It's Almost Spring

Haven't written for a while so I thought I would update the blog. We are so glad that it is almost spring here in West Texas. We had quite a cold blast here and we even hit an all time record. We got as low as -10 with the windchill and that is unusual for this area. It was so cold that it froze our pipes. Even when the plumber said that the new tubing would stand up to the cold to -31. (Has now renigged on that comment). Anyway needless to say it was scary to not have any water at all. Thank goodness we had water bottles that we could use for the time being. It sure makes you stop and think what kind of heat and water backup you have in case of a real emergency that lasts longer than just a few days. Other areas had their electricity go out, but we were lucky ours did not.
This makes us think, "Do we have enough food storage, water, blankets, gas for the generator, some kind of heating, etc. Guess we had better get on this so we won't be out in the cold next time.
For the last 7 months now we have had a lot of things in the house go out. Lets see, dishwasher needed to be serviced, a/c went out, then of course the heater needed to be replaced to make the upgrade of the a/c, water softener went out, we had a water leak in the house from the pipes in the slab under the house, (this plumbing all had to be replaced and they put the pipes in the attic) the water heater went out, (couldn't get a hold of the plumber so Scott and his dad replaced it for us) washer and dryer went out, and now we are waiting to hear about when the shocks on our car need to be replaced (OK enough already). Needless to say we are tired of so many things breaking down. It sure has been a test of our FAITH. We remember the scripture that says "after the trials of your faith the blessings will come." We have been blessed and thank our Heavenly Father for the trials that are sent our way so we can become stronger. Faith builds character ane will leave it at that.

Family Pictures 2010

Here are our Family Pictures for 2010. The family is sure growing isn't it? We are thankful for each of our children and grandchildren. They are very dear to us. We love you all so much.

During this Christmas season we reflect on all our blessings throughout the year and can't help believe that we have been truly blessed. We have also been blessed with the knowledge of the gospel which is in our lives and the lives of our children. As we reflect on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and all that he has done for us; we hope that we can be examples to others as He has been to us. We hope that this Christmas Season brings much happiness to all of our family and friends.

Easton Kash Gifford

Welcome Easton Kash Gifford, 8lbs 15 oz 21" long. Big boy and glad that everything went OK. Brittany is great now and so is Easton. He had a bit of blood sugar problems but guess it is ok now. They are home now and adjusting to 3 kids now. Welcome little guy. More pictures to come soon. Can't wait to meet you in October.

Utah Trip #2

More pictures. What do you expect from a Grandma.......Enjoy

Brooklyn and Chandler enjoy the tramp. Dad was outside mowing and the kids were having fun on the tramp.

They love their garden. Everybody helps.

Cookies. When I told the kids I was coming Brooklyn wanted to make cookies like last time. They are doing a mighty fine job. Best part is EATING the cookies.

Brooklyn was doing such a great job. Trying to figure out what color sugar she wants on her cookie.

Chandler loved pouring as much sugar as he could before Dee would see and stop him. Sugar everywhere. Oh well wouldn't be any fun if there wasn't sugar all over would it?

I was able to go see my Mom and Dad in St. George. Before we came to Utah, Dad had a memory loss on Saturday so Leslie and Vicki went to St. George to be with Mom and Dad and take him to the Dr. Les came home on Monday and picked me up on Wednesday and then we made the trip down to see them and Vicki also stayed. It was so much fun reminiscing about old times. Glad Dad is doing better now. He had to have a pacemaker put in, and looks like he had a mini stroke too.

Mom, Dad and Dee

We had the Moore's, Gifford's over to Lacey's house on Sunday and had a BBQ on their new grill. It was a lot of fun. Blake starting wrestling with the kids and they loved it. Even Gramma Dee got involved.

Shad, JJ, Spencer

Guilma, Lacey, Brittany, Chandler

JJ, Spencer, Guilma. Can't believe how big the boys are.

Well guess that is enough of the pictures. Hope you all enjoyed them as much as I have. It was fun to see everyone. I saw David and Kona Dee at Ferta-lawn, Craig and Cynthia and I went to lunch at my favorite place in Bountiful. Mom, Dad, Vicki and Leslie at St. George, Blake and Guilma at Lacey's house. Good times for me as I enjoyed everyone's company. Have to do it again someday. And of course my kids and grandkids. LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Utah Trip

These are some pictures that I took while I was in Utah to see my kids, grandkiddos, siblings and Mom and Dad Moore. Lyman was at the BSA National Jamboree in Virginia for 3 weeks for the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts. We drove my car up to Utah so I had transportation. I had a really great time with everyone so hope you all enjoy the pictures too.

I got to tend Brooklyn and Chandler while I stayed at Shad and Brittany's place. We did a lot of fun things and they loved riding their bikes. Good at it too, both of them.

Chandler riding his bike. He is so funny going down the drive way. He gets on his bike but his tummy is on the seat and he drags his feet to get at the bottom then off he goes down the sidewalk as fast as he can.

Family picture of Shad, Brittany, Easton (tummy) Chandler and Brooklyn. Great picture isn't it.

Family picture of Tyler, Lacey and Cameron. Cameron has gotten 2 bottom teeth so far. Now he has 2 top ones, one more bottom one and can even crawl. He is learning many things right now. His hair just cracks me up. Funny boy.

We went swimming with the gang. Didn't get pictures of Shad's family and Lacey sent this to me for Cameron's first swim party. He wasn't to sure of it.

Tried to get Chandler into the water and all he would say was "I'm going to die". Poor thing, but I got him in and he had a great time. They all went down the water slide and had a lot of fun.

Denali National Park, Alaska

Mountain range in Denali National Park

The grizzly bear came bouncing down the hill on the right side, then crossed the street and down the hill he went. Had to be fast in getting his picture because he went fast.

We were hoping that we would see wildlife and sure enough here are to 2 moose walking down the highway. Awesome, they came right behind us so we sat in the car for a few minutes and they came to eat at the bush behind us.

Got a picture of Lyman as he always gets mine. I had the camera this time!! HA

We saw these swans swimming and trying to catch their food for the day.

We saw about 4 herds of caribou. Some were eating and some were bedded down.

If you look real close you can see about 7 dahl sheep up on the mountain. Amazing how they can climb those rocks.

Alaska is beautiful country. We were glad that we were able to take this drive. We think we were able to see the tip of Mt. McKinley too. We were told sometimes you can see it and sometimes you can't. Guess it is like Mt. Rainer in Washington.

Fairbanks Alaska

We got to see Santa's reindeer. Don't know which one this is, but seems to be pretty content.

Of course we had to go to North Pole City. This is Santa's house with all of his goodies in there. We didn't get to see Santa as he was on Spring Break. To bad.

This is Dee in Santa's Sleigh. Boy that was fun.

This is Lyman underneath the Santa sign. Pretty big sign so everyone can see where Santa's house is. Even the light poles were candy canes. Pretty cool. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa!!

Here are the trees that had a recent snow storm come through. The one we landed in. YUK!! Going into their camp.

This is the Alaska pipeline. I think it runs 180 miles through Alaska.

This is the Alaska range of mountains still covered in snow. It was awesome to see all the mountain ranges there.