The New Pergola

For my birthday present Les had a Pergola built over the patio. I had seen one at Hyde Park where we buy the flowers for our yard. They told us theirs was built by one of employees (Randy) who would probably be more then happy to build one for us too. We got in touch with Randy weeks before my birthday and I was really hoping I could have it for my birthday but he was booked out about two weeks. He said he could at least get it started before my birthday. Well, Mother Nature was determined that was NOT going to happen!! It rained, and rained, and rained! Finally the rain stopped and the sun came out and Randy finally got it finished before the 4th of July! We love it!!! Now I'm asking for patio furniture, I'm I ever satisfied?!?

The other night Les and I were in bed fast asleep when I was awaken by a noise. It sounded like the sliding glass door down stairs. I was wide awake now, there it was again. I wake up Les to let him know I think there is someone down stairs. You know what it's like to be awaken from a sound sleep! He tells me he will get up and and turn on the outside lights and I should watch out the window to see if I see anyone. Well, I stood at the window, he turned on the lights, but I didn't see anyone. Les calls from the family room, "Judy come here." I go and he is standing on the deck, he points to the TOP of the Pergola and there is our boogie man. A CAT!!! He had walked across the fence and jumped onto the Pergola. That is probably what I thought was the sliding glass door opening. Les went out in his angel chaps and got the cat off the Pergola, and we went back to bed. Someone or something other then us thinks the Pergola is pretty darn nice as well:-)

Little Entrepreneurs!

This year we had a bumper crop of cherries!!! Our tree was actually loaded to the ground. Try mowing the lawn under the branches laden down with ripe or over ripe cherries:-( I must confess neither Les nor I are fruit farmers, we know "NOTHING, NADA" about pruning or spraying trees. (Don't ask me why we even bought fruit trees!) The cherry tree has grown HUGE which for one good thing provides our back yard with great shade, but, that is about the only good thing! The ground is always covered with cherries. And the d--- birds (I'm sure it's just as bad to think the word as it is to say it) carry the cherries in their mouths, fly over the deck and drop them...Yuckie!!! Anyway we were out of town the week the cherries turned ripe. Ashlyn, Dave and the kids were helping Grandma and Grandpa Robb have a yard sell. In the past when we had our video yard sells we would sell cherries for $1.00 a bag until one time a little neighbor boy came back and said, "Your cherries have worms in them." Les gave him back his money and an extra $5.00 to help the kid feel better about eating wormy cherries. Les had sprayed and sprayed but the cherries still get worms in them. You open up this beautiful, sweet, delicious cherry and there would be one little teeny tiny white worm hiding behind the pit, not in every cherry but who wants to open all their cherries before they eat them. Ashlyn and Dave checked the cherries and didn't find any worms so they came and picked them and sold 26 bags of cherries for $1.50 a bag. Les picked more when we got home and the kids sat on their yard and sold them all. So Les decided to pick more the next day and the kids were going to sit out on our yard and sell them along with ice cold pop. (That beats lemonade because people never know what the kids stirred the drink with (a dirty little hand or what.) As we were picking, Dave started checking the cherries, "Oh, Oh," he said. "I found a worm!" We all started checking more cherries and sure enough not in all the cherries but in 3 out of ten there was that creepy little worm. The kids were disappointed because they wanted to earn more money so we went to the store and bought more pop and Ice. We Loaded up the ice chest with pop and they sat out front of the house in the afternoon as people we going home from work and sold Pop.

We started setting up for the pop stand when what to our wondering eyes should appear but the little neighbor girl across the street ran out and started setting up a snow cone stand! Jake said, "Oh great!!! Now we have competition." I told him that competition was good because people who didn't want a snow cone would buy a pop from he and Lily.They didn't sell as much pop as they would have liked but they had fun doing it and made new friends in the neighborhood as well.

May and June Birthdays

Here it is the first of July...can you believe it?!?! With all the rain we have had it feels like March or April weather. I am beginning to see how Noah and his family felt on the ark, well, not exactly because we at least don't have to put up with the smells :-) but it can get pretty depressing.

May the 2nd was my oldest and dearest friend's birthday. Patsy and I met when we were 7 years old in Mrs. Waffords second grade class. We have been friends 57 years...amazing don't you think?!? We have been through a lot together. We have shared loosing our baby teeth; skinned knees, singing "I can't be happy, unless your happy then I can be happy too." Square dancing in grade school with Mr. Beck, Spanish class in 6th grade with Senior Brimhall, running down the halls in High school yelling, "Hi Lynn," in Mr Hunters class and driving him crazy, bummer Sornsen's Drivers Ed class, riding in the trunk of Patsy's car when she had only her temporary drivers licence and you couldn't drive with more then one other person, double dates, sluffing, record hops, broken hearts, marriage, the births of our babies and grand babies, to the lose of a grand baby. There is no one on God's green earth that knows my childhood and I know hers like Patsy.

(Sixth Grade picture) If you look close you will see we are holding hands. There are lots of great memories of our growing up years. Hop scotch, jacks, trickie bars, roller skating, riding our bikes from American for to Pleasant Grove, or to Lehi. We could go any where on our bikes in those days. Amagine walking a few blocks from Patsy's to the Star light Drive In, in our PJs and sitting on the seats they had by the snack bar watching the movie, telling everyone we were twins, Tammy and Pammy. Hee Hee :-) Our grand kids and kids will never know these kind of fun times in their lives because our world has changed so, which makes me sad. Oh I can't forget roller blading in our later years as well. Happy Birthday Pats!
On the 20th of May it was my little sister Bonnie's birthday. When Mom was pregnant with Bonnie and we found out she would be born in May I was so hoping she would be born on my birthday. It didn't happen, she came 7 days earlier. It was so fun being the big sister to 5 siblings. I loved mothering them although I don't know how much they appreciated that. Bonnie did a lot of the things growing up that I wish I could have done, so I lived my life vicariously through watching her. It was as exciting watching her accomplishment's as if I would have done them myself. She was and is a great sister. Happy birthday Sis!On the 27th of May I turned "63" which I can't even believe I'm that old. For you youngsters out there enjoy, because you turn around and your in a place you thought was years away. I look at photos of me and think no, that's not me. A week ago we were in Zions with Les's cousin Tim. I was looking at some of the photos Les had taken and I said, "who is that women talking to Tim?" And would you believe that women was ME!!! It's scary, I'm on the down hill side. Enough of the lamenting.

June the 5th was our Angel Andrew's birthday. I can't talk about birthdays without remembering his. He would have been 9 years old. We went to the cemetery with Ash, Dave and kids and sent a balloon bouquet up to Andrew. He makes us all want to be better so we can be with him someday. Happy Birthday Andrew, we love you!!!

June the 9th was our energetic little Jarons birthday. This little guy keeps his mom and dad on their toes.

Soon after he was born we made a trip to San Antonio and were their for his blessing. What a great experience that was. It was fun to get to cuddle him and love him which I would love to do more of. I sent him an outfit for his birthday and sent red tennis shoes to go it. He loved his red shoes. This boy is stylen!! Is this the little boy I sang to and rocked in the rocking chair just the other day? And now he's five years old. NO WAY! How can that be?
Happy Birthday Jaron buddy! We love you!!!

And The Winner Is...

Thursday, Ashlyn, the kids, and I, were on our way to Park City to go Father's Day shopping. Ash mentioned that she had entered Marcella (Grandma Barrett's) recipe for fudge in the Studio 5 Pioneer Heritage recipe contest. She said, "I've never heard back from them so I guess mine didn't get picked because they are having the contestants on the show tomorrow." About 20 minutes later her cel phone rang and guess who it was??? Studio 5 asking if she was available for the show tomorrow and if she could bring a batch of her fudge. The show was being televised from the Pioneer Heritage Park. She was so excited and so were the kids. The kids and I first thought that it was their Realtor saying that they had an offer on there house but NO, it was Studio 5. So we got up early friday morning and headed to Salt Lake.

When we got there we found out not only would Ashlyn be in the segment but Lily and Jake as well. Lily and Jake were asked to participate in a segment featuring games for family reunions, which was a lot of fun.
And then they had a segment where they featured kids with three little kids (baby goats);-) They were only a week old. Lily and Jake and some of the other kids were in the shot but there was one shot where they featured Lily and a little goat getting right up close and personal. It is so darling. I wish I had a picture of it so I could put it on the blog. I'm so glad that I tevoed it. They told Lily it may be on a magazine cover as well.They asked Ashlyn to send in some information about the recipe, who's recipe it was, and where it came from. They also asked for pictures. I wish I would have taken a picture of her when she was little sitting in the high chair or on the counter next to Marcella making the candy with her. In between the segments when they went to a commercial, and when Ashlyn was talking about making the fudge with her grandmother they showed the pictures of Marcella and her sisters, Marcella alone and Grandma and Grandpa Allred. It was pretty neat. After the judges (who were the camera crew) judged the items it was unanimous that Ashlyn's fudge was the winning recipe. The prize was a year pass to Heritage Park and some lotions. It was fun for her to participate and it was a nice tribute to her grandmother & great grandmother.
Darrin the anchorman, Ashlyn, Brooke the anchor, me, Jake and Lily. Keagan missed out because she was at Girls camp with her ward.

And the winner is...Ashlyn's old fashion fudge recipe!!!:-)

"Flash From The Past Birthday"

Billy the birthday boy and his Mom Suzanne. From Left to right: Aunt Dorothy and Fido, Sandy, Les's Mom, Laura, Abby, and Les.

This last weekend we made a trip to Wyoming for Les's nephew Billy's "40th" birthday party. I wanted to say 40th???? Wait 20 or 40 more years!!!! Shoot, the next 10 years will be some of the best years of your life:-) then you'll have something to really celebrate!!! But Billy has a lot to celebrate in his 40 young years. He has a beautiful wife Kate, and 4 beautiful kids, he has a very successful business and he has his health so as far as that goes he is one of the most successful people in Wyoming. They went all out erecting a large tent, live band, and catered food. The party was centered around a hippie theme since not only was it Billy's 40th birthday but also the 40th anniversary of Wood Stock. The guests were given peace signs to wear around their necks and washable tattoo's (instead of face paint). All of Les's family were there...well most of his family. Aunt Dorothy traveled from Palm Desert. She is Les's mom's twin sister. It was fun having the twins together. I am still gimping around on my foot but it is getting better. This beautiful photo was taken on the way to Star Valley. If you look close you can see a rainbow on the mountain side. It was made up of blues, purples, and greens. As you can see a fun time was had by all. Happy Birthday Billy!!! And here's wishing you a whole boat load more to come.

Future Utah Symphony Orchestra Members:-)

Last night Papa and I had the privilege of attending Lily's violin recital. There were only 5 kids participating so it lasted all of about 15 minutes. You wonder sometimes if it's even worth the trip, but in the long scheme of things I know that it is. It makes the kids so happy that we came to hear them participate and to cheer them on. Both Lily and Keagan play the violin. Keagan been playing since she was 5 years old and Lily started last year when she was 6. Both of the girls really enjoy learning to play. When I was young I wanted to dance which wasn't on option for me because my Dad would say, "you can't dance when you 60." Little did he know that I would be doing just that:-) He wanted us to play an instrument. I choose the piano but I wanted to play "REAL" music not all the little songs that didn't really sound like songs or scales. I didn't really want to practice either, hence I can play a few things for my own enjoyment but I could never play for anyone else. Nor can I sit down and pick up a piece of sheet music like Keagan can and start to play. My Dad had a beautiful tenor voice and was constantly being asked to sing at church, weddings, funerals and such. I'm sure he would have loved to have one of his daughters accompany him. Nancy also played the piano and she played a lot better then I, but she didn't ever acompany him either if I remember right.
Back to Keagan and Lily. Last night Lily played her first number with her teacher Mrs Chudleigh. She played Andantion by Suzuki. For her second number she played one the of the primary songs, The Baptism Song by Crawford Gates. And Keagan accompanioned her on the piano. Dad would have been so proud! Lily remembered her music but forgot to get the music for Keagan to use to accompany her so she had to play from memory and she did a great job. As you can see Keagan is really growing up. She will be in Junior High next year. All the kids are growing up.Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. Keep up the good work.

BEFORE AND AFTER

The last two weeks since my surgery I haven't been able to do a lot of anything other then sit about with my foot propped up. Believe me that can get old real fast. Yesterday I got the stitches out. YAHOO!!! This means I can get it wet, I can change the dressing everyday, I can itch my foot, and yada, yada, yada. You get the idea. Anyway I decided I would give you a before and after shot of my foot. Sorry I don't have the best looking feet as feet go, I should have taken a side view so you could see the bump on my knuckle better it doesn't look that bad from this shot but believe it was or I would NOT have had surgery. The after shot is not a very pretty picture is it? The bump is gone leaving a big scar, but I have so much more movement in my toe it is amazing. I have to do physical therapy with it all the time to keep the mobility but at least I'm on the mend. I may be able to wear my shoe instead of the stylish black Velcro shoe I am currently wearing. It's hard to find a shoe that is level with it so I am a sight sometimes walking around. I'll keep you posted on the progress but a word to the wise for the younger generation. Take care of your bodies, and your body parts like feet. Wear shoes that are comfortable not just stylish because sooner then later you will find yourself suddenly at an age you never thought you'd get to for a long, long time and you'll be thinking why didn't I take better care of my body!!!

"Perspective and Appreciation"

For the past 6 days I have been confined to my bed or the recliner because I had surgery on the big toe of my right foot. My Stake President Dr. Ridge performed the surgery.(Hey I need all the inspiration I can get!) Let me tell you there is nothing like being layed up to make you appreciate your life when your feelen good and everything is groovy. I don't know what my big toe has to do with doing my hair but it must be the way I stand or something but I can't get my hair to go since my surgery. Try putting a plastic garbage bag on your leg with a rubber band to keep it in place and then try lowering yourself into the tub with the right leg hanging over the edge. Sorry, I should not have taken you there, not a pretty sight. I can get up for 10 minutes every hour, well, I have been up for longer then that but I can't do much that needs to be done. Even writing this I have to do it in intervals because I have to prop my foot up and it's hard to find something just the right level. Tomorrow I go to get the bandage changed. My son Rod had Surgery on his little toe for the same thing just days before I did and they will be taking his stitches out tomorrow. He said the doctor told him that your foot takes a long time to heal. I guess because there isn't a whole lot of skin to stretch and the incision can break back open if your not careful. Anyway...it has given me a new perspective on life and I appreciate the healthy, whole, body and life much more!!!

Stick Figure Family

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

"APRIL BIRTHDAYS! "

My oldest and youngest both celebrate their birthdays in April. In a zodiac book I once read it said, "usually the God's won't bless you with more then one Aries child." I was lucky enough to get two, and I mean that literally. Although Ashlyn is right on the cusp since Aries ends on her birthday. I don't believe in the daily horoscope thing like reading my horoscope to see what is going to happen, but I do believe that there is something to the traits of the signs that we are born under. For instance Aries personalities are independent. Both Doug and AshLyn are very independant. Being the first sign in the zodiac they venture out and are go-getters, often leading the way. Here are some of their strengths -Independent, Generous, Optimistic, Enthusiastic, and Courageous. Doug's birthday was April the 8th. He was the cuties little baby boy. He had platinum blonde hair and was so adorable. He had to put up with a young and very inexperienced Mom. We grew up together he and I. Thank you Doug for putting up with all the stupid things I did as a Mom and still loving me for it. I love you Doug! Happy Birthday!Ashlyn's birthday was the 18th of April. I didn't think I was going to be lucky enough to get a little girl after 3 rambunctious boys. But deep down I just knew I had a little girl up there waiting very anxious to come down to our family. She was well worth the wait. She and I have been best friends from the get go. I love you Ash! Happy Birthday!!The last two of our April birthdays were born under the zodiac sign of Tauras.Taurus is not the one who ventures out into the unknown and leads the way, Taurus is the one that will follow the leader and strengthen and build upon the discovered, in other words they are the one that will "dot the I's and cross the T's". Some of their strenghs are - Dependable, Persistant, Loyal, Patient, and Generous. April 27th was Rebecca's birthday. (I copied Rebecca's picture off her blog because it is so Rebecca) Rebecca became a part of our family even before she and Jeramy were married. When she was 16 she came to live with our family for a little over a year. She and Ashlyn were best friends. To Jeramy she was just another obnoxious, teasing sister, but after he returned from his mission he saw her through different eyes and with different interests. I'm so glad Rebecca is a permanent part of our family. I love you Beck! Happy Birthday!

Last but not least is our little Lily Bean's. Lily's birthday was the 29th of April. This was a very special birthday for Lil because she turned "8" years old. On the 2nd of May Lily was baptised by her Daddy. She was so excited! She said, "I have been waiting for this day my whole life!!! Keagan played the piano for the baptism she also accompanied Lily on the piano while Lily played the violin. They both did such a great job. Happy birthday Lily and congratulations on your special day, we love you!

"MARCH BIRTHDAYS!"

April is just about over and I am just getting around to putting on the March Birthdays. Sorry!

March the 17th was Deana's birthday. Deana or Dee as we affectionately call her is Doug's better half and what a great match they are. She completes Doug and our family. She is a great wife, mother, and daughter-in-law. She brings out the best in Doug. I'm so glad she is a part of our family! Happy Birthday Dee.

Then on the 25th of March it was my baby sister Debra's birthday:-) Can I just tell you it was great growing up the oldest of 5 siblings and kinda being their substitute mom at times, not that I could take the place of mom but I loved mothering them. Anyway...Happy Birthday Deb!

It's a WONDERFUL Life!!!

I looked out the window and what did I see...popcorn popping on the ....CHERRY tree:-) Some things stay with you for the rest of your life. Like primary songs:-)

Good Morning SUNSHINE:-)

Can you believe after our 10 inches of snow, yesterday and today we have SUNSHINE!!! Nothing like the good ole sun to lift the spirits. I'm walking on Sunshine, wooah and don't it feel good! I just got back from a morning walk and can I just tell you I don't know how anyone can NOT believe in a Higher Being! All of the trees are beginning to get their leaves and some have the most magnificent blossoms. There are tulips and daffodils and other spring flowers, signs of a new beginning everywhere. I think it would be much easier to make new years resolutions in the spring time, we should have spring time resolutions when your feeling happy and refreshed and full of energy, doesn't that make more sense? I know I would probably keep more of my resolutions if I made them in the spring:-)Look at this magnificent tulip, the vibrant red & yellow. Where could you find a more beautiful red? This isn't one of my tulips mine haven't bloomed yet, it was in someones yard when I was out for my walk. It's suppose to get up to 71 this afternoon can you believe it!!!! Yahoo!!!!!

What's Up With This????

This is what we woke up to this morning. Les measured it when he was out shoveling the drive way and we have 10 inches this morning! It's beautiful when your just sitting inside looking out at it but NOT that fun driving in it.

What month is it?????

Les keeps telling me we should be thankful for the moisture we're getting and I am, for the moisture in the mountains...but couldn't mother nature just let the sunshine here. Before I retired the weather really didn't bother me that much because I was always inside and I was always busy so the weather was the least of my worries. But now I can actually go places or work in my yard and the weather is really started to tick me off! In fact it sucks. It rained all day yesterday and all night, I threated to stay in bed all day today and not even get up if it continued, which it did, and I didn't. Ash and I were going to make a trip to Rod Works and Tia Pan Trading this afternoon and so look what happened!!! It's not fair :-( I hate you mother nature.
My tulips trying to poke their heads up. Dang snow.

You Know You've Had Enough Snow When...

I've had enought!!!!!!!!!

I'

More SNOW today! Ugh

March Went Out Like a Lion!!

I'm not even going to put a photo of the 8 inches of snow we woke up to this morning because I'm sick of it!! I keep thinking of that TV commercial, "It's not nice to fool mother nature." Hay, who's fooling who?!?

I'm Edith Ann and this is Tommy and we're three years old!

Doesn't these pictures remind you of Lily Tomlin when she use to play the character, "Edith Ann"? Yesterday Les and I spent the day furniture shopping and at Furniture Wear House on Road Redwood, (Redwood Road for those of you who are not familiar with their commercial) we came across this chair and couldn't resist getting our pictures taken in it :-)