After many long and hard working hours, our backyard was finally ready for grass. This time we decided to break tradition and go for sod rather than seeding. Early yesterday morning a crew of family and neighbors came and an hour later . . . we had grass!!! It seems so strange to look out the kitchen window and actually see green stuff. :-) Thanks so much to all of our many helpers but especially to my hard-working husband who has spent countless hours getting ready for this day!
What an exciting afternoon! ATK was test firing the 5 stage motor that is to take Ares I into space. Grandma Barker, Linda, Turley and Justin all came up to watch. Arriving almost an hour early, we were part of the first wave of thousands of spectators who came to see this historic motor test. It was as spectacular as we expected and then some!
Ok, it's the wee hours and I'm having some trouble sleeping. Thought I'd try out my new found knowledge about inserting video clips by sharing my favorite M&M commercial:
What a great summer! There have been too many wonderful moments to name them all, but I can't resist mentioning a few top highlights!
New Missionaries! I consider May the beginning of the summer so we'll start there. It was wonderful attending the Mission farewell for Sheryl & Norman! I'm so thrilled over the incredible experiences they are having. My prayers are with them every day!
Sheryl & Norman in Kirtland
The new Star Trek movie opened in May!
Sun Room! We finally finished the framing and siding on our sun room!!! Actually, I probably should clarify that statement. The wonderful crews we hired finished the outside of our sun room. There's a lot to finish on the inside but all in due time! :-)
Barker Family Reunion! I love my family very much and feel extremely privileged to be part of this wonderful extended family! We had a great party in June at the Ogden Nature Center. It was great seeing everyone!
Jim, Tom & Glenna
Some of the Barker clan
Game nights! It's wonderful getting together around the table and playing games. It's great when one of our "families" can come by to play but sometimes in the evening, Kevin and I will relax and play a few games together.
Addie stacking the game pieces
Game night with John's family
New York Trip! Our trip was definitely at the top of the list of summer highlights! In fact, the time went by too quickly. We loved visiting with Marian and Randal in their home, visiting some of the Church History sites, playing games, spending time with our grandchildren and generally enjoying ourselves! :-)
Adelaide and the pink flower that Grandpa bought for her Mom
Rice Krispie Treats! We had a great visit from Marian and her children, Ethan and Adelaide! We were sad to see them go home and would gladly have kept them longer. While they were here, Ethan and I had great fun making Rice Krispie treats. In fact, we made them three times! Every time we got them made, they suddenly vanished! :-)
RICE KRISPIE TREATS 1/4 c. regular margarine or butter 6-10 oz. marshmallows (about 40 regular or 4 c. mini's) 5 c. Rice Krispie cereal
Melt margarine in a 3 qt. saucepan. Add marshmallows and cook over very low heat, stirring constantly until marshmallows are melted and mixture is syrupy. Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies and stir until well coated. Butter your hands and then press warm mixture firmly into 13x9 pan. Cut into squares when cooled.
Sewing! My cutting mat and sewing machine really got a workout this summer. I spent one day sewing beach bags with some of my grandchildren which was really great fun! And Marian and I spent several days cutting out "nativity" costumes for both of us. What a lot of work that turned out to be! Now we just need to sew them together! :-)
Ethan, Kimberly, Alicia, Natalie & Addie with their beach bags
Bear Lake! After two canceled rainy weekends, the weather finally cooperated and allowed us to enjoy our annual day at Bear Lake.
Alicia, Kevin & Rebekah building sand castles
Justin, Dana, Natalie, John & Tammy relaxing in the water
Ken shooting off the water gun at Justin!
Justin and the kiddie life preserver :-)
New Grand-daughter! This summer we celebrated the birth of a new grand-daughter! Lillian Janell was born in July and is definitely a choice little spirit. I feel privileged that we share a name! I'm certainly reminded that I need to live my life so that she will never be ashamed of the name she was given.
Lillian on her blessing day
I have a little plaque on my kitchen windowsill that reads "Nothing is worth more than this day!" I'm so very grateful for all the "days" in my life. I am truly blessed!
Ares I into space. Grandma Barker, Linda, Turley and Justin all came up to watch. Arriving almost an hour early, we were part of the first wave of thousands of spectators who came to see this historic motor test. It was as spectacular as we expected and then some!
Sheryl & Norman in Kirtland
Jim, Tom & Glenna
Some of the Barker clan
New York Trip! Our trip was definitely at the top of the list of summer 
highlights! In fact, the time went by too quickly. We loved visiting with Marian and Randal in their home, visiting some of the Church History sites, playing games, spending time with our grandchildren and generally enjoying ourselves! :-)
Rice Krispie Treats! We had a great visit from Marian 
and her children, Ethan and Adelaide! We were sad to see them go home and would gladly have kept them longer. While they were here, Ethan and I had great fun making Rice Krispie treats. In fact, we made them three times! Every time we got them made, they suddenly vanished! :-)
Ethan, Kimberly, Alicia, Natalie & Addie with their beach bags
New Grand-daughter! This summer we celebrated the birth of a new grand-
daughter! Lillian Janell was born in July and is definitely a choice little spirit. I feel privileged that we share a name! I'm certainly reminded that I need to live my life so that she will never be ashamed of the name she was given..JPG)
