We heard a cow complaining aloud
and looked across the way to see
the reason for her pain.
A new calf was arriving
and within the hour
she had licked him clean.
And within two hours
he was flopping around
trying to stand
for the first time.
Springtime miracles at the dairy
We heard a cow complaining aloud
and looked across the way to see
the reason for her pain.
A new calf was arriving
and within the hour
she had licked him clean.
And within two hours
he was flopping around
trying to stand
for the first time.
Perfect day for Kite-flying
It was windy
almost too windy--
the dollar store kites
couldn’t take the strong currents
but Jenny’s tough one flew
higher and higher
and the kids ran around below
with a single pink plastic tail
all smiles
not needing a kite of their own
after all...
Graduation memories
Last day of school bus drop-off pose with driver "Sheila" who took good care of Jenny.
Opening gifts -- and the "winners" were a journal and Lobo sweatshirt...she hasn't taken the sweatshirt off or put the journal down in several days. She loved the cards that came in the mail, especially the ones with some cash. :) A special thank you to Brooke and Lathe and Tim and Cindy and their kids for making the long drive up to spend time and support Jenny's special day. Jenny's visiting teacher brought a balloon and suckers, the bus driver and her husband came by with a Willow Tree statue that was posing in sign language that says "I love you" and her school teacher came by also. Jenny felt special.
Batter Up!
Okay, so it's rather hard to capture sports pictures because there's always some action happening...and I need a professional camera. But here are a few snaps I took of Calla at a ball game at the Jr. High field. Her team is playing well. Calla usually plays right field and backs up first and second base. She is a fast runner and can catch and throw the ball way better than her momma.
Mother's Day
Well, it's only 10 a.m. in the morning on Mother's Day and already I have received (yesterday) a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Tim and Cindy, rose bushes from Mark, pansies from Calla, a sweet card from the Reed family in Utah with handprints of Dawson and Durham. Then this morning I was served breakfast in bed by Mark and the girls, had a phone call from Christopher and Jenelle and Dawson. I watched the especially beautiful Mormon Tabernacle Broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" with the theme being Mother's Day, while Mark prepared our crockpot dinner in the kitchen. Then had phone calls with Tim and Brookly. I love Mother's Day!!
Gila Valley Temple trip
Calla and the youth from our ward went on a temple trip to the open house on Friday, May 7th. I rode down for fun because there was an extra seat. It was so beautiful, inside and out. Very memorable. A good friend that I know from there, Gail Bryce,led our tour with her husband, which made it even more special. I am so thrilled for the people of the Gila Valley, to finally have their own House of the Lord. What a blessing!
Wedding day of Lacey and Cory
Mark and I were able to attend their marriage ceremony in the Mesa temple and it was so precious! They were so happy and excited, you could feel how very much they love each other. Congratulations! (Lacey is our niece, my sister Trudy's oldest daughter)She was working as a cosmetologist up in Utah and he called up the shop where she worked and asked for an appt. with a different girl. That girl wasn't in, so he asked Lacey if she was "good" at cutting hair. She replied, "Yes I am." The rest is history. She'll be giving him haircuts for eternity.
Grandpa Klepinger turns 81
Dad just wanted a nice quiet evening at his home, grilling salmon, so that's what he got. The kids ran around in the back yard, swinging badminton racquets and we had a great time visiting for awhile together.
Brian and Lyndsie and their three boys were moving the next day to Flagstaff, so we said our good-byes and wished them well.
Jay had his birthday a few days earlier, so they each blew out a candle, but I think Dad beat Jay and blew out Jay's candle too. We laughed over that. (All we could find in the house were pink candles, but who cares, right?)
Flashback to the 70's! Here's Dad (on the right) and his twin brother, Bill. I found this and it makes me remember how handsome I thought they were, and now with their white hair, they are really striking together. Hope Uncle Bill had a great birthday too...he now lives in Las Vegas with Aunt Else.
Blossoms and Baseball
Spring has sprung and with it, beautiful fruit tree blossoms and baseball games. Calla is playing on a "Majors" team, the Taylor Storms. She plays right field and the coach is working the team hard, usually has 2 hour practices or longer. Calla is in heaven! We had "Opening Day" for Taylor Little League and it was the prettiest day ever. About 74 degrees and no wind! Woohoo!
He's a "hippie!"
Mark had hip replacement surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital on March 17th. It was very successful. His surgeon was Dr. Berghoff, who has developed a new type of hip surgery with faster recovery, and we're grateful for his expertise. Mark had several special visitors to see him at the hospital, one was cousin, Billy Reed. Brad and Renee Reed came by and Grandpa Klepinger also. Mark was treated well at the hospital and will be back there around the end of May for the other hip to be done. Meanwhile, he's recuperating and back to work. He feels blessed! Because we were down there for several days, we also got to spend some fun time with the grandkids. Calla's birthday was also celebrated then, with a fun day with cousins, going to a movie and Mcdonald's and ice skating. She's 13! LeeAnn Freeman surprised her with a couple spoons from Egypt and Israel for her spoon collection. What a great friend.
We are the Champions!
Calla played basketball on a city team and they were undefeated all season. The gray tee-shirts were given to the city champs. They worked together well and Calla got lots of playing time. She is a great defender, quick and aggressive. (She's in the red shorts)
Good-bye, just for now
In March we attended two funerals in one weekend, two special nieces that passed away and left a big void in the Reed family. We will miss their smiles and love and presence at family gatherings. Our prayers go out to their families. Miss you Ashley! (She lived with us in 2000, pictured here with the kids that Christmas) Miss you Cindy! (Mother of 4, fought a valiant long battle against breast cancer)
Snow Outing 2/6/2010
Lathe and Brookly and their kids came up to visit for a couple days. We enjoyed them so much. On their way home to Mesa, we followed them to Heber and stopped to play in the snow. Here are some shots of the fun.
