Late last night I realized that it was an anniversary! A blogiversary!! It was four years ago I started this blog. Four years and 885 posts! That is a lot of stuff!
I looked at those first few posts. I wrote about not really knowing why people have blogs. Well, four years and 885 posts later I think that I have a better answer. I have continued to keep this blog because I want to remember.
I take pictures, lots and lots of pictures. The problem is that I don't actually do much with those pictures. Now with my blog the important pictures are documented. I have written about Christmas, school starting, death, birth, friends, memories and laundry--lots and lots of laundry. I am going to use Blurb to print these past four years. I may have to actually print each year separately--that would be big. A cousin made one using blurb and it was great. I may never be organized enough to do much with the thousands of pictures that I take. However, through this blog I have a lot of history--my history!!!
Who knew that four years would pass and I would still be blogging? My blog is not a popular blog-meaning I don't have a large readership. I rarely get comments from anyone. Sometimes I wish that I had a little more influence or that people would think I was funny or something. However, the real reason that I keep this blog is to document my life. I hope that somewhere down the line when someone looks at the books that I print they will know me.
I keep this blog because I want to remember.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Uncles
I have had a feeling for a long time that I needed to make a trip to Driggs, Idaho and visit my Dad's brothers. My Dad has been gone for twenty two years. Unfortunately, in these years we haven't had a lot of visits with my Dad's family. It makes me sad. Very, very sad.
When I was a little girl we would spend a lot of time with my Dad's family. My grandparent's lived in the family home with my Uncle Darrel(he never married) and my Uncle Alvin lived across the street. We spent many, many a Saturday or Sunday at my grandparent's home. My Dad fished, hunted, rock hunted and visited with his brothers a lot. As children they were such a large part of my life.
Since my Dad's untimely death there has been very little interaction with the family members. Our family's kept growing and getting older. My Dad was the second youngest of seven. I am one of the youngest grandchildren.
I am so glad that we went to visit. My Uncle Alvin lost his wife a few years ago. He and my Dad were always close. They both taught school and loved the outdoors. It is always interesting to listen to my Uncle Alvin because I hear my Dad's voice in his voice. It is a sound I miss. My Uncle Alvin has really started to become more frail in the last couple of years. He is about eighty, I guess that it does happen.
My Uncle Darrel never married. My grandparent's always provided and took care of him. For some reason he just never really functioned in the real world. He is not handicapped but he just never went out and took on his own life. Now a days, he would probably be diagnosed with some sort of social phobia or Asperger's Autism. Regardless of those things he is still my Dad's brother. Over the years there have been many difficulties with these behaviors. After my Grandpa died my Dad tried to help Darrel. He gave him a job and tried to help him to help himself. That is a difficult thing for a grown adult man. It was hard on my Dad as well.
When my Dad died suddenly , there was really no one to look out for Darrel. I have felt so sad about this for many years. I think of him in his little apartment alone, day after day. I know that he has help come in and I am grateful for that. I also know that if someone has to be alone Darrel is the perfect type of personality for it. He is quite anti social, it's just the way he is. He doesn't really need people like most of us need people. However, I often think of my Uncle Darrel and then think of my Dad. I know that no matter how many problems my Uncle created or avoided in his life my Dad would have never left him alone. He would have done everything in his power to help him. He would have always visited and helped to take care of him the best he could.
I often feel helpless in this situation. There isn't much I can do. However, I decided that I had to at least visit him and let him know that I think of him. I remember him picking raspberries from the garden for us. I remember him giving us vitamin C tablets the size of silver dollars. He was a presence that was always there in my childhood. A presence that I feel deserves respect and love.
I wish I could do more.
Uncle Alvin
Uncle Darrell
When I was a little girl we would spend a lot of time with my Dad's family. My grandparent's lived in the family home with my Uncle Darrel(he never married) and my Uncle Alvin lived across the street. We spent many, many a Saturday or Sunday at my grandparent's home. My Dad fished, hunted, rock hunted and visited with his brothers a lot. As children they were such a large part of my life.
Since my Dad's untimely death there has been very little interaction with the family members. Our family's kept growing and getting older. My Dad was the second youngest of seven. I am one of the youngest grandchildren.
I am so glad that we went to visit. My Uncle Alvin lost his wife a few years ago. He and my Dad were always close. They both taught school and loved the outdoors. It is always interesting to listen to my Uncle Alvin because I hear my Dad's voice in his voice. It is a sound I miss. My Uncle Alvin has really started to become more frail in the last couple of years. He is about eighty, I guess that it does happen.
My Uncle Darrel never married. My grandparent's always provided and took care of him. For some reason he just never really functioned in the real world. He is not handicapped but he just never went out and took on his own life. Now a days, he would probably be diagnosed with some sort of social phobia or Asperger's Autism. Regardless of those things he is still my Dad's brother. Over the years there have been many difficulties with these behaviors. After my Grandpa died my Dad tried to help Darrel. He gave him a job and tried to help him to help himself. That is a difficult thing for a grown adult man. It was hard on my Dad as well.
When my Dad died suddenly , there was really no one to look out for Darrel. I have felt so sad about this for many years. I think of him in his little apartment alone, day after day. I know that he has help come in and I am grateful for that. I also know that if someone has to be alone Darrel is the perfect type of personality for it. He is quite anti social, it's just the way he is. He doesn't really need people like most of us need people. However, I often think of my Uncle Darrel and then think of my Dad. I know that no matter how many problems my Uncle created or avoided in his life my Dad would have never left him alone. He would have done everything in his power to help him. He would have always visited and helped to take care of him the best he could.
I often feel helpless in this situation. There isn't much I can do. However, I decided that I had to at least visit him and let him know that I think of him. I remember him picking raspberries from the garden for us. I remember him giving us vitamin C tablets the size of silver dollars. He was a presence that was always there in my childhood. A presence that I feel deserves respect and love.
I wish I could do more.
Uncle Alvin
Uncle Darrell
The beautiful Teton mountains. I had to stop on the side of the road to get this picture. There is a feeling in this beautiful basin that only exists there. Every time I go there I get homesick. There is a longing that I feel when I am where my Dad spent so much of his life. I guess that it just reminds me how much I miss him. It never ever goes away.
Last Swim at the River 2010!
Going to Grandma's house in the summer is one of my favorite things to do. I hope that my children feel the same way! We knew we would be leaving so we had one more evening at the river. We started at the sandbar for Justin. He still loves to play in the sand and splash and run. After two shots of him my camera battery died so I took the rest of the pictures on my cell phone!
After playing at the sandbar we noticed kids at my cousins summer house just down the river, so we swam down. I called Mitch to come over and have his last river swim of the year. They went off the swing until their arms were exhausted. Where I had my cell phone camera I had a hard time getting great shots so we kept trying. We tried one too many times! Mitch went one step higher on the stairs and forgot to adjust--he smacked his feet on the rocks--I was glad that they were only gauged a bit and not sliced up!!!
It was a good week at Grandma's!
Playing at Bubble Land --July 26,2010
My brother Royce and wife Rhonda live right next to the river. Across the railroad bridge and down a path leads to a place that has been dubbed "Bubble Land". Not sure if it is because of the lava rocks or the waterfall but the place is lots of fun. We went one evening, trying to keep everyone from getting on each others nerves. Justin was really nervous at first, the rocks are a bit slippery. After a few minutes he was right there with the other kids. Mitch wasn't going to go because he cut his toe, I insisted that he put shorts on in case he changed his mind. It didn't take five minutes for him to be in that water climbing across the rocks and playing in the waterfall. I didn't dare go across the river with my camera to get a picture of the waterfall but Em and Mitch were able to sit underneath it. Justin wasn't brave enough for that yet! We even got Grandma Dalley to take her shoes off and put her feet in! As we were leaving the mosquitoes about carried us away!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Pioneer Days Celebration-July 24th!
I grew up in a tiny little town in Idaho. St. Anthony to be exact. For many, many years the town has celebrated it's Mormon Pioneer Heritage by it's annual Pioneer Days Celebration!
For a tiny little town this is quite a production. The entire area gets involved. The local Mormon(LDS) church helps coordinate and run events. Each congregation(ward) enters a float that follows the theme chosen for the year. These floats are amazing! There is quite the competition to get the Grand Prize float award! They rival any floats from the Salt Lake City parade! Local businesses enter little floats, cheerleaders ride on firetrucks. The local baseball teams are in pickups, the Jr. Miss girls ride on old cars(which are usually my sister in laws dad's cars!). There are Grand Marshalls and kids holding banners in front of floats. Horses and pooper scoopers. Old farmers on older tractors. Old Mayors hollering at new Mayors. This parade is totally America at its best! Everyone comes out and supports the town, the kids, the veterans , our country and our faith in God.
The 24th parade is a tradition I will never tire of! There have been a few summers here and there that we have not been able to attend. The summer just seems off, like something is missing. We missed the parade last year. This year we had to leave our house at 6:00 am to make it in time--we didn't want to miss it again!
A few years ago the route was changed so the parade now goes directly in front of my Mom's house. So--it becomes a mini reunion! All the Aunts and Uncles, cousins and friends come to find a great seat.
Justin was totally anxious for the parade to finally begin! He is still such a joy to watch-he just loves everything about the parade!
This parade still allows candy to be thrown-so the kids run and catch as much as possible.
No matter how old I get I am still so moved by the carrying of the American Flag. I never tire of this tradition.
When I was a girl we always had marching bands. We would hear them practice all summer for the parade. I marched in a few parades. Then the marching bands disappeared. It was so sad. I loved the marching bands. I was so thrilled this year to hear and then see the marching band coming down the street! They were lucky they didn't have to wear the full band uniform that we wore--those were hot!
While I watched the parade a flood of memories came back to me. I remember carrying the very front banner with my best friend Laurel. We had matching rainbow shirts. Another year I rode on a pick up truck with our girls only baseball team-in a boys league. We never did win a game. I remember marching in the band. The first year we were in full uniform. Wool pants, heavy jackets and helmets. I remember taking off the jacket and being soaked to the skin it was so hot! I remember another year my sister riding on a float and it started to rain. I was at the front of the parade with the banner and she was at the back on the Grand Prize float. She was totally drenched when she was finished. We have watched the parade on Bridge street, at Bob's Lube Bay, at Uncle Merrill's house, at Vance's house and now at Mom's.
My beautiful cousin Sydni and Sweet baby Berkley.
Emily, Ashley and Nick
Two old codgers--oh--Uncle Garth and Dave
Ashley and Nick
A look at the crowd on Grandma's lawn-the perfect location to watch the parade!
Kids waiting for the candy fest!!
For a tiny little town this is quite a production. The entire area gets involved. The local Mormon(LDS) church helps coordinate and run events. Each congregation(ward) enters a float that follows the theme chosen for the year. These floats are amazing! There is quite the competition to get the Grand Prize float award! They rival any floats from the Salt Lake City parade! Local businesses enter little floats, cheerleaders ride on firetrucks. The local baseball teams are in pickups, the Jr. Miss girls ride on old cars(which are usually my sister in laws dad's cars!). There are Grand Marshalls and kids holding banners in front of floats. Horses and pooper scoopers. Old farmers on older tractors. Old Mayors hollering at new Mayors. This parade is totally America at its best! Everyone comes out and supports the town, the kids, the veterans , our country and our faith in God.
The 24th parade is a tradition I will never tire of! There have been a few summers here and there that we have not been able to attend. The summer just seems off, like something is missing. We missed the parade last year. This year we had to leave our house at 6:00 am to make it in time--we didn't want to miss it again!
A few years ago the route was changed so the parade now goes directly in front of my Mom's house. So--it becomes a mini reunion! All the Aunts and Uncles, cousins and friends come to find a great seat.
Justin was totally anxious for the parade to finally begin! He is still such a joy to watch-he just loves everything about the parade!
This parade still allows candy to be thrown-so the kids run and catch as much as possible.
No matter how old I get I am still so moved by the carrying of the American Flag. I never tire of this tradition.
When I was a girl we always had marching bands. We would hear them practice all summer for the parade. I marched in a few parades. Then the marching bands disappeared. It was so sad. I loved the marching bands. I was so thrilled this year to hear and then see the marching band coming down the street! They were lucky they didn't have to wear the full band uniform that we wore--those were hot!
While I watched the parade a flood of memories came back to me. I remember carrying the very front banner with my best friend Laurel. We had matching rainbow shirts. Another year I rode on a pick up truck with our girls only baseball team-in a boys league. We never did win a game. I remember marching in the band. The first year we were in full uniform. Wool pants, heavy jackets and helmets. I remember taking off the jacket and being soaked to the skin it was so hot! I remember another year my sister riding on a float and it started to rain. I was at the front of the parade with the banner and she was at the back on the Grand Prize float. She was totally drenched when she was finished. We have watched the parade on Bridge street, at Bob's Lube Bay, at Uncle Merrill's house, at Vance's house and now at Mom's.
My beautiful cousin Sydni and Sweet baby Berkley.
Emily, Ashley and Nick
Two old codgers--oh--Uncle Garth and Dave
Ashley and Nick
A look at the crowd on Grandma's lawn-the perfect location to watch the parade!
Kids waiting for the candy fest!!
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Stake Lagoon Day
My Kids Love Lagoon!
Little Justin isn't so little anymore! This was the last year that he will be able to ride the tiny boats. However, he was big enough to ride the big rides--like the Wicked, the Colossus, Spider and the Bat! He really actually liked them as well!
July 19th Christa's Baby Shower
We went back to Grandma Dalley's house for another week of fun! We played in the river, had hotdogs on the fire and celebrated with a baby shower for Christa.
It was so fun to look at all the darling tiny little boy things. We were so anxious for this little guys arrival.
Spending time at Grandma Dalley's in the summer is a highlight. We sleep in, watch too much t.v. and movies, go swimming at the river, golfing at Uncle Royce's and basically just chill. While we were there we did go to the new Toy Story 3 movie. It was a huge hit--we promptly went and got a Woody doll to bring home. Even Grandma liked it!!
July 4th Weekend 2010
July 4th!
We actually spent the 4th of July Weekend at Bear Lake at Kolan's cabin. We were lucky enough this year to have our cousins from Colorado with us. They don't get to come and visit very often so it was a special treat.
Saturday the 3rd was so cold that we were all wrapped up in coats and blankets all day-IT WAS COLD! On the 4th the weather was warmer so we all enjoyed the fireworks. Everyone buys great big fireworks and shoot them out over the water. We just watched up and down the beach for about and hour. Grandma Carolyn(Kolan) went crazy and bought out the firework store--we told her she got a special plaque on the wall. It was a great evening topped off with jumbo smore's around the fire.
Sometimes I take too many pictures and other times I don't take enough. This was a sparse weekend. Luckily I got pictures of Dan and Byron before they headed home. I hope it isn't another year before we see them again.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
July 2-The Sandbar!
Sandbar Time!
(Mitch and Em--playing together--a rare miracle)
(Em-at the diving board--she is such a fish)
(Mitch)
(Justin)
(Caden)
(Mitch and Em)
(Justin--he loves the sand and shallow water)
Summer doesn't seem quite right if we haven't swam at Grandma's Sandbar. It is a place on the river about a block from our family home. It was created about fifty years ago. Sand is brought in to play in, there is a slide, a diving board and lots of space to play.
(Mitch and Em--playing together--a rare miracle)
(Em-at the diving board--she is such a fish)
(Mitch)
(Justin)
(Caden)
(Mitch and Em)
(Justin--he loves the sand and shallow water)
Summer doesn't seem quite right if we haven't swam at Grandma's Sandbar. It is a place on the river about a block from our family home. It was created about fifty years ago. Sand is brought in to play in, there is a slide, a diving board and lots of space to play.
We have all been swimming here since we were born. Our Mom would take us there every day in July and August and sit with us for hours. My own children love to go now. The few years that we haven't been able to come and visit Grandma and swim at the sandbar have somehow felt off.
We had a ball playing for a few hours before we headed home.
July 2, 2010 Fifty Years!
Happy Fiftieth!
My Mom's sister Verla and her husband Laren celebrated fifty years! That is a long time. It was wonderful to be able to go and visit with them!
My Mom has seven brothers and only one sister. We lived close by so we have always been fairly close with my Aunt Verla and her family. When we were small we would go out to their house and play in the ditch that ran in front of their house. It was like a little swimming pool. Aunt Verla always gave us bottles of home canned pickles and beets for Christmas. My Mom and Aunt Verla have always been close being the only two girls in a house full of boys.
(strange I only took one picture--I must have used Mom's camera!)
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