Nauvoo Lake, at Uncle Bobs Cabin

enjoying one last adventure before they close up the cabin for the winter, here we are with some grandkidsm  Parker, Emma, Bella and Mia

Nikki and kids

we got a few quick trips on the lake in between the rain

Jim N Parker  

Many beautiful colors mixed in 

Cedar breaks

reading in between the storms

and knitting

hiking out of the canyon

colorfull

many wheels make for an adventure around the lake

lets not forget about a sheep running into us on the way up

he blew me away

settling in together, after the rain

glad we got to enjoy the times together with the family

learning about each other

getting along amid the storms

finding joy in nature

 

ee eye ee eye ooo

cataract surgery on right eye. here is what you need to know, 

no reading for many days unless you get large print books. By day 5 , still problems, no watching because things are blurry,, even typing this is difficult and it has been 8 days. So we got a book on audio. No exercise or bending over or lifting or getting your heart rate up,, so everything I do,  I cant. But, here is the good stuff, I felt the love and support of many family and friends, OH did i mention, no make up! so  I wear the funky sunglasses

this is where I hung out . day  2

funky sunglasses

one week later, notice, no eye makeup. but great joy because this is the first day of BYU education week and we are serving in the MARB building

 

wonderful water

Our youngest grandson ,Izaak ,ready to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! what a joyful day! He is a fun, adventurous m loving boy. As a young toddler Derek had him on his shoulders while we watched and he surfed! ugh, scary, He continues to love  all water 

We got to go to two days of swim meets this week, watching all the Anderson kids swim , many winning rubber ducks in their heats. Izaak won in breaststroke, Layla in the long free race, and Jake in backstroke, Kallie also did well (but  how even greater she is in dance! ) I am sure that I didnt get all the results correct but I was there and enjoyed watching them all do well. One of the challenges of getting older is not getting all the details, either remembering them or noticing them or worse forgetting them!

being able to talk to Izaak about the Holy Ghost was a joy for me, as he loves to wear his cozy PJ's, I wanted him to understand that the Holy Ghost is a comforter  will be there for all of us when we need comfort and answers.

  Becky and I got to be witnesses, first time for that!

here is Layla showing off her tattoo at the swim meet! she is a very strong swimmer and did a great job cheering on others and a fun team member in many relays

I think this Kallie! there were alot of races!

 last week  I got to teach yoga at the Loveland living aquarium in Draper. I just loved being able to use my skills and show the students some fun doing yoga during shark week.

we had a fun time swimming in Derek's pool. Here are shots of the boys, Nik, Peter and Izaak showing off their BBall skills

and last Jim and I enjoying the beauty in the early morning at Deer creek. It has been great to go up the canyon and pull out , paddle and visit without a lot of clutter. We have enjoyed living close to the mountains where we can hike and bike and paddle. The sweetness of the clean air and peaceful clouds and sounds are a relief from all the clutter around us these days. My prayer is that we may all find ways to find peace and hope...

 

being 17

unlike the Sound of Music. I am not starting at the very beginning of Victoria's adventure to Utah, but at the end. Here she is in John Hall, Helaman , on BYU campus getting ready for her last big section of her trip to UT. She attended Cougarette Camp! She said she was meeting her idols, that she so long wanted to meet. And they are National Champions, they truly are a hard working talented group of dancers.. What memories I have, as I leave her here where I firsr stayed in Merrill Hall, then later dropped Valerie off and last Derek off in the same hall ,on campus. Seeing her charming personality, confident and talented, I reflect back to myself. What happens now? How do we use our experiences to process forward with an eye single to service and joy? 

here she is in the back stretching out with hundreds of other very talented girls.. in the splits, which we know our family has been blessed with strength in flexibility

oh all these beauties! Getting early to their last day, I got to see them learn their jazz number. Fossey, All that jazz,! and perform various different styles of routines. what a great opportunity!!

some of the girls at Cannon center, where, as freshman we find our freshman 15lbs!! ugh

Some of the young women who were great friends to Victoria right away, Picking her up at all hours and showing her the sunsets, hiking, getting ice-cream, going to stake youth conference and probably other things I would have loved to have done at that age,

We love  Emily and her sweetness in sharing the sabbath with us, She is in her own apartment now , with a real job and a great example

the first day after she got here, she got to go to the Provo City center temple for baptisms

and EFY in Payson, it was an extreme adventure! Reminding me that when I got to BYU  I really wanted to go camping in the mountains ( and then got in trouble when I planned a campout,, its another story that is in my life story ,,of lessons learned!) oh to be l7!

we went on Deer creek Kayaking. She got to get photos of our favorite mts, Timpanogos, 

Here in the calm morning, with our shy cat Oreo. Victoria shows her gentle, sweetness as she basks in the warmth of love

ever the beauty, went up the Squaw peak to start her senior photos!

We learned so much having her stay with us. We were reminded of our youth, The joys of living life to the fullest, the importance of having good friends. having family near by. Planning rest time and service time. Honoring God and all the wonderful creations . Oh, to be 17 again? What would I do differently? I am were I am from the choices I made, I love that we have a Savior Jesus Christ who loves us and has taught us how to love one another and serve others, And I continue to learn from HIM.

 

tripping back to Southern California

LUCKY US !  Planning a trip back to make repairs in Simi and catch up with friends along the way. We didnt take any photos but these, Here we are hiking on our last day as we stayed in Thousand Oaks very near Wildwood hiking area, We remember going here on a hike with flash light but even Derek doesnt remember, Hiking has been one of our ways to enjoy seeing the beautiful world  we live in. We stayed in TO 4 days as Jim repaired Simi home and I tried to find friends at home in Simi, Missed most of them as I have a new phone and lost many numbers. But those I did catch up with were filled with wonderful love and memories   

never missing the traffic. Remembering  the drive on the 118 to work everyday for 20 years, But also the  drive to serve in the LA temple for 2 years,

We miss our temple! ir is only open 3 days now! it is with great sadness that I see this happening in my life. Lucky we got to set aside time to feel the spirit here and pause

this is the joy that I will remember from this trip. We had help as we were trying to get a photo and one of the grounds keepers said,, Kiss her again!! See that  joy !! It has been 50 years since I first moved to LA and lived at the Temple Parkway Apt, right at the entrance to the temple by Santa Monica, After graduating from BYU and then going on survival I figured I could conquer LA!! It took many years for me to learn many lessons of survival ! Sorry I got no photos of friends we saw and stayed with >>Loraine an Whit, the Hanks and their whole family, Dittmans, Aes, Ursals, Kristie Williams and some of Jims work friends in Malibu./ We miss you all and send prayers of love and gratitude

 

summer beginnings in 2022

another fun time to share with those we love, I am blessed to be healthy enough to travel and be included in seeing the joy, talent, and growth of each of my grandchildren. This is a sabbath day shared with tons of spirit and love

Congratulations Natalie, So glad we could honor you this day!

grandparents get to give you lots of love and encouragement

Eriks soccer team in the Canton cup!

Kai loves the coming of the storm. She is lucky to live in Michigan where there are alot of opportunities

stormy outside but lots of fun and love shared together

the two Vs

had the best time riding around the lush green of Michigan

HAPPY birthday AUSTIN

his musical talent is so strong, it will be interesting to see what he does with it, He played in the school choir and at his piano recital and everyday he would seat at the piano and figure out tunes. He has a gift

Victorias gift,, oh what joy for me to see her dance

this contemportary dance is my FAV. I love seeing the way dance has grown especially in its creativity in choreography

one of the highlights for me was seeing the sisters share love, the happiness on Kais face as she honored her sister is a memory I will cherish

the young and up and coming with ,,,well me

boys being boys in the wonderful sun room which Jason planned and created, which of course is my favorite place to be

As I close this blog, I pray for the future of these talented grandchildren and hope for their continued growth in their dreams. Nattie and Victoria., both some of the 2004 babies that ALL  came to earth the same year. Each have had some wonderful opportunities and I pray for them to be strong in their love of the gospel of Jesus Christ ,, for I know that life with faith and hope is the best. I am a lucky grandma