4th of July

The 4th was nice.  Started out early cooking for BBQ at Tad's in evening; Parade:  while getting ready to leave the house I had a call from Mel "Dorlene...there's a guy here in a boat looking for you..."  it was Timm Paul who was going to drive his jeep in the parade advertising the Trophy Elk Contest.  I was riding my quad in the parade with Kamryn and the ATV Club.  It made me laugh...Kresta came up to walk in the parade to honor the two local fire fighters killed in a car wreck last week and the 19 Granite Mountain Hot Shots.  That was the touching moment for me.  Came home and went to Nutrioso to get my tables at Aunt Virginia's and then dropped them off at Tad's and came home and finished my salads.  We all went to Tad and Brianne's for a bbq.  They did ribs and brisket.  We had pasta salads, potato salads, beans, deviled eggs, watermelon and there was tons of food.  It was fun for the kids to play and run wild.  After everyone left we went out by the 26- turn off to watch the fireworks.  They were really nice.  Kresta came in after going out and spent the night with me.  I am blessed to live here, am grateful for all who protect and serve and for those who have gone before that established this great country.  I am proud to be an American!

Sad Day for Arizona

Yesterday, June 30, 2013 nineteen "hot shot" fire fighters the Granite Mountain Hot Shots from Prescott lost their lives when the wind changed and the fire rolled over them from behind.  It happened so quickly that they didn't stand a chance.  I saw a blippie on Facebook then turned on the news and I cried tears in sadness for these fallen heroes.  The news people's voices were cracking...my own voice cracked when I called Tad to tell him.  I thought back two years ago and the tragedy of the Wallow Fire and in over 530,000 acres not a single life was lost.  This fire of 8,000 plus acres took out a hot shot team.  Each fire has a personality, each fire creates its own weather and with the wind blowing yesterday evening and the wind from the fire, the wind changed and trapped these guys.  I can't imagine the grief the other fire fighters are feeling.  These elite young men were engaged, newly married, new fathers, expectant fathers, sons, brothers, friends and HEROES.  I remember the worry two years ago for Kresta and Tim and all of the local people I knew PERSONALLY.  I remember the relief when it was over and they were all safe.  I feel for the local people that have served with the Granite Mountain Hot Shots, they have a special bond that the rest of us don't understand.  I saw Kresta's facebook post and she knew some of them.  It made me sad for her and so very selfishly grateful she is driving a haul truck this summer and not fighting fire.  Governor Brewer has ordered all flags to fly "half staff" until evening on July 3.  I saw an interview with Roy Hall (Bood) on Channel 12 and he mentioned the honor and respect for these young men.  I am so proud and grateful for the men and women who protect and serve every single day and who are willing to give their lives if necessary in that pursuit.  I am grateful that I was taught to be grateful.  My heart is sad for those dealing with this tragedy and my prayers join the many others on their behalf.

I'm So Tired...

I went to the Valley the first part of June and stayed at Jenna's for a few days then she and the kids brought me home and stayed the rest of the week until Weston came and they went home on Sunday.  A combined time of 12 days.  For the first 5 we had Jenna's four plus Trentin (he stayed to go to a wrestling camp) then Troy and Maggie came down and spent the weekend and went home on Sunday.  It was non-stop busy down in the Valley.  Gunnar's first week of no school was spent at wrestling camp so the kids were excited to come to Momo Sadie's house and play and play they did!  We went to Bailey and Brinley's dance recital on Saturday and it was so fun and nice.  They both did well and I am so proud of them.  We had Jenna's kids, Maggie's kids and Brianne's boys plus a couple of neighbor kids 24/7.  My house was tracked full of dirt and mud, the tubs were gross, but the kids had a ball.  They played in the ditch.  They played at the Park.  They played flashlight tag.  They camped out in Tad's travel trailer.  They ate.  They drank.  They played all day.  They slept a little and watched maybe 1 hour of tv total!  I went to bed tired.  I got up tired.  I cooked.  I washed dishes.  I washed clothes.  I swept a time or two. I even mopped once.  I gave up.  The kids had more freedom than they have ever had and I loved looking out and seeing them up and down the ditch.  I loved seeing those muddy little creatures come in at night.  They were tired but they had fun and that is what it is all about!

On Saturday Tad smoked/grilled brisket and it was to die for and so was his homemade peach/apple cobbler.  He is getting to be quite the grill master.  I will miss him when he moves this weekend.  Tad has been good company in the evening when he is through with work.  I will miss just watching Longmire with him.  He said he is only taking what he can fit in a duffle bag...we will see.

On Father's Day we had Grandpa and Grandma over for hamburgers.  Brianne grilled hamburgers and shrimp and made deviled eggs.  I made a potato salad and we opened a can of steak beans.  It was a good meal but honestly I was so tired I'm not sure I tasted much of it.  I was so tired that I was in bed and asleep before 10:00...

This is how we all felt on Sunday night.

It's Thursday.  I have swept, mopped, vacuumed, washed clothes, washed dishes and picked up the pieces and I miss those little guys like crazy.  I am tired today - have a lot to do but right now I am going to close my eyes for a minute.  I really am tired!  I was so pooped on Sunday, I couldn't spell poop - it came out popped.  So there you have it.  Summer and Father's Day - I love it!

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers

Tim got married in Tucson on June 1.  Tad, Brianne, Mom, Dad and I went down in my car and we stayed with Jay and Lennia.  It was such a nice trip...Jay and Lennia made us feel so welcome.  Tim's wedding was beautiful.  He married Alia Christensen - they have dated since High School.  They had their wedding at Wild Horse Ranch and it was such a nice setting for their 6:00 p.m. wedding.  Alia's colors were beautiful, turquoise and coral.  The wedding party looked so nice.  Her aunt brought flowers from California and me being a florist at heart thought it was stunning.  Their cake was all white with their wedding vows printed on it in white icing and decorated simply with turquoise ribbon around the bottom of each layer.  They had a dinner reception and dancing after the wedding.  I took Grandpa and Grandma back to Jay's at 10:00 so they could go to bed.  Jay, Lennia, Tad and Brianne partied until 2:30...they weren't ready at 7:00 a.m. when Grandpa had his hat on and was ready to go!  It was a very nice trip, got to see Lynn's family and friends.  The judge that married them was Monica Stauffer from Greenlee County (she is married to Chris Stauffer a Maloy family dear friend that I met many years ago).  Small world sometimes...Congratulations Tim and Alia - love both of you!  Her wedding photographer did an amazing job, too!

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Last spring Grandma Mary called me and said she wanted to buy a headstone for Damara.  I was so grateful for her generosity and told her so.  She told me to go to Everlasting Monuments in Show Low and pick out whatever I wanted so on the way to the Valley one time last spring I stopped and ordered a very simple headstone that I thought I would like.  Several months later the lady from Everlasting called me and said it was in so on a trip to Show Low one time with Tad we stopped and picked it up.  I had hoped for a family time to set the headstone but it never seemed to happen.  Last week I had an email from Debbie saying they were setting a headstone for Aunt Betsy on Memorial Weekend Saturday and afterwards they were having a family get together and my kids and I were invited.  Sunday Homer called and said they were inviting everyone and asked me to bring some chili beans.  I talked to Tad and he didn't have plans for Saturday so we agreed that would be a good time for us to set Damara's headstone, too.  Brianne and Gage were over for the weekend and we headed to Nutrioso Saturday morning and I am so pleased with the headstone.  I was saddened to see Damara's original headstone so badly weather worn and it wouldn't have lasted much longer.

Weather Worn but holding together

As a matter of fact it started falling apart when Tad just touched it.  It was holding together for us to put the new one in.  I am so happy with her headstone...nothing fancy but so very pretty in my opinion.

Tad making sure it is level

Her new headstone...I love it!

Damara's and Don's graves

After with flowers

After with flowers

The family BBQ Saturday evening was well-attended and a lot of fun.  

Uncles and Aunts

We had lots of good food and a good time visiting. 

Once again I am so grateful for my many blessings, the greatest of all being a mother.  I love my  kids to the moon and back and my grandkids make my heart hurt.  I know that one day I will have the opportunity to be with Damara again and get to know her as I know my other three kids.  I am so excited for that time to come!

Woops...again :o(

He is so tiny.

I got out of the blogging habit and posted my latest adventures and overlooked posting we have a new addition to our family...little and I mean little Tanner Jax Lewis was born on February 21, 2013 and weighed in at 5 pounds 6 ounces.  He was a little peanut but perfect in every way. 




Coming 4 and one half weeks early we weren't quite ready for his arrival, well at least I wasn't.  I had plans of making a couple of receiving blankets and a quilt and as usual, didn't have any of it done.  It snowed the night Troy and Maggie drove over to Show Low so I didn't drive over with the kids when Troy called and said he was here.  Later in the afternoon, Velda called and was going to Show Low so the kids and I rode over with her and they were so excited to see their new baby brother.

Trentin checking him out...

Kamryn getting her turn

The Lewis Family 2/21/2013

Maggie and Tanner

A few days old

Troy and Tanner

  Tanner has been a blessing to their family...Trentin just loves his baby brother.  He is growing but still a peanut.  He smiles a lot - there are times I think he looks like Gunnar.  Must be an Allred or Rogers look - anyway he is here safe and sound.

I am once again grateful for the blessing of being a grandmother...Tanner makes number 9!

Spring Break

Well it's been a few years since I've done Spring Break.  This year I went to the Valley on the 8th of March to baby sit the girls so Jenna and Weston could go to Prescott with Gunnar for the Rocky Mountain Nationals Wrestling Tournament.  I had all three girls and I think Jenna was a little nervous leaving them with me but we did fine.  Best news was that Gunnar came home a national champion with a 1st place trophy taller that came past his shoulders!  On Sunday we got up and loaded up and headed to California...staying in Carlsbad about 30 miles north of San Diego and 60 miles south of Anaheim and 10 minutes from the beach it was perfect.  Monday was beach day number 1- a little cool but the kids loved it.  They played in the sand and water for hours.  Tuesday we got up and headed north to Disneyland and it was a long day - 9:00 a.m. until closing 10:00 p.m. Our first place to go was to take Brinley and Bailey to see the princesses.  They both put on their princess dresses as we entered the castle but up to that point there were three little girls with tears and snotty noses.  Didn't look like they were that happy to be there they just aren't good waiters.  From there on it was hit and run, hit and run.  The kids had a great time but I'm not going to lie, I'm older than I think and by the end of the day I was as tired as Brinley and Presley.  Wednesday morning we chilled a little and went to the beach again.  It was colder and cloudier and Presley wasn't feeling so great (neither was I) so we ended up hanging around the pool and room for the day.  We hit Kmart and the kids got a few toys to keep them busy.  Thursday we were up and going again this time south to Sea World.  It was a beautiful day and the kids enjoyed it so much.  There aren't as many people at Sea World so the kids could get on rides easily without long lines.  They loved the Shamu show until Shamu soaked them.  Presley and Brinley broke into tears and the rest of us just laughed.  Gunnar was asking if we were going to get wet when all of a sudden we were soaked - twice! Friday was beach day number three and we had a great time again.  The kids loved the sand and water and it is so peaceful by the ocean.  Too bad the kids needed watching  because it is a great place to nap. Saturday we got up loaded up and headed back home.  Got a call that Trentin was in his first wrestling tournament in Show Low and he ended up taking 2nd place.  We were so proud of him.  The kids were glad to be home on Saturday night.  Sunday Weston had to work, I was sick and so Jenna took the kids to Stake Conference by herself.  She came home a little early, guess the girls gave her fits.  We loaded up on Monday and came to Eagar for the week.  The kids played non-stop every day.  We had Kamryn and Trentin around a lot and Ryker a little, too.  On Saturday Gunnar and Trentin wrestled in St. Johns and it was fun to yell for both of them.  Gunnar took 1st place; Trentin lost first place by one point!  He was so fun to watch.  We got home after noon and rested a little and then went to Boogas for a birthday party for my dad.  He turned 80 on the 19th.  My Aunt Myrtle died on the 19th and her funeral was on Saturday.  I couldn't be in 2 places at once so I chose the wrestling tournament.  It was a busy fun two weeks and I really miss all of the kids.  They are a joy and I love them so.  Little Tanner turned 1 month old on the 21st time is just flying by.  This weekend is Easter and if past years is any indicators the chances are better than not we will have a crappy weekend.  Troy and Maggie went to the Valley so they will be with Jenna this weekend.  I still have my cold/alergies and didn't feel like going.  It will be quiet but it will be more fun to go when I feel better.