Tuesday, August 31, 2010

August 2010

Wow! I thought I had a long post in July...

Here are our AUGUST highlights

Lane took a summer job at Doc Warners fishing camp in the Icy Straits of Alaska. His brother-in-law Gaylin and our son Sam hired on as well. They worked eight hours a day doing maid service and kitchen duty. For their efforts they were rewarded with fishing poles and a small boat for the next eight hours. It was brutal but they survived it. And now we enjoy tasty halibut and salmon!
(Thanks Gaylin for the invitation to join you.)



My cousins on my mother's side of the family planned a simple picnic. (Can a picnic for 75 ever be simple?) We enjoyed a BBQ, sidewalk chalk art contest (I judged), marshmallow golf contest, and brief introductions to become reacquainted.
My mom is the baby of 5. Three of whom are surviving. Many of the 28 cousins were represented. I certainly have a very fine family heritage.


My Niece, Heather was married in one of my most favorite temples...Timpanogos.
She asked me to do her flowers (after I offered). Her colors were melon, turquoise, and lime.

Emy gave a spectacular talk (again)! I am so glad I got to hear it.
Tom and Shalaun invited me over for dinner. When Meredith and Tyson drove up in their new car Tom climbed in the trunk to test whether they could lock their new-fangled keys in the trunk.

Greg dropped by my apartment one Sunday and we took Kylie, Samie, David and Danny on a stroll over to the temple. I think the photo of the kids in sunshine and Greg in a shadow is incredible.

My best childhood friend, Lora and college friend Cathy took me to dinner for my birthday. We met in Logan and enjoyed an evening together attending a youth conference and sleepover.

During a sunday school meeting I spotted these remarkable shoes next to me.

Lane was gone 16 days. I was told that the fish camp was too remote to send or receive mail. Phone service was sporadic. So we enjoyed emailing each other. While he was away I added a sewing room to our apartment. He somehow managed to smuggle out a package with a departing guest. The return address simply said M.O.N. (middle of nowhere). Callie, Raylie and Rayson kept me company. We attended a bagpipe concert in the park and a movie on Capitol Hill. Lane returned on my birthday eve. The next day he treated me to La Caille, upon returning home from the restaurant Jami and the Gerber family surprised me with decorations and a yummy birthday pie. Jami also gifted me a DVD I have had difficulty finding. "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken". I appreciate all the well wishes I received to make this a happy 52nd birthday!
Thank you! Thank you!

Lane and Jerry have been trying to time the perfect fishing trip. It finally happened. We chose one of my kids favorite camping spots, Payson Lakes. Tom's family, Meredith with Tagg, Jami, and Rayson came too. Setting up camp, playing games, cooking, hiking, and wood gathering filled our days. Even some time spent fishing. Those caught were cleaned, cooked over a fire and devoured quickly. We also cooked our best foil dinners ever. Helpful ingredients were condensed creamy soups and polish sausages added to steak, chicken, hamburger and vegies. I'm getting hungry just remembering them.

Frequently I take morning or afternoon walks around Capitol Hill and our immediate neighborhood. One day Kylie, Samie, David and Danny came along. Here's what we saw.

August photo wrap up. We love living in SLC. The picnics.
The close proximity to Mickey-D's, attending Lion King with Randi and Jami (courtesy of Randi ---THANKS!), Maggie Moo's, fresh garden corn courtesy of Sam and Greg, opportunities to serve on Welfare Square, seeing the cutest g'kids in the world, AND attending Rayson's baptism.

Yes, Rayson was baptized on August 28th. He was surrounded by supportive family and friends. Callie planned a taco bar afterward. The only photo I took was on Sunday following his confirmation...and he's not even in the photo. Silly. I love you Rayson and I am so proud of you and happy that you married my daughter.

Love, hugs and kisses to you all!

Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane


Saturday, July 31, 2010

July 2010

July was jumping with major fun activities:

*A BBQ at Gerbers,
*Jerry's family joined us, Jami too.
(Check out Callie's, Erin's and Jami's blogs for hilarious posts of Brennan, Jerry and Rayson wearing do-rags.)
*Thank you Callie & Rayson, it was delish!
*4th of July Sunday dinner while Lincoln and Carrie were in town,
(sorry I didn't get your photo or Maggies in this post)
* the incredible Bullocks stopped in for the day,
*playtime with Tagg,
*fresh garden peas from Sam & Greg, you are so generous!!!
*we discovered a Thai food restaurant in our naighborhood,
*"Mama's Boys" concert in the BY Park

*A weekend retreat courtesy of the Kelly Klan,
*Games, goodies, water sports and good times,
*Thank you Tyson & Meredith (and Paul & Julie)



*A week at the Hansen home
* Britni heads off to YW Camp
*The little girls paint
*G'pa & G'ma paint
*Brian cooperates and prepares the room
(sorry no photos of Brian-he really did a ton of work)
* Oh how we wish the green berries were BLACK!
* The Lion Queen returns from her wild camping experience.
*Brian & Britni, thanks for inviting us!!!

* We host a little pioneer day parade outside our balcony,
*Crowds gather to watch from the sidewalks and streets,
*a small crowd gathers in our apartment for prime viewing and food,
*Thanks to all who showed up for our 2nd annual celebration of the 24th.

* A swim party or two,
*Grandson night for the teenagers, (some mini-golf, go-karting, laser tag, Cafe Rio, a a movie under the stars at the capitol, and a sleepover). We had fun with Michael, Darren and Robert. Such an impressive bunch of good kids! We love you.
*lunch out with my nieces, mom, and sister. I recommend Zupa's!
*G'kids are the best!

AND to top it all off, Callie and Rayson's daughter was blessed!
It was another great day for family. Raylie was so sweet and cute as ever.
Literally a blessed child! Rayson and Callie were beaming. We are so proud of this new family. Grandparenting is the best job ever!

We love you all! Thanks for your support of us and each other. It warms our hearts to see the friendship you have one with another. Stay close to each other. Most of all, stay close to your Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They love you best and perfectly.

Mom & Dad Howell
Carolyn & Lane


Wednesday, June 30, 2010

June - part 2

I hate to say good-bye to June.

We started the month in Alaska, then stopped over in the Seattle area for visits with L and C Howell and B and B Hansen families. Steph, Jon and Erin had birthdays on the SAME day. Sarah turned 13! Brennan was blessed. We attended a Bee's game with Tom and family (Bullocks too). Britni came, Britni left. Bullock's invited us on our first ever tour of our neighbor's home. Lane and Sam made our largest batch of tapioca ever...12 x's. Twenty-eight gathered to gobble it up. David turns 7, Daniel turns 5. Carrie and kiddos arrived. Our get-excited Israel dinner was held at Carver's with Dr. Wilcox (9 of 12 attending kids are represented). We enjoyed a road trip to the Northwest - first we shadowed Kim and kids to Oregon, then on to visit KC and X in Nevada. (Thanks for the fun pillow prizes X!!!)


I guess I can say goodbye after all.
Goodbye to 3 nails in our tires.
Goodbye to the NBA finals.
Goodbye to the last ward activity I help plan.
Goodbye to Erin's annoying wisdom teeth.
Goodbye to my bronchitis.

Hello July!!!
Love, Mom and Dad
Carolyn and Lane

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

JUNE - part 1

Hi! I love June.
June brings great weather; not too hot, not too cold.
Picnics, campouts, daytrips, garden peas, open windows, strawberries, vacations, and vacationers!

Our ward summer picnic was fun to plan.
Britni, Dalia & Tesila came to play.
Cousins across the valley gathered.
Temple Square was toured.

Thanks for the memories!

Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

Friday, June 4, 2010

ALASKA ADVENTURE

Alaskan Cruise
May 26 - June 4, 2010

Good times, sea travel, tiny plane rides (landing on glaciers and lakes), whale watching, Yukon viewing, glacier calving, gorgeous food, glorious sites, and great company.
Dad & Mom Creek accompany us to the 50th state!
Anchorage (a flight over Denali), Seward, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan.



And except for the fact that Carolyn was ill (and confined to our inside cabin for the final two days on board) everything was pretty perfect. We are happy that the Creek's were along on this trip.

Love, Dad & Mom
Lane & Carolyn

(Don't ask Carolyn to fly in the back
seat of a tiny plane ever again.)


Monday, May 31, 2010

NEW IS NICE!!!

Great events took
place in May

Here are a few in picture form:

NEW parents, Rayson and Callie, rejoice that Raylie Ann has arrived.
Jon and RayDean are thrilled that Michael has earned his EAGLE.
Sam is awarded a graduate degree...and celebrates 29 years!
Carolyn purchases (okay, okay - allows Lane to select) the new car.
The Tulip Festival is the setting for an impromptu girls afternoon.
KC graduates from Utah State and takes a job in Nevada.
Lane travels solo to see Cameron. Together they venture into the wilderness which is the beautiful Northwest.


We are thrilled to celebrate with family!
Whatever, whenever and wherever...

Love, Mom and Dad
Carolyn and Lane


Friday, April 30, 2010

April shower-sisters-siblings-Scottsdale

Callie's April Baby Shower

-sisters luncheon, Eagle Gate 4th floor
-new wall map
-Raylie's afghan
-Easter/General Conference
-I found another froggy in the bathroom


Siblings, parents, G'kids, nieces & nephews
All of these photo ops in April without an organized reunion. We have incredible families! Even if you are not pictured you know who you are.

Scottsdale - road trip, forums, dinner parties, Frank Lloyd Wright home tour, 5 star resort, cycling, desert beauty, tortilla soup to die for, new friends
April 2010 General Conference quotes:

Tell me the stories of Jesus
He is Risen
Because mommy told me

We are His hands
Be not afraid, only believe
Thank you



Home. Sitting tight. Expectant G'parents.

Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane