Tonight after Niles went to bed around 8pm, we went outside and made s'mores while the sun set. When it was almost dark, we lit sparklers and snuggled. It's 37 degrees and sprinkling out there, perfect night for fires and snuggling and counting our blessings while we remember those who went before us and made our blessings possible. Tonight, the blessing I am counting is relationships: "For the joy of human love; brother, sister, parent, child/ friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild..." and "The same sociality that exists among us here will exist among us there..." What a wonderful thing to hope for. Also, Happy 31st Birthday to my brother Matt, whom I love and admire so much. He's a good ol' goat.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Last Day in Utah
Last week (may 21-25) I took Grandma Lyn back to Utah so she could get ready to go home to Arizona (because Aunt Marti & Uncle Ralph only have ONE MONTH left in Ukraine!) . I had a good visit with my mom and her family Monday night thru Tuesday morning, although most of us were under the weather. I was supposed to drive home on Thursday, but I was just too tired and sickly to get ready to go. I took one more day to rest and drove up to spend some time with my brother Sam and his family. Ironically I didn't get any pictures with Sam because he is a busy daddy with work all day and bishopric stuff in the evening. But we still managed a good visit, and I loved hanging out with his wife and boys! We met up at temple square and went to the Children's Area of the Church Museum of History & Art. The current exhibit is about Latin American culture, and there are other activities with a Book of Mormon theme. My "cousin-in-law" Lacy Mayberry and her girls came, too, and it was fun to see them before they move to El Paso.
Gavin and Niles, twin cousins who both turned one this month, enjoying the mirror in the dancing area. |
Penelope ("Peeps") and Lucy learning Ballet Folklorico (they have an interactive instructional video AND costumes! So dang fun!) This should come in handy in El Paso. |
Gavin and Niles checking out a bike. |
This is Nephi's ship (where you can help build or fish off the side) and the Liahona in the display case. |
Niles harvesting the play garden. |
Three Mamas: Kristen, Me, and Lacy. |
Lucy & Owen examine the bike. |
Peeps giving a general conference address. |
After we said good bye to the Mayberry girls, I followed Kristen home to Tooele. We rested, had dinner, and played out back with the boys. They were just too cute, I grabbed my camera. |
Layton Boys on the move. |
Fantastically spazzy jumpin' picture of Owen. |
Gavin climbing the slide. |
Owen's cute little turned-out feet, just like his daddy's! |
Trying to get Niles to slide. |
Happy First Birthday to Niles
When Niles woke up on Saturday, May 19th--his first birthday- his siblings presented him with his first gift: a red ball. He loved it. |
Chasing the ball with James, whom he adores. |
Check out James cracking up in the back. These two boys just love each other so much! |
Later Saturday Night we had some friends over to the Ranch House for a birthday fiesta. Michael and Anna Gregg were visiting from Arizona and stayed out at the ranch and partied with us after their trip to Yellowstone.
WE set up a buffet (like Gordo's Mexicateria!) and ate some really stellar food. Here's Curtis Westenskow and my blurry amiga, Kim Strupp filling their plates. |
James' buddy Lydia W. with her yummy taco. |
Suzy, Melissa, and Jillian Westenskow |
Heidi: ever the party animal |
Little boys table: James, Birthday Boy Niles, and Jason Strupp |
Out on the deck, Tyler Strupp, Suzy and Lydia W. |
Heidi, Jared W, Addie, and Hailey W. |
Making a birthday toast! |
Inside at the Dad Table: Aaron Roberts & Trevor Strupp |
Mark Westenskow & some awesome flowers (I ampretty sure a kid took these pix). |
Outside at the Mom table: Melissa Westenskow, Kim Strupp, and Jessie Roberts. That view is not too shabby, eh? |
Pinata time! Rich hung the pinata off the deck while the kids took turns swinging at it. Here is James taking his turn. |
All the kids cherring James on, waiting for their turn. |
Niles' Great-Grandma Lyn ate a dum-dum from the pinata and it tirned her tongue blue. AWESOME! |
Another shot of all the kids playing pinata |
The birthday boy enjoying his cupcake, ready for bed! |
Our super fun Grandma Melin made this cake for Niles. It's a rocking horse-- or a rocking llama. |
Niles with Grandma Melin |
Aunt Angie made this cute hooded towel for Niles. Again, James had to test it out! |
Heidi gave Niles one of her elephants he loves to play with. |
Niles and his cake (with cousins Rosalie and Hannah) |
cake & ice cream for everyone! |
Saying goodbye to Meeky & Anna |
Grandpa Melin, James, Hannah, and Rosalie |
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FAMILY LETTER 07.28.19
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