To The Rescue President Monson and Warm Fuzzies

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The E-bunny

Baby bunny Elsie! The cutest critter I ever saw! We found this old rabbit fur in Great-Grandma's old stuffed animals! Such fun, such fun!

She's EIGHTEEN!

Our baby girl just turned 18! We went to the cheesecake factory to celebrate. Fabulous food, great conversation and with an all girl party...lots of laughs!

Charity

This morning I had reason to ponder the word "charity". I have a quote that I keep on my nightstand that I have a goal to read every morning. It got placed under a stack of books and papers for a while, so I pulled it out today and set it again where I can see it and read it DAILY to remind me of what life is all about.

"Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you AQUIRE and make part of yourself. And when the virtue of CHARITY BECOMES IMPLANTED IN YOUR HEART, you are NEVER THE SAME AGAIN. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive. Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us."

Marvin J. Ashton (Ensign, May 1992)

Thank you Brother Ashton. I needed to read that...again...and again...and again...

Taven's Turn

I took Taven for his one year old photo shoot with Grammy B. He is such a darn cute little boy! Here's what he has to say:

YIPEE!! I'm ONE!

I like to play ball...see how serious I am.

I'm looking forward to Christmas...

I promise...I've been goooooood!

I can WALK!

I can climb onto the couch!

And as my mommy always says, aren't I "beau-ful"?

UEA "Staycation" Hike to Doughnut Falls

Starting out...

two ADORABLE sisters & funny Taven...

dad is always prepared with his backpack full of granola bars and water...

we made it to the top! Cinch of a hike...

not sure how Landon is feeling?

Dad & Taven playing musical hats...what a blessing to have a family!!

"Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted." ~Paul Pershall

UEA "Staycation" BLAST!

Grandpa Bassett is ready to get on the bike and ride!

The lovely road ahead.

All in a row, REV, Set, GO! Cara, Dad, Lan, Grandpa B & Ross.

Cara driving with Landon hanging on!

Cara & Ross celebrating their mud faces.

Grandpa took our family photo with the gorgeous valley backdrop.

Stopping for lunch! What a great time we had.

This is ROSS the Mud Maniac! He must have sped through this puddle at least 5 or 6 times! We all took a turn through that crazy puddle.

Is there life after grandkids?

It seems as
if all I post
lately is photos and comments about our
grand-

children.






I love them so much!




One more post about Elsie and I PROMISE...I will do something different next time.

Here are the "traditional 6 month photos" of dear Princess E.


I met Ally at a place she found called "FotoFly" in Draper and baby was ALL SMILES for the camera man! What a relief to her mother! She is really such a good little girl.

Life after grandkids? Is there ever! OH, so much life!

Perfect love
sometimes
does not
come until
the first
grandchild.
~Welsh Proverb

What a

sweet
blessing

to be a

grandparent
and see

through
the eyes of
experience

how precious

these
little ones

are.








Isn't she
lovely, still?

Oh, by the way -I may not be able to keep my promise...Taven's "traditional one year old" photos will most likely make the next post. I'm a grandma now...that's my privilege.

Down by the bay

We live in such a BEAUTIFUL place! What a beautiful little

family to match!

I snapped a few photos of the Lott family while they were up for a visit. Alan is such a good husband and father, working to support his family, going to school and always conscious of his extended family by keeping in touch with them and their needs. Ally is a wonderful homemaker, making healthy meals, sewing and keeping a neat house. Best of all, they remember the Lord in their lives and do the things that will bring them closer to Him each day. They are following this quote by John Taylor.

"Endeavor to make our homes a little heaven, and try to cherish the good Spirit of God."

HAPPY HARVEST!

Mr. Jack-o-lantern

Little Miss Punkin Pie!

Elsie came with her mom and dad for Conference weekend and Taven came with his mom and dad too...thanks for telling your parents to visit kids! :)

Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later. ~Og Mandino

PARTY TAVEN!

We celebrated little Taven's birthday today! He is one year old and...busy, busy, busy. We love him so much.

"Babies are always more trouble than you thought - and more wonderful." ~Charles Osgood

"Money, money...lucky me!"

"It's MY birthday, so I made dad do all the work."

"Mom made me a turtle cake...

...mmm...delicious!

Here mom, have a bite!"

Homecoming Dance!

"Dancing is moving to the music without stepping on anyone's toes, pretty much the same as life." ~Robert Brault

"Swashbuckler" Mormon Ad

I could see Mike and Taven rescuing a princess someday! :) Love this cute commercial!

Swing it Baby!

One Saturday in August Stan was bent on making sure we got a baby swing for the grandkids. We were out and about and he had a deadline of when we had to head to Pitcher's before it closed...no if ands or buts about it! Here is the beloved swing in action with dear Elsie taking a ride.

"The world is a playground, and life is pushing my swing". Natalie Kocsis

s

Welcome Svenja!!

Last year we hosted a foreign exchange student for one month in the summer...Remi Lazzaro from France. We had such a great time with him that we decided to do it again. This summer we have Svenja visiting us from Germany for the month of August. We are excited to have her. She flew in with her brother on August 1st. His name is Soren and he will be staying with a couple in Salt Lake City. Let's GO!

Two Smilers

Alan & Ally came to our home for a "staycation" a few weeks ago. We loved having them and Elsie loved being spoiled by her Aunt and Uncles.

"There should be less wringing of hands and more loving arms

around our families."

(Neal A Maxwell, Ensign, May 1994, p. 89)