35? No Way!!

Yep, Jay is 35...We gathered on June 6 to celebrate the big day. We ended up around the dining room table, reciting snippets of dialogue from favorite movies and comedians...laughing like crazy...having a fun time. The birthday cake of choice for EVERY man in the family is German Chocolate...I made confetti cupcakes for the kiddos in case they didn't want G.C. Of course, I had to give them each a candle to blow out too!

The Last of the Graduates...

McKena has had a tough few weeks...she broke her collarbone and had to restrict her activities at school and at play...no T-ball for a little while longer...BUT she was able to graduate with her class today, and is now ready for first grade, just like her cousins! Hurray!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

So, June 1 is our 38th anniversary. We decided to go out for a nice dinner last night. Jay and Christa recommended Carrabba's...their favorite. "Try the pollo rosamaria," said Jay..."Are there beef dishes? Dad NEVER orders chicken in a restaurant," I replied. Well, my husband humored me...no steakhouse for the anniversary...he even asked for a romantic table for two! And dinner was fantastic! delicious! After dinner, we joined friends at the movie theater to see the new Indiana Jones feature. It was enjoyable...I didn't even murmur while watching, ha!

Two Down, One to Go!

It's Kindergarten graduation time! We have THREE granddaughters who started kindergarten last fall, and we have been privileged to attend 2 graduations so far! They attend school in 3 different districts, but each of our girls has learned so much, and grown up so much! We are very proud!

McKena is Six!!!!

Not even a HUGE thunderstorm could dampen our spirits for McKena's birthday party! We all just came inside; brought the BBQ grill onto the front porch; sent all of the children upstairs to the Preschool room (that worked for a few minutes at a time); and celebrated McKena's 6th...remembering the joy of a Memorial Day picnic that never happened 6 years ago, because we were at the hospital meeting that special little girl for the first time! We love you, Kena...Happy Birthday! (In case you noticed the sling on her arm...she broke her collarbone a week ago.)

Rooster Tail!

What's a rooster tail? Why do they call it a rooster tail? How long does it take to get there? These are just a few of the questions Bailey and Mia had for us when we suggested a drive up to Lucky Peak Dam to see the "rooster tail" of water spewing forth. It used to be a regular sight on the way to Lucky Peak Reservoir, but it hasn't been seen for years...this year all the elements are present for a spectacular show! We walked along the road, enjoying the view and the mist, when we noticed a walkway even closer to the water down below us..."Can we go down there Grandma and Grandpa?" "Sure...let's go!"

Peter Pan, the ballet!

Bailey performed as a "little Wendy" as her ballet class participated in the recital production of Peter Pan...no photos are permitted during the performance, so these were taken after...her teacher is Sarah Arnold Phipps who also taught Missy. Sarah is leaving Boise after 25 years, so this was her last recital, and Bailey's last, as well...she would rather do gymnastics. As her last hurrah, Sarah played the part of the Croc and did a brilliantly hilarious tango with Captain Hook! She bid farewell with a reminiscence of ballerinas past, starting with "her first 'Alice' (from Alice in Wonderland) Missy Bates!" I was teary-eyed the whole night, but having Missy remembered and acknowledged was WONDERFUL! So here's to Bailey and Missy, my beautiful ballerinas!

Happy Mother's Day!

The first gift of Mother's Day was a mini loaf of bread (from the ward). The second gift of Mother's Day was cookie slippers (from Primary). The third gift of Mother's Day was a funny card from Reed, and the fourth gift was card #2! The fifth gift of Mother's Day was a hand-crafted box from Brooklyn, Cache and Eden with slips of paper inside with "I love Grandma because..." The sixth gift of Mother's Day was a hand-picked cake from Kip! (white cake, white frosting, very sweet!) The seventh gift of Mother's Day was a picture frame (beach-themed, my favorite place) from Missy. The Eighth gift of Mother's Day was from my boys...a Comice Pear Tree...Thank you!!! I love you all!!!

Mia's Birthday Party

We gathered at Eagle Park (minus Eden and her family...she had run the Komen Race for the Cure and didn't get home in time to make the party) to celebrate Mia's 6th.
Star cupcakes and NO candles...she didn't want them AND it was so windy, we couldn't have lit them!




A jewelry box with a KEY!
A blue dress for the blue-eyed girl!

Is it Spring Yet?

It seems so late this year...finally, we can see the signs.

Field Trip with Brooklyn

The Melba Elementary kindergarteners arrived at the MK Nature Center in their bright red matching hoodies! Grandma got to join Brooklyn's group for a day of fun!
Brooklyn learned to identify "Brook" Trout!
Were we ever surprised to find the Eldon BEUS Garden as we were leaving the MK Nature Center! On to the Boise ZOO...
The zebra always seems to be hiding...maybe he's just shy...at least I got a photo of the FRONT end this time!
Brooklyn had quite an explanation for the name...Sloth Bear...and I think she was right!
"Radar Ears?"

What a way to end the day...we RAN to the carousel when they announced that it was "now open!"

Eden...It's your birthday!

The fam gathered for dinner, presents, and cake...to honor the birthday girl! (and our favorite American poet...yes,she is!)

NBADL Playoffs-Jay got the sweet suite!

Oh Say Can You See? An 11 year old boy sang the National Anthem...GREAT!



The Stampede won! And we had FUN!!

McKena's field trip

I got to Municipal Park just in time to play! Missy and McKena and the kindergarten classes came from Middleton to see the Botanical Gardens (and hold worms--they tickled!), clean up trash along the Greenbelt, have lunch at Municipal Park, and then PLAY!