Lunch Lady Chronicles

Happy 4th!

2011-07-06T09:39:00.003-06:00

I am so thankful for our country, and brave men & women both past and present for their sacrifices to have the freedoms we enjoy! We started with the Parade.

Mckendrie marching sporting their brand new uniforms.

Briley rode on the float our Stake entered and threw (what else) infamous salt water taffy!

We enjoyed a great day with family & friends! Good food, good fun and one wicked card game! An awesome day ended with the fireworks! Thanks everyone for lots of fun!

May Happenings & Movin On!

2011-06-05T09:27:00.008-06:00

Once again I have seriously neglected my blog!! Not even a good excuse, just lazy!! but if this is for posterity, I guess it better have a few entries!

May has been a flurry of events!! with some special one's I would like to record, so I will lump them all into one post!

May started with McKendries Water Polo teams State Tournament in Salt Lake. The girls were on fire! They played their hearts out only losing one game as it turned out to the State Champions, but because it was a second round loss it put them in fifth place. We had a great time! They are very geared up for next year with 5 Seniors on the team! The same weekend on Sunday McKendrie was set apart to serve on the Seminary Counsel next school year. I am so proud of her and the choices she has made. She has a strong testimony and is such a good example to all of us!

May 6th was a little more bittersweet occasion. My sweet Grandma passed from this life, back to my Grandpa whom she has been without for nearly thirty years. She was my siblings & I last remaining Grandparent. While sad for us it was truly a wonderful family reunion both in heaven and here on earth. She was a wonderful lady! She taught me many things and set such a great example for her family. I am thankful for the Sealing power of the Temple and my knowledge that families can be together forever.

My Mom & her siblings (minus 1 brother) May 11 2011
T

The Grandchildren at Grandma's funeral May 11 2011

Our last big event was Briley's graduation from Middle School. She struggles a lot with school so I am so proud of her for hanging in there and graduating! It's on to High School next year!! Both

girls in High School!! Unbelievable, where did the time go?

Junior Prom

2011-03-13T16:43:00.003-06:00

McKendrie's Junior Prom was last night.

She had a great time and she looked so beautiful!! Mom got thePrincess dress & the fru fru hair,

but the shoes are one hundred percent McKendrie!!

Briley

2010-11-06T19:26:00.004-06:00

I took these pictures for my photography class. I don't think I posted a picture of her after she got her braces off a couple of months ago so I thought I would share. She is growing up way to fast!! She is a sweetheart!

McKendrie's first Deer

2010-10-31T22:25:00.004-06:00

Russ has been on outage since October 15 which means working 7 days a week, 10 hour days. for the first week then 6 10s the next weeks. McKendrie had a deer tag but not a lot of time to hunt either with a lot of school activities going on, so she and Russ went out today for one last ditch effort to get a deer. Efforts paid off (even though it was Sunday) She shot her very first deer!! with it on the run even!! ( I think her dad had a bigger smile than she did!!!) Way to go old dead eye!!

Our Little Band Goes Big Time!

2010-07-28T10:54:00.005-06:00

It has been 25 years since Delta High School has had a marching band. They have a really great new band instructor who has taken the band program to a whole new level and is so great with the kids! He started last year with teaching them field formations and marching at the football games, and this year applied and was accepted for the band to march for the first time ever in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City.
The band went to Lagoon on Friday as a reward for working so hard. Russ, Briley and I took a little mini vacation ourselves and got a room a Little America just 2 blocks off the parade route. We went out to dinner and Russ and Briley took a dip in the pools and had a nice relaxing evening. The next day it was so nice to just walk up two blocks to enjoy parade.

The Band looked so sharp and sounded so awesome!! McKendrie was a trooper! It was a long march on a very hot day, with a very heavy set of drums, and she is a pretty small girl! I was a very proud mom! I think it was fun for McKendrie to be a part of a first for the band.

Flaming Gorge Camping Trip

2010-07-18T21:33:00.008-06:00

Once again My Blog has been seriously neglected! I really need be better!

McKendrie's friend Cody is working in Flaming Gorge this summer along with his Grandparents who are camp hosts there. Their family was getting together for a river rafting trip and he invited McKendrie to come. Now 16 year old girl and 17 year old boy for 5 days, well you get the picture! so like it or not Mom, Dad and sister tagged along and made this a 5 day family camping trip. We had a wonderful time and Cody's family were very gracious hosts!

We left Wed. morning and arrived that evening in time to get trailer set up in camp and fix some dinner.

Our camp mascot that showed up every day!

Thursday Russ, the kids and I went on a tour of Flaming Gorge Dam.

After the dam tour and taking some dam pictures (ha ha) Cody had arranged for some 1 and 2 man Kayaks, so Russ and the kids hit the River. I gladly volunteered to take pictures and be the shuttle driver, (Ok, really I was chicken to go in the Kayaks.)

Friday we spent most of the day swimming & cliff jumping at the reservoir. I was pleasantly surprised Briley who is afraid of heights got in on the action, she had a blast! I proved even fat old ladies can still jump off cliffs! I will spare you the picture of me to prove it. (SCARY!)

Saturday was the big river run in the rafts. It was one big water fight with five 8 man rafts and several other rafts that ambushed us going down!! I don't think I have ever been so wet in my life! Unfortunately no pictures , I couldn't figure a way to keep my camera dry.

Little Hole where we ended the river run.

We had a great time! We appreciate Cody's family's hospitality and letting us tag along.

The Cat Crisis

2010-06-06T19:38:00.003-06:00

Disclaimer: No animals were harmed in this crisis.

I came home from work last week, got out of the car and could hear the cat meowing. Following the sound I looked up and saw Briley's very pregnant cat precariously perched quite a ways up in a tree. After trying for a minute to talk her down I realized she was stuck. Front legs over one set of branches and back legs over another set with her belly high centered between. Of course my first thought get the camera!! After taking some pictures I found her meow was not quite as perky as when I first got home so I better do something to help. I started to climb the tree and found I am not as young and skinny as I once was so I came back down thinking ok its time to go get Briley from school and she can climb it and help her. We got home and the meow was even less perky so up the tree Briley went. Did I mention she is deathly afraid of heights! She got up a ways looked down panicked and climbed down as fast as she could yelling " Mom I can't do this".

Now things were getting serious so I did the only thing I knew to do. I called my brother- in -law who is part monkey, who I knew could climb the tree. They live in Hinckley about 5 miles away, the conversation went something like this. "Matt this is Shelly, I feel so stupid asking you this but Briley's very pregnant cat is stuck up in the tree. Neither one of us can climb it to help her and her meow is kind of sick sounding and I am getting kind of worried about her. Can you come over? Matt: ( snickering I'm sure at the crazy lady on the other end of the phone)( just kidding)

" I have the baby, but Austin will be home in just a minute. I will leave him with him and come."

" Thanks Matt" ( again feeling like an Idiot!) Mean while back in the tree unbeknownst to me Briley had recruited the neighbor girl and together they thought to go get the long bamboo pole out in the garage, the neighbor climbed the tree until she could reach the cat, braced herself then took that pole and boosted the cats tail ender over the branch and got her unstuck! I ran back in the house as fast as I could, called Matt back luckily catching him before he left. Whew!! Crisis over! I am happy to report that she had 3 healthy kittens just a couple of days later.

Twinderella

2010-05-16T17:46:00.004-06:00

Oh!!! what a cute enchanted gerbil I have! On Thursday Briley's Drama class performed the play they have been working on for most of the semester called Twindercella. A comedy spoof on Cindrella having a twin brother named Bob. I think this was really a confidence booster for Briley!! She did a great job as well as all of the kids!

2010-04-27T15:47:00.004-06:00

We spent last Thurs., Fri, and Sat in Cedar City at Summer Games Water Polo, then on to St. George for some family bonding time for a couple of days. The kids fought hard and ended up in the Bronze Medal game, and dang it! if we hadn't lost some of our key players to State Solo & ensemble I think we could of won it. They had a lot of fun, played their hearts out and took 4th. I have really enjoyed watching this team who started out with some kids who had never played Polo before, and some who even had to learn to swim to play, blossom and grow! They have come light years and just keep getting better and better!

We took the kids on to St George for a little get away. Saturday we spent some time with McKendrie's friend and his Grandparents who are camp hosts at Sand Hollow State Park. We had a great time riding 4 wheelers, wading in the lake and picking up little shells on the shore. We roasted hot dogs and had a great visit.

We had a lot of fun at Fiesta Fun riding go carts, bumper boats and miniature golfing. It was awesome to spend some time together as a family!! It seems to come so few and far between with every ones busy schedules these days.

Growing Pains!

2010-03-13T21:46:00.003-07:00

I knew this day would come, but it came way to fast!! I was OK with the turning 16 and getting the drivers license thing, but today as I watched her leave for her first official date and get ready to go to the prom I suffered some serious growing pains! I sat here in the computer room and cried for awhile. I blinked and she grew up and Briley is right behind her! This too shall pass until the next big thing that leaves me saying wow when did that happen!

She looked beautiful! Hope they have a great time!!

Warning!

2010-02-03T20:36:00.002-07:00

Warning! Warning! For your own saftey please stay off the sidewalks! McKendrie passed her drivers test and offically got her license today! (You think I am kidding but she failed yesterday and had to retake it today) Wish us luck!

Sweet Sixteen!!

2010-01-31T16:07:00.003-07:00

Holy Cow!! McKendrie is 16 years old today!! When did I get this old? I blinked and she went from crusin around in her diaper to crusin around in the car!! I am so grateful to be her mom! and so grateful for her sweet birth mom who so unselfishly gave me the chance to be her mom and give her the things that she could not at that time.

I am proud of the young woman she has become and the choices she has made! Many happy returns sweetheart! I Love You with all my heart!

ps. She already has a date lined up! And so it begins!

Life Happens

2010-01-12T14:35:00.011-07:00

For the past few months life's events have left me wondering if my very ordinary every day life events were really worth writing down. Thus the big gap between posts.

Other events have happened and I have begun to realize how important the everyday things are. I also find myself recognizing the miracles that happen everyday in my own very ordinary life. I began blogging because we have been asked to keep a family history. It is the easiest way for me to do that and at the same time keep in touch with people that I love! I write because I want my kids to remember and appreciate the things that happened in every day life both big and small.

Here is the last 2and 1/2 months in a nutshell.

We spent Thanksgiving in Anabella with the Sanderson's and Aunt Peggy's Family. We had a wonderful dinner, played games and enjoyed the company!

The next day was our annual trek up the mountain to find that perfect Christmas tree. We hiked all over with snow up to our waist's. I love the snow in the mountains.

The Christmas season was filled with Christmas concerts

party's and other activities.

Keeping with tradition, Grandma Sanderson came over for our annual gingerbread cookie making,

then Christmas at home this year, kind of looked forward to it after being away to Disneyland last year. We had a party with the Wrights on Christmas Eve. We played a hilarious game called Stuff Santa.

Mom and Dad came to spend it with us, the first time in ten years! It was so fun to have them!! The kids were spoiled (as usual!) we had an awesome Christmas! We have so much to be thankful for!!

Yesterday the girls and I gained a new appreciation for the Men and Women who serve our country as over 900 flags were held by High School & Middle School students and other members of our community on both sides of the road 3 and a 1/2 blocks long for the funeral precession. At the end of all the flags was the National Honor Flag the flew over Ground Zero after 9-11. We were there to honor and pay our last respects to Officer Josie Greathouse Fox, killed in the line of duty protecting others. I was truly proud to be an American, and gained even more respect for the people who are in harms way serving us as citizens.

Briley The Blast From the Past !

2009-10-29T14:01:00.004-06:00

This week has been Red Ribbon Week at Briley's school and yesterday was 70's day. Her outfit was way to cute, so I thought I would share! Sad thing is I actually remember having the feathered hair and wearing this stuff.

Deer Hunt 2009

2009-10-21T19:50:00.003-06:00

As a woman I don't think I will ever understand the hunting thing and spending the equivalent of two tasty grain fed beef in the freezer for yucky deer meat!

Never the less I love to go camping so we loaded up the trailer Friday and headed for the hills! This trip was a lot more expensive and eventful than we wanted it to be!! On the way we blew a tire on the trailer. Russ tried to change it and one of the lugs was bound on so we headed to the nearest town to get some help. $75.00 later we were on our way again with darkness approaching rapidly! Russ's truck was getting hot so we stopped at a convenience store and bought some antifreeze then went up the canyon only to find out the heater core had gone out in the truck. By the time we got there it was dark so being in a hurry to get set up, Russ didn't slide the hitch on the trailer back and between the incline and the sharp turn he hit the back window with the trailer and shattered it. Oh well stuff happens!!Sitting around camp

The Grandpa, Grandma Gang!

The rest of the trip was great! Lots of fun hangin with family and good food! What more can you ask for.

This is what happens after 3 days of deer camp!

The things you learn at deer camp! Grandpa can't curl his tounge!

Russ ended up with a little 2 point and unfortunately so far McKendrie got skunked but still hopeful.

Beware of insane chainsaw man!

Last Weekend

2009-09-30T19:10:00.006-06:00

Last week was Homecoming week here. Their theme was Rockin Through the Ages. They got quite a kick out of dressing in the 60's 70's and 80's styles. Mckendrie's High School Band has a new advisor this year who helped them start a new era. It has been 25 years or more since the band put on uniforms and marched complete with formations at half time for a football game. These kids have worked so hard practicing at 6:30 in the morning 2 to 3 mornings a week and it really paid off!! They looked fantastic!! It was awesome to see. Only one little faux pas' while they were marching off the field McKendrie's drum set fell off ! She got that deer in the headlights look very briefly then picked them up and bowed to the audience. Pretty funny stuff!

Mckendrie's bow after dropping her drums

Monday due to budget cuts we had the day off from school. Russ is off on Mondays as well so we headed out west to see if we could find some pine nuts. As you can see I found a few NUTS among the trees but look at what we also found. Oh if it just would have been the right season!!(that what Russ and

McKendrie were saying!

Briley's New Do

2009-09-17T18:09:00.005-06:00

For Briley's birthday she wanted to go to the salon and have her hair cut and highlighted, so Tuesday we spent an afternoon of Beauty.

Before

During

The end result.

Happy Birthday Briley !!

2009-09-12T14:53:00.002-06:00

My Baby is 13 years old today!! Wow 2 teenagers ! When did I get this old?

She is a sweetheart!! She has such a tender heart and always rooting for the underdog! She gives the best hugs! loves to sing, hang out with friends, golf with her dad, and is a computer junkie!! She could hardly wait for today to get her own facebook. It is such a privilege to be her mom! I love you with all my heart! Happy Birthday sweetheart and many more to come!!

Silver Sage

2009-08-30T17:21:00.004-06:00

Silver Sage

We spent a fun evening with several of Russ's family last night including his aunt from Switzerland kind of by accident. Russ's Sister Jayleen and her family do a Chuckwagon Dinner Show here in town. Russ the girls & I went to play at the Res. yesterday afternoon and our niece came with us. We went to take her home and in conversation found out everyone had made reservations to go to the dinner show. Food was great! Music was awesome!! Kirks jokes questionable (Just kiddin Kirk) All in all a really fun evening!

The other awesome thing that happened Saturday was Russ won his Men's Club Golf Championship tournament. Way to go honey!!

Leo & Jenny Ford Family Reunion

2009-08-16T16:38:00.001-06:00

Thank you Aunt Peggy's Family for a great time!!!

Truck Pictures

2009-08-02T21:07:00.001-06:00

Ok Joel here ya go.

Ford Family Reunion!

2009-07-21T16:08:00.005-06:00

Silver Meadows

Third generation cousins

My Grandma, My Mom, and her Brother's and Sister's

My Grandpa's remaining Brother's and Spouses

My Grandma and Aunt Ann

Last Thursday night I went to bed fully planing on taking the girls to Southern Utah Swim finals the next day. When I woke up Friday morning I had the strongest wave of nostalgia hit me. I am ashamed to say I have not been to this particular reunion for 12 years. I don't know if it was because my grandma is 86 years old and this one will be the last one she will probably be here to host (the brother's and sister's take a turn every 8 years)or exactly what it was, but I knew I really needed and wanted to go!
After discussing it for a while with the girls, we three chicks packed our bags and gear, left Russ (who had to work) a note on the kitchen counter and headed for Wolf Creek Pass and Silver Meadows.(I must of really wanted to go to leave my nice 5th wheel trailer in the driveway to go stay in a tent!)
My Grandpa (who has past) & Grandma Ford instilled in their family a great love for the mountains! The farther up I got, the more memories came flooding back, it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful Gods world is. Growing up we almost never missed heading to the mountains where my Great Grandpa William Ford and his sons would take the sheep in their younger days. I miss my Grandpa very much, I am so grateful for the legacy he has left us!
I have an awesome bunch of family!! We had a great time with aunts, uncles, cousins some of who I haven't seen in quite a while. We totaled almost 200 carrying on what our Grandparents started long ago.
I want my kids to have a strong sense of family that my parents and Grandparents taught me! I hope by going it has helped. I promised myself I won't wait another 12 years to go again!

Swim Fest 2009

2009-07-17T09:30:00.001-06:00

Wright Family Reunion 09

2009-07-07T17:25:00.010-06:00

WARNING!!!!!! WARNING!!!!!

The following picture may be disturbing !! ( I know it was to their Mother!) If you are faint of heart or squeamish in any way, scroll down quickly and avoid the following picture!! ( you have been warned!)

The Buddah Brothers

The Buddha Brothers and normal sister's, along with the whole motley crew converged from the 4 corners of the earth (OK, Wisconsin,Michigan, & and various places in Utah) to pay us a visit in Delta Town for the last week! and boy have we painted the town red, green and any other color you can think of!!

We started with red because that's the color most of us were when we got home from Seven Peaks Water Park Friday. Despite that everyone had a great time. (Green was all the Aloe Vera used when we got home!)

Saturday we celebrated our Nation's Birthday hitting the Parade, games & entertainment at the City Park, then Burgers at my house. Next on the agenda was the Demolition Derby, while some stayed at my house and played games and visited. We ended the night with fireworks and a down pour that sent everyone scrambling for cover!! I am truly grateful for this great Nation and to all those who have gone before making it possible to enjoy the freedoms we have.

Sunday afternoon we reconvened for family pictures, a yummy salad bar dinner and family talent show. We have some very talented people in our family!! It was awesome!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Next on the Family Fun Fest agenda was the Wright Family Camp-in. IPSC were Russ works has a huge recreation facility complete with a huge kitchen, pool tables, shuffle board, volleyball and basketball & racquetball courts. Lots of places for kids to run, play board & card games and sleeping facilities. Those with small babies considered this a better alternative to the camping in a tent thing , so this year we camped in instead. Tuesday night we met at the bowling alley, ate pizza and went zombie bowling (zombie because most of us stayed up until 4:00am the night before playing cards & video games and most were going on no nap!) We came away with only a few smashed toes and dented heads (just kidding!) No really we had a great time! To end the night we tried out the new outdoor fireplace and made smores and sang campfire songs.

Unfortunately all good thing must come to an end all to soon! Wednesday was time to say goodbye. We celebrated our nephew Collin's birthday with ice cream and cake, the brothers and some of the kids went shooting skeet. We got to know each other again, and made a lot of great new memories! Needless to say I think everyone will sleep very well tonight!

Their is nothing I love better than spending time with family! and especially those we don't see very often. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for my little family, the family I was born into, and the family I married into.

I Really Like the New Camera!

2009-07-01T12:21:00.004-06:00

Never before have I been able to do this!!! With my old camera the shutter usually fired about the time she hit the water, and all I caught was her toes sticking out!! I really like the new camera!! It was worth every penny!

McKendrie off the starting blocks at yesterday's swim meet vs Price.

The Making of a Fireplace.

2009-06-28T15:31:00.004-06:00

We have been adding some things and making some changes to our backyard. One of the things we decided to add was an outdoor fire place. We moved what used to be a huge sand pile that went across the whole backyard to one end and railroad tied it in, then planted a patch of grass in the middle about a month ago. Finally yesterday the grass had grown enough to pour the cement for the fireplace. Were pretty excited about it! it will be a lot of fun! something we will enjoy for years to come! I will have to post another picture of the finished product when it is cured and all the forms are off.

The girls putting their footprints in the cement.

Chase's Wedding

2009-06-22T11:22:00.005-06:00

We spent an awesome weekend in Tremonton attending my nephew Chase's wedding.
Friday after removing all the roll dough from my ears after making 418 rolls for the reception, Russ, the girls and I left for Tremonton. Russ was originally not going to make it because of work but was able to make arrangements and come. I was very grateful for that! because it also happened to be our 22nd wedding anniversary. We visited with the fam for awhile then he and I went out to dinner to celebrate.

Saturday morning we left for the Logan Temple and attended the marriage. It was awesome! It is always wonderful to be inside the Temple, and extra special to be able to witness the beginning of a new eternal family. We certainly wish them all the best!

The girls spent some quality bonding time with their younger cousins outside while we were inside. They then had a delicious luncheon at the Copper mill.

Some of the family waiting for the Bride & Groom to come out of the Temple

The reception was a lot of fun. I think they had a really good turn out ( I spent most of it helping in the kitchen ) Their was dancing after the reception, everyone kicked up their heals and had a good time. Again I enjoyed most spending time with my family!! I had all of my brother's and sister's there and with six of us that is a rare occasion.

Chase having a little snooze before the Reception

The End of an Era !

2009-06-17T18:30:00.006-06:00

For seven years around this time in June, we have made an annual trek to Cedar City for the girls to attend Cedar Mountain Science Camp. It started with just McKendrie, then for a couple of years both girls, then after McKendrie became to old to go, it was just Briley. They started going to camp in the summer of their 3rd grade year and continued through the summer of their 6th grade year. Now with Briley going into 7th grade, this past weekend was our last camp.

They have had such a great time and learned so many things about science and nature. They have hiked all over Bryce Canyon and the surrounding areas, made and collected all kinds of science things, and met many new friends.

Russ and I will miss the fun weekend getaway together. Unfortunatley they grow up so fast and all good things must come to an end, but they have

made a lot of wonderful memories!

Weekend Events with the Family

2009-06-08T11:06:00.004-06:00

My Girls With My Mom & My Grandma (her Mom)

We enjoyed all kinds of family events this past weekend! From reacquainting with family members we haven't seen in awhile to wishing a out going missionary good luck, then Russ's sisters baby blessing . The best is just spending time together!!

Baby Nathan

Daddy's little girl (Russ's sister Jayleen and their Dad)

Aunt Rita's kid with the girls

Let's Luau!!

2009-05-05T16:01:00.002-06:00

We celebrated Russ's Graduation on Saturday with a Hawaiian Luau. Russ worked so hard all day Friday getting our yard ready for the party, but Mother Nature had different plans!! We woke up to pouring rain which was disappointing. However we made the best of it and moved it to the school where I work and all was well.

We limboed (is that a word?)

Hula hooped and jump roped for fabulous prizes!! (OK beach balls) and of course what we do best!! Ate. We had a great time. Thank you families for all your support! We wish all of you could have been here.

Graduation !!!

2009-05-01T10:05:00.007-06:00

Last night, after 5 long years Russ received his Bachelors of Business Administration Degree From Utah State University!! It was an awesome night!!

I am so proud of him for sticking with it, despite trying to be husband & dad and please 3 women at home ( way to much estrogen in this family!!) going to school at work, for his Master Electrician, working full time, serving in the Bishopric then the High Counsel.

We appreciate all the support from Family & Friends

and from IPSC (where Russ works). They were so good to work with him so he could be in class when he needed to be, and to help him with his internship.

He is the greatest Husband and Dad in the whole world!!

We Love You!! Congratulations!!

Softball

2009-04-25T20:32:00.005-06:00

We spent the day at McKendrie's Freshman Softball Tournament. Lost 3 games and won 1. They played in everything from cold and windy to a little rain.

Then came the real wild weather!!

The hail on the front of my car.

It thundered, lightninged and hailed about 2 inches of hail, so they were unable to play their last game. Its OK they played hard and got a lot of good experience!! We'll get um next time!

Strawberry Jam

2009-04-14T21:33:00.002-06:00

I just finished making my first batch ever Strawberry Freezer Jam. Didn't turn out half bad if I do say so myself. Thanks to my mom and the ladies at work for their good advice.

Easter Fun

2009-04-12T20:24:00.006-06:00

The girls and I spent the weekend at my mom's along with my brother and two sister's and their families. You can always count on a lot of chaos and fun when you get 20 people in one house.

We colored eggs,

went to roll them down the hill, which ended up in a big egg fight throwing them at each other. We had the big easter egg hunt,

Ladies and Gentlemen ready the bags and buckets!

And Their Off!

ate a lot of good food, and enjoyed the great company!! Thanks Mom for always showing us a great time! These are the things my kids remember for a lifetime.

Jake enjoying the fruits of his labors!

A New Toy

2009-04-08T20:44:00.002-06:00

I bought a new toy today I am very anxious to start using! If I can just figure out how!

The Visitor

2009-03-27T15:58:00.003-06:00

When I got home from work today my next door neighbors were outside looking at something and taking pictures. Curiousity got the best of me so I went to see what all the fuss was about. This is what they had found.

I've been hearing him for about a week, now I know he's this close, it will be easy to figure out what's happened to Briley's cat if he comes up missing. (just kidding.)

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2009-03-17T23:17:00.002-06:00

Today was my Grandma's 86th Birthday! I had the privilege of She and I spending the afternoon together which is something I don't get to do very often being that she lives almost 2 hours away from me. She is quite the lady!
I asked her about the day she was born, she told me she was born at a purple brick house just down the road from where she lives now. The doctor didn't make it for the birth because he had to come by horse and buggy. From what I gather a nurse mid-wife type person delivered her. After she was delivered she wrapped her up and put her in a shoe box and set her on the oven door to keep her warm. I can't even imagine.
She has taught me many things. How to make a bed you can bounce a quarter off, to crochet, to make homemade bread just to name a few.
She has lived alone, and taken care of herself for I believe 28 years now. She was still doing hair in her beauty shop up until about 2 years ago. She has always been a go getter!
I am very grateful for family and the legacy they have left for me and my children!!
Happy Birthday Grandma!! May you have more to come.

HELP!!!!

2009-03-13T16:59:00.002-06:00

Ok anyone who maybe reads this and might know why this keeps happening I need help. My daughter wanted her own blog so I created her own e-mail and google account then proceeded to create her a blog. We got it all created and things seemed fine until I got on my own blog. It had changed my e-mail to her address and when I left comments on other peoples blog it signed her name. I went back and deleted her blog and tried to create her one again but the same thing happened again.
If anyone can help me I would sure appreciate it.

A New Driver In The Family "YIKES"

2009-02-25T18:54:00.004-07:00

Its official!!! McKendrie got her learners permit today. The drivers licence people are here only on Wednesday's, but not the third Wednesday. We found that out when we went to take the test last week and no one was there, ( The joys of living in a small town) So of course as soon as she got home from school today she hit me up. I feel it only fair to warn you (so you can stay off the side walks) she failed the first time, but they were gracious enough to let her take it again and the rest is history. Oh boy! I'm not real sure I'm ready for this!!

Our Small Town Claim to Fame

2009-02-21T12:22:00.003-07:00

Every year at this time our small town is a favorite rest stop for thousands of Snow Geese making their annual 5000 mile migration from Southern California to Northern Canada. In the early morning they will feed in the surrounding farmers fields. later in the morning take refuge on our local reservoir, then return to the fields in the late afternoon to evening.

People come from all over the state to participate in our small town Snow Goose Festival that comes complete with Wildlife officers setting up a telescope viewing area at the reservoir to do some bird watching, a Quilt/ craft show and 5k & 10k run /walk along with other activities.

It is quite a phenomenon and they really are beautiful.

Where Did My Little Girl Go ?

2009-01-31T11:37:00.005-07:00

Happy 15th Birthday McKendrie !!

It seems like yesterday you were born and sweet little birth mom who loved you very much, and wanted you to have more than she could give you at that time, put you in my arms. I fell in love and our journey began. I hope you will remember when you are faced with a tough situation the legacy of courage that has been left for you!

Now she's all grown up and is such a great kid!! She works hard at school, sports, and music and in everything she does. She has such a loving and easy going personality. I am very proud of the young women she has become. I never take for granted how lucky I am to be a Mom!

Enough of this mushy stuff that makes me cry.

We partied last night with friends at the bowling alley cosmic bowling and eating pizza!

She has some really great friends!

Tunnel bowling.

They made her a Michael Phelps cake.

Then one with little teeny tiny notes written on it that you had to get really really close to the cake to read. You pretty much know what's going to happen with crazy friends and getting that close to a cake .

Anyway I think they had a good time. Happy Birthday my sweetheart !!

Briley's Big Day

2009-01-14T15:38:00.006-07:00

Today was Briley's big day to get her braces on! It couldn't have come at a better time.

Our plug thingy that lets the drain go up and down in the sink broke, so for now until it is fixed we just took it out leaving an open drain. Last week while she was brushing her teeth her bottom retainer slipped down the sink. After taking it apart we still had no luck finding it. The good news is, all drains lead to the ocean so some lucky fish will have beautiful straight bottom teeth (maybe we should send the top now and complete the set). Just kidding , anyway we went to the Dentist to fess up to what happened, he kindly told us not to worry she was ready finally ready for her braces.

After a 2 hour Dentist visit she's sporting some lovely new (and might I add expensive) teeth Jewelry. She told me "mom I will always remember which day I got my braces on" today just happens to also be her dad's Birthday. Happy Birthday Honey!!!

Welcome Back To Work

2009-01-06T14:27:00.006-07:00

This is what our Kitchen looked like when we arrived back at work yesterday (Back to work, Boo !! Hiss!!) It quickly became obvious that our Janitors had way to much time on their hands over the Christmas Holiday!!!

All 20 of our Aprons were hanging from the ceiling all around the kitchen looking like they're holding hands with their strings tied together.

I got a special surprise, a big rat in my locker, and I think my boss about wet her pants finding a very large hairy spider dangling in her cupboard and a cockroach basting in the microwave. (No calling the health department, they were all plastic.)

Clever girls!!

Hope they remember, we don't get mad, we get EVEN!!!

Home Again

2008-12-31T10:57:00.006-07:00

Cinderella's Castle decked out for Christmas !
All of them sporting their new hats.
Real orange bushes
Splash Mountain one of our favorites

And a super great time was had by all !! But unfortunately its back to reality and home again.

Christmas day we got up and saw what Santa brought and then we were off to California Adventure where we spent most of the day. The day was kind of rainy, so again not a lot of people. We loved Soarin Over California, Tower of Terror, and California Screamin, that's one of the best roller coasters I have ever been on. Towards the evening it really started to rain hard and got quite cold so we went back to the Hotel had Christmas dinner and played games and cards until bed time.

Saturday we had an early entry pass so we went and caught some of the smaller rides that are not worth standing in line for an hour for, but are still fun to see. We spent some time in toon town where every one kind of spread out and I found myself alone. I decided to go see Mickey's house and on the way out 2 Disney workers were standing there handing out dream passes which is a fast pass to all the major rides in both parks on a cute souvenir lanyard. The park was very busy so it made it nice because with my dream pass and getting fast passes we had enough for the kids to ride twice with not much waiting. We caught the Disney Christmas Fantasy Parade that evening. It was fabulous!! By the end of the day I can honestly say we were all very exhausted. I think we were all glad that the next day was Sunday and we could sleep in !! In fact Briley asked her dad that morning " are we going to Disneyland today?" he told her no and her reaction was ''Yeah !!! "

Sunday we slept in and then spent the afternoon at Huntington Beach. The kids had never seen the ocean. They had a lot of fun playing in it. That evening we headed back for Vegas. What a nightmare !! between accidents and construction the 4 hour drive turned into a 7 hour marathon but we finally made it.
We arrived home Monday night about 11:00. We were blessed to be able to go and to have such a great time and make lasting memories as a family. We wish everyone a Happy New Year !!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T17:05:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas to all from Disneyland California !! We are having great fun !! It's kind of rainy and a little chilly, but nothing compared to the inches of snow at home and certainly not enough to keep us out of the park. It's been a real different Christmas ! We arrived yesterday about 3:00 and spent the afternoon at Disneyland. Much to our surprise the park was almost empty, we literally ran from one ride to the next with very little or no waiting. We ended Christmas Eve with fireworks set to Christmas music overlooking the water and Cinderella's Castle. The fireworks ended with snow storm (in the form of bubbles) falling down from the lamp posts. I have to say that was a first ! Fireworks on Christmas eve. It was awesome! Today we have been to California Adventure for most of the day. It is raining quite hard so we have come back to the hotel for a break and a bite of Christmas dinner. We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and hope everyone has had a great day !!

Which one is Goofy

My Lunchroom Funny

2008-12-05T16:25:00.003-07:00

We make an Italian sandwich called Stromboli which consists of Ham, Mozzarella cheese, & Italian spices.
One little girl came to the lunch counter with her sandwich in hand and said to my co worker, "um excuse me, can I have another sandwich mine has leaves in it". It was all she could do to keep from laughing as she explained to her it was the spices we put in it. She seemed happy with the explanation, went back to her seat and ate her sandwich leaves and all.

Say a prayer

2008-11-23T18:38:00.003-07:00

Rick with Charli

My brother Ricky had a serious accident yesterday. While helping his brother-in-law repair a piece of equipment his foot became caught in the track of a cat tractor. It broke his heal bone and severed 3/4 of the way through the Achilles tendon shredding it, and took most of the skin from one side of the foot. After a 3 hour surgery they were able to repair most of the damage. They are worried about the skin dying around the heal where they had to try to stretch the skin back around it, because of not much blood flow to that area. They are also worried about infection. If you would please remember him in your prayer that all will heal well and he will have the use of his foot. Thank you everyone.

The Mermaid

2008-11-10T20:56:00.003-07:00

Mckendrie's Relay Team

We spent this past Friday & Saturday at McKendrie's swim meet. My brother Ricky and his family were able to come to the meet and were kind enough let us stay the night with them. Thanks again for the hospitality!!

I got quite a kick out of my niece Charlie, We were all watching McKendrie swim when she turned to her mom and said " is she a mermaid?" Her mom told her to ask McKendrie, so after she was done with her event Charli and I went down to meet her and ask her if she was a mermaid. She told her she was a half mermaid and that her legs come back when she gets out of the water. She told me "take my picture with that half Mermaid."

It's so amazing to me how the mind of a three year old works !! To her, anything is possible, and she really could have been a Mermaid. I wonder what things we could do if we thought like a three year old sometimes.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T14:19:00.003-06:00

It was a dark and scary night ( ok so its still day, just go with me here.)...

Briley set out trick or treating and.....

Lost her head !!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Time to update

2008-10-29T13:46:00.008-06:00

Holy Cow ! it's been a long time since I posted !! life became real interesting and fun between work, very active children in High School and middle school and a college student husband. I never thought I would say it but I'll be glad when McKendrie gets a drivers license! It seems all I do is run from one thing to the next, mach 20 with my hair on fire. From Ball games, to swim team practice & meets, band, orchestra, and chorus practices & concerts, to music lessons, McKendrie is in a drumline and they did a routine with garbage cans.

parent teacher conference and my mom in the hospital. She is doing much better after spending a week in the hospital with a bowel obstruction. Meanwhile in between we gave our kitchen a makeover, (Not that it needed it or anything) Just because it had orange , yellow & brown carpet from the 60's, bright red vinyl counter tops, and a stove that was down to one unit that worked on the top, and an oven that liked to eat heating elements every 6 months or so. Any way here are some before and afters that will help you get a better picture.

Before

During construction

After

Before

After

Just a little improvment don't you think !!

We had a great time a week and a half ago camping & Deer Hunting with my Parents, my 2 brother's and their families, my uncle and cousin & family. Unfortunately the only deer we found in the forest was my 2 little nephew deers.

Mack with Carter & Jaron

Playin games with grandma
Briley met a new cousin
Mom & Dad hangin out

I will try to get back on the stick and post regularly again. Just a funny from school to end with. (after all this is lunch lady chronicles) We had hat day for red ribbon week last week. one of the kids had on a coon skin cap. My boss said to him " you have a Daniel Boon hat , did you kill the coon thats on it? " He looked at her with a disgusted look and said " No Daniel did " It was like duh lady who did you think. Kids make my job great !!

I've Been Tagged

2008-09-09T17:38:00.004-06:00

Ok so here are the rules

1. Link the person who tagged you.

2. Mention the rules on your blog.

3. Tell 6 unspectacular quirks you posses.

4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.

5. Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been tagged.

Quirk #1- I hate anything on my kitchen cupboards ! (that does not mean their isn't stuff there, It just really bugs me when it is there.)

2. I don't share my drink with anyone. If someone take a drink out of mine I'm done with it.

3. When I am going to sleep I wiggle both my fingers and toes back and forth and count 1,2,3,4,5,

until I finally fall to sleep.

4. I either sing or hum when I am sleepy. Its embarrassing because I catch myself doing it no matter where I am.

5. I can't brush my teeth without gagging, and it is out of the question for anyone else to be brushing when I am. ( Makes it kind of tricky with only one bathroom.)

and finally #6. I don't like anybody to tell me anything about book's or movies before I read or see them.

I don't know if I have 6 people to tag but here goes what I have.

Cozy

Carrie

I am going to post this and when I get the other addresses I know I will edit.

A Weekend Getaway

2008-08-18T18:41:00.002-06:00

What a wonderful weekend !!! Sunday was my birthday. My sweet, wonderful, awesome, husband surprised me with a weekend getaway to Deer Valley Music Festival. It stars the Utah Symphony along with a featured guest which happened to be the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that night. It was fabulous !!! The setting is so beautiful, right up on the mountainside under the stars of the Deer Valley Ski Resort. We had a picnic dinner on our blanket and then enjoyed the concert. We spent the night in Park City. A little alone time away from the kids was just what the doctored ordered. ( Thanks Grandma W.) We did a little shopping the next day and headed for home. It was awesome! it certainly filled up my little cup helping me gear up for Monday.
Sunday we went to church and then basically lounged for the rest of the day enjoying the Olympics.
Today, a different story ! The Kids and I headed back to school this morning. They both came home pleased about their new classes in new school's , so what more can you ask for. Hopefully it will be a great year for all of us.

Leo Ford Family Underground Reunion

2008-08-14T12:52:00.004-06:00

Our Family reunion was held this past weekend in Seattle. Sure wish we could have made it there, but due to high prices, lack of funds and other various reasons we were forced to make alternative plans.
We ended with many of our other family members that couldn't go to the real reunion, up Oak City Canyon for a campout.
Talking around the fire one night this was dubbed the underground reunion. Anyway we had such a good time it was just fun and relaxing.

Grandma, My Mom, and Aunt Ann

Briley on the 4 wheeler

2 monkey's up the tree

Mom, Dad, My Grandma, Aunts and Uncle chillin at camp

Time keeps on ticking !!

2008-08-03T14:39:00.007-06:00

Time before school starts again is ticking away very quickly !! Where has the summer gone !!

I spent most of Monday & Tuesday cleaning up the trailer and doing the laundry from our camping trip. That's the bad part of camping ! Whats leftover.

Wednesday was spent mostly on getting kids where they needed to go and planning for and upcoming camping trip/family reunion this coming weekend.

Birthday girl Sarah with McKendrie

Thursday, our Niece Sarah turned 16. Time is definitely ticking there. Just yesterday she was a little girl !! The girls and I went shopping for candy bars and poster board and made her a candy bar poster, then after the girls finished with swim team went to lunch with her, her mom and grandma's. It's great spending time just having a little girls bonding fun. That night we got together with Russ's Mom, Aunt, Brother and his wife and his sister and went to see Momma Mia. Have you seen it ? The premise of it wasn't real morally great , and Peirce Brosnan can't carrry a tune, but I thought the Movie was fantastic ! I am a huge Abba fan anyway and like Russ's mom said, " you leave the movie feeling just happy" !!

Friday, 10:30 to 12:30 at night, Russ, and I ( I don't know in an attempt to relive our teenage years or something, ) took the girls to the book release party for Breaking Dawn the last book in the Twilight series. (Really great books if you haven't read them !! ) They showed old vampire movies outside on the side of the building next to the book store, had all kinds of food and drawings. Russ won a book and McKendrie won a free Internet access pass for a month.

We topped of the week with Russ's company party last night. They took us to a Bar-B-Que and an Owlz Baseball game, they are a double A professional team in this area. We had a great time and enjoyed spending the evening together as a family.

Now the mourning begins as I spend my last free week before school starts. Time keeps on ticking.

Wright Family Camp Out

2008-07-28T10:12:00.017-06:00

The Wright family headed (is that a word ?) for the hills this past weekend for a Wright family camp out. A Grand time was had by all at the ponderosa!! (not the ranch, our camping spot. ) Sure wish we all could of been there. We camped,

we ate,

we sat around the fire and played games,

some rode Matt's motor bike, and shot the bows.

While Grandpa took a much deserved nap with his princess pillow.

We hiked, played clean the camp,

and did some monkeying around.

We even got rained on a few times. Luckily just enough to settle the dust and bring out that wonderful smell of the mountains.

While Russ was putting in the awning on our trailer getting ready to go home, our niece Ashley was standing there with him. When the awning came down it was hiding 2 days of rain and it all came pouring down on Ashley. Poor little thing was drenched, and in shock thinking what in the world just happened !!

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and were left with dirty faces, dirty laundry, but awesome memories. Anyway I hope we can make this a tradition, including the out of state family if they happen to be coming for a visit!!

A Suprise Encounter

2008-07-14T08:29:00.003-06:00

Saturday, I set out on my morning walk. The place I walk is a road down the middle of the alfalfa & grain fields ( a perfect hiding place ! ) so this was bound to happen at some point, any way I got just about to my turn around point and ran right smack into you guessed it PEPE LE PEW !! He had come out of the corn field to get a drink of water out of the ditch that was full. I knew he had not seen me or he would of ran ( or at least Russ said he would have ran.) Any way the last thing I wanted to do is surprise a skunk, so I froze and just watched. Then the great debate started with myself. Should I try to cross to the other side of the road and go past him to my turn around point ? But then, I would have to come back past him and run the risk of him being even closer, then I would be stuck here in the middle of the fields for who knows how long. I decided not to tempt the fates and risk sleeping in the garage for a month while I detoxed. So very slowly I turned around and walked away. Then I thought I have my phone with me why didn't I take his picture. ( You know pictures always make a better blog, and they are kind of cute little critters, it's amazing they pack such a powerful punch ! ) But again don't push my luck!! The rest of the walk was uneventful. The best part, I came home only smelling like sweat.

The Champs

2008-07-02T09:07:00.007-06:00

After an intense double header McKendrie's fast pitch softball team came out victorious! They are the 2008 Champs. They won the first game 15 to 14 and the second game 12 to 9 and did it with only 8 players.

It was a hard fought battle and she has the battle wound to show for it. She slid into third base, causing a pile up with her and the third baseman and a dandy flesh wound on the arm. Good thing she's as tough as nails, as Tom Hanks says "theirs no crying in baseball". (softball either!)

Beating the Summer Heat

2008-06-25T08:52:00.003-06:00

It has been stifling hot here for several days with temperatures hovering right around the century mark, so the kids were looking for any way possible to beat the heat !!! The neighbors came upon a piece of black plastic, so with the garden hose and the plastic they proceeded to construct a homemade slip & slide out on our big lawn. ( hey why spend the money when black plastic will do !! ) Even my dog sassy got in on the action. They had a great time sliding then topped it off with an ice cream bar. Oh to be a kid again!

Celebrating Father's Day

2008-06-14T22:46:00.004-06:00

Russ, Briley, and I, (McKendrie was at youth conference) Joel & Cozy, Pam & family and 2 of Shauna's kids spent today at Mom & Dads celebrating Fathers Day. We bar-b-qued, played games, things became very interesting when Pam & Brady started a huge water fight. Everyone except we who were beind the camera's ended up extremely wet. A great time was had by all !! (except dad who thinks he will melt if he gets a little water on him !!) Happy Fathers Day to all the Fathers out there.

A new milestone

2008-05-22T14:43:00.004-06:00

My days of PTA meetings , being a room mom, and class parties came to an end today. Our elementary school days are over. In fact it is a double milestone with one on to middle school and the other on to high school. Holy cow time flies !! I blinked and they grew up. After 8th grade graduation yesterday we took the girls to dinner to celebrate, and then this morning went to 5th grade graduation breakfast for Briley. I love the girls they are a joy in my life!! Time passes very quickly so give your kids an extra hug today!!

I made easy key lime pie for a treat today to celebrate the last day of school, its a really easy and delicious treat for spring and summer. Here is the recipe.

Easy Key Lime Pie

1 4oz. cream cheese

1 can sweetened condensed milk ( not evaporated)

1 pkg lemon-lime kool-aid

1 8oz. cool whip

1 graham cracker crust

Beat cream cheese until smooth the add milk, beat koolaid into mixture until dissolved and well mixed. Beat in cool whip mix well, then put in crust. Enjoy

Wildlife in my backyard

2008-05-17T12:10:00.005-06:00

I love spring !! We have had so much fun watching the wildlife in the backyard I thought I would share. This is Mom and Dad Morning Dove. They are right outside our computer room window. Since very early spring we have watched them build their nest in our plum tree and lay their eggs. Mom sits on the nest and takes care, while dad sits on a wire very near and watches over. The babies have finally hatched, it will be fun to watch them grow and leave the nest.

The hummingbirds play and chase each other around the yard and occasionally make a stop at the feeder for a bite to eat. They are a fascinating to watch. Nature is totally amazing !!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T21:44:00.003-06:00

Happy Mothers Day !! I am grateful to have a wonderful mother. This is my mother and her mother, what a wonderful legacy they have left for me. I have big shoes to fill.

It's Been A While

2008-04-28T14:42:00.003-06:00

As you can see by the amount of time since my last blog I am a very lousy blogger !!! I would like to say I will try to do better but it probably would not be the truth. To many other comings and goings I guess.

A couple of funny things at work. From the mouths of babes ! These are probably you had to be there's but they were quite funny at the time. We were serving the Kindergarten lunch & my co-worker and I were watching a child in the line when a little girl stopped in front of my co-worker for her cookie. She waited a second, we were still watching the little boy in line. I guess she just wasn't getting it fast enough so she began to wave her hand and said to Kris "Helllllo are you hypmatized". Now what does a 5 year old know about being hypnotized. Any way we got a good laugh.

My boss had a touch of laryngitis from allergy's and one of the little girls asked her what was wrong. She told her she had no voice from allergy's and the little girl replied well at least you still look normal. Kids !! you got to love them.

February was a a difficult month with the passing of Russ's Grandfather, he was named after his grandpa and close with him. It was also his only remaining Grandparent, the end of and era. On a positive note it was wonderful having most of his brothers and sisters here for the funeral it was great to have time together.

March was busy with the usual things hauling kids where they need to go working and being a mom.

April has found Russ just finishing up with outage (where they completely shut down the plant for a month for maintenance and repairs. They are required to work 6 and sometimes 7 days a week.) and school finals. Light at the end of the tunnel !! 3 more classes to Graduation !!!McKendrie just finished her basketball season ( second place ) and were just tyring to get Briley past the 5th grade. Now its on to swim team and softball. Now May is almost here, and school is almost out, the year has gone incredibly fast.

Guess I better go finish dinner. Can anyone out there help explain to me how to get a picture on this blog everything I have tried just isn't working

Shelly

The Weekend

2008-01-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

I met my mom and sister in Provo last weekend for a girls bonding trip for moms birthday. We did some shopping, and went out to dinner, we tried twice to see "National Treasure" and never made it. Then a wild game of cards (how wild can it get with your mom and your grandma playing!) Then spent the night at my grandmas. Anyway we had a great time together. I was glad to spend time with my Grandma, I don't think their are going to be many more chances. Shes getting up there.

Russ kept the girls, and got in some bonding time with them. They were such good little doobies!! They surprized me by having the house cleaned when I got home.

We had one of our ladies quit at work, so they are in the process of hiring someone new. It will be very interesting to see what they do, I guess we will all hide and watch the outcome. I'll keep you posted.

Time to get the girls in bed. Briley tried out for the play at school and got a part, so she and I have to be out of the house by 6:50 am with McKendrie following at 7:55. Mornings come way to early !!

Shelly

First time Blogger

2008-01-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

Hello to all from small town Utah. I am brand new to this but I have been inspired by my sister- in-law and nephews blogs to give it a try. It have so enjoyed reading and seeing the happenings in their lives as we are so far away from each other. Hopefully I can come up with some adventures mix in a few photos here and there that is worth looking at. I would absolutly love and welcome comments.

I'm a wife and mother of 2 daughters Mckendrie,14 and Briley 11 and then we add a cockapoo dog named sassy into the mix. By day I am a elementary school lunch lady ( which is an adventure in itself). We live in a small central town in Utah. I'll try to figure out how to publish some pictures and get them up

All for now Shelly