California Dreamin'....

You know how it feels when you can't visualize someone

you love? When you don't know where they are?

Or as Minie says, "When I don't know how to find you."

That's how I felt about Paige until this last week

when I made a trip out to see her in her new home and

to help her with a few home improvement projects.

Granny and I left on Sunday, arrived on Monday,

and Paige and I dug in on Tuesday.

She had some very ambitious ideas for her new home.

Her new home was completely white and she was ready to

give it some serious character.

Little Mr. Brig was a very big help as you can see!

Is he cute or what???

Granny Billie found a chair and an afghan and was

content to watch baseball and our project progress.

Did I mention that Brig LOVES Granny Billie?

He smiles from ear to ear whenever she speaks to him...

much to her complete delight!

As you can see from our "prep" work, there was a lot to do.

Paige had a vision!

The project took us all week and it wasn't even complete

when we left on Saturday, but it's going to be fabulous.

By about 3/4 of the way through, Paige was ready to abandon

her "vision" and start over. But when I left she was stepping back

a bit and liking it more. When she gets it all put together it will

be amazing!

Other events of the week included dinner with Bryce, Lisa,

Miranda and Asher two evenings in a row, a very LONG evening

in the emergency room with Granny (kidney infection), and

a lovely drive through Guernville to the beach.

Nothing soothes the soul like a little time by the

ocean. Granny was nervous the whole drive and

didn't want to get out by the sea, but she hung out

in the car while we enjoyed a little time together.

Did I mention that Miranda has grown into this

beautiful young woman? Breath taking.....really!

Brig loved the ocean....I have a feeling he and his

Mommy may be spending a lot of time there.

The best part was just being with some of my most

favorite people in the world! It doesn't matter what

we are doing....work or play....it's all fun to me.

Just seeing this guy was worth the 24 hours of driving!
Thanks for a great visit. I love your home and
most of all I love you!!

And Asher somehow became the "Karate Kid"

and has found his niche in the world.

His goal: black belt by age 12.

No doubt he will make it!

And it turns out, Bryce is Lance Armstrong!

Boy these Californians make you feel like a sloth.

With the exception of the ER visit and

Paige's temporary decorating melt-down,

it was a fantastic visit and I

hope to be able to return VERY soon.

I love you, my California kids!!

I miss you already....:(

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Canyon Outing Part III

Noticably absent from our canyon outings this summer

have been Brad, Vanessa and the Girls. Due to the fact

that he is traveling SOOO much with his job, he hasn't

been able to join us either because he isn't in town or when he

is, his time is planned in other ways. So we were THRILLED

when he was in town last week and suggested we all try

a canyon outing one more time!!

The regular six local adorables were there...of course!!


And bless her heart, Granny Billie ventured out with
us once again! She's pretty much go along to get along.

The soon-to-be parents have become regulars as well

and we are so lucky they choose to join in.

Greta has made great strides in her development

this summer and the canyon outings have had

a small hand in that! Way to go, Gretsie!!!

Papa Mike wasn't about to miss out on this

outing...he regretted missing the last one,

after the fact!!

And of course, we had Brookie-D and the

"fire master" with us!

Minie and Gabi are the best of buds....

I call them my strawberry and milk chocolate girls!

And then there is gorgeous Bella...'nuf said!!

Pop-tart has developed an aversion for the camera so

you have to try to catch her unawares...and not always

too successfully. Her Mom is much better at it than I!

But NOT this one...she loves the camera!

All in all, we had a fabulous time.

Perhaps there is yet another canyon outing

in our future before the season ends.

Sure hope so!!

Summertime 2010

It is really hard to believe that it is already August.

The summer is flying by....

here are a few excerpts from what we have been doing.

We made our trek to the annual Bee's game.

Robyn, Bob and Co. were all in town so they joined us,

as well as Brooke and Dustin, Inc. and Granny Billie.

Adorable Mr. Sully had his first Bee's adventure

and I must say...he was PERFECT!!

Abe's money was burning a hole in his pocket so he

immediately made his way to the gift shop to

purchase a miniature Bee's bat.

Gwynn and Minie were just busy being

beautiful....as always!!

And I was mostly just enjoying the company....

these littles are always my favorite group to do

ANYTHING with!!

Granny Billie was busy monitoring all the

grandkids comings and goings.

Bob was a good sport and sat by her to

keep the conversation going....which is no small task

when she has such a hard time hearing. I really think

she had a lot more fun than her expression would

indicate. So LOVES herself a little baseball!!!

And Mike....well, he looks like he was having

a lot more fun than he was. Mike and baseball...

not so much! But he was a good sport as well.

The highlight of the game for the kids is the

Bee's mascot and they got to get up close and personal

with him!

The "Bee" was all that Poppy could talk about but

when he got right next to her she changed her tune!

Everybody got his autograph!

\ The night ended with a fantastic fireworks display

that some of the kids enjoyed more than others.

All in all, it was a great evening!

The next day being July 24th and a holiday in Utah....

we found our way up to Park City to enjoy some of

the summer activities there. Let's just say it

wasn't an original idea. But the group persevered

and waited out the long line for the Alpine Slide.

A good snow cone can make any wait bearable.

I was busy taking pictures with Robyn's camera

so I missed the actual ride...but I think it was

worth the wait.

Little Miss Poppy Louise has her own

way of passing the time while she waits.

Later we made our way to Main Street to find

a little lunch and the Lamoreaux group

found this little moose quite charming.

Bob headed back to St. George to work and Robyn and

the gang stayed the week. It was a nice

diversion for all concerned.

There was a little bit of Yahtzee playing going on.

There was a lot of water playing and a

day with Sidewinder Falls.

Robyn is kind of the Pied Piper and friends

and family seem to flock around when

she is in town!

We even had another canyon excursion

and refused to be deterred by a little rain.

Granny Billie was freezing but wasn't about to be

left out of the fun.

And adorable Mr. Sully had his first canyon outing

and once again...was PERFECT!!!

It's kind of a recurring them with this little guy!

Hot dogs, s'mores, 7-layer dip, Dutch oven stew and

Dutch oven chocolate spice cake. Yummmy!

A great campfire and a little "Alice the Camel". It was

a great night! So there you have it.

That's SOME of what has been going on this summer.

Stay tuned...it's NOT over yet!

Summer....we love you! XOXO