Saturday Fun With Pockie!

Last Saturday Griffin came over to play for a little while. I took advantage and grabbed the camera. He is SOOOOO active that I didn't think I got any shots, but a few turned out! Here are some of my favorites from the day! We all had such fun!

Pockie and Griffin feeding the cows that live across the street from us. I love where we live!

This is my favorite one. I am definitely printing this one out to frame!

I found this old email I once received while cleaning today. I remember why I saved it! I wish I knew who authored it, but I don't. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do:

Enough
Author Unknown

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you posses.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the good-byes.

Happy Birthday to Chantile!

Chantile had her 33rd birthday on September 17th and we had a family celebration on the 2oth. We all had a fun time munching tacos and fresh homemade salsa. Happy birthday Chantile! We love you!!! (Oh, by the way, I did three different posts, so after the birthday pictures keep scrolling down!!)




Yep, I think she likes her gifts!



"What did you say?!"



I decided I needed to have a "Grandma's Dress Up Bag" So I started a collection of dresses and shiny shoes that the girls could play dress up with.....they are modeling a couple of outfits for you!

Yellowstone

Except or the family reunion, George and I haven't had a chance to get away or do anything this summer, so we snuck away for a quick trip to Yellowstone. We actually didn't see very many animals, disappointing, but the weather was spectacular and the scenery was gorgeous! Just thought I'd share a few pics from the day......

We were taking pics of the buffalo and I turned around to get in the car and spotted this guy peeking over the very high embankment on the opposite side of the road....I thought it was kind of funny...he was watching us watching the other buffalo...turned the tables!!

Man they're big animals!

This shot and the next one is just for Dad and Jenny!

"Just to give you an idea of the size" hahahahaha Jenny, can't you just hear dad saying that??!!

This was in West Thumb - the colors were amazing!

I think he was having fun....I was loving it!

Check out the depth and clarity and color...wow

I love how light refracts in water...I know...I know...DORK!

I thought this shot turned out cool!

This one too...

Elephant Head Mountain....hmmmmm...wonder why they called it that???

Family Home Evening Fun

On the 13th of September we had a little extra fun for Family Home Evening. We cooked steak on an open fire and had S'Mores for dessert. It was kind of warm that day, but we all had fun!

Even Windall had a good time thanks to Chantile's rub down. Windall LOVES Chantile!


Cooling off the S'mores. Do you think Ciara loves her Daddy?!



Dalin was thrilled when Papa let him "drive" the truck. One of Dalin's favorite things in life by the way!



The fire....and if you're wondering....yes...Amber is expecting again!!!! She is due late March!



She is her father's daughter!

Giggle for the Day ....

I was checking my email and this caught my eye - there was a list of 35 "truisms." It was on AOL. I copied a few that made me laugh out loud - thought you might get a kick out of them too:



*The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text. (I put that one in for George)

*The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again

*I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger

*Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

*I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

* Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"

*While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.

*I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

*Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

*There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

*I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

*As a driver pedestrians bug me, and as a pedestrian drivers bug me, but no matter what the mode of transportation, cyclists always bug me.

Listening to Little Ones....

I hope Amber doesn't mind that I share this, but it touched my heart. Ciara started school this past Wednesday and Amber was able to go with her and stay with her. It was a shortened day and the next day would be a full day 8:20 - 3:20 all by herself. That night Ciara was saying her prayers and asked Heavenly Father to help her so she wouldn't cry at school. After she finished, Amber asked her if she thought she might cry tomorrow at school. To which Ciara said with simple confidence, not any more, Mom. I prayed and Heavenly Father will bless me. What faith, no!?

Playing Catch Up!!

Well, I have a lot of pictures here. I finally made some time to sit down at the office and get them all uploaded - pheeeew! They are not in any sort of order, but hope you enjoy them!!


Jasmine's Piano Recital:

Just before the show started! (8.19.09)

The maestro at work! (Did I even spell that correctly??? Oh well, you get the idea!)

The beautiful Cooley girls after the show.



Jasmine's First Day Back to School:

A big third grader this year! (8.20.09)



Play Time With Ciara:

The Princess Bride - Outfit totally designed by Ciara herself (8.21.09)

And after the wedding.....the Queen and her new King....gotta love that pose!




My Miracle Flowers:

With the slower housing market I decided I wouldn't spend money on flowers for the yard this year. I was really disappointed as I love them, but it was the smart thing to do. Much to my delight I had an amazing "crop" of volunteer flowers! I usually have one or two pop up, but the entire length of the driveway was filled in!! I didn't plant a single flower, but look at the pictures! Can't you just hear the chorus of that primary song..."Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me." Call it want you want, but this was a miracle for me!



The Pirate Party:

Just for fun Chantile planned a pirate themed party for Jasmine and some friends. (7.31.09) Everyone had a great time. Way to go Chantile! You're a cool mom!!

Dalin loved the pool -

Water balloons are always a hit! Chantile is helping the kids get stocked up.

Uncle Matt grilled burgers and dogs for everyone - they were yummy! Amber and Dalin are eating it all up!

Look out! Dead eye Jaz is loaded and ready to go!




Family Night 8.2.09:

Dessert shall not be wasted.......The Kotter Kreed





A Cute Little Visitor:

Kind of a goofy looking little guy that showed up in our yard...but I thought he was cute.

Ciara's First Day of School:

I can't understand what happens to time. Wasn't she just a baby like a few months ago!? Her she is about to go to her first day of Kindergarten!

So Grown up!

Not to be outdone, Dalin was doing some prat falls and freezing for me so I could take his picture..He and I stayed home while Amber and Ciara went to school. He's such a little entertainer...what fun we had!

Laughter Is The Best Medicine!

Yesterday I was watching the kids for Amber so she could go to the temple. Ciara and I started texting George at work. Here's our conversation:
Julie texting: "Hey"
George's reply: "Straw"
Julie: (giggling to self)
Ciara: "What are you laughing at Grandma?"
Julie: "I typed 'hey' to grandpa and he typed 'straw' back"
Ciara: (laughs with a head shake and eye roll)
Julie: (eyebrows raised with surprise that she got the pun)
Ciara: "Type..... FLOWER NECKLACE ... Papa will laugh so hard he'll drop the phone"
Julie: "OK" and I type 'flower necklace' and what Ciara said about laughing
George's reply: "yep, I almost dropped the phone"
Ciara: "Did he drop the phone?"
Julie: "Yep. What should we type next"
Ciara: (thinking for a second)... "Type BOO....he'll laugh harder than a bee!" (roaring with laughter and slapping the table) "Aaahhhhh, I'm a natural!"
Julie: "OK" (wiping a tear,uncrossing my legs and texting the message)
Julie: "Papa wants to know if you're a natural comedian"
Ciara: "No...(smiling crossed with a questioned expression) I just make people laugh naturally!"

I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH MY GRANDKIDS

Angels Among Us

I have always believed their are angels among us - both the two legged variety and the four legged ones! I was checking my email this morning when this story caught my eye. I have read other stories where pets and animals play a key role in peoples' lives and it always touches my heart - deeper than just the emotional level if you know what I mean. I truly believe animals were created to bless us - not just to feed us and help us to work, but to bless us spiritually as well. I wasn't sure how to create a link to the site so I copied and pasted the story here. Unfortunately the picture of RaeLee (pronounced Riley) didn't come through - suffice it to say, his is a very cute mid- sized tan dog. Enjoy!!
Lost and Found Dog Saves Life of Boy with Down Syndrome
by Helena Sung (RSS feed) Aug 11th 2009 5:00PM
Photo: St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press
Do you believe in canine guardian angels and the kindness of strangers? You just might after reading this story. Early one morning, Yolanda Segovia's neighbor, Stacey Savige, knocked on her door and asked her to temporarily take in a stray dog she had found. The scruffy terrier mix had no collar or microchip. Segovia eyed the pooch -- burrs sticking to his belly and mud caking his fur -- and reluctantly agreed to foster him for the day. An erstwhile hairdresser, Segovia hasn't worked since 2006. At 47, she is a survivor of breast cancer and cervical cancer. A divorced single mother of two, Segovia shares her Port Tampa, Florida home with her 10 year-old son Azaiah and 21 year-old son Christian. Her elder son has Down Syndrome; he cannot speak or bathe himself, and he has had heart surgery and a kidney transplant, reports the St. Petersburg Times. Azaiah immediately took to the dog, whom he named RaeLee (pronounced "Riley"). Segovia and her sons bought the dog a collar, leash, ball and brown bed from the dollar store, and all that day, Azaiah played with the dog, laughing gleefully whenever RaeLee licked his face. "Don't fall in love with him," Segovia warned.Segovia and Savige made 4,000 FOUND flyers with the dog's picture, stuffed mailboxes and put an ad on Craigslist. When no one called, RaeLee stayed the night at the Segovias' house. His dog bed was placed in the living room, but when the boys climbed into their twin beds, RaeLee dragged his bed down the long hallway and bunked with the boys in their room.By Saturday -- four days later -- no one had called to claim RaeLee, and he was still living with the Segovias. The honey-colored terrier had started responding to his new name. He almost never barked, loved playing rambunctiously with Azaiah, and was tender with Christian. One afternoon, the dog settled himself on the floor near Christian as he watched a "Barney" video in his room. Segovia was outside watering the plants when the placid moment was shattered by the sound of RaeLee crashing into the screen door and barking crazily. Alarmed, Segovia opened the door, only to have the dog race back through the house towards the boys' room. Segovia followed, screaming when she caught sight of her son. Christian was "slumped over, his body writhing in a seizure, blood streaming from his nose and mouth." RaeLee stood next to him yelping, but suddenly went quiet when Yolanda reached down to hold her son. "If he hadn't come to get me," Segovia said, "the neurologist said Christian would have choked on his own blood and died." The dog, she decided, was a keeper.But the next day, Segovia and her sons were heartbroken when someone called to claim the dog they had come to love. Randy Cliff, 34, who lived six blocks away said he had been searching for his dog -- real name Odie -- for over a week. Odie had lived with Cliff, his wife, their four children and infant granddaughter. Savige cried, telling Cliff, "That dog saved my friend's son."When Cliff came to collect his dog, RaeLee a.k.a. Odie, leapt off the Segovias' porch and into his arms. Christian watched from a window. Azaiah stood on the porch watching the man hug the dog he knew as RaeLee. "We're going to miss you," he said, tearfully. Looking up, Cliff took in the scene -- Christian looking scared, Azaiah looking downtrodden -- and asked, "Is that your brother?" Azaiah nodded yes.With a sudden change of heart, Cliff put the dog back down. "Maybe Odie was supposed to find you," Cliff told a stunned and delighted Azaiah. "Maybe you should keep him."And that is how the kindness of strangers -- Savige for rescuing a lost dog, Segovia for taking him in, and Cliff for giving up his pet to a pair of brothers who needed the dog more -- brought RaeLee to live with Azaiah, Christian and their mother.