seLdom liKed

Happy Birthday to me...on the day before my 64th birthday. Just had to have a photo record, because this is my last year before retirement lol. And I like this pic. (I hardly ever say that...just ask Scott.)

PaRk CitY - to ski (or not to ski)

We love Park City - and try to have one ski day there each year. This time, I was too nervous about my knee to dare to ski (which is ridiculous because I had the arthroscopy 18 months ago lol). But I just know that if I fell and it bent back, it'd hurt so badly that I'd embarrass my self with crying. So Scott had to ski alone and darn it, I had to go to the outlet mall.

It was a beautiful weekend - surprisingly warm, but like all of Utah this winter, there was lots and lots of snow. The best part was that baby Ivy came for a sleepover. Oh, and Mike and Sierra too. It was fun to have them hang out and entertain us.

nEw granddaughTer

Our son, Mike, and his cute wife Sierra welcomed their first baby - a beautiful new daughter - on Monday, April 4, 2016! 

The baby came a week earlier than her due date and surprised us all. AND she also suprised us because she came quickly. Scott and I got the the hospital just a few minutes after the delivery. We had expected to be there late into the night - but she came at 10:12 pm after a short (but intense) labor of about six hours. 

We were all so excited when Mike announced her name. Ivy Raymond! I had been hoping for that name, because it's a favorite. I love our little Ivy.

 Mike and Sierra are so happy to finally see their little daughter - fine and healthy and BEAUTIFUL!

  The new dad.

 Aaron and Aimee live close by, so they were able to come and see our newest cousin. Their four kids will have so much fun with this new baby.

 All of Sierra's family were also there - two brothers and one sister and two spouses. And of course, Sierra's awesome parents Bryce and Leslie. This is their first grandchild.

This is a really fun little tidbit. Ivy was born on her grandma Leslie's 50th birthday! And even better, Ivy's birthdate is 4-4-16 and Leslie's is 4-4-66. I'm so happy for Leslie and this special happening.

EasTer dinneR

Easter weekend...in pictures!

Mom's and Merilee's birthday party!

My sister Merilee was born on our mother's birthday. We've always enjoyed celebrating their birthdays together. All four of us siblings were able to attend the party this year at my house and many of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also mom's sister, Aunt Norma and Uncle Skeeter. Norma also had a baby on the same Dec. 10 day - our cousin Jami. We always called Merilee and Jami the twin cousins. Mom and Norma were living in different cities and didn't even know each other had had their baby. Long distance calls then were prohibitive and rare. 

Party for Jen and Allie

Scott, Jen, and Allie live in Jamaica! The girls were able to come home for nice visit and we had a party to celebrate. 

music and biKes in Park City

Val, Merilee, Scott and I spent a wonderful evening at the Deer Valley Diana Krall concert.

It was the Utah Symphony outdoors series. We were so excited to hear singing Diana Krall. Somewhere in this crowd is also Doug and Kimberly. Doug has been a fan for years. 

Our seats had to be low, but we were glad we weren't in the blanket area. We had a picnic dinner too!

That's Diana Krall at the piano. She played and sang from the piano bench the whole concert.

And then it got dark - but it was warm and the music filled the night and it was magical!

The next morning we went for a bike ride.

Park City has lots of paths that are perfect for old people on cruiser bikes. 

Just to prove she isn't old, Merilee did tricks.

Not to be outdone, Val did a few of his own.

The scenery changed from Park City neighborhoods to a stream flowing through golden fields with the mountains in the distance.