Dad, can we go to the store and get some wood?

 Just about all Saturday Kelly and John spent there time building this workbench for John to use. Kelly did design but John did the sawing. And to be fair, John's band-ad came from slamming his finger in the door, not from a hammer. Next he is hankering for an ax!

Clara's Reading

Clara is finished with the Potter series and on to Narnia now but will stop and take the time to read the Friend and others to Margaret.

Six

I took a real close look at John and concluded yes, he defiantly is six. He is so capable and kind. This summer he has shown how independent and active he could be. He has spent so much time outside playing with neighbor boys and building hideaways. He has also been listening to Kelly read Harry Potter. John and Clara talk about it all the time so naturally he wanted a Harry Potter cake. He got Legos and tools and other kind gifts. Plus we spent some time talking about memories and things that we love about him. There is so much we could have talked for hours. We all love John!

These are just cute little things that Margaret has done.
Tucked her dolls in for the night.
Made a cozy bed where she can lounge and look at photos of John.

John's Biking Trip

 As a reward John got to pick what we did for the afternoon. I reminded him about this "place" (for lack of a better word) the Mayos showed us. He was all on board! When we got there he said "This isn't what I was thinking." Despite that, John Clara and Margaret were so happy to have a picnic then ride and run up and down the bumps.

Kelly's Bryce Photo

Zion

Little Glimpse

Just a little glimpse of life. Life is not always this productive, tidy and happy but they do happen. I am glad to see them when they do. I like being able to keep and reflect on these glimpses.  A talk by Bruce C Hafen articulates some of my thoughts much more thoroughly and articulately. It talks about dealing with the gap between the real and the ideal. I want to be one that sees things for what they are and for what they can become.  I also would like the ability to help make the ideal happen.

Anderson Reunion Part 2

The next day we drove to Mammoth Cave. We had an exciting time squeezing through tiny spaces and getting filthy. We also went on a hike to Cascade Falls which is the start of the Virgin River. The view was amazing the whole time and it was so fun to meet mostly family on the way there and back. After, we stopped off for ice-cream again at Duck Creek Village. Then next day we drove back home but had a good time thinking about all the good things about this reunion. We are already looking forward to 2017!

Anderson Reunion Part 1

 It was a very special year. Corey's and Eileen's 50 year wedding anniversary! We were all so glad to spend it having a great family reunion. It was lovely to have the children get to know each other better and spend time with Kelly's brothers. There were a few people that weren't able to make it and they were missed.
The first night we ate and had a family meeting.
The next day we hopped in the car and went on hikes in Bryce Canyon, then on the way back stopped in Panguitch for some ice cream. When we got back we canoed in the pond and enjoyed the evening visiting.