I'm alright with fifty.......

Fifty came and went. I had a birthday cake that my Son in Law made sure said, "Happy 39th Birthday" on it. There were some great gifts. There were all kinds of funny ones from my fun friends and family. There were black flowers, calgon bath salts, a giant remote control, a fireman calendar to hang in my office (really), a vitamins, and etc. And there were all kinds of really nice gifts too. Our first stop that weekend was at Mindy's. We took Maggie with us to St. George. It was fun to spend some time with Jessica and Jordan. They live too far away. I've looked forward to the Marathon all year. It is an inspiration! It was a thrill to see
Barry cross the finish line. We even saw Amy cross and my friend Kari. Our neighbors husbands all ran in it too. It still shocks me every morning when I have to put my age in as 50 on the treadmill at the gym.....but....it's okay, on my 49th birthday I ran 8 miles and I couldn't have ran 1 on my 19th, 29th or 39th....so, it's okay! I've had a couple set backs but....it's okay.....
I'm alright with fifty!

Welcome Annie Jeanne....such a sweet thing!!!

Tyra and I got to spend Saturday and Sunday at Mindy and John's. What a sweet baby! The kids love holding her. She just layed in their arms like a doll until I changed her.
That's when she did things dolls don't do.
Maggie and Josie were not prepared for such things!
It was hard to leave on Sunday......I guess it 's a mom thing. Even though Mindy's been grown up with her own family for a long time and is such a great mom, It's times like this that-I can't imagine she can get a long without me!

Scott and Jorine's 10 K.........

Scott and Jorine ran the 10k in the Pocatello Marathon!
This was their first 10K. They did great! They are both amazing. It's great that they run and train together. I was glad to find pictures of them on the website.
I feel so bad we weren't there!
For some reason....(I wasn't listening very good) I thought the race was on Labor Day.
This really thrills me!

It was only a couple years ago when they used to tell me they could never get up early in the morning like I did to work out nor, could they or would they want to run although they were working out every night after work, lifting weights and really doing hard work out routines. NOW, they are up about as early as I am every morning-running too.......It's addicting-its' my happy pill.

School Bells are ringing..the years just fly by!!!

Off they all go! Some mothers are crying, some are laughing, some are just
running to grab the car keys and get away while they can! Others will follow
their kids to school and weep. Hummm? What kind of mother are you?

Johnny and Maggie....off they go
and really-a picture? They will smile this once but,
come on already!

Josie's 1st Day of Pre-school
(Check out that body language!)
I'm pretty sure that means, she's ready for Jr. High!

Drake's First Day of Pre-School (Hardly recognize him without his hat!)

Tyra 6th Grade

Tyra Kindergarden

Marathon Four Wheeler Ride

The Saturday before school started we set out on the only four wheeler adventure we've had this year.

We went into Copper Basin. It was really a beautiful ride. It was a really long...long...ride. It was about 60 miles on the 4 wheelers! REALLY! My friend Fred, wanted to ride with me on the four wheeler or.... maybe he could smell our Oreo crumbs. Either way, he was very friendly. I introduced myself and everything. I would have taken him for a ride but- I think he was telling me he wanted to drive. That would have been scary!The next time we go....I will be prepared. I don't remember where I learned it but....before we left that day, I grabbed a bandanna but somehow in all the excitement forgot I had it. On the ride back to the truck, I folded it in a triangle, tied it around my face-under my goggles. From now on, I'll not go without it....I'll just be bandit on a four wheeler without a dirty face!

My Seattle Ball Game Trauma.......

Friday night after the Yankee and Mariner game, Trent and Hal and I were waiting for the Ferry and a we ran into a distinguished looking man Trent knew that was also waiting for the ferry. Trent told us later he was a Senator. Trent told him we had just been to the game. He told us he had gone to Wednesday's game when they played 14 innings and beat the White Sox. Trent told him we had been at that one too. He must have noticed our long faces and said, "You didn't leave the game to get on the Ferry did you?" "Oh, it was ........." Trent told him he better not say anymore about it with me around.

We did go to that game. It was a great game. We left after the 12th inning to get on the ferry so we wouldn't have to wait until 12:15 a.m. for the last ferry to Bainbridge Island. We just barley made the ferry and Trent was listening to the game on the radio and his radio with headphones.  If any of you  have walked with Trent anywhere, you know he walks fast.  He's at least 6 ft 4" and takes huge steps but I hated leaving that game before it was over!  Had I of been two, I'd have thrown a fit.  All I could do was stay as close to him as I could.  My fear was that they would put Griffey in without me there.  Trent knew that.  He loves to tease me.  Not long after the ferry pulled away from the city, we were on the top deck freezing cold and Trent's eyes light up and he told me they were going to put griffey in.  I was sure he was teasing me when he said they until he shared one side of his head phones with me.  He did it.  After 14 innings, Ken Griffey Jr. ended the game with a run off hit  and I wasn't there to see it.  I missed exactly what I wanted to see...but....It's been a couple weeks now and I am especially grateful that I was in such great company. The game could have could have gone either way, there was no way of knowing. Trent, Dianne and their family found a way to get me to laugh instead of cry. I did cry when I got a text from Mike just before I went to bed. He sent it from Chicago It said: "Mom, I got up in the middle of the night to see what the who won. I can't believe it! Tell me you didn't leave the game early to get on the ferry." I froze. I couldn't even respond. I was exhausted from the drive and all the excitement that I did sleep that night but this is what I missed:
(At the end, look for the guy in the stand with the white shirt.....see the empty seat behind him.....I would have been there....smiling!)

Our Trip To Seattle

Marvin Hillam Reunion at the Farm

Mom and Dad were in charge of the "Marvin Hillam", my Grandpa Hillam, reunion this year. They did an outstanding job. We divided up into groups that were each taught a skill by one of Dad's sisters. These skills were actually part of everyday living when they were growing up but the methods have been modernized. Examples are: Washing clothes with a washboard, making butter, the process of straining milk and seperating cream from the milk. There was even a demo on making homeade ice cream. Aunt Grace and my cousin Molly had prepared all kinds of treats to top the ice cream or add into it. Somehow, I seemed to find myself at that station
several times. I wonder if they noticed. The only thing I feel really bad about is that I was too busy to take any pictures. These pictures are some that Barry sent-Dan had his camera out and I'd love to see his too. They are both quite the photographers. The farm is sacred ground to me. It represents courage, strength, pride, honesty, love and everything good in the world to me. I feel honored to share the Hillam name.

Swimming Lessons 2009

Week at the Cabin

Mindy tries to finish her book, Jordan is probably wondering if there are really any fish our there

I suspect this conversation has something to do with where Brizzo and the squirrels

Silly Tyra

Tyra Maggie and Johnny show off the Castle Jordan helped them build

This is a great sunset picture off the dock.

We had the best time on the lake this year. After a couple cool days, the
rest were perfect and we enjoyed every second!

Jessica and Josie

Johnny and Josie

Tyra, Spencer, Josie and Johnny

Hal and Scott in the Boat I think, with John and the kids on the paddle boat

Scott Skiing

Maggie, Josie and Tyra

Jessica and Jordan

One of my favorite views from the cosway crossing to Bills Island

Scott, Jorine and Brizzo

Jordan takes the wake

Hal - masters the water

TOO MUCH TO TITLE

It was a busy few days!
July 3rd, Got up early:
Arrived where?

Mindy and John's New House!!!!!
Beautiful! Very Exciting!

They had worked really hard getting all moved. We were really amazed at all they had done. I felt bad to not be there to help her put her kitchen in. I couldn't imagine how she could put her kitchen away without me! Surely she needed me for that. How would she know where to put everything? But then.....I saw her new kitchen......no, she didn't need my help she has about 6 times the cupboard space that I do and has a pantry! It was a beautiful thing! Just a side note...I have never felt bad that I didn't have a big beautiful house. I really have been happy just where I am but.....if there was one thing from her house that I could pick up and move to mine.....it would be the.......can you wait......it would be the laundry room.
You should really see the laundry room.Jessica & Jordan came that night. I felt bad because by that time, I was sick-on the couch.
I guess sleeping 6 hours is not enough for two days.

4th of July JESSICA'S 10 K FREEDOM RUN

Got up early-really I was too excited for her to sleep very well. My heart ached as she put on her shoes because I really wanted to run with her. She had worked so hard to be ready-it was so exciting and I was so proud of her! Running has become an emotional thing as morning after morning for years I have tried to get my body to work with my will and mind.
I have most of what it takes, my leg just doesn't want to follow.
I was so teared up I could hardly see through the camera lens.
(Obviously I didn't realize the date was wrong on my camera either!)
Jessica's early Birthday,
we also got to celebrate Jessica's birthday while we were there too.
We made her a cake and had a little party while enjoying the 4th.
We went to the movie, golfed, cleaned, and painted the
old house across the street.
The kids were creative with the hose and dirt outside don't you think!
We stayed up late again, just eating left overs and sandwiches....just enjoying the time together because we were up early and back home Sunday morning. Hal had to be at church-he thinks the ward can't run without him now. (Just kidding, he knew-he'd be gone the next week)
After church, Tyra and I went to Mom's and Dad's to have a Birthday Party!
It was her 75th. Melanie and Laura came. It was fun to see them and have a cookout in the backyard! There are somethings that shouldn't ever change.

discovery

I just found this picture on my sd card of the Tetons. We were at the
farm playing one Saturday in January and I sent Scott outside with my camera.
It's a great picture....maybe my camera is okay...and the operator is faulty!