Happy Birthday POP!!

You look great for being 42 this year! Seems to me just a few years ago we celebrated a similar birthday??? How does that work. I need to figure it out soon. You still are pretty good for the shape you are in. The other day we were talking about what a great sense of humor you have. Life wouldn't be the same with out it. Even when life seems it can't get worse you seem to know how to lighten the day. Just last week you kept the "professionals for seniors" group laughing. Anything for a laugh. I remember one day after mom had her hip replaced we were all in Macey's shopping and she was driving her cart and we were walking behind her. I guess we were pushing her because she stopped in the middle of the isle and bluntly asked us leave her alone and let her do her own shopping. We didn't think it was funny at first but then it turned into a joke. I also remember the night I came home late and the big pine tree had fallen down. The next day when we were cutting it up in the snow we had a snowball fight and used the tree for shelter. I will never for get when you moved to California. Mom was just getting ready to come out there and we went up to the Rendezvous. I was out playing around when someone told me that my dad was in camp. I came running back to camp so fast. There you were waiting under the fly waiting to tell us that you were moving back. That was so exciting it made the rest of the weekend boring.
Dad, Thanks for everything you do for me. I have learned so much from you. Every day it seems I find something that you have shown me how to do, fixed for me, given to me or encouraged me to do on my own. Thanks for all of the good times. I LOVE YOU! Hugs, kisses and spit.
Daddy's little girl

Lions and Tigers and Ducks

We went to Layton park on Monday with Nash, Josh, Jen and Sky. We had a great time on our "picnic" and then we played on the toys and then the best part of all...DUCKS. Actually there were more seagulls than ducks but it was still a lot of fun. We fed them and made all of the duck noises we knew how. We even lured a goose up to eat out of our hands. It was a great way to celebrate "Fathers Day" one more time. If only Jake and Quint would have been there. Maybe next time, like 4th of July BBQ. Nash had a great idea about the 4th BBQ!!! Here are some photos of our night of fun.

A most relaxing weekend

We had a great weekend. We left for camp on Friday afternoon. We got a great camp set up next to a bunch of cool neighbors and started off to a great weekend. Saturday was a kick back kind of day. The morning sky and fog around the canyon were incredible. Soon the rain started. That was not all bad. It is kind of fun to sit under the fly and entertain ourselves. We enjoyed visiting and playing with the kids in camp. Saturday night we pot lucked and had great food. Dad and Carol came up to see us Saturday afternoon. It was nice to visit with them, maybe next time they will camp too:) Sunday morning we awoke and it was cool and a bit windy. By the time we were leaving camp it was raining. Other than the squishy ground right outside of the tipi we didn't know how much rain was falling until we left to go home. It was crazy!!! The side of the road looked like a river and every now and then the road would wash. That was kind of scary to drive over. I took a few pictures on our way out here they are.

Happy Fathers Day

I have the greatest father in law one could ever hope for. He is very kind and loves to tease. Thanks goodness he can take teases also. A few weeks ago we got to go on a road trip with him to his birth place. We had a blast and went sight seeing. We drove through a small town where he attended 7th grade. It was fun to hear stories and see beautiful country.

He is an amazing hiker and is willing to try anything except broccoli. We had a great time in Colorado a few years ago when we went on vacation and hiked through a bunch of different ruins. I thought it would be nice hiking at a slow pace but I was wrong. I had to run to keep up:)

He keeps telling us that we will miss him when he's gone. That is true! I even miss him if we don't see them each week.

He has to wait a few more weeks until he can enjoy the fathers day present because the baseball games don't start until the end of June. I can't wait until we can go to the ball park for a hot dog, garlic fries, beer, and of course a snow cone in the middle of the game.


Thanks you Albert for the wonderful memories you are making with us. We enjoy spending time with you.
Love Mandy and Gene.

Dont' sweat the small stuff

Happy Fathers Day. This is one of my dad's famous lines. He never lets anything get the best of him. A few years ago we had a big birthday party for my dad and it was so fun to listen to everyone remembering the "geneisms" that they had heard. Since fathers day is on Sunday June 21st I thought it would be appropriate to list 21things I love about my dad:
1- He always has a joke up his sleeve
2- He does a great job at keeping track of what all of us are doing
3- He's pretty good for the shape he is in:)
4- He can always help me with my MATH homework
5- He loves a challenge
6- He knows all of the great fishing holes
7- He builds the best igloos
8- He can grow anything he wants. His watermelon and strawberries are my favs.
9- He will eat summer squash casserole until it is gone.
10- He loves my MOM
11- He gives great motorcycle rides
12- He will roller skate with you just for fun
13- He is always willing to help with a project
14- People love him for his sense of humor
15- He knows a lot of information, He reads and remembers!!
16- He loves the church
17- He will help anyone who is in need.
18- He hates being in debt. Cash only:)
19- He taught all of his children how to enjoy life
20- He loves to tinker. I learned how to fuselage the airplane with him
21- He thinks FAMILY is very important.

It was really hard to stop at 21. Thank goodness he has a birthday in a few weeks:)

Cortez or Dolores You Choose

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Originally uploaded by sagebrushgis

We spent the last few days in between these two towns. If I had to pick I think I would pick Dolores. It has a beautiful small town feel about it. They have a nice river and a great childrens park to hang out in. The town it self is small. We spent a few hours prior to the funeral of John's aunt driving up a small mesa to view some of the most beautiful land, lazy cows, and a nice body of water. On our way back into town we looked at all of the buildings. Some have been vacant for a long time. Some are being fixed up. Some have been lived in for what looks like years and are in great shape. After the funeral we went for a drive up the canyon toward Lizard Head mountain. We found the most fun smal town RIco and enjoyed an off the road tour of the town John's dad attended 7th grade in. We had an amazing time. Watch for the photo show soon.

Elder Elliot Gillies

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Originally uploaded by joelogs

WOW!!! Just last week it was graduation now it's a mission call. Elliot recieved his mission call to serve in the Baguio Philippines Mission. He will leave in October and we will miss him more than we do now.

He will be close to the capitol city, Manilla. Just a bit North. I have already checked out the weather, exports, money, travel and hotels. Just in case we go on vacation any time soon:)
Good Luck Elliot! We love you

Three year old HUMOR

Why is it that the 3 year old thinks that it is so funny to mix all of your breakfast together? Skyler loves to put his cereal in what ever I am eating. That wouldn't be so bad but he loves to eat oatmeal and I hate it. There are not many foods that I don't like to eat but oatmeal is one of them. Today I am eating "M's Mc Muffin" and a cup of joe to keep me awake while I am the adult in charge. He thinks it is really funny to put his "marshmallow matties" in my sandwich and coffee. When I offer him a bite he wrinkles his nose and says "no". He continues eating his cereal and my peaches and laughs when I try to pick the milk and mallows out of my sandwich. I guess now I can go and play with the toys while he finishes his breakfast. The music that is playing right now is in honor of the 3 year old who wants to dance and loves to check out the blog and see his train photos. Love you Sky!!!!

Special Olympics Summer Games

We attended the Summer Games in Provo last weekend. It was a lot of fun and our athletes did a great job with their events. Saturday breakfast just wouldn't be the same with out going to Denny's. It is amazing how much fun you can have while you are eating with friends.

Our team brought home a lot of gold medals. Everyone worked very hard and put a lot of training time in. By the end of the day EVERYONE is beat and this makes bedtime easy. Wish it were like that every night.

Staying at the Marriot is a treat. Our athletes are so excited to be able to stay in a hotel. Olympic Town is a favorite spot for all of our athletes. They enjoy getting their hair done and participating in the games going on. Friday evening the dance catches every ones attention. Cookies and punch help out a bit.