June activities

June was spent with Jim  on the roof - re roofing and putting up solar panels 

I went to Michigan to honor Austin and his decision to get baptized

While I was in Michigan  Jim  was still on the roof,,Scary!

We celebrated Karina's birthday the day a returned, It is so great to be able to see and visit family

We got to spend the night at Shelleys cabin in Midway

 

Most of my time is with the grandkids<Here we are picking cherries.

We are finishing up our first year serving with Pathways,, BYU I Pathway Worldwide online educatio service mission

Jim's brother Tim and Rita came  to visit

I love having my hair done by my professional granddaughters

Jim and Tim

M

The baptism of Austin Mercado,  There  are so many times I want to see the grandchildren, I had to miss Dance shows and graduations to continue to honor our Pathway Service mission but I chose to miss for Austins's decision to be baptized and I am so glad I did, I got to give the talk on receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and used the symbol of Light which the Holy Ghost gives us from within. Austin loves light and radiates the love of our Savior Jesus Christ,

69 and holding

We made it through another winter in Orem. Each General Conference we have the opportunity to get together with Missionaries from our missions, Here we are with our French speaking missionaries. We love getting together with other couples who love to serve like we do. This first photo is with Sister Anderson from our Philadelphia Mission.

Jim loves working and most of this winter he has been working on his solar project.

Most of all we love being with grandkids.

Here we are with Nikki at the capital building

Early morning serving at the Provo Temple with Karinas kids

Celebrating with Austin Lunds new calling singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Brothers helping each other, This winter 3 of Karina's boys broke 6 bones within 5 days of each other, Andrew, Calvin and Peter are in casts for 6 weeks!

Jake helping Izaak.

Izaak helping grandpa in the garden.

Jim and I celebrating my birthday

Watching Mariah run in track

Missing Valerie's 39th birthday

Missing seeing Victoria as she advancing in her dancing skills, OH How I miss!

Trying to get all the family together is a challenge. We tried to get the Utah kids and grandkids together this Easter. 

Most mornings, I love being in the Sunroom reading and studying, These are moments that I ponder all the blessings that I have. I thank my Heavenly Father that I can be here at this time being able to experience many wonderful times with family and friends.

How do we lose the winter blues?

January and February are much more fun when we share it with family. We were in Michigan in the beginning on January, visiting with the Mercados. Since then we have been able to see most of the grandkids in Utah. Jim helped Shelley while she and Heber went to Hawaii. We have been helping Derek while Missy and Jake went back to visit her brother at Harvard. When Angie returned from one of her trips, we got to celebrate Milos birthday. Mariah has been working hard at breaking records in swimming. This weekend we are headed to St George to see how she fairs in the Utah State Swim meet. Most of the older grandkids have been skiing when ever they get a chance. 

Here we are with Kallies favorite---puzzles. See King Nik! He is so happy that he can do the hard ones now.

Reading books is my favorite

The hammock is even used in winter

Mariah on the right, preparing to swim

Watching movies

showing our flexibilty

Nattie and Layla are tumbling

Twister helps with colors and body coordination

All this fun and I need a nap

Jim and Derek share the latest news while I clean up and pass out!

The best news this month is the change in Pathways, It is now BYU Pathway International. I think! The name change means that all the church colleges will work together for students around the world in the Online college education program we have been serving in for the last 5 months. We love serving and helping.

Mostly Snowed-In in January

We get most of our work out clearing off our walks and driveway. In the process, we made a big snow fort. 

The sun finally came out, but it looks like we will have our big pile of snow for a long while. We have learned that our North facing driveway doesnt see the sun. But, lucky for us our south facing Sun Room does get sun!

Watching Nik and Peter play dress ups

Mariah winning at Swimming

Pathway students who we also served with in Philly

The Provo Temple always brings a Refuge from the Storm

Here we have Izaak and Nik and Peter dancing before they get in the hot tub.

Making cookies is always fun. We love being here and being able to share our love with our family. This is our  greatest JOY.

New Year/ renew blog

Our visit to Canton Michigan with Val and Jason, Victoria, Karissa, Austin and Erik during Christmas 2016

At our first Family Home Evening for 2017 we set goals. One of mine is to get this blog going again.

Here we are with the grandkitties enjoying their new kitten Luke. Each of the kids have their individual strengths. We loved playing Cover your Assets with Austin, Erik loves his cars, Karisaa tried out for a play and got the flying monkey part. I loved seeing her cheers and cartwheels. Victoria is great at her dancing, she has beautiful arms and her lyrical moves are divine. We helped get her bedroom ready for an update with new paint and furnished. Jim, as usual worked hard finishing the guest bedroom floor with Jason,

For me, seeing Valerie at her teaching at Red Bell was the best, she let me teach her 3 year olds yoga/dance and surprisingly, they followed me! It made me feel like I still got it.

We got to celebrate Karissas 10 birthday, It was well planned. We all got to go to the local Radio station and learn how it worked and Karissa got to be on the radio.

So, All and all it was a great way to ring in the New Year and set goals for 2017. As always I love being with Valerie and her family. THANKS for the great memories.