2 Adults 4 Kids 1 Dog 1 Goat 2 Horses and still counting....

If you have children then I'm sure you've done this, if not, you will. Through the years as my children were growing, I would have periods of time that I'd ponder on what the future held in store for each of my little ones. Rob was the model of a Southern California city boy, born and bred, through and through. Not once, no not one single time did I ever imagine that my Robert would own livestock. Nothing more than a family dog or cat entered the mental picture that I conjured up on his behalf.
Well let me introduce you to the current components of the "Kline Ranch", located in the rural hills of northern Utah:

Copper, the ever vigilant guard dog:


Feta, the pygmy billy goat:


Sweetpea, Sierra's frisky horse:


Last but not least - Lucy, McKenna's mellow ride:

Spring Has Sprung. . . . .

You would have to be blind not to see the glorious signs of Spring. This last Sunday Bro. and Sis. Clegg, from our ward, stopped by to say hello while on their way to church. They brought with them this wonderful vase of flowers from their garden. Here in Utah I've come to love the early bloom of bright yellow Daffodils and stunning red Tulips as the first sure sign of the Spring season. I don't think there is anyone that loves daffodils more than Dad. It's fun to hear him comment every time he catches sight of the sunny little bloom.


Heather and the girls have been spending copious amounts of time outdoors. Can you see the relief of Spring on Heather's face. The fact that their family is getting ready to enjoy a week long Disney cruise with Joe's entire family may also have something to do with the chipper attitude. Heather has inherited her father's talent for whistling. I can hear her going about the house just whistling like a little song bird.

Just a quick update on my state of health: I'm feeling great, still can't walk, but can manage to occassionaly make it into the living room with the aid of my trusty walker. Dad is working on getting my portion of the office organized so that I can access my scrapbooking supplies. Last Saturday he retrieved all of my photo albums and scrapbooking tools from the storage unit. I've spent a good portion of the last few days reviewing our family history through pictures. I'm sure every mother feels this way, but I have the cutest children and grandchildren ever!!!!! Some of the photos just make me explode with giggles. This afternoon I came across a picture of Dennis, tucked cozily in his bed, blistfully snoozing with his football helmet on his head and his tennis racket wrapped in his arms. There have been this type of picture of each of you children through out the albums and they just melt me away.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail.......

Well, here we are already well into the new year. I want to wish everyone a very happy Easter. What a wonderful time of year, winter is reluctantly coming to a close, and spring is valiantly sprouting a fresh newness in every one's attitude.
My sweet husband has placed a California Poppy, some delicate Violates, and a lavender Pansy in the window well of our bedroom for me to enjoy. I've been hearing song birds out in our yard and have seen a black bird occasionally perched on the fence outside my bedroom window. I'm just itching to get my hands in the flower beds along the back of the house. There is nothing more therapeutic than getting my hands into the dirt, pulling weeds, and getting new plants in the ground to brighten the landscape.
Bright and early this Easter morning Grace and Jane found their way downstairs in their hunt for the treats deposited here and there by the ever faithful Easter Bunny.

WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH

Thanksgiving is over and we are officially on a fast slide into the home stretch of Christmas. With all of the distressing economic news swirling through the airwaves like a winter blizzard, it's hard to focus on the reason for the season.

Dad and I are requesting that you do not give us any material gifts this year. There is absolutely nothing that we need other than your hugs, kisses, visits, and sweet emotional support.

Take care of your children and sweethearts with gifts under the tree. This is our Christmas wish.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving will be a much different experience in 2008. As a family we are stepping out of our traditional routine and creating new experiences.

April and Brad will be renting a Condo in Midway, Utah, enjoying the activities that the Wasatch mountains have to offer. (Hoping for snow to go snowmobiling is on the top of their list.)

Heather and Joe's Thanksgiving weekend will be spent with Joe's sister Andrea, her husband Ryck, and 3 little girl cousins for Grace and Jane to play with. They're coming in from Boise for a music concert.

Dennis and Tawny are doing Thanksgiving in Reno. Someday I'll have them here for Thanksgiving, or maybe I'll surprise them with a visit.

Aunt Rikki and I, along with Rob's family will be joining Uncle Ray's group in Richfield. Uncle Bill and Aunt Joleen are flying in from New Jersey, Bethany and her husband will be there also. We're driving down on Wednesday afternoon and returning home on Friday morning.

Every time I talk to Uncle Ray he sounds so excited to have his family coming to his house for a Thanksgiving dinner. It's been a bazillion years since we 4 siblings (Rikki, Bill, Ray, Me) have sat at the same table for a meal. I'll be sure to gather good stories to share on my blog.

Aunt Nan and Uncle Steve will be providing a fun filled feast for their family and friends from California, the Taylor's.

So, there you have it. I wish you all a wonderful, memorable, terrific, safe 2008 Thanksgiving Dinner. Remember that I love you all and place you at the very top of my "Thankful for:" list.

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING, OH WHAT . . .

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING, OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY, I'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL FEELING, EVERY THINGS GOING MY WAY. . . . . . everybody now, join me in a round of Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, a lovely song from the movie "Oklahoma".

What, you don't know the song, am I really that old? Come on Nan, I know you could sing it from beginning to end, I can always depend on my Nan to belt out a song from an old movie or Broadway play. Nan, you're my ace in the hole!

By now you must all think that I've finally lost my last grasp on sanity, but NO!, I just actually feel REALLY GOOD today and this song has been running through my head non stop since waking up this morning. Yesterdays song was "Sing a Song of Six Pence" but I couldn't remember the words to the first line and neither could dad or Heather. Dad finally looked it up on the Internet so that it wouldn't drive me crazy anymore and I could move on with my day. Dad knows how fragile my state of mind is, he does everything he can to keep me away from falling over the edge. Remember, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Yes, you are correct, I am rambling on and on, but hey it's better than grumbling right? I hope you all have a Beautiful Day!

Just an update........

Just an update to let the family know that I'm back in action (again). Friday through Sunday I was visited with some lovely virus that kept me in bed. Yesterday my blood test showed that my red cell count had taken a significant dip, so off to the hospital I went for two more bags of blood. It is amazing what a difference a little fresh blood can do. I'm truly becoming more and more sympathetic to the needs of a vampire. Needing blood and not having it is a very scary thing.

Speaking of blood, has anyone else donated at the red cross? I checked with the hospital yesterday to see if a person can just go to a hospital to donate, but they said no, it must go through the red cross. They make sure it is safe before allowing it to be used on a patient. Thank you Red Cross!