THE GREAT EXODUS! ..... April 9th & 10th

EXODUS TO EPHRAIM

We are very happy that Grandpa Bill and Grandma Ellen have been able to return home to Ephraim. They stayed in our old home for six months. We are especially happy because six months ago we really didn't know if Grandpa would be healthy enough to return home. Miracles happen and he has been given a second chance, we know he is very grateful and so are we.

Grandpa Bill was chomping at the bit to get home this last month and Grandma Ellen was dragging her feet. There were a lot of old friends to say goodbye to (whom they became reacquainted with while they were up here) and Grandma also had other things she wanted to do before leaving. Grandpa wanted to leave for Ephraim the first of April, but we couldn't move their furniture back until the following week because of other commitments. They left a few days before we came with the furniture. All the family members helped us load up the trailer with Grandpa and Grandma's furniture Friday night, and Brandt and Soupie went with John and I to Ephraim Saturday morning to unload the furniture.

GRANDPA WAITING IMPATIENTLY IN THE CAR FOR GRANDMA

Thursday, April 8th

GRANDMA COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING

WE WILL MISS THEM!

WE THINK GRANDPA IS VERY HAPPY NOW THAT HE IS HOME

CUTE PICTURE OF THEM!

picture was taken at Christmas time when they lived here

EASTER 2010 April 4th

Easter was a great day, we listened to General Conference and then enjoyed the family coming over for dinner. The day was snowy and cold so the grand children took turns hiding each others eggs in the house. They were mostly in the living room except for Collin, he started out finding eggs in both the kitchen and living room, but there were too many hiding places in the kitchen so the adults decided to confine the other three grand children to the living room or it might have taken all night.

The kids ate at the counter for Easter dinner

I decided to have a roast instead of the usual ham

Everyone pitched in to help with dinner

Collin looking in my cupboard for an egg Collin looking in the refrigerator for an eggs (can you see why we decided to use the living room only after Collin's search)

One of Collins eggs was sitting inside of Grandpa Bills boot

Dresden's turn to look for eggs

You're hot now cold, Dresden where could the egg be?

Look at Grandma Ellen's collar, do you see an egg Dresden?

Sydney's turn, she's looking high up in the book case

She's good at finding the eggs, way to go Sydney Okay Dresden Sydney knows you are hiding one!

Logan's turn, he's waited a long time
Oops he lost count, have I got them all yet?
One more and you're done, look up high Logan

Now comes the fun part......did Nana and Papa give us money?

Carlee and Tayler

Brandt and Soupie invited us over for dinner Monday night

because they were in Heber with Soupie's family on Easter.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DRESDEN April 3rd

A card and money from Grandpa Bill & Grandma Ellen

Giving Great Grandparents a big hug and thank you

Reading Papa John & Nana Donna's card

Dresden really wanted the latest edition of Fablehaven, so we got it for him

Dresden's birthday was an unusual day.........We had 4" of snow on the ground(not fun), and it was the 180th sessions of general conference. The conference was wonderful and it made his birthday even more special. Dresden chose to delay his Birthday party from the 3rd to next weekend so hopefully the weather will be warmer. The family celebrated Easter and Dresden's birthday on Easter day (the 4th). Brandt, Soupie and girls were in Heber with Soupies family, our Cali family got to go to Arizona to visit family there. Dresden was named after the city Dresden in Germany. John and I were at Gloria and John's last month and the bedroom we stayed in had a beautiful painting of Dresden Germany, so I thought I would add it to this blog to celebrate our cute Dresden. Most important is that Dresden turned 8 years old and we are looking forward to his baptism and confirmation in May.

Painting of Dresden Germany

REMEMBERING FAMILY PETS

This week dozens of memories have been flooding back to me. These memories are of our pets, past and present. I guess it's because Brandt and Soupie are having a hard time right now, their Boston Terrier, Daisy just past away this last weekend. John and I know what they are feeling. Daisy was named after our Daisey, who was an American Bull dog. She originally belonged to Brandt, but because he could not keep her where he lived she became a part of our family. She was a sweetheart and we loved her very much.

DAISEY DUKE

Daisey visiting Santa Claus

John loved coming home from work to play with Daisey and Daisey loved his attention

When we got Daisey, she helped make Cocoa feel young again.
We only had Daisey for about 8 years, too short for how much we loved her.

COCOA

Cocoa was a playful dog, but as she got older she slowed down a lot. When we got Daisey, Cocoa quickly became Daisey's adopted mother. She frequently had to let Daisey know when she became too playful, they really loved each other.

I remember every summer we would cut Cocoa's hair, she loved it because she would get very hot in the summer. She also loved hers baths they kept her cooled off. By fall her hair would be grown out again, she had the most beautiful coat.

Brandt and Cocoa

We had Cocoa for 16 years

FLOPSEY

Our first pet was Flopsey, at the age of 5, Natalie brought home a stray kitten(Flopsey). She had a crooked tale so we thought it was broken. We tried to wrap Popsicle sticks around her tale, but as soon as we put them on she would have them back off. A few years later we found out that she was from a certain kind of breed that are suppose to have crooked tales......go figure!

Natalie hideing behind Flopsey

She was a playful cat. Flopsey out lived all of our animals (except for Maya). Flopsey was 23 years old when she passed away, that's older than Methuselah in cat years.

I remember Flopsey would follow the kids up the street and stop at the corner, she would watch them continue on to school until she couldn't see them any more, then she would hurry back home.

Michael and Shannon

These were Flopseys kittens, Grandpa and Grandma Strong kept one of her kittens, Dusty. Flopsey even out lived Dusty.

We also had other animals, we had Scamper our hamster, we loved watching Flopsey chase her around in that clear plastic ball. We know it frustrated Flopsey but we sure had a laugh. Brandt also took on the adventure of raising rabbits. It seems we always had some kind of pet to take care of. I may not have been as patient with them as John was, but I can honestly say that we truly loved them. We have had the privilege of taking care of some of Gods most precious creatures and in doing so they have unconditionally loved us and have enriched our lives. President David O McKay said that "love of nature is akin to the love of God."

ST. GEORGE IN MARCH

March 18 - 21, 2010
We visited St. George the weekend of the 18th. Cindy and Bob were sealed in the St. George Temple and Cheri had surgery on her back. It was perfect timing to be there and spend time with the family. The temple ceremony was beautiful and being with family made it perfect. Cheri looked great and I am so happy that she is doing so well after her surgery.

Gloria and John were so nice to let us stay with them while we were in St. George. We really enjoyed being with them and getting to know John more. They really do make a cute couple. We stayed an extra day so John could help Vince build a shed. John loved it!

John and Gloria John and Vince

Jean and I watched the men w0rk

I loved the warm weather, check out our umbrella's shading the sun

Savannah sang the National Anthem at a soccer game, she and Saxton have beautiful voices

JUST CHILLIN' Mid March

THIS DOG REALLY THINKS SHE'S HUMAN

You have to appreciate the whole procedure here. Maya (the dog) walks across the other couch, jumps onto the arm rest of the love seat by John then she backs herself up and sits on his lap.
Who says we still don't have kids at home?!

NOT SNOW AGAIN! March 4th & 5th

X-BOX VS IMAGINATION

School was out on Friday except for the teachers. Natalie and Jay's babysitter was out of town so we got to have their kids Thursday night and Friday. Of course the weather changed from Springlike back to good ole Winter, so they didn't have clothes for playing outside. Shannon offered to exchange kids so Syd and Logan stayed at the Curtis home while the two older boys stayed with us. Collin wasn't very happy about that because we don't have an x-box! But he soon learned that making a tent was way cooler than an x-box. They slept inside the tent and spent hours playing games and just talking. Even Sydney and Logan came over and wanted to be a part of it.

WHO KNEW A HOME-MADE TENT WOULD WIN OUT THE X-BOX!