Sunday, July 26, 2009

Pioneer Thoughts...

This year's Pioneer Day Celebration was held in Pima. And I am excited to report there wasn't a drop of rain that fell. (In past years, we've gotten sprinkled on, poured on, and even rained out.) It was beautiful, cloudy afternoon full of festivities. Jason had to work and endured some time closing intersections and pointing people to the parade route. Reagan and Travis loved the parade, hanging out with Larson cousins, and of course-- the fun kid games after dinner. We all enjoyed the fireworks show as the night ended with a "bang!" Fun memories!Travis got all his curls cut off by Aunt Amy. He looks so grown up! Mom got a new do too, but I didn't think to get a pic!Don't ya love that grin?! Silly girl!
Yesterday's festivities and today's church got me thinking about pioneers. I've never been much of a history buff--much to my husband's dismay. However, I do love stories of pioneers and their sacrifices...it is all humbling and leaves me awe struck. Jason's family has tales of handcart companies and people who made the trek West for the Church. The stories are amazing.

I also to think of modern pioneers, too. Both of my grandmothers (Louise Faye Fultz Hardt & Fannie Mayrice Steele Cole) are converts to the Church. They were pioneers for our families...they found the gospel and chose to make it their lives. In some ways, I am a pioneer also. I am the only active member of my immediate family. I want my children to have a legacy...to have the church in their lives. So is life...To Be A Pioneer!

PS--The Gila Valley is pioneering too...with our temple! It is going up fast and there was even an article in the paper today about it! Last week we went and saw it and it was just metal and this week the walls are going up! How exciting! Check out the church website for pics...I'm a slacker and haven't taken any!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Accomplishments...

This week was one of accomplishments. I started out the week with high ambitions and got even more accomplished than I imagined. First, I bottled chicken! And some beef! It's not the prettiest, but we turned it into delicious tacos the next night and it definitely made me proud. Next, Reagan learned to ride her bike without training wheels. She certainly has taken her time, but within just a few short minutes of riding on our new "paved pad," which is apparently all she ever needed--she is a natural and is loving her bike. Yeah! Jason's accomplishment is our new pavement pad back by the shop--with his dad's help, we have a great place to wash our cars (one of my later accomplishments for the week) and play some basketball...as soon as we get a goal. Travis's accomplishment for the week was learning to wake up in the middle of the night and come get in our bed...I'm not much of a fan of this one! His greatest accomplishment was going "potty" in his potty twice on his own--I just looked up and he was stripping off his clothes and had gotten his diaper most of the way off and said, "Potty!"...so off we ran and he was successful x2! Too cool and with no effort from Mom (I'm torn though--should I try to potty train him at just 21 months? especially with us leaving on vacation next week? I think I may hold off and hope he's still interested in a month or so.)
I think our greatest accomplishment for the week was just having fun though! We played tennis, went to the movies, went to the pool (where both kids learned to LOVE the slide), went to a friend's pool, played in the mud, made cookies and messes, and just enjoyed summer.
On a side note--I got to hang out with 2 of my "long lost" cousins for a couple hours on Saturday! It was fun and I was glad to "find" them and know that Amy and Dani are doing good! Cousins are fun!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Family Reunion 2009--Slade Style

I can't honestly remember going to but one or two small family reunions when I was a child. My kids won't be able to say the same though--thanks to Gram (Jason's maternal grandmother N. Dorene Slade Ford). Gram is the youngest of 7 kids--and the only girl. The Slades have a big family reunion in Eagar every other summer and this year was even Gram's turn to be in charge.
So, to escape the heat and join in the fun--we spent last week camping with (or by) Slade cousins with the other Larsons near Big Lake. We spent relaxing days just hanging out. The kids loved trapsing around the forest and getting dirty, going for ranger rides, and playing with all their cousins. There were even some notable fishing trips...Jason got the award for most fish caught in the 1st Slade Fishing Derby!
We enjoyed lots of yummy food, the very patriotic 4th of July Eagar parade, and some great fireworks... And even some beautiful and cool (literally) rain storms. It was a fun, relaxing week that flew by. We'll be looking foreward to the next family reunion....

Happy Fourth of July! Cute girls! And check out those super fun patriotic outfits--thanks to Aunt Dana and Aunt Kris!

Daddy and Travis enjoyed the Parade.

Mighty fishermen...and woman!
Nana and Papa and the cutest kids in the world!





















Innocent until proven guilty???

Nana made these cute shirts for the kids that track their linage for the reunion of course...ie--Travis's says...Slade, Ford, Larson, Larson, Me (Travis). Too cute! And look--they even like eachother--most of the time!









Quick! Take the picture--they are all holding still!











Reagan came carrying the elk bones to us at camp--what a girl! (Carson was convinced it was dinosaur bones!)










We love the rain!


























Cousin fun!











Travis loves trucks, tractors, and Tonkas!
The End!















Ps--Reagan and Travis were so glad to be home and just do more of what they do best--making messes!