"Hair Spray" Musical Circle Skirts

Lori and Cindy and kids not in school came here yesterday so that we could make circle skirts for all the girls for Music Camp in July in Rupert. The mini-musical they are doing this year is "Hair Spray" so we thought the girls would look adorable up on stage in these cute period skirts! I can safely say we had a ball! They were only here for about 5 1/2 - 6 hours and we chased kids, fed them (and not to be left out...ourselves!)  and had a dozen interruptions, (fun interruptions, however! Whenever our grandkids are around, I'm a happy Grandma!)  We still made at least 7 skirts in that period of time. My camera does not begin to do these skirts justice. They turned out darn cute! Lori did all the cutting and Cindy and I sewed as did Lori. She is so fast...Cindy and I a little slower...but hey, we had a great time! I love to have my girls around. They make me laugh and bring me pure joy!  I went over to Lori's about a month ago and we went to a Mill End Fabric Store in Burley and bought all this brightly colored solid rayon fabric in many different colors and then bought off-white eye-let lace fabric as an underskirt to each one. They all have black 2" fabric waistbands. So adorable and so easy. To be sure we had enough length for Regan and Lindi's skirts, we added even a second underskirt of black or black and white polka dot. We made one for Kami, too, because we couldn't leave her out if all her sisters had one! She loves it and has been wearing it non-stop since she woke up this morning. Here are a few pics of our day. We missed you, Julie! Maybe next year it will work out better. Lori took 3 pieces of the fabric home with her to make up to sell to some of the other mothers who might be looking for costumes! Thanks, girls, for making it happen! I know your schedules are so busy!

My darling niece, Kristen Johnson (Craig's daughter) and her boyfriend, Matthew Johnston

Erika and Chris Stover with Danli, Macy, Avery, and Brinley!

Little Macy Stover, daughter of my niece, Erika Johnson Stover (Mike's daughter)

Erika's daughter, Avery Stover...adorable!

I had such a great visit Saturday with two of my darling nieces, significant other, husband, and family who came up to spend a few days with my Mom. Love these people to death and don't get to see them nearly often enough! We are very much looking forward to our Johnson Family Reunion on August 6th in Salt Lake when we can all get together and catch up! Love you all, and thank you for helping Grandma so much while you were here!

Our Monarch Butterfly, Jordy!

I remember well Morgan's Bugz Play and now it was Jordy's turn. And a more beautiful Monarch Butterfly has never been seen! She was so excited and nervous but did such a great job singing and acting her part. This is a cute play about all the different kinds of insects and bugs in the world. They study them during the year, write reports on their chosen insect, and then put on a play complete with fun costumes and adorable songs! Our camera does not do well with distance shots but she is at the caterpillar stage right now (front row wrapped in yellow/white/black fabric. You can't help but feel sorry for the little stink bug through the play, however. But there is always a "silver lining" to every story and even the stink bug ends up happy! Here they all are at the picnic.  Ever had a picnic like this where every possible bug or insect shows up to join your party?

Jordy front and center in the caterpillar stage!

From a caterpillar to a beautiful monarch butterfly!

Please Remember Us When You're Famous, Kate!

Saturday afternoon, May 7th, we attended an awards ceremony for the PBS Kids Writing/Illustrating Contest for Idaho.  Our little 9-yr-old Kate won 2nd for the 3rd Grade Division. The rules were simply that she had to write a book and illustrate it. I believe her book was about a snail. It was so darling  and she read it so well that I was more captivated watching her than paying attention to the words and pictures. The amazing thing to Greg and me was that she told her Mom she wanted to illustrate it by turning it into a pop-up picture book. NO ONE ELSE that I know of attempted such a thing. Thank goodness for the internet.  She watched the tutorial on-line and then went to work. We just loved it and love these pictures of her very PROUD moment! What a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We are so proud of her! Perhaps she'll grow up to write or illustrate children's books! Love you, Katie Bug!

Hi, Cowboy!

The cutest thing happened today...perhaps you had to be there.. but Greg and I were leaving JC Penney's when an adorable little 3 or 4 yr-old girl (with Mom in tow) walked past us and said, "Hhhiiiiiyyyy, Cowboy" (in a low, long drawn-out  manner.) Greg said "hello" to her and then proceeded to tell me that while I was trying on clothes, she had come over by him and repeatedly addressed him as, "Hi, Cowboy" in the same manner. In speaking with her for a few minutes she told him her name was Bryn...all this, of course,  while her mother was standing there listening  (rather embarrassed, by the way, but not saying a thing).

Well, about 30 seconds later as we were walking out the door, we hear that darling little low voice again saying from waaaayy down the aisle....you guessed it...Bye, Cowboy!" as he walked off into the sunset (giggle). What can I say, there is something about a man in a light-colored cowboy hat! Bryn, you certainly have great taste and know a good guy when you see one!

It was so darn cute, I can't quit chuckling about it!

"He's an old Cowhand"

Snip is a gem...notice how the rope is across his rear and he's still calm.

What a great picture! You can see what a powerful and beautiful horse he is.

I like this picture...Greg's armitas and boots and Snip's head.

One of Greg's customers took these pics yesterday while branding and printed them off for him. They are taken at Pratt Ranch in Blackfoot. Thanks so much, Anita! I love them (and the guy in them!)

SkippyJon Jones Visits the Stoddard Reading Roundup

Earlier this month, Annie Tanner, a dear friend and head of the Vista reading program at Stoddard Elementary invited Greg to come to their Reading Roundup Party and read Skippyjon Jones to the 100+ kids who had completed their reading challenge for the year. She is the daughter of some of our very good friends and a marvelous organizer and motivator to the students. She and her hubby and children have been in our home several times and they know how much "Grandpa Rose" LOVES to read these books to his grandkids...hence, the invitation. Lori, Brad and kids gave the darling Skippyjon puppet to Greg at Christmas...just a perfect little surprise! I think Greg was more nervous once he actually got there than he imagined. A throng of little kids is quite a different experience than a few precious little grandkids curled up on his lap, but he did a FANTASTIC job and had the kids "eating our his hands"! I thought these were pretty cute pictures that Annie brought over and wanted to remember this fun afternoon. He read to two different groups (I was the page turner only).  I absolutely LOVE to hear his Spanish accent and the excitement in his voice as he weaves the story of the little Siamese cat with the big ears who is sure he is really a Chihuahua...a Chihuahua named El Skippito Friskito, the great sword fighter! We have five of these books, each one darling...but the original is the best in my opinion! Anyway, kudos to my adorable husband for stepping out of his comfort zone and into a large crowd of eager little elementary kids! They looked so cute in their little cowboy hats! I love you, honey! You're a natural!!!

Marjorie Pay Hinckley - a VERY WISE WOMAN!

I just had to post these two beautiful quotes by Sister Marjory Pay Hinckley...words of wisdom from one of Heavenly Father's very choice daughters!


     "We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives.We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."


"Fifty was my favorite age. It takes about that long to learn to quit competing--to be yourself and settle down to living. It is the age I would like to be through all eternity!"

I agree wholeheartedly, Sister Hinckley!  I'm a slow learner but I'm working on it.