Alona Marie Bagley

Today is Miss Alona's birthday.



She is eight years old today.

Alona is our first grandchild.

It is fun to spend time with Alona.

She loves playing Hide-n-Seek with her grandpa.

She loves to read.

She has a beautiful smile.

She is very intelligent.

She has a fun personality.

She is very literal.

She is a good big sister.

She has one sister and two brothers.

Over the years we've had many opportunities to make memories with Alona.

The first time she spent the night with us she had a stuffed money she loved. Her mom told us she would be okay at bedtime as long as she had her monkey. That evening we arrived home after the sun had gone down. There was a beautiful moon and so before we went in the house we walked through the yard to show Alona the pretty moon. Unknowingly, Alona dropped her monkey in the garden.

While going through the bedtime routine we couldn't find the monkey! Grandpa looked in the car, he looked through the house, he looked in her bags to no avail. We couldn't find the monkey.

Alona was becoming a little distressed, wanting her monkey for comfort.

So, we said a little prayer and retraced our steps since we had arrived home. Since I'm a better looker/searcher, Grandpa held Alona while I went outside. Walking through the yard, I kicked something but couldn't tell what it was because of the darkness. I fetched a flashlight and went back outside to find the monkey... blending in the darkness of the garden.

We were all so thankful we found the monkey and Alona was able to have a restful night's sleep!

A few years ago Alona learned about the gold plates and how difficult it was for prophets to engrave on the plates. She also learned a strange writing style. She and I exchanged a few letters using the strange characters.

We also exchanged notes wrting our words backwards. It has been fun to do and especailly for me to sometimes refer to her as her backeard name... Anola!

We love you AlonAnolA!

Thanks for being part of our family and thank you for all of your hugs and kisses!

My Dad!

My Dad, my Dad, my Dad, talking about my Dad!

My Dad!

Today my sweet Dad turns 80!

My Dad, GWB, is a depression baby.

He is also the 'baby' of the family.

GWB grew up in Ogden, Utah with his parents and siblings.

They lived on 12th Street and he attended Mound Fort Elementary School, Mound Fort Middle School and Ogden High School. His Uncle was the architect of Ogden High School.... a very cool building in it's time.

His parents were gardeners and grandpa worked for the railroad and was a tool and die maker.

GWB served an LDS mission to the Central States. Kentucky was his area.

After his mission he served in the Army during the Korean conflict. While stationed at Fort Ord, California, he met his future wife and my sweet Mom.

The story goes that while participating in Sacrament meeting, my Mom and her friend were a bit, shall we say, irreverent (noisy) and my Dad asked them to be quiet! After the meeting, he introduced himself and apologized for getting after her.

Upon completing his military service he moved his new little family, my Mom and oldest sister Jane, to Utah where they went about making a life for themselves.

Some of my cherished memories of my Dad........

The summer between 3rd and 4th grade, my Dad had to go on an extended TDY to Pennsylvania. Not wanting to be left home all summer with 6 children, my Mom arranged for all of us to join him. We stayed in Hershey, PA and it was awesome! That summer we travelled up and down the East Coast and traversed the Midwest to and from PA.

On our way to Pennsylvania, we took the southern route. While driving through New Mexico we made a pit stop. Because there weren't any facilities, my Dad ventured out into the wooded area. While 'out there' he found a tarantula and brought it back with him. That gargantuan spider lived in an empty peanut butter jar on the stove top of our trailer for a long time.

I hated that thing!

It was fuzzy, creepy and I really, really hated it.

Whenever it was my turn to clean the kitchen, I really loathed moving the bottle to wipe the counter/stove.

One morning we woke to a dead spider.

Hallelujah!

We think it must have been cooked to death the previous day while my Mom was preparing something that required a higher temperature.

When in 5th grade, I attended a maturation seminar with my other female classmates. During the seminar we received booklets with 'the drawings'. One day as I headed down the hall from my bedroom, there was my Dad on the stairs (the stairs I wanted to ascend) reading my booklet. I was horrified! So horrified I made a beeline to the bathroom and stayed there until he left. I was so, so embarrassed. What was he thinking reading a girls book with illustrations of fallopian tubes, et al? Really!

As a little girl with two older sisters, we had lots of Barbies. One year leading up to Christmas, my Dad worked in his shop every night. Whatever he was working on was so top secret, we had to kiss him goodnight with his head sticking out from the door of his shop. We were under strict orders to 'KEEP OUT'.

Christmas morning, we had the coolest Barbie Dollhouse with furniture and everything. My sweet Dad and my sweet Grandpa collaborated to make us a doll house with all the trimmings. Dad made the house and Grandpa made the furniture... Dining room tables and chairs, sofas, end tables, beds, closets, everything a Barbie could need. Of course I didn't know until years later it was a Father Son collaboration. I thought Santa and his elves made the wonderful Barbie Pad!

When you grow-up in a home with five siblings, one on one time with Dad is rare. Especially when he worked two jobs. Well, at the ripe old age of 24 I required oral surgery. At that time I was living in Seattle, alone. I was also new to the area and didn't really know anyone I felt comfortable calling on to help me when I had the surgery. So my Dad flew from Battle Creek, Michigan, where he and my Mom were living, to take care of me. He came for a week!

As I drove to the airport to pick-up my Dad I remember having a moment of panic. I was nervous about what we would do with each other for a whole week... just the two of us. It had never happened before.

We had an amazing time!

Seattle was the first place I lived on my own. Because of that, I wasn't fully equipped with household goods. Dad went shopping with me to insure I bought the right type of box spring and mattress. He helped me arrange my furniture, went sight seeing with me to the Space Needle, Pikes Place Market and other fun downtown haunts and he cared for me post surgery.

Interestingly, because he didn't live in the area, and wasn't familiar with it either, I drove to the surgeon's office. Still woozy from sedation, my Dad had to drive me home... I slept the entire way home (about 30 minutes drive time). Later that day when I woke and felt somewhat normal I wondered how my Dad knew to find his way back to my apartment. He told me that every time he needed to make a turn I would sit up and direct him, then lay back down until the next turn. I had no recollection of the drive home. Our spirits are amazing, aren't they?

Those are just a few of the many memories I have of my wonderful Dad.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Thank you for giving me such an amazing life filled with love and support. I'll love you forever!

March Madness - Part Two

It has always been something I've felt bad about, our children having to split their time between so many parents, in-laws and grandparents. It is especially challenging for them during holidays and after they marry... and in Laura's case, when she comes home for a visit.

However, I try to adopt Laura's attitude about this aspect of their lives.... 'It's more people to love me and especially my children!'

True to form, and her ever conscientious self, Laura Michelle did an amazing job dividing her time in Utah between all of Kellie and Delia's grandparents.

It is hardest on her, driving hither and yon, packing, unpacking, adapting to varied personal preferences and habits at each home, yet always sharing her sweet daughters with us, affording us the opportunity to make memories together.

After spending a week with her Mom, Laura headed back our way to spend time with Brian's Mom, Lori. Because Lori works during the day, Laura and the girls would come to our house sometimes and hang-out with us.

This extra time with them enabled me to enlist Laura's help preparing for the Fourth Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Because she and Brian lived in Alaska for 3+ years, this was her first opportunity to participate and I enlisted her help. Which meant it wasn't much of a surprise for her. :/

In retrospect, however, I think her enthusiasm pushed me to do more than I had in years past. In the end, she was a huge help and we had fun!

During one of our jaunts to the store, on March 17th, I made the observation that Miss Kellie was wearing green, which was good because the Leprechauns wouldn't pinch her, they would kiss her instead.

Being the literal girl that she is... this was a big mistake, on my part! She stopped dead in her tracks, waving her little hand back and forth saying... "No, Grammie, I don't want them to kiss me."

"Oh, I don't think you need to worry. It's getting late and I think they probably left Utah", I replied.

"Where are they going, Grammie?", she asked.

"Well, I think they're on their way to Colorado." Another big mistake on my part.

"No, no, no, Grammie, I don't want them to go see my Daddy."

"Well, I don't think they'll be able to get on base, so we don't need to worry about Daddy. He'll be safe", I tried reassuring her.

After two phone calls to the Leprechauns and a few worrisome conversations (Kellie was the worried one) we determined the Leprechauns were no longer in Utah, nor were they in Colorado Springs.

In reality, they were on their way back to Ireland, where they live, and would stay until next year.

What were they doing, you ask?

Why, riding rainbows, of course!

As well as looking for more pots of gold.

One day we just stayed at our house, enjoying each others company.

Grandpa was working on a project with a looming deadline.

He listens to music when he colors. It's too distracting when drawing and working on layouts and such. But when he colors, out comes the boombox, up goes the volume and out comes the tunes.

Grandpa also likes to sing along. Or whistle.

One day, as we played and visited in the family room, Grandpa was downstairs coloring and listening to the Beach Boys.

Little Miss Delia's little rhythm kicked in and her arms and legs started moving to the beat.

This is a short clip of Mama, Kellie and Delia dancing with Grandpa.

Oh, disappointment..... the full clip didn't load. I'll see if I can fix it, soon.


We were also able to squeeze in a trip to the Delta Center... (I mean Energy Solutions Arena) for Disney on Ice.

Although this was billed as a Princess show, not all of the princess took to the ice.

Was Kellie disappointed? Not in the least.

She was so taken with all of the 'princesses' she saw walking about the arena (the other little patrons attending the show) that we didn't know if we'd make it to our seats in time. She recognized the trappings of every 'princess' we passed.

Sometimes it's hard to gauge how different things are being received by little ones.

A few years ago we had the opportunity to take Alona and Abbi to the Circus, at the same arena. They are such quiet, laid back, little girls (much like their parents), they sat so very quietly through the event. We worried they might not be enjoying themselves.

Silly me!

We all had a great time and they remembered much of what they saw, months and months later.

Is Kellie hard to read? Mmmm, not so much!

The first few times she saw other little girls dressed in their princess attire I thought she would suck all of the air out of Salt Lake City.

HUGE Gaaaasp. Mama, there's Snow White!

Another HUGE Gaaaasp. Mama, there's Cinderella!

During intermission we hiked up the steps to the concession level in search of the Ladies Room. The seats were scattered with every type, shape and size of princesses you can imagine. Almost at the top, Kellie spotted three little princesses with their Grandmother.

"Oh!" she said. "There's and old princess, too!

She was intrigued with the entire production, standing most of the time, swinging to the music and pointing out all of the people down on the ice. Even little Miss Delia enjoyed the show, her cute little arms and legs flapping and swinging to the beat of the music.

After the show, Laura headed to her Mom's so Kelly could look at her squeaky brakes and Grandpa and I met Steve & Ellen at the South Towne Expo Center for the Home Show.

Grandpa bought himself a Tech Tap Massager, which he loves and I bought a MoJo.

I love making memories with our grandchildren!


Coming Soon: March Madness - Part Three

"I'd Love To!"

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!"

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!

Mortified!

Proof reading is a necessary chore in this world of ours.

Personally, I get so frustrated when I've created a flyer, brochure, power point presentation, newsletter, blog post, etc... only to find a typo after publication! Argh! I even proof my own work.

One of my most embarrassing typos: Before the days of computers, I had to send a memo to a regional manager (working for Marriott Hotels and Resorts in Seattle, WA at the time). It was all about an imbalance in our inventory of men's dress shirts. Dutifully, I sent off the memo and filed away my copy for future reference. About a year later, as I was purging old files prior to being transferred to another hotel, I came across this memo. Words can not describe how mortified I felt, I'm telling you MORTIFIED, to see I had left the r out of shirt!

Mortified.

This past Saturday as I was cleaning and organizing the pantry cupboard I came across this.....My most favorite typo!


My sweet Mother printed this label for a bottle of Vanilla Sugar she gave to me. It prompts a smile each time I see it!

I'm still working on my March Memories Post....

Lovely February

Ah, February!


The month of Love!




February memories special to me include...

My Mutti passed away February 2, 2002. It is an understatement to say I miss her very much. I send hugs and kisses to heaven for her each day. Sometimes it seems like she's been gone longer than seven years. However, she has given me so many wonderful memories it sometimes seems like I can reach out and hug my beloved Mutti.

Elsie Jean Wilson Blakeley, my Father's Mother was born February 2, 1900. My Grandma Blakeley was the only grandmother I knew. My Grandma Walp passed when I was very young and lived in California, so I didn't know her. Although Grandma Blakeley's first given name was Elsie, she preferred to go by Jean. After all, she couldn't go by Elsie because there was a girl in her primary school named Elsie and she had head lice! Horrors!

Grandma Blakeley was very talented with handicrafts. She would make clothes for our dolls when I was a child. I remember she had a Barbie she would use as a model. Because she was just a model, Grandma's Barbie was in mint condition. I would often hold her Barbie and wish, wish, wish my Barbie was as beautiful. You see, Grandma's Barbie had never been to the *Beauty Salon* so her hair was still perfect. My Barbie had received numerous salon treatments at my novice hand, which meant her hair was, well, not beautiful. Oh how I longed to take Grandma's Barbie home with me.

Grandma also made a quilt for each one of her granddaughters to receive as a wedding gift. Being the late bloomer that I was in the marriage thing, I received my quilt upon her passing. I love it, especially it's imperfectness.

Grandma had a personal *rule* that you would receive a gift from her until you were 19 or married, which ever came first. In my early days I would receive doll clothes; pre-teen years capes knit at her hands (on her new knitting machine, actually); in my later teen years she would give me things for my hope chest... sets of sheets and the like. However one year, the last year I qualified, she gave me a 25lb. bag of sugar! That's right, sugar. I don't know what happened to that big bag of sugar. Hopefully Jane or Charmalee received it prior to our move to Michigan. They didn't go with us because they were married by then.

Grandma Blakeley raised African Violets; her laundry facilities were in her bathroom; she always had beautiful drapes in her homes. She was very particular about her drapes. Every child I know loves to go behind the drapes and hide. If we tried it at Grandma's house we were quickly told to come from behind the drapes and sit like a lady (or gentleman, if the case).

As a general rule, we visited Grandma and Grandpa Blakeley every Sunday (we lived in the same town). In our younger years, Grandma had boxes of dress-up clothes in her closet. The boxes were there for us to play with and play we did! Now that I'm a grandmother, I wish I had all of those wonderful hats, handbags, dresses and jewelry Grandma Blakeley saved for us.

Somehow, Grandma and Grandpa Blakeley would be at our house Christmas mornings waiting for us to wake up and see what Santa had left for us. I never could figure out how they knew that Santa had visited our house before we did!

Grandma Blakeley was a wonderful correspondent with me after Mom and Dad moved us to Michigan and then Germany. She and I exchanged many letters.

Grandma Blakeley had the softest hands of anyone I remember. My Dad is following in her footsteps... his hands are very soft now, too.

Ellen, Val's sister, was also born on February 2, in 1961. Ellen is a great sister-in-law. She is 4 years younger than Val and I. Although Ellen has had her share of challenges and trails in her life, she is a very happy, talented, kind, grateful lady!

The year Val and I were married Ellen was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I remember it well because it was my first Thanksgiving as a married woman and our year to spend the holiday with the Bagley family. Because Ellen was still in the hospital, Caren spent the day with Ellen. Honey met us at Chuck-a-Rama in Bountiful. He didn't want to stand in line and so he paid for our dinner and left. Val, the kids and I had dinner alone. Needless to say, it was a very 'flat' day for us although we were grateful Ellen survived her surgery.

We were also thankful for all of the other blessings we received in life. Like me... I was so grateful for the blessing of my sweet husband!

Ellen is a survivor. Not only did she survive brain surgery, she also survived chemotherapy, a divorce, the death of her second husband and the death of her youngest daughter, Kendra (Boo) Smith.

The Bagleys and the Hilles love getting together as often as possible. However, they live in south Salt Lake County and we live in north Davis County, so we don't get to see each other as often as we would like. When we do get together, we have wonderful times, laugh much and wish it happened more often.

Miss Abbigail Jean Bagley, one of my sweet granddaughters was born February 17, 2005. Abbi is petite like her Mommy and has beautiful blue eyes. She gives wonderful hugs, too. She has an older sister, Alona, and a younger brother, Kacen. Abbi also has a baby brother on his way... Jesse, debuting in June!

Learning is one of her favorite things to do. She also loves her baby dolls. A few weeks ago when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she told me very succinctly "I'm going to get a scooter and a Barbie for my birthday." Some of my favorite memories of Abbi include...


Almost weekly visits to her house in Magna when she was a toddler. Being shy and demure, it wasn't uncommon for Abbi to sit on her Mommy's lap and watch her sister interact and play with Grandpa and I. Alona loved to make houses with the sofa cushions and pillows and Grandpa would always help construct them. One evening they built a house with Alona inside. Abbi got down on the floor with us and I *knocked* on Alona's door. When Alona answered the knock Abbi was so excited and laughed. It was so fun to see the look on Abbi's face and hear her cute laugh!

When Abbi was learning to talk it wasn't uncommon for her to drop the first and sometimes second letter(s) of many words. It is also not uncommon for me to wear my reading glasses on my head so they are available when needed. One day while visiting them in Provo, Abbi asked me for my (gl)asses. That's right, the gl were silent that day! Heather was out of the room when this request was uttered by Miss Abbigail and so when she returned I mentioned 'the incident'. Heather said something to the effect "Yeah, it's funny when she says castle, too!" Other words were cute too, including Ampa for Grandpa. Some words, you wish would stick! I love Miss Abbi!

Of course we can't forget Valentine's Day! My Valentine and I love to share cards and sometimes gifts on the day of Love. My favorite part is Val-entine kisses. My Valentine has such kissable lips!

As usual, Val does an awesome job decorating for the holiday, too!

My sister Barbara and her man Greg (he's some good eye candy, for sure!) usually come to Utah (from San Diego, CA) each year in February, the Tuesday after President's Day. They enjoy a week of skiing, snowmobiling and visiting friends and family. I always look forward to seeing her during this annual pilgrimage. Can't wait to see them this year.

Well, that's it for another Bagley Brief... that isn't brief. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cure for Cabin Fever

Yesterday was a beautiful, bittersweet day.

The second day of February is the anniversary of my sweet Mother's passing.

Charmalee Jane Walp Blakeley was born November 12, 1931. At the age of 71 she passed away and left a hole in my heart.


Gertie, my sister, treated my Dad and I to lunch at Jeremiah's, in Ogden. After lunch we took advantage of the beautiful winter sunshine and went for a drive!

We drove through the former Defense Depot Ogden so Dad could see the changes that have occurred there. DDO is where he officed when he worked in Utah in the 70s. The once government installation has since been privatized and many new office buildings have been built. Dad hasn't been there since DDO changed hands, so it was a nice drive-by for him.

After driving through DDO we headed eastward and upward!

We drove up 12th Street, the street where Dad grew up. The location of his former home is now a florist shop. Which, when you think about it, is a fitting replacement for the land. My grandparents were gardeners, nurserymen and florists! My Dad has been a fine gardener and operated a landscaping business during my formative years.

Continuing east on 12th Street evoked many memories for Dad, Gertie and I. Uncle Eric's stately English Tudor home is no longer 'up the street' from Dad's childhood home. The road is much wider (5 lanes) and there is commerce aplenty.

We continued up the canyon to the beautiful Ogden Valley. On the way, passing this beautiful waterfall (although in the spirit of full disclosure, I took this photo on our way back down the canyon!) Of course this photo doesn't capture the true, natural beauty and thunderous sounds of this waterfall. Water falls from the middle and the outer sections, both sides, are ice formations.

Driving up the winding canyon inspired many memories... Grey Wolf Lodge, The Hermitage (which I learned my Grandmother Blakeley's family operated prior to a destroying fire), the ATK Conference Center (I wanted to live there when I was a child), Wheeler Canyon where my Dad would end his ski days in his youth, and Gertie looked for the wicked witch's home; and then the beautiful valley and Pineview Reservoir!

After a pit stop at a local Maverik, we headed up to Powder Mountain!

My affinity for Powder Mountain, a ski resort, is multi-layered.

The original owner and developer of Powder Mountain was the same man who delivered me! Dr. Cobabe (I'll have to look-up his first name) and his family owned the land for many years and went on to develop the ski resort.

Our family had annual family passes at Powder Mountain the first years of operation until we moved away from Utah... for about 4 years.

My older sisters, Jane and Charmalee, and I worked there for a few seasons.

My sister Jane and her little family lived there for a few seasons.

As a family, we were stranded at Powder Mountain one winter weekend because of an avalanche. We had to spend two nights along with about 12 other people. The day after the avalanche we were able to dig out the chair lift and ski to our hearts content that day. Imagine skiing unfettered with only 21 other people to share the entire mountain with. I remember the quiet beauty of the day. The day after our exclusive ski day we walked out and over the mound of snow that had us stranded in a winter Eden. I don't remember how we got our cars back but we did!

Our parents allowed us one day each year that we could skip school and go skiing. One year Charmalee and I and two friends *borrowed* my Dad's old Chevy truck and headed to Powder Mountain for skiing. Of course Charmalee was driving because I didn't know how to drive a stick shift. Well, we should have stopped while we were ahead. As we were getting on the freeway, via the Roy on ramp, one of the doors popped open. Undaunted, we forged ahead. The next incident was when I twisted my knee on my forced last run, only 50 yards from the lodge. Poor me! With the day winding down, we gathered up our belongings and headed down the canyon for home. Now, if you've ever been to Powder Mountain you know how steep and winding the canyon is, making it a tricky drive. Well, as we were headed down the canyon Charmalee was rounding a curve and the next thing I knew we were careening out of control and rolled. When the truck stopped, the truck was on it's side but we were all alive relatively whole. Of course, having 4 people in the cab of a truck didn't leave much room for us to be jostled about and incur more injuries. To add to the gloom of the accident, I'll never forget my parents walking in the emergency room doors of McKay Dee hospital. They had come to collect us, Dad walking very slowly and stooped over... He was recovering from a very recent surgery....I felt so bad!

See what I mean... multi layers!

This photo was taken from the top of the ridge near the upper lodge, looking to the southwest. Gertie and I hopped out of the car to take some photos while Dad stayed inside, enjoying the breathtaking views laced with a lifetime of memories.

I couldn't help but think about my Mom at that specific moment... On those days she and I would be out and about running errands and shopping, she would opt to stay in the car too. "Just park me in the sunshine" she would say as she snuggled into her seat basking in the sun rays! I wish I could sit in the sun rays with her on these beautiful winter days!

After our trek up to the mountain we drove back down and continued our drive through the valley, headed to the Trappist Monastery to buy some local honey. Gertie and I visited with the attending Monk for a few minutes. He has been at the monastery since it opened in 1947. He looks to be about the same age as Dad, maybe a bit older. Interestingly, he is from Kentucky and came to Utah in 1947 to pledge his life to God. In 1949, Dad went to Kentucky to serve God and his countrymen as a Mormon Missionary!

After the stop at the monastery we headed home.

It was a wonderful way to spend the day with my sweet Dad and Gertie, recalling memories of my youth and feeling very grateful for my parents and family!

Sleepovers and Sisters

On our way home from Ogden, Grandpa and Kacen sat next to each other in the car and enjoyed each others company, lots! Sometimes I would here Kacen say "Again" repeatedly and then at other times he could be heard saying "Don't Grandpa."

That Grandpa, he can be silly and fun and pesky all at the same time. Controlling the movements of Kacen's hands, Grandpa and Kacen would do 'Cheers'. You know... Rah, Rah, Shish Boom Bah... Gooooo Kacen! Which would garner an "Again".

"Don't Grandpa" could be heard when Grandpa was playing with Kacen's ears and neck. It's no fun when getting tickled against your will!


If you've seen the movie White Christmas, with Bing Crosby, you may recall the song Sisters. Well, I've been chuckling and thinking of that song ever since we had our sleepover, in December after going to see the Ogden City Lights!

Paul had to go home after our trip to Ogden, that darn homework, and so Heather and the children spent the night. Alona, Abbi and Kacen slept on the floor in Grandpa's dressing, exercise room. While trying to get them settled in I found a CD of beautiful Christmas songs which were performed with flutes. Knowing it has relaxing qualities, I turned it on and turned off the lights. A bit later I could here voices coming from the room so I peeked inside. Abbi was chatting away. I asked if they would prefer the door open or closed? Naturally, I received different replies from the sisters. Alona then let me know "Abbi always wants the door closed and I always want it open." So, I left it open a little. Even later on I walked past thier room and still heard a sweet, angelic voice and peeked my head in again. Alona saw me and said. "I always want to go to sleep but Abbi always keeps talking and talking." I couldn't help but smile.

Sharing a room with a chatty sister reminds me of my childhood years sharing a room with TWO sisters. Two sisters with white mice, cat skulls, perfectly dyed Easter Eggs - yellow, it looked really pretty perched on the soda bottle. It just became very smelly, over time. And a clock radio set to wake us on the loudest setting!

Man! I didn't have to get up as early as my two older sisters, yet that volume didn't seem to phase them. After burying my head under my pillow, tossing and turning, trying, with futility, to go back to sleep, it was usually me who got out of bed to turn down or turn OFF the clock radio while my sisters snoozed away!

The white mice were extra creepy to share a room with because they knew how to escape from their cage. I had the hardest time going to sleep while they were in residence. Never knowing if a mouse would make it's way to my warm bed, or nibble on my feet was more than this lily liver could handle.

Sisters, Sisters.
There were never such devoted sisters.
Caring, Sharing.
All kinds of weather, we stick together.

After chatting and music, the little ones finally nodded off to sleep. The next morning we went to our ward Christmas party.... more on that later!