Oh the weather outside.....

I got up this morning and got ready for work -- when I flipped the porch light on....guess what I saw? Yep! The first snowfall of the year! As soon as the light went on, Bella and Zeke charged the door trying to get in where it was warm and dry. I had to call Dad downstairs to hold them at the door while I snapped the picture..poor babies! We gave them bacon and sausage, so I think they were okay.

I just put this picture on so you could see this year's snowfall as compared to last year's. However much there is, it is really nice to go out in the dark and scrape the snow from the windows and hear.....nothing......! Just calm! Beautiful, beautiful Woodland!

One Night Only....One More Night!!!

Billie Jo and the girls finally were able to attend "One Night Only" for the final performance at the Sandy Ampitheater....they are anxious for the show to begin. Poor Tim - had to stay home as they think he may have a kidney stone. Mia stayed home with Daddy and it was probably better so that she didn't get up on the stage to dance by herself!

Rob CHOOSE to attend the show again, not a good picture, however, but he does love watching Giselle and going out to dinner. We ate shrimp at the Parrot Head this time.

Billie Jo really didn't want to bring Tess because she said she would get sleepy. I insisted that she was big enough to sit up and watch. Around 9:30, she just needed to sleep and couldn't wake up for pictures. What a cutie pa...tootie!

Noah was trying to be as romantic with Giselle as Arireh was in their solo. I think his was a little more sincere and believeable!

The dancing sisters havin' a good time after the show. The show really was incredible at the ampitheater...with a multi-level stage, huge crowd, moe' better lights and all, it just improved the ambience of the evening so much.

A Few More "One Night Only" shots....

One Night Only.....Rob's 41st!

We had "One Night Only" to celebrate Rob's 41st birthday! Not really......we actually celelbrated twice -- on Sunday, Tim and Billie Jo hosted him to Sunday dinner and Noah and Giselle did a great "heavy, heavy hangover." Last night we went to see the show Giselle has been working on since April. It was fabulous!!! She is awesome and the show is jam-packed with excitement and unbelieveable dancing! Dad, Aunt Jo, Rob and I all went to Panda Express for a little dinner prioir to the show and then cheered loudly for our little Giselle throughout the show. I'm sorry the pictures don't do justice to her or the show, but I was sitting 30 feet away in a dark theater and I've never mastered clicking ahead enough to catch the move I want! You can get a little taste of the show -- I wish it were possible for everyone to be there on Friday night at the Sandy ampitheater to see it for yourself. We did have a great time - however, and Rob thoroughly enjoyed himself! Happy Birthday Rob!

Life is a Highway....

This is a meloncholy post....I've been trying to get a little housework done and basically all I can do is reflect.....I am at a loss and can't go forward -- mostly because I don't know if I can or want to. I know, usually I am a happy, positive person, but this trip I am on right now has been filled with times I've run out of gas, bumpy roads and dead ends. As you look at these pictures of Grandma and Grandpa, I want you to think about the road trip each of you has had with them -- and the happy times and the lessons they have taught you. This whole thing makes me think about the book...Love You Forever....and that is the time it is for me...time to take care of my parents and give back to them the love and care they have always given me. They both have had their shares of uphill climbs in the last 18 months. Sometimes we get a little downhill coast for a few miles, but then it seems like it's more trying to climb the hill. For the last month, they both have had RADS and haven't been able to bounce back. Mom has had to have two different transfusions to deal with the myleodysplasia, both times receiving three units of blood. Between two cataract surgeries for Dad, the RADS with both of them, Mom's blood disorder and both of them being given right out - it's been a rough road. I always try to think positive and focus on getting back -- but maybe we can't go back. Maybe we don't know where the highway is leading us...and I don't know if I want to see.
Please, please..keep them in your prayers. Contact them and let them know you care. Do everything you can do, so you know you did your best for them. Make them happy to be your grandparents and don't get so busy you forget to let them know you care.

Tagged!

Jobs I've had - I worked as an aide at South Summit Elementary school shortly after Rob was born at the elementary school when it was down on Main Street (is anyone old enough to remember that?); I worked at a little store in Alpine, Wyoming cooking, serving, and cashiering; my first job after school was at a Law Office in Provo as a legal secretary; I worked at Utah State University at the Bureau of Research Service in the Education Department while Earl went to school at USU; as custodian at the Woodland Church; ran the Woodland Cash Store; worked at Park City Family Health front desk; Head Start at South Summit Elementary; kindergarden aide at South Summit Elementary; Drill Team coach; Distance Learning (Ed Net) Facilitator for South Summit High School; Facilitator for USU at Wasatch Campus

Places I love to go for a weekend - I love my kids to come home to me for the weekends, but if I went somewhere, I'd probably say some place peaceful, like Eden --
Favorite movies - Definitely WHITE CHRISTMAS, Pajama Game, or Strictly Ballroom!

Guilty pleasures - A few are my favorites -- Cooking and eating what I cook; gardening and ignoring the rest of the world; shopping - ALONE!; watching dancing!

Places I've lived - Alpine, Wyo.; Vernal; Logan; Columbus, GA; Ft. Carson, CO; very short stint in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and of course, my beloved Woodland!

First thing I thought when I saw Earl the first time - You know, I don't really remember, since our parents say we saw each other at baby clinic, but I do remember him on the kindergarten bus and thought he was a wild child because he dared lay across the seats on the bus while the bus went through the big dip! (Some things never change!!)

Places I've been on vacation - Mirror Lake; Zion's Canyon; Bryce Canyon; Glen Canyon Dam; Spokane, WA; Portland, OR; San Francisco, Sacrament, San Diego, Los Angeles, CA (Disneyland); Florida; Honalulu,Hawaii; Cancun, Merida, Puerto Morelas, Playa, Telum, Chitza Nitza, Vera Cruz, Puerto Vallarta, Ensanada, Rosarito, Algedones, Mexico; Victoria and Toronto, Canada; New York City; New Jersey (wow!)Nauvoo; Palmayra; Niagra Falls; Seattle, WA; every place on the

Favorite Food - I LOVE FOOD! but my favorite has to be a really good, juicy steak!

If in ia jam - too old to play games anymore -- I just go off and do my own thing now -- usually after making some snide remark.

Best first kiss landmark - Definitely with Earl!!! on the corner in Kamas where they are now building the new Zions Bank!

Places I'd rather be - HOME!

Who sent this to me - Anyone of you cute girls on any blog site who passed it on!

It's Round-up Time!

Could it really have been three and a half months since Allen was here with Dad and they had the "Shot and Ear Tag Day?" Those calvies are not babies anymore and had to have another set of shots today and a check-up from the vet to make sure they were all healthy to go to the "sale!" The first picture is the temporary "hotel" while away from home during the day. The second is all of the calves crying for their mommies -- not knowing why they have so thoughtlessly been removed from their normal routine. The next shot is funny because as soon as we opened the gate up at Andrea's, the calves jumped out of the trailer and went running down to.......when they realized they didn't know where they were, they turned around and jumped back into the trailer. Rob and Dad were at the Averett/McNeil/Fitzgerald "cattle round-up" until the calves had all received their shots and been tested by the vet. They brought the calves back home and they were able to find their moms and head back out to the comfort of the pasture.
Dad is hanging out at his new office! See how nice the inside is? It really is quite large and could be comfty if there was some tin on the roof! Don't you all agree? I think it should be his office and the place where he keeps his work clothes -- what's the vote?
There I am sitting in the wagon waiting for Dad to finish up his work so we can go on a ride. How long do you think I'll be waiting?

Not Too Much....

I don't have any new pictures to post, even though it seems like we were very busy over the weekend, so I guess I will just share words rather than leave an old, boring post up. Allen arrived around 3:00 am Thursday morning. Dad had an appointment with the cardiologist at 8:30, which he got a very good report back. The insurance company still denied him, even though the doctor says he looks good - they didn't even ask my opinion! Dad and Allen then met Joel and they played golf in Ogden and then went on up to Logan to cheer on the Aggies against UNLV! Despite the cheering, the old Ags lost, much to Dad and Allen's disappointment. The rest of our weekend was spent with Dad cutting hay, Allen fixing the lawn mower for Rob, watering Rick and Olivia's trees on Indian Crossing (view on Billie Jo's blog) and church. I met Giselle Saturday morning for a short time to try and buzz through Midway Swiss Days. The rest of the day was spent with my parents, taking them to Francis Frontier Days and the Draft Horse Pull (view on Laura's blog) and then to my delight, having the girls on Saturday night while Tim and Billie Jo attended Billie Jo's 15th year class reunion. We then spent Sunday worrying ourselves sick about Luke and the dentist. We did when Tess had hers taken care of, as well, but I called Rick and Olivia and told them if they had any reservations--not to have it done, as I still have to look back and blame myself for my Dad's problems earlier this spring and I didn't want to add one more bit of guilt to my burden. It was a fun weekend with family and friends. I missed the kids who were not here like crazy, but loved visiting with the ones who were. Chels....only 30ish days to go - or less! Giselle....only two more weeks to the show! Now.....on to the next week!