Yep- It's offical! Summer is over. . .

WHAT? You say. I don't think so! You say. It's hotter than hades! - You say! Well, I agree with you! It's not ME who is pushing summer out the window! (Although - I have gotten rather tired of the heat!)

Am I the ONLY one who has stepped into Hobby Lobby lately????

Well - today I took a little trip there only to find THE WHOLE STORE FULL OF FALL AND CHRISTMAS STUFF!

YEP! It's true! I wouldn't lie to you! I even saw a Christmas Tree.

Turkeys, Fall leaves, Christmas ornaments galore, and Christmas Tree's! The whole kit and kaboodle! It was AMAZING!

It was also a little alarming! But mostly AMAZING! I even giggled! Yep - a true little girl giggle! I wandered up every isle dreaming of cold crisp days, twinkle lights and hot chocolate!

I truly want to watch White Christmas! And why not - I ask you? I'm thinking it's time to break out the Christmas movies! You know - the ones that make you all mushy inside and remind you that It's a Wonderful Life! and there really are Miracles on 34th Street (and everywhere else!)

Maybe I will splurge for a couple of hours - turn down the A/C until it's cool enough to cuddle under a blankie, make some hot chocolate - with lots of marshmallows and a peppermint stick - and watch one of these movies! Hmmmmm - yep that's just what I'm gonna do!

Who says we can't have a little Peace on Earth, Good Will To Men in July!

"God Bless Us - Everyone!"

Wickedly Wonderful

Last night Vaughan and I got to go see Wicked at Gammage! Can I say AMAZING! It was my first time to see it and it was so wonderful! I loved every minute of it. I have been listening to the music all day today. I didn't appreciate the CD before! But now I love it all!

I think my favorite song is "For Good". Of course, "Popular" is pretty cute and fun too! What a fun play. I hope the next time it comes I can take all of my girls! I think they will love it. Now I know how to prepare them for the show though! It does take a little "Wizard of Oz" understanding otherwise you might miss some things.

It was fun to spend some time with Hillary and James too! We haven't seen them much lately and it was fun to get caught up over dinner!

If you haven't seen Wicked yet, make sure you put that on your list of things to do! It is so worth it!

And remember in the end... "No one mourns the wicked!!"

Fun at the Cabin

(My sister and I doing some of that visiting!)

I LOVED my two weeks at the cabin! It was relaxing and fun. I enjoyed all the projects I was able to actually get done! I'm having a hard time getting back in the GROOVE of life and moving forward with the projects I worked on! But it will happen sooner or later!(Travis, Shaelyn, Tanner, Ty and Hope playing games)

Cabin life is the best! I enjoyed reading and visiting with family! The first week Heidi and Holli were at EFY in Flagstaff. So it was just ME AND HOPE! My sister and her family were there at night, but spent the days in Heber at a family reunion. Well, they decided to invite Hope along! Of course she was besides herself with excitement and how could I say NO - I need someone here with me! So I was pretty alone! It wasn't too bad - I got lots done on projects, watched lots of OLD movies and talked on my cell phone often! I had to have some human contact!

The next week was a little more normal! Maybe too normal!! Just kidding! My sister and two of her kids were there, Me and three of my girls and later in the week my SIL and two of her kids came up! By the weekend ALL of our three families were there! My brother brought two of his horses and the kids had fun riding horses, fishing, watching movies and riding bikes!

(Heather and Sophia!)

(Vaughan & Heidi riding Twilight)

(Proof that Tiffany didn't die when she rode Twilight!)(James & Hope riding Cola)(Trevin - kicking back!)

We celebrated Hope's 10th birthday there! We spent Wednesday in Payson watching the movie "Up" and eating lunch at Chili's. We played at the park and then shopped at Walmart and ate dinner at Wendy's! It was lots of fun. On Saturday I made Hope the requested giraffe cake. I'm not sure why a giraffe - but we made it all cute and girly at Tiffany's suggestion. I was going to make it brown and boring! But pink with polka dots it became! It turned out VERY cute and I think Hope really loved it!(Hope's giraffe cake!)

I think we watched almost all my Doris Day movies, all three Gidget movies, Lorna Doone and tons of other great movies. We mostly just watched movies at night! We had fun visiting and solving each others problems! LOL! We made some GREAT food! We tried a new recipe at the cabin - Bourbon Chicken (yummy - thanks Hillary!) and made faux Panda Express Chow Mein! It was fantastic and a big hit! I can't wait to make it at home! I've been craving it all week!(No explanation needed - BUT Hillary reading!)

I think of all our family vacations going to the cabin is definitely a favorite! I'm so glad and grateful to my parents for allowing us to use their cabin! We have some great memories up there! I'm looking forward to returning in July! There are more memories to make and lots more movies to watch! And I sure haven't made all the food I'd like to eat! tee hee! Maybe I'll make cinnamon rolls again! It's just so much fun to have the time to stop and enjoy the surroundings!

God Bless America

Happy Birthday America!

I LOVE the 4th of July! I have so many fond memories. But I mustn't forget WHY we are celebrating! As much as all the fun family activities are important - the real reason for the celebration is MOST important!

I'm so grateful to be an American. I love this land I live in. I worry that we are losing some of the freedoms that we have come to take for granted. I worry that we are being fooled to think "All is well" when it isn't! BUT I know we are living in a special place and I thank Heavenly Father every day for the opportunities I have had because of this!

I wish I was more eloquent at expressing my feelings and thoughts, but this will have to do! Thank you - to all who defend this amazing country of ours! Thank you - to those who are trying to keep this country great! Thank you - to the honest and good at heart who love this land like I do and continue to "fight the fight!"

Happy Independence Day!
I love America!

The Best of Dads

Because I won't be near my computer on Father's Day I thought I would send a tribute out to my Dad! My Dad won't be here either as he is serving a mission at Martin's Cove, WY - but I just have to take a moment to remember him!

My Dad has always been my hero! He is so amazing to me and I am so grateful for all he has taught me and for the amazing example he has set for me.





As long as I can remember I've loved spending time with my Dad. He is so much fun. He tells the BEST stories - stories that teach great life lessons. My Dad has had some amazing spiritual experiences and I have been privileged to have heard many of them.

My Dad as set an example of following our church leaders - even though he might not agree with everything that is done. I have used that lesson many times in my life! It has helped me with decisions I have made - and because of his example I believe good things have followed!

My Dad is one of the hardest workers I know. He never stops. He had knee replacement surgery before they left on their mission. Nothing was going to stop him from going back on their mission and he worked hard to make it happen. Every time I call and ask about how he is doing - he is hard at work - painting, laying carpet, building, repairing. I know he is someone that will just plain wear his body out someday. I admire and envy the work ethic that he has. They just don't make 'em like that anymore!

I am grateful for the love I have always felt from my Dad. I remember calling him at work and asking him when he was going to be home. First off, we NEVER called our Dad at work. It was just known - you didn't bother Dad at work. He asked me why I was asking. When I told him I needed a blessing he said he would talk to me when he got home. Within the hour my Dad was home - much to my surprise - because I didn't think he would be there for at least 2-3 more hours. We talked about why I felt I needed a blessing and he gave me some advise. He didn't end up giving me a blessing, but I have always remembered that my Dad dropped what he was doing and came to my rescue and comfort! It is a sweet memory of mine!



Dad - I hope you have the best Father's Day ever. I LOVE you so much! I couldn't have picked a better Dad! I'm so glad you are mine! You will always be someone special to me. I miss you like crazy and no matter what you say. . . We DO need you here! I can't wait until September, 'cause then I know my Daddy will be home again!

I LOVE YOU!

Oh Happy Day!

In just 12 days Hope will be turning 10 years old! We will celebrate her birthday at the cabin this year so I thought I would take a moment to blog about her and the sweet girl she is!



Hope is such a joy to have in our home. It is so fun to still have a "little" one amongst all these teenagers! Hope still runs to give hugs whenever ANYONE returns home. She is an affectionate child and reminds me how much I will miss the innosence and sweetness of one so young. She is growing into a young women way too fast.

Hope will be joining our Activity Day girls group next month and I look forward to having one of my own daughters in our group! I have always loved serving with my girls in my church callings. It makes it that much sweeter!



Hope is definitely another mother in our home. She likes to make sure we are doing what we are suppose to - much to the annoyance of her sisters sometimes!

Hope tells great stories - in great detail! Hope is so sweet! She loves to help around the house and is anxious to learn new things - especially how to cook! I love to watch Hope dance! She is graceful and all girl!



It is going to be just Hope and I at the cabin some of the time and we have made great plans! We have lots of fun things to do together! It will be fun to have some Mommy and Hope time!

I can't believe my baby is 10 years old! WOW! I sure love her and all the love she shares with our family! She is one special girl!

Summer Lov'n

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SUMMER - by Diane Durfee

I love SUMMER because now I have TIME to teach my kids how to make dinner. I am now only cooking 2 glorious nights a week.

I love SUMMER because I get extra sleeping time! Zzzzzzz!

I love SUMMER because I get to spend time with my daughters.

I love SUMMER because now I actually have a reason to go to the library! (I can smell the books already!)

I love SUMMER because now I can read until the wee hours of the morning and sleep in if I want to. Stack of books - here I come!

I love SUMMER because it's CABIN TIME!


I love SUMMER because when it's cabin time - it's SPEND TIME WITH SIL's and Sister time!

I love SUMMER because then it's MOVIES with SIL's and sister at THE CABIN!

I love SUMMER because now I can Scrapbook!

I love SUMMER because now I can actually consider and Maybe get done all the organizing projects that I want!

YEAH for SUMMER!