Spring time in Blanding

Spring in Blanding reminds me of an old song: First it says it's "come" and then it "goes"...or at least a parody of the song. Today looks beautiful outside, but it was still chilly at 9:30 when we walked. Out crab apple tree is in full bloom..or at least as many blossoms as the wind left yesterday, so we also have a pink petal carpet outside. It is beautiful, but I wish it would last longer.

Spring Sewing Projects

Finished up my 12 year quilt project yesterday...my Aztec Warrior. The center Batik print was purchased at a mercado in Mexico City when we visited the Caziers many lunas ago. I really like it. Also bound two baby quilts, and got borders on two quilts for the guild. Now I'm working on the embellishments and binding on my crazy purple spring quilt. I'll put the other pictures on my quilting blog.

Our guild also got permission last night from the city council to store our display frames for the quilt show at the new wellness center, which is where the show will be held from now on. It will save us $360 a year in rent, plus eliminate having to haul them to the location. Hooray. I've been a lot busier than I expected as guild president this year, but I have awesome officers to help me: Gail Glover, Bobbie Holt, and Sidney Christensen.

Las Vegas trip April 20-24

Viva Las Vegas!   Had a great time for 3 days with Nathan and Tammy and their family.  Saw lots of lights, good food, and great and "spacious buildings".  We went swimming, shopping, the Fremont street experience, and played games.  Got to see Donny and Marie, which was a wonderful family-oriented show--which is hard to find in this city. Tammy and I walked clear back to Circus, Circus afterwards--almost the whole length of the strip.  

On an earlier walk with the kids we met the Men in Blue!  They even took pictures of us!




Ate at the Flamingo and got to see their beautiful gardens. 

That same day we went to see the old Las Vegas fort that the Mormons built, as the first settlers in Sin City.  Brenan and Laurie learned what it would have been to wash clothes in the old days.




On the way home we stayed overnight with the Henke's and had the funnest time catching up on families and also recalling old times when they lived in Blanding.  Steve and I also went to the Art show, and the Quilt show.  

Metaphor stories in our lives

I'm hoping to put together a book of family stories this year, and have quite a few already collected that you've sent. Previous topics included: Memories of Grandparents, vehicle stories, Fathers and Sons outings, Things my mother taught me, Things learned from Dad and Faith promoting experiences.
I'm at this stage of life where I love and appreciate a family story even more than brownies, and would love it if either for mothers day or my birthday you could write a story for me on the topic: Metaphors In my Life I'd love it if your spouse and older children would also send me a story that they learned from.
An example of this would be one I used in the last talks I gave:
I grew up on a dry farm 17 miles from Ririe, Idaho. The last two miles home were up a dirt road, and 1 mile of that road was up a big hill. It was quite a climb to get to the top, and sometimes we had to walk it, if Mom wasn't there to pick us up from the school bus after school. After several years of requests, and proddings by my Dad, Bonneville County finally graded and graveled that 2 mile stretch, so that the school bus could actually come pick us up at our home. After that happened we no longer had to move into Ririe during the winter and its storms.

Each fall my dad would have us help burn off tumble weeds along the road, so they wouldn't hold the snow, and then we would insert study willow poles along one side of the road about every 20 feet. The poles were put there in case a blizzard or heavy snowfall came and we couldn't see the road to drive safely home. We would still know where the edge of the road was by the "protection" poles. I remember driving home many times as a family, hoping Daddy could see the next pole, as the snow and fog were so thick. Were it not for those guidelines, and poles of protection, we would have been in serious trouble, blinded by storms, or hidden dangers when we wouldn't have known where the road was.

Two years after I graduated from high school, we sold our farm on Antelope Bench to Jim Hayes. He was a good farmer, and knew how to dry farm, but he didn't anticipate the dangers of winter storms. He didn't mark the road back to the house with safety willows, and the second winter they lived there. his wife drove off the road one day, and ended up freezing to death, while trying to walk home.

When Daddy told me that story, he emphasized how you needed to prepare well before the storm came. The reality of the poles' importance really came home to me at that time and I've never forgotten what happened to Mrs. Hayes.

Recently, I was assigned to speak on staying on the path that leads back to Heavenly Father, and thought about the markers, or protection poles God has established to help families return home. These includes things as simple as a willow pole: praying daily, reading scriptures daily, holding Family Home Evening, church attendance, reading your patriarchal blessing, being honest, providing service, charity, and love. They are markers to help us return, and when used in a family setting can help us and our children stay on the road to eternal life.
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I hope you will contemplate on some of the events of your life or experience and find a gospel application for them, and then share your thoughts in a short story. Andrew had to speak recently also, and used a similar idea with an ice fishing experience he had. I'd like the whole family to participate in this endeavor, so we can build each other up and provide our own teaching metaphors.
Thanks so much for your love and support. WE have the best family ever, and I thank Heavenly father each day, that you turned out so well, despite our mistakes. We are so appreciative your good spouses you married and their valiant efforts to work with you in raising a good family. Your children know the gospel so well, and we pray you will do everything possible to protect them from the adversary...Keep those protection poles close together and show them how to follow the path.

Love, Mom

February Trip North

Dad and I are still hacking and coughing...not a pretty sound. It's been nine days since he got sick, and I'm just a few days behind that. I had planned to go to Moab tomorrow to the quilt show, but I'd be miserable, and probably make everyone else sick, so I'll stay home and try to get better

We did have a pretty good trip north, and got to visit some of the families. Andrew and Amy were down in Moab for the weekend with her parents, celebrating her birthday, so we didn't get to see them. Her dad had some health problems arise, so that kept things interesting for them. Chris and Pam's family were suffering from various ailments, so we didn't stay there, but did stop for a few minutes to drop off the Christmas DVD I'd made.

On the way to Tooele on Thursday, we stopped to visit Virginia and Kermit and got a tour of their new home in Eagle Mt. Kent and Preston are their renters downstairs. We had a good visit with all of them, and Kermit made us Navajo Tacos from scratch...very yummy. We were very blessed with good road conditions both going and returning, even though a storm had been forecast.

We stayed Thurs night with Nathan's family, and had a good visit, played games, and enjoyed good meals with them. I even went to Boot Camp with Tammy on Sat. and was surprised I could almost keep up...except Stetchers walkers are not good to wear for aerobic dance. I was really tired when finished, but it was a good tired.

That experience actually helped me to make a few more healthy changes since I got home. I signed up for Weightwatchers on-line Tues. and also started reading "Sugar Busters"..Both have helped me ax out sugar and refined foods as well as curtail my late night eating. So I'm losing weight again. I'm still not up with Anthony's throw-down weight loss, but I think I will be by Tues. On the new Weighwatchers... vegetables and fruits are 0 points in most cases, so they've become my sweets of choice, instead of Almond Roca (Thanks Quent and Bev for the large economy pack at C'mas. I sure did enjoy floundering on all that sugar!) But now I'm a recovering sugar addict. I'd already stopped cooking with white flour, and grind what ever I need instead. I haven't dared make bread yet, as homemade bread is so tempting, and even though a person can have a slice or so a day, the aroma would be my downfall. I've had to get rid of everything that tempts me.

We stayed Fri. Sat. Sun with Autumn. Initially we had planned to drive home Sun, thinking Andrew and Amy would be going to Blanding, but that didn't come to pass, so we stayed one more night. WE had fun playing Yatzee and Mex. train with the kiddos. Then on Sat. Rob and Kathryn found out her dad was really bad, so they came up and stayed too. We are so thankful that he seems to have made miraculous improvement, and is home now, though we haven't talked to them about how he is doing.

Sat. night we went to a theater spoof of Phantom of the Opera with Nathan and Autumn's families. I wasn't sure how the younger kids would do, but they were right on the front row, and were very attentive, and totally following the story. Peyton got the giggles at one point, and kept laughing, which cased some of the cast members to get the giggles too...It was so funny.

We hosted a birthday lunch Wed. for Corey and Tyler Sageny, another YSA from Kayenta and had some of their friends over. That piece of cake cost me 14 pt. out of my 29 allotment!! Never again. Corey turned 23. Tyler turned 19 and is getting ready to go on a mission. His mom came too. so that was fun for us to meet her. Corey's family was here when we got back Monday, bringing him back to school, so we pulled a quick meal to gether for them before they headed home. They are always so appreciative of whatever we do.

Please pray for Corey's father, that he will soften his heart towards the gospel. His mom and sister just recently went to the temple to do baptisms and had a wonderful experience. His dad is a super guy, just needs to admit that religion is good to accept. One of the sisters we worked with in Ganado and her family were on that same baptism trip. She lost her husband in Nov. and has really turned to the gospel for help and comfort. Last Sat. she went again to receive her own endowments. I've been communicating with her quite a big lately, and helped her get some additional garments. There is always some little way we can help when we're open to those promptings. The branch has been averaging about 100 people lately, and hope to get into the new addition March or April. It is really thrilling for us to see what great things are happening there.

Dad worked two temple shifts this week, even though he's had a bad cough...One man told him he was coughing so much he couldn't sleep! Maybe that will be a new position. I know in the Puritan church they had someone walk around with long poles to poke people caught snoozing! I'm reading Pastwatch right now...Orson Scott Card's sci-fi look at history, especially Christopher Colombus. It is really interesting. I've been going to bed at 10 and reading for an hour, so that's another change...except for tonight. I took a long nap this aft. and wasn't tired.
Well, I better head to bed. I hope you're all doing OK...please make healthy choices and keep those precious grandkids well and safe. We love you all.

President Lem Redd Faces More Health Issues

Feb. 20
The past few days have been a roller coaster ride for the Redds. Last night when Rob and Kathryn came back to Autumn's they really were afraid they had said their last good-bye's to Lem, as his lungs just kept filling up with more fluid and he was very weak. The family had left instructions, not to recessitate even. Everyone one was pretty emotional and teary at that point.
Then Sunday arrived: Rob just called a few minutes a go, and said last night the Drs. decided to pull him off the medicine he had been on the past few days, and there has been quite a miraculous improvement. The retention of fluid has gone down, and he was even able to get up and walk around. We are so thankful for this overnight improvement and blessings. Please keep praying for him.

It is snowing like crazy up here, so we won't go home until tomorrow..after it stops.

Love to all of you, and thank you for your faith and prayers in his behalf. Janet
 
Feb. 22:
Rob brought the boys back yesterday, leaving Kathryn with her mom in SLC.  Pres. Redd is down to 50% supplied oxygen...On Sat. it was 100%...we were afraid he wouldn't make it.  So he is making progress.  He has been in the hospital since Feb. 8.  We hope he continues to progress, and heal and will be home soon.

What do you do in the Wintertime?

Though January and February weren't as wintery as last year's snowbound experience, they still provided lots of time for solitary efforts sewing, writing and designing.  My main efforts involved documenting my "life in stitches."  Though it started out as a simple listing of quilts I had made, in an effort to motivate our quilt guild to document their wonderful creations; soon it took on a life of it's own. 
  Fortunately I had already pulled together many of my quilts onto a blog of their own, and someof the leg work was done.  But I soon discovered that what is OK resolution for a web page, can be way inferior to the quality needed in book publishing, and many of the photographs I had to refind, and then rescan at high resolutions.

   After the first two books came back, I realized that my sewing experiences involved much more than just making quilts.  This idea was triggered by a slide I had scanned that showed mom wearing the silk dress I had made for her, and Nancy wearing a gingham dress I'd made, as well as myself wearing one of my favorite hand made dresses.  So the idea for "stitches" expanded dramatically. 

I was surprised at how many pictures I actually had of early sewing from the 50's and 60's, as well as photos of my little boys wearing things I had crocheded, knitted and sewn.

Post Christmas Shananigans

    We celebrated Christmas for almost the whole month, which is just the way we like to do it! We had quite a few neighborhood parties, YSA and AR socials.  Amazingly we were able to be with all of our family many times between Thanksgiving and New Years, just not at the same time..

    For Christmas Eve, we invited Rob's family, Kathyrn's parents, Brother Lovatto, his grandson, and Mary to dinner and a program.  It was a wonderful evening, and we were so glad they came. The next day we hosted a soup dinner and games with some of our Home Evening group, plus friends who needed some cheer in their lives.

Home Evening Game Night with Friends

We received lots of wonderful gifts for Christmas, but the one most meaningful was delivered about 10 days before Christmas and we read, and reread it.  "T'was the night before Christmas" started with a Wilcox spoof on the tradition poem, and Anthony filled it with lots of humor and allusions to Christmas's past.  He and Autumn rallied the rest of their siblings, asking them to write their memories of Christmas, as well as their own family traditions.  Autumn added photos and did the layout, and somehow miraculously got it published and to us before Christmas!  
    We learned a lot in the process of reading our children's stories, some of which we'd known about before, but others were surprises.  It was a great memory jogger, and we laughed a lot, and even cried a little as we recalled the hectic Christmases of long ago.  

Thank you so much for taking the time 

to pull together such a great present.

This book was the inspiration for several

Christmas tricks of our own.

  On Christmas Morning as we opened presents with Rob, Kathyrn, Ethan, and Travis, there was one last present which had especially been prepared.  We had found out by reading the book, that Rob was sorely disappointed one Christmas when he was about 9 years old, when he didn't get the Nerf Rocket Launcher he wanted..instead Chris received it.  Tears were shed, and he even double checked with Mom to make sure she hadn't made a mistake.  

   Well, Santa made restitution this year, and wrote Rob a note saying that Mrs. Claus had finally cleaned the back room, and found requests from the 1980's which had been lost.  Always one to keep his promises, Santa wanted to deliver the goods, even though it was late.  

           It wasn't quite the same Nerf Rocket launcher of 30 years go, but was happily received.  

                      Merry Late Christmas, Rob.

The other fun thing about Christmas was participating in Ethan's treasure hunt to find his Christmas present.  It started in Monticello, Christmas morning, then went to Blanding to Granny and Papa's, then to our home, then back to the Sandbox at Redds.  It was quite the treasure hunt, and low and behold--Ethan's Christmas request wasn't "shot down" afterall.  He got a single shot .22.  He was one excited boy.  So he and his dad both had new firearms to shoot.  Safety instructions were reemphasized, and the first target practice planned.

Tuesday Dec. 27-30  Nathan and Anthony's families join us for a fun filled week

















Dad's Root Beer from Quent and Bev, also a big
summer sausage and Almond Roca

The highlight of Dec. 27th was the gift from the Christmas Story Store. 

When we read Nathan's reflections on Christmas's past, we discovered that Tammy didn't have the same appreciation of the movie, The Christmas Story, like most of our kids do.  Shortly afterwards, we saw Joel Tate wear ing a Christmas Story Lamp necktie, we knew we needed to get one for Nathan, as he had a special affinity for the crazy movie. In the next few days the idea grew, taking on new dimensions and angles! Until Dad determined to create a replica of box which could feasibly contain the infamous lady's leg lamp.  Of course, the cylinder for the leg, only contained the necktie, but it looked like it could possibly hold the leg, and there was even an antique lamp shade with black fringe, albeit, fringed plastic!  He even saved the mailing label from the tie, to make it look legit.

  Here is the letter Dad composed:

Nathan reads the letter

We were pleased with the effort that you kids made for us on our Christmas book that Autumn put together.  It was fun reminiscing about past Christmases.  We even learned a few things we hadn’t heard before.  We appreciate your contribution.  We are glad that you still enjoy watching “The Christmas Story”.  We are surprised that Tammy doesn’t share your same enthusiasm and were wondering what we could do to improve this situation.  We thought about getting Brendan a BB gun, but that might not help matters.  
   We also thought getting some genuine bunny pajamas for Laurie, but we are not sure if she would wear them.  Finally, I went on line and I discovered the perfect gift -- A real Christmas Story lamp.  I’m sure if this lamp is displayed in your front window you will be the envy of all the neighborhood and it will give Tammy a greater appreciation for this classic movie.  In this package, you will find a real Christmas Story lamp.  Hope you enjoy it and may you use it for many Christmases to come.

Tamara can hardly contain her excitement as she anticipates
the great Leg Lamp in her window!


I had a great video of the reading of the letter, but it was so big blogspot won't accept it.  Que Lastima~
It was very fun to see both Nathan and Tammy's reactions.

Everyone was excited to see what was in the box.

The infamous lamp shade in all its tacky glory

Now, what do you suppose is in here?

Sigh, relief!  It was only a tie....not a leg

What we really want to know....Did he wear that tie to Church Sunday?!
===========================
Wilcoxes Rock-out with Wii Rock Star

Some day we may rue the day we put guitars 
and drums into their hands

This combo above came the closest to real talent

Even Grandma tries to keep up with Ethan (and Elton) on  Crocodile Rock
unfortunately, she couldn't see the words very well.


Grandma's Deja vu reality game:  Fox and Geese

Back when grandma was a girl in Idaho, we always had a lot of snow, so we filled our free time hours with lots of outdoor games.  If we could find enough kids, or coerce our parents to play-- Fox and Geese was the funnest, because it was a running game.  Others we played were "Who's the Boss of Bunker's Hill"--where you tried to stay on top of the snow pile, while others tried to push you off.  Dad was always best "Boss".  The words are so old I can't even find them on Google search, but the taunt went something like this: "I'm the boss of Bunker Hill, I can fight and I can kill."  Gruesome I know!


He made us a harness for our dog, Pal, and then he could pull our sleigh.  He also made us mini-toboggans which could be used on soft snow, but we had regular sleds for zipping down the hills which surrounded our home on the farm. He also made a large toboggan out of corregated steel, which fit our whole family.  It was very heavy to pull up the big hill, and the snow had to be frozen to use it, but it was very fun to do it together as a family.


 We also made snow angels, had snow ball fights, built forts, made trails, and all the other fun outdoor things that kids can invent.  The winters we lived in Ririe, sometimes Daddy, or another parent would pull us behind a car on our sleighs.  We'd all be roped together in one long line  I'm sure it would be illegal now, but it was very fun, until a sharp turn would tip someone over.  Sneaking off to do that one Sunday afternoon, is the only time I remember being spanked by my mother.   In later years we learned to ski, and that became our new passion, especially for Doug and I.  Lynn, Clint, and Nancy later took up the craziness as well.

Fox calls "Scatter" and all the geese run from the center when the game begins.

Even though we had been blessed with about 4 inches of rain the week before Christmas, there had been no snow, and it was about 45 degrees in the day.  Then The Perfect Snow Storm arrived in Blanding Dec. 27-28 after Christmas, putting down about 2 feet of soft fluffy snow.  It didn't pack very well for the Fox and Geese course, so Anthony revved up the snow blower that Chris had given us, and made the best circle and cross cuts I'd ever played on.  

The running course is a circle with pie wedges radiating out. The center is the Fox's den where the captured "geese" must go, until they are saved by being tagged by a "free goose".  There are also two safety pens where the geese can run to to avoid being tagged.  To make it more exciting two foxes can be selected.  After they wear out, a new fox is chosen, until everyone has a turn at being foxy.  It is great fun.  This may be my last time to play, and it was so fun, with no injuries!! I think we had  three generations of us playing, 9 altogether..which was a great size for the game.

Friday was a beautiful cold day, perfect for playing outside--for a little while at least.

Aren't they cute little geese?

Hmmm, how do we save Laurie from these two big foxes?

Ethan's Birthday Dec. 30th at the Redds

Christmas Cheer When Family's Near

We were home from Phoenix about 3 days when we left on an equally wonderful trip north to see our kids in the Wasatch Front. Here are some of the pictures from that trip. 

Michael with his "stuffed" house!

High demand on Gingerbread real estate

Like Father, like son.

Autumn pre-made all the shapes for gingerbread houses, plus gave everyone cutters and a recipe which can be used for future house projects.  Everyone brought lots of decorations, and the kids jumped right in and created some wondrous creations.

Some more smiley grandkids with their final projects. Brendan and Laurie finished theirs in record time.

Peyton loved all phases of this project!

Haily with her "neat" little house

While the Gingerbread houses were hardening, we ate at the famous Wilcox Pasta Bar.

Next on the docket was some great family entertainment:  Laurie and Brendan provided

a cheery duet welcoming in the Season.

Rob shows that he can even play and sing sideways--one of our favorites from The Forgotten Carols by Michael McClean.  Rob introduced us to this album shortly after he came home from his mission, and it's been a part of Christmas ever since.

Chris and Pam's Christmas Choir

Mattea tells one of the best jokes of the night. (Who's your favorite...?)

Next came the Victory Arch, where parents heralded the success of each child, and we all celebrated their successes.

Ethan Jess Wilcox

Hailey and Peyton

It's so good being me!!
We hope everyone felt this way.

Danny and Hunter ready to be recognized

Every one needs a victory arch once-in-a-while!  

Grandma presented CJ with a quilt for finishing up his Eagle Scout Award (almost), and challenged the other grandsons to set that as a goal in scouting .

He knows if you've been good or bad....so....

Some how or other, Santa found out where we were and came to check on everyone's list. 

 Travis, however, was not impressed and Ethan's request was temporarily "shot down."

Presents for all "good little boys and girls" and all of our Grandkids are "good".

Musical present exchange

But the Best Presents of 2010 were Travis, Emily, and Hinckley