A 55-Hour "Sunday Afternoon Drive"

Craig and I decided to take a get-away. We left on Wednesday, and headed for the High Unitas. We drove leisurely, enjoying having them mostly to oursleves. We stopped near a place we had taken the kids years age, where they had played in the Provo River, near its headwaters. We stayed in Evanston, Wyo. that night, walking into downtown for dinner. Evanston is much prettier if you get off the freeway. On thursday a.m. we headed up the back roads, into Idaho on the west side of Bear Lake stopping to visit the graves of Craig's G'parents. We went to the California/Oregon Trail Museum in Montpelier. What a great, fun place! We went through Soda Springs, stopping to see the only controlled gyser in the U.S. Then on down into Thatcher to see Mike and Pris. It was a good, if short, visit. We took the long was home, doing some backtracking into Lava Hot Springs, and ended up eating at Maddox's for dinner. A great time with my Sweetie!

Family Reunion, August 7-17, 2009

We had such a great time together over the course of the week. Caleen and her 4 kids flew in from Dallas on Friday, August 7. We had a steak fry that night at Molly and Paul's, with G'ma and G'pa joining us. Monday, Maren and her two girls arrived and we had a big girls' night at Adrianna's, not getting to bed til 3 a.m. We had another BBQ at our house on Wednesday, again with G. & G. and Uncle Dean joining us. It was a pleasant evening so we spent it in the backyard taking turns swinging the little ones. Craig and I took Claudia and Markelle up Payson Canyon for a hike and drove on over the Nebo Loop for lunch in Nephi. Some of us were able to hike to Timp Cave (I hadn't been in years!) The youngest hiker was Molly's 5 year old, Hayden. He did a great job! It was a wonderful, memorable week and I can't wait to do it again, even though it took me a week to recover!

More Paintings....

Here are three more of my paintings. The field of poppies is the one I did for Molly and Paul. I let them pick out what they wanted me to do. From now on, I'll decide! The lavender lake is one of my favorites and was hanging on my wall. It now hangs in Caleen and Bret's house in Dallas. Caleen took the responsibility (cost) of getting it there. Makes me feel good that she wanted it that badly. The winter scene is Maren and Glen's in Vegas. They need it to remind them of cool mountain breezes!

24-Day Road Trip

Craig and I left on May 28, '09for a road trip. We pulled our 22' Hi/Lo trailer and headed for Amanda's wedding to Curtis Niell in Boise. Matt, Luke, Sean, Robb and Jeff Costello are pictured: 2 sets of brothers and 5 of 7 male Costello cousins. From Boise, we took back roads north, seeing great country and talking to interesting, fun people. We went as far north as Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. There the sun didn't set until 10:30p.m. and it was twilight until midnight. The sun started to rise at 3a.m. Way cool until you think about the opposite season! Too many experiences to tell about here. We recommend Banff and Jasper Natl' Parks in Canada! Most of the pics are self explanatory except for the one of Craig, me, my brother Marks' daughter, Kam and her mom Sharon and Jeff in front of his "summer home"--a converted van that he lives in while he works for the summer in Jackson, Wyo.


this summer

Kadie Lynne Young and Family

It's so fun to be a G'ma and to go help when a daughter has a new baby. Kadie was born on May 9, (her due date!) and I drove to Vegas on the 12th. Glen is a good daddy, and, boy does Bailee get excited when he gets home! Bailee is so good to "sisser" and even is already sharing her gold fish with Kadie. Maren is very patient with Bailee's enthusiasm for the new baby, and also with Bailee's high energy activities. Love you, Maren, Glen and girlies!

Trip to Dallas: 4/21-5/2

I had a great time in Dallas. I tended the g'kids for 5 days while Bret and Caleen went on an award business trip. I had a few days on either end of their trip so Caleen and I could spend a few days together. Most of these photos are of their fabulous outdorr kitchen and pool. One is of Markelle and her award winning art. And me w/ the 4 g'kids and my birthday cake which was actually a Snickers cheese cake. Good Times!

Four Days in Las Vegas!!!

It's not what you think---we didn't even go to the Strip and were at the outlet mall for only 45 minutes! I had a great time hanging out with Bailee "D" and Maren and on Saturday, Glen joined us. Mostly Maren and I went through Debra's things (Glen's mom, who passed away last December). We boxed up a lot of clothes to donate to Goodwill. Bailee warmed up to me in a matter of minutes and did't cry when I tended her while Glen and Maren went ou on Friday night. Bailee loves to wear her sunglasses and the wig of Debra's she found. The other 3 photos are of the 4 of us at Springs Preserve, that is in the city limits. I had a great time and hope to go again when the new baby is born. Thanks for your hospitality, Maren and Glen!

Beautiful Diamond Fork Canyon

Today we went up to our favorite winter hiking spot, a side canyon of Spanish Fork Canyon. It's only a 25 minute drive. This is the place where last week we watched two pair of eagles soaring above us. It was like watching pairs figure skating: so graceful and so in-sync. Absolutely beautiful. It's rare that we don't have the place all to oursleves and we usually see wild turkey, deer and, of course, the eagles. We also see evidence of elk. This is the same place where, last March, Spot flushed out a moose that had bedded down for the night. The bad thing was that the moose was between us and our truck! It had no intention of leaving and we couldn't climb above and around it in the hip-deep snow (I know it was hip deep, because I tried to go around). We were trapped 2 hours bofore 2 guys heard our emergency whistle and dared to come down to where the moose was and help us get past it. Even the dogs were afraid and were glad to run as fast as they could past it. We've also seen a cougar in this area. Craig was so excited! When I told him to get his gun, he told ME to get it (no gun experience here); he was getting the camera. And he did get a shot! These pics don't do justice to how beautiful it is.

Adrianna and Michael's Wedding

Anrianna and Michael were married January 25, 2009---a beautiful winter day with snow flakes falling that were as big and soft as cotton balls. Adrianna was absolutely radiant and Michael got teary eyed as he said his vows---an endearing touch to this mom-in-law. Happiness forever to this union!