Raised On Country Sunshine

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Sabbath Day Fishing

If Lyle is the fish, is Sabbath Day fishing ok?

(Photography by Rex)

James made a great day for the boys even though it made it more busy for him. He taught a geneology merit badge at the Midway during the morning and rushed home to take the boys to Kids Free Fishing Day at Columbia Park. Lots of smiles despite the rain.

Rex, Lyle, and Hyrum

Rex

Lyle

Hyrum

The only catch of the day belonged to Rex even though they all begged to stay longer. Three hours was enough.

While the boys were fishing, Sariah and I went to town on the housework and then did these facials for the first time. Pretty scary looking huh?

Sariah and the little guys and I headed out to 351 Fairway to see Kase and Brielle and their girls who had got in the night before. We were planning on using Gp and Gm's hottub but found this instead: (Vard's new toy)

Two thumbs up for Rex

Hyrum

Rex taking a selfie while I was getting unbuckled.

Sariah ready for her ride.

Lyle went for a ride too, don't know what happened to his picture.

Spring Break

First priority for Spring Break was getting the garden ready to go and that meant tackling the raspberry patch.

James and I pruned (as well as Talmage on Monday) while the other kids carried the canes to the burn pile. It took several hours over a few days, but finally, the patch was ready. James took care of the blackberry row single-handedly. It was a real tangle.

Monday night we had enough for a hotdog roast bonfire. It burned so hot, it was hard to get close enough to roast the hotdogs.

We found a few of these April Fool's jokes around the house courtesy of Sariah.

While James and the big kids stayed up late watching movies, the little guys and I would read Where the Red Fern Grows and then we would all fall asleep in our bed.

Tuesday we took a day trip to Palouse Falls. Near the last stretch of road there was a reader board that flashed, "4 Recent Deaths, Use Caution." That didn't stop several people we watched hike down to the bottom with their kayaks and kayak around the bottom of the falls.

We were happy enough to view from the top. This must have been before Rex got stung by a wasp because he wasn't very happy after that. We got a couple of good chapters of Where the Red Fern Grows in on the trip going and coming.

Wednesday, we went and helped Taryn in her yard. She will soon start chemo. The kids especially liked her rock wall in the backyard. That evening, James, Sariah, and I joined the Priest Quorum to help Luci Jones get her garden ready for planting.

Thursday, we met Jennifer at Woodward's pool and the kids swam for close to 3 hours. Hayden came to our house to stay for a couple days until Conference.

Saturday afternoon we pruned and cleaned out Mom's row of raspberries after 2nd Session. During Priesthood Session while the little boys watched basketball and Holes, Sariah and I joined with our great family to do some yard work in Stacey's yard while she and her daughters and daughter-in-laws were at Conference.

Tuesday morning Talmage had left early with Mom and Dad to go visit the BYU campuses and attend Saturday morning of Conference in the Conference Center.

While in Rexburg, Talmage got to stay with Kioa and Blaire and spend time with Cody Jenks and Gage Taylor and their roommates.

Talmage and Haven

Talmage got to talk to a BYU-I Engineering Professor

From Rexburg they went to Santaquin via Temple Square. They spent Thursday evening having dinner and visiting with Grandma Hales.

Talmage with Grandma Wells

Talmage with Grandpa Wells

They watched the Saturday afternoon and Priesthood Session in the Tabernacle.

Grandpa and Grandson walking out of Priesthood Session.

Pretty cool picture.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Mom turns 43!

Lizza's super fancy cake!

Sariah was home sick on Wednesday and although I wasn't glad she was sick, it was nice to have some company for my birthday. While I was out walking, she made me this super cute page to count a blessing for each year of my life. Being Sariah though, it had to be an even number so I got to list one extra. I thought about listing all my kids together, but I just couldn't. Each one is so unique, and each one brings different kinds of joy into my life.

I really do have so much to be grateful for. It was a good day, the reflection of a very blessed life.

We didn't get a picture, but last night we had everyone over for a March birthday dinner. Cole, Laryn and Brielle weren't here, but Hyrum, Dave and I were. The day was gorgeous and so the kids played outside and then some of them came in to watch Mary Poppins Returns. It is a great blessing to have family close and have chances to get together and enjoy each other's company.

James worked all day outside. He pruned the grapes and then worked on the lawn. He raked it, and cut it, and it looks so much better. When the snow melted it wasn't looking very good with the snow mold. He got a bit of a sunburn and a little dehydrated on his first full day of outside work.

This week Talmage and Bryant had their first track meets.

Talmage at the high jump.

Talmage at the pole vault, he's clearing his last year's PR of 9'6" easily. At 10' his facial expression changed. He's got to get over the mental 10' bar first.