Swans on Logger's Creek: A First?

 

 

I was taking a walk through our backyard when I heard some odd sounds coming from the direction of the creek.  It was unfamiliar to me and captured my attention.  I was pleasantly surprised when I realized what was behind the strange noises.

We've seen a variety of ducks, geese, otters, beavers, crawdads, fish, snakes, but never swans.  I believe this was a first.   I grabbed my phone to capture the moment.

It's hard to see but there are two baby swans (cygnets) swimming around their parents.  They were adorable!

The swans hung around for most of the afternoon.   At one point I looked out the window to see if they were still there and could only find one baby in the water.  I got a little worried and wondered where the other one went.  Upon closer inspection I noticed the lost cygnet wasn't lost at all but was safely nestled in the feathers on the back of one of the adults.  I had never seen anything like that before.

I guess today was a day of firsts!

Snow Blossoms

Our ornamental pear trees seemed extra full of blossoms this year; they have been so pretty. I was surprised this morning as I pulled out of the driveway to see a blanket of snow on our front lawn. After doing a double-take I realized that what I was seeing was not snow but the remnants of the beautiful blossoms from our ornamental pear trees.

Double the Pleasure...Double the Fun!

The twins have arrived! Sophie was born on 9/27 at 9:27 p.m. Ivy arrived, about fifteen minutes later, feet first! We're so glad they're here and that all went well. Jessica was amazing...carried the twins past the 38 week mark...and breezed through delivery and recovery! That's the Priday (or should I say Fullmer/Gardner) pioneer stock in her! Grandma Chloe would be proud.

Grandchildren-to-be

GIRLS!!!

After 5 grandsons we're finally getting girls. We'd better get shopping for frilly, pink things!

Thailand & Cambodia 2010

Spring Break this year had us taking off for Southeast Asia. We went with the tour group, Fun for Less, to Thailand and Cambodia. (Yes, we had "fun" and it was "for less"!) It was the first time for Jennifer to experience the harsh reality of poverty. It definitely was an eye opener for her and us as well. We are so blessed to live in the USA!

Thailand

Cambodia

Update on Grandson #5

Our last post has probably left you wondering how our little grandson #5 is doing. As you can see by the picture Preston is doing well. Isn't he a cutie? I was able to go with Jaime last week to his neurology appointment and the doctor seemed to be upbeat about his progress. He still has some more follow-up appointments though but so far everything is looking great!
Preston is a sweet baby: he takes his foul-tasting medicine without spitting it out, he likes to face outward when being carried, he likes to be rocked, he likes to fall asleep in your arms, he coos when you talk to him, and he smiles (even in his sleep)! He's definitely a keeper.

Our 'Ohana Has Grown!

Grandson #5 (no granddaughters yet) has joined our family! He was born to Jaime and Nate at 10 p.m. PST on Dec. 9th. 9lbs. 1 oz. and 19 1/2 in. long! Poor petite Jaime...he was a little larger than anticipated. Just shortly after birth he had to be taken to the NICU because of breathing difficulties. The doctors think he has pneumonia and are treating him with antibiotics. They are running more tests today to rule out any other medical issues. His condition is stable and he is slowly being weaned from the ventilator but he's not out of the woods yet.

It's times like this that our family (or should I say our 'ohana) is strengthened as we humble ourselves and draw closer to our Heavenly Father through fasting and prayer. We are so thankful that we understand His "Plan of Happiness". We know where we came from, why we're here, and where we are going. We also know of the profound love that Heavenly Father has for each one of us. Jaime's "little' boy, so pure and innocent, just left Heavenly Father's presence so he could take the next step in the plan. We are glad he's here. He's taught us so much about our Heavenly Father's love in just the last 36 hours.

Remodel Update

Slowly but surely the remodel is getting finished. Our appliances were installed yesterday which means we will no longer need to store our food in the cooler. (We may need to purchase a new cooler since the one we were using was starting to get really nasty!) The tiled focal point of our entryway will be grouted today so by tomorrow we won't have to watch where we step as we go from the bedrooms to the kitchen.

Now if I can only get them to put the washer and dryer back in the laundry room and re-hook them up so I can wash some clothes!

Too Late Now!

There's a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, it's been there off and on for a week now. It started about 8:30 in the morning last Monday just when our home's remodeling project began. My stomach started churning the moment I heard the deafening sounds of a single, tiny jack-hammer chipping away at the tile of our front entry. I suppose I was mostly surprised the tile people started in the living room and not in some out-of-the-way and out-of-sight place. Perhaps they did that so I couldn't change my mind once they started. At any rate our house is a mess!



Today, just as I was beginning to get used to the destruction of our home and the changes being made, I discovered a slight, no, a major error in the placement of the new tile in our front entry! Once again I wondered why it couldn't have been in some out-of-the-way and out-of-sight place where it didn't matter? I'm feeling sick all over again. I've been assured by the tile people they can fix it tomorrow, I hope so. I wonder if I will be able to sleep tonight?

Angel's Landing

The news this morning that a hiker in Zion National Park slipped and fell to her death caused us to reflect on our own hike just two weeks ago at the same place. Our condolences to her family. The Angel's Landing hike is a 2 1/2 mile trek up with the last 1/2 mile being the most challenging and dangerous portion. There is a chain bolted into the mountain that the hiker holds on to as he/she navigates up a narrow, rocky, and steep path. There are sheer drop offs between 900 - 1200 feet on either side of this trail. Signs are posted at the beginning of this last section warning the hikers about the inherent dangers and risks involved. We were surprised that there weren't more controls on who should hike the trail because it seemed to us that it required more experience than what the majority of the hikers had.

Cindy started to climb the final portion to the top but didn't feel steady enough to attempt the steep, narrow path so she decided not to go any farther and carefully climbed back down to wait in the area called "Scout Lookout". Blaine and Jennifer went through the first section of chains and stopped at what is known as "the neck." They felt it was too risky to go any farther. A single mis-step, a loose rock on the trail, or even a whiff of wind could have ended in disaster. Pictures from our hike are contained in our Aug. 6 slideshow.

The article on yesterday's tragedy can be found in the Salt Lake Tribune at the following link:

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13027047?IADID

We are fortunate that our hike went safely and that we listened to promptings of the Spirit. We feel terrible about what has happened to this family. Our prayers go out to them What a tragedy.

CA to UT

I think I'm getting the hang of PS Elements, at least the slide show was easy to figure out. Hope you enjoy these pictures from our trip in July.

Walking our feet off in San Fran

Just recently we traveled to San Francisco for a brief visit with Jaime and Nate. During the day while they were at work we started off doing the usual tourist thing, we rode the cable car. Around 10 a.m. we hopped on the Hyde/Powell line and rode it up as far as Lombard Street where we exited for a leisurely stroll down the crooked lane. We enjoyed the walk and oohed and aahed at the beautiful flowers along the way. Since we were close to Fisherman's Wharf we decided to walk to it. Thus began our trek along San Francisco's waterfront.

You know the song, "Pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked..." Well, we didn't sing but we did walk, and walk, and walk, AND walk. We walked along the wharf stopping briefly at Pier 39 to see the sea lions. We walked to Pier 27 to see a docked Mexican Naval Schooner where we walked and climbed all over it's decks.

It got to be lunchtime and we were hungry. Choosing not to walk back to the restaurant-laden Pier 39 we decided to see what other eating establishments were close by so we walked, and walked, AND walked all the way down to the Embarcadaro Center without finding anything. By this time our feet were tired and we were starved. Fortunately for us we came to a Farmer's Market where we eagerly grabbed some flatbread pizza just as they were beginning to close for the day. It felt good to rest our feet as we ate but it was just a short respite.

While eating we noticed a street fair just a short distance away across the trolley tracks and it piqued our interest. We had about 2 hours to kill before we had to head back up to the Fisherman's Wharf area to meet Jaime so Blaine located a quiet place to sit and return some phone calls while Jennifer and I walked and walked AND walked around the street fair. We saw some interesting things but didn't make any purchases.

By 3:30 p.m. we were ready to head back up the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf. We wanted to have enough time to purchase some yummy malted milk balls at Giradelli Square before we had to meet Jaime after work (her office is just a block away from there). Instead of walking we decided to catch the trolley. We saw one coming, heading in the direction we wanted to go so we made a mad dash for the loading platform. The trolley didn't come and it didn't come, in fact it just stayed in that same spot. We waited on our feet for 30 minutes before figuring out that there was a problem and the trolley wouldn't be moving anytime soon. Guess what we decided to do? You guessed it..., we walked, and walked, and walked, AND walked all the way back to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square but this time we weren't just walking, we were speed-walking because we only had an hour before Jaime got off work. We arrived at Ghiradelli Square with just enough time to purchase (but not snack on) the malted milk balls.

We don't know how many miles we walked that day but maybe next time we'll try singing as we walk.

4th of July Fun: Hiking & the Jonas Brothers

We started our 4th of July celebration with an invigorating hike part way up Mt. Timpanogos. The morning was made more enjoyable with the singing of another hiker on the trail. His rich, deep baritone rendition of the national anthem and other patriotic songs echoed off from the rock walls of American Fork canyon. Jaime and Nate had driven over from San Francisco and it was wonderful to have them join us.




With abundant spring rain it is a good year for agriculture. The cherry trees were brimming with cherries. We are sure Grandpa Mark is pleased someone is benefiting from his efforts.

Guess who is excited to see the Jonas Brothers performing in America's Freedom Festival?



Pictures were taken from front lawn just before walking down to stadium. Jenn and her friend Sage were already going wild.

The Stealth Walker

Kyler likes to walk when his parents aren't looking. Several times they have found him across the room and suspect he has walked there. During a weekend get-together to clean-up Great-Grampa and Grandma Jacobson's home in Swan Valley, Kyler was sitting on a blanket in the middle of the lawn. He pushed himself to his feet and walked barefoot 20 steps or so across the grass.















Wouldn't you know it, plenty of extended family saw his feat, but not his parents or grandparents. They have yet to see him walk.

Charlie & The Golden Ticket

Jen plays Charlie in her elementary school production of "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory"














Charlie finds the golden ticket.

Happy 31 Years

This week we are celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary. Jenn made up a little display out of clay and paper stock.

So thoughtful and such art talent.

Aunt Jeni, Easter Bunny

It was fun to have Jason & Mary and their three boys, Tyson, Ryder, and Kyler join us over the Easter weekend. Last year, Jenn was still in Primary and was in on the Easter Egg Hunt. This year, as a new Beehive, she helped the Young Women hide the eggs for Primary children. Then she came home and hid the eggs again for her nephews.

Tyson & Ryder had lots of fun and Kyler mainly played the drums and enjoyed his increasing mobility moving around.















Tyson also helped Grandma Cindy make chocolate Easter Eggs. Yum!

"Konnichi Wa" from Kyoto

Akihabara, Tsukiji, and Yunnesun

Spring break travel this year took us to Kyoto, Japan. On our way we stopped in Tokyo at Akihabara, a place where all of the newest electronics and cameras are on display, and at Tsukiji, the world's largest wholesale seafood market.












We also stopped at Yunnesun, a hot springs resort sitting on a volcano near Mt. Fuji, to enjoy some time in their hot pools. They offer around 30 different types of pools to soak in. We enjoyed the hot water mixed withhoney the most. Others include strawberry, green tea, sake, Turkish, Finnish and Roman baths, dragon waterfall, and a foot bath where little fish will nibble at your feet.