April 2015

Fantastic Family Fun!!!

Bullocks in pictures:

Good-bye Bullocks.  THANK YOU for cheering us!

"Take your child to work day" 

evolved into 

"Prophets, pancakes and pool party" 

for those seminary students who preferred not to miss a day.

It was a sad day when my bicycle was stolen from my driveway.  

I walked the route and noticed how blessed I am to have strong 

legs and beautiful scenery.  I love, love, love SPRING.

When I indulge I like this combo...

We purchased a day bed and dresser at the neighbors moving sale.  

Now we are ready for the 3 Kelley children...

 We couldn't be happier!

Even in the rain -- still the happiest place for a g'ma to be with her g'kids.

After the rain...even BETTER!

My first attempt at fruity pebbles encrusted french toast.

To be continued in May...

March 2015

Fun in Miami

A very welcoming backyard...which we love. A lot.

My life seems consumed with seminary and these awesome kids.

The following photo best exemplifies this statement:

Dear friends, there is a throne in heaven for you! Year after year (decade after decade for some of you!) you prepare through the night, set the alarm for the morning, groan when it goes off, and then either drive somewhere in the dark or welcome into your living room a pajama-clad, uncombed, sleep-dazed cadre of students.  ...And never underestimate what those students are hearing and feeling, in spite of appearances.

Elder Holland

"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe"

Evening with a General Authority Feb. 2015

Games of scripture mastery...

Birthday breakfast

I about wet my pants.

Truth be told, that poor lizard was dead.  Maybe he deserved it.  He had made his home deep inside the hose.  Unknowingly I attached the sprinkler, set it on the lawn, turned it way up and watched the water squirt out, then sputter and stop.  As I investigated I found his drowned remains.  Thinking he was alive I dropped him like a "lizard in a sprinkler head” and ran inside.  I waited 1/2 hour to see if Lane would come rescue me.  I got up just enough nerve to take the photo with my zoom lens, praying that he had crawled out.  It was then I decided to use the front sprinkler to water both yards.  I would save him for Lane!

Another 1/2 hour later I got up the nerve to affix a glove to my hand and attempt to shake him into a bucket.  After much pounded and shaking, most of him was in the trash.  The tail was still deep inside the sprinkler so I rinsed it carefully in the bathroom sink and washed all evidence away.  WHEW!  That took everything out of me.  I had a huge bowl of ice cream to celebrate my courage. J/K!  (I had a bagel with cream cheese.)

The yards are both throughly watered.  The pool man has arrived, together we have removed the cover, and with adequate sign language and slow, deliberate English I think he understands that I will remove the cover every Monday or Lunes.

Celebrate Lane!!!

Our green dinner for St. Patrick's Day

A date to the temple!

A birthday party for the RS -- 173 years young!

My borrowed g'kids...the Craw children.  Amazing kids!

Each time they visit, Benjamin manages to 'fall' into the pool. 

Of course, floating boats only encourages him.

Another blessing of church service -- we visit the...

A creative home improvement project...

Ta-dah!  We are pleased.

 Finally, I decide to hang photos of our 14 beloved kids.

(Dry erase note from Steven - seminary stud)

What garbage day looks like in south Florida -

I reworked my utility room in anticipation of Carlie and Amanda's visit.

Yippy-skippy!  Our first kids visit.

Gotta go -- The Bullocks are here!!!

February 2015

FEBRUARY ~ a blessed month.

Family * Travel * Service

This is the month Callie turns 30!  My girls have decided to take Sister's trips when they turn 30.  I was serving a mission in the Philippines when Britni was joined by Callie and Jami on her chosen location of Vancouver BC, Canada in 2013.

But first:

Superbowl Sunday with RayDean, Stephanie, Tom, Sam, Meredith, Randi, X and their families.  Pat too.  We also got a chance to visit with Robert (home for a few months before completing his mission in the fall).  What an awesome day!  We went to church somewhere but I can't recall with whom it was with.

Jerry's family made a surprise trip from Oregon to attend my Mother's remarriage 

at the end of January.  I was ecstatic!  Here is an updated family picture.  

Lane flew back to Miami after the Super Bowl to keep life in motion.  

I took a day and paid a visit to see where Jami and Chris call home -- Cedar City.

Then I spent time with the Gerber family.  

Rayson and Callie share a birthday.  

It was great fun spending time with them and their 

3 darling daughters before "taking a few days to visit 

another one of the kids and then head home."  

It was just too bad that I'd have to hurry home to my 

seminary responsibilities and miss her 30th birthday 

celebration with her sisters ~ A Sister's Trip to San Diego.

...which was my cover while I actually flew to San Diego one flight 

ahead of Callie & Britni.  This time it was Jami who missed out.

This is my view of my girls arriving at baggage claim, San Diego airport.  

Each of them brought a sweet baby (Sophie & Violet).  

Callie walked out the door and said, "There's my mom!".  

We got the rental car, checked into our hotel, 

drove out for a bite and back to bed.  

Day 1 - SeaWorld

Day 2 ~ San Diego Temple grounds, 

Mormon Battalion site, sunset on the beach

I am so, so glad I could be with my girls for a few days, 

and be their photographer.  I am their biggest fan!

And suddenly it's over, like a dream, and I'm home again.

A constant focus of my life is this early morning group of noble youth.

Oh, how I love them!

And like I need another get-a-way.  

A Caribbean cruise...next.