CATCHING UP!

Well..it's been a long time since I blogged anything and hard getting back to it. I get that mind set where if I don't have pictures, I think I can't blog. Lots has happened since April and I don't even know if I can remember all the happenings I would like to post, but I will mention some highlights.

I have enjoyed playing the piano for the Jerome High School Choirs again this year and Collette and I had a fun time as chaperones when they went on their Lagoon trip and competition. Collette blogged about this and posted my cheesy stage appearance, so enough said about that. We had another fun and very successful Idaho Falls Farmer's Market selling our bbq sauce on May 17th and Dale set up and sold at the Twin Falls Market by CSI for the first time on the 10th when we were in Utah. He had a great first time and sold lots of sauce. We had a big day at the kitchen in Caldwell making sauce on the 23rd. We did over 1200 bottles. We were hoping Sarah would have her baby that weekend and I could just stay, but I guess I needed to go back home and speak at the baptism that Saturday of our dear neighbors' daughter-in-law, Ashley Pickett Dale was able to ordain her husband, Ronald, an Elder on Sunday and then we all witnessed Ron confirming her and then blessing their little daughter. Collette and I went to the Boise Temple on the 27th and I planned to just stay as the baby was scheduled to come on the 29th. The doctor allowed Sarah to have her on the 27th, so it was exciting to welcome Ella Nanine on that day. I was thankful to help Jef and Sarah when Ella was born, it was fun to be there with the boys. They sure were excited and loved going to the hospital with me to see her. I also took them to karate, went to the park, watched ball games, helped construct legos ( Mason and I did the car in the picture) and watched movies. Friday night, Jef and I rocked out to some of his songs he has been working on with his new electric guitar, I jammed on the piano and it was a blast. We played them for Dale when he came to get me Saturday.

Two grandchilden graduated from Kindergarten in May. I wasn't able to see Bailee as it was the same day Ella was born. Congrats to her and Mason. I was able to go see Mason with Jef and Cole. They are growing up and are very smart, as ALL of my beautiful grandchildren are!!!

I have been rehearsing Sunday afternoons as the organist with our tri-stake dedication choir that will sing on August 24th at the Twin Falls Temple dedication. They have been intense practices, but will pay off when we are privileged to sing. Dale and I have attended tour guide training and our stakes' days are July 16th and August 2nd. We found out Sunday that President Monson will be here with the other authorities. Our YSA branch will get to help pass out shoe coverings on the day that the 70's come and give the VIP tour in July. These experiences will be remembered for a life time.

Collette did a stellar performance on June 5th for her recital. I was so proud of her and felt honored to play the piano for her. We were pretty nervous for the performance, but Chad and Dale gave us blessings and the Lord really was in charge that night as we dedicated the concert to Him. Chad was here for the weekend and his friend Bailee, we hasn't been home for a visit in a long time. We tended Cam and Mary's kids this past Saturday as they attended a wedding in Sun Valley. They were good kids and they loved spending time with Chad and Collette, too.

Sunday was a very surprising day for us. I don't take my cell phone to church and didn't check it when we got home around 1:30. Alisa called shortly after and said she tried calling us to let us know that our grandson, Ryker Thomas was born at 8:20 that morning. I was so surprised, as we had just talked on Thursday and scheduled my flight for the 17th to be there when she had the baby on the 20th. But we were so glad that everything turned out okay as she had it c-section. We decided that I would just keep my frequent flyer flight as it wouldn't be cost effective to try to change it and Grant would be back to work when I got there, so could be a better help then.

This weekend we are going to Pocatello to celebrate Isaak's birthday Friday and do the Farmer's Market on Saturday. Then Collette flies out to Hawaii on Monday, I, to Montana on Tuesday, and then Dale to Mexico for work on the 23rd. So, I will be back posting the end of the month.