Quick Movie = 7 Hours

My mom, my sister, my niece, and I had made a plan to see a matinee movie today.  I left at 1:30 and returned at 8:30.  We had a great time and just didn't want it to end.  

We like the Northgate Reel Cinemas.  It's clean.  There's never much of a line for tickets or concessions, and they have nice new seats - almost like leather recliners that rock, with cup holders.  It's also a discount theater, $3 a ticket and $1 on Tuesdays.  

We saw Woman in Gold with Helen Mirren.  We all loved it!  We love anything from the BBC, and Helen Mirren.


We went back to Mom and Dad's to visit, eat Creamies, and drink Diet Pepsi.  When Dad came home he wanted to take us all out dinner.  We went to Applebees and visited some more.  Then we back to Mom and Dad's and visited more.  Something about when Andrea is around, we always laugh until we cry.  I cried about three times.  

I scored a pair of shoes that Mom bought and wore once.  They're black wedge Skeechers. They'll be great school shoes.  

I left there at about 8:00 and got home by 8:30.  Fun day!

Mini Reunion

It was hard getting good pictures on my little camera because there were bright windows everywhere. (I can't seem to get this picture where I want it, so it will just be here at the beginning.

 One of the things I love about my family is that many of us can operate on the fly - last minute, not much of a plan, no stress - and things turn out!  We had a mini reunion at my cousin's cabin and it was one of my most pleasant days ever.  Nine of us were there which was a perfect number to sit around a table and talk.  Initially, my sisters and I were just going to join my dad as he visited his sister, Carol (age 90), and our Uncle Frank (93).  Then Dad wanted to see the cabin that their daughter (my cousin) Chris and her husband had just finished up at Southfork (Ogden Canyon).  Chris offered to serve lunch, and somehow my cousin Steve and his wife Joan heard about it and came too.  They are all some of my favorite people!

Some of our lunch, courtesy of Red Butte Restaurant.

We have fond family memories of biking down from the summit, Monte Christo, or floating the river behind their cabin.  We had several family parties there.  The old cabin is gone, but Chris and her husband Scott have built a craftsman style cabin on the old foundation.  That family has a knack with style.  Everything is beautiful.

The back of the house faces the river.  The backside of the upper level is all the master suite, and the back porch is awaiting retractable screens.  There are two fans on the porch.  It will work in all seasons.

Front view.  The lower level that juts out is Scott's chef kitchen.  Upstairs on this side are two bedrooms and a bath.

Above, picture of the original cabin in the entryway.  Also, the deer that Chis's grandfather shot.

The reframed Budweiser poster that always hung in Chris's grandfather's store.

The original couch - stripped of white paint, recaned, and all recovered cushions.  Frank and his brother lit a jack-o-lantern under the couch and caught it on fire about 85 years ago.  It's survived beautifully.

Blurry, but Fredee and Nan looking at the history of Southfork that Carol worked on for 3 years.

The other side of the room with a big table that we all gathered around.

The bird room.  The shelf under the eaves is full of bird books and the wall you can't see has a grouping of botanical prints.

One side of bedroom #2.  I loved the painting.

The other side.  On the shelf under the eaves is a collection of rocks.

Lunch of course was fabulous, since Scott owns four successful restaurants in Salt Lake.  Chris had stopped at one brought everything we needed.  At the table, we went around the table and everyone gave a short report on their kids and families.  We finished with Dad, who updated everyone on Tad's family since they didn't have anyone there, and then Carol and Frank sharing some humorous advice/life philosophy. 
A couple things I'll remember:

• Carol saying she'd always felt akin to me for some reason, she didn't know why.  (Maybe because we were both teachers.)  She asked me about teaching and was a little upset that I have taught longer than she did.  I think WWII slowed the start of her career.
• She loved my hair and wants hers to grow just a bit so that she can have the same cut.
• Frank told us that every morning when they get up, he tells Carol that they have to be on their best behavior that day.  He said that their kids have plans and they just might end up in a home.  "Chris has a notebook and she writes everything down."
• Frank also told me that if he had known how great his kids were going to be, he would have had a dozen.  (They just had the two girls, and two grandchildren.)

 After lunch we retired to the lawn to watch the river, and the birds that Chris feeds.  We saw a teenager pull 3 nice sized fish out of the river just downstream from us, and I saw a hummingbird stop and stand on the feeder with its two legs.  I've never seen a hummingbird's legs before.  It made it look just like any other bird, only miniature.
Chris brought us scoops of vanilla ice cream with a few fresh raspberries and a small brownie.  The weather was perfect, the scenery, the food, and the people.  It was a delightful afternoon.    

Chatting it up on one of the three porches.

New shed that Scott built.

I meant to crop Fredee out since she was taking a picture of me while I took a picture of Dad and Frank.

Carol and Steve.

Sister and brother.

  

Fathers Day Picnic

It isn't a celebration for my dad unless there's a picnic involved.  At first, Nan and I thought it would be easy to get together at Veterans Park.  Then dad dropped by and mentioned, "Everyone goes to Julia Davis or Veterans Park.  I wish we could find a little out of the way park that we haven't ever been."  So we had to regroup.  After consulting the internet, we decided to try this one:

Roadside Park in Middleton

This small city owned park with a picturesque creek running through it.  It's located on Highway 44 with play equipment, a horseshoe pit, picnic facilities, attractive landscaping, and a Sherman tank which was donated to the city in 1968 by the Department of Army. They had us with the creek, but who could ask for anything more than a Sherman tank.  It was perfect for Dad.

We had 17 family members present.  There was a table full of chicken, salads, fruit, chips, and a Texas sheet cake.  

We weren't the only ones with the idea that this was a perfect little park.  There was a wedding taking place in this little park at the same time.  Ava sat on a swinging bench by the creek and watched the whole thing.  It was pretty interesting.  

We had good food and a good visit.  It was a success.  (I wish I hadn't forgot my camera.)

Spiritual Saturday

My nephew and his darling wife were sealed in the temple today.  They also had their beautiful baby girl sealed to them.  It was a special day for the whole family, but I knew I would lose it when they brought Tess in.  Terry and I were sealed which was amazing, but when they brought Ty (he was 6) in to be sealed to us, the whole room changes.  I tear up thinking about it  all these years later.  You just can't explain it.  I'll let Kierra try.  Go here to read her blog:

http://beautifuleffort.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-forever-family.html

You can tell from the pictures that it was a beautiful spring day outside.  We skipped the family dinner at the Outback, but went to Deseret Book to wander around and find a gift. 
We left there for more spiritual upliftment in Meridian.  

Hudson turned eight last month and today his dad baptized him a member of the church, and afterward he was confirmed to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and given a special blessing.  He had a lot of family there supporting him, even his grandparents from Arizona.  

Stacey and Mike have had a busy month - two birthdays, plus a real birth day when Brynklee was born, selling a house, moving to a two bedroom apartment, and finalizing the building of their new house.  Because of this, the family met afterward in a park with Dominoes Pizza and a big cake to celebrate.

It was a beautiful day in every way!

Baptism boy is in the center.

I-Guy

Grandparents from Arizona (Joyce and Dayna) with baby Brynklee.

The boys 

Hads, Mike, and Krystle with her nephew.

Mayce

Some gymnastics

How cute is she!

Just before the cartwheel competition.

Temple and Dinner

Brent and Krystle came with Terry and I to the temple today.  All the bulbs were up and the trees were blossoming.  We finally make it through all the cards that Fredee gave us. Krystle and I did the last two Cowley sisters.  The lady sitting next to us was also doing a Cowley family card.  I talked to her after and she said that her Cowley ancestors descended from a Charles Cowley.  They settled in Richfield, Utah, where there are a whole slew of Cowleys. Her husband said that you never call anyone Brother or Sister Cowley down there, because there are about 17 of them.  They use first names.  I had to look Richfield up on the map. Now I need to look for a Charles Cowley.

Afterwards we went over to spend some time with Terry's mom.  We took all the fixings for tacos and a bunch of fresh fruit.  It was a nice dinner and a nice visit.  She was happy to see Brent and Krystle. So we spent a lot of time with family, here and beyond. 

Recruiting

I love the women in my family.  They're my favorite people to be around.  Almost all of us got together for a lunch in Eagle yesterday.  Marisa was visiting and we all want her to move to Boise.  We have everything figured out for her, except the job, but Dad is working on that.  She would have so much support up here, and we're fun.  We don't all get together and go to lunch all the time, but we can - and on short notice.

Head Games - Wow!

My nephew Matt has been all over channel 7 and on the radio lately.  He's the community outreach person for the St. Luke's Concussion Clinic.  My family turned out on Saturday night to support him in a community event at the Egyptian Theater.  I really wanted to see Matt in action.  He's an impressive young man, but I was worried about spending 3 hours listening to stuff about concussions.  As it ended up, we were there 4 1/2 hours there, and it was amazing. 

The theater was almost full, more than 600 people.  They showed a documentary Head Games, which was stunning.  Everyone with kids that play sports needs to see it, also every coach, PE teacher, and young athlete.  After an intermission, Dee Sarton moderated a panel discussion with questions from the audience.  The panel consisted of Matt, an NFL player, 2 doctors, the legislator sponsored the concussion legislation last year, and the head trainers from BSU and Boise High.  They were all informative, funny, and sharp.  It was fascinating.  It was so good to be there as a family.  We all learned a lot, and Matt was amazing.    

He's Going to Chicago

My nephew is going to Provo to learn Spanish, and then onto Chicago to learn how to be a missionary.  He spoke in church today and gave an excellent talk.  He's a great kid and well-prepared.  He and his brother also sang, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives".  That's pretty scary.  Our family is not known for any musical talent.  They did a great job.  Eagle High's choir program has prepared him in that department.

I only got this fuzzy picture of my nephews.

After church the extended family met over at their house for lunch and visiting, but we had to wait for the guest of honor to show up.  His friend also had a farewell that day and Tate sang at that one too - a different song.

Females at the Flicks

Family females, Mom, Nan, Kim, Andrea, Kierra, Santanna, and me, met at the Flicks to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  (Synopsis: British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.)

The Flicks is always my favorite, and apparently it's a lot of other people's favorite too, because I was 20 minutes early and the last one in our party to arrive.  We almost didn't get seats together.  We were three rows from the front.

Missing from the pictures are 3 actors from Downton Abbey.

We all loved the movie and all the actors, but none of us want to live in India.  Most of us don't even want to visit.  I do think I could get into the light flowing tunics.  Add a head scarf and you'd never have to do your hair.  I might take up tunics and scarves upon retirement.

Looking good, Judi Dench.

After the movie we all went to Chicago Connection for a quiet, less crowded, bite to eat.  There wasn't a lot of news - just a lot of good conversation and female bonding.  

CRAZY Cousin!

Counting both sides of my family I only have eight cousins.  Three of them are my age, which was a lot of fun growing up.  I was closest to my cousin Robert, who always had a bigger, louder, personality.  As kids I remember when he and I and my sister rode in the little storage space behind the back seat of his dad's VW bug.  I also rode on the back of his Bearcat (60's form of motorized dirt bike) on an obstacle course in the vacant lot behind his house, and on his shoulders while he rode his unicycle down the road in front of his house.

Fast forward many years (he's 55 this month) and he's with his grown son, RUNNING WITH THE BULLS in Pamplona, Spain!  What?!!  Who would do that?  Can he run fast?  Did he train?!!  Don't people die every year?  Don't they report every day on how many runners were gored?




His son served a mission in this part of Spain and wanted to return and run with the bulls, so Robert signed-up with him.  Is this any kind of explanation?  His son is married with a child and a pregnant wife.  It's crazy!  Exciting, and maybe fun, but in the end, just plain CRAZY!

Progressive Dinner for Dad

     It's not quite Fathers Day, but we celebrated a day early.  It's actually Terry's birthday, and he didn't come along.  He had a better offer.  I did think it was funny that he wanted to do something relaxing and chose to go bowling with the kids and grandkids.  They had a great time and Cafe Rio was included.

     We were a little small in number (10), mostly because the salmon are running and some were fishing, Tad's fam is in Italy, and I was the only one from my fam, but I like to think the best of the family was represented.  

     Our celebration started at Andrea's for fruit and cheese appetizers.  There were even fresh raspberries!  We could have filled up on everything there, but the big events were in Nampa, so we had to move on.

(Somebody needs to help me manipulate these pictures.  I don't think I can make collages with blogspot.)

Our next stop was for salad, and a tour of Cole and Santanna's new house.  Everything was darling.  They had to do a lot of painting and work when they moved in.  The decor is a mix of them both - Cabela Elegance.  
 

It was funny that their neighbors were having a garage sale.  That's one of my dad's favorite things.  He didn't have time to shop though.

Cole and Santanna in their little kitchen.  We didn't get just salad, Santanna had prepared a whole salad bar.  It was fresh!  There were lots of "comps" on the tossed salad.  I've always been the salad/relish tray maker in the fam.  I now have competition.

We met up with Matt and Kierra who had been to a wedding.  They looked nice (especially Kierra's shoes), but it wasn't for us.  We're all still getting use to the idea that these two brothers married sisters.  I think it's going to make for a fun life, especially for the future little cousins.

The main course was at Nan's.  We had hamburgers, turkey burgers, baked beans, chips and sodas.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  I don't think it got up to 80, and there was just a nice little breeze once in while.

Our last stop was at Matt and Kierra's for dessert.  There house is older and they also had a lot of work to do.  They've redone almost everything in the kitchen, and are working on bathroom redos. Their decor is darling too.  It's a casual elegance with a lot of BSU accents.  It has to be so fun for these young couples to fix up their first homes.   

 I didn't get a pic of the dessert, but it was the best - mud pie, with an Oreo cookie crust, vanilla ice cream, and fudge topping.  Kierra had also dipped Oreos and Nutter Butter cookies in chocolate.  In my book you can't go wrong with any kind of Oreo.


     
 
Ava was our only little kid for the day, but at every house there were four-legged friends.  These two black ones are best buddies, Harry and Cain.  We saw Hank at Cole's house.  I can't remember any of the cat's names.

     It was a fabulous day.  Somehow I think it was calmer and more relaxing than Terry's celebration.

Best Start to Summer

Yesterday was the last day of school and instead of ending with a celebration, or even a quiet dinner with Terry, I ended with a headache.  I went to bed with 3 Advil and a cool washcloth over my eyes.  But today...is the first day of summer and everything is great.  We were up early for the yard sales in Harris Ranch, Surprise Valley, and East Meadow Park.  I love garage/yard sales!  What a great way to start the summer.  We found a bike for Brent, a crib for Isaac, and I got a belt, a new little fry pan, and two sweaters that I'm going to make into hats.  (It's a Pinterest project.)

In the afternoon I went to Ava's baptism where she wore a beautiful white dress.  ( I need to get back in the habit of taking my camera with me.)  We went to a barbecue after, and I got to visit momentarily with Fredee, Phil, Barb, Marisa, Sean, Carolyn and Ashley.  The Adams family arrives in town 30 minutes before the baptism, and they all left right after dessert - except Ashley who had a flight out the next day.  Maybe we'll get in more talk time this summer.  It did make for a great start to summer - yard sales, family, and good food.
   

Big Day

Yesterday was a big day!  Besides Maycee's arrival, I went to Nampa to have Kierra cut my hair, which I really needed.  We had a good visit too.  Also, BSU played Fresno State.  We whipped them, of course.  Terr and I went to our friend's for the game; projected on the back of a big white sign.  It should be noted that we also had take-out from Cafe Rio.  It's hard to beat that - a baby, a haircut, a win, and a favorite dinner. 

Arts in the Park

This is my favorite Boise Event.  I love the art.  I love Julia Davis Park.  I love the big shady trees, they long grass, and the rose garden.  I love the time of year and the weather.  I love the kettle corn, roasted nuts, and caramel apples.  I love going with my family and going alone.

I met Mom, Dad, and Andrea at 9:30, a half hour before things were really suppose to open.  We started at our traditional place, the cinnamon roll stand.  Later we stopped shopping and had diet cokes at a picnic table and watched the people.  Before we left for lunch, we picked up cinnamon almonds and pecans.  Dad buys everything.  We love having him come along.

Money Bags purchasing diet cokes.

We did make some purchases besides the food.  Mom found a necklace and earrings to wear to Cole and Santanna's wedding.  She doesn't have the outfit yet, but she's pretty sure the aqua jewelry will work.  I actually went to Arts in the Park three times this year.  Once with the fam, and twice alone.  I bought some half price earrings for $8, a set of glass plates for a wedding gift, four grandchildren Christmas gifts, a birthday present for Dad, and a birthday present for Mom.  I spent the rest of my food budget for the month, but I do have a big bag of kettle corn left over.

Season Opener

BSU went to Athens, Georgia to beat the Bulldogs, 35-21.  The game was never close enough to make you nervous.  The Broncos just made us proud.  Ty’s friend from Liberty Elementary made the cut as the 1st string kicker.  He couldn’t believe that “our boy Dan is on ESPN, kicking PATs, against Georgia”.  Crazy!  Fun!

It’s hard to imagine a better night, but the meatball sandwiches and banana bread did add to the overall excellence.

My class has started the Bronco bulletin board collage, and a photo album of Trail Wind Bronco fans in Bronco gear.  The last few years we adopted my nephew, Matt, as our personal player.  Since he’s not playing this year, I think we may have to adopt Dan Boy.  We make a great fan club. 

Kuna Adventure

Entrance to the Kuna Cave, formed by a big lava tube.

It’s just a small town south of Boise.  You wouldn’t think there was much to see except farmland.  But my brother and sister-in-law moved out there with friends, who have explored the country for decades.  They invited us out for a picnic and grand tour.  It was fun seeing the sites with enthusiastic guides.  I hadn’t been four-wheeling since high school.  We went in two rigs – women in one, guys in the other.  It really is beautiful country – plateaus, the Snake River, the Owyhees.

We had to four-wheel up to Initial Point.  This is the point where they surveyed the whole valley.  You can see everything from on top of this hill.  There are medallions embedded in the rock that mark true north.  You can see all the way up Meridian Road, which cuts up the middle of the valley.

Last time Zella, our guide, came up here, she brought a bunch of cub scouts and a couple moms along.  She killed a rattle snake with a rock.  Pretty entertaining.  It was big too.

Overlooking the Snake River at the Birds of Prey Center.

Beautiful.  The Snake River just below Swan Falls power plant.  I wish I had a picture of the dam and the plant.  It brought back a lot of memories of the power plants where my Grandpa Cowley worked most of his life.  His family lived in the houses provided and we visited him "at the office" and saw all the big loud machinery.

Bill spotted an owl in the tree by our picnic spot.  We were at the Swan Fall dam.  He spent quite a bit of time getting pictures.

I did not spend much time, but I also didn't get a very good picture.  I think owls are cool.  It's pretty special to see one.

Terr, Blair, and Jo picnicing