Art

There are a few things that Larry & I simply don't agree with. Stuff on the fridge happens to be one of them. When we redid the kitchen a few years ago, he was thinking about a stainless steel fridge. 'The fridge stuff won't stick to it', I said. 'Exactly' he replied. Hmmm... When we knew that our busy lives wouldn't go well with the hand prints and upkeep that come with stainless steel, I was happily relieved.

Ransom & Katie, his brother David and Conrad made these cute little animals for me using their handprints... I couldn't wait to make them a home in their place of honor... our fridge. Can they be any cuter?
-Brenda

When Conrad Comes to Work...

It doesn't matter what is going on at Pebbles... when I hear Conrad's voice and the little pitter patter of his feet, the world stops and suddenly all the problems of running a small business right themselves or at least get put into perspective. This boy is so loved as he is transferred from one loving set of arms to another, whether it's family or our friends here. If we are lucky he will show us his latest tricks. He will hopefully always know love.
-Brenda

Sleepover

With much of the family gone to St. George to give that Pebbles store a little boost of fresh paint, the rest of us are holding down the fort at home. My favorite part? I always look forward to the sleepovers with my girls at night time. Everyone piles into our room. When I am away, they are the first to want sleepovers with their Dad too. It's good bonding time, though right away, Kelsie told me to stop singing & talking... everyone was tired and we quickly fell asleep.
-Brenda

Winding Down

Kelsie's texting days are happily coming to an end... Josh will finally be here on Saturday. I think about how technology has changed over the years and how it now allows people to stay in close touch and what a blessing it can be in our lives when we live apart from each other :)
-Brenda

Best Friends

Abby & Miranda. Best Friends. What would life be without your best friend? Horrible at best. These two are inseparable and can be found riding their bikes, playing with Conrad, going to Harmon's (grocery store), hanging out with the rest of the neighborhood kids, watching movies, eating at each others houses (depending on who is offering the tastiest meal of course), sleepovers, hanging out with Kelsie and passing the time by trying to figure out what they want to do. 'What do you want to do? I don't know what do you want to do?' They are often just happiest having some downtime doing nothing. Miranda is such a blessing to our family & to Abby... she is much loved by all of us! And they love, love Abby on their end :)
-Brenda

Josh HHS Graduation 2009

We watched Josh Balmforth's graduation today from HHS in Michigan this afternoon. It was live online... amazing! Kelsie squealed with delight when she found out she could watch him graduate. Modern technology is truly a miracle and we feel so grateful to share in his day, even from Utah. Congratulations Josh! We are so proud of you :)

-Brenda

1. Josh 2. Josh & his Dad 3. Diploma 4. Josh & sister Kaitlyn

D Day / Air Show

We all went to the Air Show at Hill Air Force Base today. So very red, white & blue cool. Way crowded, but worth it. We worked our way towards the front so we could listened to the music while the planes flew. It was the perfect way to remember D Day. The weather was perfect... with a slight breeze. Note for next time: Bring chairs, lunch and go early in the am for a better view.

On the way there, everyone had pie on their minds after seeing a Marie Calendar's bill board that said any pie for $6.99. We headed over there after the show for lunch and pie (well everyone but me as it did not fit into a vegetable, fruit or lean protein category). We came home and rode bikes. We also watched Harper's Island, a rather gruesome TV murder series and walked our scared Kelsie & Abby to bed in the basement :)

I love our country. I am so worried about the direction of big government it is headed in. For the record, I am no longer a Democrat or a Republican. Neither party shares my views. I have no respect or trust for either party, both disgust me greatly. I am an Independent that believes in a much smaller federal government and more power to the states and people. I am puzzled why most people are following along and not sharing their worries.
-Brenda