Snakes and Pigs and Birthday Dinner--Oh, My!

This weekend had a little bit of everything--including a water moccasin! There has been so much rain lately, it must be bringing out the snakes. When George was coming home from work, he saw a water moccasin on the road. He quickly came home and got me to show it to me. It was still there on the road, and soon we had all kinds of cars stopping to see what we were looking at. It reminded me of Yellowstone Park. All you have to do is pull over and look, and everyone else does because they are sure you have seen some sort of critter. Anyway, someone had run over him and he was pretty close to death. George and another guy threw him off the road into the ditch.

Later, George had to take back Amy and the kids to show them. It was definitely dead by now.

On Saturday, Craig and Cassie came over to hang out. We took everyone to the Sharp's residence in our ward to see their new pot belly pigs. The kids loved them! (But, no, we don't want to house break one and have it for a pet as some people do! They say you can train them just like a dog!)

We then went to Spring Park where the kids had a great time on the playground and we all enjoyed watching them. Jeff and Craig went to watch some kids trying to catch fish off the dock.

Finally, we all went to a belated birthday dinner for me. Craig and Cassie treated me to a great birthday dinner. Thanks, Craig and Cassie! But the best part, was having so many of us together for it. I loved it!

Memorial Day

It is always good to have Memorial Day to remember many loved ones who have passed away. Yesterday (May 24th) was the 7th anniversary of my mother leaving this earth for a far-better place. I can't believe it has been that long--but in the meantime, I so admire how my dad has done such a great job taking care of himself. At 86, he still works full-time at the law office, and is a Stake Patriarch, who has done over 800 Patriarchal Blessings. Wow! He really is amazing! All of my family had a special remembrance of my mother yesterday at the cemetery in Rexburg, Idaho. I was sad that I couldn't be there in person, but I had a wonderful talk with my dad the night before to tell him all of my remembrances of my wonderful mother who was the epitome of motherhood and made my job as a mother so much easier because of her great example.


My parents and the seven children. I am the oldest and this was taken when I was just starting my junior year in college.Today, since there was no school, George and I, along with Jeff, Garrett, and Isaac, went to the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine. Amy and little Lola were still in Dallas and were coming home tonight. We had such a great time together. Here are some of the photos I shot!

The albino gator. He looks like white chocolate!
Papa showing Garrett the huge bull gators.
The animal worker got in with the biggest gators in the park and started walking around among them. She then started pulling out frozen rats and started throwing them toward the gators. I think they have been fed too much. They didn't seem too excited, but then who would be if you were given a frozen rat for lunch. Ugh!

I think I was hurrying too fast to take this picture and didn't get it steady enough!



Then Garrett used the map to maneuver us all over the Gator Farm. He did a great job, and we didn't miss a thing!


Garrett in front of a real crocodile skeleton.
This was a crocodile that was nearly 18 feet long that died in about 1992. He used to live at the Gator Farm. He was gigantic!
We saw wonderful animal shows. This is a diamond back rattle snake. His rattle was shaking almost the whole time she was telling us about him. She sat him on the crates for awhile. He was too heavy!
Garrett was so brave and touched the non-poisonous snake the handler was showing. Isaac was a little more timid and decided he just wanted to look.

There is a beautiful lake with literally hundreds of birds around it. This was the perfect time to see them nesting and watch their babies in the nest. They were so close we could have touched them!


Before you call child protection, I will tell you the following pictures are of the one and only non-real gator in the whole park!




Seriously, I was afraid we were going to have trouble getting George out of this predicament! But fortunately, he maneuvered out, and then Jeff took us all to lunch. What a great family day together! We only wished we could have had all the grandkids with us!

A Special Day

You know, I've long ago put aside that I'm excited for birthdays to roll around. I mean, all they remind me about is that I sound like I'm getting old, while I'm trying to still act like I'm young. Anyway, the thing about it is--the day is still special when you have a wonderful family and great friends who make it that way.

First, my husband was so cute to bring me a salad for lunch (and him one, too). We ate at my desk while my students were all studying. They were all so sweet and didn't ask any questions after George told everyone it was my birthday. Then after school was out, I went into the office and saw the principal who started chewing me out about a computer that wasn't working in my room. He started telling me how we needed to be more careful with equipment while my jaw was just dropping! (By the way--the only thing wrong was that the mouse wasn't working.) Anyway, as I'm reeling, trying to figure out where all this is coming from, he suddenly says, "What do you think this is anyway--your birthday!" Then he broke into laughter and led me into the break room where the wonderful people in the office had brought me flowers and a birthday cake with the biggest chocolate dipped strawberries I have ever seen. Needless to say, I had a wonderful birthday party.

Then that night, George took me out to dinner at my favorite birthday spot--Koko's Japanese Restaurant where they cook in front of you. I think this was the 3rd or 4th year in a row that we've eaten there for my birthday. I love it! Craig and Cassie were coming, but it got too rainyto drive from Gainesville, so they gave me a "rain check" (hah!) and told me they would take me to dinner another time.

Throughout the whole afternoon and evening, I heard from my wonderful kids, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, grandkids, and some of my siblings by phone. What a blessed person I am to have so many wonderful people in my life!

Birthday Dinner for Craig

Last night we had a birthday dinner for Craig in the beautiful downtown metropolis of Starke at the most exquisite Sonny's BBQ Restaurant. With that said, it really is a family favorite--both Craig and Cassie love it there, and it was a celebration for Craig's birthday. Even though his birthday isn't until Wednesday, George will be at church meetings that night, so we opted for Family Home Evening night as a together night. We had a great time! Amy and the kids went, too. (Sorry, I only took a picture of Little Lola and her bedroom right before we left. I only have the quilt to do, and then it will all be finished.) Jeff was working late, so he didn't get to come, but we brought him home a huge take-out. Craig and Cassie are the ultimate uncle and aunt, and all the kids love to be around them. Can't wait until we can all play with their kids! (Did I just say that????)