In Honor of Grandma Ruth

I have a fairly new car…it is a 2009.  I’ve never had any problems with it, however, when I was driving just me and the kids to Salt Lake on July 5th, my car went crazy on me right about Snowville, Utah.  All these dashboard lights came on and were blinking at me, and the automatic transmission would no longer shift to allow me to go faster than 50 miles/hour…on a stretch of road I usually drive 81 mph. 

I had planned to drive directly to Snowbird to be with family for a bit until I had to fly to Dallas for work, but because of the car trouble I drove straight to the dealership and had my parents pick me and the kids up.  We had about 2 hours before I could pick the car up, so we decided to go see Grandma Ruth who had finally decided, at 90 years old, that she could no longer live on her own.  She would be leaving in a few days for Blanding, Utah to live with her daughter. 

Grandma Ruth came into my life when I was about 14 years old.  She and my Grandpa were actually high school sweethearts at dear old Davis High School in the 1930’s, but lost track of each other during WWII.  They both married other people and raised families.  In the late 80’s both of their spouses died within 6 months of each other and Ray and Ruth were reunited after 50 years.  Grandpa even gave her the original engagement ring he had bought for Ruth back in the 30’s.

Her life wasn’t always easy, but you’d never know it.  She was a saint in all aspects of the word.  She looked beautiful every time you saw her…even when she wasn’t expecting anyone.  Her makeup was always done, her clothes were beautiful, and she ALWAYS wore jewelry.  She loved her jewelry.  She made my grandpa very happy.  They traveled the world from Africa to Alaska.  She took on anything and everything that came with Grandpa Ray as if it were her own, never complaining. 

Even though my Grandpa passed away more than 7 years ago, Ruth was still part of our life.  We didn’t get to see her very often, but she was great at keeping in touch via email. 

After only 14 days at her daughter’s in Blanding, Ruth passed away on July 21st.  Some people just can’t give up their independence and I think she was one of them.

Summer Slip ‘n Slide Fun

Colton got this great slip ‘n slide for his birthday.

Bryson always went all out!

And then came the tubes to make it even faster!

This is why I love my little girl!

And after her cheering, she had to try

The tube didn’t help her much

 

Have I said how much I LOVE SUMMER!!!

Bryce’s First BIG ride

My little boy learned how to ride his bike early this spring, but he was never completely confident.  He couldn’t get started on his own—we’d have to hold his bike until he got going—he also didn’t steer very confidently or stop well.  Last night, however, he ran in and said, “Mom, you have to come watch me!”  So, I went out to watch and sure enough, he can do it all by himself.  He was so excited, he wanted to just keep riding.  When we came in, he said

“Aren’t you so proud of me?”

Of course, I am! 

With his new-found confidence, he wanted to go on a big ride…so tonight we loaded the bikes in the truck, drove to Bellevue, unloaded and rode the bike path all the way to Snow Bunny for dinner. (About 6 1/2 miles round trip).  Daddy is at scout camp for the week…so its just me and the kids.  Perfect little activity for a beautiful (kind of hot…but welcome heat) evening.  Bryson did so well despite these little complaints:  “My bum hurts.”  “My thumbs hurt.”  “My neck hurts.”  He’s fine, though.  Nothing hurts now. :) 

Oh ya, and during the ride, Anna decided she was going to walk!  With a very loud and determined “No!” when I asked her to get back in the bike trailer…and then a “I’m gonna walk!”  OK.  So, we continued to ride…and after running for about 30 seconds she melted into a crying mess as she realized she couldn’t keep up.  It was actually quite funny.  She is a stubborn little thing.  Wonder where she gets that.

Gold Diggin’

Grandma Kenee and Grandpa Joe joined us for a fun 4th of July expedition to the old Yankee Fork Gold Dredge and the gold mining ghost town of Custer.
The dredge is a huge “boat” that sits anchored in a pond and digs up the earth all around it with these huge buckets.  This “earth” goes through a huge process in the dredge to filter for gold.  It was surprisingly fascinating.This huge monster moved miles up the canyon and left tailings all along the way.  It reminded me of the trail a worm leaves in the sand.  There were huge piles of rocks everywhere.  No one would be able to do something like that today!
After the tour of the dredge, we headed to Custer where the Forest Service provides real “panning for gold” for the kids.
 
They both even found little specks of gold.  Don’t let Colton’s smile fool you, though.  He admitted his disappointment later on when he said, “That wasn’t very fun.  You could hardly even see the gold it was so small.”  I guess he was hoping for a nugget. :)
This picture doesn’t do the view justice, but when you see beautiful mountains like these—you have to stop and snap a photo.  This is the Sawtooth Mountain Range just outside of Stanley, Idaho.
An adventure like that is not complete without an excellent BBQ at the end—outside even!  (Notice the dirt yard.  It will be very different in an upcoming post.)
   Happy 4th of July!

A Blue 4th of July

What kind of household doesn’t have any matches or even a lighter to let off fireworks?
We may not have those two things, but we do have a plumbers torch!
 
Joe and Ben got into some political discussion about us having a “green” 4th of July, and Colton piped right up and said… “It’s a blue 4th of July, not a green one.”  Thanks to the blue flame of the plumbers torch.  One of those “You had to be there moments.”
My fearless Anna had NO PROBLEM with fireworks.  Her brothers wouldn’t hold Sparklers until they were at least 4.  I think this was Bryson’s 1st year.  I think part of it is that she thinks she can do anything her brothers can do…and the other part is she is seriously fearless.

She ooohed and ahhhed at all the other fireworks.  Clapped.  Yelled Wow!  It was great fun.