Some of my most favorite and fun memories come from spending time with our grand-children and talking to them on the telephone.
Alona, at 6 years old, has become quite a conversationalist. Whether talking in person or on the telephone, it's fun to hear about what she is learning in school and fun things they do together as a family. She is very matter of fact and knowledgeable about the subject of conversation.
Abbi is usually hovering in the background when her Mommy and I are talking on the telephone and I can hear her sweet little voice saying ...
"I wanna say hi."
"Can I say hi?"
"Can I please say hi?"
When I do talk to her, she always tells me where she is at the moment and what she is doing. I like to ask her what she is learning at home and which letter they are learning about. She tells me all that she remembers.
Kacen is a 'Yes' man. No matter the question, his answer is usually an enthusiastic 'Yes!'.
We phoned Grandpa Honey the other day and Honey asked "Is this Abbi?"
Kacen replied, "Yes!"
When we have the opportunity to talk to Kellie, who is 2 1/2 years old, on the telephone I'm chuckling the remainder of the day.
She is usually so animated about what she is telling us and the excitement comes through so well in her voice. Yesterday she was very excitedly telling me she was going to go bowling with the Elders that evening and then in an almost dead pan voice she tagged on "I had oatmeal."
Mama had to translate that one for me; it came out of no where!
Grandpa wasn't home when Kellie was telling me about her upcoming bowling activity with the Elders. When he returned home I encouraged him to call Kellie and ask her where she was going that evening.... but he had to ask Kellie, not her Mama.
Naturally, Laura answered the telephone when he called so when he asked if he could speak with Kellie we heard Laura ask "Do you want to talk to Grandpa?"
Her reply?
"I'd love to!"
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Beautiful Pacific Northwest!
During the mid 1980s I lived in Seattle, Washington.
As a result of a competition (long before I moved there) Seattle was nicknamed the Emerald City. A very appropriate nickname, too!
Seattle (and Western Washington) reminded me so much of Germany.....
Rainy Weather
Cooler Temperatures
Not much snow
Beautiful Green vistas
Beautiful Mountains - although Mt. Rainier was usually in hiding due to smog and weather patterns
Trees, glorious trees!
I love trees and the Northwest is a veritable feast of trunks, needles and foliage. Oh! And moss, can't forget the moss. It's everywhere and I love it!
This past weekend, Val and I, along with Brandon, who turned 21 while we were there, went to the Northwest.
We flew to Portland, Oregon and spent time in Oregon and Washington.
I loved the moss, all types of moss, everywhere.
Our rental car earned another 794 miles in just three days and we saw some beautiful countryside and the Pacific Ocean!
We learned it takes ten pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese.
Can you believe it? We learned that tidbit of information at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
Brandon saw his first lighthouse in Cape Meares, it serves the Tillamook Bay.
We stayed with some old friends who moved to Ridgefield, Washington about a year ago. Ridgefield is the birthplace of U-Haul and is a beautiful little village north of Vancouver.
Saturday, Val spoke at a tri-stake Youth Conference in Yakima, Washington enabling us to also see a bit of Eastern Washington and drive the Columbia River Gorge Scenic area.
Brandon and Val hiked Multnomah Falls and I enjoyed looking around the area and beautiful lodge while they hiked.
The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is a great place to explore with so many beautiful wonders of nature. I hope we get to return to the Great Pacific Northwest and explore more of it's beauty.
As a result of a competition (long before I moved there) Seattle was nicknamed the Emerald City. A very appropriate nickname, too!
Seattle (and Western Washington) reminded me so much of Germany.....
Rainy Weather
Cooler Temperatures
Not much snow
Beautiful Green vistas
Beautiful Mountains - although Mt. Rainier was usually in hiding due to smog and weather patterns
Trees, glorious trees!
I love trees and the Northwest is a veritable feast of trunks, needles and foliage. Oh! And moss, can't forget the moss. It's everywhere and I love it!
This past weekend, Val and I, along with Brandon, who turned 21 while we were there, went to the Northwest.
We flew to Portland, Oregon and spent time in Oregon and Washington.
I loved the moss, all types of moss, everywhere.
Our rental car earned another 794 miles in just three days and we saw some beautiful countryside and the Pacific Ocean!
We learned it takes ten pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese.
Can you believe it? We learned that tidbit of information at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
Brandon saw his first lighthouse in Cape Meares, it serves the Tillamook Bay.
We stayed with some old friends who moved to Ridgefield, Washington about a year ago. Ridgefield is the birthplace of U-Haul and is a beautiful little village north of Vancouver.
Saturday, Val spoke at a tri-stake Youth Conference in Yakima, Washington enabling us to also see a bit of Eastern Washington and drive the Columbia River Gorge Scenic area.
Brandon and Val hiked Multnomah Falls and I enjoyed looking around the area and beautiful lodge while they hiked.
The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is a great place to explore with so many beautiful wonders of nature. I hope we get to return to the Great Pacific Northwest and explore more of it's beauty.
Evidence of Spring
A few weeks ago while I was feeling cold and life outside was feeling dreary, I took some photos to document spring.
I'm certainly not a photographer, but I love to see different stages of the season in my gardens!
The upside to a cooler spring is that the daffodils and other spring bulbs last longer.
Yippy Skippy!
Kisses from Mother Nature!
Is there anything cuter than freckles?
Really?
Especially on such a cute little face.
On such a cute little girl - who'll tell you she's not little:)
Love the freckles!
Love my Alona!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bondage
We are in bondage.
No ifs, ands or buts about it.
We are in bondage to governments - local and national - and tomorrow is the day of reckoning - for 2008.
Taxes...............
I suppose we should feel happy about having to share with Uncle Sam because it means we are employed.
I'm grateful for employment... just wish I didn't feel like the government squandered so much of our hard earned, taxable income!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April Aaahs!
Aaah! It's April.
I love April.
I love the spring bulbs that begin decorating our gardens.
I love the clear blue skies and warmer temperatures.
I love the opportunity to get out in the gardens and clear away the remnants of seasons past.
I love being able to participate in general conference.
I just love the refreshing feeling of rebirth and renewal.
Our family has a few April birthdays.
Miss Maddi was born 04/04/04! How cool is that birth date?!
Maddi's Aunt Melissa's birthday is the very next day, April 5th. Melissa is my second niece. Melissa's mother is my sister - Charmalee. I'll always remember Melissa's birthday because she was born shortly after we (my parents, younger siblings and I) moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. We were still staying in a hotel. I was lying in bed (sharing a room with my parents) trying to cover my eyes and ears to block out the program my parents were watching on the tele. I don't remember the actual name of the movie but it was about Charles Manson and his horrific crime.
Needless to say, Melissa is nothing like the aforementioned sicko.
Melissa is gentle, kind, loving, giving and patient. The oldest of 7 children she was the nurturing sister. Like most older siblings, she had lots of responsibilities at home. The friendship she has with each of her sisters, and her brother, is a testament to how well she fulfilled her role as older sister!
Aunt Marlene, my Mother's sister, celebrates her birthday April 7th. We haven't had the privilege of having Aunt Marlene in our lives until these past few months. Thanks to the efforts of family history, we've been able to connect with her (she lives in California) and look forward to the opportunity of getting to know her and her family much better!
My Grandpa Blakeley's birthday is in April, too. Robert Grant Blakeley is my Dad's Dad! Grandpa was a gardener, woodworker, tool and die maker, tall and all around great man! He passed away the year I graduated from high school.
Grandpa had a woodworking shop in his basement. When we would go to visit, which was almost every Sunday, I loved going downstairs to see what he was working on. The smell of sawdust still conjures up memories of my Grandpa.
He would make us doll furniture and other fun toys. He made a set of scale model wagons for his children and friends. I inherited the stage coach and chuck wagon.
Grandpa also loved to grow fruits and vegetables in his garden. As a child I remember thinking he was so cool because he grew cherry tomatoes and yellow pear tomatoes. Hmmm, they were soooo yummy!
Grandpa was the shopper in their empty nest. He spoiled Grandma and his grandchildren. Grandma loved not having to go to the grocery store and we loved the cookies Grandpa always had on his kitchen counter. That was the place we headed to first whenever we went over for a visit.
My Grandpa also loved collecting books (especially first editions) and comic books. We were allowed to read his comic books whenever we were there. I loved going in his bedroom and lying on his bed while I read his newest editions! It was great fun.
Grandpa and Grandma Blakeley also gave us the opportunity to learn to work and earn money. They would hire us to do their spring cleaning and paid us minimum wage. We learned how to wash walls, clean cabinets and wash windows with newspaper and vinegar water. It was hard work but always great to collect our earnings!
Brandon Clark Bagley will be celebrating his 21st birthday this April 17th.
It's hard to believe our caboose is turning 21!
Brandon is the quiet one in our family. Behind that quiet demeanor you'll find a very intelligent, talented, funny, kind, loving guy.
Brandon gives the best hugs!
Brandon writes music and produces his own music CDs. His new age style of music is one of my favorites so it's fun to listen to his tracks.
I love Easter too! Which usually falls in April.
Of course, as an adult, I love it for it's real significance, the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I also love it for the fun celebration of Spring!
This year Val and I will be hiding to host our fourth annual Bagley Easter Egg Hunt! A hunt for our adult children and grandchildren, too!
April would be so much sweeter if it weren't also tax time! Nothing like the government to put a damper on an otherwise wonderful month.
Happy Easter
Happy Spring
Happy, Happy Everything!
I love April.
I love the spring bulbs that begin decorating our gardens.
I love the clear blue skies and warmer temperatures.
I love the opportunity to get out in the gardens and clear away the remnants of seasons past.
I love being able to participate in general conference.
I just love the refreshing feeling of rebirth and renewal.
Our family has a few April birthdays.
Miss Maddi was born 04/04/04! How cool is that birth date?!
Maddi's Aunt Melissa's birthday is the very next day, April 5th. Melissa is my second niece. Melissa's mother is my sister - Charmalee. I'll always remember Melissa's birthday because she was born shortly after we (my parents, younger siblings and I) moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. We were still staying in a hotel. I was lying in bed (sharing a room with my parents) trying to cover my eyes and ears to block out the program my parents were watching on the tele. I don't remember the actual name of the movie but it was about Charles Manson and his horrific crime.
Needless to say, Melissa is nothing like the aforementioned sicko.
Melissa is gentle, kind, loving, giving and patient. The oldest of 7 children she was the nurturing sister. Like most older siblings, she had lots of responsibilities at home. The friendship she has with each of her sisters, and her brother, is a testament to how well she fulfilled her role as older sister!
Aunt Marlene, my Mother's sister, celebrates her birthday April 7th. We haven't had the privilege of having Aunt Marlene in our lives until these past few months. Thanks to the efforts of family history, we've been able to connect with her (she lives in California) and look forward to the opportunity of getting to know her and her family much better!
My Grandpa Blakeley's birthday is in April, too. Robert Grant Blakeley is my Dad's Dad! Grandpa was a gardener, woodworker, tool and die maker, tall and all around great man! He passed away the year I graduated from high school.
Grandpa had a woodworking shop in his basement. When we would go to visit, which was almost every Sunday, I loved going downstairs to see what he was working on. The smell of sawdust still conjures up memories of my Grandpa.
He would make us doll furniture and other fun toys. He made a set of scale model wagons for his children and friends. I inherited the stage coach and chuck wagon.
Grandpa also loved to grow fruits and vegetables in his garden. As a child I remember thinking he was so cool because he grew cherry tomatoes and yellow pear tomatoes. Hmmm, they were soooo yummy!
Grandpa was the shopper in their empty nest. He spoiled Grandma and his grandchildren. Grandma loved not having to go to the grocery store and we loved the cookies Grandpa always had on his kitchen counter. That was the place we headed to first whenever we went over for a visit.
My Grandpa also loved collecting books (especially first editions) and comic books. We were allowed to read his comic books whenever we were there. I loved going in his bedroom and lying on his bed while I read his newest editions! It was great fun.
Grandpa and Grandma Blakeley also gave us the opportunity to learn to work and earn money. They would hire us to do their spring cleaning and paid us minimum wage. We learned how to wash walls, clean cabinets and wash windows with newspaper and vinegar water. It was hard work but always great to collect our earnings!
Brandon Clark Bagley will be celebrating his 21st birthday this April 17th.
It's hard to believe our caboose is turning 21!
Brandon is the quiet one in our family. Behind that quiet demeanor you'll find a very intelligent, talented, funny, kind, loving guy.
Brandon gives the best hugs!
Brandon writes music and produces his own music CDs. His new age style of music is one of my favorites so it's fun to listen to his tracks.
I love Easter too! Which usually falls in April.
Of course, as an adult, I love it for it's real significance, the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I also love it for the fun celebration of Spring!
This year Val and I will be hiding to host our fourth annual Bagley Easter Egg Hunt! A hunt for our adult children and grandchildren, too!
April would be so much sweeter if it weren't also tax time! Nothing like the government to put a damper on an otherwise wonderful month.
Happy Easter
Happy Spring
Happy, Happy Everything!
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