Giddy-Up!

Chloe Jane rides the horse!

I love how our kids give our grandkids enrichment opportunities all the time. Recently Lowell's sister and her family moved to Utah not far from where our kids live. On Labor Day they went out to visit and have a barbeque. The girls' Uncle Gordon gave them each an opportunity to ride their horse. I thought these photos were just so colorful and fun.

Miss Julia gets a turn!

Hazie rides the horsey!
She looks rather excited about this, don't you think?
She looks so tiny up there!
Hang on to her, Daddy!

Miss Piper gives it a try!
She looks so grown up on the horse
when you see where her feet are!

Hazel fell in love with their beautiful dog.

Jen said she spent about three hours doing this!

What a great and fun family day. The girls will never forget the wonderful things their parents expose them to when they are young. Isn't it fantastic that activities don't have to be expensive or elaborate to be meaningful in our lives? The wholesome times we spend together with our families are what make up the beautiful moments of life.

It is in times just like these that passions are born, talents and interests are developed, and family bonds are deepened. We have heard that families that pray together stay together. I think it can also be said that families that play together stay together too. Each little moment like this add to the glue that creates a heart print that endures.

Happy Birthday Piper!

Happy Birthday Miss Piper!

Today is a happy day, albeit a little bitter-sweet. Our beautiful little first grandchild is turning 12! On this day 12 years ago... a joy, like a rushing, bright light entered our hearts and life has never been the same. I am still amazed at the instant, deep love one has for a grandchild, it is a beautiful gift and one that surprised me with its intensity.

Piper and Spencie

It seems like such a short time ago she and Spencer where so little and playing in the wading pool in our backyard. This year, not only Piper but Spencer and Connor will be 12 also. You know our kids, they do everything in threes. All married within four months in 1997 and all had a baby within seven months of each other, two years later.

This was that defining photo. When I saw it sometime this past year, I knew she wasn't a little girl anymore....swiftly go the days...! She is a cute and perky preteen and coming into her own on many levels. (Piper, we could not love you more or be more proud of you.) Just last night she performed in her first drama production at school. How sad we are to have missed seeing it. I know she was fantastic in her role. She is such a beautiful girl and so sweet and caring. I love that about her so much. Tell me this isn't the day she can start wear a little make-up! Yep, I think it is!


Twelve is a fun age for girls in our church. She gets to go to our Young Women's Program now which is just amazing. They get to learn more about the gospel as it pertains to growing up and seeking after a life that will make our Father in Heaven happy and make them happy too. They have wonderful leaders that help them learn the young woman's values which are:

This is their theme which they memorize and
recite in unison with their friends
every week on Sunday.

They have a lot of very fun activities and they learn to serve others and enjoy this beautiful earth we have been given at Girls' Camp once a year. They have week night activities one night a week as well as great Sunday lessons. It is a wonderful foundation for a young woman and one we are so happy that she will have. There is a companion program for the boys which I will share with you when Spencer turns 12 in May.

So Happy Birthday to our Beautiful Piper!
Eat Cake!

We wish we could spend this
Special Day with you, Honey!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

Seed Pearls and Lace

A Jewel of a Face

Grins that won't stop....

And a Cherry on Top!

Scottish Adventures For Pipes and Jewels

Chloe's Souvenir from the travelers
~Love it!! The 'hair' is a crack-up!

We really enjoyed this vacation vicariously of Piper and Julia's, our oldest granddaughters. Since Piper was born in Edinburgh eleven years ago she has been looking forward to returning to her birthplace. Lowell's work took him there this month and it was the perfect time for them to fulfill their promise to Piper to take her back. In a way Julia's beginnings are here too as Jen was 4 months pregnant when they returned to the USA. I have been to Edinburgh twice and Jim three times so these lovely places are so familiar. If you haven't been you may enjoy seeing some of their adventures around this beautiful city and the surrounding areas. Jim and I have dreamed of serving a mission here someday. We will start looking for that opportunity very soon.

Fashionable young ladies at the
Royal Botanical Gardens
always kept at the ready for a
visit from the Queen!

At the Pond in Invertleith Park near
the flat where they once lived.

The girls beach combing @ North Berwick

The streets of Edinburgh

The Monument to Greyfriar's Bobby
This little Skye Terrier kept watch over his
master's grave until
he himself died 14 years later.

Ice Cream from Luca's

Where JK Rowlings got much of her
inspiration as she sat writing while over
looking Edinburgh Castle.

JK Rowling's home in Edinburgh,
she lives fairly close to
our friend Paul's home
where Lowell and the kids were staying.
The girls enjoyed Harry Potter
so this was fun for them.

This particular phone booth
does not descend to the Ministry of Magic!

Monument to Sir Walter Scott,
one of Scotland's favorite sons.
Under this huge structure dedicated
to him sits this statue of him and his dog.

The Pilgrimage

The Royal Infirmary where Piper was born.

The street where they lived~
Dean Park Street

Piper and Julia in front of the building
where they lived when Piper was a tiny baby.

The Scottish National Monument

Piper hugging one of the columns...

Flamingos at the Edinburgh Zoo

Julia loved the nooks and crannies of the castles.

Across the street from their old flat.

The Famous Princes Street very crowded this day.

The girls at the National Science
Museum trying on Space suits!

On the town on Castle Street

View of the Castle from the gorgeous
Princes Street Gardens

Enjoying the scenery and taking photos!
Waiting for their lunch at Mamma's Pizza!

Climbing, climbing, climbing~
The Castle Wynd Steps

The Cannon at Edinburgh Castle.
Mons Meg

The view from the top!

Check out the seat covers on this bus!

Loving the open air tourist buses.

Cute photo, Lowell!

Highlander all dressed up and sporting
a kilt for the passersby and photographs.

A glimpse of Holyrood Castle where the
Queen stays when she visits Edinburgh.

The Castle where The Crown Jewels are kept.

The Castle from Waverly Bridge above
the rails and near the Waverly Station.

Old Town

St. Giles Cathedral in the background.

Royal Scottish Academy

Inside St. Giles Cathedral

Edinburgh Castle Entrance with Paul.

Piper and the guys!

Julia's turn!

A little window shopping...

The Plaza in front of St. Giles Cathedral
Piper once had her photo taken here with a bagpiper!

Heading for Paul's flat.

These photos are not any particular order...they were just selected from a group of many, many more pics! Thanks Lowell for taking us along! We had a lot of fun! We are glad you are home safe and sound. Loved the gift you brought Chloe! I have a feeling it was a winner in her eyes!