Race #3

The race for April was a low-key 5k.  I joined a very small group to run a 5k around the park behind my parents house.  I ran this race by myself.  Rob was able to steal away from the scout expo he was attending to hangout with Ridge and Emma while I ran.  He, unfortunately, missed the awards ceremony where I took first in my age group and received a bag of apples (the race was to support education).  It was pretty exciting to win something.  I didn't have a stellar time but I ran the entire thing and I kept with my goal, three months and three 5k's!

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While I was running, Archer was earning some merit badges.  Proud of him. 

 

United front

I have this best friend who is amazingly talented, her name is Amy.  She is so nice to take pictures of my family and work with fake smiles, crankiness, bossiness, tiredness, and any other ness-es.  After she did some great spring time pictures like this,

 

 

I returned the favor by knitting her this, the U-knitted States. 

Any given Tuesday

Ridge is usually my date to volleyball every Tuesday morning, while we wait for the doors to be unlocked, we love to look at this tree.

 

He sees an 8 and I see infinity.

Backyard

Next step in putting in the pergola.  Mom and I started early digging up palm trees to clear the way for the digging of the post holes.  We dug and dug and dug.  There were rocks and more rocks but we succeeded!  I may have picked up the nickname Thor.

Bocce

Who is quickly approaching 40 and preparing for old age by taking up bocce?

This guy!

This man of Scottish heritage joins with his Armenian co-worker to engage in an Italian sport.  Diversity will triumph for the County Games!

Double digits

Emma has left the single digit age behind!  Sister is 10!  Such a time to reflect on the blessing and miracle that is Emma.  I know that there is a purpose to our lives.  I know that there is a reason why I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I know that I have been blessed more than I realize, more than I earned, and certainly more than I deserve.  Grateful, ever grateful for that Grace of God.  I know that when I chose the middle name of Grace for Emma I had no inkling of the importance.  It is only by God's Grace that I deserve to be Emma's mom.  I fall short of her in so many ways but she is ever patient with me, she cannot call me out on it, she cannot express her disappointment.  I am hopeful and fearful for the day when we will know each other without the limitations of this earthly life.  Emma has made such a difference in the lives of the people that she loves.  She is a blessing.  She is the Grace of God.  Everyday I am thankful to know God a little bit better because I have her, my Gracie.

Easter weekend

My family has had a big blow-out Easter celebration for as long as I can remember.  Like stake a claim at the park, spend all day, get sunburned, and go home exhausted blow-out.  Things have slowed down somewhat but we still gather with my mom's siblings and their children and their children at my Grandparents' house--if our church schedule allows.  Mom has been so gracious to try to accommodate our family for celebrating so Jason and his family and my family gathered together on Saturday to enjoy the blessings of spring.

It is such a blessing to have a family that respects our religious choices and makes traditions that include all of us.  We hope that our dedication to the Gospel shows an example worthy of their respect.

And, our crazy late night egg coloring session.  A tradition that we just can't seem to accomplish before 9pm!

Archer the archer

Archer mentioned that he feels that he should at least shoot a bow and arrow once in his life.  Bonus for Mom, there is a Boy Scout badge for that!  Wish fulfilled for him and one step closer to his Eagle for Mom.  Can we call it two birds with one arrow?

Update

Just looking at this picture reminded me how much we have to go on the backyard.

It might appear that we are heading for the Redneck look with the dirt, TV outside, crap behind the garage, beanie hat, ripped up jeans, and the Redneck essential, camo.  Fear not, we are cleaning it up!

Spring Break in Cedar City

Rob's grandma Gardner hasn't been doing very well, she has been in a care center for quite a while.  Recently Rob's dad was visiting with Grandma and she commented that she hadn't seen Rob and his family and would like a visit.  We packed up the car and headed to Utah.  Rob was concerned that he might be left with some memories of Grandma that were not as wonderful as the ones where she always had perfect hair and she was making amazing rolls.  It is hard when our families age and endure new stages of life.  We pressed on and did the right thing.  We visited our Grandma.  We listened to General Conference during our travels, we stopped at our favorite spots on the way and even found a new place or two.

We tried out Kneaders.  I think we all liked it.  It never hurts when they have yummy brownies!

 

My last trip to St. George's Tai Pan Trading.  They are out of business now.  Bummer!

It doesn't count if you don't stop here.

We tried this for dinner.  Rob and Archer were very impressed by the ginormous jar of "help yourself" pickles as well as the soft serve ice cream machine. 

Sunday we went on up to Cedar City.  We stopped at Grandpa Gardner's house before we went to see Grandma.

 

 Gardners' basement with lots of furniture that Grandpa made, chests, book shelves, tables, and railings.  The walker is new but signs of aging and life but as different as Gardners' house feels now with Grandma being laid up and Grandpa slowing down, it still feels welcoming and like home.

The boys took the liberty of playing the player piano.

 

 

 

Then we were off to visit Grandma.  I have not had the occasion to visit our last visit before.  We had been prepped that it wouldn't be long.  We were pleasantly surprised when we visited with Grandma, she knew who we all were, she was recalling birthdays for the children and we had a wonderful visit.  As wonderful as it can be when you know that it just might be the last.  We saved out tears until we left the doorway but ever grateful that we had the sweet visit with Grandma.

 

Then, to seal the memory, it snowed on us on the way home.  Just a special instance to mark the special day that we spent with Grandma, snow in April!  April Fools day even.

 

We made a quick visit to Grandma Whiting before we drove home to Vegas.  Well, Vegas via Ice Burg.