yet more yard work!

We replaced the playground mulch in our playground area. Spread 45 yards of decorative mulch in our growing inventory of garden space (Mom did most of that!!). Planted LOTS of flowers and plants.

We also replaced our trampoline with a slightly larger one...that has the webbed enclosure. Can't keep grandkids safe enough, I always say!

We added a "baby" swing to the play set and repaired the rope swing.

Mom has turned our yard into an Eden...it's beautiful...just like her!

Everyone is generally well. Jordan gradudates on 5/30...it can't come soon enough for him!

We love you ALL!!!

Saturday is a special day...

What a GREAT day!

I played basketball this morning @ 7:00 am. I LOVE assists and I had some great ones! Assists are like service...helping those around you be better!

This morning there were 3 High School kids there...not members. They were commenting on my size and joking about trying to get taller. I told them the Crisco joke. They laughed!!!!!!!!!

It wasn't supposed to be nice enough to work outside...but it was, so Mom and I worked outside. I pressure washed the deck, patio and bird feeders. Momma edged in preparation for mulch.

When I work in the yard, I often think...deeply. Today was no different. I've been troubled by several things @ work and I decided on a course of action. I was also able to appreciate how great this planet really is...what a miracle! Truely a gift from our Heavenly Father.

Thought for the day...

Always be "becoming" something...