Chill'n, Grill'n, and Celebrating the 4th of July

In April we were thrilled to welcome granddaughter, Preslee, into our family.  This past weekend we drove to Billings, MT, to witness her baby blessing given by her father, Sam.  In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, babies are blessed during the Sunday service. This would coincide with celebrating our country's 250th birthday.   

Our 9-hour car trip was well worth it as we were able to be with three of our children's families during our trip.  Janelle and Dave's family lives in Rexburg, ID, the halfway point to Billings.  We were happy to get re-acquainted with their chickens.     

Lisa and Ryan were also on their way to Billings for the blessing and joined us.

What an exciting time to spend in Rexburg, waking up to their 4th of July parade!  Remember, we are from Duarte, CA, just a few miles from Pasadena and the world famous Rose Parade.  The Rose Parade pales in comparison to the Rexburg 4th of July parade.  You be the judge as you view the photos and video of our parade experience.  

Of course, our grandchildren were the cutest and most patriotically dressed at the parade!

Click onto the arrow to see the marching band in action.

Rexburg had everything, even one of the Founding Fathers on a scooter.

Thank you, Rexburg, for making the 4th so special! 

When we arrived in Montana we were greeted by Preslee, and her sisters and brother.  

Rainbows are especially fun to make on the 4th of July!

Chill'n...

Grill'n...

and shoot'n, all make for an appropriate Independence Day.

Click onto the arrow to see the shoot'n.

Billings has a terrific zoo. We had a grrrrr-great time visiting all the animals! 

Ahh!...look out behind you!

Scott doesn't want to miss out on any new zoo information.

What's Independence Day without an eagle on hand?

When the Warrens were in their Billings hotel, the breakfast employee told Ryan she thought he was JD Vance when he walked in.  She was serious!   

You be the judge. 

 

It's not every day you get to attend church with your twin granddaughter.

What a special occasion on Sunday for the baby blessing!

It was a choice experience to be with family.

Until we meet again.

Happy Father's Day

Today, Facebook notified me that I had three memories that I posted on today's date--three different years. I was happy to see that they were memories of past Father's Days.

My Dad with our family on one of our many summer trips to Utah.

Below was posted on Facebook June, 2024.  

  

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad of these wonderful children.

1998

This was posted on Facebook in June 2013

When columnist Claudia Heller sent out this request, I knew just what to send her.

“For my Father's Day column, please send me a few quotes and the constant advice your father gave you while you were growing up -- his words of wisdom that have stayed with you, and a sentence or two about him.”

I was happy that she started out her article honoring my dad.(Claudia's words that are highlighted in yellow are shown below the article.)

"Many Alzheimer's patients become mean and cantankerous as the disease progresses," said Kathleen.  "But at the end of my Dad's life, he remained pleasant, and developed a childlike personality.  This is the spirit my dad displayed throughout his whole life. 

"She (Kathleen) fondly recalls that when she and her siblings would work in the yard, her father would often say:  'Many hands make light work.'  

"Duartean Kathleen Magnusson lost her father, Kiefer Harris, seven years ago when he was 76."     

This was posted on Facebook in June 2012:

I’ve had similar experiences as a little girl with my own father and family in Fernley, Nevada, and as a wife and mother with Scott, in Victorville, Calif that is told in the video below.  I’m grateful for the fathers in our lives who have the courage to always keep moving ahead when faced with difficult  trials.  Happy Father’s Day!

This was posted on Facebook in June 2016:

Scott -- a great father to a great group of kids. Magpad 2007

Thank you, Facebook, for the wonderful Father's Day memories.  

The Power of Music

I just happened upon this Youtube video that made my day.  These songs brought me back to my teenage years, and I'm sure my friends that I grew up with will enjoy listening to these songs too. 

This is what the Youtube channel says about this video:

Take a joyful trip back to the 1960s, when pop songs were bright, catchy, and impossible not to smile at. This countdown revisits fifteen feel-good classics that still light up the room within seconds and bring pure nostalgia with every note.

🎵 Songs Featured:

You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes

It’s My Party – Leslie Gore

Knock Three Times – Tony Orlando and Dawn

I Want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles

Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys

Mrs. Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel

California Dreamin’ – The Mamas & the Papas

The Loco-Motion – Little Eva

Happy Together – The Turtles

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse

Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann

Dizzy – Tommy Roe

I’m a Believer – The Monkees

Sugar, Sugar – The Archies

Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations

AI says about the 60’s:

The 1960s was an iconic decade of massive cultural, social, and political transformation. Spanning from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 1969, the era fundamentally reshaped fashion, civil rights, music, and space exploration.

Add to that:  I grew up  in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Hippie movement evolved.  It made for an interesting time and place to grow up.  I was blessed to grow up in a home that kept me grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.    

Enjoy.  

June 19, 2026

Here I am 13 days later after posting this blogpost the first time.  Today, I ran into this video talking about the songs from the 70's.  Well, guess what!  I'm also a child of the 70's.  Make that a teenage child of the 70's.  I started high school in 1970 and graduated in 1974.  Enjoy going back to the song of the 70's.

This is what the Youtube channel says about this video:  

These 15 songs from the 1970s feel like pure golden hour sunshine. No heartbreak. No heaviness. Just warm, uplifting nostalgia that still glows decades later. From soft rock classics to joyful pop anthems, this countdown celebrates the happiest side of seventies music.

🎵 Songs Featured:

Let Your Love Flow – The Bellamy Brothers

Make It With You – Bread

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) – James Taylor

Take It Easy – Eagles

Sister Golden Hair – America

Our House – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac

Summer Breeze – Seals and Crofts

You're So Vain – Carly Simon

Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain and Tennille

My Sweet Lord – George Harrison

Danny's Song – Loggins and Messina

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass

Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens

Welcome Baby Preslee

Sam and Makelle welcomed sweet Preslee Ann into their family this past week.

Dax will get great of advice from his dad on how to deal with all sisters.  

 

"Exploding Stars"

Here is a fun activity I haave done with my grandkids. Grab a package of popcycle stickes and have some fun. (As you watch the video, be sure the sound is on in the link) 

@keith_schacht

Exploding Stars

♬ original sound - keith_schacht