March, You Did Well!

Hey, Rascal. She follows me everywhere lately. My best kitty friend. She's so alert in the garden, checking everything out.

It's sad to say goodbye to March tonight. Not that I don't love April; I really do! It's just that March meant Spring, and it was such a beautiful March this year! Some snow, some rain, some sun, and the garden is starting to come alive. The grass is green. The Forsythia is in bright bloom.

My little Japanese Maple tree has tiny delicate buds, and so does my Burning Bush. Little white flowers popped out of my ground cover. 

Today was the warmest day of the year yet here in Utah. It's glorious! I'm alive!! Excited for April's adventures.

Spring Celebration

It was so nice of Mom and Dad to invite us over for a Spring Celebration today, on this first day of spring! And to top it off ... Sue, Kent, and Conor decided to come for a visit, too! Really sorry that Conor's arm is still in a cast. Hang in there tall guy ... this too shall pass. You are one tough kid!

And get this ... Mom KNITS!

Way to go, Mom! Socks and a scarf! I'm so proud of you! Thanks for a wonderful dinner and good times, Mom and Dad! Love you!

Taking It Up A Notch

Momentous day for me, and a lucky one too. Which is fitting because it's St. Paddy's. My lense was delivered a day early. Oh, how I love coming home to a brown box just waiting to be opened. And this was the piece that made my camera come alive! I've had the camera body since January. So yes, I've been very patient! Now I've officially made the switch from point-and-shoot to DSLR.

Rascal was actually my first photo subject. Fitting, because she always likes to be front and center. She's always in the right place at the right time. The flash went off when I took the shot (and I was hoping for natural light), but no matter. I told myself I'd blog it. (So much to learn about this camera.)

That is definitely a look of satisfaction, Rascal.

Rob wasn't nearly as willing, but I caught him anyway.

There's always a knitting project to photograph...

And another cat...

Oh, Simba. You ARE the lion king.

By then, I'd run out of natural light.

Hope you had a lucky St. Paddy's too!

Praying for . . .

the people of Japan who were hit by the earthquake and tsunami this morning. So very, very sorry for the lives lost and the horrible destruction. Remembering how special the people are and how beautiful the country is...

It's a Fine Day Today!

Congratulations, Burd! It was a really big day for you! You successfully presented and defended your thesis! I heard about it from Holly, and she should know, because she was there for your presentation! It's the final countdown before you are awarded your master's degree! I am so extremely proud of you! I know that this was many months in the making and a lot of really hard work!

A week or so ago, I got a big envelope in the mail with Holly Barker's name on the front. It was her official bachelor's degree! Congratulations to Holly! I'm so proud of you, for completing your degree! Last May, we watched you in the graduation ceremony at Utah State. AND, I believe you were a newly engaged girl, wearing the ring Burd gave you for just the second day!

So, today, on this fine day, when I congratulate Burd for doing so well defending his thesis, I also look back at your graduation ceremony. I'm so proud of both of you!

Seven Months Later and I'm Hopelessly Behind in Blogging

Time has been so good to me in these past 7 months. There has been so much to blog about, including:

• The days with family leading up to Holly's wedding.
• The beautiful fall and my hikes up the mountain that was on fire with color again this year.
• A trip to Georgia with April for Asher's 4th birthday and Halloween.
• The frightful destruction of the Flagstaff tornado, which I saw firsthand.
• A Thanksgiving filled with love and family.
• A delightful Christmas.
• Flagstaff in January with Alexis as the star.

I have a newfound interest in blogging about my family, my most prized blessing in my life. I know I can never get caught up. But I'd like to share some pictures at random of some of the highlights, in no particular order. Enjoy!

We baked SO MANY cookies for the wedding. Over 1300, if you really want to know. Well, that's how many made it to the wedding, anyway.

Here's Holly just before we left to have her bridal pictures taken. Makeup and hair - check. Jewelry - check. Dress in the back seat - check. Just before I left from work to pick up Holly, she called and asked me if we should have a bouquet for the photos. Of course we should! But this was the first it had occurred to us. So I stopped at my favorite store, Smith's Marketplace, on the way home and picked up the most beautiful orange sunflowers and green kermits ever. Danielle and I fashioned a bouquet quick as we could, and Holls and I were off to the International Peace Gardens in SLC to meet the photographer.

We had some fun with my camera while we waited for the photographer. How about those flowers?!

Not long after Becky arrived for the wedding, we ended up at the ER with Asher (at about midnight!). He'd fallen on something down in the basement and gashed the back of his head. He was very proud of his staple (instead of stitches) and very brave while the doctor took care of him.

We had a fabulous time with Becky and Asher! Asher lights up the world with his smile!

Holly's new sisters-in-law and mom-in-law threw her a bridal shower. The garden gnome gift was much anticipated and appreciated (truly)!

Here's is her Grandma Stevens' contribution to the fun. She had fun decorating Holly!

Holly and her new family!

A trip to Utah wouldn't be right without a visit to Lagoon. Ollie and Asher had the Best Day Ever!

Now, let's go back even futher to last Memorial Day. Sue, Conor (and friend), and I ended up camping (yes, in a tent) in Moab. And climbing to Arches!

And WE had the Best Time Ever!

Back to Becky and Asher's visit for the wedding. Along with Lagoon, no trip would be complete without a hike up the Elephant Rock Trail! And some fun in the river water!

Great times, indeed!

And then along came Robbie's birthday in December. The big 23!

Is that a My Little Pony card I see?!

Next, Mom and I at the Festival of Trees...



Such a little car! I'd love to take it for a spin!

And now, Christmas.

The Robot in the back is a present from Holly to Burd. Actually, a "few" presents, disguised as a robot!

Everyone was so generous. It was a very merry Christmas!

Next, here are some pictures from Alexis' Baptism Party in Flagstaff!

And last, but not least, some choice pictures from Spain.