For Shelly!

I have been going through some old photos to organize them and came across some classic shots of my cousin Shelly and I. They all make me smile and remember.

Shelly, Cindy and I are at my Aunt Ethyl and Uncle Otis' farm in Heyburn, Idaho. It may have been for Thanksgiving break from BYU. We are standing with my favorite horse, Jumper. I loved getting away from school and I loved to go to the farm.

"Little kids day" at Silver Creek High School in San Jose. We were seniors in 1977.

Our Aunt Ann's wedding. Shelly, Tammy, Amy and I were bridesmaids. I remember standing in Aunt Ruth's house getting our hair done. I loved Ann's dress and veil. I modeled my dress after it and used the veil for my wedding.

This was Shelly's Aunt Pat's wedding. I have always loved this picture because we are telling secrets and it is so typical of our relationship.

Did you notice the dress from the little kids day picture? My mom made this for me and I remember picking out the fabric. I really wanted a pinafore dress back then, we might be around 10 years old. I remember thinking it was so original and progressive of Pat to use red, white and blue as wedding colors. (Yea, I thought about stuff like that when I was pretty young)

30 Years Ago

Thirty years ago I met this guy. This is a very good picture of him taken by his roommate Bill in 1980. He pretty much had a big smile on his face at all times. He was having the time of his life at BYU. I remember the first time I saw him, he was standing in a 7:00 am Business Law class. It wasn't love at first sight, but I was interested. I still am, as he has been very interesting to me for the last 30 years.

Zucchini Muffins

This is a recipe adapted from the King Arthur Flour website. I changed some things and I think mine are better!

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup apple sauce

4 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cream together for 1 minute and then add:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup white flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

Beat just until smooth and add:

3 cups grated zucchini, well packed

1/2 to 1 cup raisins or currants (optional but I like currants)

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix together. Spray muffin tins with Pam and fill them to the top with batter. This recipe should make 24 muffins. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Next time I am going to try grated carrots.

We Are Family!

Kevin won Alta over with the tramp and gummy bears.

Shalane is an amazing mom doing the 168 hour a week full time job. I don't know how I could have forgotten how much work two kids could be. She does it with such grace and skill.

Grandpa loves Ellie.

Kevin and Mal staged a photo shoot with Ellie.

Alta loves the yard. She is one busy girl.

Ellie is always ready to smile. She is such a happy baby.

Alta helping Grandma make brownies.

Beni is a source of fear and love for Alta who fed him twice a day and told him "No Beni" several times a day.

Alta loves to jump.

'Love those cheeks!

Some healthy competition.

Raclette for the family. Everyone except Mitchell.

Aunt Mal playing on the ipad with Alta. Alta liked the babies youtube and could find it every time.

There Will Be Joy!

Daniel, Shalane, Alta and Ellie are here from Virginia. I am in heaven.

Grandpa loves Ellie.

Alta getting some work done in my office.

Alta!!! We are having so much fun together. She calls me "Cramma"

Four Generations of oldest children.

Sunday at the Browers.

Great Grandma with Ellie.

We made some zucchini muffins together. She ate more applesauce than she put in the batter.

Patrick's New Diet

Patrick got his tonsils out last Monday. He has been pretty sick all week, laying on the couch and not talking much at all while taking pain meds and anti-biotics. The surgery went well and it was a good thing he got them out as they were filled with infection. He lost 8 pounds in 8 days eating a steady diet of gatorade, chocolate pudding and drinkable yogurt. Today he started to eat some solid food but his stomach is rebelling. The doctor told me that we only need our tonsils until we are about 4 years old--then they are worthless and shouldn't give us trouble. Unfortunately some people have trouble. Mitchell had his out pretty young and Mark had his out when he was 29. I remember spending the day at the hospital all day waiting for Mark to come out. I have always had a fear of anesthesia and was worried about him. The nurses said I couldn't see him. I waited and then asked again. They still said no and I persisted and said, "I can't believe a wife can't visit her husband". They looked shocked and said, "We thought he was 15!" I told them he had three kids too.

Winspears

Dillon and Jane

Adam and Uncle Jim

The Winspear brothers (and Dad) Dalton, Adam, Josh, Rand, Nate and Jeff

Here are a few pictures I lifted from Jennifer Winspear's facebook. I hope that is OK Jenn. I didn't take any of the wedding so these will have to do.