Winter Kill

Today I did something that I hardly ever do. I carried water. I started singing an old song that my Dad used to sing to us, it goes like this: “Kristi Rogers ain’t no good Can’t carry water and Won’t carry wood.” This seems like it’s a mean song to sing to someone but if you knew my Dad it was always with a teasing smile, probably while he was carrying the water and the wood for you. It was bitterly cold today and it has been for this whole year. It’s January 15, 2013. Cold enough to keep me inside! We haven’t had much snow at all this fall and winter and I started worrying about our trees. Trees are expensive and I don’t want to loose any of them. We have a beautiful back yard and our trees make it lovely. We have some Pine and Aspen trees. All of which we purchased. I waited until after 1 o’clock because Mike had carried the hose that we had stored in the lean to over to the grass to hopefully unthaw so I could use it. I hooked the hose up and it was more like 2 o’clock, but it wouldn’t work. That’s why I had to carry water. The tree that means the most to us is a little blue spruce tree that we got as a seedling years ago for FREE! We dug it up in Uncle Arlo Hunt’s yard in town. Uncle Arlo’s yard has really old trees, an apricot tree that is over 100 years old. Mike remembers when some of the Pine trees in Uncle Arlo’s yard were small enough that he could jump over them. We took this little blue spruce seedling and planted it in a place that we thought would be beautiful. (I’m sure that every one of our boys jumped over that little Pine tree so that one day they could say to their kids, “I remember when I could jump over that big Pine Tree”) Then we added on to our house and decided to park our car right next to that Blue Spruce. I began to be worried that the bigger the tree grew the more that our parking there would be a problem. When we built the 4ft. retaining wall in the back yard and purchased all the other trees that we love, we decided we would move that little blue spruce. At the time it was probably 3-4 ft. tall. We worried it would kill the tree to move it but we knew it couldn’t stay in that spot. I remember Jim Langston came one day with his backhoe and Mike asked him to dig that tree very carefully and put it in the center of the trees on the back wall. Since we moved that tree it has probably grown another 3 feet. It is so pretty! I thought to myself today while I was hauling water. “It would trouble me to lose that tree,” and I thought of Jacob 5, now this is no allegory of the Olive Tree, but it made me think of how carefully and how painstakingly our Heavenly Father has taken care of us. To prune us dig about us and dung us. Way more than Mike and I have done for our little growing “Trees” and we know how much we love them. We want the best for our little “Trees.” My next thought was this… Have I prayed for the water that my little Trees need? I heard a prayer given on Sunday this last. The petitioner asked for Snow or Rain, all that our land needs. It was a hard and cold job today to haul water…. It was all I could do, I was worn out. Maybe I should start by saying a simple prayer. Let’s Pray for Rain!

Our after Christmas Odd Life Party

The kids couldn't all come for Christmas so they came on January 2-5. It was fun! We had an "Odd Life Party" this party comes to us in the Tradition of other Movie themed parties such as "Kung Fu Panda Party" and "Mr. Poppers Penguins Party" The Movie we watched was the Odd Life of Timothy Green. It was a cute movie where the Parents couldn't have children. I got to share with the kids my journal entries of their births and how special each one of them is to our family... I probably didn't finish my thoughts because I was taking too long and the kids were getting restless and wanted to watch the movie. What I really wanted to take the time for is to tell each member of our family that has joined us through marriage and grandchildren that we are so thrilled to have each one of you! You are all so special to us. We are excited to be expecting two more grandchildren this summer. Valerie and Shar are both pregnant. That will be 13! My how fast time goes and how quickly we grow! We ate dinner and the kids requested noodle gravy and Turkey. I'm embarrassed to admit this but that was the Oddest Turkey dinner I have ever had. The turkey was done but just barely. The noodles turned to mush. I haven't had very good luck making noodles lately... Sorry everyone. But Jay's Frog eye salad was good and Chauncy and Shar's veggie tray was yummy and Val's dessert (heath bar cake) was divine but the 'Turkey was odd'. I guess that was fitting! We played "Sleigh Wreck" and "Red light-Green light" and "Mother May I". It's so fun to watch the kids and how they react. Laughing at Morgan when she wouldn't touch the finish line! Oh, and we played charades and Dallin makes a really good squash/mushroom. This is not a complete entry of all that went on but pretty close. We were sad that Trevor and Kim and little Liv weren't feeling well some of the time but they stayed home when it was bad so they wouldn't spread it to everyone. I think Chauncy and Shar had some sickness on the way back home and by Sunday I was starting to feel a little sick. But we did have fun, I love how the boys play so well together. Seth and McKay and Preston and Dallin. Eden wants to boss everyone... Morgan or Liv didn't appreciate that. But all in all we had a lovely 3 days together.

My surprise Happy Un-birthday

I have had Valerie here from Oklahoma for 3 weeks and we have had so much fun from camping a week at the PSR Reunion to working here at my house to hanging out with my cousin Lisa Brown this last week... whew! What fun. Jay and Brittany and their 3 little kids the 2 1/2 month old twins were here... Chauncy and his family came from Thursday to Sunday 19-22nd. It was fun to be surprised on Sunday after church. They had organized and invited some friends over for my 50th un-birthday party. (Who wants to mess with that at Christmas time.) They really surprised me. Especially with the "program" each one of them played the part of one of the people that I impersonate. Val was Garnet Boshqual, Trevor was Natasha Don'tjetski, Jay was Mrs. Plumbottom and Chauncy was the lady who makes fruitcake and gets drunk. Mike was Don't Kickameakickahima and Trevor played Lou, Laloni's twin brother.... I didn't know she had a twin but hey this is La La Land. It was really fun! My family is awesome. Thank you all so much. I love you!

Bo's setting apart

Trevor and Kim and new 2 week old Olivia Jean

Grandma Kathy... Grandpa is in the hospital... that's a whole other story but he's doing ok. He is home now waiting on results from a biopsy.

Aunt Diane, Megan and Grandma Russell

The Websters, Uncle Karl, Aunt Ann, Austin and Megan

The Flake's, Aunt Bet, Uncle Shea, Aubrey, Melany and Kamy


Cameron and Jordan

Monte and his family

Thanks to all the love and support we get from our family. We love you all!

The MTC drop off.

Finally the day was here for Bo to step into missionary life. Driving up we stopped by the Bingham's and visited with them for about 3 hours... it was fun catching up with them. We went to the Salt Lake temple on Tuesday and then on to Provo where we met with David Wilde one of Gavin's companions. He took us on a little walking tour of BYU campus. That was really fun. Then we played raquetball, got some ice cream at the BYU Creamery, with another one of his missionary friends Jacob Hunt Tolman. yum!
Bo was a trooper, he was so tender, I loved his tight squeezes! Like he wouldn't get to squeeze me like that for a long time.... 2 years is a long time.
It was tough coming home without him and when we walked through the door last night, I lost it all over again. I love that quiet kid, he is so easy to be around. I love you Bo!

We made a quick trip to Mesa to see The Jay Russell family

Makenzie got to come with us and while we were there we went to an afternoon cookout with our old camping group. The McMullin's the Hunt's and the McCray family. It was at the McCray's back yard. It was so great to see the families and how everyone has grown up.

Bo's Trip to St. David to see the Russell's

On January 25 and 26 Bo and I went to see Chauncy and Shar and their kids - to say goodbye to them. We went to Tombstone. While there we did a tour of a silver mine, it was very interesting and fun. They made us homemade pizza and we got to see their new truck. We also bought some pecans and we also got to stop and see Aunt Bon and Jhett in Pima.

30 years!!!

Today is our 30th wedding anniversary, I want to tell the world how thrilled I am to be the wife of Mike Russell for the last 30 years. He is my best friend and the love of my life. I will follow him everywhere, including the next 30 years. He told me when he asked me to marry him that he would spoil me and he is a man of his word. We will be leaving for Hawaii in the morning and I will get to spend the whole week with him... all alone just me and him. I love you Mike.

A side note... he has just been called to be on the High Council. We went this morning to the stake center where he was set apart. It was a very special occasion.

Building our lean-to.

We need a place to put the 4-wheeler and the jet-ski's besides our crowded garage... and besides out in the sun. This is what we are building today Saturday 6/25/2011. We will store our toys and our soon to be riding lawn mower...(maybe next year) Mike and Bo have been having a good time working together. Trevor came by to help and we appreciated his and Grandpa's help putting up the beam. What a fun day! A little to windy - but a good day to work on this project. We will put some tin on for the roof. It will be open on the sides. Thanks Trevor and Bo for digging and working in the hot dry sun. As always Mike can do anything... Thank you honey for working so hard. I love you.

Co-ed Volleyball

This should have been posted before the graduation post... but I forgot I had this picture in my camera and when downloading pictures I saw it and thought I had better share. We Played Co-ed with myself and Bo and Trevor - Jay and Brittany - T. Jordan and Tif. For tournament they put us in the "A" league and we weren't sure how well we would do. We ended up being at the top of the bracket and waiting for the losers to come and play us. We played for championship and the team we played had to beat us twice... they did :( But hey, we got a T-shirt! 2nd place isn't too bad. :) This was just May 16th... We had a lot of fun... I hope this isn't my last year to play... ha ha ha!!!!!! Thanks to 1st Propane for sponsoring us.

Bo Baby graduates

Seminary graduation was on Thursday the 26th of May. Bo sang a feature spot in the Seminary choir closing song "Praise to the Man" with Devin McNeil and Cameron Byrd. The Choir was spectacular. They really sounded great. The entire program was very good.


These are the priests in our ward who graduated from Seminary,
Kyle Lunt, Bo, Orrin Ramsey, Ammon McKinlay, Chandlar McCullough, Bryce Kay - going to Ohio on his mission in July, Michael Bonham

It was great to have all our family there - Chauncy and Shar and their 4 kids, Seth 5, Preston 4, Morgan 2 and Jaylee 2 months.
Val and Spencer (well, Spencer was here but drove to the valley to attend his sister Rachel's graduation from Massage Therapy School) but he was here for Seminary Grad and all other activities and their 3 kids, McKay 5, Dallin almost 3, Ethan 6 months. Jay and Brittany and Eden 1, Trevor and Kim, and Bo and Daniel. Gavin is still serving in Peru - 6 more months. Val was visiting with Louise Flake and so she got to be in the picture with us.

Daniel got to participate in the graduation. I'm thankful for a good boy to come and stay with us. He didn't give us any trouble at all, he was fun and happy and took a lot of teasing from his "older brothers" He put up with getting put out of his room when the married kids came to visit and putting up with the grandkids. He loves Eden and Eden loves Daniel. He got along great with everyone and was respectful and kind. We love Daniel and we will miss him. His flight back to Bogota was scheduled for May 30th at 7:15 am. Mike and Daniel drove to Phoenix early Monday morning. I was going to go with them but after late nights and early mornings all week I opted to stay home and spend the day with Val and her family because she was leaving that afternoon. He had been packing for 2 weeks. He had to leave a few things with Mike so he wouldn't have to pay 100 dollars extra for another bag. He collected a lot of things while here. We had a good time with Daniel. I hope that he feels good about his 10 month stay in Snowflake with us. It was fun.

This is a picture of us playing in our back yard on Saturday after graduation. We took a family picture and as we were smiling, McKay said "Daniel Montero" so we all said, "Daniel Montero" we looked at Daniel and he had tears in his eyes, it was a special moment.

Fresh meat at Ed's

Bo got a JOB at the Butcher Shop at Ed's. I went by today and I just happened to have my camera.... What did Bo say when I whipped it out? "Really Mom Really"
That's what Mom's are for!

Day 2

I missed Day 1 (Favorite Song) and I'm not much of a songy person so I'll just skip that... so Day 2 ----
I wish I could show the clip from Quigly Down Under where he rides off up the hill on his horse and leaves 'Crazy Cora' on the porch watching to see if he will turn and look at her. It is just so sweet and it brings tears to my eyes when he turns his horse and pauses to look at her. It is a healing moment and he goes and defeats the bad guys and then they sail off to America together. The End And that is my Favorite!

Bo's Senior FOOTBALL Pictures

senior pictures

As Promised.....

Sunday I got some better pictures of Daniel. Ok - he showed off a little.... Handsome boys! I want to share some og the funny things that Daniel says... Sunday evening we were talking about the events of the upcoming week and Bo was excited because on Monday the football team was going up to ShowLow to swim for practice. (On Daniel's profile he liked 2 sports... swimming and tennis) Mike was explaining to Daniel that Bo loves to swim He called Bo a fish, Daniel says, "I'm a shark" we thought that was funny. I was in Bo's room the other morning and was asking Bo about the clothes strewn about... Daniel walks in and says, "It's decoration!" It's fun to see Bo and Daniel get along so well. They are becoming pretty good pals.

Lobo bleacher quilt

Not to be out done by the Hawks... if I could sew that little hawk, surely I could sew a Lobo logo..... The hard thing was hiding it from Bo. I wanted to surprise him for homecoming. He leaves early so I could start sewing early but then he comes home for lunch and I would have to put it away and then he comes home @ 1:30 then leaves again for football practice... I did this for 2 quilts, I made one for Derek Flake also (his has a basketball instead of a football because basketball is his fav) Thanks to Grandma Kathy for quilting these quilts, it was fun being in cahoots with her because she loves surprising people and we couldn't wait to give them to the boys... Love it!!!

Things I've made

We have had a busy last few weeks like the last 6 weeks...Crazy busy.
I made this bleacher quilt for my Sister Ann. Her kids attend Highland High School they are the Hawks... It turned out nice!

Daniel Montero - Busy fall - things I've made.....

Ok, the blog has suffered because when I sew I do nothing else... no house work, no food preparation, no laundry.... JK I do enough to get by...it's a good thing my family is not demanding. I think our Student from Colombia is more demanding than Mike or Bo. Yesterday he drew a big picture on the white board that said,"Pick me up 3:26" Oh and "Don't forget" I have been really good at picking him after school but since I started coaching 8th grade volleyball with practice right after school we've had a few incidents where he had to wait a bit... Poor Daniel! All in all we've had a great time with him. His family came to visit and stayed 3 nights with us. We enjoyed them very much. Daniel comes from a wonderful family. I love when Daniel cooks for us, he makes good things, crepes, leche asada, some corn flour bread things with cheese inside, this morning he made some poached eggs in milk with cheese, the problem is the cheese, we don't have the cheese that he can get in Colombia and he is frustrated by that. But it was a good breakfast anyways. We were watching my favorite show last night {Biggest Loosa} and they were cooking and one of the ladies says, "Everyone thinks if you're Latino you can cook well" I looked over at Daniel and he just smiled a knowing smile like..."That's right!"
This is Daniel
Daniel would croak to know this picture of him is on the Blog. He is very
meticulous with his appearance. This picture was taken early before he got ready for school, Bo has Madrigals at 7 and Daniel doesn't have to go till 8. So he didn't have time to get ready. I will post a picture of him in Sunday suit... Both he and Bo look like Models on Sunday. I'm surrounded by good lookin Men!!!!

Our little vacation to Utah

Mike and Bo and I went on a little vacation to St. George and Manti. In St. George we stayed at the World Mark Resort and we played Racquetball at the Rec center in downtown St. George it was very fun! Our main reason for going was to see "Tarzan" at Tuacahn. We had a wonderful time there watching the performance in spite of the wind. Then we went to Manti to watch the pageant. That is something I've never seen before. I thought the Mormon Miracle Pageant was amazing! I loved it. We were excited to see the Bingham's and stay a couple of nights with them. We took a little picnic up the canyon and saw their water! We had a really good time. Very fun! While driving we finished the book we were reading, "The Undaunted" by Gerald Lund. I recommend it to anyone, it was a great book. I am amazed at the things the early pioneers did! What a great example they are of faith and courage... and lots more. I'm so thankful. Thankful I live now, thankful for all my blessings. I know they come from our loving Father in Heaven.