Cute Brothers

Isn't this just the cutest picture! Derek and Jake look like they really like each other.

Celebrating the Patriotic Hollidays

I think these photos were taken in the summer of 2001. Natalie's family and Grandpa McKell are sitting under the carport at Grandpa's house in the first two pictures. The bottom photo is of Jake on his family room couch in West Jordan.

You realize how fast times flies when you see the kids looking so young. (Megan is not born yet.) This time period was also before the numbers "911" had any significant meaning.

Sunset from Our Patio - June 27th

We hope we never become immune to the beauty of our sunsets. Paul photographed this dazzling display last night from our patio.

Steve and Lisa's Backyard

Yesterday we spent some time with Paul's daughter Lisa and her family. Lisa and her husband Steve have worked hard this spring and summer to create the beauty in their yard.

Chad and his fiancee Andrea are pictured here. They will be married on August 9th at La Caille. Everyone in the family is looking forward to the big day.

The Most Beautiful Place in the World

This is our travel map. We place pins in all the places in the world where we have been.
This is a tiny little drop of Norway. The countryside is incredibly green and resplendent with massive waterfalls.
Lake Louise is a peaceful place with a background of glaciers and a foreground of green forest and a blue, blue lake.

My husband thinks the most beautiful place in the world is in Western Canada. It is called Lake Louise. I also think it is beautiful, but my first choice would be the country of Norway (all of it!).

Both places are lovely. Actually, every place we visit has its own unique characteristics. It is hard to narrow picks down to one or two.

Swimming at Grandpa and Grandma's Pool

Megan and Grandpa are sitting in the shade next to our homeowners' association pool.
Megan wanted to show Grandma how cool she looked in her towel turban.
Derek looks so much like his father Alan in this photo.
Megan has the most natural tan in the family.
Jake is a really good swimmer. He has been competing on a swim team for several years.

Who wouldn't like to come to visit Grandpa and Grandma with a great swimming pool like this to enjoy? Paul and I spent the afternoon in the shade at the clubhouse while watching Jake, Derek, and Megan expend a whole lot of energy! A fun time was had by all.

Father's Day - 10 Years Ago

As I read the newspaper today, I saw that an ugly-tie contest will be held the day after Father's Day. Fathers will enter the tie they received on Father's Day, and a prize will then be awarded to the father with the ugliest tie. I thought that was funny.

That's why I remembered this photo from a long time ago. Jake had decorated this tie (I think it might be Cookie Monster front-and-center) for his dad. Alan looks very proud to have worn it! It is anything but ugly--especially taking into account the giver's creative expression of love.

Father's Day - 2009

Today we drove to Spanish Fork to spend the day with my father. The above photos show Dad's new living room furniture. He still has to have the room painted and put up new window coverings. Hopefully, it will all be finished by the end of the summer. The other photo shows a stop we made at my mother's grave in the Spanish Fork Cemetery.

A visit to see my dad isn't complete without a trip to Chuck-A-Rama. Also, an important part of the visit is to hear Dad play the organ. He played one of seven songs he has memorized. It is amazing to me that he can memorize like that. I couldn't even memorize one piece if my life depended on it!

I am so very fortunate to still have Dad as a part of my life. He has been such a good parent and just an overall good person. He has helped me through some very bad times in my life where I don't know what I would have done without him. I admire his positive attitude and his caring and love for his family.

When I add up all the pros and cons of my life and stack the blessings in one corner and the heartaches and bad luck in another, at the very top of the blessing-side would be my dad. He and I are close; I can't imagine life without him. (Luckily, he is as healthy as can be for a 90-year-old!). May we have many more years together.

Father's Day (a week early)

We met together for a barbeque this afternoon at Catherine and Russell's house. It felt more like early March weather than the middle of June! Everything worked out fine, in spite of the cool temperatures and the rain; the sun even peaked out at us for a short while.

Russell barbequed hamburgers on the grill, and the rest of us brought side dishes. Thanks, Catherine and Russell, for hosting the party. It was a lot of fun.

Amusement Park Rides - Not Fun!

Coming across these photos of Derek, I had to laugh. I don't know why Paul and I couldn't see that Derek was miserable on these rides; we just could have looked at the poor little guy's face to see he wanted no part of this!
One common dislike that Derek and I share is our intense aversion to carnival rides. A day at Lagoon holds no joy for us. That is just how we are.

Happy 11th Birthday, Derek

(This is one of my very favorite pictures of Derek. It was taken on his 3rd birthday. We were taking him to McDonalds for a Happy Meal and to run around in the Play Park.)

Today is a big day for our grandson Derek. It is his last day of 5th grade and also his 11th birthday.

I remember so well the day he came into the world. Melanie, Alan, Paul and I were all hanging out in the hospital cafeteria to pass the time as Natalie was in labor. A voice came over the intercom telling Alan to go to his wife's room immediately. We all jumped up and ran. Alan was just in time to see Derek make his entrance into the world. Derek has made a distinct impression on the world ever since.

His first year of life was not fun. He either had an ear infection or was on antibiotics for an ear infection. He was not a happy camper. After he got tubes in his ears, he started to flourish.

Derek is such an impressive young man. He is polite and patient. He is a peacemaker in his home. Derek is a sports-lover and can quote many statistics of favorite ball teams and players. He not only loves to watch sports; he also loves to play--mainly basketball and baseball. Mostly, he is the pitcher on his baseball team. His batting average has improved immensely since he has started wearing glasses!

We love Derek and hope he has a great day!

Little Beauties

I was going through some scrapbooks from when the grandchildren were little. I was struck by the beauty of these little girls -- Nicole Ferguson, Lucy Long, and Abby Moore. They are now 11, 12 and 15 years old and still as strikingly pretty as they were as children.

Megan's Baseball Days

Our granddaughter Megan has been playing baseball. She knows a lot about it since her brother Derek has been playing for several years, and she has watched most of his games.

This is Megan's first year of baseball. She is finished with her regular team's games for the season and has now been chosen to play on an All-Star Baseball Team this summer. Way to go, Megan!

Bountiful High School Graduate - Driggs Moore

Driggs was all smiles this evening as he crossed the stage to collect his high school graduation diploma. The school is hosting an all-night party at Bountiful High School after graduation as the students continue to celebrate.

Can you remember your high school graduation night and the excitement as you comtemplated the future that would unfold for you? The speeches tonight reflected all the fun times the students had shared and also talked about everyone going in all directions to fulfill each of their destinies. It is a pretty idealistic time of life.

Driggs is thrilled to embark on his new adventures. These adventures include college and a mission for the LDS Church. We wish him success in his endeavors. He is a great kid and we are proud of him.