First Hike of 2009 - Waterfall Canyon

Friday night after work we went on our first hike of the season - a lot of us used to hike together and it was so much fun getting together and doing this again. It's my first hike in about 2 years. It was absolutely beautiful, perfect weather, and today, Sunday - 2 days later I can hardly move...:-) But that's ok - it's all worth it. It just means that I need to get going and get back into my exercise routine. Hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we did taking them.

Here we are at the trailhead - waiting for Maria - she's our newest hiker. These folks are the ones I used to hike with all the time. Left to right - Carol, Rex, Diana, me. Amber commented that she wasn't really fond of my smile - I had no idea Bill was taking that picture - not sure what it was I was doing or thinking.

Taking a break standing on the little bridge over the creek (or crick as Utahans seem to want to call them)

Such a pretty stream (crick)

Looking over the Ogden/Bountiful Valley and all the way up to Salt Lake

Here is the gang -Carol, Rex, Diana, me and Maria in front

Bill and me standing on rock with valley behind us.

First waterfall sighting. I didn't make it all the way - within about 50 yards - my thighs and left knee gave out on me. It was a bit of a rough walk down the hill - it's a lot more painful. But I made it all in one piece - and I'd do it again tomorrow if my knee would allow me to!

Here is it - didn't get the top part of the fall - but it was really gushing out. In a few weeks it won't be so much water, but still very nice.

Heading back down

Taking a break - not sure what Maria was doing - hopefully not looking for snakes... yikes!!

It was dark by the time we made it to the bottom - thank goodness we had a flashlight!

Amber's Pictures

Here are some pictures I took from Amber's Facebook to show what she's been up to.

This moose was at church - across from the parking lot


Sterling had just finished putting down the red rubber mulch and stones along the side of the house. They are going to get a fountain and some plants and put in next.

Back of their house


Dining room / kitchen

Kitchen

Living room

Living room/fireplace

Amber & Sterling's Bedroom

"My" Bedroom

Amber's new Suzuki Cross-Over. That is their trailer next to it - they are still trying to sell it.

Mother's Day 2009

I haven't been good at keeping my blog up-to-date. Sorry about that. It's easier on Facebook, but for those of you who have not yet signed up for Facebook, and don't plan on doing so, I will try and be better and keep this more up to date.
The following pictures are of the things that have been going on with us over the past few little while.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my two youngest daughter's Courtnee & Mandi and their boyfriends. We got together and visited for a while at home, then took our fried chicken and my Mom's famous potato salad to the park. It was just a beautiful day and I enjoyed it thoroughly. My only wish is that I could have done something like this with my mom - I miss her so much. It was my first Mother's Day without her and I thought about her alot. I miss you mom.

Mom with Great-Great Grandson Jacob - 2006.

Mother's Day - 2009

Bill & Courtnee

Bill & Terri


Courtnee, Bill, Mandi

Courtnee, Me, Mandi

Bill, Courtnee, Terri, Mandi

Mike & Mandi

Courtnee & Jason

Family at the park - I am talking to Amber on phone - I'm even waving at her!

Duck eating his cousin, chicken
Mandi was throwing pieces of her chicken to this duck and the duck was eating it - I thought ducks were vegetarians - silly me!

Sadee our new grand-puppy!

Courtnee decided to surprise us and bring a little someone over to meet us this weekend:

Courtnee & her baby - Sadee

Bill & the grand-puppy

Auntie Mandi, Grandpa & Sadee



Sadee & her new favorite bone.



Sadee & Mandi playing tug-o-war with Mandi's hair -ouch!!

Sadie relaxing on Grandma's lap

Relaxing after tearing around after the cat and Mandi's hair.

Giving kisses...


Having some downtimewith Grandma - now that's what I call Relaxed!!

Amber's Locks of Love Haircut

Amber had 14" taken off her hair and donated it to the Locks of Love foundation. I am very proud of her for doing this. I believe this is at least the 3rd time she has donated this much hair in the last 5 years. Following these pictures is an excerpt from the Locks of Love website.

These 2 pictures were taken back in about October of last year.
The following picure was taken on her webcam just an hour or so after she had her hair cut on Thu, 2 Apr 09. You look very cute with this cut Amber!

The following is the excerpt from the Locks of Love website: (Here is the website URL: http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/locks-of-love.htm )

Hair donation is a simple way to provide a child with locks of love. If you have a ponytail that is 10 inches or longer, you can donate hair so a child who's lost theirs can look more like themselves.
Children undergoing chemotherapy, suffering from alopecia areata, or recuperating from scalp burns face multiple hurdles. In addition to the physical challenges of medical treatment, children also must combat low self-esteem and poor self-image from losing their hair. Oftentimes, bald children believe it necessary to hide their condition under hats and feel they stand out among other kids.
Your hair donations can be turned into natural-looking wigs for kids. On the other hand, synthetic wigs "look fake," like doll hair. Only donated human hair achieves a realistic, natural appearance.
When kids feel better about their appearance, they feel brighter about the outlook for their future. With renewed confidence, these children will go out in public again, without feeling self-conscious. They can look proudly in the mirror. They see themselves again.
A custom human-hair wig can cost more than a thousand dollars to make and is too expensive for many families. But, several non-profit groups are working with volunteers to make wigs for financially disadvantaged kids. To make this happen for a child, all you have to do is donate your ponytail, the next time you get a haircut.

Mandi's Birthday

Mandi opening card and gift.

Curling iron holder as seen in video. Made with pieces of Grandma Courtney's favorite top, pieces of her white sweater and the button from her sweater. Thanks Tracy - great job!!!

Front side of the curling iron holder.

Inside of the curling iron holder. Notice the "Love you Mandi Sue"... cool huh!


The curling iron holder, holding a ...... curling iron... :-)



Sunny playing with the wrapping paper - check out those eyes!!

Courtnee and Kitty

Mandi, Courtnee & Sunny - wish Amber could be here too...

Mandi holding the blanket she crocheted for me.



Amber - this is the yarn Mandi picked out for your blanket - do you like it? It's very soft.

(Click on the picture to make it bigger so you can see the colors better)