February Celebrations

We wish we could celebrate birthdays in person with all family members, but each one is remembered with loving thoughts and "Happy Birthday" wishes.  We have nine family birthdays in February:  Scott (7th), Marisa (9th), Koryn (11th), Kyle (14th), Sarah (16th), Trent and Paul ((18th), Monty (19th), and Brent (22nd).

Sarah had a fun themed party for 

Paul's 4th birthday.  

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Paul.

(February 18) 

 

The birthday party table with food
  designated as herbivores and carnivores.

Paul got a neat airplane from his Grandma Smith.

 Anna checking out the gift we gave Paul.

Aunts and uncles came to the birthday party.

(Tyler, Haley, Maggie, and Taylor)

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 I went with Beth to a Three-Stake Women's Conference

and thoroughly enjoyed hearing  
Sherri Dew's presentation,
Worth the Wrestle.

(February 17)

This quote by Neal A. Naxwell was shared by

 Sherri Dew during her excellent talk.

Another quote from Sherri Dew's talk.

 

Adding to our enjoyment was an original musical number

written by the accompanist (Amy van Dyk) and 

sung beautifully by the soloist (Renee Keele Kimball).

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our temperatures have been very mild this winter, 

but we woke up to a snow-covered world on February 19th;

and the temperatures dropped to 25 degrees by 8:30 p.m.

The snowfall was welcomed in the mountains, though, for the needed moisture.

 Took this picture when we got home from the temple
Tuesday afternoon (February 20th).

We got about 10 inches of snow.

We are having the coldest weather we have had all winter. 

Celebrating Birthdays

 A Winter Wonderland - February 24th

The backyard covered with snow after the previous snow had all melted.

We have eleven family birthdays in February and seven in March.  It is fun when we can be together to celebrate; and when we cannot share the day in person, we appreciate the phone calls, cards, and remembrances.

Sarah and Derek's Paul and Scott and Kristine's Trent share February 18th birthdays.  We first took birthday greetings to Paul for his 2nd birthday and then returned to our home where Scott and Kristine had arranged for celebrating Trent's 24th birthday.   

Celebrating Trent's birthday on February 18th.

Birthday photo taken with my best friend!

I enjoyed being with family members who 

were able to come to help me celebrate.

The family celebration was on Saturday, the day after my birthday.

On the 10th, I celebrated with Sam and Hal and Christy Smith

going to the movie "Lion" and eating at "Kneaders."

 Visiting together after the birthday dinner.

Shannon made the "Cafe Rio" Mexican rice and pulled pork,

and others brought everything else for the meal.

It was delicious.

Tyler, Haley, Marisa, Maggie, Tayler, Kyle, Ryan, Shannon, Corban, Doug,

Todd, Kortney, Jared, Sam,

Derek, Narene, Amy, Jessica, Judd, and Trent

(Most of the younger grandkids were playing downstairs or in the sports court.) 

Jared, Brynlee, Shannon, Taylor, Maggie, Corban, Marisa, Haley, Tyler,

Kyle, Ryan, Todd, Sarah, and Kortney 

 Ryan and Todd

Seated at the table:  Amy, Jessica, Jenna, Chase, Trent, and Judd.

Behind:  Todd, Sarah, Narene, and Marisa 
The floral centerpiece was a gift from Trevor and Megan.
I also got a floral bouquet and candle jar from Shannon and Doug's family.

  

 

Beth crocheted this cover for my Kindle.

On my birthday, Beth brought me a serving of flan,

which is a treat I enjoy when it is available.

I received a candle jar from Marisa
and a gift card for eating out from Ryan and Tani. 

 Sam gave me attractive storage boxes for reorganizing my closet,

which I wanted and appreciate having.

 Having fun in the sports court.

(Jacob, Brynlee, Mason, Isaac, Joshua, Ethan, Doug, Jared, 

Kortney, Kyle, Shannon, and Corban)

Another pretty sky seen from our backyard.

As of this writing, our snow is now gone except some on the mountains,
 and we are currently enjoying spring-like weather.

Family Fun in June

It is always a highlight for us to be with family and friends.  I have previously posted blog entries of Trent and Jessica's wedding at the end of May and Maggie and Taylor's wedding on June 24th.  We have enjoyed additional family events in June to feature on our family blog, some being connected with having Curtis and Marla's family here for Maggie's wedding.   

Trint Pierce adding pillars of bricks that match our house.

(Sam, Trint and his two helpers; June 11th)

We appreciated having Marlowe and Joseph include a visit

with us at our home on June 13th when they came to Utah from Hawaii. 

It was fun to have a visit from Jeff and Rochelle's family

in June prior to their attending the Abbott family reunion.

Coming from Arkansas, they had stayed overnight in Denver

with Scott and Kristine's family and had a fun time at Water World.

(Zack, Miles, Rochelle, Jeff, Kate, Austin, and Jamon) 

   

Family gathered in our backyard  on June 23rd to celebrate Joshua's 11th birthday.

(Rebecca, Issac, Jacob, Brynlee, Doug, Narene, Sam, Megan, Kate, 

Maren, Marla, Amanda, Trevor, Rochelle, Mason, Derek, Jared, and Todd) 

Joshua was happy his mom granted his birthday request

for Oreo Fluff.   

Having fun in the pool.

(Corban, Isaac, and Brynlee) 

  Isaac, Corban, Brynlee, Doug, Mason, and Shannon

Megan, Amanda, Maren, Sarah, Megan, Haley, and Trevor 

Rebecca and Brynlee in the pool;

Curtis, Anna, and Paul watching the sheep.

Haley, Maren, Megan, Amanda, Joshua, and Zack

Mason

 Brynlee, Jacob, and Isaac

Playing Kubb in our backyard.

(Doug, Mason, Isaac,Jared, and Jacob)

Curtis enjoying being with his grandchildren

on the playground.

(Paul, Sarah, and Curtis) 

 Amanda and Megan like to have a good book 

handy on their phones.

Rebecca, Kate, and Brynlee

Fun on the trampoline, too.

(Haley, Anna, Paul, Corban, and Maren)