This little car is a gem. She never complains. She never gives us trouble. She doesn't drink excessively. She just keeps going and going. She's getting kind of old. I had to take a picture of her 150k birthday.
What would we do without our little Cammy?

Wow, it's been almost a year since I posted on my blog. Lee and I went to Colorado last week to tend for Spencer and Karen while they went on a cruise. We were able to enjoy being with these twinks! I baked a heart shaped lemon cake for Sophie, who turned 7. These kids are growing up too fast! I sure wish we could have had all the others together with us.

Two Angel Brothers

Jim passed away on January 12, 2010. He was 49 and had stomach cancer.

Brent passed away on February 12, 2012. He was 49 and had stomach cancer.

So thankful for all they taught me. I love them and miss them terribly.

2 Years Ago

Two years ago today my brother, Jim, passed away. He was just 49. This picture was taken the day before he died. Elder Robert D. Hales from the Quorum of the 12 came to visit him and give his family blessings of peace and comfort. He has taught us what "ministering" means. He continues to call my sister-in-law to ask about her family, even though he is very sick himself. Jim died of stomach cancer. My younger brother, Brent, who is also 49, is now suffering with stomach cancer. Sometimes it's very difficult to understand God's plan, but my family never ceases to amaze me with their faith. I am so thankful for my family and the love we share. I am also very thankful for The Comforter in our times of sorrow and pain.

thankful.

Today I am thankful for

• 6 children and their spouses
• 13 healthy grandchildren
• faith that helps us through difficult times
• my body which, although imperfect, seems pretty perfect right now
• peace that the Comforter wraps us in
• covenants that seal families together forever
• my guy. what a great one he is.

What are you thankful for?

White Fence

We drove up to Idaho yesterday to visit Grandma and Grandpa Olson.

We scraped down this fence....

and turned it into this beauty!

Lee replaced a sprinkler valve....

and literally dug himself into a hole in the process!

It must have been nearly 5 feet deep! But this man of mine can do anything!

Lars & Aubony & Girls

We had a great (but short) visit with Lars, Aubony and the girls this past week.

Some of the highlights...

Isabelle, age 3 1/2 (well, almost 4)

Sophie, age 5 1/2

Erika, age 9

Haylee, age 10 1/2.... well, almost 11 (she's growing up!)

We enjoyed visiting Temple Square.

They enjoyed Grandma's "hot tub."

Cute family! Thanks for coming to visit us. We love you!

Spencer, Karen and Boys

We had a great visit with Spencer, Karen and boys. Here we are visiting the Golden Spike Museum in Promontory, Utah. The steam engine train demonstration was very cool! The house is once again quiet as they left to go back home today. Thanks for coming out!!!

Brent's Quilt

Here's the quilt we made for my brother, Brent, who will have his stomach removed on Thursday. Sounds drastic, right? Well it will be life saving for him. My other brother, Jim, died 18 months ago from stomach cancer. They both have the same congenital disease. If Jim's had been diagnosed sooner he would be alive today. What a tender mercy that Brent's was diagnosed so early. He is going into this surgery with a sense of humor, so we put some funny things on his quilt. Like a block by Karen that reads, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Have one now, here he comes!" and one by me that reads, "I may not have a colon but I am still full of crap!" since he had his colon removed years ago. We love you, Brent!

Staub Family Visit

Now that's what I call a cake! Thanks, Jenn!

Love this little family. Thanks for visiting us from TX!

Happy 1st Birthday to Cody and Happy 30th to Kate on the same day.

My beautiful baby girl.

The Force of Mother Nature

A powerful tornado hit LaCrosse, WI just one month before Evan and Chelsea moved there. Here are some pictures of the destruction one month later. We are so thankful they hadn't moved there yet, but feel bad for the destruction the residents endured. You can see that their place needs a new roof still, as it is missing shingles. But the apartment complex just across the street was a total loss.

Chicago.... then Wisconsin

You can see the shingles that are missing from their roof from the tornado. The grassless areas of the yard used to have trees that were sucked up by the tornado. Their neighborhood was a flurry of activity while we were helping them move in, with workers putting on new roofs, new siding, removing debris and tree stumps and getting things raked out to plant new grass.

You're Gettin' a Lil' Seester!

Hey Camden, you're gonna be gettin' a lil' seester purty soon! (Do I sound like Casey?) Anyway, we're purty excited that the family "curse" has been broken. I hate to call it a curse, cuz we love all our grand chillins and it sounds like we don't when we call it a curse. But it sure has been strange that none of our kids to this point in time have both BOYS and GIRLS, but just one or the other. Happy!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig

Trip to Colorado