Maxine Smiles

I have decided to share on my blog something quite personal to me. This is my way of keeping a journal.blogging. I knew my grandmother was dying. My father called me and told me that he was on his way to Monticello. He was driving from Sacramento, Ca. He drove 13 1/2 hrs straight with stopping twice to get gas. He wanted to make sure he was there for her. All of his siblings were on their way or with her.( My grandma raised 6 children alone. My grandfather died when my father was 1yr.old. so...she had 6 with the ages of 8-1 yrs. She was a school teacher to top that off!) I went to the temple the next day and thought of her quite a bit. I got home and wrote this poem about her. July 9. 2010 around 11am. I was extremely glad that my father got to say his good byes before she left us.

Maxine Smiles

Maxine smiles her laughter echo's in the wind.

She's happy to know where she has been. Her beautiful soul can move on...to another existence she must carry on.

She fulfilled her purpose in this earthly life. She raised six beautiful children with much love and strife.

She moved gracefully with the work she was called to do. She was constantly on her knee's asking the Lord to help carry her through. Her heart was big with much love and care...more than other's would dare.

Our beautiful grandmother you may not know how deep you are rooted in our souls. You have shown us by example and love. We know that you will be watching us from above.

We pray that we can meet again. Our beautiful grandmother, mother, daughter, sister and friend. We love Emma Maxine. We will see you in the end.

I did not know that she passed away on this very day. I usually do not write...anything. Nor do I share. But I decided to, I did dare.

My grandma Lyman's funeral

Emma Maxine Sharp LYMAN Himmelberger. Born on January 26.1914 and died July 9.2010. Her posterity. 6 children, 32 grandchildren, 65 great grand children, 2 great great grandchildren. My grandmother was an absolutely beautiful daughter of God. She was the most amazing mother and grandmother. She will be horribly missed. I am so grateful to have had her in my life. She was the ultimate example of righteousness.

The ball bearers. All the oldest son of her children.
My father...her youngest son.

Alayda and Cole
Saying good bye. Cole had the hardest time. He cried so hard. We had pictures of him crying but, it was way to sad to see.
Her favorite color: purple. Favorite flower : Lilac's. These are the balloons set free after the service. purple.
My fam

HaPpY 4th Of JULY

Summer time is the best! It is a time to relax. A time to be free. A time for swimming, barbeque's, watermelons, endless hours of fun. How I wish I did we could go back to the days of being so carefree. Not a care in the world. How the days would last SO loooong. This picture says it all. Yes, it is on top of our shed roof. But, what the heck?! We are about having FUN not about what it is right?! And look at these kids! Fun times. Our friends came over...The Sandstroms, Hawkins, Thompsons, Hafens.

This was the "hang out" for the bigger kids.

Looks like Azure has had enough.
Halle
Marli
To cute not to post! Halle
Ashton always has a smile for me.
Eva and Alayda
Let the fireworks begin! What a great ending to a great day.
Alayda, Eva, Meryn, Marli and Hannah....these little girls loved the fireworks.
The Crew

I thought this picture was way to cute.
Whoops, not meant to post twice. But, I am so lame...I don't know how to delete just "one" picture off.
Parker Sandstrom, Bryce, Scott and Cole. Scott was the "pyro" of the fireworks tonight. He was great with the children to allow them to light them off.
I am always curious to see what these boys are talking about! They have great conversations.

Camping In the Fairview Mountains

Camping. June 26th. Here is our men at work. We had a great time with our friends the Hawkins and Robison's. We played in the mountains and got dirty. We went 4 wheeling, practice shooting the bow, little girl's did crafts, watched movie's and made caramel popcorn, ate smores, looked for the Eclipse that we missed because it was the night before, but we did see a great moon and lots of stars, lived on diet coke, the boys rode their bikes. It was lots of fun. We enjoyed camping with the Hawkins...because they were just as anal or freaky clean about things that we were. But, we of course knew this about the Hawkins. :)

Hunter, Josh Monson and Cole. All the same age, great little neighbor friends.
Meryny
Who ever knew that Josh had such a great talent! He loved it! This is pretty much all what Josh did the whole time we were camping. So, he was an easy find.
Brandi's younger brother Laney.He was great to practice shooting with Ashton.

Maybe Jason did not like me taking his picture?? Hmm
I love this picture! Hunter is showing the boys how to get it done! Look at Josh and Cole! Hilarious!
Great picture of the Hawk Eye's. :)
Ah, Clean BOYS! We made the kids come in and take a shower they were so dirty!I could finally look at them. :) We are getting ready to eat some mallow's.
Fisher was a complete pyro! He was so funny to watch. Take at look at the mallow's in the fire. He loved it.
Halle and Lady
Alayda can pull off some great face's. I love this one!
Lady with a dirty face
All the girls making crafts. Fun times!

LaVa HoT SpRinGs, Idaho

This is our first vacation of the summer LaVa Hot SpRinGs. June 19th. It was so beautiful and lush. It was green and quite. We really loved this spot. I did not realize what a great place it is. We went up here for 3 days. It was our 13 Anniversary and Father's Day. We hung out at the camp grounds and went down the river rafting. It was such a blast until....well. I will not tell the story now. It brought me back to my youth when I would raft the American River in Sacramento. We had a crazy experience rafting that I think it might be for the "bigger kids" only. What we're we thinking???
Cole, Ashton and Bryce
The children we're not being nice to each other.So, even if we are camping...There is a corner!
Bryce watching above to make sure they we're being good. Hilarious! You crack me up babe!!
So pretty!
Renny
Colei Pokei
Azwa
Alayda does not look like she is having a great time here. But, the scenery is really pretty! Yes, lady we are talking about you too! :)