Blajyn - August 29, 2009

Blajyn came to visit for a day. He is so cute! When he got to our house, he came in grinning from ear to ear. And said that they were going to stay for 2 years (he really meant 2 days). Love him lots! Blajyn and his Dad just finished putting together this puzzle.

Salt Lake County Fair - Dutch Oven Cook off - August 8, 2009

This was the last cook off we were in. We took 2nd place. We cooked, BBQ Beef Brisket, dinner rolls, and chocolate swirl cheesecake. It was a fun day, we decided that we needed to do this. Here is pictures of the food that we cooked. Then we handed out samples to the public.

Pictures of our booth.

Gwyn's Birthday - August 6, 2009

It was really the day before her birthday. And she was turning 9 also. What a cute little girl! Love them all so much! Words just can't describe the love I have for my family.

Some pictures from her birthday dinner and party. Happy Birthday Gwyn!!!

Grandkids playing at Grandma's house - August 4, 2009

Everyone came home for the funeral for Teresa. These are some pictures of the kids eating and playing. What would we do without our families? They are forever, and I will not ever be able to express how much I love them all. They are my life! Everyone of them!

Discovery Kids - August 3, 2009

We decided that we needed to take the kids and get away. To think of something else...besides being so sad. We asked Sarah, Nicole, Gage and Tyler to come with us just for a few hours.

These are some pictures that we took there.

Teresa - August 1, 2009

This is a hard one for me to write about. On Saturday morning and all through the day (I was in Idaho) I kept thinking that needed to get home, I kept feeling an urgency to get home. I kept calling Mark to make sure that everything was ok. And he kept telling me that everything was fine. Until I called at 7:00 that evening when we were leaving Idaho to come home. He told me that "Teresa didn't make it this time." I am thinking, what do you mean that she didn't make it? She had passed away earlier that afternoon. I am thinking that it must have been about the time that I was feeling so sick for no reason.

Susan drove as fast as she could to get us home safe and sound. Then she was going to drive my car home for me, and then drive her mom & dad back. But, the weirdest thing happened to my car. I pulled it out of the garage, turned it off and went in the house for a sec, came out and the car would not start. We pushed it out of the driveway and got Susan's car out, and she drove me home in her car. We decided that there must be a reason why we were not supposed to drive my car. For the life of me, I still haven't decided what it is. Cuz, in a few days, she started my car right up, and it has run just fine since then.

Everyone was gone from the house by the time I got home. They had the funeral planned, and they wanted me to talk. I would give everyone's talk for them. (Since they said that I was so strong, I could do that.) I think they have more faith in me than I do. But, they where counting on me to be strong. I can do that. I loved Teresa so much! I still have a hard time believing that it is true. I look at her picture, and think...you where such a good person. She made some bad choices in her life...but, then we all have done that too. She had 2 beautiful daughters and the cutest little grandson. They were the light of her life. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Tersa was a beautiful person. We will all miss her a great deal!

This is what her girls wrote for the obituary.
Our beloved Mom, grandma, daughter, sister and friend was suddenly taken from us on August 1, 2009.

She was such a loving and giving person, and was known as “T” by many of her friends. Her hugs changed the world and she was loved by all. Teresa had a big heart and brought peace to everyone around her. Her advice and beautiful face will be greatly missed. She loved to spend time with her daughters and grandson, and they were the light of her life.

Teresa and Kerry Graser were married on July 4, 1989, but were later divorced.

She is survived by her two beautiful daughters, Sarah (Tyler) Ormond, Nicole Graser, and grandson, Gage Ormond, her mother, Jean Renner, brothers and sisters; Ken (Patty) Saxton, Cindy (Mark) Romrell, Alan (Amy) Saxton, Kyle (Becky) Saxton, and Sheri (Shannon) Johnson and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her devoted friend and companion, John L. Rawlings. She was preceded in death by her father, James Saxton, stepfather, Chuck Renner, nephew, Chris Johnson and her grandparents.

The viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 4, from 6 to 8 pm and one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday, preceding the funeral, held at noon, at Jenkins-Soffe, 4760 South State Street. Interment will be at Redwood Memorial Estates.

Bryant, MaryAnn & family - July 31, 2009

Bryant had a doctor appointment in SL, I love that, cuz they stay with us for a couple of days. Bryant worked the bees while he was here. And they celebrated Jake's 9th birthday while here also. (I was gone to BYU/Idaho Education week, while they where here.) So, Mark took pictures for me. These are some that he took. Jake is such a good kid. Always wants to help you out, well...all of MaryAnn's kids are like that. All the grandkids have something that makes each one so special to me.

Bryant working the bees. Then everyone having dinner. Maybe it is Jake's B-day dinner.

Having Birthday cake on the patio. Happy Birthday Jake!!!

Education Week July 30 - Aug 1 2009

My cousin Susan asked me to go to BYU/Idaho to the Education Week with her and her friend Linda this year. I have always wanted to go to that...just never signed up for it. It was one of the best experiences! To be spiritually feed every day for 3 days from the time you got up until your head hit the pillow in the late evening. I loved every minute of it. It really made a difference in me.

We attended a Passover dinner on Friday night, that was very interesting. The bitter herbs that they eat 3 times during the meal, were bitter! When we where eating the dinner, I was reminded about a book I read called: The Devil's Arthmetic. (I borrowed it to Susan to read, so I can't tell you the author). Glad I had read the book, it added to the dinner in my mind.

I am hoping to go next year, and invite Mark to go with us. I think he would really enjoy it also.

We had 2 really fun room mates from Idaho in our dorm room. Every night when we came home they would be waiting up for us, and we would talk for a while. I enjoyed every minute of my time there!

Quilt for the out going Bishop of our ward

I finished this on July 25th. We haven't given it to him yet. Waiting for the next ward party, so everyone can be there when it is presented to him. I had wanted to get it to him before now...but we needed to wait for a ward party. Or I guess the whole ward could have showed up on his door step. It is called a friendship quilt, we tried to get as many people from the ward to sign possible.

Our Chickens - July 19, 2009

These are the chickens. We have had lots of fun with the chickens...and we really enjoy thier eggs. They were all laying in holes that they had dug, I was trying to get a picture of that...but, every time I go out there, they think I have a treat for them and they go running into their house. They are pretty funny!

Our Garden and Canning from the Garden

Middle of July 2009

Yellow beans from the garden and a cucumber. We haven't had much success with cucumbers until this year. And they have done really well. We have canned a lot of them already this year.

Purple green beans! How fun it that? This other picture is all the green beans after if picked them, I had to put this in the sink with the purple ones in the center. Don't they look pretty?

Cleaning the beans, and putting them into the jars to process. Only there is a sad part about the purple beans...they turn green when you cook them. So enjoy the color while they are fresh!

New Church calling for Mark

This was on July 12, 2009. Mark was called to be Bishop of our ward. What a humble calling. He had a very good Bishop (Bishop Wilcox) that trained him for the past several years that he served as a counsler. Mark is a good man and he will serve the Lord good.

Mark in his new suit. Looks pretty good!!