I can’t believe it’s October already. I know everyone says “Where does the time go?”, but really….WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?
Warning: This is going to be a long, photo heavy post. 🙂
My summer was lovely for the most part. Full of family and great times. It started out with a huge stumbling stone, though, or should I say a boulder, or maybe mountain, to cross over.
Ashley, her kids, and I had been planning a two week trip to Oklahoma to see family and then to Branson, MO for some fun. We had just bought a new to us car and drove it to Kansas to spend a few days with Ashley and her family then head to Oklahoma from there.
We were one hour away from our destination and my car broke down. I mean making loud noises, not starting up again, etc. It was a hot Saturday afternoon. Thankfully, we had missed our turn and I was pulling off an exit to turn around when the car stopped. To make a long story short…..after several long hours of calls, road service, and no rental car service available to bring us a car, our family came to pick us up. The engine on the car was shot, dead, gone, defunct! AND not covered on any warranty. We stayed a few days with our family, but I was no longer in the mood for a trip and we didn’t know how much it was going to cost to fix. So rather than rent a car, an expense we were not planning on, we decide to cancel the rest of the trip. Luckily Ashley was not far from home and her husband came to pick her up. I flew home and my husband and brother in law drove to Oklahoma to pick up the car and tow it back to Utah. Aaaauuughhhh! THIS WAS NOT IN THE PLANS!
I am very grateful that we were safe, were able to enjoy a family reunion with family we haven’t seen in years, and the car has been fixed. Each time I go through something like this I reflect back and realize that we made it through just fine, even though it felt so hard at the time, and we have made it through so many other hard times in the past. Difficulties are not the end of the world; it feels like it some times. We grow and learn from them. I am so very appreciate of our family who helped make this terrible time not so terrible.
We did several flea market boutiques this summer. We love the hunt for vintage goods to refurbish and to sell, but it’s the customers and other vendors that have made this hobby of ours so fun.
I was able to attend two retreats this summer. I love these times to learn new things, create, and meet new friends. Marci from Fallow Field Farm plans incredible retreats. There is not one detail not thought of. During one retreat I was able to learn from the amazing Stephanie Ackerman. There just are no words to describe the experience of learning under such an artist.
Here’s some of her work.
Here’s one of the things I was working on. I had so much fun!
Stephanie is the cute one with glasses in the front. (photo by Stepanie Ackerman)
Now, I need to tell you about the incredible blond lady under me and to Stephanie’s left. This retreat was held in her home in Heber City, Utah. She built this home just for women’s retreats. She has felt strongly that bringing women together to create is so important. We will be doing a write up on her “Heber House” soon. I’ve stayed in her home twice and it’s the neatest place. Be sure to follow the link to find out more.
The second retreat was so much fun. I was able to hang out a few days with my oldest daughter Jessica. She’s crazy fun to spend time with and is so creative. We just got together with other friends to create, eat, and laugh.
Here we are out to dinner.
Photo by Christine Ishmael of Reclaim Yourself Women’s Craft Retreat
We also took a tour of Midway, Utah during sunset. It is a beautiful place.
My husband and I were able to get away for a few days to Park City and Sundance. I am continually reminded of the beautiful place we live in.
Oh, and I can’t forget the many times I stopped at our incredible fruit and veggie stands. That’s a major part of our diet for summer. Thanks also to Brittany and Dave for sharing their garden with us.
We got to take Brittany, Connor, Owen, and Avery to Cherry Hill a few weeks ago. That place is a blast. Swimming and picnics with people you love. What can be better than that?
I also got to go spend some time in Wyoming with these scrumptious little ones.
I wish they lived closer but they aren’t too far away. I am continually in awe at how blessed I am to have all these 10 amazing grand babies. My heart skips a beat every time I see them.
We got to make some salt dough ornaments.
Watch the kids watch the air popped popcorn for the first time.
Make caramel popcorn.
Here’s the recipe:


- 1 Cup White Corn Syrup
- 1 Pkg. (2 1/2 Cups) Brown Sugar
- 1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 Cube Margarine
- 3 Gallons Popped Popcorn
- Melt butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar together.
- Add sweetened condensed milk slowly.
- Cook to soft ball stage.
- Pour over popcorn and mix.
- Cool.
We got word that Ashley and her family were moving even further away. Louisiana! What?! Job transfer. Seriously!? So off to visit my sweet family in Kansas again before they move in a few weeks! I can’t stand the thought of them being further away. While I’m excited they are experiencing new adventures, it’s just hard.
We ate yogurt and celebrated Kane’s 5th birthday.
Made pine cone bird feeders while mom and dad were on a much needed date.
Peanut butter and birdseed is all you need.
The birds were all over them within an hour.
And then we went and saw a movie.
My precious Ashley took me antiquing and thrifting and on a fun journey to Amarillo, TX. It sure was hard leaving them knowing it might be several months before I see them again. I wish Ashley and her beautiful family lots of good experiences in the lucky state of Louisiana.
On the way home I drove to Castle Rock, Colorado to visit an antique store called The Barn. Oh my! I am so hoping heaven looks like this.
No, silly! This isn’t the barn, but a cute trailer sitting outside of The Barn.
(Gameboards used as wallpaper. Genius!)
This is just a very small sampling of what I saw. Was it ever fun to walk around this place.
Have I told you how beautiful Utah is? Here, I’m on my way home.
I have to tell you about the amazing party my sister threw for her 18 year old son Chance. We had so much fun!
Chance wanted a 1920’s Prohibition theme and boy did he get it. Here is everyone’s line up pics.
We all dressed up.
Ate yummy food and looked at the fun pictures of our faces placed into 1920’s pictures.
We took lots of pictures. My sister, Whitney, and her husband made the most awesome photo stand.
We participated in a “Poker Run” where we played Minute To Win It Games to earn face cards. This is “the Lounge” where we played. It was boys against the girls. After several rounds we got to choose the five best cards in our hand.
This was one of the games. Dividing the bag of Skittles into separate colors.
Girls won this round, but the guys ended up winning the whole thing. They had three aces.
It was so fun. Happy 18th Birthday Buddy!
Well, that sums up the summer. I am incredibly blessed in so many ways.
I hope you had an amazing summer, too. Now its getting ready for a huge amount of birthdays and the holidays to get ready for.
My final reflection on this day is that of my beautiful and amazing son who passed away three years ago today. The memories of giving this incredible boy life and raising him are bitter sweet. I miss him so much, but so grateful to be his mother and the mother to his three awesome sisters. So thankful for the knowledge I have of Forever Families.
For Jeremy’s story you can go here.
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