Scott's 50th B-day

Boy 50 is a big celebration - whether we want to or not. But it always is more fun when it is a surprise and Scott's was just that. I am late in posting this, so sorry it is out of order but it was too great not to post.
Julie went to great extremes to plan this, and pull it off. She did a fantastic job - and it was a huge success!
She kidnapped Scott from work on Friday Oct 10th - caught a plane and came over to Spokane. I met them at the airport, Scott kind of figured something was up... he went to the house and changed clothes and we headed out for dinner - where his siblings were waiting to greet him- Cari and Rick, Paul and Sheri, Doug and Sally, Randy and Calleen were sorely missed. He really was surprised and we had a great time. It is always such fun when the surprise works. And boy was the food incredible!!
It was so great to celebrate with him for the lst time since he had moved to Seattle over 18 years ago. He and Doug celebrate on Oct 9 and 11th and spent many years in their growing up years sharing the day together.
The Lord has blessed us all, every one, and Julie is one of those great blessings. Thank you, for the effort it took to make this day such a wonderful memory for all of us, Julie. And thank you for being the blessing in Scott's life.
LOVE YOU ALL, THE LORD'S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU

Thanksgiving Memories

As I write this we received the first snowfall of the season, not very much, but stayed around to make the ground white. We have had a wonderful few days. Lew and I left for the cabin on Wednesday - got the cabin ready, decorated and warm for the day of a part family gathering.
Ron, Naomi, Garrett, Gavin and Paige arrived first around 12:00 - then Doug, Sally and Johanna. We instantly "did our thing" of sitting around the table and talking, getting caught up on all the news. it wasn't long before Garrett looked at the piano and said "Mind if I try this thing out". And oh my!! Did the music fill the room to the rafters, we enjoyed a piano concert of the finest, the house, and our hearts were filled with joy. Thank you Garrett for the wonderful gift of your talent. It was marveleous, we so enjoyed watching and listening to you.
Chris, Jessica, Treven and Casen joined us and we sat down for turkey dinner - as normal ate ourselves full. Gavin said it was the only day of the year we are allowed to stuff ouselves. We missed those who were not with us, being with other parts of their family. But we certainly did count our blessings, and thanked our Father in Heaven for all of them, including each other.
Our sincere prayer is that He will bless all of us, each and every one, with the righteous desires of your hearts and keep you all safe in these perilous times. This is the beginning of the most beautiful time of the year, and we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior in true fashion.
The Lord"s choices blessings be with all of you this Holiday season - our love to all, with gratitude for each one of you and the joy you bring to our lives.
With love, for always
Carol, Lew

Adorable Great grandchildren, Ben & Alisha's family

We have been blessed with the most beautiful grandchildren and great granchildren- the Lord has been so good to us. Our deepest thanks to Melissa for her talent, and sharing these wonderful pictures

Halloween from Houston

I just couldn't help posting these adorable pictures from Josh and Heidi - Caden and Gabreille on Halloween TOO CUTE!!

Sunday reflections - Our week end in Seattle

Wow, I haven't written for a long time. Just read through all the blogs posted from this family - quite fun going through all of them. Good time to do this is in the middle of a sleepless night. All the pictures, from Melissa, Cari, Sheri and on and on - wonderful! I didn't even know that I was invited to do a tag! Sorry, I missed that

I have been busy getting "in the groove" with technology, no less. I now have an IPOD - never thought I would need one let alone figure out how to use it. But I have one, and marvel at how great they are. Also, got a new photo program - so I can figure out how to fix these enormous photos on the blog. Learning new technique at this age is not a lot of fun, but necessary.

Went to Seattle last week end, to watch Dallin play football, was able to sit in the stands with his letterman's jacket on - really cool. Had a great visit with Randy, Calleen, Ben, Jessica, Dallin, Scott & Julie. My most favorite past time - spending time with this fabulous family.

Until next time, love to all

My Country 'Tis of Thee

Ok, maybe I am a nut for being patriotic - but I must let my feelings out. Lew and I are watching the 7 part series of "John Adams" which is proving to be fantastic. It tells the life story of John Adams and his "vision of a nation of liberty and justice for all" - he guided his peers, Gen. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in setting the values and agenda for a glorious, free America.
In this perilious time of our country I wish the entire nation would watch this movie and remember what we were founded upon and recommit ourselves to the freedom we all have enjoyed. I highly recommend watching it, well worth the time.
Lew and I took a trip with CES Seminary Teachers several years ago and stood in the room where the original Continental Congress was held, and where the scenes were shot. How incredible it is to think about the sacrifice those nobel men were willing to take to give us our liberty.
How grateful I am for the guidance and love our Father in Heaven had for us and for those men in establishing the United States of America. What a blessing we have.
Love to all, my family, friends and fellow patriots.

Trip to Zion National Park

If I am not careful, this will turn into a novel. Just returned home from a perfect vacation - yes, every single day was perfect. Traveled with Justine and Blaine to Zion Park in southern Utah and there are no words to describe the beauty of mother nature we witnessed. How humbling to see this creation and the majesty of His work! Ten days of good weather, laughs, entertainment (Les Miserable' and Shakesphere) good food, visits with family and memories from our past. We came home totally impressed and uplifted.

Our last two days were spent in Butte, Mont. our birth place, where we spent many hours taking pictures of all our places of "growing up" - even went into Butte High School, where we graduated 53 years ago - tons of memories on a sentimental journey with about 140 pictures taken. Now to get them into a scrapbook!

My Little Bit of Heaven

Monday, the 15th of September was a joyful day. The days of indian summer in Spokane are setting a record for being beautiful - 80 degrees- bright blue, sunny skies - just a slight breeze. What a day to go to the lake - (doesn't take much to convince me) - however, there were two reasons. One sad, the other a joyful reuniting....
Sad, because it was time to take in the jet ski, to put it in storage, which means the end of summer. I felt like we had just barely gotten started.. However, the other reason is the happy one - we were having my piano moved into the cabin. I have been without it for about 10 years, Cari has been keeping it for me and needed me to take it.
So... the piano was moved into the cabin, and I sat down and played it and felt like I was home - since it is the piano my mother gave me lessons on. It feels so good to have it - and now I need to practice to get in shape.
Then, with the lake smooth as glass, not a cloud in the sky, I took a half hour ride on the jet ski, before bringing it in. I cannot describe the exhilaration of feeling the wind in my face - like it use to feel in our tri-hull, when I would sit in the front of the boat - it took me back to those good days. There wasn't a soul, not one single boat, or single person on the lake - just me flying - yes flying at 30 miles an hour- skimming across the still water and soaking in the sun. What a feeling of freedom and joy. I went all around the lake - saying "YIPPEE!
Dad & I pulled it in, sat on the swing for a while, said good-bye to the day and came home. A day I will remember for always.
Tomorrow, we leave for a trip to southern Utah and the Shakespere festival with Justine and Blaine. Life is good - many blessings to count.

We Must Never Forget

Each morning,when I pull the curtains back from our front window the first thing my eyes rest upon is a large American flag that is rippling in the breeze, three block away, flying from a tall flag pole so the flag can be seen for quite some distance. Went walking one day to find the home and thank the people for their gift each day - which reminds me of my freedom to live, worship, and raise my family as I please.
Today, Lew and I went to buy a flag to display - especially on 9/11 - but every day to feel the joy, and love of country. As we receive reminders of that fateful day 7 years ago, through emails and news reports, I thank my Heavenly Father for preserving this nation and pray for that to continue so my grand children and great grand children can also feel the joy of freedom each day of their lives.
Let's all remember, always, and give thanks for freedom, that doesn't come free.
Love to all, Carol

Dani's Tribute

While searching through my files yesterday, looking for a particular article that I could not find, I ran across the following letter. Written by my grand daughter, Dani, I share it with you - written as a school assignment in 1999. Hope you enjoy...

MEMORIES

As I sat in the pews, memories of my Great Grandma Dahl flooded my head. I remembered one specific trip I gook when I was just a little girl. Our family had gone to Utah to visit my relatives that lived there. One beautiful Utah day my Great Grandma Dahl and I decided we wanted to go on a walk. Grandma taught me not to step on any cracks or else I would fall and break my back. My grandma and I hopped along the sidewalk and before long, we were lost, but we didn't know it. Hours went by before someone found us and not for one minute did we know we were lost.

I smiled as I vaguely recalled that day to myself. My smile grew as I remembered a time, a little ways down the road of life.

My Great Grandma had gotten a little older, as did I. Our family had decided to get together and play in Grandma Grover's pool. Of course Great Grandma was to old to swim, but that did not stop her from getting in the pool. My grandma, great grandma and I eased into the pool and began inching our way around. We clung to the sides of the pool as tightly as we could. We squealed with delight as we made our laps around the pool.

How wonderful those times had been. My smile grew ever larger as I relived my daily visits to Great Grandma's house.

My brothers and I raced through the door and down the hallway to the mesmerized door of my great grandma's retirement home. It became routine for us to visit Grandma every single day. On the opposite side of the door you could hear Grandma slowly making her way across the room to the door. As the door slowly opened Grandma greeted us with her hugs. I would race to my favorite chair by the window, being overwhelmed with happiness, I would sink into the chair. Before long my mom would announce those all to familiar words "Come on kids, tell Grandma good-bye, it's time to go." "Good-bye, Grandma, I love you" I would say as I walked out the door.

Pools of tears formed in my eyes as I came to the reality of my situation. I slowly rose from the pew and began walking. I found myself looking down at my Great Grandma Dahl in her coffin. I treasure all the memories I had of My Great Grandma Dahl for they were the only thing I had left of her. I quietly whispered, "Good-bye, Grandma, I love you" for the last time.

America, Why I Love Her

This is a critical time in our country's history... I have loved the "red, white and blue" all my life. One of my favorite ways of expressing my love of country is by an honored patriot, John Wayne. Enjoy the song, listed lst on my music list, it stirs my soul. He was truly a great American

How do I begin....

To begin from the beginning of my life would be 70 years ago. That covers a lot of territory. I have been blessed with a full life, wonderful family, friends, career and now in semi retirement to begin a new phase of my life.
Along the way, Lew and I built a family of 5 children, shown below and then came 15 grandchildren and at last count 9 great grandchildren. Life has been rich indeed
My most favorite place to be is at our lake home on Deer Lake where we gather for family outings and reunions. The picture below of "part of the entire family", taken in 2006, is in celebration of the 30th reunion. We just had our 31st this August - we didn't get a picture!!
Our promise to Mom and Dad Grover, who began the reunions in 1976, to always continue getting together, has been fulfilled and will continue long after we are gone (I pray). It is our little piece of heaven - many wonderful memories are there, from the time our children were small to the great grandchildren now. It is our delight to welcome the entire family to visit, play, relax, have fun and good food. Come often, come early, stay long, and play hard.