McIImoils

All through the year Clara and Taryn have mailed letters back and forth to each other. John thought it was so cool now he writes to Derek too. Taryn and Derek are rock stars in our family!
Last year we went to Liberty Park and we were excited to do it again.
We went to Tracy Aviary. Booo... After I chocked at the price of getting in they broke the news that a dollar for every ticket I bought went to some "save the birds" charity.  I felt forced and tricked. I like choices! I would have said "No, not today." very politely but now I am complaining on my blog!
After the aviary we did the carnival rides. Tara and I were pleased to find out that because Fox News was doing a story on the park the rides were free! The children rode all the rides and the girls went on the swings three times. We were even on the news!
We ate and I saw my friend Andrea that I hadn't seen in 11 years. Then the children played in the 7 creeks fountain. It was a fun day. We love the McIlmoils so much! Let's make it an annual thing!

Emily Dickenson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.       

I had to get the snake photo off the top of my blog!

Blow Snake

 I know these photos aren't art but it was a memorable experience to see it craw under our cement porch. After Kelly killed it, and we figured out what it was we regretted it. We thought that it could have been a rattle snake and we didn't want take the chance of having a poisonous snake in our back yard. 
We let Clara and John touch it after it was dead. Clara got quite bold and John touched it once then was done. It was amazing to see it still slither even after it's head was chopped off.

Our Radish

Our first bit of produce this year. It really was a team effort harvesting this little root. Three fingers pushed under it to lift it up together. It was a really cooperative. One of those "pleased mom moments."

 Every time I go outside I sing two songs.  1st one is "the prophet said to plant a garden so that's what we'll do!" I remember Carl's Julie ringing it out once. It was beautiful and memorable. The 2nd one is the Janis Cap Perry song she wrote about Spencer W Kimble, "Plant a garden, keep a journal, put food in your store, study scriptures, pray that nations will open the door, be a faithful missionary though all of your life, keep a yard up learn a langue and lengthen your stride!"

Dash

It was a bit of a mad house at first coming in with all my progeny. But Whitney was sweet and eventually Kelly came and took Clara, John, and Margaret home so we could focus on this handsome boy.

A Little Learning

 These were taken at City of Rocks.

 

 

A Little Learning

by Alexander Pope

 

A little learning is a dangerous thing;

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;

There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,

And drinking largely sobers us again.

City of Rocks

For Memorial Day we took a day trip to City of Rocks. Michelle and Tyler, you would love it! We did the type of rock climbing that involved hands and feet rather then ropes and harnesses. Window rock was my favorite and I loved seeing the aspen trees. Heavenly Father really makes weird and exciting things.

Block Outline

I really love the way they play. It was John's idea to do the outline of Clara. Later he put in a cute little face that I didn't photograph.

Does anybody know how I can fix the blog so they stop cutting off the right side of my photos? I have been doing it the same since day one but sometime in April 2012 they changed something. I will start researching it but if anybody has any information that would lead me in the right direction I would gratefully receive it.

Big Day

 When I signed Clara up for ballet and violin I never thought that the two would collide into one huge day. Dance rehearsal, matinée, group photos, and a violin recital to end with. Clara really stepped up and performed well under a surprising amount of pressure. During the dance Clara said she made one mistake, but what I saw was leadership and poise. All the girls looked to her to know what to do. She now wishes she would have done tap too like some of the other little girls.
She was so tired right before the violin recital. But when an unexpected friend Brylee showed up to watch her sister, Clara brightened up and played her best ever! She had perfect posture and was the only one to take a bow after her piece was done. We are proud of Clara and all of her accomplishments!

My Yard, Black and White

The top will be red lilies.
The bottom is an update of the Horse Chestnut.

My Yard Color

Mom's Yard

Oh the struggle against great odds, to meet enemies undaunted!
-Walt Whitman, A Song of Joys

Nothing will stop spring from coming. At Cherry Springs Jamie noticed this snail shell being pushed up by some small growth. That same day while looking in my yard I saw this Lilies of the Valley leaf pushing through a dead leaf. So fun!

Mothers Day

We spent Mothers Day down in Salt Lake. It was wonderful to be around so many incredible mothers. Grandma Mary Jane, Mom, Lauren (with a new baby) and Aunt Kass. 
Dad was at work with the juicer. Everything tastes better when it is in beautiful glasses and on china plates. Dad, thanks for the chocolates!

Stephen

This is my new nephew. He is so sweet and small. He arrived surprisingly early. Things worked out for the best and he is doing so well. We are glad for Lauren and her family. He is such a blessing. Congrats Lauren! We love you and your family so much.

Back on Buttermilk

Back into riding and having a great time!