Happy 8th anniversary to my blog!

Dear blog,
I'm still here.  I know you haven't seen a lot of me this summer.  It's been crazy sometimes and very exciting around here with six of our grandchildren and their parents living/staying/going in and out under our roof. Happy 8th year anniversary to you and to me!  I created you on July 27, 2008!

Sometimes I think I will stop blogging.  It seems to be a "thing" that has passed its prime.  Sometimes I worry about privacy and sharing too much information.  However, I continue to enjoy blogging.  I don't worry about what other people think about what I write and I know I'm not the greatest writer.  I guess I just pretty much blog for myself.  My husband is my most faithful reader and commenter. I don't think I have that many followers or people who read anymore, but that's OK. As I've said before, I'm not a great journal writer and this is a way to document and preserve some sort of history of me and my family and some of my thoughts and insights.  I tend to have a lot of thoughts rolling around in my head.  So, I guess I will continue to write and to share.

Each year I've give my blog a little birthday treat, and this year it will be cinnamon rolls.  I love to eat them whenever I can get them, and I know a really good one from a standard one.  This is a recipe I've had for years written in my Grandma Mayme's handwriting.  I will make them this week as a birthday gift to celebrate with my little 8 year old blog.

Thanks for "sticking" with me and staying true. You are the "icing" on the cinnamon roll.
You're a dear friend.
All the best,
Vonnierom

July in the rear view mirror

The month of July went by in a flash. During the month we enjoyed a lovely weekend visit to Logan,  & Bear Lake and later to Rupert, ID.  It was great fun to spend time with extended family members.

The 4th of July is a big deal around here.
Tim McGraw performed at Stadium of Fire this
year and we all loved his concert and the fireworks. 

Tommy boy loved the parade 

Jord and Ellie enjoying
some homemade icecream

Dear friends and family always attend

Lots of good visiting and swimming going on

A bumper crowd this year again!

Dig in!

My little helper Liz baking cookies

Celebrating Mom's 90th birthday early
 while everyone was at Bear Lake.
Happy birthday Mom!  Sure love you!

The whole crew at Bear Lake!

Slurpees for Will and Liz

Hanging out and playing with second cousins in Rupert.

We enjoyed such a fun weekend
with these nephews and their darling wives.

My wonderful sister Janet

My darling niece Lindsey threw a summer party
to welcome Jordan and her family to Utah.
We enjoyed great games, food and entertainment.
Thanks Lindsey!

Water + kids = a winning combination

A fun luau!

Little Miss Margaret in her 4th of July dress.
She is the sweetest girl.

Other activities included:

• Attending a family reunion with the cousins on my Mom's side of the family and enjoying a great evening of visiting and good food catered by cousin Bryce's catering business.
• teaching the scripture study skills I learned at the MTC to women in my ward at my home in a mini-lesson format (vocabulary building, comprehension and retention, using a study journal, looking for symbolism)
• tutoring missionaries at the MTC several times a week
• took a friend to euthanize her dog and helped Rick bury it.  Sick.
• pass my annual mammogram and exam with my oncologist
• I got called to serve as a gospel doctrine Sunday School teacher in my ward.  Yikes! I was released as the Relief Society activities leader after 2 1/2 year.  Phew!  I was out of ideas anyway.
• Took a Spanish class to refresh my 40 year old Spanish conversational skills.  I realized that I started my mission on July 7, 1976, exactly 40 years ago.  Wow, that is along time ago!
• Played with the six grandchildren that were (are) living in my home temporarily.  Put puzzles together, baked, swam, went to 7 peaks swim park, read stories, went on outings, etc. etc. etc.  Ecstasy!!