May

I think if you listen closely In the sweet glad days of spring,

With the song of the brook, the breeze, and the birds,

You can hear the flowers sing.

May 1- Home Depot

It's always an adventure to go shopping with Kelsey. Today, we went to Home Depot to buy wood for shelves to put in Brayden's room. It's just about the last purchase in making his room complete.

And... snow! Why am I not surprised!

May 2 - pergola extension

Upon the suggestion of Valley View Nursery, we had an extension built on the front of the pergola in anticipation of the plantings we are using for Shaniel's garden.

April 3- broken finger

Yikes! Another broken bone for Makaela. She broke her left index finger on a bus seat... of all places! Maybe we should call her klutz in honor of her mother! (just kidding) We hope it heals soon so she won't miss out on too much summer fun.

May 10 - smores

Kelsey and Audrey's families came up this evening. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. And of course, made smores! I am always glad when the kids come up. Dave loves the look of the fire pit, but doesn't ever build a fire in it. Thank goodness for son-in-laws! That's the only time we get to have a bon fire in our pit. Dave doesn't like the idea of the smoke smell going into the house.

May 12 - Mother's Day




Precious hand prints from the three youngest grandchildren.I want to remember them this way forever. Love, love, love it!

Emilee - 8 months old today

Emilee is happy even when she's not feeling very well.

May 16 - D.A.R.E.

Brayden graduated from the D.A.R.E. program today. Congratulations grandson!

The Bywaters keep adding to their ever growing farm... new kittens. Brayden showed them to me. They were hidden underneath the haystack.

Alia - the graduate

Alia was so busy reading the program, she just about didn't make it to "march" in the procession with her classmates.

Congratulations Ali Bear on a big accomplishment! Next year... Kindergarten!

May 18 - sleepover at grandma's house

The Mecham family had a sleepover tonight. Dave was gone and Mike came to do some work on the farm that would go late into the night. It had rained most of the day and the evening weather was very pleasant. There was much to enjoy... riding bikes and the four wheeler, running in the grass, and having fun mommy time. The sunset was especially brilliant and beautiful tonight after the rain.

All the plants appreciated the much needed rain and it showed in their foliage.

May 20 - remodel prep

Crazy... I know! We should have had the bedroom built the time we built the house. I am looking forward to the new guest bedroom and a cozier feel (from the lowered ceiling) in the family room. Not sure if I am going to like the disruption, though. I hope the remodel job doesn't take too long. We are having Sierra Homes do it.

May 21 - framing

It took a half a day and it was done. Amazing!

Having the wood handrail taken down was hard on Dave. Can't blame him. It was beautiful. It's a good thing we still have most of it left to enjoy.

May 24 - electrical

Another half a day and the electrical is in.

May 25 - Grandpa Bentley's cane

Saturday... Memorial weekend. I never thought we would ever have use for grandpa's cane. I thought it would sit in a special place for me to pick up, look at once in awhile, and reminisce about the fun and pleasant encounters I had with it. But... it came in good use today. Dave has been gone out of town a lot. He had spent a week in Porto Rico and got back in town late last night. I put him to work first thing this morning planting tomato, pepper, squash, cucumber, melon, and pumpkin plants. So, I thought it would be an awesome gesture on my part that we take a ride on the Harley to Logan to visit Kyler's (Chelsea's baby) grave. I knew it would show him how much I loved and appreciated him and all the work he does to make my life so enjoyable. It was a great idea until... our crash!

We were just leaving the cemetery. I was on the back of the motorcycle  Dave said I was wiggly. I say I wasn't! Anyway, the wheel was not straight when we started out. The bike tipped over with both of us on. I felt my leg twisting underneath the metal but managed to get it out just in time. Dave was not so lucky. His foot was caught underneath an 800 pound bike. Some people rushed over to help lift the bike off. Dave's foot was hurt. He felt the pain immediately. He took his sock and shoe off and to our horror it was already swollen up like a giant marshmallow and was black and blue. It surely looked like it was going to be a nasty break. It was suggested that we go right to the hospital to have his foot x-rayed. No! Not Dave! He put his sock and shoe back on (loosely tied), had me hop back on, and we took off for home. All I could think of on the way through Sardine Canyon is that Dave was going to pass out from the pain, we would crash, and both die on the way home. It was the longest 30 minute ride I have ever had on that Harley!

Needless to say, Dave had to crawl into the house. He sat for a couple of minutes. Even upon my insistence, he refused to go to the hospital and insisted we go to a movie, as planned. Talk about stubborn! He armed himself with grandpa Bentley's cane, tended to some irrigation issues, and we went to the movies. He did agree to go to the doctor's on Tuesday if the swelling did not go down.

Logan Cemetery

Vegetable plants

May 26 - Heber City

After church we went to Heber to visit Dave's parents and brother's graves. We took Paul with us. We drove around Dave's childhood neighborhood and the house he grew up in. We were shocked at the poor state it was in. His father had always kept an immaculate yard and took pride in his home. It looks so sad with all the weeds and junk. Oh... Paul would turn over in his grave if he saw it in this condition.

May 27 - Memorial Day in Price

The Cliff View Cemetery, Shaniel's resting spot, is harsh, windy, and unforgiving. I don't like the spirit of it there. I wish I could pick her up and move her. But, I must go there. Look upon her beautiful face. Enjoy the beautiful flowers. Think about her. Love her. Her spirit is not there. She is in paradise, preparing for the temple. She is not concerned about this spot like I am. I really must work harder on not letting it bother me.

Wellington Cemetery, where mom and dad are buried, is peaceful and beautiful. I love to go there and take in the views, both inside the grounds and surrounding the cemetery. It has a good spirit there. 

May 29 - walk

Kelsey and I need to get in shape, lose weight, and feel better overall. We decided to start, again, today.  We worked it into our schedules to meet at her house on Wednesday's and walk down her rural, dead end road to avoid traffic. 

May 30 - Soccer game

Back to Price. I went to Cleveland and watched Riley, Nicole, and Carson play soccer. Fun evening! Tianna, Tera, Morgann, Haile, Jarrett, and Amie was there to cheer the kids on, too.

Friday morning, Greg, Amie, and I met at Worley's Monument to pick out Shaniel's headstone. That is hard to think about, let alone say out loud. Hard days ahead.

May 31 - good-bye boat

Amie and Clint came up to get the boat that we have had for the last 18 years. The one the kids grew up on. When the kids were young we spent most weekends on Mantua Lake water skiing and boating. Dave was a crazy driver! Dave was gone out of town again today, so Clint came up to change the oil in the four wheeler and help Mike plant wisteria and golden chain trees in Shaniel's garden for me. We made a day of it!

The girls... enjoying lunch under the umbrella and sticking to the shade mostly.

The boys... working! Planting trees.

Ben and Alia helping Aunt Amie plant flowers for grandma. The old tool box with Zinnias, and Shaniel's flower pot with purple petunias.

Goat head... ouch! Amie to the rescue.

Alia and Ben playing in the water.

Yumm... watermelon at the end of the day. Ben is enjoying his red, juicy treat.

Thanks kids... it was a great day!

Ben and Alia were exhausted at the end of this day! They found the couch covered in plastic, peeled it back (a little), got into a comfy position, and went out like a light!

Tianna's dog bite

Looks like she's going to live! I'm glad to see that the dog bite is on the mend.

May Birthdays

Josie - May 28

Picture was taken at Thanksgiving Point - Tulip Festival. Josie is so good with the little kids. What would we do without her! Happy birthday Josie!

Month in Review