Son-Day: "Yellow"

Yellow
Coldplay
Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah they were all yellow,

I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called yellow

So then I took my turn
Oh all the things I've done
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know you know I love you so
You know I love you so

I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh all the things you do
Cause you were all yellow

I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know for you i bleed myself dry
For you i bleed myself dry

Its true look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine
look at the stars look how they shine for you

This song was played for my Aunt, chosen by her only son.  
Perfect choice.  
 
Rest In Peace Aunt Mary Helen Taylor 2011
~God Bless~

Cuteness Runamuck: July 4th, 2011

This year, for the fourth, we had a two family gatherings.

One was at my paternal aunt's, one at my mom's. 
There was much food, much fellowship, and much love to go around...

Kale, Kat, David, LauraJune, Miah

Since our county is in a serious drought, we had no fireworks (except at special protected places), so we just had to make do with these sparklers!
Have I mentioned how I love my grands? 
All were present except grandgirl Audrey in WI. 

I am thankful for all who made these days possible.
I am very thankful for my freedom.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day.

Rocky Mountain High 03/11

Usually, every year, hubby and I take a little trip to the coast. 

This year, however, we went a different direction, we went North. 
Northwest from East Texas, North to Denver, then West into the Rocky Mountains. 

This was a working vacation for hubby. 

 (ALL vacation for me:)

Tiny Minor's Cabin, Builder's Model Home

Our in-laws are re-doing their little (darling) Minor's cabin,

and the builder they are using does some amazing work. 

We were able to go see some of his creations. 

WOW.

I can't wait to see what they design together.

The landscape was interesting,

and we saw this group of mountain sheep nearly everyday.

Hubby was able to sneak up and get this close-up of MR. Ram. 
Great shot. 
I think this herd was more of a domestic group,
every time we went to the model house they were there.  
While hubby was inside talking 'shop' with the builder,
I was able to sit outside in our truck and watch SheepTV.
 (Very relaxing)

We stayed at a casino in BlackHawk (impressive),
where there wasn't much snow on the ground,
but just around the corner the snow was 5 foot deep. 




Hubby and I went for a little walk along the creek

(I call them rivers, but the Colorado folks call them 'creeks').
Walking with the hubs is sooooooooooo romantic...
Pictures don't do justice.
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G....

Frozen waterfall, romantic walks with hubby, great purple paint action in Georgetown, Co.

Hubby and In-Laws did the pre-build leg work in such a sweet Georgetown, set in a valley,
and the weather was so beautiful,
I was able to spend hours walking up and down the streets looking at the darling small Victorian houses and shops.
Almost every building had some purple on it, and I love purple.


Our 'work-cation' ended with a marvelous evening at the Denver, Colorado Temple. 

Good times...good times...

July 4th in August

We decided to have our family gathering on the Sunday following the fourth.
We were able to keep grands LauraJune and David.
The Saturday before, these two were ready to go shopping.

Both were big help to Grandpa with watermelon tasting, the watermelon passed inspection.

Sunday morning brought about this Pretty Princess,

and Dashing Doll all ready for church.

Then we went to my mom's.
There used to be a 'small' family reunion each Memorial Day, when everyone gathered for the day at mom's.
That had been moved to July 5th this year.
Sweet hubby was the chef.

As you know my youngest graduated high school this year.
He agreed to wait and celebrate when the family got together in July.
With each child a treasure hunt is given so they can find the chest dad and I give them for their graduation gift.
The kids create clues and hide small things for the grad.
This is powwow discussing the plan.

The hunt is on.

This always proves to be very entertaining!
We hid the chest in the livingroom, it took Taylor forever to find it!!
Good laugh shared by all!!
Congrats Tater-baby!!

Took all these shots from Miss Can'tMakeMeSmile

To get this picture

Then FIREWORKS!!!

Daughter Misty did the honors.
This year was a small display bought just for the babies.


Bestest part of the day? Family! I love my family.

Show And Tell Friday at There is no place like home.

A Life Well Lived: My First Love Story

Growing up, I did not realize my mother and father were a love story.
I came to realize that later...
But I was very aware of my grandparents.
My maternal grandparents were such an example of enduring.
My papa (pawpaw) was a handsome fellow, turning many an eye.
He and grandma were a 'steady item' til they 'broke it off'.
This went on for a while,
and he was seen at many a party with another girl.
BUT when he saw grandma with another fellow,
Papa decided it was time to marry my grandma.


Grandma would tell me her love stories.
And I so saw it in her eyes when Papa was diagnosed with lung cancer.
They fought it together, but it was to strong, and won.






That Christmas,
my uncle gave grandma this pencil print he had made for grandma,
she wept,
we all wept.

It still hangs proudly in their home, reminding us of their legacy.
Their life well lived.
Nolan Nelson 01/1915-01/1981
Joycelyn Imogene 11/1918-11/1996
Married 11/1935
Sealed 02/2003

This print is taken from a photo grandma & papa had made previously, it is surrounded by flowers because both grandma & papa loved flowers. Red roses for him, Anything blooming for her.

On Saturday the second wedding will be held at the house they built, on the land they cleared. Love never ends...

A Life Well Lived: Uncle Paul Duke

My paternal Uncle Paul, my father's idol, tickle monster, the ultimate tease, hard as nails, full of life, hero among men, loved by his angelic wife, admired by the rest of us...

Paul Duke:
born: 12/23/1937
12/2007 celebrated 50 years of marriage with his sweet bride
04/05/09 passed through the veil
04/08/09 body laid to rest and life rejoiced among family

This lovely little bell was made by my aunt, Unc Paul's wife, upon the 50 year celebration of their life together. It will always remind me of their life well lived.

A Life Well Lived: Taylor Brothers

Oh that I was a poet...


And had the words to describe a life lived their own way...
To speak of the brothers...


Herman...


And Aubrey...


Living in the ways of their forefathers...


In modern days...


Always seen together,
in overalls,
driving 20 miles a hour in their new pickup truck...


Or sitting on the porch of the home place...


A life lived their own way,
at their own pace,
leaving behind a silent legacy...

Of a life well lived...
The Taylor Brothers.
Aubrey 1910-2000
Herman 1907-1986

At the suggestion of my brother, we prowled through this family place, mostly trash is left, with peeling wallpaper, broken windows, and exposed wood, and in each room, the personal clothing hanging on the walls. One room with the name tag of Herman, one room with the many name tags of Aubrey, one room with overalls.
So many questions these men could have answered, so much wisdom they could have shared...Had I asked...

Camera Critters: Horsing around!

My BIL invited us over for an early Christmas.
They have a lovely (HUGE) lake house and everything was wonderful!
How great it was to sit and visit with them.
My 'menfolk' saddled up and rode the horses (which haven't been ridden in and while and were touchy) and I had to have a picture of each one...
(by the way-IT WAS FREEZING COLD WITH STRONG WINDS-BRRRRR)
Birthday boy-D (whose future's so bright, he's gotta wear shades)...

 

Tater sporting his brand new coat...

 

Mikey-poo (wearing dad's coat and notice the welding gloves? He looks a little like John Wayne doesn't he?)...

 

And hubby-dear (really what a patient kind dear:), good lookin fella AND get a look at this BEAUTIFUL horse!!
Sonny you da man!
(you can see how big Sonny is if he makes my hubby look small)

 

Thanks to BIL and SIL for having us, for neice and family for coming, and other BIL and SIL! Everything was wonderful!
I'm so thankful for family, and the beauty that surrounds me!!!

Merry Christmas to ME!

Christmas day at my mom's
(my favorite place to be)
The Players:
My kids and grandkids that were there;
Misty and family;
Mom, Uncles & Aunt;
Us Cousins

 

The spread, the 'old' married couple, Miss Tu-tu and Mr. Goober, the building of mom's new bench (from Misty), the opening of presents, the playing of toys

 

Warm enough to play outside (check out mom's new bench), LauraJune and David in action-literally...

 

And from UP yonder (WI), Audrey decking the tree with dad, readin' in the kitchen floor, 'paintin' cookies, lovely mom and dad...

 

What a wonderful day with my dear family!!!
Audrey's ear tube appointment went well yesterday!!!
Life is good! VERY GOOD!!!!

Son-Day: "When I get to where I'm going"

"When I get where I'm going"
artists: Brad Paisley and Dolly Pardon

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.

(Chorus)

So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.

But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.

And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
I will love and have no fear!
Teach me to love wide open today.
So that when I get home,
with my loved ones,
I will be ready!!

Let me love those in my presence NOW!
They really deserve all I have. Now.
Lets do this...now...I think I'm ready...I think I'm ready to fly...If I jump You will catch me...Catch me Father, here I come!
Blessings to all, where ever you are, Your God, Your Father really does care.