Larry and I had a blast hiking up to Albion Basin last Friday evening. The gate was locked to the road that you can usually ride up to the Basin so we had to hike from the regular road to the top the the ski lift area. In the process, we turned a corner around some trees and found a moose sitting in the grass. He was about 30 feet away. We were surprised and hoped he wasn't going to charge toward us. We quicklly walked away up the hill. A short time later, we noticed the moose's daddy just to the right of us as we were asending the mountain near the dropoff for the skiers. We hoped and pray he wouldn't get any ideas for his dinner. We again quickly zoomed up the hill. On top, we saw several marmots. We plunked down on some boulders and enjoyed the beautiful basin full of many colors of flowers. We noticed several deer in the distance. We saw a few people but were pretty much alone most of the time because the gate was locked down below. The sun started setting so we scurried down the mountain waving goodbye to the two moose from a dirt road. We had fun at Lizzy's party for Jason and grateful for his 24 years of life. Have a great week. Love you. Mom xoxoxox

I'd like to thank Ashlee and Whitney for the delicious dinner. More important is the great company!!! I love my sweet, good, beautiful obedient and faithful daughters. It was fun to make Whitney's swimsuit more modest and Ashlee's black dressy dress longer in the lining. Thanks for letting me help you. Remember to work hard, pray hard and play hard. This was the motto we set up when I was engaged to Larry. I hope Jason and Liz have a great experience this block with their classes and work. Good luck. I love you both and pray for your success. At this moment, I can hear Dad sawing and drilling a hole in the ceiling between the living room and dining room for the air conditioner. Hallalulia!!!! Love, Mom xoxoxox

Last week I went with nine Relief Society sisters to the temple to do endowments for Per Haugen who's in our ward. Several ladies brought their own family names so we didn't get Per's done. We decided to go the next day at 5:15am to finish his up. All seven of us had a great experience and love of the Lord. I hope all of you are taking advantage of the blessings of temple attendance.

My heart was aching for a lady I knew in Florida who lost her husband. We saw each other at the State Mental Hospital while in a meeting of parents with children in their facility. We both talked about our sons and wished each other well. Her schizophrenic son murdered her husband on Father's Day. I'm sure he didn't know what he was doing. I wrote her a letter empathizing with her and giving her some moral support. I hope she can heal. I told her to turn her son's fate over to Heavenly Father and have faith and trust that all will be fair in the hereafter.

We had a lot of fun with Jason and Liz at "Get Smart". We then went out to Applebees. Larry and I then dropped a gift off early at a wedding reception, went to FHE with Daniel speaking about his mission to the Ukraine and then to Sugarhouse Park for a party for RachelitaDelgado's wedding. Busy evening!!

Sunday evenings are empty without visiting Grandma Allen and Ila. We visited them for so many years that we lost count. I love each of you and pray for you daily. Jason and Liz--good luck on your studies this summer, Ash and Whit--enjoy your work. You all are the best.
Love, Mom xoxoxox

I had a date with two angels

This past Tuesday I was fortunate enough to have a date with two of the prettiest girls in the state. Ashlee and Whitney treated me to dinner for an early Fathers Day present. We had a wonderful dinner and conversation of what is going on in their lives. I could see other fellows looking at me with envy. After dinner I had a personal review by Ashlee and Whitney of each of 200 photos of their recent California trip. I could see they had a wonderful adventure and I throughly enjoyed every minute of the time with them. Thanks again girls. I can't wait until our next date. Love, Dad.

Working Saturdays Again

It has been so nice the past couple of Saturdays to be working in the yard and on the house again. For several years because of my bad hips I haven't been able to accomplish much and the work I did do was such a struggle to accomplish because of my sore legs or hobbling around on cruches. Now I feel like I am 20 years younger and it is fun to be working and accomplishing things again. Don't under estimated the importance of good health.

Thought for the day: It's a funny thing about life; if you refues to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

I'm doing 1997, 1998,1999 in the family photo album. It's so fun to see all of you grow up again! I'm reading a novel, "Tending Roses" that helps you look at the most important things in life. This couple have been married for 10 years with a baby who has had heart surgery. Both parents work at high power jobs with little time for each other and their baby. They are struggling financially with lots of hospital bills, etc. Here are a few quotes from the Grandma they are staying with for a few weeks.

"Maybe you should start wanting less."

"Be patient. Everything doesn't have to work itself out today."

"I wish I had not spent my hours worrying over another nickel for the carousel, but instead running barefoot through the fields of yellow bonnets."

I've just started reading the book. It's good to stop and see things through the eyes of an older woman.

Have a great day and enjoy your dinner and movie night together.

Love you forever,
Mom
xoxoxox

Peaceful Evening In Hidden Valley Park

This evening about dusk, Jeanette and I took our usual stroll in Hidden Valley Park. The temperature was ideal and the evening was pleasant with a colorful sunset in the western sky. The mountains are now richly green with vegetation and wildlife is all around which makes the 20 minute stroll through the park very enjoyable to gaze upon. We saw a few deer and the birds seemed to be chirping and chattering everywhere. We mostly enjoy sitting on the bench at the highest point in the park and watching the lights in the valley slowly illuminate the valley floor with litterally millions of lights. We just enjoyed the evening and engaged in small talk mostly about the family. It was a very relaxing and pleasant activity.

Thought for the day: Find a job you love and you will never have to work a day of your life.