Grand Occasions

STRIDER! QUIT TEASING GRADY!

2012-01-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

The youngest cousins are at it already

2012-01-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

This month we (Relief Society Presidency) are in charge of the Care Center that is in our ward boundaries. We have Relief Society on Wednesday mornings for the sisters and we are also in charge of one of the Sunday Sacrament Meetings during this month. We prepare the talks, music, prayers etc. Today, January 11th was a special day for me. Our instructor talked about one of the Presidents of our Church, George Albert Smith who had passed away many years ago. We learned wonderful things about him, but what struck me the most and deep in my heart was this sweet little sister who stood up and announced that she knew him personally. After our lesson we asked her to share some experiences she had with this Prophet. We could see the joy on her face as she shared her love for this man. We spent time after the meeting visiting with her and with the other sweet ladies. I felt that we had gained much more from them than they had from us. Their wisdom and knowledge is genuinely priceless, I need to remember to stop and listen to our older generation more. Standing by this woman who personally knew one of our Prophets was amazing to me, also I learned that when we become selfless and share ourselves with these wonderful people we are the ones who truly are rewarded.......crazy isn't it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-11T11:42:00.001-08:00

WE HOPE FOR MANY WONDERFUL AND EXCITING MOMENTS IN THIS NEW YEAR, BUT ESPECIALLY WE HOPE FOR CONTINUED LOVE, PEACE, UNDERSTANDING AND GOOD HEALTH AMONG OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

VISITING THE OTHER FAMILIES ON CHRISTMAS

2011-12-29T10:26:00.000-08:00

THE CURTIS FAMILY

THE RUDEL FAMILY

NEW DECORATED ROOMS

MIKE, NIKI, THEIR KIDS AND GRANDMA ELLEN HAD A NICE
SIT DOWN CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH US

THE RUDEL'S CAME OVER TO VISIT THE CALI FAMILY LATER IN THE EVENING

OUR WHOLE FAMILY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RUDEL'S HAD STREP THROAT HIT THEM DURING THE HOLIDAY. TAYLER CAME DOWN WITH IT ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT, SO WE WAITED A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEM WENT OUT TO DINNER AT THE BRICK OVEN WITH THEIR FAMILY...... YUMMY!

CHRISTMAS IS ON A SUNDAY

2011-12-28T10:56:00.000-08:00

IT WAS A SPECIAL GOING TO CHURCH
TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WITH THE CALI FAMILY

CHRISTMAS EVE 2011

2011-12-27T09:57:00.001-08:00

THE STRONG GRAND CHILDREN

FAMILY DINNER, ACTIVITIES, GIFT EXCHANGING

AND DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
After dinner the grand kids worked on a Nativity Picture, Standing Star, Pine Cone Christmas Tree and a Rudolf Paper Puppet. Carlee and Natalie helped, Collin was a good sport about working on the activities, he's getting too old for arts and crafts. We were filling in time before the Curtis family arrived.

After the crafts, we had cookies, pie, cake etc.

Ah......the Curtis boys arrived! Collin was very happy.

Our youngest additions to the family
Grady is 5 months and Strider is 10 months

Happy Birthday Carlee, Cole and Larry

Unwrapping Papa John and Nana Donna's Christmas Eve Present

Of course it would be Pajama's

Cousin's Exchange presents starting with Creed

Tayler

Cole

Savannah

Logan

Sydney

Dresden

Collin

Carlee

John and Donna

Jay and Natalie

Brandt and Soupie

Larry and Shannon

Niki and Mike
Shannon and Natalie

Soupie, Carlee and Grady

Natalie and Grandma Ellen

Grandma Ellen giving her great grand children a gift

Savy and the gift from grandma Ellen

Papa John getting a gift from one of the kids

Michael's "awesome" PJ's (Moose Caboose)

Aunt Niki and Grady

Shannon and Strider

Collin and Dresden

MERRY CHRISTMAS

THE STRONG'S ARE IN TOWN

2011-12-26T15:27:00.000-08:00

WELCOME STRONG FAMILY

The only new snow fall the Cali Family saw while in Utah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLE
5 years old

A fun party at the Gateway Discovery

BABIES PLAYING - DEC.8th

2011-12-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

STRIDER CAME OVER TO PLAY WITH GRADY

GRADY & STRIDER

TAYLER & STRIDER

SERVICE, THANKSGIVING AND BIRTHDAY

2011-11-27T15:41:00.000-08:00

SHINGLING THE ROOF OF THE SHED
THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING
JOHN'S PROJECT WAS FALLING BEHIND, SHANNON WAS TRYING TO HELP HIM GET CAUGHT UP, BUT WITH JUST THE TWO OF THEM AND THE COLD WEATHER IT WAS A DIFFICULT THING TO DO

THANKSGIVING DAY/NOVEMBER 24TH

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES FOR THEIR SACRIFICE ON THANKSGIVING DAY TO GET THE ROOF ON THE SHED. THEY ARE ALL AWESOME!

THANKSGIVING DINNER

CAUSIN'S PICKING NAMES FOR THEIR EXCHANGE GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS

CELEBRATING SHANNON'S BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANNON

LOVED THE TURKEY CAKE

SATURDAY ACTIVITIES WITH THE RUDEL CHILDREN

2011-11-14T22:33:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY MORNING
Sydney's team just got new dolphin swim caps funny
thing I was wearing my dolphin shirt! Awesome job Syd!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

We watched Collin play a very close game. He is not afraid to get out there and fight for the ball, they all played a great game!

STRIDER IS CRAWING...LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

2011-11-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

8 MONTHS OLD

November 6th
Shannon posted Strider's first crawl on the Internet
Baby food was the incentive

STRIDER CAN'T PASS UP A FREE MEAL!

The next day I went over for a visit, it was so comical to see mom, dad and brothers all in a circle watching this little boy crawl from one thing to another......you'd think they just bought a puppy!

THURSDAY'S ARE FULL OF FUN

2011-11-07T14:48:00.001-08:00

Babysitting two darlings

Bath time for Grady, Tayler loves to help out

He is starting to grab onto his toys.........now the fun begins

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-11-04T14:45:00.001-07:00

GROUP PICTURE OF COSTUMES/NIGHT OF OUR PUMPKIN CARVING

HERE ARE THE PICTURES OF OUR GRAND CHILDREN'S INDIVIDUAL COSTUMES
IF THE RUDEL'S AND THE TWO STRONG FAMILIES WOULD HAVE EMAILED ME
SOME PICTURES I WOULD HAVE HAD MORE.........HINT, HINT SORRY!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

PUMPKIN CARVING & BIRTHDAY DINNER

2011-11-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

SPAGHETTI DINNER

BIRTHDAY CAKE AND CUPCAKES MADE BY SHANNON FOR BRANDT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDT

TIME TO CARVE THE PUMPKINS

GRADY IS A CUTE LITTLE PUMPKIN

STRIDER IS WANTING TO WALK, JUST DOESN'T QUITE HAVE THE BALANCE

FINISHED MASTERPIECES

BRANDT'S BIRTHDAY WISH

2011-10-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 22, 2011

Brandt's birthday was on the 21st, and for his birthday he asked his family to go with him to Ephraim and to take the four wheelers up the canyon to Grandpa Bills tree. We left early Saturday morning for Ephraim. On the way to Ephraim we had a few deer jump out into the road. We almost killed a deer even without trying. It was the start of the deer hunt so Dad, Brandt, Soupie, Carlee and Tayler had to deck themselves out in bright orange for their trip to the tree. They quaking aspen were a beautiful yellow.

Brandt explaining to Tayler the story behind the carved tree

I stayed back and played with my cute little Grady, he is such a good baby.
It was his nap time. It looks like I needed a nap too.

After their ride we helped pick up Grandma Ellen's leaves. By the time we had dinner and were ready to leave for home the wind had sent hundreds of the leaves down again, that was disheartening.

Tayler was helping me by stomping down the leaves in the garbage can.

We made carrot cake for Brandt's birthday. We never can get grandma's matches to light. There is a special emery board she uses. I don't think grandma needs to worry about these matches catching anything on fire.

CALI FAMILY CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN AT WARD PARTY

2011-10-17T15:01:00.001-07:00

IS THAT A SKUNK I SEE IN THE BACK GROUND?

Mike, Cole and Niki

A BEAUTIFUL BRUNETTE TINKER BELL

A HANDSOME KNIGHT IN SHINNING ARMOR AND A SWORD!

CUTEST LITTLE SKUNK I EVER SEEN
BUZZ LIGHT YEAR

Wow, what parents wont do for their kids
YOU ARE VERY HANDSOME BUZZ

OCTOBER * BASKETBALL SEASON FOR AT LEAST THE KIDS..........WHO KNOWS IF THE PROS WILL BE PLAYING?

2011-10-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

We went to Collin's game on Saturday and watched him make four baskets out of the eight. He is a real dynamite player. We had fun watching him, and of course watching his dad coach the team.LOOK FOR THE ONE WITH THE RED SHORTS AND RED HAIR,
THAT WILL BE COLLIN - #9

COLLIN JUST THREW THE BALL TO THE BASKET

COLLIN IS RIGHT IN THE MIX OF THINGS, HE IS NOT AFRAID OF THOSE BIG GUYS

THERE GOES ANOTHER BASKET MADE BY THE ONE AND ONLY - EVEN THE BIG GUYS COULDN'T STOP HIM
SYDNEY IS STILL ACTIVE WITH SWIMMING. SHE IS STILL BEATING HER BEST TIMES EVERY WEEK!

Grady's blessing day

2011-10-09T14:04:00.000-07:00

WILLIAM GRADY STRONG

THE STRONG FAMILY

GAYLA AND SOUPIE DECORATED THE TABLES
THEY DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB

BRANDT'S BLESSING OUTFIT WAS ON DISPLAY
GRADY WAS BLESSED WITH BRANDT'S BLESSING BLANKET
THE BLANKET UNDER BRANDT'S OUTFIT WAS MADE BY GRANDMA RUTH

GRADY'S NEWBORN PICTURES WERE ALSO ON DISPLAY

FATHER & SON

FOUR GENERATIONS
DAD BRANDT, GREAT GRANDMA ELLEN, GRANDPA JOHN & GRADY

FOUR GENERATIONS
GREAT GRANDMA RUTH, GRANDMA GAYLA, MOM SOUPIE, SISTERS CARLEE & TAYLER

BRANDT AND GRANDMA RUTH

GREAT GRANDMA ELLEN, GREAT GRANDPA DICK & GREAT GRANDMA RUTH

GRANDMA ELLEN AND GRADY

SOUPIE'S DAD STEVE AND HIS WIFE JAN (STEVE BLESSED GRADY)

GRADY WASN'T TOO HAPPY WHEN WE HAD THIS PICTURE TAKEN

NATALIE AND JAY

LARRY & SHANNON

GRANDMA AND SHANNON

CARLEE AND STRIDER

COUSINS
LOOKS LIKE GRADY IS CATCHING UP WITH STRIDER
THEY WILL BE CLIMBING OVER EVERYTHING SOONER THAN WE THINK

GRADY, WE SPENT A WONDERFUL DAY WITH YOU
WE LOVE YOU

AUTUMN'S FIRST SNOW FALL

2011-10-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 6TH

WE GOT OUR FIRST SNOW AFTER A WARM AUTUMN

The weather is suppose to change back warm, so it was fun while it lasted

TAYLER LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

DON'T THROW THAT SNOW BALL AT ME!

OUR DARLING LITTLE GRADY SLEPT RIGHT THROUGH ALL THE EXCITEMENT.

OCTOBER LDS CONFERENCE

2011-10-04T13:35:00.001-07:00

Conference week end was full of work and play. Saturday, between sessions we were able to pour cement for the stairs on the south side of our house. On Sunday we decided to go for a ride and listen to conference on the car radio. We used to take our kids on rides and listen to conference, that way we had a captive audience.

We traveled up through Mirror Lake, enjoying the autumn leaves.

We stopped in Evanston, Wyoming, then continued on through Woodruff Utah (my dad's birth place) and over to Bear Lake. We were so surprised to see how high the water was this year. We missed our annual Bear Lake family reunion 2011 because of two new babies in the family. I have some pictures from 2010 to compare to what we saw on Sunday, October 2011.

North end of Bear Lake in Idaho

We had to drive up to the restrooms because they were so far away

2011

Easy walk to the road and restrooms

2010
Our cars were on the beach where now there is water.

2011
Where we parked in 2010

2011

2010

Our day continued on with stopping in Preston Idaho, back into Utah checking out Logan and then driving to Brigham City to see the new LDS temple that is almost complete.

It was a wonderful day full of great conference talks and a beautiful drive.

A DAY OF FISHING

2011-09-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 24th 2011

BRANDT, TAYLER AND PAPA JOHN WENT FISHING AT MILL HOLLOW

FUN RUN WITH THE RUDEL GRANDCHILDREN

2011-09-23T22:58:00.001-07:00

SYDNEY INVITED ME TO HER SCHOOLS FUN RUN SPONSORED BY THE PTA

SYDNEY AND I JOGGED ABOUT ONE BLOCK AND WALKED THE REST
THANKS SYDNEY FOR LETTING YOUR GRANDMA WALK NOT RUN
IT WAS FUN SPENDING TIME JUST VISITING ONE ON ONE

SYDNEY'S FRIENDS

COLLIN AND FRIENDS

COLLIN WAS DETERMINED TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GET BACK
AND HE WAS

THEIR SCHOOL'S MASCOT

WE MADE IT TO THE FINISH LINE!

CALIFORNIA TRIP PART TWO

2011-09-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 2011

STRONG FAMILY ENJOYING CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE AND DISNEYLAND
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURES
A LOT OF THE AREA WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THEY ARE GETTING READY FOR THE NEW RIDE "CARS"

GETTING TO SEE MICKEY IN CALIFORNIA ADVENTURES

NICOLE AND KIDS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO BE THE NEXT GREATEST TOY!

WE ATE LUNCH IN CALIFORNIA ADVENTURES

ON TO DISNEYLAND FOR THE REST OF THE DAY

DISNEYLAND

HOLD ON EVERYONE

WE HAD TO HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN BY "SMALL WORLD"

WE HAD FUN ON SOME RIDES THAT WERE MORE GEARED TO OUR LITTLE ONE. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN WATCHING HIM ENJOY HIMSELF.

SAVANNAH & COLE WERE A BIG HELP, THEY EXPLAINED EACH RIDE TO A TEA

LAST STOP A CLIMB UP TO THE TOP AND A WAVE TO NANA & PAPA

LEAVING THE MOST FUN PLACE ON EARTH, WE ENJOYED BEING WITH THE KIDS

ST GEORGE
STOPPING IN ST GEORGE TO VISIT JEAN AND VINCE

UP ON THE HILL WHERE THE OLD AIR PORT USED TO BE

EPHRAIM
LAST STOP WAS EPHRAIM, THE WEATHER TURNED FALL LIKE

GRANDMA ELLEN AND JOHN

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE GRANDMA AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE HER
BABYSITTING OUR LITTLE MAYA.

CALIFORNIA TRIP PART ONE

2011-09-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 2011

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE OUR LITTLE CALI FAMILY

WE ARRIVED SATURDAY NIGHT - MIKE AND I TOOK THE KIDS TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AND WENT TO A GREAT PARK, NIKI HAD TO WORK AND JOHN SLEPT.

SAVANNAH & COLE SHOWING OFF THEIR NEW LOFT BETWEEN THEIR BEDROOMS

SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH WE WENT TO THE ARBORETUM BOTANIC GARDENS IN ARCADIA

A COUPLE WERE HAVING THEIR WEDDING PICTURES TAKEN IN THE GARDENS

THE TREE'S WERE FULL OF BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOMS

MANY OF THE FLOWERS AND TREE'S CAME FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD

AFTER SPENDING SOME TIME IN ARCADIA WE STOPPED FOR SOME FOOD, CREED LOVED THOSE NOODLES

MONDAY (MEMORIAL DAY) WE WENT OVER TO THE JANZZ SHOPPING CENTER TO GRAB SOME LUNCH AND LET THE KIDS PLAY IN THE FOUNTAIN.

MONDAY NIGHT WE WENT TO A CONCERT AT THE PARK UP THE STREET
ELTON JOHN'S MUSIC

WE LISTENED AND THE KIDS PLAYED
CREED TALKING TO HIS DAD, AND.........

HIS DAD TALKING BACK TO HIM

SAVANNAH IS A REAL DAREDEVIL SHE WAS CLIMBING EVERYWHERE, THAT'S SAVANNAH ON TOP READY TO JUMP OFF

COLE ON THE CLIMBING ROPES

THE CONCERT WAS GREAT!

A NEW DRIVEWAY -AUGUST 2011

2011-08-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

The south side of our garage is a right of way for Questar Gas, which they will use to get to the pump house. Thirteen east has become a safety hazard for their employee's so we were asked it we would like to have a driveway put in so that their employees could access the pump house from our back yard. Of course we said YES! Here was the process of our new driveway and stairs.

Before the new driveway....we had a pear tree, grape vine, weeds, weeds & more weeds

Beginning the process
The front of the house rain gutter has been put underground to drain out to the back

First level of bricks (wall) and drive, our neighbor Marilyn will enjoy her new wall

What it is beginning to look like from Marilyn's house.

getting rid of the old dirt out front for new dirt

Here comes the cement
The stairs were done first then they continued out to the side walk

Now for the side walk and out to the street/breaking up the cement and hauling it away

The side walk to the street is complete.

Last part of the driveway process was the asphalt, (between the street & driveway)

Finishing touch......the gate and railing.

DONE!
WE THOUGHT WE WERE DONE!!!???%%%
Yea, a truck load of dirt was delivered to us.....Now we can level out the back yard by the deck
Before the dirt was added and leveled to our new retaining wall that John built
The fun begins!
Donna shovels the dirt into the wheelbarrow & John delivers the dirt to the back
50 wheelbarrows full - 20 shovels each!
Leveling the ground

Saturating the dirt to help it settle

This is what we did on Natalie's Birthday

We added two more days of this project
we did 122 wheelbarrows full

NEW YORK VISITORS

2011-08-19T11:31:00.001-07:00

MAYA, MEET MAYA

Linda Witt came town with her grand daughter Maya, who is 10 years old. They stayed with us Friday, August 12th through Tuesday, August 16th. We had a great visit and Maya enjoyed doing things with our grand children.

HOGAL ZOO

Collin, Sydney, Shannon, Dresden, Logan and Strider went with Maya and I to the zoo.

They had more fun putting there faces next to the large fan that sprayed out water. It was so cold that within a few minutes they looked like jack frost.

The zoo has added some awesome animated dinosaurs, who also got the kids wet.

Thanks Shannon for helping out.

All six children got on the scale to see if they could weigh as much as the elephant.......NOT EVEN CLOSE, SORRY!

This is my favorite pictures of all of them

After a spaghetti dinner, Sydney and Collin had to go to their lessons that evening so only Dresden and Logan tagged along for a swim with Maya. I think they still had a lot of fun.

Oh my Gosh! Guess who was practicing at the same pool.........we really didn't know Sydney was going to be there. I had to get a picture of her, but didn't tell the kids or they would have wanted to see her too, wouldn't want to make her coach angry with us.

Saying good-bye to Maya

THANKS FOR VISITING, COME AGAIN!

DONNA & LINDA

SYDNEY & COLLIN'S AWARDS

2011-08-17T12:09:00.001-07:00

SYDNEY & THE SLC SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Getting ready for her first meet
Syd was in three meets, she broke her own record in all three
She took first place in the third meet!
Sydney is in the middle lane

COLLIN & TAEKWONDO

ANOTHER TROPHY

Collin just tested for his Sr. Brown belt. Next testing date he will test for his
red belt and move into the advanced group.

MICHAEL RETURNS TO HIS MISSION WITH HIS FAMILY

2011-08-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

THE EDMONTON, ALBERTA CANADA MISSION

While Mike was in Edmonton they were building the Edmonton temple. Mike was so excited to bring home a peace of stone from the outside of the temple. I am so happy that he was able to take his little family back to where he served his mission, this summer. I always wished that I would have taken my family to where I served. Maybe our grandchildren will get that opportunity, who knows.
Mike took his family to Calgary first, then on to Edmonton and finished up in Banff.

CALGARY

While in Calgary they visited the Zoo which was located on an Island of the Bow River.

In this picture Mike said you are looking west towards the Kananaskis Mountains and Banff National Park. It was extremely rainy and cloudy so you can't see the mountains, but on clear days the mountains look like they are right next to the city.

CALGARY TOWER

It's hard to tell what this is, but it's Creed standing on a glass outcropping high above Calgary at the top of Calgary Tower. He loved looking down at the small taxi cabs cruising by picking up their soggy passengers

From the tower you can see the Calgary zoo

EDMONTON
it was rainy, but that didn't matter they spent most of their time at the mall.
Inside the Edmonton Mall (one of largest malls in the world) you could do most anything. This is one of the many roller coasters inside the mall.

This is the footbridge leading to Princess Island Park. Mike & Niki let the kids chase the squirrels and play at the playgrounds

ST. ALBERT, CANADA

This is a suburb of Edmonton, which also stretches out into a beautiful rural area. St. Albert was Mikes favorite and last place on his mission. It is a beautiful city as John and I enjoyed being there to pick up Michael after his mission. This city has a gorgeous river running through it and all is green and plush.

Alberta has many grain elevators that are scattered across the country side. These two (below) are on the outskirts of St. Albert and just down the road from the softball fields. The last person Mike taught and baptized gave him a painting of the softball fields and these grain elevators.My favorite picture!

Mike and Niki and the grain elevators in St. Albert taken by Savannah

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY COLLIN

2011-08-06T17:01:00.001-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLIN

BASEBALL THEME
Collin loved getting money, this picture was taken with him receiving Taffy and Money from Uncle Brandt, Aunt Soupie, Carlee, Tayler & Grady.

Natalie did a great job on the decorations.
Pizza, salads, fruits, chips, ice cream and cake, plus baseball cards and a gift bag for all

The family was invited to the party
Jay had some creative games

Collin

Sydney

Dresden

Logan

Tayler

Quiz game: Question, "How many legs does a snake have?" Tayler quickly answered "0"
smart little girl!

Carlee, Strider and Soupie

Papa John, Grady and Nana Donna

Three generations sitting at this table

Natalie you and Jay did a great job on Collins Party

Opening presents

From Nana and Papa, Collin's comment, "Wow a Wad of Money!
The money was hidden inside his golf shirt.

Strawberries (Collins favorite) and Money from the Curtis boys and Aunt Shannon

Awesome job on the cake and cup cakes Natalie

Can't believe you are 10!

YW SLEEP OVER & A WEEKEND OF WORK IN EPHRAIM

2011-08-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

YOUNG WOMEN
The Young Women had their traditional sleep over at my house before the weekend. We stayed up to see the Jordan River Temple lights vanish in the night.

WEEKEND IN EPHRAIM
John and I worked on pulling and spraying weeds. To our disappointment the rain came tumbling down only hours after our work. To our surprise, Shannon and the boys showed up to help out. Shannon scrubbed grandmas sinks and tub.

I played with the baby!

After the rain fall the clouds were so thick you couldn't see the mountains

Strider's new trick, sticking out his tongue

Logan also wanted to show how talented he was

The Curtis family slept upstairs, they got out the marbles and lined them up one by one.

We planted flowers earlier in the summer, they needed some mulch around them to keep them healthier. Dresden helped me put the mulch down.

Strong man!

Grandma Ellen and baby

Strider is learning all the tricks of the DS so when he gets bigger he can play with Logan's.

Dresden enjoyed target practice with the Beebe gun out in the corral.

A RETAINING WALL BUILT OVER THE 24th of JULY

2011-07-26T21:13:00.001-07:00

IT TOOK JOHN A GOOD WEEK TO COMPLETE THE WALL

While I was at camp, John poured the cement for the foundation. He tried to do it alone, but Shannon saw him struggling to get it done, so she came over to help......thank you Shannon!

We had two loads of sand and gravel dumped in our front yard, John carried the loads to the back yard by himself. What a Man!

The beginning of our retaining wall project

This was the foundation for the wall

Monday, the 25th

John worked over the holiday weekend to set up the forms for the retaining wall. After the forms were in place, Jay and Shannon helped prepare and pour the cement for the wall.
Thank you Jay and Shannon!

Almost done
Looking down from our deck
Later in the morning Natalie, I and the grand kids helped pick up as many rocks as possible to throw into the mix, we were running low on gravel and the rocks helped to fill in.
Marilyn (our neighbor to the south) could see how hard we were working so she treated us to her fresh home made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Thank you Marilyn!
THE RETAINING WALL IS FINISHED
Next Project:
To fill in this area with top soil and make the ground level so we can plant grass. We think our hammock will fit perfect between those two tree to the left of this picture, can't wait!

After the work was done, Larry and Shannon took Collin, Dresden and Logan to the movies. Natalie, Sydney and Jay went birthday shopping for Collin. John wanted to go swimming so we took Strider with us. I thought for sure he was going to like the swimming pool because he loves his baths, but he wasn't enjoying it too much. I think it was because he was very tired, it was his nap time.

After the dip in the pool, he took a nap.......much happier baby

24th of July Celebration

2011-07-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

DINNER AND FIREWORKS

RED WHITE & BLUE CAKE, COOKIES AND SALT WATER TAFFY

COMING TO NANA & PAPA'S TO CELEBRATE PIONEER DAY'S

GETTING READY FOR THE BIG FIREWORK SHOW
(We bought a couple of Aeriel fireworks,they included little parachutes and streamers)

PIONEER DAY IN CALIFORNIA

2011-07-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

SUMMER FUN IN CALIFORNIA
Mike and Niki's ward celebrated Pioneer Day's at a morning breakfast held by their ward.
Mike bought a canoe with a friend at the scouts auction.
After they went to their city's celebration called "Tropical Daze"

Nicole and Creed

Michael and Creed

Savannah and Cole with one of the activities

It looks like they were having fun

GIRLS CAMP - JULY 19, 20, 21 & 22nd

2011-07-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

YOUNG WOMEN'S CAMP

back row, L-R Vanessa, Jennie, Donna, Samantha, Maren, Susan, Jane, Laura
Front row, L-R Veroncia, Kira, Emily, in front of Emily is Tori, Sarah Gerogann & Kim

Our Theme: Asian
We were called "The Kigatsuku Girls"
which means: An inner spirit to act without being told what to do
(Service without asking)

Jane Johnson was our camp director, her husband Terry came up and helped out. The Arnold's, Marie France and Kirk came up to help out with the cooking

Our Food Prep Table

The leaders and young women's mail boxes (Asian takeout boxes) The leaders and girls would write notes to each other

My cute beehive girls
Kira, Tori (in front), Jennie (in back) and Veronica

Jane Johnson and Marie France Arnold

L - R Laura, Susan & Jane

Our girls performed a dance (thanks to Sarah Jones) for our bishopric who came up for testimony meeting

camp fire and smores after an awesome testimony meeting

BABIES EVERYWHERE!

2011-07-26T08:48:00.001-07:00

The Curtis baby & the Strong baby
Tayler is holding her cousin Strider, he is almost 5 months old
Carlee is holding her little brother Grady, he is one week old

Cousins meeting each other for the first time

Tayler loves her baby brother

Grady's first time at Papa's and Nana's house

Natalie and Jay didn't want to be out done by the two new babies, so they went out and got their own little baby. Here is the newest addition to their family, meet Copper, he is a Sheltie Mix.

Sydney and Collin adoring their new little puppy

Papa John enjoying his new little friend

WELCOME BABY STRONG

2011-07-07T21:33:00.001-07:00

WILLIAM GRADY STRONG

JULY 7, 2011-----------3:15 pm

7 LBS 9 OZ--------------19"

THE STRONG FAMILY

SISTER'S HOLDING THEIR NEW BROTHER

THE GIRLS WILL HAVE TO PUT UP WITH TWO BOYS NOW

NANA DONNA HOLDING GRADY FOR THE FIRST TIME

PAPA JOHN ENJOYING HIS NEW LITTLE GRAND SON

PROUD GRAND PARENTS

TAYLER HELPED WASH THE BABY

CARLEE GOT TO DRESS HIM IN HIS NEW NIGHT GOWN

GRANDMA GAYLA(SOUPIE'S MOM)AND CARLEE WERE THERE TO HELP WITH THE DELIVERY

CONGRATULATIONS BRANDT, SOUPIE, CARLEE & TAYLER

WE ARE SO GLAD THAT ALL WENT WELL FOR MOM & BABY

WELCOME LITTLE GRADY TO OUR FAMILY

SUNDAY DINNER TO CELEBRATE THE 4th

2011-07-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

LITTLE MISS INDEPENDENCE
HAPPY 4th of JULY
SUNDAY DINNER WITH THE FAMILY
Each family supplied their own dinner, Yea! Thanks everyone!

THE STRONG'S, CURTIS'S AND RUDEL'S CAME TO DINNER

AUNT NATALIE IS KEEPING STRIDER HAPPY WITH HER BOTTLE OF MOUNTAIN DEW......NO SHE IS NOT FEEDING IT TO HIM WE PROMISE.

MESA VERDE-----------JUNE 29th------------SPRUCE TREE HOUSE

2011-07-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

SPRUCE TREE HOUSE
SELF GUIDED
We spotted some flowering cactus on our way down to the dwelling

Spruce Tree House is right below this mesa.
The Ancestral Puebloans farmed above on the mesa.

A closer look of the dwellings as we were descending down

Spruce Tree House & kids

At Spruce Tree House we could actually descend down into the Kiva

Inside the Kiva
Cramped quarters, but they were also small people

Going back up

Dresden peeking around one of the corners

Smooth stones used for grinding their corn

The rooms went quite a ways back

LONG HOUSE CLIFF DWELLINGS

THESE DWELLINGS WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MESA, AN HOUR AWAY
While waiting for our tour, the wind picked up and it started raining. We hid as best we could during the down pore. It was over within 10 minutes and we were on our way to Long House

Half of our trip was buy tram and the other by foot

By now the kids have heard enough from the Park Rangers, they are ready to just go explore

Almost there

Getting closer

This is an original pile of wood that was left centuries ago

Each of the dwellings that we have seen have been impressive

Jay & Natalie

The kids are still hanging in there, this is another Kiva that is being shown

I loved the ladders, they were so strong

The end of the tour and the kids are still being good, we were so proud of them. We were told by a lot of people how impressed they were with our Mesa Verde Kids.

We were hungry bored and tired at the restaurant. It was good food, but the service that night was not what it had been praised for. Logan helped by entertaining us while we were waiting.

Thanks for being good kids, we love you

IT WAS AN AWESOME TRIP, HOPE OUR OTHER KIDS WILL HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE!

MESA VERDE------------------------JULY 29th------------THE BALCONY HOUSE

2011-07-05T07:29:00.000-07:00

BALCONY HOUSE
waiting to go down the cliff to the next dwelling

Sydney is picked to be the Park Rangers assistant
She will be the leader of our group

The spring (by Dresden) was a part of their water supply

We climbed up and down ladders and also went through tiny tunnels to and from the dwelling

Balcony House
Natalie, John & Donna
Logan, Collin, Dresden & Sydney

Sydney, Logan, Dresden & Collin

This cliff dwelling was named Balcony house because it had a small balcony outside these windows. The wood polls were also original to the era.

A closer look of the balcony

Our guide pointed out the rectangular spot on the ceiling. You can tell there must have been a room inside this space at one time.

Kiva
We learned that these rooms had a fire pit in the center. Air would come in through the tunnel (left) for ventilation purposes, and so to keep the fire burning a wall would be put between the tunnel and fire.

The boys are checking out some of the rooms

Our park ranger thanked Sydney and the other kids for their help, she also gave each of them a Jr. Park Ranger badge. They were thrilled!

More tunnels to conquer while leaving the cliff dwelling

As you can see we had to crawl on our hands and knees at one point

Then more climbing

It was worth it!

MESA VERDE------------------JULY 28th & 29th--------CAMP SITE & CLIFF PALACE

2011-07-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY, JULY 28th

CORTEZ, COLORADO
KOA CAMPGROUND

AT LEAST HERE WE HAD SOME GRASS & WE COULD EVEN ROAST MARSHMALLOWS

We stopped into the Welcome Center in the city of Cortez to pick up tickets for the Mesa Verde tours. The kids were given gift bags filled with shampoo, tooth paste & deodorant samples. They loved their deodorant and proceeded to put it all over their bodies.

After they lathered themselves in the deodorant they went to the pool to wash off.
Papa John and the boys

Jay, Papa John, Sydney & Logan

Enjoying the pool

We were lucky to have a basketball court close by our camp site.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29th
MESA VERDE

We saw wild horses in the park

Last minute idea........going to Walmart the night before and buying $3.00 T-shirts and stenciling Mesa Verde on them........stayed up all night in the tent stenciling, but it was worth it. Everywhere we went we had people complimenting us and also recognizing the kids as we went on the different tours. We would here a lot of people say "Hey, theirs the Mesa Verde Kids"

Sydney

Collin, Dresden & Logan

Papa John with the grand kids

Nana Donna with the grand kids

CLIFF PALACE
Waiting for our first tour of the day

Descending down towards the cliff dwelling

We climbed up and down a lot during our tour
Sydney & Collin

Sydney & Logan patiently waiting for our guide to explain about the ruins

Close up and personal

KIVA
(religious or special meeting place)

A view of the whole village

Another view

The grand kids were so good about listening and following the rules.

Dresden's fingers are showing the indentations that were made by the Ancestral Puebloans as they scaled the walls of the rocks

On our way out Collin finds another indentation

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK------------------2nd PART

2011-07-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, JUNE 27th

ON THE PATH TO DELICATE ARCH
OUT LOOK TO DELICATE ARCH

THE WINDOW ARCHES
NORTH WINDOW ARCH
Natalie & John
Natalie and Jay under the arch

LOOKING UP AND UNDER THE ARCH
Collin, Sydney, Logan and Dresden all under the arch

Collin and NatalieCollin and Dresden checking out a crevasse in the rock

SOUTH WINDOW

ON OUR WAY TO DOUBLE ARCH

DOUBLE ARCH

LAST STOP FOR THE DAY
DEAD HORSE POINT
LOOKING DOWN AT THE COLORADO RIVER

Jay, Natalie, Sydney & Collin

John & Donna

Papa John and Grand kids

Sydney & Collin
Logan & Dresden

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK ------------------PART 1

2011-07-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, JUNE 27th
WE WALKED AT LEAST FIVE MILES TO ALL OF THE ARCHES

ENTRANCE TO PINE TREE ARCH
Natalie, Collin and Sydney

Nana Donn & Papa John
Logan, Sydney, Collin & Dresden

THE BEGINNING OF OUR HIKES FOR THE DAY
WALKING TOWARDS PINE TREE ARCH

PINE TREE ARCH
Collin, Dresden & Logan

Natalie, Sydney & Donna

JAY HERDING THE KIDS DOWN THE PATH TO TUNNEL ARCH
(we walked at least 5 miles that day)

TUNNEL ARCH
THE SCENERY & LANDSCAPE IN ARCHES WAS SPECTACULAR
THE LIZARDS WERE JUST AS COLORFUL
NATALIE AND JAY NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO LANDSCAPE ARCH

LANDSCAPE ARCH
(In 1991 part of the right top of the arch fell as a man was taking the picture, we saw a sign at the foot of the arch showing the rock falling down, glad he wasn't under it at the time. The arch has been blocked off now so we couldn't stand under it, like I would want to do that!?!?)

Natalie and the kids went a different way towards the arch so we had to back track to find them, their path was a little more rocky and adventurous! One slip and you would find yourself 30 feet down a crevasse, what were we thinking?

an awesome boulder for the kids to sit on and take a rest

We even enjoyed seeing a deer on our way out of Landscape Arch

FIERY FURNACE
(John remembers this place the most, we hiked through all of the rocks when we took the kids many years ago. You now have to get a permit to do so and they are on a limited bases).