2014, Really, Truly!

So often Mom asks us if it really is 2014.  Derek then adds, the entire date.. January 21st, 2014!  Thanks Derek!

Still the Christmas Cards and Newsletters and some Christmas decorations are hanging up in their room.  The plaque that the Burton's gave to Mom and Dad will stay up year round.  It makes us all so happy!  Also, the cute little notes that the Bledsoe's left in Mom and Dad's room are still hanging up reminding them ofTrey & Tian!

                 

We had a fun Break the Fast (New Years theme) on the first Sunday of January.  Mom was so helpful helping us set up the room, and making sure we had enough seats set up once everyone started coming.  We had set for 34.. we had 35 come.  No worries about Dad, the folks are always lining up ready to go through the food line to get Dad all set up with yummy food!  Mom and Phyllis just so happen to be in the same outfits.. well, almost, but enough for a picture!  (Mom loves the color, and doesn't she look great in it.. Kari, where did you get it?)

We have enrolled Dad (Of course Mom and I go too) in a Parkinson's exercise class.  Mondays at 10:30-11:30.  The man that runs the program is so good about tailoring the class to fit the needs and levels of each of the 6 people that are in the class.  The first time they went Dad came away feeling like he wasn't as good as the others!  I reminded him that he is the oldest by far!  This week he did really good, he even passed a big ball over his head to give to the guy behind him...  The instructor said that next week they may even get on the floor to do stretches.  (Dad is pretty quiet, but after that comment he said.. "That will be the day"  Cracked me up)

While Mom and Dad are here with us, we have a family friend.. (He may even be related.. we need to figure out which family line from Nephi.. Cazier side of the family.. I know I'm spelling it wrong, but that is how I say it)staying and watching over their home!  Thank you "Cousin" Cleve Brock for residing at 1776 Southmoor Drive!


The other day Mom turned on American Idol (If you know me at all, you know that I don't get into "Idol" until the top 10 have been chosen), it was so funny to hear dad's remarks.  Here are a few.  "And they call that talent?"  "Why would they think she is a good singer?"  "I'm not getting this talent."  It just cracked me up!


Today was cold, and we had freezing fog.  Mom said she has never seen it or heard of it.  Really?  Hum.. Well, Saturday we had nice warm weather.  Bob was out restacking the hay, dad thought it would be fun to watch.. So Derek and I got him in the Ranger and went out to be Bob's audience.  While we were out there we saw a family of pigeons, Dad's favorite geese next door, 2 pesky bumble bee's and of course the bull and the cows.  "This is the life!" is what Dad said about it.  Oh, and not to forget about the mountains.  He just loves sitting in the living room late in the day to watch the sun go down and how magnificent (His words) the mountains look.

         

We've found some games that both Mom and Dad can play, so Monday night is game night!  I wish I could share with you something that happened... when we were trying to make words out of ABC magnets.. but it would embarrass Mom, so we will just leave it at that!!!  (Things happen when you are trying to talk on the phone and play a game at the same time.. right Donna?!)
      
Mom is still wearing the pedometer, averaging 2 miles a day, and Dad rides the bike at least 5 days a week.  The class instructor told all the participants that they should be exercising at least 30 minutes a day.. Yup, he's doing that!  They both are moving quite a bit.  One night mom was so close to getting 2.5 miles on the pedometer.  I said, "Mom you are so close, walk down to Derek's room, then to the kitchen and come back to the bathroom."  She did, and she made the 2.5.


Well, before we know it February will be here.
Thank you again for calling and writing, e-mailing too.  Mom enjoys keeping in touch with friends and family!  She isn't ready to call Bend home, but she's sure doing well and my laundry and dusting has never been so organized (Oh, and my drawers and cupboards too).

Christmas Time!

I think my parents had a fun-filled Christmas..
How could you not with children around?!
Rebecca and her family got here on Christmas Eve. 
The noise level went up.. and the fun began!
Tian loved riding around with G-Pa's (Dad) walker, and they thought it was fun to try out the extended toilet seat!
We played games, ate too much food, watched more Hallmark and other Christmas specials, and yes, continued to exercise!
Mom has taken over my pedometer, wears it everyday trying to walk more each day! (Here is a picture of the chart. At the end of the day she faithfully has me read the mileage.. small print!)

Dad spends time on the bike and makes sure I jot down his mileage and time as well. What? I never knew my parents were so competitive!

I'll post some pictures below, and give a little explanation.

 Marshall & Kory surprised Mom and Dad and came for the weekend before Christmas.. the second surprise was Marshall singing at church.                     "Oh Holy Night" has never been sung better!

What a surprise Dad got, when he looked up to see who was in the Ranger sitting by Derek! 

Mom gets a little nervous watching the boys jumping so high!  Mom and Dad watch from the window!

A fun game we got for Christmas.  Dad was a little bored, but the rest of us had fun!

All week Trey was a little hoarse.. but Sunday, right before church wanted to play a song for G-G and G-Pa.  (Look how beautiful Mom's purple shirt looks on her) 

 

 

 Justin had to take the picture.. sorry, we should have gotten him and Tian in the picture, but Tian had already left for church with Bob and Derek.

Keeping up with my parent's tradition.. I have stapled their Christmas cards on ribbons on their closet.  I snuck in there today to get a picture of it!  They love looking at all the notes and pictures from their friends and family!

Last night  Oregon played against Texas.  I asked Mom who she was rooting for, she said, "Well, I guess I better root for Oregon!"  Hip Hip Hooray, they won.. Maybe that was a good sign.

SURPRISE!!!!

We've been so excitedly waiting for a big surprise for mom and dad.
This is how we did it...
Daily, Bob and Derek go out and get the Ranger, bring it to the garage and load dad into it.  While they are doing that, mom and I get dad out to the garage and put all his warm clothes on him.  Well, today we started the routine... and guess who was in the Ranger... Marshall!  It took a minute for dad to look up and see him, but WOW.. what a big surprise!  Because Marshall had a hood on, Mom couldn't really see him at first.. But when she did, she joined with dad and were both so excited!  Kory then slipped out from the freezing shop to watch the fun reunion!  Now we are ready for a  weekend with Marshall and Kory!
(Because everyone is in bed.. I am going to hurry and post pictures from our busy couple of weeks!  A little explanation along with the pictures)

 Derek overheard Bob and I talk about the surprise.. we didn't think he heard.. He almost gave it away twice today!

Thanks Marshall and Kory for making the drive!!! 
Can't wait for the Sunday surprise as well!


Mom is wearing my pedometer these days. She is just curious to see how far she walks during the day.  Yesterday it was 4.25 miles.. Yup.. It started with our family, who along with 2 other families were assigned to clean the church, then we went to an Elementary School Music Program, and then at night we went to the High School Christmas Program.  Dad got pushed a lot.. mom walked a ton!
Dad continues to ride the stationary bike.  He averages 2.5 miles a day. 
Go Dad!

Mom brought from home, many of her knitted hats.  Tuesday on our way to Sisters we took them to the tree at the library.  Each year they collect hats, scarves and gloves for those in need.  (I need to take mom with us so she can see all of them)

We've heard the temperatures in Utah have been cold, with a ton of snow.  Well, we got a little snow (Mom says the snow is different than Utah snow.. dad says it sparkles), and we've had cold days!  First thing in the morning, mom checks the temperature!  

 

It doesn't matter to Dad what the temperature is, or how snowy it is, he continues to want to go out with Bob and Derek to check on his "girls" (Cows) and make sure they are fed and the ice gets broken.

This picture was taken on a late afternoon feeding.  Can't remember what we were doing, but it was around 5:00.  Dad loved the lights from the Ranger shining on the sparkling snow!

 

As we drove home from the ward Christmas party.. it was -11.. yup, you read that right!

Got to love Santa and his elf!

 

Did you all love the Sound of Music with Carrie Underwood? Looks like I got this when Mom was resting her eyes, but Dad loved it.  They especially enjoyed the "making of the Sound of Music" program that was on a couple of days before the big performance.

Along with that, we got a copy of the Boy Scouts of America 100 year celebration.  That was spectacular! 

 

Our friend Phyllis took mom to her church's Senior luncheon.  Phyllis is so good to my parents.  Mom had a great time, yummy food, and fun games and music!  Thanks Phyllis!

Mom and dad are getting gifts already and it's not even Christmas.  Mom doesn't know which Garrett sent her this awesome, beautiful box of soups.  Will the real "Sneak" come forward?!  Thank you!  We can't wait to try them!

Well, I want to join the rest of the family.. sleeping!  So I will close this little post, and say goodnight! 

They love getting phone calls, and (if it wasn't dark in their room I'd go take a picture) hanging your Christmas Cards up on their closet!  Thanks for keeping in touch.  Mom misses Utah (Thanks Gina for sending the inversion report, and Dee and Donna about the snow and cold temperatures there), and all her friends!  But we are trying our best to make our home, HOME to them!

 

A Thankful Thanksgiving!

Mom and dad enjoyed everyone's phone calls.  Friends and family seemed to call off and on all day!  Thank you for keeping in touch, they enjoy being in the know!
They especially liked Skyp-ing Marshall's family in Washington.  They were excited to see their newest great-grandson Lincoln.  What a special treat for them.
Bob fixed a great smoked turkey, and a regular oven cooked turkey.  Mom enjoyed the smoked one the best!  (She also can't wait for a pumpkin pie breakfast)

Some days dad gets around so good, other days much slower. I have noticed on the days we go out and work on the exercise bike.. he has a better day.
(He now has me keep a chart of how many miles he goes.. the most in one sitting was 4 miles) Mom is starting to get the hang of the Elliptical.  She doesn't know if it's good for her knees.. What do you think Marshall?  She has gotten quite good at ping pong, foosball and air hockey (But no one beats Derek)!

 

Dad supervised me hanging up the lights on the tree.  Funny, mom said, "Glen go show her where to put them".  I think for a minute mom forgot that it's not that easy any more.
Daily, Bob takes Dad and Derek out to feed the cows.  It's dad's highlight of the day.  He comes in cold, but oh, so happy to have seen the "girls".  He can't wait for the calves to be born.  They aren't due until March.  If he has his way... they will stay.  We all want them to (but everyone knows that) stay... dad is so happy. 

Bad picture, but I ran out while Bob was loading up the hay.. so I could get a picture.. can you tell it's a cold day?
It still amazes me on how quickly he pulls himself up into the Ranger.   And the other day he and Bob went to pick up some farm equipment.  No big struggle, he just got himself up into the truck with hardly any help.  I think his Physical Therapists would be amazed.. but like Bob says.. "when there is a will, there is a way"  (More exciting than walking up and down the halls!
Mom stays busy dusting, and doing laundry.  She does take a few moment here and there to catch up on mail and the news!

 Yes, mom is dusting my plants!!!

Bob is so patient, explaining farm stuff to dad, and making sure Dad understands what they are doing and why it needs to be done!

 

 

 

(Bob fixing something that a cow messed up... Dad, right there in the Ranger asking what happened.. Also, Dad LOVES the sunsets.  He'll come in and ask mom if she noticed the magnificent colors of the Sunset)

Would you ever guess that dad loves celery.  Yup, I cut up some the other day and it was gone in no time.  Mom thought he needed some dip, or peanut butter, no... he just loved it.. Oh and another thing that he snacks on are Pistachio nuts.  He'll just shell them and eat a whole bowl of them.
He enjoys Bob's yummy breakfasts.  No problems with him not wanting to eat.. most days.  When he has his finicky moments we know it's just the medicines that cause him to not have an appetite.. but we keep trying new and different foods!  We've been playing games.. Uno, war and Bingo are Mom's favorites, Dad hesitates playing, but will usually be a good sport!
Monday after game night, Mom had us come to the window.  Three deer were looking for some apples under our tree!