I wish I had the ability to express in words, what a "Heaven" like week this has been. Having Denver come home from serving two years in Brazil as a missionary, seeing my Brother and Family be sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland Temple, Mason being ordained an Elder and the sweet blessing he received from his Father, and having my children and grandchildren here. It has been a wonderful week of "Building Memories." Let me list the ways,
In no particular order-
Building Memories-
- How many Frogs can you Catch?
- Pepsi
- Inspiration and wonderful gifts
- In the Garden
- Coyote House
- A little Healthy Family competition
- Swimming morning, noon and night.
- Father and Daughter Bike ride.
#1 Frogs-
Our activity for Family Home Evening- catching frogs. The one with the most frogs wins. Way fun activity, where lots of screaming is involved and no one cared, and I just have to say.....I have one fearless granddaughter- she was so into catching frogs- I think she may of caught the most-
Yes, those are ALL FROGS! See I told you she was fearless .
2. Pepsi
3. Inspiration and gifts...
All my grandchildren- They looked so sweet- they were the musical number for church and sang "I am a Child of God" adorable. Ashlee, not pictured also sang with them.

Scott, Dan, Mason, Sam, Denver, Lewis, and John.. These are the men that participated in the Priesthood ordinance of ordaining Mason to the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God's name for the salvation of His children. Through the priesthood we receive the ordinances of salvation, as well as blessings of healing, comfort, and counsel. A man can receive priesthood authority only by proper ordination by the laying on of hands by one who has the authority.
Gifts
My sister made these aprons out of some old curtains I had- hence they are known as "The Sound of Music Aprons" they are adorable. Thanks Pam
I also received these lovely dishes and a History of my Mother, complied in this book from my sister Kristeen- Thanks!
4. In the Garden
5. Coyote House
In order to sleep in the Coyote House {tree House} you must be willing to follow all the rules.
- Have Fun
- Stay up Late
- Eat treats
- and anonymous added "party like it's the 80's"
Seems like I'm the only one willing to follow the rules- so I partied with the kids all night. Things we did.
- Watched movies
- Howled at the moon
- flash light chase
- got scared of fake Coyote howl made by Scott.
- Ate treats
- stayed up late- with Conner reading to me until 12:30.
- Listened to the real Coyotes howl...
- made it through the night safe and sound.
6. a little Healthy Family competition
Preparing for the big day.....
Ready set go..... Oh, man you won't believe what happened that day! I'm going to make you wait a couple of days to find out....Shannon will post about it later. All I can say is....that it has something for everyone, excitement, danger, sportsmanship and some blood.
7. Swimming morning, noon and night.
I think it's time for some new cushions.... and one last swimming picture.
8. Father and Daughter Bike ride.
Yes, they came back in one piece....
What a glorious week- All this and much more. Can't wait to get the pictures back that Sam took of our family- I was given a sneak peek and they are fabulous!
We are so happy to have Denver home, he is doing great and looking forward to school in a few weeks.
Family: When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. {Ensign, May 1978 Neal A. Maxwell}
Oh, and one more thing....A real family "rocks" out together-
Like I said- Truly Heaven on earth- or just plain Bliss.