The Summer Garden that Almost Wasn't

Tradationally we plant our summer garden over spring break.  This year we were in Utah having a grand reunion after Lisa's return from her mission...

Life was hectic upon our return.  Pony packs of tomatoes weren't found at Home Depot and life went on.    Thank goodness for a volunteer tomato plant that reminded us that we really did want to have our tradational 18 tomato plants in our garden plot so we can  enjoy unlimited tomatoes with our summer meals and homemade salsa stashed away in our freezer. 

Scott is standing next to our volunteer plant

 As I walked through Walmart earlier this week I found some tomato packs along with a squash, cucumber, and pepper plant.  I was so happy to purchase them. I was even happier that they didn't die waiting for the weekend to come so we could plant them. 

 The finished garden
 (Kathleen standing by the row of tomatoes and Scott with the other vegtable  plants).

Now we can't forget to water the garden. 

Sunrise, Sunset....

 

...Swiftly fly the years....

Family Dynamics

These pictures makes me happy.

Sisters!

A sister is a forever friend

 Brothers!

Getting Dave as a brother was worth the wait.

Grandchildren! 

Being a grandparent is grand!

Happy 80th Birthday, Mom!

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday.  My Sister-in-law, Christy made this wonderful video to celebrate her life.

This is the tribute I wrote to my mom for her birthday:

This quote by Abraham Lincoln sums up my feelings about my mother:  "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

My mother has given me everything in my life that is important.

• She gave me life
• She taught me the gospel
• She showed me by her example how to be a good mother
• She taught me homemaking skills
• She gives me unconditional love
• She is my cheerleader

I am blessed to call her mother.  

We love you, Mom!  

Hermana Magnusson is HOME!

We were so happy to welcome Lisa home yesterday.  

Enjoy the pictures of our experience...

At LAX figuring out what gate to pick her up at.

 Waiting with our sign.

Sisters waiting.....

 There she is!

Mom gets the first hug.

 Siblings!
We miss Kristine, Janelle, Dave, Savannah, and Chase,
but we'll see them soon.

The whole greeting committee.

Proud and happy Mom and Dad.

BYU Folk Dancers

BYU Internationl Folk Dance Ensemble 

is coming to San Gabriel Valley on Thursday, March 14.     

Provo Tabernacle Tribute

My sister-in-law, Kerri wrote a beautiful tribute to the New Provo temple:

When the "fires" or trials of life get us down and we feel a hollowed out empty shell, do we collapse or do we clean out the wreckage and rebuild ourselves into something better than we ever could have imagined for ourselves? The beautiful, historic Provo tabernacle was destroyed by fire a couple of years ago. It was a devastating loss, however there was a good foundation and sturdy walls. Now it is being rebuilt and will go from being a beautiful tabernacle to an exquisite temple. May we do the same when the "fires" try to destroy us.

You can also see the above video by clicking here

You can see the progress of rebuilding the temple

You can also see the above video by clicking here. 


Below you can also see another video that was made just before the dedication .

You can also see the above video by clicking here

16 Year Old Boy + $10 Gift Card = .......

Sam received a $10 Ralph's Grocery Store gift card.  

I was wondering, What would Sam buy from Ralph's?  

I found out the answer when I got back from an inservice meeting I attended today.
(I didn't know Sam was going to walk to the grocery store while I was gone.
I thought he was at home cleaning his room.)

He told me he bought everything he liked that he knew I wouldn't buy for him.   

He's such a great kid!  He let me eat half of his can of  Pringles. 

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning STILL looks a lot like Christmas!  Look at the date (January 12th) and we still have our Christmas decorations up.    Life has been too busy with other things going on to take the time to take them down.  I don't mind.  I really like what we have collected over the past 35 years of marriage.

The other day I went around the house and took pictures of some of my favorite decorations.  I decided to do a blog post about the pictures I took.

I got this nativity set when I was around 10 years old from my church primary class.  

We were to use it to help tell the story of Jesus' birth to our family. 

Lisa picked up the nativity set that us underneath the shelf from Guatemala when she visited there on a study abroad. 

When Scott worked for Temple City Unified School District, 

he purchased this cute tree from a fundraising boutique put on by the PTA.

It is not typical for Scott to pick up a  boutique item.

 This is the view of our family room. 

I'm glad that when we added on to our house 20+ years ago we included a fireplace.

 I got this on clearance from Pic 'N Save for $5 one year after Christmas.

I was with my Mom when I got it.  It reminds me of her.

 We were married in December 1977. 

 Dip and drape was the rage in the 70's.

Someone made us this set for a wedding gift. 

I got the etched nativity glass to the right from a thrift store (look closely, it's hard to see it in the picture)

 My Sister-in-law, Kerri, hand painted this porcelain nativity set. 

I think of her when I put it out.

I love collecting nativity sets.  These are a few that I have collected.  

They are on a low table so when any children come over, they can play with them. 

The plan is to take the decorations down tomorrow...If it doesn't happen, that's OK.  We'll try again next week. 

Christmas Performers

Christmas bells are ringing....

Brother Mike Miller has been conducting 

the Arcadia Youth Bell choir for the past 18 years. 

 

Taylor and Sam

The Arcadia Stake Youth Bell Choir 

after they performed at the Los Angeles  Temple's Visitor Center

The Salt Lake Symphonic Choir

Check out the cute singer on the back row

 

It was worth the getting up at 4:50 am 

and the 10 hour drive to hear Rachel sing.