Movie star Chickens

Earlier this summer some pretty chickens got their chance to be on camera. The pasture raised chickens seem so happy but, they still like to huddle up a lot. They only spread out when Mitch and Monte came over to say "hi".

Swim, swim and swim some more

So, I think my kids are part fish. They loved swimming this summer. Mitch took some swimming lessons and did not cry at all. His teacher said she doesn't think she has ever had a student not cry at all. I look forward to the thought of having a pool. Until then are whale kiddie pool is working great.

Start them serving young

So, at the beginning of the summer in June we had a stake service project to clean up Clovis walking paths and Bicentennial park. Well, Mitch and Monte got in to the work. We still remember the service project when we see the paint on our stroller and on Mitch's sandals. One thing I hope my kids learn is to serve willingly. We had a lot of fun.

My Grandma's legacy

What a women my grandmother was, or is would be more correct. I have felt a renewal of my testimony that there is life after this one. My grandmother graduated Earth life (as my Uncle put it). I think she finished with honors. She left this life quickly and painlessly in her home with her husband, my terrific grandpa at her side.

My grandmother gave all of her kids and grandkids a unique and dry sense of humor. She would always be making us laugh at everything especially ourselves. She set a great example of loving your family no matter what. She has taught me through her stories and my mom's that I need to take the time to have fun with my kids and be sure to be goofy. She had such faith and left that testimony with all her family who listened. She showed me what an eternal marriage can be like by the marriage she and my grandpa have. She has taught me humility. She and grandpa has never tried to aquire money and things, they just worked hard and enjoyed a simple life. My grandma has inspired me to be less of a complainer. She had been legally blind since age eight and I never knew it to hold her back. She never let it hold her back. One of my grandpa's first coments after she passed was, "Now she can see."

Her funeral was wonderful. The talks were great. I really liked my mom's words about all the traditional things grandma didn't do as a mother but all the extrodinary things she did do. I loved her stories of prayer and how patient my grandma was with her kids. I really liked the letter from my Grandma that my Aunt Colleen read about comparing knitting to life. I am glad we can go back and fix errors we made. My Grandma was important to so many and I guess I thought she would never die but, in a real way she doesn't. My grandpa reminded us when we visited him a week later that Grandma is still busy and still lives. He knows he will see her again. For now though, I will miss her.

Spa Night

I had to post some pictures from a spa night we had with the Beehive girls (12 & 13 year old girls at church). I knew they would love to have these pictures circulating. These girls do not need a spa night. they are naturally beautiful.

A grand vacation

Going to Colorado again after eight years brought a flood of emotions. I felt so, so grateful for my time there as a missionary. I felt so grateful for my husband and kids and how blessed we have been. I felt grateful for good examples and help getting out on a mission. I felt an overwhelming love for the people I came in contact with. Thank you to all who let me visit, Tiffany, Ed, Palmers, Ellen, Sister Lee, Kayla and Temi. Temi, I think my visit was divinely guided. I only felt sad that I could not visit everyone. I can sing again the theme song, " Colorado, I love you."

We visited an butterfly and insect museum. Mitch loved the different butterflies but, Monte didn't get into it. I told Dave I would not hold his hand after that gross thing was touching it.

Not too far from Denver is Buffalo Bill's grave site. We visited and got a few adorable pictures of our two cowboys. Buffalo had a great view from his grave.

In a town called Glenwood springs there is a natural hot springs right off the freeway. I saw it one time on my mission and thought, when I'm not a missionary that is where I want to go." Well, I got to go. It was fun. Mitch went on a huge slide with Dad. The veiw was terrific and the hot springs were very relaxing.

One of the last touristy things we did was to visit Rocky Mountian National forest. It was beautiful and we were unprepared for the snow that was clearly still up there. Mitch and Dave had a snow ball fight. This picture of Monte was a good story. I was behind him holding him up when Dave took the picture. He was sitting on a seven foot stone wall (7 ft on the back side). Well and car drove up full of people the were gasping that Dave put this little baby on the wall until I popped up and everyone started laughing because they did not see that I was behind him supporting his back.

On the way home from Colorado we spent one day in Salt Lake City. We had a nice visit with my Grandpa, who was in good spirits and showing so much faith. We also visited one of Dave's missionary converts (we forgot to take a picture of Yolanda's Family). Of course we also ate at Wingers diner and thought of Mark. We also made a stop off at temple square. Dave want's to take his boys to their first Priesthood session of conference in the conference center. I think that is a great idea. Mitch really liked the statue of Christ. I thought he might be frightened by it but, he wasen't. He wanted the picture by it.

We ended the trip with a beautiful train ride home. Mitch loved it and everyone loved him in his enginers hat. Monte enjoyed it too because he could move around. We got a room and slept on the train. It was so much fun to eat in the diner and watch the mountians roll by. Other then the lateness of the train I would ride the train for a long trip again in a heart beat. We loved it.

One lucky family

The day before mother's day our credit union had a carnival. Unfortunately Dave was working (like a good farmer) so the boys and I went for a good time. I didn't know there would be a drawing for prizes. The downfall of the drawing is you had to be present to win. Well, the boys were not going to last through the whole carnival. About half way through the party both boys were making it clear the naps were is store. So we loaded in the car with Mitch's prized ballon around his wrist. When we got home and out of the car, Mitch let go of his ballon and it went floating up. I don't know if I had ever heard him let out such and sad, disappointed cry. It broke my heart. Well, Monte had fallen asleep in the car so I thought "I'll just drive back and grab him a new ballon." We got back just as they were reading the winners names, "Monte Pitman, one $50 savings account. and the grand prize goes to a 2 1/2 year old, Mitch Pitman, a Wii system." Mitch was more excited to get the ballon and he thought he had won a drum. I was glad I had compassion on the little guy. All those prizes and a free lunch, what a day.