Mini-family reunion April 2009

Thursday, Chris and Jenelle and Dawson arrived at our house and it was a busy afternoon. Chris and Mark worked and experimented with Calla's school science project on pulleys. Jenelle helped me make two big fruit trays for my Stake RS Leadership meeting that night. We were grateful for their willingness to help.Dawson was the "taste tester" and enjoyed the grapes and strawberries. He is a major fruit lover! He switched from saying "Maga" to "Grandma" this trip! He loves to talk and was fun to listen to. He warmed up to everyone really quick. We hadn't seen him in 8 months, so it was obvious as I looked back at the pictures I took that he got in most of the shots.


On Friday, Tim's family and Brookly's family arrived. Here are some fun shots of the weekend. We were pretty much indoors the last two days because of strong winds. Calla was gone alot to play rehearsals and we missed her. Grandpa read to the kids. I gave Cindy her first sewing lesson. The "guys" went looking for ammunition and brought home Kentucky Fried chicken. We got some DQ one night. Played Yahtzee and Jenelle won with two Yahtzee's. Watched an old Christmas video and laughed and laughed together. Ate some good food and talked and shared smiles, kisses and hugs. The next time we get together will be at Thanksgiving,and there will be a new Reed grandbaby by then. Thank you all for coming and sharing a few days at the Reed Roost.

Bass Pro Shop

We ran down to Mesa for a few days and I didn't take but two pictures, the kids watching the fish tank. So fun!

Happy 12th Birthday!

Calla's birthday, was memorable (and spread out over two days). On St. Patrick's Day we had our traditional green breakfast. After school we took some of her friends to the Muder's zip line, which they had never been on before. They were nervous, but had a blast. Even Jenny tried it for the first time! Pizza, cake and ice cream was served afterwards.

On her birthday morning the "princess" was served chocolate chip pancakes. That afternoon she had play practice for "Annie" after school and then got to attend her first Mutual night. I snapped a photo when she was getting ready to jump out of the car. When Calla got home she showed us her "Welcome basket" the YW leaders gave her. A great way to end her birthday...with a smile! Calla is a beautiful young woman and we love her very much.

Ditch days are gone

The Town of Taylor has had an open irrigation ditch that has wound past many homes, farms and the dairy on the eastside of town. A committee of citizen's worked to have the ditch covered and a pipeline replace it, and now there are crews who are installing the pipeline. The workers have now reached our backyard completing the section thru our land. On Friday evening, they left a couple pipes laying a direction that produced instant "slides" for our girls and the neighbor kids which they really enjoyed on Saturday. I realized that today (Monday) the pipes would be laid underground, and the "slides" would be gone,so I took a couple pictures on Sunday so we could remember this event. Calla is sad she can't ditchwalk anymore, but Mark and I are grateful that we don't have to worry about little grandchildren drowning. Thru the years, there have been several Taylor family's lose children to the lure of the ditch water. This pipeline has been needed for a long time.
Neighbors: Ethan, Mikayla and Kai Ramage with Calla
Calla is always telling me she wants us to adopt some more kids because she hates being the "youngest." She wants younger siblings. Sorry kiddo. I tell her the Ramage kids are her younger brothers and sister!

Mom turns 52

My "birthday" started a couple days early, because Tim and Cindy and baby Conner came up to visit. We really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them and getting to know Conner better. He warmed right up to us.

My visiting teaching companion and long time friend, Carmen Shumway came and brought all of her daughters and daughters-in-law and husband to sing Happy Birthday to me that Monday morning. We had a nice visit.Mark cooked dinner for me on Sunday and when I got back from Ward Conference visits in Young, we ate together. Then we had some angel food cake with buttercream frosting. I tried to blow out a few candles...we didn't have 52. It was fun to receive cards, gift cards, money, phone calls, homemade cards from grandkids, emails and personal visits. I felt loved, but most importantly, I felt blessed to finish another year of a wonderful life!

Happy Birthday Kelly

So sweet! This picture is called "First pet, first night" and was taken March 2004.We can't remember the date when Kelly was born, we just remember it was in February a month before we bought her. My nickname for her a number of years was "Mess of a Pet." She is a "Minature Pinscher." She's made a place in our home and is a good watchdog. She'll scare off any wandering dogs that come around. She still likes to snuggle in Calla's bed on cold winter nights. She is a very fast runner and it's fun to see her take off after a bird or cat. She gives them a scare. Mark always tells her, "We don't love you" but she knows that we do. Here she is with Jenny.

Brookly's humble apology

I'm not sure what grade Brookly was in when she had Mr. Webb, but I think it was third. I came across this note in a box of old cards and letters I was sifting thru. It's a treasure. She took the time to illustrate it on both sides. The heart made me think it was an old valentine...till I opened it.


Looks like when I scanned it, part of the top was chopped off. This is what it says:

Dear, Mom, Dad I got my name on the board today
Please do not get mad at me! See me and Rachell were
tacking. Mr. Webb told us not to We forgot thou! I am
trying not to talk But I can not stop talking!
if you forgive me circle Mom yes & no give to next perint
Dad yes & no

How could a parent's heart not be softened and melt when they get one of these?

"The Power Within Us"

We had our Stake Relief Society seminar this past Saturday and it was truly inspirational because the speakers were outstanding.


Patriarch Gillespie spoke about some of the key women in the scriptures whose posterity were blessed by their righteous lives. Then one idea he shared was that we can take our blessing and retype it, with double spacing, study it and write down scriptures or other inspired notes as we receive spiritual insight. He said that these sacred blessings are "scripture" for us personally, and if we are asked to read from the scriptures daily, wouldn't it be a good idea to do the same with our Patriarchal blessings?


Carmen Shumway taught us that there are several important factors in being a great visiting teacher: studying the message well before we attempt to teach it, listen and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost regarding our assigned sisters so that we can serve them when they need us, make a weekly contact instead of just "once a month," enjoy the diversity and differences in each other, develop a true and loyal friendship with each one you teach. She had two sisters sing "Getting to Know You" and "Sisters." Carmen invited seven sisters in the stake to share some special visiting teaching moments from their lives.


Shellie and Brett Caldwell recounted the amazing journey they faced together when Shellie was diagnosed with a rare sinus and bone cancer which required radical surgery that removed almost half of her face. (The picture was taken just before her surgery) They opened up to us and honestly shared all the feelings and fears, pain and healing, and trial of faith that it was. There wasn't a dry eye in the chapel. We witnessed a true love story in action. It was an indelible experience for all who attended.

Now that's resourceful!

Calla kept her hair dry in the shower using a plastic baggie. Way cute, isn't she? She recently auditioned for the musical, "Annie" and got the part of one of Daddy Warbucks maids, Cecille. She will be dancing and singing in several scenes ("I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here" and "NYC") and have a one-line part. Congratulations, Calla! The tentative dates for the performances are April 24th and 25th and possibly May 1st and 2nd. Calla is in one cast that will perform twice. More info later...

January bride

Melissa Merrill, our niece on the Reed side of the family, married her sweetheart on January 17th in the Mesa temple. She and Brookly were close cousins growing up and Melissa was in Brookly's wedding line almost ten years ago.