Spring Break - Fun in Cali vs Quilt Mania

We had planned to join K & A in Cali for a week of ultra fun at the beach and Disneyland when we found out that a family in our ward was going to the temple on Friday to have their four little girls sealed to them. About ten years ago I painted an Arizona temple on a piece of fabric for this couple as incentive for a quilt when they went to the temple. I had given it to them and totally forgotten about it. I was "reminded" about it on Sunday and decided to make good on my word. Russell and Rhondia wanted blue and green so I pieced and pressed and speed quilted until Thursday afternoon. Here it is after the quilting party, just needing to be bound. My treat was being able to be with them in the temple. Words can't express the sweetness. I just regret missing the fun we would have had with our four little Nielson girls. I hope they will forgive.

Bloomin' Green

I love the smell of Spring! I love the color of Spring! It's here!

We've been working in the back yard this week. Love it all!

Scouts

Approximately 26 years ago I was called as a Den Leader in Cub Scouts. We had so much fun hot glueing crickets to our tablesaw out back, and making papermache creations over balloons that pop and fly up to the ceiling fan and flap all over the kitchen. It's funny that I was so nervous to have those boys come each week. Then my sons and husband progressed to scouts and scout camp and merit badges and scout hikes and all that goes with that. I was in Primary and was so mad that Mel made me go to "basic training." I learned a lot about leadership. Years passed, more roundtables, more scouts, and I should have three "My son is an Eagle Scout" bumperstickers plastered across the back of my van. Scouting for life! That's my motto. I feel honored to have received the "On my honor" award recently a our court of honor. I just feel bad that I didn't get to sit in the Eagle's nest.

Crossing the Bar - Raising the Bar - Passing the Bar

It seems we are all trying to do something with the bar. Whether it is to raise the standard or bar, whether it is to endure to the end so to be able to cross the bar, or to have studied yourself crazy as this young lad has, to pass the bar, we're all in this together. In earlier years I seem to remember telling Chris to stay away from bars. Now, I just hope he doesn't drive Beth to drink. Sophia and I are some of Chris' biggest fans. Rah, rah, rah, go, fight, win!

Bar, schmar! Not barf. That's Parker's take on it. Amy says to make sure you wear your smile for it. Even a nervous smile is possible.

Dad and the "Pueblo Prowlers" say, "Just run 'em over, there's no stoppin' ya, now!"

The nieces and nephews say not to get too serious about it. It's going to be over before you know it.

Joe and Mary Ann are just soooooooo proud of you. Joe's holding his breath for you!

Oakley's thought is "if you can just hold on, white knuckle it, have faith, you'll be just fine.

You'll do great Christopher John Jones, we know you will. Love you, Mom and Dad

V-day, For the love!

Some might say Happy V-Day but when I think of V, I think of Vicks. And when I think of Vicks, I think of Morgan Bates and Vicks. I think of whiny requests to wrap a dark sock around his Vicks swathed throat and pin it with a big safety pin. Are you kidding? For the love! So for all of you, Happy Valentines Day! This mama and papa love you whether or not we have to swath with Vicks and wrap with a dark sock. What I'd give for a picture of Morgie wrapped in a Vicks covered sock.

Virus

Virus! It seems that's what we did for January. First one then the other, and back and forth until our computer also caught it. Thanks to "Leather Brain" we're back in the running. Happy Rainy Day! Don't any of you get a virus!

Happy Birthday to the face of expression

Today marks the anniversary of this face of expression. Kevin is 25 today. Happy Birthday to you. We love your face with your expressive eyes and ...

concern...Happy Birthday to Amy Anne too.

Twinner eyebrows? What do you think? It adds to the expression.

Everybody loves our Kev! Happy Birthday Kevin Scott Danger Jones.