Grant's Artwork

I think this is my favorite! I like the pig with the big snout and curly tail in the back.




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Swimming Lessons

Lilly is a little fish and loves going to swimming lessons.

Remembering....

Today I was wishing I wasn't thousands of miles away from my babies grave. I want so badly to go and pull the thick blades of grass out that the weed wacker always seems to miss. I want to pull the little green weeds out of the bark that surrounds his tree.I want to make sure there is not any bird messes plastering his headstone. I really do miss going here and want so badly to put something beautiful there. I am so grateful for those who took the time from their busy lives and remembered to visit. Thanks to my mother in law for the beautiful flowers. Thank you to my sister in law Jenny who randomly sends me pictures of his grave and always makes sure Maxwell has fresh bark around his tree. Thank you for doing what distance won't allow me to do. More than anything thank you for remembering Maxwell, it means more to me than anything else. Thank you.

I love this picture because it shows how beautiful Maxwell's tree is getting.



It looks like he has a back neighbor. I hope it is somebody nice....

Honoring Fallen War Veteran's

Today we had the opportunity to go to the cemetary and honor Veteran's by placing flags near their headstones. There were hundreds of flags, it was emotional and spectacular to witness. It was touching to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance, hear the gun salute and hear Tapps being played. I am so grateful for this country and for the freedoms that we enjoy. I am grateful for those men and women who choose to serve our country and fight and defend this great nation in which we live.

Lilly trying so hard to get the flag into the ground.

Goose had a little hustle in his bustle and kept racing back to the flag box to get more.

Grant was so careful not to let any of the flags touch the ground.


I love this picture of Lillian.

Monte,Dad and Grant on a hunt looking for graves that need a flag.

Unfortunately the ground was a little hard on some of the graves making it difficult to get the flags in.

Grant saying the Pledge Allegiance....

Darian Lake State Park

A few moments after Grant caught this frog along with several others, disturbed spider webs and stuck his fingers in wood pecker holes, I noticed him take a fruit roll up from his bag, remove the wrapper and then proceed to roll the fruit roll up into a perfectly round ball. Sometimes I have to pretend that I don't see.
Goose turning over rocks looking for frogs. They are fast little buggers!

Lillian carefully choosing flowers for her wildflower/dandelion bouquet.


Thanks to Gantrie we had some 100% deet on hand, otherwise Lilly might have been covered in squito bites. She tends to get bit a lot!

Goose blazin the trail.

For some strange reason I had sticks in my hair, however I am happy to report I survived the "Gauntlet." Although, I once heard of a girl who almost didn't. No names here....

Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth

On Saturday we had some time to hike around before the hot air balloon festival. Letchworth is definately one of my most favorite places in New York. It is gorgeous!!!
Miss Lilly and her friend Kira.

These boys always seem to find creepy crawlies. Here they are admiring a caterpillar.Lilly is interested,but keeps her distance.

This is why I love this place.....

"Mom would you take my picture?" Come on Lilly is that a serious question?

My kids looking so thrilled! If you look closely you can see the lower falls waterfall. I love this place!

Lovin the rainbow!

GORGEOUS!!!

Hot Air Balloon Festival in Letchworth

On Saturday we went to Letchworth to see the hot air balloons. The weather was gorgeous, the company was great and the scenery was stunning. The only thing bad was I forgot my Swiss cheese for my sandwich. Thanks to a spectacular friend she had some Provolone she would let me have if I gave her a dill. We made a swap and we were both happy.
Some of the kiddos waiting patiently for the hot air balloons.

Lilly was pretty excited when she saw this balloon go up. LOOK MOM! (I mean Gantrie)

This was fun to watch!


It was so neat to see all these balloons over all the gorgeous trees!

Random Thoughts......

The other day I was reading and came across some thoughts that I love......

James E. Faust says," Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves."

He goes on to say, "We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings. It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us "to forgive all men" for our own good because "hatred retards spiritual growth." Only as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness can the Lord put comfort into our hearts.

Gordon B. Hinckley says, "Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way."

"Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban;-
Let me live in a house by the side of a road
And be a friend to man. -Sam Walter Foss

Project Maxwell and Amazing Youth!

Tonight the Young Women in our ward made receiving blankets for Project Maxwell. Although, we were really low on numbers we were still able to whip up FIVE beautiful blankets. I think they turned out beautiful!! Thanks everyone for all your help, I couldn't do it without you! You are part of something great! I want to create a name on a tag that I can put on each individual blanket. If anyone has any ideas, let me know! Also, I am still looking for volunteers who are willing to make a blaket.

Not only does Rachel have a great name she can sew too.....

Rianne was our cutting expert!

Carly concentrating, I must say she had very straight lines. :)

The baby didn't seem to get in the way of Stacie getting things done.

I now know who to take my ironing to :) Taylor did a fantastic job!

Ribbit

Doesn't this look like one of those stuffed frogs you can win at Lagoon? Well it's not it is actually Jeremy's dinner. GAG!! That thing is HUGE!! When Bear Grillis retires, Jeremy hopes to take his job.
Yes, that would be my husband eating bullfrog while backpacking. I know it's disgusting, but he says it tastes just like chicken.....


Catching frogs at night is our favorite,

but during the day it's fun too.

Gotcha!!

Hiking Buddies

Goose likes to lead the way.

When it rains it pours....