Tuesday, August 26, 2008
My Friend Trish
Trish and I first became friends when Heidi was in third grade with her son Andrew. We got to know each other while on class field trips. We found we have lots in common (well, she can sing and I can't)! We lived about 1 mile from each other and would stop in to and from the grocery store etc. We have both since moved closer to the beach, and we are still a mile apart. Trish has her own business, Arrange For Change, she has always had a great eye for decorating----AND has always helped me out. When we moved into the home we are in now, we moved in on a Saturday, Trish stopped in Sunday evening and by the time she left our house looked like a home and that we had already been there for a while. She has also helped Hilary out a lot that way. Many times when we were trying to arrange furniture we would say, "We need Trish", and sure enough she would be there to help!! When Hilary first went out to Ricks College, now BYU Idaho, Trish came with us. We had a great time, sight seeing, fixing up Hilary's first college room, the one thing that Trish will always remember is a cowboy on his horse in the middle of the road stopping traffic so his cattle could cross. The one thing I will remember is getting out of the car at a friends that owned a dairy farm. Trish said "What is that smell"?:<( Hilary and I responding "What is that smell"!:>) Lots of memories!! Trish is in a band at her church called the Grateful Bread, and on some Sunday evenings locals perform at the beach. This was one of those Sunday evenings, and Trish and part of the band performed. Trish, thanks for all the fun, memories, help and especially your friendship!
The Look Alike
If I didn't know this was Austin, I would say it was Hilary. If fact that is the same highchair she sat in 30 years ago. Talk about flashbacks!!
Little Mr. P.I.
One Friday during lunch I had to do a surveillance at a restaurant. Austin is with me on Tuesdays and Fridays, and this happened to be a Friday. So Austin, Eileen, a good friend, and I had lunch together. Steve even showed up. We were there for about 2 1/2 hours and he was the best little guy, even went to sleep for a while. Guess he got board!!! He has to be the cutest little P.I. I know! Oh, next to you Steve!
Monday, August 11, 2008
And let the fun begin.
What better way to end a summer evening. Steve and I left the next day after lunch. We had a wonderful weekend, but as all visits go "they go by all too quickly"
Paige's birthday weekend
This was the day after Paige's 3rd birthday. I don't have birthday pictures. Steve and I were able to drive up to NC for her birthday, and to see how settled they all were. Where did those 3 years go. Heidi is now 30 weeks and holding on!!
Lincoln will be starting school this year. Check out those beautiful blue eyes!! And those cute little freckles.
Oops!
Lincoln will be starting school this year. Check out those beautiful blue eyes!! And those cute little freckles. Oops!My dear friend
Kathy and I have been friends since she was a baby. I am a few years older. We have pictures of me holding her when she was just a couple of weeks old. It seems that each time one of our families moved the other moved pretty close. In fact in elementary school they lived down the street from us, and I think I spent more time there than at my own house. We lost contact for some years when she was going to college and we were both first married. She did come to our wedding. Kathy lives in Venice, Florida and we try to get together as much as we can. Kaf (that is what I used to call her) so glad we are still in touch and continue to share memories!! Thanks for the visit!
Baby Austin
Boy is he going to be upset with his Grammy in about 8 or 10 years. But isn't he precious! I get to keep him on Tuesdays and Fridays, and there are always Kodak moments. Today is the 11th of August and Austin is 5 month old. Chris, Hilary and Austin are in IL this week spending time with his Grandma and Grandpa Holtzee, and cousins. One little boy cousin is only about 1 month older than Austin.
Okay Grammy, enough is enough, put some clothes on me and quit taking pictures!!
Okay Grammy, enough is enough, put some clothes on me and quit taking pictures!!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Memories of Philmont
Very special ladies, probably kindred spirits!
Steve was sitting outside of our tent waiting for me and trying to look at the stars (he was blocking the light from the tent) Had to catch that photo moment.
Steve was sitting outside of our tent waiting for me and trying to look at the stars (he was blocking the light from the tent) Had to catch that photo moment.
Graduation
There are two weeks set aside just for LDS training. President Dahlquist has always been an inspiration to Steve, and he was at Philmont all week. He was the speaker or presenter for a lot of the training. He always has that smile on his face, and when he talked to you, you felt like you had his undivided attention. A great man.
Steve receiving his certificate from President Dahlquist. The photographer was a little slow with the button!?
Steve receiving his certificate from President Dahlquist. The photographer was a little slow with the button!?
Ice cream story
This was such a fun evening! LuAnn and Sam Baxter, Lesa and McKell Porter, Rick Dustin, Steve and I decided to walk over to the Trading Post for ice cream -- Well they had closed just before we got there. The young man with the big smile to the right of the picture was sweeping the floor. I knocked on the window and pleaded our case (what case, I don't know) but he opened the door and made us all ice cream. Such a nice young man. We all sat outside and shared special stories, wonderful Spiritual experiences, and then we each told how we met our spouses, and those special times. Each story was so interesting, inspiring, and unique. There was a real special bond felt that evening and I will always remember it.
Western Night
Outfitted for Western Night!
Steve and Toby made belts, and they branded them with Philmont ranch brand.
Steve and Toby made belts, and they branded them with Philmont ranch brand.
This is the hotel we had lunch in.
Each morning the cub scouts would do the flag ceremony.
Bill Burch, a life long LDS scouter, and Bolo-tie carver for 50 years. He carves all kinds of faces, and gave a lot of us the opportunity to carve. I took that opportunity and carved a cowboy bolo for Steve. It turned out pretty good and Steve liked it. Bill turned 84 this month. He has carved thousands! You can see the beginning of my cowboy!
Each morning the cub scouts would do the flag ceremony.
Bill Burch, a life long LDS scouter, and Bolo-tie carver for 50 years. He carves all kinds of faces, and gave a lot of us the opportunity to carve. I took that opportunity and carved a cowboy bolo for Steve. It turned out pretty good and Steve liked it. Bill turned 84 this month. He has carved thousands! You can see the beginning of my cowboy!
Philmont
Philmont Scout Ranch!! I went kicking and screaming, just didn't want to go. What am I going to do all day? I don't know anyone, and I am tired of hearing about Scouts!! Those were just a few of my gripes!! Boy did I ever change my tune. This was Sunday, we got there Sat. around 4, and you can see I am smiling already. This was our little abode for the week. Close enough to the potties, yet far enough away. Sleeping conditions were great-imagine that-all the comforts of home. We pushed the 2 twin beds together, the nights were cool, even had to sleep in our sleeping bags. I bought some wool in Taos so I had something to do while we were there. Never even took it out of the bag, only got to read for a little while one time. We had a wonderful time. I was the second best experience I have had in the church since we were members. The Pioneer trek being the first. It was just like a little Zion, there was a wonderful Spirit there. If our whole family was there I would have liked to lock the doors behind me.
Beverly and Toby Gonzales were our neighbors and we became good friends right away.
Tuesday afternoon was an off time and we went into the little town of Cimmeron. This was taken in a old hotel. We had a great little lunch there with good friends.
Patriotic Day - The sidewalks were lined with American flags, all the military were recognized at the morning flag ceremony, and that evening there was a children's parade. Every evening there was something fun going on.
Beverly and Toby Gonzales were our neighbors and we became good friends right away.
Tuesday afternoon was an off time and we went into the little town of Cimmeron. This was taken in a old hotel. We had a great little lunch there with good friends.
Patriotic Day - The sidewalks were lined with American flags, all the military were recognized at the morning flag ceremony, and that evening there was a children's parade. Every evening there was something fun going on.
4th of July, Taos
The fireworks lasted for an hour, and what a celebration the 4th of July is. I am proud to be an American, and enjoy all the blessings of this country!
The Pueblos
These structures were amazing!! This section is 1,000 years old. The adobe is resurfaced about 2 times a year depending on the rain. That is a lot of resurfacing!! Some of the families still live here, and the dwellings, or I guess you would say homes, are passed down from generation to generation. The people were so nice. There are shops in many of the homes, and they sell their crafts jewelry, pottery etc., but they are not pushy, just very friendly. And their work is beautiful!
In the background you can see more of these buildings. These are not as old. And the water in the stream they still drink.
In the background you can see more of these buildings. These are not as old. And the water in the stream they still drink.
Taos
This is New Mexico's Gorge as in Great Gorge. It was a little scary looking over that railing. It was pretty amazing. More fun together!
We stayed in the Cottonwood Bed and Breakfast in Taos. It was a little ways outside of town, and there were a million stars--at least it seemed that way. There are lots of blue doors in Taos, I guess I need to find out more about that. The building below was right next to the B & B we stayed in. Love that adobe. We had breakfast outside each morning. The weather was wonderful, and at night we could hear the coyotes!
We stayed in the Cottonwood Bed and Breakfast in Taos. It was a little ways outside of town, and there were a million stars--at least it seemed that way. There are lots of blue doors in Taos, I guess I need to find out more about that. The building below was right next to the B & B we stayed in. Love that adobe. We had breakfast outside each morning. The weather was wonderful, and at night we could hear the coyotes!
Santa Fe
Driving from Artesia was a great drive, it was a pretty time of the year especially since they had lots of precipitation. Every place we go we say to each other "this would be a nice place to live. As we entered the Santa Fe area we started to notice the adobe structures and what character they have. This is Peggy, I forget her last name, but Steve bought the turquoise necklace I am wearing. Peggy said it was from some of her fathers old beads?! Whether it is or not I just love it. Gosh there are so many stories to go along with these pictures, but I just can't write it all.
We had dinner at a place called the Shed, a recommendation from a shop owner, and what a great recommendation. The building was 300 years old. The people were really short back then. We had to duck to go through the doors. It was a great meal, and the atmosphere was great too.
This belongs with the Taos pictures. This is Bonnie, we spent more than an hour in this shop picking out pillows and rugs made by the Zapotec Indians. The wool is carded, spun, dyed and then weaved in the tiny village. This shop and its sister shop supports several families in the village. It all looks so nice on our old Mission Oak furniture.
We had dinner at a place called the Shed, a recommendation from a shop owner, and what a great recommendation. The building was 300 years old. The people were really short back then. We had to duck to go through the doors. It was a great meal, and the atmosphere was great too.
This belongs with the Taos pictures. This is Bonnie, we spent more than an hour in this shop picking out pillows and rugs made by the Zapotec Indians. The wool is carded, spun, dyed and then weaved in the tiny village. This shop and its sister shop supports several families in the village. It all looks so nice on our old Mission Oak furniture.
Friends
This is Rodney Webb, and he is the reason we went to Artesia. Steve and Rodney were in the Marines together. We became great friends with he, his wife Sarah, and now their daughter BD. We try to visit often. Rodney has a ranch in a town outside of Artesia, a town called Pinon. We usually visit there, but this year I stayed in town with Sarah and BD, and Steve went out to the ranch with Rodney, and got to "ride the range" for 3 days.
This home belonged to Tina and David Hand and their 6 children. The girls and I spent lots of time there, and Tina became a very special friend. There were lots of p and j sandwiches, Halloween and Christmas fun, and just everyday fun. Tina passed away about 4 years ago, she battled ovarian cancer. I didn't have the address and never looked for the house before, so it took a little while to find it. When I spotted it, fond memories flooded my mind.
This home belonged to Tina and David Hand and their 6 children. The girls and I spent lots of time there, and Tina became a very special friend. There were lots of p and j sandwiches, Halloween and Christmas fun, and just everyday fun. Tina passed away about 4 years ago, she battled ovarian cancer. I didn't have the address and never looked for the house before, so it took a little while to find it. When I spotted it, fond memories flooded my mind.
Artesia, New Mexico
17 years ago this was our home in Artesia, a small oil town in New Mexico. Prior to that we were living in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Heidi was born. The house has been added onto, but the pole fence is still the same. I wish I knew how to scan pictures, because I would love to through a few in from back then. We had ten acers, horses, chickens, (we still have the little red bucket Hilary and Heidi would gather the eggs in). I tried everything in that little red bucket to prevent the eggs from breaking in route to our kitchen, straw, paper towels, it was just too much of a temptation to swing that bucket around. We had 10 or 12 pecan trees, a garden, Butterfly the lamb, and another older lamb, that liked to butt the girls, and Mousie the Jersey cow. I will always have those sweet memories of the girls, in their jamies, coats wrapped around them, little red boots,walking out to the barn while I was milking early in the morning.
This was the pump house, where we would have leaks. The girls loved it because they could play in the huge mud puddles the leaks would make, and poor Steve, he did not like fixing those leaks.
This was the cattle guard in the driveway to our house. It was just a given to say "cattle guard" each and every time we went over it. Cattle guards are made of metal pipes. As you go over them it is bumpy, and makes a clumpety clump noise. The girls didn't even have to see them to say "cattle guard" they could hear it and feel it.
The fence back then was not closed in like it is now. It was a piped fence. A rancher that lived in town kept his horsed behind our property. Everyday, twice a day, he would have to go in and out to feed the animals. He started leaving little treats on the fence for Hilary and Heidi. He didn't want to girls to know who was leaving the treats, so we just called him the post fairy. Each day the fence was checked by 2 little girls, and most days they came in with a surprise.
The 4H fair was a big hit each year, and we would spend all day there. The people, the animals, the smells. The fair in Artesia is nothing like the Jacksonville fair, 1/4 the size and no rides. Much more fun to me. The girls participated, and one year Hilary brought home a trophy almost as big as she was. She was in what was called the lead line class, and the participants would lead their lambs around the arena. A friend let Hilary borrow a lamb, she named him Butterfly. Each day she would work with this little lamb, and teach him how to lead. It was not normal nor did lambs like to lead, but she succeeded. That year Heidi also participated in a pet class, she was too young to do anything else. She lead Johnny the older lamb around. I made a flower lei for Heidi to wear and also one for Johnny. While Heidi and Johnny were standing there, Johnny decided to eat her lei, the local newspaper photographer was right there, and captured the whole thing, right through to the tears in Heidi's eyes. Hilary and Heidi both had their pictures in the local paper that year.
This was the pump house, where we would have leaks. The girls loved it because they could play in the huge mud puddles the leaks would make, and poor Steve, he did not like fixing those leaks. 
This was the cattle guard in the driveway to our house. It was just a given to say "cattle guard" each and every time we went over it. Cattle guards are made of metal pipes. As you go over them it is bumpy, and makes a clumpety clump noise. The girls didn't even have to see them to say "cattle guard" they could hear it and feel it.
The fence back then was not closed in like it is now. It was a piped fence. A rancher that lived in town kept his horsed behind our property. Everyday, twice a day, he would have to go in and out to feed the animals. He started leaving little treats on the fence for Hilary and Heidi. He didn't want to girls to know who was leaving the treats, so we just called him the post fairy. Each day the fence was checked by 2 little girls, and most days they came in with a surprise.
The 4H fair was a big hit each year, and we would spend all day there. The people, the animals, the smells. The fair in Artesia is nothing like the Jacksonville fair, 1/4 the size and no rides. Much more fun to me. The girls participated, and one year Hilary brought home a trophy almost as big as she was. She was in what was called the lead line class, and the participants would lead their lambs around the arena. A friend let Hilary borrow a lamb, she named him Butterfly. Each day she would work with this little lamb, and teach him how to lead. It was not normal nor did lambs like to lead, but she succeeded. That year Heidi also participated in a pet class, she was too young to do anything else. She lead Johnny the older lamb around. I made a flower lei for Heidi to wear and also one for Johnny. While Heidi and Johnny were standing there, Johnny decided to eat her lei, the local newspaper photographer was right there, and captured the whole thing, right through to the tears in Heidi's eyes. Hilary and Heidi both had their pictures in the local paper that year.
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