NATE WITH HAIR????

Poor Nate, he just happened to be standing infront of a plant on top of the fridge. This is one of the biggest "oooppps" I've ever taken! Sorry Nate, HAD to share this. Doesn't it really look like his hair is standing on end? Is this what being the Dad of twins does to a guy? :)

CAMDYN TURNS ONE!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend, spending it in Vegas with the kids and grandkids there. Camdyn's birthday is actually tomorrow, the 26th but we all celebrated it on Saturday with a party at Camdyn's house. On Friday Steve, Daniel and Kevin prepared Dan and Chelsee's backyard for cement, poured on Sat morning at 7. Steve, Dan, Kevin, Luke and Kason all met Sat morning and worked on it together. Along with being alot of work, I think they had fun just being together and helping out. It was around 2 on Saturday when they finally finished. Steve was so sick the entire time, but you know him, he just kept on going. Not surprising at all. At 4 was Camdyn's party and what fun we all had. The kids were all quite entertaining and as always we loved every minute of being together. Can't believe Camdyn's already one!
Chelsee and Camdyn

Daniel, Chelsee and Camdyn OOPS! The first of many crashes??

What do I do with this thing??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAX AND TREXTON!!

Here I am running late as usual! The twins actually turned one on February 23rd. I'm just slow at blogging lately. I think it must have something to do with the wind blowing! Anyhow, here are a few pictures of the boys celebrating their first. We had the birthday party here and what a fun time it was. Thank you Nate and Jen for sharing this special day with us. Loved every minute of it! Dax really got into his cake!

And.... so did Trex!

Nate holding Dax as Trex makes a dive for Dax's cake.

Grammie and the boys.

Trexton entertaining Grandma Nicoll.

Let's blow out the candles!

Nate holding Dax, Jen and Trexton.

Just Thinkin'

I was telling Steve this story just now and thought I'd blog it to share with my kids.
Years ago, probably at least twenty, it was this time of year and I was homesick thinking of everyone in the sugarhouse but me. One morning I called home and happened to catch Dad for a few minutes to chat. He was on his way to the sugarhouse and had stopped by the house to get a dry pair of gloves, change his boots and get some hot dogs. (funny but I remember him saying that) I guess he could tell I was a little lonesome so this was what he told me to do. "You just go outside and breath in deep and I'll bet you'll be able to smell that sap boiling. " Then how he laughed. I could hear him laughing all the way out the door as he left the house. (He knew the wind blows so hard here this time of year, some days up to 100 mph. no kidding.) I never smelled it before or after that day but ON that day I DID! Did that smell of sap roll in with the strong wind or what? Isn't it amazing what one can smell 2,500 miles from home! At this point, I KNOW you are questioning my sanity but, for whatever reason it DID happen and even if I'm the only one who smelled sap boiling in Eagar, Arizona that day, I KNOW what I smelled. And somehow on that morning so many years ago, I wasn't quite as homesick as I am today.
And Steve is still laughing with me, not AT me, I'm sure. :)

SUGARING DAYS GONE BY

Dad, Jim and Stew with the team.

My brother, Jim.

Dad, Stew and Jim with the team. Me (with the long hair) and Carol

Dad, Jim and Stew

Dad driving the team with Stew following behind.

I wanted to share these old photos that were given to me (as slides) by the MacGregor's when I visited Florida last month. To me they are priceless. I had no idea they even existed until I visited with the MacGregor's. You can't even begin to imagine how moved I was when "Uncle Dick" put them in the slide projector and took me back in time, how many years? Somewhere between 35 and 40 years. Not quite 40 I don't think but close. I hope you all enjoy viewing them as much as I have. What a treat it was to "see" my Dad, Stew and Jim working side by side. (I'm even in some of them) I thought it was only fitting to post this now as Michael and Eric, my nephews, (Jim and Diane's boys) have been anxiously waiting for the sap to run. The sugarhouse surely won't be the same without Dad there, that I know for certain. Somehow, I can only imagine but what he isn't too far away and happy to see that tradition continues. Thanks Mike and Eric for continuing what brings back many precious memories for so many of us. Sure hope you have a good year. Enjoy the pictures.

UPDATE ON PINKY

As of yesterday afteroon, Pinky is out of the burn center (where she ended up after being over radiated) and recouperating at her sister Kathy's in Scottsdale. For those of you who have been wondering, she is making slow progress after the radiation and chemo. It hasn't been the most favorable of experiences. She maintains a positive outlook and is determined to return to the mountain this weekend. Hopefully that all works out for her. She spent nearly a week in a burn center after the radiation took way too much of a toll on her weakened body. She received excellent care there and will very shortly be able to return to her home. If you wondered why I wasn't blogging, my heart just wasn't in it. I know she appreciates your prayers in her behalf and might I add a thank you to those of you who have checked on her and kept in touch with me to make sure I was ok too. Cancer reared its ugly head and the past few weeks have been especially difficult. I am so excited to have her returning home soon and know she will continue healing and gaining strength everyday. I've been quite lost without her happy and jubilant attitude around here so am looking forward to having her home.

WE ARE LOVED

It's been awhile since I've been blogging. Thought I'd better post something new and get with it again. These are a couple of recent shots that I like. Harlee loves her Grampa and he thinks that is just great. Of course, the feeling is mutual! She is such a cute little cherub! I know Jen and Nate have days that cherub is not the word they would use to describe Harlee but Steve and I thinks she is so dang cute!

Harlee and Gramps

Grammie, Harlee and Shelbi in the rain.

One night we went to MacDonald's in the rain. Can't really tell but we are under an umbrella. It was pouring but the girls didn't mind at all.