Poppies

I just love these flowers. We were out walking in the rain in Joseph, a small town just outside of Wallowa Lake. Just one of the many pictures from the reunion...stay tuned.

He is "GREAT"

This week we went and spent the day with Melanie, my niece, in Bozeman. She is the oldest grandchild, out of 24 on the Spratling side. Bruce's parents also have 14 great-grandchildren. That means I am Bowen and Ole's great Aunt...I knew I had to be great at something.

She just had Bowen in June and they are doing fabulous.

While we were there we went to the park and had a picnic. We just enjoyed being together. By the end of the day Ole was calling us all by our names, it was Naalee, Baylee, Hannah and Sid. We couldn't get enough of them. I don't think Melanie even got to hold Bo once that day. WE had so much fun. Melanie, Thanks for letting us come and spend the day with you.

our little munchkin

This sweet little angel came into our life about a year ago and we have been smitten ever since. Her sweet family moved into our ward a year ago. She has two older brothers 2 1/2 and she just turned one. Her mom and I have become good friends. For the past year we have spent our Wednesdays together. Today they came for a visit and we took some fun photos. I just can't get enough of her.

Just a sneak peak into our June

In the month of June we put over 5000 miles on our van. We visited Idaho 2x, Bear Lake, Utah, Oregon, and drove through Washington, ran a half marathon, enjoyed girls camp, and even walked Grandpa's wheat fields in Oregon.

This is what Bruce did growing up. Hard work yet such a simpler time of life. It is so beautiful and serene up here. The main reason for walking the fields is weeding out anything that doesn't belong.
It is kinda hard to find anything...Grandpa's fields are pretty clean. We did find this..I believe it is rye in amongst the wheat.
our nephew Nick
self portrait
Our own little piece of Heaven

Together Again

Bear Lake 2009

Every two years we get together for a family reunion with the Spratlings. It all begin 6 years ago with our first reunion in Nauvoo, IL 2005. 2007 was at a cowboy ranch in Oregon, 2009 was in Bear lake and this year we are headed to Wallowa Lake in Oregon.

It will be a fabulous time filled with food, family and FUN!

Rugby

The scrum

Parker's #8

We went to Missoula two weekends ago to see him and his new found love. What an Event. We are now welcoming Rugby into our family. He absolutely loves it. We are learning all we can about the sport and think we may understand it a bit. With terms like scrum, rucks, and maul it's taking some time to figure it all out.

Last night Bruce and I received a call from Parker's coach informing us that Parker was being rushed to the emergency. He was at practice and during a drill he was tackled by two guys coming from opposite directions. On impact it hyper-extended his knee dislocating it and rendering him crippled. He couldn't move. Needless to say he was in excruciating pain. The ambulance came and took him to the emergency. Upon arriving they gave him morphine. Within minutes he was requesting something stronger. After administering a dose of dilaudid, a drug 7x stronger than morphine, they took him to x-ray. Nothing was broken, the knee cap had just been moved to the side of his leg...OUCH! They told him they could just push it back into place.
Parker immediately asked if he could be knocked out. .They prepped him, told him the risks that he could stop breathing (what!?!?!). They told him he would be out for a few minutes and they could pop it back in, another OUCH! With that, I knew he was in good hands, and of course I didn't want to watch so I left the room.
Minutes later he was back to both knees facing forward. I didn't get a picture of him being perfect again, by this time Parker just wanted to go home....ME TOO:)

Needless to say it is the end of his Rugby season for this year:(

Efficient

I have always like to think of myself as efficient, able to get many things done at one time and hopefully do it well. I thought I was efficient at my school work, my job and even my home life. At some times you might even say I became obsessed with it, always trying to do multiple things at once and hoping they all turn out.

In 1997

I learned that not only could I do multiple things at one time but that that would become my norm. When blessed with four children,two and under, we've learned that doing everything at once would be our way of life.

Fast-forward fourteen years. I love February: We begin celebrating birthdays with not only one cake but in mass production. WE usually have some form of cheese cake, a chocolate creations, and then of course two other decadent cakes or maybe a pie. The kids try to find something different than their siblings which means dessert heaven for all of us. Parker's request this year is Berry Cheesecake. Sisters are still undecided. They would love a creation from their cousin Sarah but since she is 700+ miles away we'll have to improvise.

Parker is turning 16 this year. He will be ordained a priest that following Sunday. My heart fills with joy as I look at what a fine young man he has grown up to be. He currently measures in at 5"10' and sometimes Bruce even feels like he is looking up to him.

Bailey, Hannah and Sidney will be 14. Oh how fast the time has flown (i need to come up with a new phrase) They are such beautiful young women that is why I am anxious that they will be able to attend church dances...Hopefully Parker will stay close and be their body guard.

They are all becoming great friends and it warms my heart to see them interact. I am trying to enjoy every minute since the empty-nester stage is approaching at speeds that I cannot control. I remember when people would comment that they wanted to freeze time and just be able to enjoy this time of their life. I now know what they mean and find all too often that that is my one wish and desire.

I found a quote that President Uchtdorf said in Nov. 2010 conference and it has become one of my favorite, "There is a beauty and clarity which comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions." I have learned to simplify my life and then commit to what remains. I am learning that it doesn't have to be hard.

Life is good:)