Check out My Garden!

Ok.  So this isn’t MY garden—but I wish it were.  It’s a picture I took last April at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and if I knew how, I’d put it at as the header at the top of my blog, since our family picture is now outdated, but that would require some brain cells that I don’t feel like rustling up right now.  It is set as the background on my computer screen so that it looks like spring around here.  I don’t think there is anybody that gardens quite like the Temple Square Gardeners using the patterns you see in nature.  I LOVE IT.

Silver Springs Every Summer or Bust

Every summer we look forward to our annual camping trip with the Troxels.  Many moons ago we used to go to “Troublesome Creek,” way up north, but once we checked out “Silver Springs,” down south, we have never looked back.  The fact that there is a memorial at Troublesome Creek to a little girl that fell off an immense boulder that overlooks the raging torrent and was swept  away and drowned, and the fact that between our two families, we had 14 of those little people  running amok that loved that immense boulder, it wasn’t that hard of a decision.  This past summer, Troxels bought a brand spankin’ new supersize tent, complete with little shelves, closets, and instructions. 

Dana wasn’t able to be there this time, so we were very relieved that Jim was there to help figure out this monstrosity, and the kids were there to provide the many hands needed in every corner.   

Lincoln happened to be in remission from cancer right during the summer, so we were so glad he could be with us and have hair.  It was also Aubrey’s last summer at home before she took off for BYU-I.  The family slowly shrinks while the kids keep growing.  Well, all of them except Aubrey.  She stopped years ago and hasn’t added a cubit since then.

We were most put out this year when someone else had the nerve to take our favorite camping spot.  The kids had all kinds of tricks for guarding the spot next to us until Troxels got there every year.  Anytime a car would come slowly along the road through the camping sites and drive near our spot, the kids would start running and yelling and making as much noise as possible so that the potential camp-site stealer would keep on driving, looking for peace and quiet.  But this year, we were forced to find a new spot.  Amazing to us all, we ended up being just thrilled with our new home and will never go back to our old one.  No more 5-minute walks in the middle of the night to the bathroom – this one is 30 seconds away through the trees and has hot water, lights, electricity and flushies.

 I LOVE to see Candy laugh.  She’s as close to an angel as I ever hope to meet in this life.  It’s so much fun to be able to be camped right next door and skip the hour-plus drive to their house to visit.  We obviously weren’t far enough away though--her cell phone still had reception.  While the kids run loose all over the forest, we get to sit and talk about life ,the kids, callings, and whatever else crosses our mind.  I love those times.  It never fails that my kids love what’s cooking on their campfire better, so we have even thought of coordinating meals.  Heck.  It’s ME that loves what’s cooking in her dutch oven better.  Forget the kids.  She’s not afraid to try new things, and I get the benefit of  watching the master at work. 

She’s also the S’More Lady and I always do the Dutch Oven Chocolate Cake with Cherries and Whip Cream Stuff.  It wouldn’t be camping with Troxels without those traditions.

 

We wanted to take Troxels on a hike that Jim and I found on an anniversary trip we took about 13 years ago when Jamie was just three weeks old.  We had to drive up the highway a mile or so and park near the resort where we had stayed.  Once you go up the road past some private cabins, you’re on the trail and it’s along a rushing stream, crosses little bridges, and is in the most beautiful part of the forest.  Jim and I go for the scenery, but the kids don’t rate the hike very high because of the lack of a “destination” at the end. 
What in the world is wrong with just enjoying the ride?

Along the trail which mostly follows this creek – river – whatever.

Candles.  We weren’t sure what flavor they were.  Probably pumpkin pie or spaghetti sauce. . .

The facilities along the trail were fabulous. 

Enough of this stinkin’ fresh air and hike – let’s get down to the water.

Sooner or later every day, we end up at the river to play in the water and the sand.  For years we have been taking a picture of everybody on this fallen tree that hangs way over the water. 

It’s a given that they are going to try and reroute the river into another course, make dams, and engineer all kinds of impossible feats, and Jim is usually right there with them. 

 

 

Cousins – Best Buds.

 

 

 Cosette --  our resident artist.  And I’m not just saying that.  She’s incredible.  Here’s a picture that is on Lincoln’s hospital room wall right now that she drew of him when he was younger.

Party’s over.  Going home.

Little Miss Moosie

There’s a never-ending debate raging, well, not raging, just sort of simmering, well, not exactly simmering, but which sort of bubbles up every time I am in the same room as another person  which shall not yet be named and we both notice this picture.  I KNOW I took this picture of Marci in our backyard many years ago and this other person is quite positively sure that HE took this picture.  Considering the fact that he would have had to swipe my new camera over my dead body and he was just a little squirt, it is a rather outrageous claim.  So, who do YOU think took this picture?  Me or Darren?  

Practically Penniless in Portland

With the Seattle Temple closed for two weeks, Jim and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to take off for Portland for a couple of days and attend the temple there.  We stayed at a great Marriott Residence Inn that was within walking distance of the temple, Deseret Book, and a bunch of restaurants, and only a five-minute drive to those other important places like Costco, Winco and Best Buy.  We did not love the fact that our reservations were lost in cyber-space and that somehow, our credit card number was on some other Walton lady’s reservation for 5-days in July, which means that for the 3rd time in two years, we will have to cancel our VISA and get a new card or pay for her vacation.  We did love the fireplace, the kitchen, and the feeling of the privacy of a condo instead of being in a hotel-type atmosphere.  In fact, you have just witnessed a new Walton family tradition in the making--we will be back there next spring when the temple closes.  Thursday night after we arrived and ate a great Mexican meal we brought and cooked right in our own kitchen, we walked around the neighborhood to see what all was out there.  We had planned on using our Olive Garden gift card for dinner Friday night, since Olive Garden was a block away, but there was a little something lacking in the ambiance at the moment and the timing just wasn’t right.  Maybe next time. Thursday night after putting a log on the fire, we started the new “Emma” movie put out by BBC last month and am happy to report that I just found my new favoritest movie.  Considering the fact that I detest the A&E  version of “Emma” that we already have, I was really worried about this 5-hour long version—but we loved it.  Rather sad that the big TV there by the fire had no DVD player.  We both had our lap tops, but the level and quality of sound coming out of a lap top isn’t exactly meant for 50-year old ears and we missed a lot of what was said.  The upside of this is that we can watch it with the kids again this week.

Friday morning we got ready to go to the temple and as Jim stood in front of the mirror threading his belt through his suit pants, he couldn’t do up his belt. He looked again and realized he had put his brown belt on his black suit pants.  He started laughing at his silly mistake, and as he went to take off his brown belt, he realized that he already had on his black belt underneath his brown belt.  This was enough to keep him merrily chuckling  for the next five minutes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful experience at the temple and spent a long time in the Celestial Room after the session.  The Portland Temple Celestial Room is unique in that there is a loft floor there that looks out over the main part of the Celestial Room with couches and more beautiful chandeliers with double marble staircases going up to it.  After getting changed, we went down to the cafeteria for lunch.  I followed Jim as we went through the line and put the food we had chosen on our trays.  I noticed that Jim didn’t seem to be getting out of there too quickly and the line was building up behind me.  I finally realized that we had a little problem.  Jim thought he still had his $20 in his wallet. Well, he didn’t.  Now what?  Did they need dishwashers back there?  My poor husband was standing there counting his measly seven dollar bills over again hoping that something would change, but came up with seven every time.  Since his lunch was already rung up, they finally decided to put back most of my lunch and we ended up sharing his.  Too bad the temple doesn’t take VISA—ours is still good for another day or two.  Well, we spent the rest of the afternoon spending more of Jim’s money.  Oregon has no sales tax so we decided to take advantage of that little detail and buy some things we had been thinking about but hadn’t done yet.  It was really quite fun.  Sometimes I actually do like to shop.  We went back to the temple Friday night for an evening session, and it was rather a coincidence that we were again asked to be the witness couple like we had been that morning.

One of the things we had bought that afternoon was speakers – with a subwoofer mind you – for Jim’s computer and so when we watched the second half of “Emma” Friday night, we actually heard and enjoyed it even more.  We slept in Saturday, ate breakfast at the Marriott breakfast buffet again at no charge, and after spending some delightful time at Deseret Book and spending the rest of Jim’s money, we had a sunny drive home.  What a great weekend!

She Looks Great for Twins

This is Aubrey.  Aubrey is now 19.  Aubrey is home between semesters from BYU-I and is working three different jobs.  Aubrey’s favorite job is the more than full-time one she has as a nanny, helping out Lara, a new mother in our ward who just had twin girls, Ashley and Sierra.   Aubrey is learning a lot about what it takes to be a Mom.  Aubrey is developing strong muscles in her arms.  One day Aubrey and Lara were strolling Ashley and Sierra through the mall as they shopped around.  Lara walked off to look at something while Aubrey kept pushing the stroller.  A lady who was watching her own children in a play area noticed the twins and told Aubrey how cute they were.  Aubrey gave her a big smile and told her she agreed.  Then the lady asked Aubrey if she ever got any sleep, and Aubrey cheerfully answered that she did.  The lady was very surprised and impressed.  Then the nice lady told Aubrey how great she looked.  Aubrey thanked her and walked off very happy.  No signs of sleep deprivation or leftover baby fat for this little lady.

Wedding Counsel

I wanted to share a couple of the comments that the sealer made at Darren's wedding. I have Jim's journal to thank, since I meant to write it down and didn't.
One thing Brother Brown said that impressed me is that God is the teacher in the temple. We should ask Him to teach us -- not our parents, not a temple worker, or friends. When we answer someone's questions we are trying to say we are better teachers than God.
We need to participate in all of the ordinances of the temple. If we only do endowment sessions, it is like we are only reading Chapter 9 of our favorite book. We are missing the rest of the story and just keep reading the same chapter over and over.
He also said that we have the power, through faith and obedience to our covenants, to overcome Satan, and that we have the power, even with our wayward children to help in the salvation of our family.
He taught us how God teaches through symbols deep gospel truths that our mortal language cannot capture and talked about the beauty of some of the symbols.

Family - It's About Time and Travel

What a wonderful weekend we had as many members of the family came from all over to celebrate Darren and Richelle's wedding on Friday, February 12, 2010, at the Seattle Temple with us. The weather wasn't cooperating, but

that didn't stop the smiles or anticipation.