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/

Fun in New York City!

Stephanie, and I went on a mother/daughter trip to NYC last weekend! It was so fun! It was short trip...we got there about 5:00 on Friday and came home late afternoon on Monday...so we had 2-1/2 days there. But we were able to see alot and do some fun shopping. First night we stayed on the Jersey side across from Manhattan. We got some great skyline shots of Manhattan. The next two nights we stayed in Manhattan in the theater district/Times Square area so that after the theater, we wouldn't have to trek back over to Jersey on a subway or by taxi late at night. Taxi's from Manhattan to Jersey cost around $70.00 to $80.00 one way and I don't think it would be wise to ride the subway at midnight. It was fun, our hotel was a block away from the theater where we saw "Wicked". Fantastic show...the girl who played Galinda was the same one who had played in the traveling show here in Omaha last year. We were also only several blocks from Times Square and went there after the play. It is so crazy there with tons of people but it was fun. We also were able to go up in the Empire State Building, ride a ferry to the Statue of Liberty Island, Ellis Island and see the World Trade Center site. We bought passes for the Hop on/Hop off tour buses which was great because you can get off at the areas you want and then hop back on another passing bus. It lets you see areas that riding the subway wouldn't let you see. We shopped at two H&M's, rode Macy's old wooden elevators, and even went in to FAo Schwarz Toy Store. I loved being able to have fun with my daughter and we had a wonderful time!

At the top of the Empire State Building

Looking down from the Empire State Building

In front of the Gershwin Theater after Wicked

We dressed up for the theater and then changed to go to Times Square (pics below)

Pictures from the Statue of Liberty Trip (below)

Happy Birthday, Jason!

"A son is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future." -Author unknown.

Thirty-four years ago, I looked upon the face of a beautiful little baby boy, my first son and first child. As a new mother, I cherished each moment and each new day with this little guy! What fun and wonderful memories we have of those growing years. Jason is now a father experiencing the joy of having a son and daughters of his own. He is a wonderful father and husband! It has been such a blessing to watch him grow all the years and to see the great man he has become!

We Love You, Son!

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Happy 25th, Eric! Wow, just yesterday he was this little kid throwing eggs from the fridge because he thought they were balls. I couldn't keep him out of them. The little guy who loved following his big brothers and sister and would ride his hot wheel with such speed to try to keep up with them. Now here he is a quarter of a century old (that is Eric's phrase for 25!) and having just graduated from college. What a great son! We are blessed to have such a sincere, loving and giving son! It has been fun to watch him become a great husband and father!

Happy "25" Eric

We Love you!

The Mom's in my life!

To all the Mom's in my life, I want you to know that I love and appreciate you for the examples you have been to me. I know that I can't give a tribute to everyone but here are a few...

My Mom - Being left with 8 children when my father passed away, her hands were always busy making sure that we had the basics we needed to provided a warm home for us. The one thing that I remember is her baking bread and cinnamon rolls, making sure there were cookies always in the cookie jar, making pieced quilts to give away, and taking extra jars of jam and loafs of bread to the neighbors. She was always very giving even though we didn't have much. Her hands were always busy! I don't remember her complaining much which I'm sure that there were many a day she wanted to just sit down and quit. She showed me how to get through the tough times and to have the courage to keep going. She is an"Elect" daughter of God. One whom I love very dearly!

Nina (Rick's mom) - Without her I would not have the wonderful husband and companion I have. I wish I could have met her. From what I know about her, Nina was a very warm and loving mother, who gave her love and a home to her stepbrothers and stepsisters when her stepmother and her father passed away a year within each other. She and Everett took them into their home and heart. Several of them were teens at the time. I think about the courage and strength that she must have had to do this. Everett and her were then blessed with five of their own children. She raised some great children, Rick being the oldest. I know that she instilled in her children an attitude of kindness because each of them have carried that into their adult lives.

Stephanie - my beautiful daughter! I have come to learn much about motherhood by watching my daughter with her children. She is such a caring, loving and giving mother. I have been so blessed by her in my life. I love the mother-daughter relationship we have. She is truely one of my best friends! She has been so appreciative to me and overlooks all my mistakes...or the mistakes I made while she and her brothers were growing up. But has always been one to lighten my life and make me smile. She gave me such a beautiful present for mother's day that she made. What happiness she has brought to me. I love you, Stephanie, and the mother you are!

Lacey, Katie and Joy - my wonderful daughter-in-laws. Their mothers did a great job in raising such beautiful women. They are the light of my son's lives and the mother of my grandchildren. I so love watching each of them with the love and warmth they give their children (my little grandchildren) and seeing the love that comes to their faces as they watch them grow. Each one is an example to me in so many different ways of things that I need to be working on in my life. I love each of you! Thank you for being such great moms!

My sisters-Faye, Sharon, and Margie - They each are special women. I love the fact that they have always had a great interest in my children and now my grandchildren. Whenever we visited Idaho as the kids were growing up, they took an great interest in them and then when our children went to college in Idaho and Utah, they were there to help and support them in what ways they could. I love the fact that Margie has always been there for my kids and now she enjoys the grandkids. Stephanie's boys love "Grandma Margie".

ERIC'S GRADUATION

Now for the end of our trip...Eric's graduation! (Wow, my baby graduated from college!) What a heart warming experience to see your youngest graduate from college. I didn't think I would cry but being a mom there were some tears. It was a great experience to see Eric graduate and to be there with him, Joy and little Olivia. We have been so pleased with the choices Eric has made in his life and his focus on what he wants to pursue. What a wonderful son!!! One of the graduation speakers talked on putting things in order in your life and doing the right steps in the Lord's plan, also. It has been so wonderful to see all our children as they have made the right steps in their lives. It was interesting that Stephanie graduated from "Ricks" with an associate ten years before, Eric's aunt Margie with an associate forty years before...and hard to say it...myself thirty-eight years before, all in the same building. (BYU-Idaho is now in the process of building a new student field house which will hold 20,000.) After graduation and a celebration dinner at Olive garden, we got on the road to help Eric and Joy drive back with their moving truck and car. I got to sit in the back of their car most of the time and play with Olivia. We had lots of fun!!! I love being a grandmother...one of the best blessings in this world.

Congratulations Eric!!!

We Love You!!!

Dinosaurs!

After going to Matthew and Katie's home, we headed to Stephanie and Brett's. It was fun being able to visit with Brett, Stephanie and the boys. It was a short stay but we were all able to go up to Idaho to Eric's graduation and then come back to her home for one more night. While at Stephanie's, we went to Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah to see the Dinosaur museum. It was quite amazing (some of the dinosaur remains were from Nebraska...wow). Anyway, I thought I would post some of the pictures from Stephanie's home and our fun times. Noah and Cooper are so interested in everything and loved going to the museum and Micky D's (one of Grandma and Grandpa's favorite place to take them.

Easter, Pinning on Captain, Dinosaurs, and Eric's Graduation!

I'm trying to catch up on my posting....The last two weeks went by so fast. It was such a great trip, I hope you don't mind all the pictures but there was so much I didn't want to leave out! We loved every moment of it. (Although the ride back to Omaha was a little slow! Moving trucks don't go too fast. You know you are slow when almost every semi passes you!) We flew to Matthew's on the Saturday before Easter and spent Easter with Matthew, Katie, the boys and Sharalyn. Sharalyn picked us up at the airport in Denver and went to CO Springs with us. We enjoyed our stay. It was fun to see their new place and to spend time with them and the boys. We stayed through Wednesday so we could see Matthew pin on Captain. Matthew invited Rick to come and give him the Oath. Katie and I also pinned on his bars (we used the bars that Rick pinned on Captain with). What a great experience!

Easter

Grandpa Rick, Carter and Keegan (Matthew and Katie's boys)



Grandma Ranae and Keegan

Grandma Ranae with Carter!

Easter Fun!





Sharalyn and Carter!

Going to the playground across from Matthews. The community center is right across the street with a wonderful playground and an indoor swimming pool complete with a toddler's swimming area. Rick thought it would be great to take a picture of us walking. (I'm not too sure!!!)

Matthew's Captain Advancement

It was a wonderful opportunity to be a part of Matthew recieving his rank of captain. Rick was able to give him the oath and Katie and I the pinning on. It was well attended by his fellow servicemen and was a nice event.

Pinning on the Captain Bars
Rick giving Matthew the Oath

After the pinning on, we headed to Salt Lake City to visit with Stephanie, Brett and family.

Easter, Pinning on Captain, Dinosaurs, and Eric's Graduation to be continued......