Cousins Cozy Up

We had the privilege of tending Max and Henry last week while their parents went to a movie. The boys are not used to other little people, so it took them a while to acknowledge one another. At nine and eighteen months they have a future of fun times ahead of them.

With Henry a little faster than Max, they toddled around discovering separately then together. One followed the other, then they switched. Both liked the fireplace and little ceramic houses set up along the hearth. One day these angels will be shooting hoops and having a grand time, along with their cousin Joshua. For now, we love to see them discover the world one day at a time.

In 2015 we will have one, two and three year old little boy cousins to cozy up to one another. Hurrah!

Zero is Twenty-five

For the Christmas of 1988 or 1989 Jory got a cuddly, soft brown stuffed bear, with a red bowtie. He was only $10. I thought he would help Jory sleep better and could be his pal. At three going on four years old or maybe a year older, age really mattered to Jory. He love the bear and packed him around a lot, or just let him sit on his bed, during the day when he ran to play. At night all was quiet as they slept together. Sometimes the bear would sit up to eat meals or ride in the wagon. One day Jory asked us how old his bear was. That was thoughtful question for a child. Knowing the bear was brand new for Christmas, we told Jory he was zero years old. That answer satisfied our little three year old. But now, the bear needed a name. Everyone gave suggestions from big sisters, to parents and so on. Jory couldn't decide what to call his bear. Because he couldn't pick a name for the bear, he chose to call him Zero. And Zero it has been for twenty-five years.

As Jory got older, Zero got less and less attention. In time, he was moved to the toy box. Zero didn't even complain. What a great sport he was. Later he went to the playroom to sit on the beds. For some reason when the time came to clean out the toy box, Zero was passed over. Many other stuffed animals, bears, monkeys and such that were cuter than Zero, went to new homes via the Deseret Industries. The big squishy bear stayed. Maybe it was because he had a name and was part of the family. Now the next generation has taken to sleeping with and packing Zero around. I guess we will let him stay as long as he is needed. One day little Max, Jory's own son, will ask, "How old is Zero?" We will say, "Real Old! Almost as old as your dad!"

A Prime Example

Jory has Amazon Prime. It has come in handy this year, when waiting too long before ordering gifts that possibly wouldn't arrive before Christmas. Using Prime gets them there in two, maybe three days. Thanks Jor, for letting us use it, too.

It has kept us out of the hot seat. We like it. Hopefully you will, too. Merry Christmas.

Both Jory and Sarah have been prime examples of how to do Christmas and stay sane. We are learning.

Museum of Natural Curiosity-MMMmm!

With the generous $100 from Allan, I accompanied the Stevenson clan to the Museum of Natural Curiosity during their visit. For four hours we were introduced to five areas that tickled our senses.

They were the Rainforest, Waterworks, Scientific feats, Kidopolis and Discovery Garden.

Everything was 'hands on'. Each person could touch, feel, experience, climb, jump and enjoy to their hearts content. The marquis sign has the words, 'Mine Craft', that Kade made, by using the letter squares. Some adults sitting on a bench down below, read it, chuckled and commented on it.

In Jungleland several rope bridges had to be crossed. Here Emma is afraid to step out onto it. Mom is telling her, 'It is the only way back.' Eventually she made it across and into the waiting plane. Noah had no problem climbing up and across the rope bridges. The boys really had fun on the elastic tree canopy. Three or four stories high one climbed onto the top one and gradually slipped from one section down to the next as the elastic cables stretched wide and they dropped through.

We spent an exciting day at the Museum and vowed to return again for another go at it. Because there is always curiosity enough to go around many times. Smiles took us home.

Never Too Old for The Trampoline

Breann really got into the action on the trampoline recently. You would think she was a teen again, with the high flying jumps and antics. I couldn't resist to click several photos and laughed hard at how comical she was.

It's not often we can relax and let our hair down enough to really enjoy the moment. Allan and Henry can be seen in the background returning from visiting the neighbor's dog. Which Henry loves and is now saying, 'Dog!' All the while, Breann was jumping wildly and loving it.

Our twenty nine year old trampoline has served us well. Breann was five years old when we got it for Christmas. Many hours of fun, friendships forged, stress released and games were enjoyed on it with siblings, friends and neighbors.

Awaiting the Alarm

Our building maintenance man said he needed to test the alarms. Our Safety Manager decided that it was a perfect time to have a 'Fire' drill, to see how well the employees responded. I was aware of the plan and had time to decide what to do to prepare. I made a list of items: Turn off the phone system, get my phone & purse, grab my coat, leave building. Gary said it would begin in five minutes, but it was much longer.

Oh, the anticipation, drove me crazy while sitting, as I imagined hearing the alarm ring. But it didn't go off! Waiting is annoying, but knowing and waiting causes anxiety. Now I know why the Lord, doesn't want us to know our death date. We would be worrying all our lives and forget to LIVE! I kept working and waiting and waiting...

Finally the shrill sounding alarm blew and methodically I did everything as planned. As the employees walked to the rear of the building, and met in our appointed groups, Miles, checked his items off. Mr. Safety deemed the drill a success. I forgot to take photos with my phone, so all these pictures are from the internet.

Exude an Attitude of Gratitude

It is a perfect time to review the blessings enjoyed this year. Let it bubble up out of your person like a giggle held in or a twinkle in the eye.

Push disappointment and discouragement to the back of your thoughts. Let gratefulness sit in the front seat. Invite Thanksgiving and Patience along for the ride, too. They don't care who you are, what you have or where you live. Quality time with them is the best of the best.

Buoyed on their shoulders, you will clearly exude your attitude of gratitude that will be contagious and everyone will want to have it, too!

I'll Take Four for Four-Wheeling

Let’s go four wheeling to the sand dunes my husband plead. “We’ll take the fifth wheel and watch the sunset of red, Then ride Little Sahara’s hills and valleys instead. Me: Why not stay home and enjoy our king size bed? It’s having fun together. Just us!” He said. So we did and are way out ahead!

Yep, we went four wheeling to Little Sahara. It's been about seventeen years since we went there. There was just as much sand, but a much older Jory. Sarah and Max came, too. Up and down the hills we went. Around and around the trails, too. Allan tipped over landing face first in the sand, while the machine toppled head over heels away from him. That was a huge blessing, to be injury free. We came away with all bones in tact, fortunately.

'0' days since last injury" a sign on the road to the dunes read. We weren't a part of the group. Yeah!!

Jacob Lost a Tooth

Jacob not only lost his first tooth, he lost three at the same time. They literally fell out of his mouth while he was sleeping. Most children loose their first tooth during kindergarten between five and six years old. Jacob is seven and one half. It is a family gene from the Stevenson's side.

He is happy as can be to finally join the lost a tooth club. The $5 was pretty exciting, too.

Quilting Cats

With Emma's fifth birthday looming on the horizon, I decided to make her a quilt from some fabric I had on hand. I needed to buy some material to go on the back. While at the store, I called her mom to see what Emma liked. Kittys and dogs are her favorite. I bought bumble bees and hearts. When I got home it didn't match the original piece, even though I took it with me. What was I to do, after spending $33 on the new pieces. Every time I wanted to begin the project, I had the distinct feeling to wait until Monday. On Monday I should go to The Fabric Center, close by my house. There I would find just the piece I needed. This happened several times. Consequently, on Monday I went directly to the fabric store and did find some beautiful kitten panels. The original piece will wait for another day.

I immediately went to work cutting, piecing, zigzagging until five panels were ready to sew together. One kitten was used for a pillow. Tuesday I cut and sewed in the early morning, on my lunch hour, breaks and every spare second until the quilt top was completed. That evening I put it on a machine quilter at my sister-in-laws and stitched away for ninety minutes. I had a deadline to make of Wednesday at 3pm where the quilt had to be completed to ship by FedEx to Washington. Next up was preparing the binding. Getting up at 4am, I attached the binding. The hand stitching was done at work and quilting around the kittens. I felt divine intervention of both my grandmothers who were great quilters, helping me along the way. This piece was created in just a few days, but it was like Michelangelo said, 'It was waiting to be created. My hands were just the guide to the work.'

A Camping We Will Go!

A great way to celebrate our 41st anniversary is going camping in our new fifth wheel. I keep telling myself, this will be great fun. It should be a clear, sunny weekend, with lots of camp fires, four wheeling, mosquitos, food, fun, family and games. So lets party!!!

Forty-one years and fifth wheeling for the first time. I like how that sounds.

Setting Our Sites on Lake Blanche

A month ago Jory & Sarah invited us to hike Lake Blanche in Albion Basin, above Alta. Our 7pm start only got us as far as the trailhead before the sun set.

Labor Day was the perfect opportunity to try again. Jory, Sarah, Max, Jay, Katie, Scotty and Me arrived about 10:45. The upper parking lot was full so the ranger said we could ride the shuttle. It already had 50 plus people in line with a twenty minute wait per round trip (3 bus loads worth) or we could hike from the parking lot of Alta's ski resort. We were fresh and adventurous, thus began our hike.

The flowering ski sloped meadows gave way to the shady pines. Switch backs both shady and on the rocky ridges followed. Crowds of happy families going to and tired couples returning from were asked if they had made it to the top. Yes and no. We spotted a cow and bull moose just yards away from the trail.

What seemed like a short hike was 5 miles round trip, but well worth the effort when coming over the last rock outcropping to see the crystal, clear water and lone mountain peak reflected in it.

Sarah's Seventy-Sevin Minute Yard Sale

As a last minute decision and with the neighbor's daughter in a full blown yard sale complete with signs up to attract the crowds, I let Sarah (ten years old) have a yard sale. All month she had been scouting out my jewelry box, knick knacks, pictures, toys and the likes for one I had promised to let her hold, since it didn't happen last summer when she was visiting.

We already had boxes and bags of stuff. She had slept over, so I didn't have to wait for her mom to bring her, with the hope of nixing the idea. We tossed a few tables out on the driveway, hauled out the goods and miraculously found last years bright red posters to hang up. Exactly at 9:23 am we officially began our "Yard Sale". I let her arrange the stuff and set the prices.

If someone asked a question or wanted to negotiate, I directed them to Sarah. It was her baby. Living on a busy street brought all types of people. I told Sarah, these are 'Yard sale' junkies and this is what they do on Saturdays. We had a Mani/Pedicure at 11 am, which forced us to close up shop at 10:40 and haul the tables out of sight. Off we went for the pampering and she had partaken of a real yard sale experience. Her famous last words later that day were, "You will have to go to some yard sales to get cool stuff for ours next summer!" "Yeah, right!" I replied.

Family = Fun, Food, Photos, Four Wheeling and Fights in Fairview

They came from coast to coast for our reunion. It was like heaven to have most of our family together all in one place, at a cabin in Fairview for food, fun, four wheeling, fights and freedom from screens. The cabin of a relative was the staging place, sight unseen. Bigger and better than expected, we enjoyed a 180' view of Sanpete County, sky and valley. Giant a-frame windows, a wrap-around deck, gentle breezes, abundance of rooms, Ping pong to play and unlimited privacy was waiting for us.

Yes, fights (the marshmallow kind) with shooters and targets.

Giant, body size bubbles chased us down the lane.

Food menus varied from taco salad to corn of the cob to Mike's specialty, Eggs Benedict. Brayle tried her hand at cinnamon rolls, a recipe from school. They were delicious. Only Emma left the table hungry because she only eats chicken nuggets and chocolate milk. Daddy made a few runs to town for some of her special things.

Four wheeling around the mountain made for lots of fun. A few boys got away without an adult. They had too much fun but, with a dangerous road ledge we made them go with a grown-up. Little Sarah had big Sarah wrapped around her finger. She went on an abundance of one on one outings.

Next year our goal is Glacier. Start planning now. Good bye all.

Fortunately a Fix Was Found

Jory's computer hard drive crashed, taking all of their thousands of photos with it. Sarah had pictures from the baby and her photography business on it, not to mention everything else under the sun. Some of it was backed up, but not the pics. They were aghast, as anyone of us would be. . .

With a song and a prayer they took it to the neighborhood repairman, who said, "Sorry, we cannot get your hard drive back. The Apple and another fix-it store was recommended, but they had no luck either. What to do. Well you could try to fix it yourself. What is there to lose? Jory ordered some parts, tried a bunch of things and after many no go's. He was not giving up and worked on and on. Fortunately a fix was found and 'Innerds Restored'. They are two happy 'camp'uters, believe me!

A Midsummer's Daydream

Remembering the fun on this midsummer's day we've had together or individually with family and friends.

Water and sun spell fun, fun, fun.

Let's get busy and do it again.

Proud to be a Schmidt

It must be noted that great grandmother Maria's maiden name was Bull. She named Dad Schmidt, Frank Bull and the rest is history. Twenty five years ago for our Schmidt family reunion we all made daring shirts like this one that says (Picture) Schmidt. Jacob is wearing it now. This one belonged to our son who is now 29. It has been fun to pass it down from grandchild to grandchild and continue the legacy.

First Have a Patriotic Fourth

When I found this photo of the flag painted on the barn side, I had to keep it in my pictures file. Thank you to whomever created it or snapped the photo. Here is wishing you all a happy and patriotic Fourth of July. In an article I recently read, the question was asked, "What do you love about America?" It was easy to come up with things we love about this wonderful country. The next question was, "What can you do to make it better?" Definitely we don't need permission to make it a better place. With a little creative thinking we all can do things to keep it the best place to live. May we each do it, teach it to our children and pass on the love.

Wise Words

Sharp minds gleaned many words of wisdom from the LDS General Conference talks in April. I copied some to use at the right time. Here is one with great advice about being careful where you go from President Thomas S. Monson. People ruin their lives every day by making poor choices. Listen to the Spirit telling you if what you are about to do is right or wrong. You will know. Make the best choice, then you will never regret it.

Bringing Up the Baby Shower

I'm am pretty belated in posting the baby shower pics for little Max Allan and mom. The decorations were so darn cute, I have to do it. Breann headed up the decorations, which included a miniature four-wheeler centerpiece, Japanese lanterns and garland. She also made cupcakes and sugar cookies. Alicia sent out invitations. Mauri and Brayle made their famous caramel brownies and chocolate chip cookies. I provided the house and of course healthy snacks. Julie baked three dozen fresh rolls for chicken salad sandwiches. Our great family supported the effort. In addition to seeing Jory and Sarah's new baby, Max, they also met Henry. The two little boys were oblivious of each other. However, Henry did have fun meeting some of the other babies and young children that came with their parents.

Schmidt's Signs of the Times

Wheeler Farm and Utah State University has commissioned Allan to make dozens of signs for their new gardens as well as the entrance sign at Wheeler Farm. Foot bridges were also ordered. When they are installed we will take you on a tour of the gardens and signage. We know you want to see them. Cousin Richard saw a sample sign when Al sallied up to his greenhouse to show them off. The similar signs will also grace the gardens of Schmidt's Greenhouses. This wood maker is becoming quite the expert at these timely signs.