It's been quite

a few years since I've seen Gary on the sidelines of a football field.

In high school I could always spot him on the sidelines (from a long line of players) by his skinny calves and because he would always stand with his legs and feet crossed.   When I watched him at Snow College and Southern Utah State College, I could find him on the sidelines because of the same stance.   I don't think that's the reason he was nicknamed "crazy legs" in high school,  but it was always an identifying factor for me in the stands.

Later, as he was coaching at Provo High, I would still see him standing that way.   I didn't capture him doing that yesterday at Timpview's sophomore game (wearing the brimmed hat).

But for sure he still has the skinny calves (though you can't see them in this picture).   

 

Maybe I'm just jealous.  I would like his skinny calves, and he has always said he wished he had my more rounded (Anderson style) ones.        

It's a little monkey's

4th birthday today!

 

We did a trial run on Lucienne's

 monkey birthday cupcakes

while they were here.

 

 

And right this very minute in Oregon she is having her

 "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" 

birthday breakfast with her friends. 

I wish I could be there to see her excitement! 

 

While they were here, I thought every day that I needed to learn lessons from her.  As you can see by the expressions on her face, everything is a wonder and a reason to be happy.  She gets up in the morning excited about everything that is going on.  She says, probably 10 times a day, "I love you, Grandma."  Her love for life is infectious.  Yes, like I said, I'm trying to learn lessons from Luci.

 

We wish we were there to give you a real hug, Luci,
but this one will have to do.

Me, Annie, Grandpa and Luci having a group hug!



 

 

Wait a minute . . . that's not grandpa! 

Well, grandpa sends a hug, too.

 

 

We had a

bridal shower last night for Richard's granddaughter, Kylee.    It was at Charlene's house in Salt Lake and we had such a nice time.  Richard has been not only a grandfather, but also a surrogate father for Kylee for much of her life.  It was very sweet when he shared some of his fond memories of her as a little girl.   Some of the last pictures we have of my Dad, before he died in 1993, are of him holding Kylee as an infant.  Richard has always loved that picture.  

Here is the cute couple now.

This afternoon

Gary asked me if I had on a new outfit.  I told him that the top is kind of new (bought at our Heber shopping trip with the sister-in-laws),  but that I had worn it several times already.  He didn't remember noticing it before.

Then he said, "You look nice today.  I don't know why.  Well, what I meant to say was that you look extra nice today.  Because you always look nice . . ."   By that time we were both laughing.  He needed to stop while he was ahead.

But, hey, I'm not proud.  I'll take compliments anyway I can get them.  And to be honest, I don't mind that Gary doesn't notice my new clothes.   Then I can subtly slip in new ones without him noticing.  But I do appreciate being told  I look nice, even if he can't understand why.

Happy Birthday

to our oldest daughter, Misty!  She is 37 years old today, which is so hard to believe.  She has been a joy to us since the day she was born.  She added to that joy when she married Dan.  The joy has multiplied as she has added each of her 5 children.  Misty, we could not be more proud of you.  Of the strong woman you have become. Of your innate goodness and caring nature.  Of the kind of mother you are.  We are blessed to be your parents.   

We love you!

This has been my

rotating shelf and hutch theme for, let's see . . ., 4 months now.  I've never been so lazy.  I didn't even switch out for the 4th of July. (But don't tell Natalie, as I don't think she noticed.  Or if she did, she was nice enough not to bug me about it.)

 

 

 

 My "friend" has been hanging out in her newest apron, too. 

Cupcake themed, so she would fit in.

This was a fun one to make and to layer

with the crocheted apron that came from my Great Aunt Elner's house.

 

 

And I'll leave you with this inspirational thought

from the cupcake cutting board I have:

 

"Be sure to celebrate the many Small things . . .

bright days, good friends and

Anything with sprinkles!

(Happiness is said to be

love in little things)

 

 

 

Blog Diet

I've been on a diet lately.  Not a food diet, unless you consider eating out every night and having fun partying, as a diet.  Nope, that certainly isn't the case. 

It has been a blogging diet, meaning I've greatly reduced my blogging entries.  In fact, while I've been dieting I've also been training for a marathon -- to set a record of how far I could go between blog posts.  I've done really well with both, obviously!

But, it's time to get back in the habit.  When I was blogging every day for a year, I found myself being more mentally aware of what I was feeling, of what was going on around me, and of the things in life I appreciated and found humorous.  I knew I had to write about something, so it made me think more.  I don't want to feel that pressure again, but I do want to touch base with myself, and those I love, more often than I have been. 

I have so much to catch up on, but that in itself becomes an obstacle to blogging.  It feels overwhelming.  So, I won't play catch up.  I'll just try to remember some of the feelings, memories, and thoughts I've had this last month as I've been with children, grandchildren, and siblings.  I'll post some of them in entries to come.

So, I'm officially off my blogging diet.  

Now, if I could just stick to diets (of the food kind) as well as I have this one . . .
 

Steph is teaching

Me to post with my phone