whatever

4th of July

Not only did we enjoy time at the cabin with Shannon and family...but also the 4th of July.  So fun to have them here....and to have Denver and Mason's family living close by.

 Our activities included-

1. Parade
2. swimming
3. tri tip lunch
4. resting/ playing around at the Nut house with all the motorized toys. 
5. Fireworks on the football field.

Didn't even notice the sneaky photo bomber...until I went to load this picture.  (smile)

Just me and Ayden

After the parade we when to Sam's home for lunch and swimming...totally forgot to get a picture of all the swimming mayhem....Uncles plus teenagers...makes for a lively swim.

Fireworks at the High-school football stadium- we have been going there since we first got married...38 years....plus Danny also went there as a youth.  This marks the 105th year of fireworks at this place.  Happy Day

 I loved watching Anna and Alene together...Anna is so sweet to her...and everything Anna did Alene would copy.  Sweetest thing ever.

(We are not sitting on the dirt...we like to stake our place....right at the green grass edge...then no one sits in front of us. =)

 

 

Love these kids.

The fireworks were awesome...the weather was perfect, not too hot or cold. We ended the night by going back home and having our own personal fireworks show.

Happy Day 

 

So wonderful to have Shannon and family here!

See more of our adventure at the cabin under the pines. 

Before Sam's family left for vacation, we were able to get the cousins together for a fun play date....missing 3.

This picture pretty much sums up what its like to have a house full of love.

Happy Day

The Academy France- Gastronomy

(Picture by Shannon food by Jill  follow  IG modernmarch)

I will be devoting this whole post to food, a good part of our trip happened around food....preparing it , taking pictures of it, eating it , the art of it, taking our time and enjoying it....lunch could run 3 hours....dinner up to four. (Diner en Blanc I will post about later. ) 

 

 That time I made Strawberry rhubarb  jam with my daughter in a 13 century Chateau in France- priceless.

  

left to right-  Jamie- doing what it takes to get the shot -Gina

Learning new photography skills was also a part of this trip.

(I learned tons....now the trick is to actually use what I learned...the hard part.)

 

You know it is going to be a great week when this greets you as you step from the van straight from the airport.  I thought it was our dinner....but no, it was a snack!

 Quote from Shannon " I feel like I'm seriously ruined for dining/cooking forever. Every single meal was so good with so many wonderful flavors, textures, colors, and unique combinations. I now understand why they say that food tastes better in France."

 I totally agree!

Now for the onslaught of food pictures!

 

Another snack....so coveting these trays!

 

Many an awesome meal served on this table!

Breakfast outside when the weather was warm.

A typical breakfast....I so miss the warm croissants! 

 

 

Picnic- you can't go to France and not have a picnic!  Oh, and while you are at it....make sure you carry your lunch in an adorable linen bag tried in a knot and sit down to eat on the grounds of a 8th century chapel...yep happens everyday....not!(smile...the linen bags a gift to us from Heather.)

 

Flowers and great food...wonderful together.

All our meals seemed to take place with the most stunning views or have a wonderful comfortable home like feeling.

Picture by Shannon- Savory crepes 

 

The meal we enjoyed here was beyond wonderful!  The vegetable lasagna was to die for!

All this...Because Heather had a dream/idea to bring us together to learn, create, laugh and explore! Thank you!

Heather and Jill the team that made all this happen! (I asked Jaci Jill's daughter if her Mother cooked like this all the time...and she said yes....amazing!)

and I still need to tell you about our diner en blanc and much more!

Happy Day

 

The Academy France- May 2016 #1

I thought I would sit down and take a couple of minutes to start documenting our trip to France. (much of it I shared on my IG account)  My Daughter and I attended The Academy France an event  put on by Heather Bullard - A Creative and Editorial Styling Event. 

Not only was it a week of learning new things, but also a week full of adventure meeting women who were fun,creative, caring and awesome! A week of shopping, eating, laughing and learning!  It doesn't get much better than that!

Let me begin-

Shannon and I are back in the states, after a full 24 hours of travel.   I was worried for Shannon at the beginning of this trip (because she broke her toe just days before we left, and would be sporting a "boot" for the trip.) but she did awesome!

In fact because of the boot ...we whipped right through all the connections at the airport; the airline had a wheelchair waiting for her as we left the plane and one as we boarded.  Nothing better than going straight to the front of the security line no waiting!

My suitcase came home full to over flowing....even had to get a box to bring everything home.  Not only is my suitcase full but my heart and my "bucket" so to say is full! 

Heather Bullard made our stay amazing.  Much of what was in my suitcase were the gifts we received each day from her.   She told us that she went about choosing these gifts as if she were shopping for her girlfriends .  This is what we found on our beds when we arrived.   I love this styling bag with pockets for, scissors, wire snips etc.  Loved the soft white towels  wrapped in beautiful ribbon, a soap block, and custom linen apron made specially for this event.

  The room we were assigned to in the 13th century Chateau de Mondesir- was so very charming and rustic!  

 I love the sweet look on Shannon's face in this picture....we just arrived; having fun taking it all in!

 The little sitting area in our "cottage" (smile)

Every little detail was thought out...flowers, chocolate on our pillows and a treat basket just in case we got hungry!

( we ate so divinely that I actually ended up taking some of the treats home!)

View from our room.

The front door to our little cottage.

 

The cottage looked so sweet at night.

The little window outside our bedroom....was used for many photo opportunities. 

The amazing Jaci Marie Smith was the events photographer...she  is awesome!

Laurent- the owner of the Chateau!  He is such a sweet man....he and his wife Martine did so many things to help our stay be fabulous!

 

More to come!

Visiting Shannon- soccer, kids and conference

I made a quick trip to Shannon's home last weekend....to hug the kids and share General Women's conference with Shannon and Anna.

First up a little shopping with Shannon at home  ( I found several cute pieces of LuLaRoe to bring home!) we also went to a cute little shopping center close to her home.  

Love this LulaRoe Ana dress on Shannon-  (join her fb page to see lots of cute dresses)

 Then on to  Anna's soccer game-

This little girl is an awesome soccer player-

During their game she scored a goal as keeper! Drop kick landed straight in the goal...Awesome times 10!  Something like this  but way better (smile)

It's very rare for this to happen!   So fun to have been there to see it!

Conner and Payton happened to be helping  a friend with his Boy Scout Eagle project. Conner and Payton are awesome young men love being around them...check out my Instagram feed ...I posted a couple videos of them playing piano. (smile....that's what Grammers do)

After the game we dashed back home to get ready for General Women's Conference

 Some thoughts that stood out to me at Women's conference-

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom,   general president of the Primary, spoke about discovering one’s divine destiny. “I testify that life is a gift,”  she said.

“Our divine nature has nothing to do with our personal accomplishments, the status we achieve, the number of marathons we run, or our popularity and self-esteem. Our divine nature comes from God.”

Sister Linda S. Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, who centered her remarks on the importance of virtue. 

“Many in today’s world are looking for instant gratification and instant knowledge on the Internet,” explained Sister Reeves. “In contrast, we will be exceedingly blessed if we exercise faith and patience and go to our Heavenly Father, the source of all truth, with our concerns. So many answers and assurances can come through daily searching and studying the scriptures and with sincere and pleading prayer, but there are no such promises for the Internet.”

 

I also enjoyed President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Parable titled “A Summer with Great-Aunt Rose,” which offered a message of faith, hope and love. 

In the story, an 11-year-old girl named Eva spent the summer at her aunt’s house while her mother recovered from surgery. Though it was difficult at first, Eva learned to love her aunt, who, despite the fact that she lived alone in the countryside with her gray cat, “was quite possibly the happiest person [Eva] had ever known.”

I loved the picture he shared with his Parable...(does anyone know if this art can be purchased?) Find the painting here  thanks Pam for the information!

and of course after the meeting we went out for treats.

The weekend was wonderful...I came just to hug kids....and I did just that.  Love them all!

 
and thank you Anna for letting me use your room....I loved the art on the mirror.

Happy Day

Shannon came for a visit- June 2015

We had such a great time with Shannon and her family!   

Time always fly's by!

• We played at Great America
• Had a LulaRoe party by Shannon 
• Swam in Heidi and Sam's new pool
• BBQ at the mill house
• Went to the cabin
• Swam in two lakes
• drove forklifts, motorized vehicles and a hand cart at the Nuthouse

LuLaRoe Shannon Brown 

A while back Heidi planned to have a little Lularoe event while Shannon was here....so fun!

(Modest skirts, dresses, and leggings for women & girls of all sizes.) You can check out her fb page for styles....she ships. 

Treats for the party- for Fathers Day I bought this "Real Honey comb" for Danny.  So yummy! I think we have started a new tradition.

The pop up boutique was so fun!....Thanks to everyone who came!   Happy Day.

Food and Swimming pretty much filled our days. 

 

Aunt Shannon and Alene

Wonderful to have most of the family here...just missing Kent and his family =(

 

and of course we spent some time at the Cabin...check out the fun here.

Shannon's family gave this game to Dan for Fathers day...super big hit at the cabin.

Playing in the meadow across the street from the cabin.

For the rest of the story- The cabin under the pines.

Happy Day 

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Mother daughter- Farm Chick adventure

Mother daughter- Farm Chick adventure

I finally have time to sit down and document our Mother Daughter trip to Spokane to go to the Farm Chicks Show!  I had such a wonderful time.

We arrived late Thursday night- and left Sunday.

Friday was all about exploring the town of Spokane.

The river front Park in Spokane was our first stop-

1. Carousel
2. Sky ride
3. Old bridges
4. play areas
5. awesome restaurant
6. Clock tower
7. The falls 

 

 

This slide was awesome! (but not as safe as it would seem...a guy was wrapped up in a blanket in the bed of this wagon....surprise.)

 
We had lunch at the flour Mill overlooking the falls...Great lunch awesome view.

One LuLaRoe blouse....you can wear in any  setting. LuLaRoe Shannon Brown 

and it wouldn't be right to go to the park and miss the garbage goat. (smile)

We spent some time walking around in the beautiful Davenport Hotel...can't have a girls trip without checking out some wonderful historical architecture. 

 

 After Davenport  we visited Manito Park Gardens-

 

Lunch at the flour mill and dinner at the Steam plant.

My nephew is serving a mission for our Church in Spokane so we wanted to see if we could find him at home....no luck...but we left treats.

We so enjoyed our day in Spokane.

Next up The Farm Chicks Show 

We got up early so we could get a good place in the line....we had heard the line could get very long! When you get to the line you are handed balloons...so everyone can see where the end of the line is (smile)

Ready for the day in our LuLaRoe.... (Shannon got stopped many times to ask where she got her dress =)

The Farm Chicks Show is a magical place full of so many treasures....we had to make the rounds a couple times just to see it all.  

What fun!

 

Just imagine it....it was there.  

 

We loved meeting and visiting with Serena....she the creator of the Farm Chicks Show....what a talented gracious woman. 

I spy Shannon in her LuLaRoe (smile)

Looking for a Moose? 

 

I bought a vintage suitcase...to use as my carry on for the flight home...plus I needed more room to carry things I had purchased. 

Treasure from my day- notice that awesome vintage bowling set?  Believe me if I had our truck my treasure pile would of looked a whole lot bigger! (smile)

The show was wonderful and we had such a wonderful time being together!  

 

Mother Daughter trip 2015!

Happy Day

Here is a link to other Mother Daughter trips we have taken over the years!

Payton- Priesthood Ordination

Last weekend we drove to Shannon's home to be a part of Payton's Priesthood Ordination. - In our Church- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- Worthy brethren may receive the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained Deacons when they are at least 12 years old.  (read about it here and here)

He was so excited and so prepared- he truly is "A Young Man Prepared"!  (We gave him a small box with an inscription we had  put on it; what we believe- How a true Honorable man honors the  Priesthood.)

Shannon and Scott are very diligent parents- what a blessing .

They had everything so nice- a feast for a breakfast....with Scott's awesome pancakes....and the night before, Shannon's salad and BBQ was fabulous! Plus, later that night we had homemade scones....with Honey Butter!   Happy Day!

All these children are wonderful!

Thanks so much Shannon for raising a sweet, loving, funny,  Young Man. 

 Our visits are always too short...but it helps to be  sent off in macarena dance style- 

Note-

Anna and I found a little time to "craft" together-  The Wish Bracelet

We each made a bracelet...then tied it on each others wrist....while making a wish.  When the bracelet falls off, we will share our wish.

(Anna was is such a hurry to hear my wish...that her bracelet fell off very quickly (wink) so we made another one for her and tied it with another wish- Happy Day)

A Buffet and a Concert-

We just got back from a super quick trip to NV-  For Christmas Danny got tickets to go see Jackie Evancho in NV at the Smith Center- Thinking we would see the show and then visit with the kids....but what he didn't realize when he purchased the tickets....was...that...

1. Nut Season would still be happening
2. That Payton  would be turning 12 the very next week (today, Happy Birthday Payton!) and that we would be coming to NV to be there when he receives the Aaronic Priesthood.

So, we arrived late Friday night; slept in... like until 6:30 am... we are usually up by 4:30 am... thank you very much Nut season. 

We meet up with Shannon and the kids at the the Bellagio for their Buffet....To tour the gardens and watch the fountains.  (but the fountains were a no go...not sure why}

But it was wonderful to see Shannon and the kids...even for just a few hours.

That evening-

We attended the Jackie Evancho concert at the Smith center.   Beautiful building- 

Like I said...As part of our Christmas gift to each other we attended 14 year old Jackie Evanchos concert at the Smith Center in NV.  Her voice is amazing! She sang such songs as “The Rains of Castamere”  from a hit series called Game of Thrones.  She also sang a U2 song  “With or Without You.” Along with several original songs including the anthem “Take Me There” and “Open Fields of Grace”  and “Think of me from Phantom of the opera”

She has a wonderful gift- it was so refreshing to be entertained by someone as young as she….with sweetness, modesty and grace. 

What a wonderful way to spend an evening.

 

The next morning 4:30 am we headed home.   Quick but awesome!

Can't wait until this coming weekend....to be back for a truly wonderful event!  

Happy Birthday Payton!

 

The Giving Squirrel-

Shannon found a vintage squirrel nut bowl and gifted it to Danny for Christmas....and of course she added her own personal touch.

Messages from Conner, Payton and Anna

Some are funny quotes, some are things they like to do with papa ...but all are so cute.

To help you smile.

 

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Christmas at Shannon's Home-

Christmas at Shannon's Home-

How we do Christmas- with five Children that are all married...instead of asking them to travel to us for Christmas...we travel to them.

(We don't want to put the added cost of travel on them at Christmas time...along with the crazy amount of packaging involved!  When it is their turn to have us over they are always welcome to choose to come to us....but it is their choice.)

So,  the kids take turns inviting us to their homes for Christmas. 

This year we were at Shannon's home in NV.

Shannon had her home so welcoming and beautifully set for Christmas.  Anna let us use her bedroom...which was so cozy with its own bathroom and they even set out treats for us by our bed....better than a 5 star hotel. =)

When we arrived the home was filled with the scent of freshly baking sugar cookies!  Getting ready to frost that evening.

   

 They were so yummy!

Each evening after dinner we sat together as a family and read a Christmas story and watched sweet Christmas  videos...such as this one.  It is so worth the time to watch!  

 

Christmas Eve Day-  We participated in their family Tradition of bowling with their friends!   So fun!

after bowling we headed to Freddy's for lunch another tradition of theirs. (awesome custard and burgers)

Christmas Eve Shannon had prepared a wonderful dinner for us.

 Along with a Christmas music horn band led by Scott.

The kids opened one package that evening....of Christmas PJ's ....stripes for the whole family.

They spent the rest of the night tracking Santa =)

Christmas Day

Lots of happy sounds .....the best way to spend Christmas

 

 

These children were a blessing for us this year.  We loved hearing all their happy sounds and lots of hugs and thank yous through out the day!  

What joy.

We rounded off the week with 

• a papa/ Grandson hot-dog eating contest....not sure who won...just know that there were lots of hot-dogs involved!
• Payton loves chili cheese burgers....which even surprised him
• Went to the movies
• played games- deer in the headlights
• rode bikes- it was a "bike Christmas this year"
• the boys spent most of their day building Lego's
• Anna finished her paint by numbers art

We were so very happy to be part of their Christmas this year.  We love them.  

• I love Christmas time-
• for it brings together families
• I love feeling the joy of giving
• A time we give thanks to our Savior for the  unmatchable gifts that he gave us that can allow us to have eternal life. 
• I just love it all.

Because of the Savior, we may have an assurance that we can go home not only at Christmastime but also to live forever with a family whom we love and who love each other.

I love my family. 

Thank you Shannon and Family for taking us in and showing us love.

On our long drive home...we had to stop and check out Calico Ghost town....the kids were little the last time we stopped there.   We didn't stay long....just long enough to stretch our legs. 

Our favorite thing- the bottle house (Danny remembers it from his childhood)

The bottles act as a natural lighting source.  Fun little quick stop...just 3 miles off the Hwy.

Thank you Shannon and family for blessing us with your love.

Merry Christmas!

 

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Christmas at the mill house- Let it snow

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