Family Reunion

I think Tom's grandpa Max and grandma Ruth were smiling down on this family reunion. 

They loved family gatherings and passed on a strong sense of unity and tradition.

The part of the reunion that we could attend was held at Schnepf Farms.  

Tom's cousin, Carrie Schnepf, owns and operates it.

It was the ideal venue to hold 500+ family members.

Don't under estimate the fun an egg toss can bring.

I get the giggles watching them.

As I watched Molly with little Walker, a flood of nostalgia crept in.

I remember bringing my little ones, with a baby in tow, to Schnepf Farm.

That stage goes way too quickly.

I love watching people enjoy roller coasters.  

I can't do them.  I get totally nauseous. 

I feel old and pathetic at amusement parks.

Most everyone sported the reunion shirt:

Blue was for the grand children

Red for great grandchildren

and 

Green for great-great grandchildren.

Lizzy is in the green and I believe she is the oldest great great grand-child.

I could be wrong...it is late at night and therefore extra dangerous for me to attempt a clear thought (:

By the looks of Cole, we need a little more farm experience in our lives.

We ended the festivities with a talent show. 

 Glad the girls were up for putting on their black rubber pants for the occasion.

So nice having a built-in cousin performing group.

Getaway with Friends

We got to escape for a weekend with friends

and it was dreamy.  

I think I am most happy when I see my children enjoying the outdoors,

watching husbands and fathers interact and play with their kids

&

sharing time, thoughts and conversation with people I admire and love.

Some of my favorite highlights of this get-away:

 "Go ring the bell and tell the kids it is time to come and eat."

It felt like the good ole days when I would listen for my mom's whistle

to gather us home.

Trying to find your cup in a sea of red--like solving a puzzle. 

Everyone pitching in to feed the masses. 

\

When Tom is game for picture taking (and pretending he is in a jail)...it puts a smile on my face.

Ike breaking in his new .22 rifle

Teenagers that are pleasant and fun to be around

Lots of game playing

Attempts at getting group photos

 I love watching the next generation become good friends.

Denny and his constant smile and upbeat attitude about everything.

Both Denny and Nichole could not be better hosts. 

"Must-Stash" Service Project

One of the things I love about blogs is the sharing of ideas.

I found a great service idea  ( here ) to show our appreciation to our Bishopbric and have a bit of fun while we were at it.

I got a variety of different 'staches to chose from. 

They are just so terribly camera shy.

This is one of the leaders....I know, she looks like one of the teenagers. 

We got to the grocery store and caused quite a buzz with the employees.

Each girl had 10 minutes to pick the perfect snack to add to the stash. 

The following Sunday, we dropped off the bucket of "Must-Stash" goodies to the Bishop's office.

I hope we don't put them in a sugar coma.  

My mother

Wow, I really can't wrap my mind around my mom turning 60.

She is ageless to me.

Some things I admire and love about her:

My mother loves to work outside and get her hands dirty- planting, trimming, hauling.

I have always loved her hands, they are strong working hands.

She loves horses.

She loves growing things- creating beauty.

She loves the mountains.


She works out to an old VHS tape while wearing a sweat band on her forehead.

She is practical, never high maintenance.  She is a do-it-yourself kind of gal.

She is not into clothes, shopping, pampering---she is a tomboy at heart.

She can fix almost anything and loves the process of "figuring it out."


I love when she is truly nervous (which does not happen often)
 because she develops a bit of a Southern/cowgirl accent.

She does not talk about people, she prefers to talk about ideas.


She loves good manners and class.

She loves reading.


She raised 7 children in some difficult circumstances.


It would be very hard to offend her, she is very good-natured.


She would never go get a frozen yogurt, she prefers ice cream.


Loves butterfingers, junior mints, popcorn balls, peanut brittle, and fire hot cinnamon candy.


She loved being a mother and we felt that as her children.
For that, I am so grateful.   Because of her example,
 I never doubted that I would love being a mother too.