Where's the Beef?

Back in 1984 there was a hamburger commercial that was pretty popular.  The premise was a little old lady who goes to a fast food hamburger place and when she gets her order, she looks at the hamburger and says, "Where's the beef"?

It became so popular that people started to say that slogan when it came to many things, anything that you felt might be "lacking" you would say, "where's the beef"!

Well, this weekend, that commercial came to my thoughts.  Scott and I went to Folsom Lake, and it was severely lacking WATER!  This is the lake that we grew up at, we dated at this lake, we've kayaked on this lake and swam in this lake and fished in this lake, we learned to water ski on this lake and then in later years taught our children to water ski on this lake. We had been hearing rumor of the lake being extremely low, in fact the lowest that it has been in 90 years.  I was unprepared for what I saw.

The boat ramps all the way around the lake are on the ground.  All boats have been pulled out of the area and there is no longer boating allowed on the lake, because there simply isn't enough of it left.

In the Summer of 2012 I swam in this spot and Scott kayaked as I was preparing for my triathlon.  As you can see, there is no worry about there being no lifeguard, there is no water!!  It's gone!

This is the Folsom dam.  The water is so far below the spill gates.  You could almost walk right out to the dam.

All sorts of sports enthusiast could be seen with their mountain bikes, biking across the dry lake bed.

Scott was taking a picture of how far the land went out to, and I was taking a picture at the same time of how far I was away from where the water used to crest.  See the tree line, that is where the water used to reach.

The only cool thing about this horrible drought is that a town called Mormon Island was unearthed.  When the Folsom dam was built, the people who lived on Mormon Island had to move to a new area, because their homes became a part of the lake.  Now that the lake is so low, we can see old time treasures, that once again have found the sun!  Curious people and history seekers have been coming to this spot in droves over the past few weeks.  No one is allowed to take anything that is found home, but people are taking the items and putting them out for display.  

Pots and relics, from a time gone by.

Scott really loved these old nails, they had square heads.

This was a well that was used back in the day.

Scott is standing in someone's cellar.  We kind of imagine this might have been someone's cold storage.  It was so fascinating to know that people lived here.

As interesting as this all was, I am praying that it will soon be covered up by the water, and my beloved Folsom Lake will be back.  Prayer is what is needed at this time!

Happy New Day!

A New Year has begun, and with it, a feeling of hope for what this year can bring.  I was actually excited to make some goals, and to try and reach a little higher in my attempt at keeping the goals.  I haven't been great at always making it to the end of a goal.  I've had some successes, and I've had my share of failures.

I was reading our church magazine for the month of January, (The Ensign) and one of our church leaders President Uchtdorf had this to say, "At times in my life I have spent sleepless nights grappling with issues, worries, or personal sorrows. But no matter how dark the night, I am always encouraged by this thought: in the morning the sun will rise.

With every new day, a new dawn comes—not only for the earth but also for us. And with a new day comes a new start—a chance to begin again. " (The best time to plant a tree)

I liked that thought.  I started thinking about my goals every year in January.  Did I finish them?  Or did I think that if I messed up one week or one day, that I somehow failed the mark and had to wait until next January to push the reset button!

How exciting to think that each new day is a reset!

So...with that in mind and with the goals that I have set this year, I am determined to do the best that I can to accomplish them.  But if I stumble along the way, I will not quit, I will wait for the sun to rise and the Happy New Day will begin!

One of my goals is to take 365 photos this year that represent my life.  I won't always share them, but I will be taking them.  This goal will be a bit challenging because my life is somewhat ordinary and is not always filled with the most exciting of events.  But I have found out already that you can find beauty and fun in the smallest of things.  Here is a sampling of the first few days of January.

Jan 1, 2014.  Scott and I stayed in our PJ's all day long!  It was so incredibly awesome!  We cleaned house, put away the Christmas decorations and just enjoyed our day.  Today I felt so grateful for my husband and my home.  What a blessing!

Jan 2, 2014.  One year ago to this day I started working at the dental office.  The past year has brought it's share of challenges as I have learned so much about myself and also about a new profession.  As I look back at 2013, I am so grateful for my growth while working with these great people.

Jan 3, 2014.  It had been a while since I had been to the temple.  Scott had surgery in September and it seemed as though the time flew by as we were working on his recovery.  It felt great to be back in this beautiful house of the Lord.

Jan 4, 2014.  Scott and I worked together in the kitchen and made homemade soft pretzels for the first time ever!  Wow, they were so good!  The process was so interesting, did you know that you place the raw pretzel dough in a baking soda water mixture for a couple of minutes before you bake them?  I sure didn't.  

Jan 5, 2014.  I taught today in our Young Women's program at church.  These young ladies are simply the best.  I feel so grateful to be a part of their lives.  

Jan 6, 2014.  Before I left for work this morning Scott pointed out the beautiful sunrise that was coming across our neighbors roof line.  I loved the colors, and was so happy that I was there at the perfect time to get to witness it.

Jan 7, 2014.  Every Tuesday morning you will find me on my computer right before work typing out a letter to my missionary, Elder Chase McKee.  We are so proud of him.  (P.S. Look at that cute sweater!  It was a Christmas gift from Jordan and Madelyne)

Jan 8, 2014.  Gold sparkly shoes!  What more can I say.  These little beauties were a gift from Heather for Christmas, and I got so many compliments on them!

Jan 9, 2014.  I stopped by a baby shower for Miranda Clements in our ward (she is seen at the end of the table right by me).  She has been a wonderful example in our ward, someone I would call a "doer" meaning that whenever their is some service to give, or something to be done, you will always see Miranda.  These are some of the lovely ladies from my ward, I love Fair Oaks 3rd ward!

Jan 10, 2014.  This picture is not to illustrate how lame I am at not being able to figure out how to turn this dang picture and make it stay!! ;)  This was a Kings game!  We were given AMAZING tickets to this game and we had so much fun!  Kings won the game and Scott and I got to watch Jimmer play some awesome basketball!

There you have it, the first 10 days of January - things that represent me and my life.  

Are we Sharing?

I've been lucky enough to spend the past two Saturday's with the Wigginton's, trying to soak up some time with them before they move to L.A. for the summer.  Yesterday there was a laundry list of the things that were on the "to do" list ~ but of course we also fit in a little fun too!

I was lucky enough to be there when Everett had his first frozen yogurt experience!

He didn't flash his big grin at the camera, but trust me, he did a little yogurt dance in between bites!  

I think he approves of this yummy frozen treat!

                                      

The funniest exchange of the day happened between Talmage and Heather.  Each yogurt was topped with delicious toppings, anywhere from the traditional fruits and nuts, to the totally sweet candy.

We were all enjoying our yogurt when Heather was tempted by the gummy bear that was calling her name that happened to be in Talmage's cup of yogurt!  She reached over, picked up that delicious little treat and popped it in her mouth.

Without missing a beat Talmage says to his mom, "Oh...are we sharing?"  Right then, he reached over and picked up the biggest plumpest berry found in his mom's bowl of yogurt and popped it in his mouth!!!

Laughter erupted, the look of shock on Heather's face was priceless, the look of, "yeah, that's right, I just ate your berry" from Talmage made me laugh all the more!

Needless to say, sharing time was over!! :)

What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!

Beautiful Berries

Bountiful Beautiful Black Berries 

& Boysenberries 

& Raspberries

Picked by Me

In my own Back Yard!!

Such a Blessing!

Pardon our noise...

When Scott and I were first married, Scott was in the Navy.  We were two young kids starting out our life together, and we had just joined this huge military family.  Scott was stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington.  We loved this place, and we look back on that time with such fond memories.  

On your way to the base in Oak Harbor you would pass by a sign that read, "Pardon our noise, it is the sound of freedom!"  We quickly learned what that meant, Navy jets and their pilots were in the air often, and you would hear that familiar sound of freedom!  It became a cherished sound to me.

Today is Memorial day, and we celebrated by listening to the sounds of freedom at Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery.  When the jets flew over our heads this morning and I heard that familiar rumble in the sky, tears sprung from my eyes, and I instantly felt gratitude in my heart for this great country that we live in. I thought about the sacrifices that I felt as a young bride sending my new husband off on a 8 month cruise, and then I thought about the ultimate sacrifices that other wives and mothers felt as they learned that the person that they loved would not be returning home.

Flags were everywhere, and you saw veterans of all ages that had come to remember those who had served, and those who had given the ultimate sacrifice.  It felt like the right place to be, to have the opportunity to look these men and women in the eyes and say, "thank you."

I am thankful to those who have served, Scott was in the Navy, as well as, his dad Harry, as well as, my Grandpa Martineau and Grandpa Cozzens, as well as, Scott's grandpa (bops) and Uncle Rodney (who didn't return home) who were in the Army!  We celebrated and remembered those who have passed, and those who are still living.

While we were there, we met up with one of Scott's mom's friends, Louise Armstrong.  She was there remembering her husband Robert, for the years of service that he gave to our country.

Patriotic songs were sung, bagpipes were played, 21 gun salutes were sounded, canons were blasted, speeches were given, prayers were said, and this great multitude of people that were there were one, as we remembered together.  At one point they played all the different songs of the branches of military, you were to stand when you heard the song that represented the branch of military that you were in.  This little old man that was sitting not to far from us was in the Marines.  When his song came on he struggled desperately to stand.  His daughter helped him get to his feet, and as soon as he was standing all the way, he stood and saluted until the song was over.  It was so touching, tears streamed down my face, and then I watched this sweet old man, struggle to sit back down in his chair.  He served, and is still serving by remembering the sacrifices of so many!

The morning ended with a parachuter who came down with a flag attached to him.  The audience was mesmerized as he came down so beautifully and the flag waved gently in the breeze.  

Lee Greenwood said it best when he said, 

"I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA."

Happy Memorial Day!

Kai and I

Over the past week in a half, I have had the privilege to spend a majority of my time with my grandson Kai.  It has been a true joy to get to  know his little personality, this blog is dedicated to things that I have learned about Kai.

Kai is now the big brother.  He loves this roll, you would think that someone so little might not understand, but I really think that he does.  He loves his new baby sister and is surprisingly gentle with her.

Kai loves family.  Jordan came and visited this weekend and Kai loved to jump all over Jordan.  He has a family book that Ashleigh made for him, and he loves to tell me who everyone is.  He loves his cousins Talmage and Everett and I wish that these kids could live closer together.

Kai loves to climb...EVERYTHING!  He is absolutely fearless, there is no obstacle that registers dangerous in his mind.  This is both funny and scary.

When he accomplishes his climbing goal, he always looks at me with such satisfaction!  I can just see his little mind saying, "see, I told you I could do it!"

Kai loves games of every kind.  This game was made up by Mema.  The game is called, "how do you do."  He  would stick his hands through the trees and I would shake his hand and say, "how do you do."  This simple game lasted for a long time, he kept sticking his little hand out to me and saying, "how you do."

Kai LOVES his picture to be taken.  Every time he sees me take out my camera he will say, "Picture? CHEESE"  Such a little poser!  But so much fun to have a willing participant!

Kai is friendly, and can make friends with anyone, even college age kids.  One day we took a walk to the BYU-I stadium.  Once we got there he saw a few kids kicking a football.  He ran right out to them and before I knew it, there was my little 2 year old grandson in the mix with all these college students playing football/soccer!

Kai loves everything to do with Balls and Sports.  So far, I have learned that he knows how to play baseball, soccer, football, catch of any kind and golf.  He knows how to kick goals and he knows how to play pass.  The other day when we were at the stadium and he was playing with the college kids, he actually slide tackled one of the college boys to get the ball from him!  I totally cracked up!  He is going to be so much fun to watch!

Kai has TONS of energy!  But...sometimes Mema has more! :)  We took a long walk one morning and I actually wore him out!

Kai and I have had a lot of fun - I'm grateful to have had some time to learn about this sweet little guy!

Could I really be that lucky?

Could I really be that lucky?  Those are the exact thoughts that came to my mind when I was blessed with a second baby girl.  Because I had c-sections I already knew what day my babies would be born, so I decided to let there be a surprise and not find out whether I was having a boy or a girl.  (this is almost unheard of in this day and age).

I was the oldest girl with three brothers, and so after I had my first daughter, I truly believed in my heart that I would never get that lucky again!  I was so wrong - and I am so happy that I was!

On May 10, 1988 Ashleigh Nicole McKee (now Tataipu) was born.  She was a beautiful baby, milky white skin, and giant blue eyes!  She has added such a measure of joy to our family that can not be duplicated, she is always the first to create family laughter!  Even as a baby she would make funny faces and wait for our reaction.  When all the kids were at home we would beg Ashleigh to do her imitations and the dinner table was always full of laughter!

Twenty four years later, as I think about that special day in May, I no longer think of it as being lucky - I think of it as being truly blessed!

Happy Birthday Sweet Ashleigh, I love you!