4th of July in Delta, and Oak City

Blaine enjoys spending the day with us in Delta on his birthday.  We always miss Jo when she doesn't come, especially these important celebration days, but we are so happy to have him and Ellie come.

It was a celebration of mostly adults but she still managed to have fun up the canyon.

Summer get togethers are now pretty relaxing, low stress, and just enjoyable. Love this family of mine. Nik, C&J, B&E and Colt all made it this year.

Evening is filled with another Derby for the family -Dean

Pretty low-key picnic in the Ponderosas up Oak City Canyon

 

Grover Reunion in Erda

Aunt Fay was the hit of the party.

 

Kansas Cutie Gets Baptized

 We went out early to make sure we had time to take photos around the pond and put together the program and invitations.  She is so photogenic it makes it easy.

She had a rough few years during and after covid, so we are glad to see her happy self start showing again.  She is well loved and has lots of friends.

 

Final Earthly Farewell

Grandson pallbearers

Grandchildren

Wood nieces and nephews

In the viewing

Watching Nik, Candice and Kimberly play prelude

Sons practicing for the funeral song

Children

My Family

 

Hotwings Challeng

 

Getting hotter!

They are going to make it!

Jordan was the life of the party.  J had put her under strict orders not to swear.   She may have done a little "I am a Child of God" singing to squelch the urge.  My favorite part for sure.

Oh, what is that?  Face says it all, but his face will get much redder as the night goes on.

I think they both dropped out early, Dean at #4, but #8 was every bit as bad as #12

Back Together Again

 

Grandma Saying Goodbye to her dear Friends

 

Time to finish the Entry Hall

 Although plans were made to put my tile in all close to the same time, the entry hall was just more
energy than we could muster.  Taylor is never one to shy away from work, and we can call on him whenever we are in need.  That is such a blessing.  Kim and Josh have done so much for us but they are so far away.  When they come they have days of work for sure, and happily help us all they can.  Candice is also very good to come and help.  Michael is swamped with his life right now but helps as he can.  Taylor, however, gets calls most often and when I just feel overwhelmed and really need something done, he is the one I call.  And as always, he comes and gives it his all.

Tile out, and we hired someone to put the new in.  End result is perfection. 

The littles are just as hard of workers as their dad. 

Pizza Party at Taylors with the Sants

 

Grandma Mary

 Grandma's getting tired, and it's time the kids came and spent some time to say goodbye.

Dean was able to use his magic fingers to help his mother with her headache.  She is in A-Fib, has a headache and is all around ready to be done.  So glad he could help her relieve some pain.

 

Unicorn Afghan for my Unicorn Lover

 Most of our trips now are just day trips, but what joy it is to spend these special days with the littles.  

When I saw this pattern I had to make it for her.  Hope she isn't too old to actually use it.

Just another Activity

 But I had to spotlight the photo backdrop.  It took so much work making each of the flowers by hand.  Some of the girls helped, but much of it fell upon my little fingers.  I was so pleased with the outcome.

Polar Express

 

We chose to have a Christmastime experience this year for Christmas and all of our Utah family met together for the Heber Creeper Polar Express.  We had such a fun time watching their excited eyes.  I certainly love our time together when we manage to keep the stress at bay.  Dean did amazingly well.  Come to think of it, so did Nikki, Colton, JoAnna, Blaine and everyone else with high anxiety.

 

The Guys on the Deer Hunt

 

Taylor is so good to plan trips for the guys to go hunting.  Dean takes the van sometimes, other times he sleeps in the tent.  Either way, I stay home and spend the time by myself.  Candice also joins them for a few days.

Saying Goodbye to Mindee, the last of the Poodles

 

Nebo Loop for the Autumn Leaves

 

Activity Days

 For the next few years of my life, I spent time as the Ward Primary Activity Days Leader.  That has to be the best job in the Church, right up there with Primary Pianist.  More is included on my Activity Day's blog accessed from Hunthistories.com.

The older girls had never experienced these activities so I put everything I had into making them get four years of experiences in one year.  They had Daddy-daughter dates, Mom and Miss parties, performed for the elderly as well as marking scriptures for the missionaries and learning to sew and play games.  It was a whirlwind of activities until Dean couldn't stand it any longer.  The stress of knowing I had something coming up really got to him, and I finally had to ask to be released.  

Cheer

 Most of the trips we make in the van are simply to spend time with family.  Taylor is always so good to invite us to their activities and we are so excited to be able to go, have everything we need continually packed and available.

No matter the weather or need, we come prepared.  We have watched soccer games, lacross, basketball, football and now cheer. This is one of the best uses for the van for sure. I love spending time celebrating these littles.