A Sparkling 4th!

Wednesday night Matthew surprised us by saying that they would like to come for the weekend. We were very excited! We enjoy the visits from our children immensely. Matthew, Katie, and the boys arrived late Thursday night. We had so much fun playing with Carter and Keegan and getting re-acquainted. They are adorable boys!

Friday we went to the zoo with Matthew and Katie and Jason and Lacey and families. It was great....unfortunately we got there late in the day and were only there for two hours before everything started to close down. But it was a fun time!

Fourth of July

We enjoyed celebrating the Fourth of July with Jason, Lacey, and family, Matthew, Katie and the boys, Eric, Joy and Olivia. It was a super fun time. We wish that Stephanie, Brett and their boys could have been here, too. That would have been great to have everyone together. Fireworks were a nice extra...provided by Jason...for a great show! We are so glad we got to spend the holiday with family.

Thanks everyone for making this a great 4th of July!

June fun!

June was filled with good times! I went out to Utah/Idaho the first part of June to attend a high school art society reunion (see previous blog) and to visit with Stephanie and Brett. Then Rick came out to Utah and we went with my brothers and sisters to Oregon. I haven't had time to post anything yet! So I thought I would start with a few pics from Stephanie's. Also, a few from when I saw Matthew and Katie in Pocatello for lunch. They were headed from Boise to Las Vegas and I was headed up to Idaho Falls from Salt Lake so we met for lunch. It was a short visit but fun. I will post the Oregon pics and Olivia's birthday after the July 4th weekend pics. (See if I can get caught up here posting!!!...I've been cleaning out closets and cupboards...trying to reduce stuff!!!)

The following are Brett, Stephanie and the boys while I was visiting them. We went to Hoogle Zoo one day, took the boys to a movie, went to a playground, played in their backyard with their swimming pool, and had lots of fun. Noah and Cooper are at a fun age where they are able to do alot of things. I just love these little grandkids of mine...all of them! It is so fun to be a grandmother and watch them grow and learn. Noah even got Grandma with water when we where playing in the backyard. I had a wonderful time. I especially enjoyed being able to spend more than a few days with Stephanie.

Happy Birthday, Matthew

My Boy
When I learned that you were coming I was sure that you would be,
the most wonderful and precious child that I would ever see.
I was fearful, but excited, I was anxious, but prepared,
to hold you in my arms and show you just how much I cared.
And when the day finally came, my heart was filled with joy,
to see that you were made for me, my perfect little boy.
Now as the years are passing, you surprise me everyday,
by showing me that I can love you in so many different ways.
~Amanda Rodriguez

I remember the day when Matthew was born. It seems like just yesterday! I looked upon that little baby with so much dark black hair. I was a bit overwhelmed with two babies 13 months apart. I wondered if I would be able to give him the love he needed and to start him on the right path. He was an easy little guy to love but the path has been his...and he has done a great job in taking each step. I admire Matthew's great qualities: his sense of humor, his warmth and trust, his loving calls to his parents, his ability to overcome life's setbacks, his ability to see what should be done and making it right, and his concern and care for others. Matthew is a great husband and father. I watch with amazement his patience as he plays with his boys or gets them ready for bed. He is such a loving dad!

Matthew, we are so blessed to have you as our son!

Hope you have a Happy Birthday today!

Love Ya!

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

Happy 1st Birthday to little Olivia! What a sweetie! We are so grateful that we were able to spend her birthday with her tonight! Thanks Eric and Joy for coming over and letting us celebrate with you! It was fun having Jason, Lacey and their family here for the celebration! We enjoyed going to see the kittens and puppies with Olivia today, too! She is such a cutie! I love her little wave when she sees us and her sweet, little voice when she talks.

Happy Birthday, Olivia

Dreams from Long Ago.....

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. " - Dale Turner

I had the opportunity to go to the first Bonneville High School Art Society Reunion last weekend. It was such a wonderful experience and I'm so glad that Rick let me come out to Idaho/Utah early and go to the reunion. About nine months ago, I came in contact with some of my art friends from high school. After having viewed their accomplishments in the field of art, I was feeling quite depressed about not having kept up with my art and not having pursued my dreams. That along with some other feelings of inadequacies, I had been having a hard time lately. When several months ago, I received an e-mail from a former art student of Mr. Whitney that said they were going to have the first ever reunion. I was excited but hesitant because I knew I was going to be there with those who have gone on to be accomplished artists (the list is quite amazing). Whitney was a great (actually one of the best) art teachers ever and his teaching is shown in the legacy of his students.....(Greg Olsen, Dan Freed, Dilleen Marsh and Barbara Edwards just to mention a few). But I went and it was just what I needed. I came away knowing that first of all, I have accomplished alot. I raised four great children and have served in many positions in the church and with the Air Force wives. Secondly, when Mr. Whitney's turn came to talk at the end of one of the days, he expressed that we all had dreams back in that high school art society and those dreams can still be achieved. We are the ones who can make them come alive again. It was so great....we had one Friday afternoon get together at Bonneville High Art room in Idaho Falls and then went down to Provo for a barbecue on Saturday night at Greg Olsen's home and to see his studio. It was a small close net group and we were able to just have a good time talking with each other. My dreams are still there....and yes, Rick is going to have to buy me some sculpting clay when I get home!

Those that graduated in '69, '70 and '71. I didn't get a picture of the whole group because I didn't get my camera out fast enough. It was the first picture they took.

Three of my close friends from art society.

Whit with us!

Whitney and myself! What a great man. It was great to see how he has changed his life and to see his albums of drawings and paintings. He has been commissioned to do many great athletics (football and baseball players) oil paintings of them in action and portraits. I must say that I learned from the best back then in high school.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
C. S. Lewis

http://bhsartsociety.whitneystudios.net/