August 2011

Colorado!!!

We were all so excited for this trip. A true vacation. Mom and Dad Allen were the only ones who could make it- they brought Grandma Black so it was pretty quiet but still a blast! Yes, that is Brian and Samantha in a canoe by themselves. I about had a heart attack but Brian's a pretty good driver. Dusty kept telling me, he'd jump in if he had too. The view of the ranch from about halfway up the mountain. Dusty driving the kids around at the annual Lake George Tractor Pull. Dusty drove in the main event too. Our family ready for our hike up to potato rock (or balanced rock) and the most beautiful rainbow!! Almost every afternoon, there was a thunderstorm. The were so amazing to watch. Our tent help up perfectly and we were super comfortable and dry. What an amazing piece of heaven on earth.

July 2011

Because we had such a busy summer and their birthdays are close together, we had a double birthday party for Nathan's 1st and Samantha's 3rd. What fun!

June 2011

For a family reunion, we stayed at a lodge at Brian Head, UT. It was 9,000+ in elevation. Literally felt on top of the world. The views were awe-inspiring. We had fun but it was tough to keep tabs on all the kids. I kept having nightmares of them falling of the side of the mountain! We got to all go for a horse back ride, sit in the hot tub, play lots of ping pong, visit, learn some really neat things from our relatives and eat, eat, eat. Oh and Brian thought it was pretty cool that the place we went had the same name as he did!

May 2011

It's 2012 already and I totally dropped the ball with blogging every month like I had planned. Maybe it's because I made a commitment and didn't keep it, maybe it's because my pictures are finally organized, maybe it's because I'm a little shocked January 2012 is already over and I'm not quite ready for a new year, maybe I'm just a little too sentimental- whatever the reason, here are are the posts for the rest of 2011.

May 2011

We took a really long but wonderful trip the end of May/ beginning of June. We started out in Oregon at Jared and Mackenzie's wedding, a visit to Eagle Point for Whitley's blessing (Jess and Emma's baby), a short stay in Susanville with Jake and Shannon, and a few days in Las Vegas at Uncle Bill's place to do some concrete and visit with Dusty's family. Here are a few photos.

Grandma Tolman

My Grandmother, Maurine Elison Tolman passed away Saturday in her sleep. Yesterday we had the funeral services to celebrate her 91 years of life. What an amazing woman!

These are a few things I learned about her and a few memories I have. She and grandma purchased a country store and had the business loan payed off in 8 years. They borrowed $12,000 to build a house and had that debt payed off in 3 years! The metal spatula that had two burned dents in the tip was a result of my aunt sticking it in between a plug and outlet in order to remove the plug. I have seen and used this spatula which Grandma had for well over 50 years. The same aunt tried to throw it out one visit but saw it in the drawer the next time she came. She was a master seamstress and quilter. She worked daily to do her best in all she did, even if it meant ripping out a zipper to do it again. She was frugal, never wasting and she always made sure she had her debts paid, even if it was $3 because one of us brought her a gallon of milk. I remember her smile and laugh. Here she is at our wedding almost 7 years ago.

All 24 of her grandchildren were able to come from as far away as Boston, Texas, and Hawaii. It was wonderful to see all my cousins! As I reflect on my grandma and her legacy, I am so grateful for such an amazing example to follow. I rejoice that she is rejoined with her beloved husband after 11 years. It's interesting how a funeral puts things into perspective. Life really is about family, loving and striving to do your best. All the other stuff is just stuff. I love you Grandma and hope I will be able to live up to your legacy.

Happy Birthday Brian!!!

Brian turned 5 yesterday! I can't believe I have a 5-year-old! We had a family birthday party on Monday and then Friday afternoon, we had a little friend birthday party.

"Crazy Clarence"

came to teach the kids how to make balloon dogs. (When I asked Brian what kind of party he wanted, he said one with balloons so we had lots and lots of balloons).

Crazy Clarence blew up the clear balloon with a birthday dollar in it and made it into a dog for Brian. He was so fun! The kids just loved him- when's the last time you saw 4/5 year-olds sitting this still?

Brian can write his name with a little help spelling. He loves to put things together-like legos. He also really love to tie things-like stuffed animals on a "leash". He is starting to do kind things on his own which is really neat for me to see. He's also learning how to be mischievous. He loves putting things in his pockets and dressing in layers. We love you Brian! You really are the coolest 5-year-old!

Every Day Life

We love having friends over, usually for dinner, and sometimes to play games too. My friend Chelsea loves to take pictures and she's so much better at remembering than I am. She took these when they came over for Family Home Evening last week. I often feel unaccomplished, or that it takes me forever to get anything "done" but I'm starting to relax about it and realize that this life is so much more than checking off your To Do List. I have such a full life and I enjoy so many people and things, it's really okay that the laundry is never done the quilt that's been sitting for over a year and a half will probably sit for another year or more. Here's to every day life with (drawings of) friends, smiles, and messy pudding faces.