A Family Affair

 What another fun time in the summer with our Family Get-Together!  Most everyone made it and we couldn't be happier about it. 

 Break time for a movie and letting the parents rest for only a few moments.

 Some of our bee-you-tea-full sons.  The wig on Lance was from the storage unit.  Everyone had to try it on.  Of course he is famous now, you've seen him on facebook with it.

 This had to be my favorite part of the whole week.  I think everyone doubted me on the auction for the grandkids.  But really you must admit they all caught on fast and there was lots of competition and fun.  Even among the parents, right!?  And the do-good money that was earned was priceless.  Who knew that so many little ones could all be so good!

                                               Let's eat again and again and again.......

 The meals were all so good. I have bragged on all the girls about what good cooks they are!

 I hope they all enjoyed taking turns feeding the neighbors pigs & sheep.  This was better than a petting zoo.

Yes, every family has some monkeys in it.  Or at least some monkey business.  This was a metal tent that we also got in the storage unit that was much taller and had a tarp over it.  Okay, so it worked for a little while.  See you all next year!!!

Storage Wars

 I hope everyone has seen the show "Storage Wars" on t.v.  If not it is so much fun.  Well when we were in California in Feb. this year we watched quite a few and thought how fun that would be to attend an auction for a storage unit.  Well, we have been to three, now, and we won an auction!  YAHOO!  Dan didn't go to the auction with us but he was a real trooper to help us sort and carry and load.

 When the auctioneer opens the unit, this is what you see.  You can't step in or touch anything, just look from a distance.  Well, see where my finger is.  I was sure that was a really expensive curio cabinet.  And then you could see restaurant equipment.  And.... And.... And......

 Sorry the picture is sideways, but turn your head and look closely.  That is a 7 foot tall curio cabinet with a grandfather chiming clock.  WOW$$$$

And this beauty is the restaurant equipment, so we thought.  Turns out it's a bakers oven, think bread from great harvest.  We ended up taking all the metal "restaurant" equipment to the recyclers and got $297.  Not quite the big ticket item I thought it was.  But better than nothing.  So far we have made back almost half of what the storage unit cost.  And we haven't even started selling.  More to come.  Jeff and I are both ready to do this again.  We will have some fun prizes at the Fam Reunion in July.  Be ready!$!$

Spring has sprung!

 With those of you blogging, I thought to myself "Self you better get blogging, cause you have some cute pix to show others".  This was found in Gramma Lois' yard, an Owl!  Pretty cool huh.  The neighbor down the street thought he might get it stuffed to keep as a pet. 

 The big and little eggs from the days gathering.  Isn't he such a handsome man!  Some say he looks like Mitt.  But to me he is Mr. Wonderful!

 Bryce & Amy's munchkins.  Madison, Preston, Jackson, Garrett and Melanie.  What a crowd!  We saw them in October.  Wish they lived closer!

 Jeremy, Stephanie and Alexis met us in Las Vegas in September after Dan flew home and we partied down at the bodybuilder convention.  What fun.  The sumo wrestlers were my faves! 

 Christmas time in Salt Lake.  The lights are wonderful, but to be there with family is very spiritual for me.  Christmas 2012 lets all plan on being there.  Dinner on Dad!

                                           A bee-you-tea-full sunrise in the Spring of 2012!

Mealtme Matters 101

Okay, so my blogging is needing updating of how-to blog, darn:(. I just lost everything I had just typed in here and now I am going to send you to the site and let you read it for yourselves. Please go to the site and let me know what you think and how you remedy this problem at your house. I am still having this trouble with Dan!

Read this post on this site and you will understand. Thanks, Mom, Mary

www.blogher.com/mealtime-matters-101

This is a picture of our fancy dinner on our last cruise with Grandma Lois, Todd and his son Jared. Would you be comfortable taking your family to dinner in a place like this? Let's hear the comments!

March already!?

Well, it's been quite a while since I've blogged, sorry. But I enjoy reading others blogs more than blogging. I just wanted to show some things that have happened that I didn't blog about.

In October we went to Florida and met Bryces family and went to some fun parks and the beach.
Truly it wouldn't be a great trip without the beach. Bryces kids seemed like they had a blast and I know we sure did.



Jakes family came up for the week of his birthday and it was fun. All of the grandkids are growing up way too fast!



Then we were off to Yuma for some warm weather and of course what would a trip to Yuma be without seeing an Elvis impersonator. I'm sure this was Jeffs favorite night of the whole trip! Every time we have been down there Elvis is there and we go and see him. The best one we have seen was a the BYU-I center.

And this is just a cute little hummingbird. We had three that usually came around and would sit and talk with me. We had lots of birds come right into the yard and Brownee kept busy trying to chase them away.

When we came back to Idaho the weather at least wasn't 20 below zero, but there was lots of snow. And now we are just trying to see a bit of spring but the snow is still pretty deep. We are so excited for this summer when two new grandbabies will be born and we hopefully will get to see all of you sometime or other. Plan on our house the end of July when Lances family will make their annual trek. Unfortunately Bryces family won't be able to make it but they will be having that new baby too soon to be travelling. Hope to see all of you blogging soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

I want to wish everyone out there a Happy 2011. May you have all that you need, not to excess, unless it is friends. May your health be great and maybe improve. May you always know that I love you and will always love you.

Hoping this year will bring more happiness to your homes and ours!

If you are wanting to find us we will be in Yumaaaaahhhhhhh.

Last but not least, Birthdays

All of the birthdays for the year are completed with these two wonderful guys! Garrett is in this picture with part of his family when they went to the zoo in Idaho Falls and they walked the penguin. This is the only shot I have of him in my library of pix. Sad huh. Happy #2 Birthday, big guy.

In 1983 I recieved one of the best Christmas presents of my life. Jacob Nicholas was born, on Christmas morning I put him under the tree and woke Chris up and told him that we had been given a baby for Christmas, Chris was very excited, too. Hard to believe Jake is 27!?! Happy b-day! Everyone needs to remind me when we see you to take the camera out and take pictures so we have up to date pix. Merry Christmas to one and all, Mom, Mary

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Man is it snowing here! We had plans to go to Lances for Thanksgiving but had to cancel due to the weather :(. We are so sad not to get to see them. But also relieved because most of the roads are closed here and other parts we would have travelled on. So I decided to blog. I also couldn't bring myself to show a pic of what it really looks like here. So for happier times this pic says it all.

Almost two weeks ago Carina and Stephanie decided we needed to draw names for the family Christmas gift exchange, so that is what we did. Truly there was no cheating going on 'cause Stephanie, Carina and I did the drawing, we left Chris out of it! With Bryce and Lance doing so well with the economy we didn't even bother to call and ask, we just assumed, hope that is okay. So Bryce's family has Chris' fam

Lances has Jeremy, who by the way just totalled his car last night going to Logan.

Chris' has Lances

Jakes has Dan's

Jeremy's has Bryce's

Dan has the Parents

The Parents have Jakes fam.

So there you have it. If you are in need of suggestions call the family you have and good luck on finding the most exquisite gift for the family you have with only $35! What a bargain!

November Birfdays

Brendan Ross was born the 16th of November to Ashley Ross. Jake met Brendan right after his mission and has claimed him as a son ever since. Brendan has grown so much over the past four years and has turned into such a nice little man. He was so kind and helpful this summer with all the younger cousins. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Daisy Ann (do right) born the 30th of November to Chris and Carina. I love this picture 'cause this girl loves to be read to and now is reading a bit all by herself. She has grown into such a good big sister. Daisy tells me she really likes school and has lots of friends, too.

Sometimes Daisy still pulls this face. Maybe it is genetic?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

And the Birthdays are. . .

Jeremy Rulon Carter was born on October 4, 1985. He was named after me and Jeff and also his Grampa Rulon Hughes, Jeff's grampa on his mothers side. Can you believe he is 25!? Wowza!!! Jeremy is working on his Masters of the Universe degree at the U in SLC. Oh, I mean his Masters in Finance. :)

Ezra Nicholas Carter born to Jacob and Ashley on the 14th of October, 2009. He is the last of the grandkids, for now. Unless any of you have any news for us. He is a redhead and a cute little boy. I'm sure he brings lots of joy into his home.

Happy Birthday, Boys!!!!

And by the way, Gramma Lois won the prize! A trip with her favorite children to Disneyworld!!! Wahooooo! (Jake forgot his own son in the list of birthdays :().

Halloweeeeen?

I know this is a bit early, but hopefully it will get everyone to think "Oh I should blog, again". Does anyone know whose birthday is next? Think October. Write in your thoughts and someone will win a prize for the correct guess. Hmmmm, what could the prize be? A cruise, a weekend for two, ......?

Today is such a Special Day...

It's Birthday time again.....Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!

Daniel James Carter born Sept. 7, 1988. Wow 22! One of Dan's favorite pastimes is to go camping and fishing. Of course he likes to go, go, go. We are so glad you are a part of our family, Dan!

Gene Richard Bell, aka mary's dad. He is the one sitting 'cause he just caught that whopper Lumberjack. Born Sept. 14th ???? Now when you are this old it is questionable whether I should say how old. But then again it is remarkable to make it to this age right! 1938 was the year my dad was born. Thank goodness for my parents otherwise I and you kids wouldn't be here!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!, (again) ;-)

Is it August already?

Preston Carter born the 17th of August will be 6 years old. Two years ago we went to D.C. and everyone found out how much money in ones they are worth for the height they were. As you can see Preston was almost a million dollars then. I bet he is worth more than 1.5 million today!
Happy Birthday Preston!


Carina Hymas Carter was born the 18th of August. Does that mean that Preston is a day older than his aunt Carina? Hmmm. As you can see we need to find my newer pictures in this computer because that baby is Daisy. Happy Birthday Carina!
Let's all call these wonderful family members and sing out of key so they will have a laugh on there special day.
We love you two!!!!

July Birthdays

Okay so this month will be in better order for the birthdays. Jeffrey Bryce Carter was born on July 7th, 1978. Wow that was a really long time ago, just ask his kids! This is such a great picture of Bryce getting his doctoral diploma in dentistry. Way to go Bryce! Happy 32!

Christoffer Stephen Carter was born on July 15th, 1982. Wow that was a long time ago, too. I can't believe that I'm old enough to have such old kids.

Time has flown by so fast and will only get going even faster as we head into the future. I'm so glad that these two wonderful fathers are a part of our family!

Belated Birthdays

Of course I am still having problems getting the blog in the right order, too. Oh well, at least I try, right? So we will go backwards with Madison, born to Bryce and Amy on June 25th, 2002. WOW, that makes her eight years old this year and that is something special. Madison will be baptized on thursday July 15th, her Uncle Chris' birthday. Way to go Maddy Moooooo!!!


























Jeff of course was born on the 16th of June 1955. The oldest of 5 children born to Kyle Ross Carter and Eva Lois Hughes. He still swears he is only 39 years old and has anniversaries now instead of birthdays.

I am so sorry to have missed the June birthdays:( I tried and tried to get a picture of Taryn off the email and can't. So this picture will have to do. Taryn was born on the 15th of June 2007 to Jake and Ashley. She is quite the talker and can tell you anything and everything in just a matter of minutes on the phone. Wait 'til she's a teenager and those quick bursts of speech will be very long on the phone!!!

Love to all the June Partiers

Phonebooks?

I thought I should blog on this so Jeff and Dan can say next year "remember!?" Well, last week I was perusing the want adds, as I usually do every day, and I saw this add "Need people to deliver phone books locally". I thought I could do that and so could Dan, and hopefully Jeff will help us with his muscles. So I called and they told us to come to a meeting the next day, thursday, at 1 and they would get us started. How exciting to get a job the next day where you don't wait for weeks and then do a background check, take pictures of drivers license, s.s. cards, etc... So we went to the meeting and signed up for three routes 'cause there were three of us there. Then they had Jeff pull the pickup around and loaded a full pallet and filled the back with loose bundles of books in the back seat and Dans car was fully loaded. Then the guy says that is a little over half of what you will need. I wish I had taken a picture! It was incredible how many phone books that pickup could hold. So we drive slowly home. The guy told us a pallet weighs about 1800 pounds. In total we had about 3 1/2 pallets to deliver! I'll make this a short story 'cause it was hard brain work. We had to find the address' and deliver all these books. The sad thing was they put the address' in alphabetical order. What town in the U.S. does there streets in alphabetical order? For petes sake!


When we did the rural route in St. Anthony, which I thought was a city route, we came across some of the most dumpiest places on earth. What a dump! UGGGHHH! We kept thinking of Jeremy saying I just need a little trailer from the '70's and we'll be fine. Well, Jeremy you will see these the next time you come for a visit. My Goodness!

Here is a great site to go to in case you get one of these phone books and aren't sure what to do with it: http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pGvEGFkvNs


Well, until the next blog. :-)

May Birthday's

We have had a bad cold in our computer over the past week and haven't been able to post. My sincere apologies to Amy whose birthday was this last week. Send her a belated birthday wish anyway if you didn't get to her earlier. Our pictures aren't in the computer like they were before so I'm having a hard time finding most recent pictures, also. Sorry!

Okay so here is the line up for the birthdays:

Amy Nicole Bennett Carter May 5, 1982. Married Bryce April 21, 2001.

Caetie Cheney Carter May 11, 1982. Married Lance June 26, 2003

Andersin born to Lance and Caetie on May 13, 2004.

Masen born to Lance and Caetie on May 27, 2008.

We are so glad to have each and every one of you in our family and hope your birthdays are wonderful and that you have a lovely party. If not lovely, then wild! Families make sure you make there special day special!

Since we call everyone for there birthdays and sing I'm just gonna put it up for you to decide if you want us to continue to sing or as Caetie put it "Don't give up your day job!" Take a vote and let us know, to sing or not to sing, that is the question. Leave your comments and we'll do what the votes say. (Of course I hope we don't have to sing) :-)

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Congratulations to Jeremy!

He is graduating next week with his Bachelors in Business. He has decided not to walk and so this is the closest picture to a graduation pic that I have.

Way to go Jeremy! :-) We are so proud of you.

The really big news next is that he just learned today he has been accepted into the U of U Masters Program for the fall semester. They will be moving to SLC in August. YAHOOO!!!

A big Thanks to Stephanie & Alexis for helping Jeremy get where he is at. They have been a great support to him over the past three years. Congratulations!!!

April Birthdaze

Eva Lois Hughes, born many years ago (1938), had another birthday on the 20th of April. She is the third child of Rulon and Eva Mace Hughes. She has two brothers and one sister. Lois loves going south for the winter so she can play Bingo without repurcussions from her gambling ways! She said several of you kids wrote on her facebook to wish her Happy Birthday and that was so sweet. Many more happy days to you Mom, Lois.

Jackson (?) Carter was born on April 24th, 2007 to Bryce and Amy. He is only three but I'm sure his parents think he is turning 5 because he is such a wonderful handful! Just look at that beautiful smile. He is such a livewire and so entertaining. He and Grandpa Carter are such good buddys when we go to Georgia. Happy Birthday Jackson with lots of love from The Carter Grandparents & your favorite Uncle, Uncle Dan!

Bull Riding Kid

I just saw this post on my Facebook and hope all of you can watch this. Studley Preston is riding a bull!!! A must see!
http://poundinghooves.smugmug.com/gallery/11840977_5u42w#837131080_oYujX-A-LB

This is way cool! And of course where is Bryce's video?