James loving sprite

Mexican Extreme Vacation

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We went on a cruise to the Mexican Riveria and went on this extreme excursion where you rode the mule up the mountain then ziplined and propeled down several areas of fun. I couldn't believe I was doing it. I am very glad I had been working out in gym for the last several months to have the stamina to endure. It was a lot of fun and beautiful. I can see why they called it extreme. You had to use your hands on zipline to stop not the zipline I was use to in Park City. That is a baby compared to these. Then when they told me to jump off the cliff and propel into the waterfall I thought I was going to stay on that platform for ever till the guide gave me a push and told me to keep my feet straight out and walk down the rocks. Never let legs not be stiff they said. I did one time and smashed into side of rock wall. John thought it was a great adventure as well. He said they would never allow something that extreme in the USA we relaxed in the hot tub that night then went swimming in ocean the next day. WE love to take the Cruises because they have so much entertainment and activities and lots of good food. They are also a cheaper way to explore a new country. Who knows what is next......

Happy Birthday Wendy

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I don't coment enough on how blessed we were to get a daughter as sweet as ours. She is my best friend and loving daughter. She has been a joy ever since she was born. We always do things together even when she was growing up we would go shopping, to the movies,amusement parks, (she loves roller coasters) and lots of fun things. She learned how to ski,ice skate,play piano and bells, Baton, Black belt in karate,swim,girlscouts,play baseball, All the things I never got to do growing up because my parents worked all the time but taught us the principle of hard work as well as to Wendy and Jason. Now that she is grown and has 3 beautiful kids and a loving husband I am so proud of how good and kind she is to all. She is always helping people in her ward and the wards she was in. When we joined the church she would be the one to drive at 5:30 am to seminary and pick up all the kids along the way that needed a ride, She also stayed strong and was able to stay faithful in the church with a few bumps on the way but was able to get her young women medalion and be married in the temple. She did baton twirling and karate and recieved many trophies for them. She also swam in high school and was good at it except for the butterfly event which she looked like a broken frog.(lol) Come on now I have to be mom. Wendy is our firstborn she has a brother named Jason whom we love very much as well but he has had to learn the hard way how to live life. Those of us who are lucky to have children are very blessed and then when the grandchildren come are rewarded for all the hard work of raising kids.

Night time snow mobiling and who knows what you will find

We love to go later in day so you come down from the mountains at night and the towns down below look like diamonds. Also scares the crap out of me because you don't know what is in the woods. Cougar moose bear elk(they are all there) but when John found an open field a weird bird that looked like a big dove with a spikey hair do, came out and hit him hard on his helmet he didn't know what it was at first and when he caught up to me. The bird was following him down the hill. We stopped to watch it for a few minutes and I gave it a granola bar. I felt like we were bonding with this strange bird it was night time and you don't see birds out at night. I wanted to take it home. Was a very strange thing to see. I felt sorry to leave it up in the mts at night in all the snow. Then he wanted to venture down this long route downhill in the DARK, I like a nut, went with him, partly cause I didnt want to be left up top for a while by myself and the slope was so steep my sled went sideways down it. Once we went down which was several miles it came out to golf course. I told him how in the heck was I going to get back up (noticing lots of animal tracks on way down) and he said I could wait down there for a while and he would go back up and then around to get the truck. Thinking I would be there for probably an hour in the cold dark, I decided to floor the machine and make it back up to the top with him behind me in case I fell off. After getting back on track I realized it was way cool and also that you should always stay on the right track....

Christmas Cottages

Every year they have the cottages for the children. It is such a great thing to see how creative the gingerbread houses can be. They are made by families, churches, jails and local businesses. Some have lights inside that you can see the detail they have put inside them like christmas trees, fireplaces, animals, real like stuff which is really neat. Our Tyler and Abby each entered one to donate. I think maybe Santa's helpers put a bid in on them(shhh) They did a family home evening project and get to put a manger together with each service act they do. They were so cute when they were showing me their houses and very proud of them. All the proceeds go to help the children's justice center.

November memories

November fishing
Ready to ride the train

We love Poppa John and glad he had a birthday

Our funny Poppa John

This has been an unbelievable fall this year. We have still been fishing and four wheeling Which by now we have lots of snow in the mountains. We celebrated John's birthday, Rode the polar express with Tyler and Abby, Grandma is busy with the Polar express and tons of bell rehersals to get ready for christmas. Had a great Thanksgiving with Connie and Richard, Our son-in-law Gary's parents which feel like our family so does his sisters and brother and their families, Our littlest grandson finally decided to crawl so he could catch up with big bro. and sis. Like to try to keep up with this blog which at times can be hard but it is like a journal of life that we are trying to do even though it passes by so quickly. Bring on Christmas, with all the train rides, bell concerts and fun............

GRATITUDE

I am giving a talk this sunday on Gratitude. I have been thinking of all the things we have to be grateful for. The first thing that came to mind is my Heavenly father and then I thought about my husband that has been my best friend since I was 14. Then I thought about my daughter who I have always come to for advice or problems and could not ask for a more wonderful girl. She has always been a delight even through those teen years when they can be most challenging she has always been an inspiration to me. I don't think I have ever let her know how grateful I am for her. Then I think of my son (he has given me more chanllenges than anyone will ever know and has made me strong through all his learning of lessons)but has a very kind heart and you can't help but love him. The three beautiful nieces of mine that also feel like my kids and how proud I am of them and their little ones and families. Then I think of my son in law and my 3 beautiful grand kids who love me as much as I love them. My parents. I talk to my mom just about every day. Then I think of all the friends I have had in my life that are like angels in disguise not only back in Maryland but here as well. I truly adore my friends and family. The beauty of the sunrise, The night sky lit up with the beautiful stars and moon. The simple things are the ones you remember the most. My grandkids kisses, The ice that crystalizes on the evergreen trees. Seeing a baby smile, A rainbow, a flower bloom or an animal that you didn't expect to see. Heavenly father gave us all kinds of things to admire and for that and for you I am grateful.