Beauty and the Beach

Bless his heart, Mark came over after he went to church today and said 'let's get out of town today - how about we go to the beach?' And we did! We kind of moseyed on over to Newport and went straight to Mo's. Yummmmmmmm....had bowls of clam chowder, cabbage salad with shrimp, and cheese bread. High calorie lunch, yes, but how often do we stop and drop and head to the beach for lunch? It was great! We walked around South Beach marina for a while and then headed on back home. It was a gloriously beautiful day, a little chilly, and on the way over and back, we were both in awe of the amazing colors of the trees. The vine maples are at the climax of crimson, the aspens are gold and the maples are wavering between faded jade green while heading to pale pink. Lovely. I should have taken my camera, but since I didn't and he didn't....well, looks like we'll just have to go back!

Lovin the pics

Hi there - I just have to say how much I love the pictures you've been posting. I would love to see these kiddos every day, and I do go on to the blogs almost every day to see if there is anything new. Lifeline! If we all lived closer, how much different life would be.... hmmmmmmm.....Let's see: you'd have free babysitting; boys and AnnaJane would have all the treats and cookies and hugs and kisses they could possibly stand; Grammy would be spoiled; big kids would be spoiled; little kids would be spoiled. Sounds just about perfect!

Funniest Video in the World

http://www.todaysbigthing.com/2009/02/20

Copy and paste in the address bar and promise me you'll watch it:)

Cousins

Gideon's Baptism

Simeon, Ephraim and Gideon

Wow!!! What a bunch of strong, good lookin guys! Casey and Sharon have joined this blog but haven't quite made themselves familiar with it yet, and asked me to post for them. Little do they know that I barely know what I'm doing and my 'nails' make it darned near impossible to type accuratley, (see?) so what I post for them must be excused. hee hee hee  Seriously, these are some darned appealing boys in the pictures, and all the more lovable because they belong to all of us! Yay!!!!

"No, Seriously, I'll Eat Your Hand"

"Mom! Leave Me Alone!"

Mr. Grunty Pants Himself

Kash at about one week:



Kash at one month:
(Don't look at his arms and assume I abuse my son! He likes to give himself hickeys when he's hungry and there isn't a boob or bottle in his mouth.)



The Chunky Monkey:



Our First Family Outing--Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. We saw three bucks (antelope) fighting over a doe and herds and herds of bison. We also saw a raven and lizards. It was sweet. Pretty sure Kash had a great time, as well. Here he is soaking in all the fun:



Da cute widdow famwee:

Old Guy Wisdom

So tonight is a quiet night, welcome after my board meeting last night. It wasn't a bad one, just a really long day. Funny, this living without a television because I'm getting so much done! Michelle loaned me a book "Coyote Medicine" that I finished last night, darn it. It was really good and I wanted to read more of the doctor/shaman's stories! Tonight I took a good long walk and then made a healthy dinner, and sat down to peruse my new weaving book. What a weakness books are! And yarn and fabric and plants....

I find that I am anxious for this next two years to end so I can be done with this job and get on with my real life. It's so soothing to snuggle in with a book full of texture and color and creativity, rather than having to fix troubles for people who are so often ungrateful.

I have a feeling that this job has been a gift though, because I have learned so much from dealing with people who just don't understand rules and how to follow them! I have also come to recognize what is important, soul deep important, and that Joe's right, as Joe usually is.... relationships are all that matter. It pays to be friends with the Old Guy.

Happy Saturday

I have cleaned house today, yay! Two bags of books ready to be donated to the new Kroc Center and two or three bags ready to go to Goodwill; a couple of coats to set aside for our annual Coat Drive and books and stuff to mail to kids. Even some of the miniblinds got washed today, so I am reasonably tired. Can't believe it's getting dark outside already...but fall's coming and fall is the best season of them all. Everything gets to look forward to a good rest, even the sun. :) I know I'm ready to rest tonight!

Falling In

this is a maple leaf that was so beautiful last fall, and the leaves will be falling again soon. The temperature tonight is really quite cool, and a   fleece vest feels just right to keep the chill away. It's supposed to be warm again next week, but the nip is there and the light slants differently, proving that things will change. It has been such a busy August that my garden is neglected but still proves it's worth by providing volunteer cherry tomatoes, a handful of beans and peas, an occasional strawberry and a huge white spaceship summer squash that should have been picked weeks ago. Now I'm letting it grow just to see how big it can get, or maybe it will provide a very interesting jackolantern! I'm especially thankful for fall this year, but then ....it's always good to be full of thanks for the days when we can relax a little bit and give a sigh of relief.

Summer of the Baby

I'm in Orem at Michelle and Spencer's tonight, having just left the hospital for a while. It's hard to leave, although tonight, Thursday, it's much easier than it was the other days this week. Kash Everest Bratt (I don't know how to put the two dots over the a in bratt, sorry!) arrived on Monday, August 17th, 2009, and he is a sweet beautiful boy. It was, however, very frightening because Michelle went through an awful lot, and faces more surgery to remove the tumors . But tonight, they are all safe and sound, as sound as can be, in the hospital, and I can come 'home' to rest to return in the morning. The apartment is cleaned up somewhat and ready for a new baby to come to start his real life in his real home. We are so blessed.

Sent by the Spider

It's quite late, but my creativity is boiling and wanting to roll. I need to get ready for the two week long trip to visit children and meet new grandchildren and play with old grandchildren bu ttonight it seems there are words to record.....

I am anxious yet excited about the trip. It makes a mother anxious for her children to face difficult times and there are a few events coming up that will make me hold my breath.... pray...pace until they are over. When I arrived home from many retreats the other day, I made a quick decision that it was time for a cleansing from all the stress of the two weeks of retreats, so did a sage ceremony to cleanse every corner of my home. The comforting smell of herbs and the wafting smoke whisked away the stress and strain and left a great peacefulness in every nook and cranny. There are times when this little house wraps it's arms around me to reassure me that indeed, I am home and safe,and most certainly, after the ceremony, I was embraced.
So, I'll need to take that peace and security with me on my trip, so that if it is needed by anyone else, I can share, and also to keep myself centered and grounded as to be the most useful to fill any need.

I can hardly wait to go!

Happy Birthday to me!

Holidays

Hi Guys!
the holidays turned out so great. There was a lot of love shared in unexpected ways, and the gifts that were given showed amazing thoughtfulness and caring. It was so great of Uncle Doug to bring Sara down since the roads were dreadful; it was amazing that Dustin, Samantha and Levi arrived safely (and returned safely, thank goodness), and it was just evident in every way that no matter what is going on in our lives, being together and being there for each other is so important.
Levi is full of life and fun. He couldn't quite figure out why Mr. Potato Head's hat wouldn't fit, but instead, he got us all up dancing with him to Boney M! When he saw a grumpy face, he threw his arms in the air and said "Happy!" with such enthusiasm that no one could stay grumpy around him. He is pure joy and it was a great gift to see his eyes sparkle and hear his laugh.
Scott's birthday was sure fun too, what a houseful! Happy 24th (are you REALLY 24????), Scottywotty.

Levi is so much fun, all we can do is watch....

Scott and Cody(Jody) opening Christmas stocking goodies.

Scott and Cody(Jody) opening Christmas stocking goodies.

Sara proudly displaying her new Crystal Barbie! Scott knows how to buy the best presents!