Birthdays

Tool Christmas

This is my new toolbox and drill from Dad. Also my new apron, which doesn't exactly go with tools but who cares. Work is work.

Time for Scones

Just before Erin came over, Dad made scones for an afternoon snack. They were so yummy. We all stuffed ourselves and then they opened their gifts.

More Christmas Fun

Erin & Jeremy came over to open their gifts. We just kind of hung out for a few hours with them and the dogs. Kind of a nice and quiet afternoon. Later on we went to Donna's for a very nice prime rib dinner that Erin had cooked.

More Fun for Dad

Here is Dad opening the gift from our kids. A new DVd/video player which I think we need because ours is making a strange sound that doesn't sound too normal. Anyway, thanks to you all.

Scott and Carli's Birthday

We had a birthday cake for Scott and Carli - course Avery blew the candles for Carli and it worked okay.

Merry Christmas to All

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

The Tin Man

Watch more Dailymotion videos on AOL Video

Dashng Through the Snow

Here we are warming up in the Coeur d"Alene Hotel after a walk on the boardwalk. Mindy, Evan, Davis and Jack were with us - - maybe she will post her picture in the sleigh on her blog. It's such a beautiful place to relax and enjoy one another. Merry Christmas and our love to all.

Spokane Temple

"I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not." (D&C 6:21)

My Piano - A Best Friend

By default, the piano teaches us patience, determination, coordination, confidence, concentration, and so much more! It teaches us how to set goals and achieve them, it teaches us how to deal with frustrations, it teaches us how to come up with solutions. As you can see, I can go on and on about the hidden benefits of playing the piano. Playing the piano is one of those precious gifts and activities you can enjoy all of your life. You don't need to be physically fit, you don't need a team, you don't need a partner, you don't need to be strong, you just need your piano, or a keyboard. Playing piano is not just about hitting the right key, or counting out loud, or getting the rhythm right... (don't take that literal!), but when you look past today and see the future, you can easily see how the piano can bless your life and lives around you. My piano and I have gone through a lifetime of ups and downs from sad times to happy times. I have mourned at the piano with tears literally falling on the keys as I play, I have found strength as I played my favorite hymns and invited the heavens to intervene, I have pounded on the keys in anger and frustration, I have celebrated love, played for weddings and funerals and enjoyed countless quiet hours in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. My piano is just about my best friend and very forgiving. It has even been through the ups and downs and trying times with my children and their lessons.* * * * * * * * * The Story of the piano: My mother bought my piano for me when we lived in Idaho. I was about 12 or 13. A fellow was driving around our town with this piano on the back of his truck. He was from a music company in Lewiston. They had a fire and this piano had some smoke damage but had been all refurbished and a new keyboard. He was looking for someone to buy it. My mother took one look and decided it was the one for me. She paid $50.00 and he moved it into our living room. It was a dream come true & I will be forever grateful to my Mom for her insight in that purchase.

Veteran's Day

Avery invited Lee to attend the Veteran's Day program at his school today. We both went and enjoyed such a nice program for the Veteran's. How proud I am of Lee and the service he gave in the Air Force and for our country. The program consisted of a breakfast and songs and stories/poems from the children plus a video presentation showing our service men in action. Thank you Avery for inviting us to your school's program. It was very nice.

Big Scout Night

Last night was Scott's Arrow of light ceremony. It is such a cool thing to see. I think he was pretty excited and seems that all of a sudden he is such a big boy now. This is where they are ready to light the candles and do the ceremony. It was good that CJ and Matt could participate. Jake came but didn't have his uniform on so he couldn't help. Jake has done his EAgle and CJ and Matt are working hard on theirs. They are planning a triple Eagle Court of Honor in February for these boys. How great is that? Don't know why my picture turned out blurry. Must have moved the camera a bit. And everyone looks a little down in the mouth but they really weren't that way at all.

Scout Neckerchief

this is the scoutmaster presenting Scott with his Scout neckerchief. The one he had was taken off and given to Cory

The Walking Stick

At the end of the ceremony, Scott was presented his Walking Stick. These are made by Cory and Beka to give to each of the boys when they leave Cubs. It's pretty cool.

Little Dalmation

This is Miss Carli the Dalmation. She was bundled up warm and cozy.

The Star Wars Gang

Just had to take the kids' pictures. They were all dressed up and came for candy and treats.

Happy Halloween

These are our pumpkin decorations. Dad puts these up every year and they are quite bright and cheery. Hope we have some trick or treaters.

The Little Smile

Carli is sitting up well now and finally has the crawl down. I watched her and Bodee today while Erin went to Avery's party at school.

Look at me sit up

You just have to see those pretty blue eyes.

This is a Pumpkin

It's just an orange thing - not sure what it's for yet.

Weston Cemetery

On our way home, we stopped in Brigham City to buy some flower wreaths and then stopped at the Weston Cemetery to decorate the family graves. It was very cold and had been snowing briefly. You can see how dark it was getting too. It still is an important stop for us because we don't get there often. WE used tent pegs to secure the wreaths so they should last until spring when they start to mow the lawn again. Miss my Momma and Dad so much.

Mercer's Baptism Day

Mercer and family after the baptism outside the church building. Oct. 24, 2009 He was very excited to be baptized and become a member of the church. There were three little girls who were baptized the same day. Gavan baptized and confirmed him and Grandpa J gave a short talk on the Holy Ghost. He was so honored to be asked to participate. Following the baptism there was a lunch served at Mercer's home. We were so happy to be able to be there for the occasion.

The Pumpkin Farm

Friday Erin and boys invited me to go to Greenbluff. It's a yearly retreat. It was actually a good day to go because the crowds were light. They weren't making the pumpkin doughnuts so that was sooooo disappointing. The kids got their pumpkins and went through the corn maze, the castle and the ship. Avery and Bodee are just sitting and waiting for Erin and Carli - so he says "take our picture". So I said, okay, put your arm around your brother and I will. ha ha - it worked.

Getting the pumpkin

Avery wanted this huge pumpkin so it took a little help from Mom to get it into the cart. Even with Carli strapped into the Bjorn, they did it and everyone was happy.

Riding the Train

We took a ride on the train - that's a bumpy but fun ride all around Seimers Farm.

Juicing

This was my priority today. These grapes have been picked for a week and I just decided I have to do it and get it done. While they were juicing, I watched the movie, Funny Girl and husked my dried beans. (love that movie). So, grape juice is done - beans are done. A productive day.

Afternoon at the Farm

Mindy and Evan took us to the Phillips Farm on Saturday afternoon. We saw demonstrations of corn grinding, a pulley demo, making apple cider, sawing a log, a blacksmith and touring the farmhouse. It was very fun. Of course, here's Dad with his apple pie.

Time for Dinner

The Jensen Family

Jack with Family

Of course, we each got our picture taken with Jack on his special day.

You just have to check out these great recipes. www.dinnersonme.blogspot.com I have to try the beef roast with sweet potatoes

Me at the beach

See, I was at the beach too. Being as I am the picture taker person we have mostly pictures of Dad. I wish I had sound to go with this picture.

Huge Beach

I think this was at Cape Lookout beach. A little gray but the next morning it was sunny and beautiful.

Fort Clapsop

Fort Clapsop was a fort built by Lewis and Clark as they spent the winter in this area of the coast.

The Wreck

This is a left over wreckage of a ship.

Grapes

I've been picking the white eating grapes and boy are they good. This morning I went out into the field and there were a ton to be picked on the outer side of the fence. Just as an experiment, I flash froze two pans of grapes and then bagged them and I think they will be fine for eating. It's kind of like a cold marble with a popcicle taste.

Tomatoes Galore

Just finished picking the tomatoes this morning. Looks like there is enough for salsa making. I guess we can do that tomorrow (Sat.) The tomato patch is really producing well - even at the end of the season.

Off We Go

This afternoon I told Dad I wanted to ride my bike. I haven't been brave enough to take it down the street in front of all the neighbors so we went over to the "trail". Dad ran while I rode. It was so fun to make good time and keep up with Dad. We make a good team.

Our Trip to Glacier Park

This was our first stop - the Apgar visitors center. By the West entrance to the park. Dad was very interested in these busses. They will take you through the park and back plus you can get off anywhere and catch a buss later if you prefer. They run on propane. Anyway, I loved the view of the mountains.

Red Bus by Lodge

Patio of Lodge

Inside the Lodge

There are two levels of rooms and on the main floor a huge fireplace. It felt so good to sit by the fireplace and get warm. I read that the artist Charles M. Russell actually drew the pictographs on the edges of the fireplace. The lodge is decorated like a hunting lodge sort of. It has 100 rooms in the main building. Also cabins and an adjacent motor inn. There is a gift shop, pizzeria, lounge and restaurant. We had lunch in the restaurant and it was buffalo burgers. The only buffalo we saw the whole trip. Darn. They were very good by the way.