weekly tidbit

Before we went camping I got things ready for Girls Camp.  I am giving a talk before Testimony Meeting on Tues and our Theme is "Frozen".  I have three parts to my talk and the handout goes with each part.  The "melted snowman...water" is to remind them of the Holy Ghost.  The "smile" pin is to remind them to Let it Go and Smile...to be happy!  The handout is about Loving and Serving others.  I think they turned out pretty cute.

Jared went with me to the store after we dropped Kimi off at Cherry Hills so that she could spend time with her friend.  I treated him to a doughnut of his choice...he chose the biggest one!  I sure do love my boy and appreciate all his help.  He helped me pack the trailer with the groceries...big help.

Family Cook-Out

I can't fully express the joy that fills my heart and soul when I am surrounded by my family. (meaning Stone's and Ropelato's...all Ropelato's)  They are the ones that make life so enjoyable and worth living for.  I really like that my brothers have been able to come visit over the last few years.  It's so fun having them here and enjoying them.  My kids love their Uncles and have made fun memories with them.

My poor daddy isn't doing well at all.  His body isn't working that great these days and it breaks my heart to see him shuffle so slowly to even get around.  I'm not sure we will have him much longer but I'm really hoping he bounces back. Jaydan usually enjoys cooking the steaks while he visits with my daddy but this year Jaydan was outside mostly by himself....he did say my brothers kept him company part of the time.  Jaydan put his head on my shoulder later tonight and was sad about grandpa.  He has a special bond with his grandpa and missed his visit today.

We all focused on the good though and had a great time.  It's a tradition to cook steak and potatoes.  My mom and dad bring everything we need and we usually fill in the rest.  This year Natalie made the best rolls (so good I had two) and Julie brought a Pasta Salad and Trichelle brought drinks. It was yummy and just right!

Susan brought her cute grand Hurley with her.  I really enjoyed his cute personality.  I especially loved it every time he called me Aunt Dawn or referred to my house as Aunt Dawn's house.  He is sure a cutie and such a blessing.  Shellie and her cute family came.  I think Shellie is one of the nicest people born.  She is so thoughtful and kind and always has been.  Shannie and her friend Aliesha came at the end and they were fun to visit with...they make me laugh.

It was a fun night and one that I will cherish forever!  I am so thankful for all my families!  They all mean so much to me!  It's worth getting older just so we can celebrate together!

Memorial Park

We went camping at Memorial Park with the Taylors over the 24th and had a really relaxing time!  I'm glad that we have our trailer so that we can get away every now and then.  I like staying close by so that the kids can come and go too.  It really was relaxing and I even saw Larry catch a few Zzzz's while we were gone. (seldom happens...so it's nice to see him relax)  I enjoy camping the way we do...even better when we have power...Larry did get a few generators for this trip but they weren't big enough to run the air conditioner.  I'm glad the nights were cool!

 I loved the camp ground. We were just west of Causey Dam and so the kayaks were fun too. The river was right by us so we could listen to it all day and night.  The mountain and trees were beautiful.  One day I saw two bucks and got so close to them.  It was so cool and made my day.  I walked over to were I saw them and then stopped because they started walking towards me without knowing it at first.  When they noticed they stopped and we had a little staring contest.  I tried not to breath because I didn't want to spook them.  I think someone came up behind me to use the out door potties and the deer moved on.  We only had the little road separating us which was so cool.  I didn't have my camera and so I googled some deer.  The ones I googled were so close to the ones I saw except one of the one's I saw was a little bigger...his body.

We  sat around and talked a lot.  I especially liked sitting in the "Lazy River" and "Chillin".  On Thursday the 24th the river was so cold but the other days didn't seem as bad.  It was relaxing.  I think I even got a little color on my legs which is what I was hoping for.

It's so much fun hanging out with Kim and her family.  Kim and I grew up together and were in the same ward.  We were good friends and she was even in my wedding line.  I have always loved Kim and Kevin and their family.  We ran into them a year ago in the store when we were each preparing for camping and they invited us to join them.  Kim and Kevin reserve big areas to camp at the beginning of the year and invite everyone to join them.  It's great and so nice to have somewhere to go!  Our kids all get along great too and so it's really fun.

We were thinking about selling our trailer since we have enjoyed so many medical bills this year but so far we still have it....we are scraping by.  I hope we will be able to keep it for a few more years.  I really do enjoy the fun we have when we use it.  We play games together and are able to enjoy each other because there aren't the distractions of life for those few days.

Good Times with Good Friends and a Great Family!

Birthday Celebrations

Sweet Kellie took me out for my birthday yesterday.  We went to Rainbow Gardens and had a great visit. We both tried a new item that was on their special for that day.  It was a Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich which was pretty yummy. I love going to Rainbow Gardens and looking around.  I remember I use to buy things there but now everything seems so expensive...it is fun to look though.  It's always fun for me to be with Kellie.  I admire Kellie so much.  She has so many wonderful qualities.  She is a friend that inspires me to be better.

Kellie gave me a cute cup filled with chocolate and lemon-aid.  She even gave me chocolate chap stick. It was the perfect gift.  I had been borrowing Jared's cup that is like this and had I wanted to get me one for myself....now I have one and the chocolate....well, you know...I LOVE CHOCOLATE so it was perfect.

I look at our picture and think: "Kellie is so beautiful...inside and out!"

Today I went to lunch with my mom, sister and Linda to celebrate birthdays.  My mom actually gave all us girls gifts.  She got us each a nightgown.  I love the nightgown's that my mom buys...they are the best and really they are the only ones I wear.  Linda's birthday is in February like my mom's but Linda's mom's birthday would have been today and so she got the gift.  I love this new little tradition my mom started a few years ago.  It's fun getting together and remembering the past and celebrating the now.  When we get together there is no choice of what we will eat...we have baby back ribs.  It's what my mom and Sevam use to always have...so it's what we have!  They are yummy!  I bet Sevam was with us~enjoying this tradition and remembering when her and my mom would come to celebrate her.

My mom is so generous and kind.  She works hard so that she can do nice things for others.  I have tried to do the same.  I love how happy my mom was today..she glowed!  What a fun day!

weekly tidbits

*I took Kimleighel and Jared up to meet their new niece.  They immediately fell in Love with Jordyn!  Jordyn looked more olive skin today....very beautiful just like her sister.  We took her a new born outfit so she had something that fit her.  She's such a cutie.  Kamryn is such a cutie with her.  Kamryn in the age Trichelle was when I had Kevin.

When it was my turn to hold Jordyn the others played Fibber.  Kamryn nose grew and grew...not so much because she fibbed but because she thought others were fibbing.

*I saw my mom and dad and even though my dad isn't doing well he looked and acted so much better than he did on Father's Day.  Justin, Braxton and Jaydan all went up and gave their grandparents blessings of comfort and peace.  My mom told me that she felt her blessing work and how thankful she was for my boys and that they are able to bless her with the Priesthood.  I am so thankful that they are all able to also.

*When I am stressed and feeling helpless I pray!  I pray all day and all night and ......I eat chocolate-this time Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Mini's!

*I am so thankful for Priesthood Blessings.....this week all of my boys have been a part of giving or receiving Priesthood Blessings.  Kevin and Jaydan gave Larry a blessing when he was suffering pains from his kidney stone. He was able to sleep pretty good that night.  Justin, Braxton and Jaydan gave each of my parents a blessing because my dad is suffering with kidney failure.  My mom called and told me that immediately after the blessings she felt peace and was calm.  Kevin and Jaydan gave Julie a blessing before she delivered Jordyn.  It was the perfect delivery!  Brad Hodson, Trevor Ward and Jaydan gave Larry a blessing the day after his surgery because he was in so much pain.  Moments after the blessing two huge blood clots shot out of Larry relieving him off all his pain.  He slept good and went to work the next day.  Priesthood Blessing are the Power of God.  They work...they bring comfort!

*I went to lunch with Tammy G.  We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and conversation.  I saw Judy Taylor there too and some interesting things were brought up.  I feel like today wasn't a coincident but worked out the way God wanted it to.  Every day I pray that God will guide me in my life and I am recognizing His guidance more all the time.

*When the boys and I went to the Burger Bar we saw Madi.  Madi is a favorite of mine...she has always been so kind and thoughtful towards me.  I love this girl!

Cupcakes with the Grands!

I love our little cupcake tradition....the kids really like it too!  They love coming to my house to make cupcakes.  They really love coming to my house to play with their cousins.  I know they love it all so I allow plenty of time to make cupcakes and memories while they enjoy each other.

We have to make two batches so that everyone can take some home to their mom's and dad's.  I keep an eye out for cute ways to decorate our cupcakes and this year we had "owls and sun's".  I think they turned out really cute.  When they make and decorate enough to take home then I let them decorate more any way they want.  It's fun to see how creative they get. (I should say the girl's get creative...they really enjoy it)

My grands are at good ages.  They don't need much help and can do most things by themselves.  So much easier than a few years ago. ☺  

We started off the day playing for a little while.  Then we had pizza.  The kids played some more and those that wanted to help with the chocolate cupcakes came and made them and when they were finished the others came and made the yellow cupcakes.  It was fun and everyone got to help with everything.  We ended by cleaning up and having ice cream cones.  Five hours just wasn't enough time for the girls and so they left with each other to continue their play.  I love how they all get along and love being together.

 It's fun for me to send them home with their creations!  I think they like it too.  Oh my little grands make me smile.  I think each one is so cute and wonderful!  I love them all to pieces!  Dang... they are so cute!

Bowling and Burger Bar with My Boys!

During my Birthday Month I have a day with the grands and a day with my girls but I hadn't had a day with my boys except our family cook-out....so this year I decided to change that.  I love spending time with my kids and decided to plan a little time to be with my boys.  I figured it would have to be later since they work and a few have little families.  I had decided that we would get Ice Cream at 9:00. Braxton thought it would be fun to Bowl with the Boys...and so we did both.

We met at the Bowling Alley at 9:00 and bowled a few games.  It was fun bowling with my boys even though I barely made a 100 each game.  You'd think I was a beginner or something.  I think it's because I think too much these days.....should I move my thumb a little?...where should I stand?....should I release quicker or reach out and follow through?....it was obvious I was thinking too much!  Larry was the only one to make fun of me....my boys just smiled. :)

We went to Burger Bar after Bowling and got shakes.  I love my boys and love spending time with them.  I'm so thankful for each child of mine.  Each ones adds so much fun and uniqueness to our family!  I am a better person because of each of them. They each add to the "Happy" in my life!

I thanked my boys for being so good.  They said it was because they had such a good mom.  They know how to win hearts over!