Summer wrap-up

Ok I know I have been a horrible horrible blogger. I love melissa's blogs so much I thought I would make an attempt at catch-up.   The summer got away from me. It was one thing....than it was the next thing...and so on. Mostly good things. Lane started things off by taking the scouts to moab for a biking trip. After that Melissa, Lance, Evelyn, Addie, and Blake came and played with us for a little while on their trek from San Francisco to Iowa City, Iowa. We thoroughly enjoyed the grandkids and can't wait to visit them and to take in Nauvoo. We were lucky enough to be the Youth conference chair-people so we next took all our youth to Manti and had such a great time amongst all the millions of mosquitos.
Next we hosted my parents 50th anniversary party and we were happy to have much of my family (sisters and brother) spend some time with us in Utah. We saw hot air balloons, shot off fireworks, and hiked timp.  Following this, Lane took a trip with all the boys in his family, as well as Matthew to go fishing in california. I also spent some time engrossed in shark week. I also took the activity day girls to Camp Jeremiah Johnson and then promptly got called to Young Women's. Emily's been heavily into soccer; Aubrey was in Highschool Musical, has a real job, and has gone on few dates; Matthew has been fishing, running, playing with friends and spending too much time on video games; and Brynna has been swimming, visiting her grandma, and just got her hair cut very short and loves it. I still need to take a picture of it.  So, in a nutshell, I need some sleep...oh no...in a nutshell it has been a great summer with family, church and fun.  Also our youngest grandchild, Blake, just turned 1.

Happy Birthday Brynna, It is great to be Eight

I can hardly believe that our baby is eight years old. I can remember her being born like it was yesterday. She was a cute, completely bald, bundle of pink. I don't know what our family would have done without her, she is such a sweet addition to our family. We are so lucky she is ours.

Prom and First Date

I know some of my family is eagerly awaiting some pictures of Aubrey's very first date ever...which also would be "Prom". Her cousin, Katie, was great to lend her the dress and her grandma Taylor took her shopping for hours for the perfect shoes. She is very good friends with her date (he has a different girl-friend). We all hope she has a fun time and returns safe and sound. The top picture is brynna's redition of aubrey's prom--sideways.

Going Greeen

So the leprechauns always visit our house early on this day. They green the milk, the toilet water, the food, you name it. However due to a pretty sleepless night, I really think Lane has croup, and a strange lack of food coloring (had to mix the last traces of dried blue and yellow), the leprechauns got a late and messy start. Brynna was thrilled though finding all the shades of green around the house....then she looked at my fingers, "How come your fingers are green". Seeds of disbelief, head cocked to the side in a quizzical way. "Oh....uhh....those silly Leprechauns even made my fingers green!, what will they think of next!", laugh laugh joke joke. Silence....questioning eyes...then she laughed too. "I'm glad they didn't make my fingers green". "Or your toes" I said. Whew....not sure about how that went. Not completely sure she bought it or just wanted to buy it. One thing is for sure, I need to stock up on food coloring.

The air is green
and crisp as leaves
twining through
the mottled breeze.
The fairy folk
dance 'neath the rock
betwixt the moss
and hollyhock.
Lil' leprechaun
hosts the fray
to sing and bring
St. Patty's day.
May blessings pour
like rain of gold
upon your house
and those it holds.

Happy Birthday Aubrey

16 years ago today, a flat-faced full of life little girl came into our lives. Fortunately the flat-face rounded out a bit, but the full of life continues on. She was born two weeks early on our wedding anniversary, one of my best gifts ever. We are now just holding on tight as the whirlwind of teenagerhood swirls around us. Happy Birthday Aubrey..."not just a very ordinary girl or name". Hope it is a great one. Love your family

Iowa City, Iowa

So it is going to be Iowa City, Iowa for Lance, Melissa and our beautiful grandkids. (Not that Lance and Melissa aren't beautiful too). Lance will be doing an oral surgery internship there. So if anyone knows anything about Iowa City, we would love to hear from you. It will be a fun place to visit, if only just to see the ones we love. We think it might be close enough to maybe visit Nauvoo and some church history sites too. We will miss ghiredelli square, the beach, fisherman's wharf, clam chowder, sourdough bread, but maybe not the no parking, and the angry, raging, swearing person that stalked aubrey down on our last visit. Oh and just for informations sake, aubrey can be seen on the San Fran american idol auditions for a half a mili-second just behind the "silver woman". Oh the memories! I cannot believe that the "bush-man" and the "famous dogs" will be a thing of the past. We are excited, however, for all the new adventures for the Keyes clan. And a happy valentines weekend to all.

Random Things

I think I have a touch of spring fever! I so, so , so (100 more "so's) want some warmth to appear in the air. It has been clear-skies enough, though, for the kids and I to jump on our bikes, which I have come to love. Even Bella likes it.

And I know that a lot of people out there like and enjoy the science fair...however, every year I have a struggle with liking it. When I was little I remember doing some project with a very large battery, I think my dad shocked me on purpose...maybe I have paired the shock with the science fair like in classical conditioning...or was that operant conditioning....hmmm.

Matthew is enjoying basketball, especially being with good friends and watching Jimmer Fridett (sp?) with his dad and grandpa. That guy really is amazing.

Also we are holding our breath as Lance learns his fate for "matching" with an oral surgery program. We hope they make it to a great school that is fun to visit. We love San Fran, but are ready for a little change. We hope they get to visit in March.

MAYBE ALONE ON MY BIKE
I listen, and the mountain lakes
hear snowflakes come on those winter wings
only the owls are awake to see,
their radar gaze and furred ears
alert. In that stillness a meaning shakes;

And I have thought (maybe alone
on my bike, quaintly on a cold
evening pedaling home), Think!--
the splendor of our life, its current unknown
as those mountains, the scene no one sees.

O citizens of our great amnesty:
we might have died. We live. Marvels
coast by, great veers and swoops of air
so bright the lamps waver in tears,
and I hear in the chain a chuckle I like to hear.

William Stafford