February 2016

Here's what a slow month looks like

AKA - a month without travel

I buckle down and finish my camp preparations in time 

for the camp certification clinic for the incredible YCL's.

Pinterest provided steps to make this campfire cake.  

Love it. 

And love the YW leaders and girls.

I enjoy this calling as counselor in the stake YW.

Finally, I attack this assignment...

(I made 10)

I was honored to be invited to the citizenship ceremony for Andres.

 and I baked Britni's yummy soft sour cream sugar cookies for the youth.

One of my favorite afghans nears completion

for Jami's little girl...due in March.

This was a nice quiet month.  Without seminary prep, MAS posting, or diversion travel there were afternoons to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.  Read in the hammock. Skinny dip. Witness the opening of a new leaf - starts red, turns green.

Eager to meet two new granddaughters in next month.

Costa Rica 2016

Remarkable Costa Rica with Jerel & Stephanie 
January 18th - 23rd

We landed late at night, drove the rental car several hours,

and got bad GPS directions.  Finally, we ended up here: 

The following morning we toured the tropical property and found this mud bath.

Later we ventured out to:

 This is the peek-a-boo Arenal Volcano that hid 
behind the clouds the entire time of our visit.

Each meal was SOOO good.  Yet nothing beat a dessert run for ice cream.

Adventure highlights included:

Our first time canyoneering, or rappelling down a series of waterfalls 
with the added excitement of sitting through a 'water avalanche'.

 

No photos are available for the biggest adrenaline rush of my life...

the Tarzan swing...but here are 3 videos I found on YouTube.

It was both terrifying and terrific!!!  Sooo fun!

The very same spot - from above

or this one

from below

It was a real treat to travel at the invitation of the Bullocks.

 Other photo highlights...
rain forest, waterfalls, hot springs, beach, 

Pura Vida!

POO-rah VEE-dah, in English means, "Pure Life"

January 2016

We are excited to announce that we are expecting --

6 grandchildren in 2016

(2 due this month)

And so the baby watch begins.

Callie's 4th daughter is overdue.

What to do when the crocheting is done?

Bake cookies.

Braid.

Nibble on muffins.

Housework.

Waddle to church.

Cuddle and laugh. 

Early January 5th Rayson tapped on the quest bedroom 
door where I was sleeping with Raylie and Chloe.  
"Callie had the baby 1/2 hour ago.  Oh, and the midwife missed 
the birth again (referring to Callie's self-delivery of Sophie in 2014)."  

Callie is ah-mazing!

What an absolute doll!

4 Generations 

I was thrilled to be in town for a baby shower for Jami Lyn 

- baby girl due in March.

And I stick around for more fun with the Gerber girls...

My time is up.  

I gifted Lane concert tickets for Christmas.

And the concert is in 2 days.

A sentimental farewell to Callie. 

 Thanks for a great visit!

The concert was momentous!  

We didn't have to wait long for this sweet baby boy --

Thatcher Jordan Kelley

January 21st, 2016

We are excited to meet you.  

(We were traveling in Costa Rica when you were born.)

We hosted MaryLou and Ken before and after their 

40th anniversary cruise out of Miami.

I've been procrastinating my assignment to prepare 

4 camp certification classes.  

Finally finished!

4 more babies due in the next 5 months. 
Bring on the baby yarn... 
and a trip to Costa Rica, yeah, that makes sense.

December 2015

I believe in the magic of CHRISTmas

Here is my annual poinsettia for my sweetie. 
I am always grateful that his plans to marry someone else were scrubbed.
Lane reminds me that my first red-potted gift - 20 years ago - 
left a very good impression.

This month we are delighted to make visits to see 13 of our shared 14 kids.  

Sorry Britni.  We are sad to miss you.

First off, an invitation to join Cameron in Oregon for a banking conference.  

We arrive a few days early for some hiking, a shepherds dinner and...

Graham Cracker houses!  

AND...

 a detour slightly northwest to hug these charming rascals.

More graham cracker creations...

Back home we treat the youth to a stake dinner, not steak but chicken fettuccine.  

We love and support these outstanding young people.

It was good to get closer to our 

5 neighbors as we counted down 

With Stephanie's extra flight privileges we flew 'home for the holidays'.

I was giddy being with my mother on Christmas Eve and 

waking up to share Christmas morning with her and David.

My dear Mother surprised us with another epic quilt.  

And Jami creates a quilt for her baby - due in late March.

The Kelley Family stopped by for snuggles before they left town, 

as did Greg with his kids.

We checked in with Callie as the baby-watch begins.

This happened!  

Missing Cathleen.

Countdown to 2016

Party at Lincoln & Carrie's new home!

(Delivered hats to Gerber's earlier in the day.)

Happy New Year!!!

Meanwhile back home in Miami, our lonely house awaits,

while I await a new granddaughter in Magna.