The Mackay-Merry-Go-Round ...... "To Be a Happy and Loving Family Forever and Ever"

Families Are Forever Post II

2011-12-30T14:45:00.000-08:00

On December 3, 2011 Maizy was sealed to her family in the Columbia River, Washington temple. Somehow she knew that it was a special day in her life.
Princess Maizy
The Brett Mackay family
Kisses from Mom and Grandma Potter Three generations
Scott and I were so blessed to be able to share this wonderful day with Maizy's family.

Time for Thanks

2011-12-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

I realize that Thanksgiving was over a month ago. But that just means that my blog post is late not my gratitude for so many wonderful blessings. We were fortunate to have Allison, Brayden and Mason stay with us for several days and Wes, Julie, Weston, MacKenzie, and Katie stayed overnight. They all helped us complete our Thankful Turkey that is pictured above. Each turkey feather contains a blessing recognized by one us.

Once again we had a successful Christmas tree hunt. Besides trees for ourselves we also found trees for a couple of neighbors as well as ones for Allen and family in Flagstaff and Amber in New York.

Weston, MacKenzie, Katie and Mason

Katie

MacKenzie

Weston

Fall Family Fun

2011-11-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy fall - so busy that there hasn't been time to blog! So in an effort to catch up...

STRAW MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH

We went to a straw bale maze just before Halloween near Rexburg. It was great fun!

This is the view from on top of the maze! There were 1,700 bales in all.

Besides the maze there was a petting zoo. MacKenzie, Katie and Weston posed for the picture, but Mason wanted the bunny inside the hutch.

The pumpkin patch - with some pretty special 'pumpkins' checking it out!

MACKAY WORK WEEKEND

I've blogged about this in years past - our family work weekend, helping preg check at Lemhi Ranches. Some think we are crazy, as it is a worked filled, exhausting day. But we enjoy working together. We make quite the crew!

The 'K' girls - Katie, Kalli, and Kenzie

We even introduced Kalli's friend, Allison to the fun.

MEETING MAIZY

We were so excited to meet Maizy and are so happy that she is part of our family. We had loved her and prayed for her for so long that it was wonderful to get to be with her. She made a connection with Grandma right away! Playing 'ring-around-the-rosy' with Maizy.

We are "family"!

Ashlynn and Brynlee showed off their new horse, Breyson and Grandpa took turns riding the goat - somehow it was a little easier for Grandpa!

Maizy and her Family

2011-10-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

I love the pictures that Brett and Jinni have shared of Maizy with her family.

Bringing Maizy Home

2011-10-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

In April I blogged about the newest member of our family, Maizy NT'seliseng. She was born in Lesotho, South Africa and joined Brett and Jinni's family. The following post is the pictures and updates that we received from them as they traveled to pick her up and bring her home. Amber also accompanied them on their trip.

Hello every one we have made it safely and absolutely love the people here at Foothills Guesthouse, they have taken such great care of us. We have had a couple of bumps on our meeting Maizy today but hope to leave in a half hour or so. The jet lag was horrible and we slept for about 24 hrs straight and then were wide awake all last night. We attended church yesterday and that was crazy. Half of it was in Seotho and the other in English. Way crazy! We do have some peaceful demonstration going on, but are well away from them. The bestest part is we had another family come in from Vancouver BC last night and are also staying here and our little girls are both at the same place. Such a BLESSING! Well need to run. Will update soon!

Monday, August 22, 2011

So she is now ours!! Today at around 3:30pm we were able to meet with the new PS at Social Health and Welfare and she sent us on to get our Maizy with her blessing. Maizy has been quite shy and nervous and has cried a little bit, bit is doing good now. She has a pretty severe case of eczema all over her body and so we have started working on that. So wish us luck at the embassy tomorrow and faith that it will all go well.

We are approved!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Maizy did great and slept through the night and today Scott from the embassy said I have had the best collection of paperwork he has seen so far! YAY We have had a great couple of days and have loved being here. We miss our kids terribly and need Brayden and Allison to spread hugs and kisses from all of us including Amber, she just arrived! Well off to enjoy our new little one. Will post pictures later tonight!!!

Another update!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

So a few of you have commented on Maizy's size and her full head of hair! Well she is really, really big. At this point she weighs more than Breyson and is very round with lots of rolls. I am now getting a little more comfortable with all her hair. It has been so fun to play with. She has been sleeping through the night great and early in the morning she will come and crawl into our bed and sing songs and giggle. She loves to play with her dad, it cracks me up. As you probably can already tell she loves food. She is a good eater and get really giddy when we are making our meals. I had worried a lot about what we would be eating but it has all been normal and we have had plenty. She has a little bit of a fire and will let you know what she thinks. Kind of interesting.

Saturday Update from Lesotho
Saturday, August 27, 2011
So we are doing well and trying to help our little Maizy adjust. Yesterday we went to Morija and spent the morning on a pony ride and were able to go through a museum about Lesotho. It was fun! We went with another family who is here from BC collecting their daughter from the same facility as ours. We have become great friends. We also have another family staying here from BC who are members of our church and so there has been some great connections there. We were able to talk to our kids today and that was the best. Tomorrow we will attend church for the second week in a row and they have been really welcoming to us. Brett leaves Monday and then Amber and I will follow Friday! So all is well, we look forward to getting closer to home and will stay in touch!

Well Maizy came down very sick and so we had to see a pediatrician in Maseru yesterday to find out that Maizy has pneumonia. We got some antibiotics and were able to fly out to Joburg today. We've got to our apartment and to the embassy Dr. for our appointment today and are now way exhausted, so we will post more later. Goodnight!!!
A few more pictures! Our final sign out at the orphanage and a couple from our safari today! We had the best guide ever, total crack up!

A couple of photos from the Lion Park! The baby lions were so cute, the ostrich kept pecking me and the giraffe just wrapped his whole tongue around my hand:) So fun!!!

Visa's are done and flights are on schedule, so we should be home tomorrow! YAY!!! After sitting in the Embassy yesterday for three hours with a one year old in the middle of her nap time, they finally approved us and said to come get our Visa at 2pm today. So please pray that it is ready and we can fly out tonight!!!:) They promised it would be!

On American soil again, sitting at JFK airport waiting to board our final flight on my way to see my sweet little family. Can't wait!

More pictures...

Happy Birthday Elder Mackay!

2011-07-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

In Glenn's last email from his mission in Merida, Mexico, he asked us "to eat a chunk of cake or something for me... " to celebrate his 20th birthday. We took him up on his word and celebrated Friday with Wes, Julie and family. Saying "We love You!" with our hands

Katie, MacKenzie and Weston blew out the candles for him!

We were blessed to the have missionaries that serve in our area staying with us on Saturday night and we asked them to celebrate too. Besides family, who better to share his birthday cake with than missionaries?! Elder Sharp, Elder Nelson and Scott ready to enjoy cake and ice cream

A Peak into Eternity

2011-07-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

On July 9, we shared a wonderful day with the Vern Fellon family as they attended the Idaho Falls Temple. We witnessed their family sealing. It was such a treat to be a part of their special day. The phrase is true - " a picture is worth a thousand words"...

Mackay Reunion 2011

2011-07-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

The Walter Mackay family reunion for 2011 was held in the Rupert, Idaho area. We gathered Friday and many adults enjoyed a Mexican lunch at Penny's Cafe in Norland. Layne and Barbara served Dutch oven chicken, potatoes for dinner that night and later, S'mores around the campfire. Friday evening campfire

Saturday was spent at Steadman's Slide at Raft River. Everyone enjoyed a relaxing day on the slide, zip line and visiting.

Brian and Joan enjoyed the thrill of a ride down the slide, along with...

Allen....

and Brayden and Mason.

Wes on the zip line.

Later we had the kid's party, family basketball game, volleyball game and dance and pizza and homemade root beer.

The traditional family basketball game.

For church we attended Rupert Fifth Ward and saw many friends from the years past. A grocery shower was given for Cliff and Julie, a talent show and we learned from Dad and Mamo as they answered questions about their past, giving us a glimpse into their lives.

Monday was the Fourth of July and we started our celebration at he Rupert parade. Afterwards we enjoyed a BBQ at the Layne and Barbara's along with snow cones and homemade ice cream. A lot of four wheeler and dune buggy rides were given. The traditional Alka-Seltzer water gun fight expanded as a few cups of water were tossed by Cliff. Heather and Jenny teamed up to get him back with buckets! He then became the target of water balloons thrown by the younger generation.

Enjoying the Fourth of July parade in Rupert.

Weston and MacKenzie shared their piano skills during the talent show.

The 'gunmen' after a target shooting session in Lemhi.

Enjoy more highlights with this slide show

The Most Water in Flint Creek We've Ever Seen

2011-06-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

The above average snow pack is melting and we have had a very rainy spring which has created quite a dilemma here in the Drummond area - flooding. A neighbor that grew up here commented that this was the most water that he had ever seen in the Flint Creek. I took a moment to take a few pictures today. (Sorry about the spots - they are rain drops on the camera lens!)

This is looking south up the Flint Creek at the bridge.

Looking south west towards Spencers.

At the first bridge, looking south.

On the south side, at the first bridge, looking back towards Flint Creek. l

On the North side of the bridge looking down Flint Creek.

Just passed the first bunch of trees in Parke's pasture on the north side of Flint Creek .

At the first bridge, looking back at Flint Creek.

North side at the first bridge.

At the first bridge, looking back at Flint Creek.

Spring Break

2011-05-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

We have been hoping for some time to make a trip to visit Allen and Jenny and family in Flagstaff and finally made it during towards the latter part of April. It was great to spend time in their home. They took such good care of us. Ethan, Allen, Alaine and Scott outside of Allen's work

When we decided to make the trip, Allen figured that it would be a perfect time to renovate the chicken coop that was on their property. Their family had decided to start raising chickens. So with his dad there as a building project partner, they set of to work.

Ethan, Spencer and Allen - working on the sides of the nesting boxes.

Ethan and Grandpa Scott attaching the sides to the top.

The nesting boxes from the inside of the chicken coop.

The eggs will collect in this tray on the outside of the chicken coop.

Ethan and Spencer put their hands through the nesting boxes to the outside.

The finished view of the nesting boxes, inside of the chicken coop.

On Monday, we traveled to the Walnut Canyon National Park and toured the

cliff dwellings of the Sinagua Native American tribe that are about 800 years old. It was interesting to see how they made their surroundings work for them.

Ethan, Jenny, Allen, Spencer, Alaine, and Scott inside of one of the rooms.

Allen and Spencer inside a cliff dwelling.

Ethan, wondered if it was door behind him, connected the rooms of a house for one family.

As we came to the end of our hike we were discussing the shapes and dimension of the rocks. Ethan told us that this was a 'rumple rock' because it had rumples in it.

A lizard!! Ethan wanted to catch it!

I love to look for peculiar images in nature and found these shapes in the knots of a dead cedar tree.

On the way back to Phoenix Ethan and I posed for a picture by a Saguaro Cactus. Allen kept encouraging us to step back and get a little closer!

Margaret Bodily Woodward

2011-04-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

My mother, Margaret Bodily Woodward passed away on April 10. She was six weeks shy of being 95 years old. I was happy for her as she can now see, be with dad and have all of her faculties returned to her use.

Sibling: Lyle, Alaine, Joyce, Wayne, Rodger, Arlen, Dell, and Ellis

One of the blessings of a funeral is the connection that takes place with family members who come to pay their respect. It was a great reunion. During the funeral, my brother Ellis shared a message of faith. He quoted a story given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf in April 2008 General Conference.

"In 1979 a large passenger jet with 257 people on board left New Zealand for a sightseeing flight to Antarctica and back. Unknown to the pilots, however, someone had modified the flight coordinates by a mere two degrees. This error placed the aircraft 28 miles (45 km) to the east of where the pilots assumed they were. As they approached Antarctica, the pilots descended to a lower altitude to give the passengers a better look at the landscape. Although both were experienced pilots, neither had made this particular flight before, and they had no way of knowing that the incorrect coordinates had placed them directly in the path of Mount Erebus, an active volcano that rises from the frozen landscape to a height of more than 12,000 feet (3,700 m).
As the pilots flew onward, the white of the snow and ice covering the volcano blended with the white of the clouds above, making it appear as though they were flying over flat ground. By the time the instruments sounded the warning that the ground was rising fast toward them, it was too late. The airplane crashed into the side of the volcano, killing everyone on board.
It was a terrible tragedy brought on by a minor error—a matter of only a few degrees.
... the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, in marriages, and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees."

I was touched by this account and it made me pledge to correct my course so that it will get me to where I want to be in the eternities.

Brett (front left) was a casket bearer.

Visiting with Aunt Ruth Jemison, Dad's sister who recently turned 97.

Happy 1st Birthday Mason!!

2011-04-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

We are not always able to celebrate birthdays with our grandchildren and when we can it is a special treat. Mason shared his birthday with his mother, Allison's college graduation. So it was quite the celebration!

Mason blowing out the candle - or looking at it!

The happy birthday boy...

with birthday gifts.

Trying birthday cake...

A refreshing bath in the sink to clean up all of the crumbs.

Congratulations to Allison the College Graduate

2011-04-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Allison who graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho on April 8. It was great to be there and share in her day. Graduating was a goal that Allison had and held to when it would have been easier to quit. A quote by Theodore Roosevelt comes to mind:
"...The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without err, and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Graduation was held in the new BYU-I Center.

Big screens on the side helped bring the front of the room closer.

Allison and Mason

Mason, Allison and Brayden

Alaine, Scott, Mason, Allison, and Brayden

In between Commencement and Allison's convocation, we

reconnected with Reese and Irma, from our Grouse Creek days.

We hadn't seen them sinced we moved away 26 years ago.

Weston's Baptism

2011-04-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

With grateful hearts, we were able to attend Weston's baptism on March 27 in Lemhi, Idaho. It was great to be apart of such a big day for him. Weston and Wes

Mackenzie, Weston and Katie

Weston with his Primary teacher on the left and the Primary President on the right

Grandpa and Grandma Mackay, Weston, Grandma and Grandpa Astle

Weston and his family

Snow Art

2011-04-18T11:01:00.001-07:00

Winter has gone on a little too long this year. However, I often entertain my self by looking for 'snow art', creations made by mother nature using the wind and other resources at her disposal. A few weeks ago, we had a pretty good wind and snow storm blow through and this was what was left on the north side if my deck. I love the loops formed at the bottom as it began to melt.

We traveled to Lemhi through a storm and this was in the wheel wells of the truck.

We found these creations last Thanksgiving time as we looked for our Christmas tree near Ovando.

Technology is for Grandmas!!

2011-04-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

I am by no means a 'computer geek' and can do only a few things, by comparison, but it makes being a grandma a little easier. As life would have it, our children live far enough away that we can't visit them very often but through technology we can stay better connected. Below are a few examples.

Allison sent this picture of Mason as he became high centered under a chair going after his pacifier.

We visit with Allen, Jenny, Ethan and Spencer quite often on 'Skype' and thoroughly enjoy their visits.

Mackenzie and Weston played basketball this winter. Grandpa was able to visit one day and see them play but Grandma was in school. So they shared a few pictures and a movie.

Brett and Jinni shared a fun picture of Ashlnn and Brynlee after they had been to Lowe's and came home with construction aprons and hats.

Announcing an Addition to our Family!!

2011-04-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome Maizy!!

We are looking forward to the adoption of NT'seliseng (pronounced E - see - d- sang) Maizy to the Brett Mackay family. She was born June 23, 2010 in Lesotho, a land locked country in South Africa. Her mother passed away the day after she was born and her grandmother took care of her for about two months. This was difficult for the grandmother as she is blind. A neighbor took her to the orphanage. She was matched with Brett and Jinni in December 2010. During the winter, Maizy came down with pneumonia and she was hospitalized for a time. After getting out of the hospital, she was placed in foster care with a missionary there who helped nurse her back to health. It is not known at this time exactly when Maizy will be united with her family as the pace of the situation seems to be very slow in this third world country.

Recently, Jinni was able to spend some time with Amber in New York City and was able to meet some other families who are working with the same adoption agency. One family had their adopted child with them. She met a co-worker of Amber's who had worked in the Peace Corp in Lesotho and a women native to the country who was familiar with the area that Maizy is from. She also taught Jinni how to pronounce her African name. It was definitely a highlight of her trip as she was strengthened by getting to meet and learn from these new friends.

Ashlynn's Baptism

2011-03-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

We were very excited to be able to attend Ashlynn's baptism on February 19 in Moses Lake, WA. It was a little hard to believe that we had children old enough to have their own children being baptized! Despite that, we are grateful for their wonderful family and appreciate the great job of teaching and parenting that they are doing. Ashlynn and her family on the night of her baptism

Ashlynn and Brett

Ashlynn with her Primary teachers

Family and friends at Ashlynn's baptism

Ashlynn with Grandma Mackay

Ashlynn with Great-Grandma Smith, Grandma Potter, her mom,

and Great-Grandma Potter

Afterwards we gathered at Brett and Jinni's to celebrate

Ashlynn and Breyson's birthdays!

Breyson showing his new bike

...sharing a ride with Mason

...and letting Mason have his own

We loved being with Brett, Jinni and their family and friends. We look forward to our next visit!

Driving to Heaven in a Shiny Sports Car?!

2011-02-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

Sometime ago a dear friend shared some quotes from Marjorie Pay Hinkley, wife of the previous President of the church, Gordon B. Hinkley. Some of them really touched my heart and seemed to be a reflection of my own feelings. I've included a few below:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them. Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth."

"Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for and relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Christmas 2010

2011-01-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas stockings for 2010

Christmas 2010 is but a memeory now - but what a memory it was for our family. Here are a few highlights

Talking to Glenn

Having everyone together

Construction on downstairs bathroom and bedrooms

Spencer saying, "Grampa 'ere are you?"

Acting out our own nativity

Preparing 276 people meals with the help of Jenny's coupon shopping

Sewing with Ethan, Ashlynn, and Brynlee

Sledding

Surviving -20 degrees

Having Allison, Brayden, and Mason for 3 extra days

Mason filled Wes's Christmas stocking!

Acting out our own Nativity

A Missionary Christmas

2010-12-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

A Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because... This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year, I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year... I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make. This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

(author unknown)

Gratitude

2010-12-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

I realize that the Thanksgiving Holiday is over. However it also leads into the Christmas Season. Time seemed to disappear to get this posted on time. I loved the talk President Monson gave in the October General Conference entitled "The divine Gift of Gratitude". A story from this talk is posted below. It reflected my feelings.

"I share with you an account of one family which was able to find blessings in the midst of serious challenges. This is an account I read many years ago and have kept because of the message it conveys. It was written by Gordon Green and appeared in an American magazine over fifty years ago.
Gordon tells how he grew up on a farm in Canada, where he and his siblings had to hurry home from school while the other children played ball and went swimming. Their father, however, had the capacity to help them understand that their work amounted to something. This was especially true after harvest time when the family celebrated Thanksgiving, for on that day their father gave them a great gift. He took an inventory of everything that he had.
On Thanksgiving morning he would take them to the cellar with its barrels of apples, bins of beets, carrots packed in sand, and mountains of sacked potatoes as well as peas, corn, string beans, jellies, strawberries, and other preserves which filled their shelves. He had the children count everything carefully. Then they went out to the barn and figured how many tons of hay there were and how many bushels of grain in the granary. They counted the cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and geese. Their father said he wanted to see how they stood, but they knew he really wanted them to realize on that feast day how richly God had blessed them and had smiled upon all their hours of work. Finally, when they sat down to the feast their mother had prepared, the blessings were something that they felt.
Gordon indicated, however, that the Thanksgiving he remembered most thankfully was the year they seemed to have nothing for which to be grateful.
The year started off well: they had leftover hay, lots of seed, four litters of pigs, and their father had a little money set aside so that someday he could afford to buy a hay loader—a wonderful machine most farmers just dreamed of owning. It was also the year that electricity came to their town— although not to them because they couldn’t afford it.
One night when Gordon’s mother was doing her big wash, his father stepped in and took his turn over the washboard and asked his wife to rest and do her knitting. He said, “You spend more time doing the wash than sleeping. Do you think we should break down and get electricity?” Although elated at the prospect, she shed a tear or two as she thought of the hay loader that wouldn’t be bought.
So the electrical line went up their lane that year. Although it was nothing fancy, they acquired a washing machine that worked all day by itself and brilliant light bulbs that dangled from each ceiling. There were no more lamps to fill with oil, no more wicks to cut, no more sooty chimneys to wash. The lamps went quietly off to the attic.
The coming of electricity to their farm was almost the last good thing that happened to them that year. Just as their crops were starting to come through the ground, the rains started. When the water finally receded, there wasn’t a plant left anywhere. They planted again, but more rains beat the crops into the earth. Their potatoes rotted in the mud. They sold a couple of cows and all the pigs and other livestock they had intended to keep, getting very low prices for them because everybody else had to do the same thing. All they harvested that year was a patch of turnips which had somehow weathered the storms.
Then it was Thanksgiving again. Their mother said, “Maybe we’d better forget it this year. We haven’t even got a goose left.
On Thanksgiving morning, however, Gordon’s father showed up with a jackrabbit and asked his wife to cook it. Grudgingly she started the job, indicating it would take a long time to cook that tough old thing. When it was finally on the table with some of the turnips that had survived, the children refused to eat. Gordon’s mother cried, and then his father did a strange thing. He went up to the attic, got an oil lamp, took it back to the table, and lighted it. He told the children to turn out the electric lights. When there was only the lamp again, they could hardly believe that it had been that dark before. They wondered how they had ever seen anything without the bright lights made possible by electricity.
The food was blessed, everyone ate. When dinner was over they all sat quietly. Wrote Gordon:
“in the humbleness of the old lamp we began to see clearly again. … “It [was] a lovely meal. The jack rabbit tasted like turkey and the turnips were the mildest we could recall. …
“Our home…, for all its want was so rich to us.”

Well, below is a picture of our pantry inventory. We feel so very blessed with such a successful garden this past year. Almost all of our jars are full. That doesn't include the non-tangible blessings that incude faith, family and friendships.

Harvest Report, 2010

2010-10-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

This spring I posted about the progress in our yard. This fall I feel the need to report on our garden harvest. It was an incredible garden year. We took a minute to tally:

potatoes, 300 lb
tomatoes, 200 lb
peas, 35 lb
peppers, 15 lb
onions, 15 lb
beans, 43 pints
beets, 20 lb
carrots, 5 lb
cucumber 5 lb
zucchini plenty for us and some to share!
corn, only 10 ears
Below are a few pictures:

Ripe tomatoes on the vine - now in Montana, that
is something to get excited about!

Purple peppers!!

Jalapeno peppers

One cherry tomato bush - when we hung it in the basement to finish

ripening, it went from the rafters to the floor.

Our first attempt at growing strawberries!

Three varieties of potatoes - yukon gold, russetts, and red.

Fourth Annual Fall Fishing Trip

2010-10-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Our fourth annual fall fishing trip was a success! Perhaps I should qualify that - maybe not in the number of fish caught, or the size of the fish, but the quality of company we had. Allison, Brayden, Mason and Wes joined us and we had a lot of fun. Everybody caught fish. It had a warmer fall and so it was just average fishing. We still compare it to the first trip when Scott caught a 26 inch, six plus pound fish and had many more on of comparable size.

Scott at Macks Inn Wes, Allison and Scott - this year's three musketeers of fishing

Moose that I saw crossing the stream while tending Mason. Mason trying Grandpa's banana.

Family Pictures

2010-10-02T17:41:00.001-07:00

While we were together for our family reunion, we took time for family pictures. It is always like a coin toss to see how they turn out. I'll post a few and then put some others in a slideshow. We would like to recommend our photographer, Lauren! Mackay Family picture - 2010 version

Katie, Wes, MacKenzie, Julie, Weston

Brynlee, Brett, Breyson, Jinni, Ashlynn

Ethan, Allen, Spencer, Jenny

Amber

Allison, Brayden, Mason Glenn

Amber, Allison

Wes, Brett, Allen, Glenn

Glenn, Amber, Brett, Allison, Allen, Wes

Alaine, Glenn, Scott

Family Reunion 2010

2010-09-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

We had a very memorable family reunion this year. It included family pictures, Glenn's Eagle Court of Honor and Sacrament meeting before his mission, time together at Macks Inn, some fishing and going to the temple. The best way to share it is with a slide show.

Rexburg Temple August 17, 2010

2010-09-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

One of the favorite days of my life was the day that all of my children were able to be with in the temple together. This occurred when Glenn went to the Rexburg Temple prior to beginning his mission. It was a little picture out of what I see heaven to be.

Garden Time

2010-09-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Scott and I enjoy discussing our the progress of garden with our children and grandchildren. As time for our family reunion grew near this summer, we thought that it would be fun to have a dinner from our garden when our family gathered. We invited Ethan, Ashlynn and Brynlee to help us pick the peas, dig carrots, onions and potatoes. They were delicious along with roast beef for Sunday dinner.

Continuing the Tradition

2010-09-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

Last month I was able to host granddaughters Ashlynn and Brynlee for a few days of 'Grandma Time'. We expanded the 'to do list' to include riding the horses and going to the Missoula Fair and Rodeo. When Ethan came on Saturday we taught him how to catch grasshoppers.

Petting pigs at the fair!

Scott, Brett, Breyson, Jinni, Brynlee, and Ashlynn at the rodeo.

Ashlynn, Brynlee and Ethan catching grasshoppers in the pasture.

On My Honor

2010-09-04T17:45:00.001-07:00

Every once in a while a mother has a dream and now and then that dream comes true. I had always wanted Glenn's older brothers to be able to help present his Eagle Scout Award to him. It took a year after Glenn completed his project and Eagle Board of Review to have them all in the same place at the same time. It turned out to be pretty cool - even if I do say so myself! Each of the brothers (and brother-in-law) shared a little of the value of being an Eagle Scout. They included things like building character traits, belonging to an exclusive group, leadership skills and guaranteed a cute wife!

Brayden presented the Eagle scarf,

Wes the scarf slide,

Allen the pin,

and Brett a bronze palm.

Our Mackay Family Eagles Nest!

Glenn and his Young Men Leader, Kim.

Mackay boys pointing to their name on the Eagle plaque.

Scott, Alaine and Glenn

So .... What Have You Been Doing This Summer?

2010-08-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

How many times have you been asked that question? Well my answer is working at Camp Mak-A-Dream as a part of the housekeeping staff. It a summer camp located in Gold Creek, Montana for youth and young adults who have cancer. In fact, here is the web site if you'd like to learn more. http://www.campdream.org/ I've done everything from cleaning cabins, the health center, and art barn - vacuum and mop floors, clean bathrooms, etc, laundry, and help in the kitchen with meal preparation and dishes. The variety was good. I enjoyed associating with the young adults that worked as camp counselors and all of the staff. I am grateful that it was close by and flexible. Here are a few pictures The main lodge is at the left and two of the four cabins for
the campers are on the right.
(As a side note - at the bottom left of this picture there is an orange
fence, that is at the end of the sand volleyball court that was Allen's
Eagle Scout project. In front of the lodge are some picnic tables that
Brett built for his project.)

From left to right are the heath center, staff cabin and art barn. In front is
the new (this year) tree house.

Yard Progress - 2010 Edition

2010-06-30T07:11:00.001-07:00

This blog has two purposes:

1. To document progress on our yard.

2. To post pictures so that our family can see what we've been telling them that we've been so busy doing.

In early April, our good neighbor, William, offered to till and level our front yard so that we could get grass planted.

Land planing to smooth out the uneven places.

We started planting our garden (in the background) May 10th and finally got the grass planted June 8th. We've been blessed with significant rain to keep it wet.

We built the wishing well to cover the green cap to our septic tank that sticks out in the middle of the yard. Our plans include adding some ornamental grass to add a little more dimension.

In a raised garden bed that we already had, we've planted strawberries and await a bounteous harvest.

The grass that we planted last fall is coming very well. We even took a moment last Friday afternoon to lay down on it and stare up into the sky!

GOTTA LOVE FAMILY TIME!!

2010-06-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

The month of May was a 'Happy' month for family time! We were blessed with a trip to Spokane and some time at the temple. Brett, Jinni, Ashlynn, Brynlee, and Breyson met us there. After dinner (where we had asphalt pie) we traveled to Moses Lake and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Somehow I missed getting a picture of Breyson, but I can report that he is a happy, busy boy! At the Spokane Temple - Alaine, Scott, Breyson, Brett, Brynlee, Jinni, and Ashlynn

Ashlynn riding her bike without training wheels!

Brynlee getting ready to ride her bike.

Our next dose of family was Memorial Weekend. Allison and Brayden had decided to bless Mason that Sunday. Allen, Jenny, Spencer, and Ethan traveled from Flagstaff and Wes, Julie, Weston, Kenzie, and Katie from Lemhi.

Mason on his blessing day.

Allison, Brayden and Mason

Sunday evening we migrated to Lemhi in order to make the most of Monday, which was filled with horseback riding, fishing, pest control/target practice, a delicious dutch oven dinner and lots of great time together.

Katie needed to carry her fishing pole in her new bag...

Her cute pigtails went every which way in the wind...

waiting for a fish to bite.

Spencer went exploring while others were fishing.

Ethan, Kenzie and Weston went fishing

Glenn invited his roommate, Joel, to spend the day in Lemhi. He is pictured here getting ready to go horseback riding.
We missed you, Amber.

MERIDA, MEXICO MISSION SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

2010-05-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

"Give me a young man who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his church meetings. Give me a young man who has magnified his priesthood and has earned the Duty to God Award and is an Eagle Scout. Give me a young man who is a Seminary graduate and has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me such a young man, and I will give you a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout his life."
President Ezra Taft Benson ("To the 'Youth of the Noble Birthright,' May 1986"

Glenn received his mission call today to Merida, Mexico and he leaves on September 1, 2010. I love this quote from President Benson as it talks about Glenn (as well as his three older brothers). He is excited, willing and ready to serve. I am also excited and ready to support him.

WELCOME MASON!

2010-04-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

Mason Brayden Eliason joined our family on April 9, 2010. His parents are Brayden and Allison Eliason. He weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. He seems to be a very happy baby.

A picture with Grandpa Scott illustrates how tiny Mason was!

Grandpa Scott and Uncle Glenn

Mason with Mamo....

Great-Grandpa Mackay.

Grandma Alaine and Mason

Grandma Alaine, Mason, and Allison

Never a Dull Moment

2010-02-21T18:28:00.000-08:00

It seems like there is always something going on around here.

In January, Glenn and I spent a day a Discovery Mountain skiing - well Glenn went snowboarding. It was a beautiful day, not too cold and and hardly anyone on the slopes.

In February Jessica Anderson and Jamie Parke hosted a baby shower for Allison. That gave her a good reason to come home for a visit. It was over President's Weekend.

Allison and Alicia.

Kenzie and Katie

Allison had to sit down to put on the 'cowboy clothes' for one of the games.

Alaine tried to 'lasso' the baby bottles with a cowboy hat.

Allison had way too much help with the gifts. Kenzie, Katie and Weston were very excited too!

One of our Valentine's traditions is to decorate sugar cookies. We had great fun with all the helpers.

Katie

Weston

Brayden, Kenzie, Katie and Allison.

My Dad - Boyd Wright Woodward

2010-02-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

“Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones shines down to let us know they are with us.”

I have often wondered how I would react to the passing of one of my parents. I could say what I would do or say, but that sometimes doesn’t hold true when you get in the situation. Well, I recently found out. My father passed away January 20 at a care center in Twin Falls, Idaho. He had been there since the fall of 2009. His quality of life had deteriorated for sometime and it became hard for him to take care of himself. It was even harder for Mom. He was enduring to the end, but didn’t know how soon the end would come. Dad was a working man – always busy. But he received his wish – to go in his sleep. I am thankful that he was able to go that way. I am thankful that he was able to move on. Now he can be busy again and his mind can be active. I know that we will be together again. Brett sent me a card and wrote inside “…I hope all will be well as we move on with grandpa watching down.” I know that it will.

HAVE YOURSELF A MACKAY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

2009-12-27T19:29:00.000-08:00

Christmas at the Mackay house was wonderful this year. It is hard to figure the words to express everything so rather than do that, pictures are worth thousands and thousands of words. Enjoy our Christmas slideshow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-20T20:15:00.000-08:00

This is such a wonderful time of the year. We want to wish a Merry Christmas to our family and friends. When I ponder the Christmas season and why we celebrate it, I am reminded of a quote from President Gordon B. Hinkley in December 2000:

"This is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea is preface. The three-year ministry of the Master is prologue. The magnificent substance of the story is His sacrifice, the totally selfless act of dying in pain on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of all of us.
The epilogue is the miracle of the Resurrection...

There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.

For each of you may this be a merry Christmas. But more importantly, I wish for each of you a time, perhaps only an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this, the Son of God. Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself—these are of the true essence of Christmas."

Love,

The Mackays

The BIG "Hunt"

2009-11-29T19:21:00.000-08:00

Since we have been in Montana, we have realized that the Friday after Thanksgiving is a part of the hunt - for deer and elk, or Christmas bargains. In recent years, our annual hunt has been for our Christmas tree. We enjoyed sharing the time this year with Allison, Brayden and Glenn. The guide for the hunt is our dear friend Norma.

Allen and Jenny went with us four years ago when Ethan was a baby. Since then have cut and shipped a tree to them each year. (We 've even shipped trees to Amber when she was in Texas.) Ethan called the other day and asked if we could please get them a tree. When asked whether to get it as big as he is, he said no. We needed to cut it as big as his daddy, that he was only four and his dad was 18! He said it would be the "best Christmas tree ever." We agree!

Thanks for Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

I have admired the 'corn shock' of a neighbor for many years and

so this year for the first time created one of our own from the corn
grown in our garden.

The Thanksgiving holiday is coming to a close and we had a wonderful time together. I enjoyed the challenge presented on Facebook to post something that I was thankful for each day. I've decided that since this is a 'living journal' that I would like to re - post those as a part of my blog.

I am thankful for:

1. The freedom that I enjoy in this country and for those who have served and sacrificed to preserve it.

2. My health - I realize that I am over half way to a hundred, but despite a few aches and the need for a little more sleep, I am healthy - I have my vision, my hearing, all of my organs function and am disease free.

3. Great friends and neighbors . We live in such a great community among wonderful people.

4. Warm home and the many comforts of life that I enjoy - I am grateful to live in a time when we have electricity, modern kitchen appliances, computers etc

5. Employment in a place that I feel that I can contribute and help others. I have great people to work with - they are almost like family to me.

6. My heritage - my ancestors who lived before and paved the way in so many ways. They sacrificed so much.

7. Extended family - I have been made to feel a part of the Mackay family and love them all so very dearly.

8. Education and the opportunity to learn. There is so much to yet to learn.

9. Music - it is good for my soul, even though I only participate with my ears.

10. My garden - it was such a fun adventure to plant and then realize the law of the harvest. We still have tomatoes ripening in the basement!

11. Chocolate - I am so glad that it has been determined to be healthy!

12. My grandchildren - I love being a part of their lives - they make me smile even when we aren't together.

13. My children - I am so grateful for each one and the good lives that they lead. I am grateful for their love.

14. My 'children - law' - I so appreciate Julie, Jinni, Jenny, and Brayden. I am grateful for their being soul mates to Wes, Brett, Allen and Allison

15. My husband, Scott - I am thankful that he loves me. We are the best of friends.

16. My Savior, Jesus Christ - I am grateful to know him, for his sacrifice for me, and that I feel his love.

17. For Thanksgiving and the opportunty to realize how very blessed that I am.

They Make Me Laugh!

2009-11-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

I know that Halloween has been over for a week now and most of us like to put the costumes away as soon as possible as the upcoming holiday season beckons. I've had these pictures since then and they keep calling to me to add them to my blog. In my last post, I detailed our cow working day. Well, after that was over we went to a carnival and 'trunk r treat' in Leadore. What fun to watch Weston, Kenzie and Katie!! I was impressesed with Weston as he greeted me and then introduced me to several of his friends. He said, "Grandma, I would like you to meet my friend______, and this is_______, and _______."

Katie enjoyed dressing up as Snow White.

Kenzie was a beautiful Cinderella, ....

crown, ...

hairdo and all.

Someone commented about how well the princesses did wearing their dress up shoes. That success was attributed to all the practice that they had playing in Allison's Sunday shoes this past summer!

Weston was a brave Jedi Knight. At one point Weston had to defend himself with his light saber as he and a Ninja were having a duel. A sheriff from the old west came along to break it up!

Call Us CRAZY!!!

2009-11-01T18:21:00.000-08:00

Isn't interesting what we do for fulfillment? This weekend was what has turned out to be the Fourth Annual Lemhi Ranch Cow Pregnancy Checking Weekend. For the past four years we have helped work cows at Lemhi Ranch. It has become a family activity. This happens to be the ranch that Wes manages. Scott, Allison, Glenn and I joined Wes and his family and Layne (Scott's brother - who does the actual preg checking). In years passed, Brayden, Allen, Jenny, Brett, Jinni and some of Allison's friends have also been a part of this activity. It is hard work and by the end of the day, you are dead tired - especially those that are sorting and bring up the cows. I usually get the easy job - recording the preg check results. But I have helped move the cows through the chute and that takes lots of energy. Of the 1050 cows checked, 700 were done on Friday without us. So Saturday's work was a piece of cake in comparison. Interesting things can happen as you bring the cows through the sorting area and the chute. We enjoy our time working together - I guess that has become a family tradition. Years back when we were on the ranch, time spent with Dad was often working time. Our children all value that time and the work ethic learned.

Weston, Kenzie, and Katie - part of the crew!

Kenzie, Katie, Allison, and Glenn taking a break.

On a fun note though, Saturday morning while the cows were being brought in and sorted, Scott and Layne went for a drive and found themselves fishing. Scott pulled in 5 fish in 30 minutes!!

Fish On!!!

2009-10-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

We took advantage of my weekend off from school with a trip to Idaho to some of our favorite fishing spots. Included in this time away was time spent with Allison and Brayden, Glenn, and Wes and Julie and family. Allison and Brayden met us Friday afternoon where we introduced and hooked Brayden on fly fishing. Later in the evening we picked up Glenn and met Wes, Julie and family at Allison and Brayden's home. It was great to catch up with all of them. Just before dinner Katie whispered a 'secret' that my birthday was coming. To my surprise, Scott, Allison, and Julie had made plans for birthday cake and ice cream. Each of Wes's kids presented a can of precicous Stephen's Gourmet Hot Chococlate.
Saturday morning we took turns with tending the children and attending the Rexburg Temple. Wes had to return home to responsibilites there and Brayden also had to work. Scott, Glenn, and Allison enjoyed the beautiful October day with some more time spent fishing.
Scott bringing in one of several big ones

One of the big ones - that put up an energetic fight.

Glenn, Scott, and Allison. (Sorry that I didn't a picture of Brayden with evidence that he caught fish.)

Allison was sure happy to be there.

Some fun pictures of Glenn with the sun on the water.

Evidence of success for both Allison and Glenn.

Families ARE Forever

2009-10-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

This past Labor Day weekend had an especially heart warming twist. Our family was all gathered at the Columbia River Temple in Richland, Washington with Brett, Jinni, and family as Breyson was sealed to them. To those who might not know, they had spent over a year getting everything lined up to adopted a baby into there family. He was born in February in Alabama and the adoption was finalized in July. It has been quite a roller coaster for them, but it all came together and now Breyson is theirs eternally. My testimony was strengthened that our Father in Heaven loves all of his children and wants them all to return to Him someday. Jinni, Brett, and Breyson

Brett and Breyson

Clockwise - Jinni, Brynlee, Ashlynn, Brett, Breyson

Scott, Brett and Breyson

Cousins, Breyson and Spencer, getting to know each other.

I basked in the time together with all of my children and their families. We are so blessed. (We even watched the season opening football game of BYU and Oklahoma - Go BYU.)

Once Upon a Time.....at Grandmas

2009-10-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

One of the 'perks' of being a grandma is when grandchildren get to come to grandma's house. I must admit that I didn't get much of anything else done and that I was tired at the end of the day, but I loved every minute of the weekend that Ashlynn and Brynlee (Brett and Jinni's girls)came to visit. They were so excited to play dress up! I'm pretty sure that Brynlee tried on every outfit at least twice. (She had some favorites, though.) Ashlynn didn't like the 'scratchy' feel of some of the clothes but, she had a great time too. We had everything from princess dresses to sheep and cows costumes.

Ashlynn and Brynlee posing with crowns, magic wands and a purse and fairy dress.

Jumping on the trampoline - even in princess clothes!

Sometimes I think the girls have duel personalities! One of their favorite activities of the weekend was to catch grasshoppers! The first time that we went outside they weren't prepared with an official 'grasshopper catching jar' so we used a 'Jasmine' purse. There were PLENTY of grasshoppers and no squealing of squirming when they tickled their hands. We had a full jar by Sunday night.

Brynlee blowing bubbles in the Cinderella/Cowgirl costume.

Ashlynn found a favorite hat and enjoyed the bubble blowing too.

A change of clothes and more grasshoppers.
A visit to Lemhi and dinner at Wes and Julie's

Clockwise - Mackenzie, Ashlynn, Weston, Katie, Brynlee

What is that phrase about "wrangler butts"? Pretty cute!

Katie was always having fun whether on the gate or in the mud puddle

Brynlee and Ashlynn join Katie.

Fresh Peach Pie

2009-10-02T16:51:00.001-07:00

As the summer came to a close, we spent part of a weekend in Lemhi with Wes, Julie and family; Allison and Brayden and Glenn. We happened to be blessed with some very flavorful peaches and so we took some along to make fresh peach pie. I hadn't thought about having any helpers, but it wasn't long before there was a chair scooted up to the counter with Kenzie and Katie ready to help! What fun! They were very careful to make sure that each one got a turn to add ingredients, mix it together and roll out the crust. The pictures below are an indication of the successful outcome!

Kenzie helping roll out the crust.

Katie also had a turn to help!

Ready to put the crust in the pie pan. The pie was very tasty and the time spent together cherished.

Fair 2009

2009-09-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

This was our last year to have someone in 4-H. It was will be remembered as the most unusual year. As fair ended the previous year, Glenn had decided to go all out with his market hog project. He made arrangements to buy 2 excellent pigs. We picked up the first one early in April and the second a few weeks later. (The first one just happened to have a perfect curly tail, so Glenn named it 'Curly' and 'Larry' was the next logical name.) Well, within 2 weeks the first one died - we have no idea why. Since pigs grow better in pairs, we bought a 'buddy pig' and he was named 'Moe'. Larry had a great disposition and was easy to work. Moe had big floppy ears and loved to turn around in circles when he was let out of the pen to exercise. Fair came around soon enough. For the last time of loading the pigs ever, it was quite traumatic and Larry was quite upset, squealing and breathing heavily. Within minutes of unloading at the pig barn in Deer Lodge, Larry was dead! Glenn experienced a wide variety of emotions - mostly disappointment, as he was left to show Moe. After years of showing well, red ribbons were hard to realize.

It's a good thing that Glenn had other projects that had positive results. He did very well with his woodworking project. His photography enlargement was considered for Cream of the Crop. Glenn and Moe

Showing for the last time. Moe was running all around the ring - not a good thing.

One of the fun past times at fair

Being awarded Reserve Herdsmanship.

Continuing the Catch Up - Glenn's birthday

2009-09-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

This year Glenn's birthday was a little unusual. To start with, he had been working in Lemhi, Idaho building fence on the ranch that Wes manages and lived with Allison and Brayden. So it was his first birthday away from home. We had just returned from our trip to London and weren't able to travel to celebrate with him for a couple of days. Glenn had requested cheesecake with triple berry topping in place of traditional birthday cake and ice cream. When it was time to light the candles, the matches were hiding. SOOO....Brayden solved our problem in a big way - with a propane torch!! (normally used for soldering)

The Law of the Harvest - As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap!

2009-09-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

We have loved growing our garden and other yard projects this summer. I posted earlier when we began and now want to update our progress. This shows onions, beans, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers. The zukes took a hit from the frost and we weren't too worried as we needed them to slow down a little in production.

We are so excited over our corn and potatoes! The corn is almost as tall as I am.

Peppers!

Tomatoes!

We had a garden lunch today! Our menu included potatoes, zucchini, onions, peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and CORN ON THE COB! Plus ham from the pig we raised with Glenn. Such satisfaction - both in accomplishment and taste!!

A hill of potatoes along with, corn, cucumber and a zuke.

Our Patriotic Petunias

As our grandson Ethan would say, we planted our 'grass garden' Saturday. We have much more to do, but here is another start. Notice our completed steps.

Grass seeds!

London Chapter 3 - From a Tourist's View

2009-09-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

It has been almost 2 months since we returned from our trip to London. It has been a very busy time with little time to detail the the last chapter of our visit - London as a tourist. We were digesting history from a thousand years ago. We couldn't take it in fast enough! Since we had only one day we had to move along, sometimes before we were really ready. But we knew that we were going to miss so much any way and dawdling would only make it worse. It was great to have Amber as our tour guide as she had already been to all of these sites. This is Amber in front of her flat. I don't know why they call them flats as it is anything but flat! Her bedroom was on the top floor so she was the 'princess in the tower'!

Harry Potter, The Half Blood Prince was just out on the screen and so to honor that book and movie, we had our picture at the King's Cross Station. We would have loved to go to the movies while there but, had too many other choices and it was a lower priority.

Dinner our first night was Chinese Dim Sum. It was something that Scott had loved while on his mission in Hong Kong. It had been since our cattle showing days in San Fransisco 20ish years ago that we had enjoyed this treat. Our favorite was the BBQ Pork Buns in the right hand bottom corner. We loved the time visiting with Amber.

The tube! What an experience! We were so thankful that Amber knew how to navigate public transportation. We enjoyed 'people watching' while traveling. Amber thought we were pretty fun to watch as we were doing this. It was so interesting. There is such a diversity in nationalities.

'The Old Curiosity Shop' immortalized by Charles Dickens in his writing survived the London fire of 1666. It was near the LSE campus.

Tower of London - such an intriguing place. I could have spent a whole day there so that I could read every information plaque and gone on the same tour several times! So much history. I was amazed at the building materials and engineering - some had lasted 1000 years.

A river tour on the River Thames.

Graduation Day dinner at 'The Blueprint Cafe' on the River Thames. We enjoyed pickled walnuts and Creme Brulee. The food was awesome as was the view of the river and city. On one side was the Tower of London and Tower Bridge and other historical sites and on the other was the very modern business district of London. While we were eating, a rain storm came through and we enjoyed the lightning display.

The London theater experience has its own unique. We wanted to see Les Mis, Lion King or Phantom of the Opera, but tickets were unavailable for the night that we were able to go. We did enjoy '39 Steps', a take off of an Alfred Hitchcock story, that had only 4 actors.

A picture in front of the Drummonds Bank Building!

London phone booths!

The London Eye - a ferris wheel of sorts that rotates every half hour to give a panoramic view of the city. You could see it from all over the city making quite a contrast to the old architecture.

Big Ben - We learned that Big Ben is the bell in the tower not the clock! It is another site that is visible from many places in the city.

Westminster Abbey - what an incredible building. Compare the people walking on the sidewalk to its size. Another place where the engineering accomplishments of 1000 years ago are amazing.

Buckingham Palace - Another huge building. The gates were massive. Sadly the queen didn't come out to greet us!

At the end of the day our treat was gelato! It tasted heavenly. I could get used to a taste of that each day. For the fun of it, I had worn a pedometer to keep track of how many steps I walked - 24,010! We were tired but thoroughly enjoyed the day.

London Chapter 2-- Family History

2009-08-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

When we started planning our trip to London, Amber asked us to figure out what we wanted to see while there. In my pondering my mind went back to my growing up years when my mother had been doing genealogy research. I knew that many of my ancestors were from Herefordshire, England and had heard stories about their lives. William Cole (my great-great-great-grandfather) and his family were among those taught and baptized by Wilford Woodruff in 1840 in a pond on the farm of John Benbow. The Gadfield Elm Chapel and John Benbow’s home were places that Wilford Woodruff preached. William Woodward (my great grandfather) lived in Herefordshire. Great-great grandfather Henry Talbot was christened in St Margaret’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey. These were all places that we were able to visit. I was so touched to reconnect to my ancestors by being at the places that were a part of their lives. I wondered how many inches down was the actual dirt that they walked on! As I looked out over the countryside, I wondered if and where I crossed their paths. I know that they are a part of me and that they made many sacrifices for me to be what I am today. I am so grateful to them.

Scott, Amber and I at the Gadfield Elm Chapel

Amber at the Gadfield Elm Chapel

Scott at the pulpit.

Upstairs we found quite a selection of clothes from the 1840s. We each took a turn with the hats.!

John Benbow's home.

Benbow Pond

Scott and I at Benbow Pond.

Amber at Benbow Pond.

Benbow Farm countryside, Herefordshire

... at Westminster Abbey ... at St. Margaret' Chapel.

Amber took time to go to the temple while she was in London. In some ways it became her home away from home. These pictures are taken there.

London Chapter 1 -- Amber's Graduation

2009-08-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

Our trip to London was to attend Amber’s graduation from London School of Economics. This was such an accomplishment for her and we were excited to attend. I must admit it was a little entertaining. We enjoyed the British accent and the different choice of words that they used. The graduation ceremony seemed very proper. After the academic procession made it to the stage of the theater, the director declared the graduation ceremony opened. I was impressed the speaker – only 10 minutes long! He did charge the graduates with ‘FETA’ - Facts, Enquiry, Tolerance and Ambition. As each Department chair person was announced to present the students of that department, the director would say, “I call upon… (give the name) to present the graduates from the Department of… (and give the department name). It did get rather warm, and with our lack of sleep, we took advantage of the time after Amber had been recognized and took a little nap! We were amazed at the many different nationalities represented. It is interesting to think of where all of Amber’s friends and acquaintances come from – literally from all over the world. Here are a few pictures of the day Amber showing her Master's Hood.

Amber's place!! Actually, it is across the street from London School of Economics! In reality is says "Kings Chambers" But if you look at it from the right angle it says "Ambers".

Classmates, Sune, and Kasper with Amber.

Sune, Amber, and Kasper toss their graduation caps.
Hurray!! We made it!!

Alaine, Amber, and Scott at Amber's favorite park across

the street from campus.

....in her official cap, gown and hood!

Some of the school officials at graduation. Love their cool hats!

The graduation speaker.

London School of Economics. if you were able to see,

the blue rectangle above the 'W' it says the school name.

Another LSE building.

Can't Put a Price on It

2009-08-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

One night I noticed the sunset developing. I decided to take pictures in a series every five minutes. Natural art created by nature herself (or Himself) is one of the priceless benefits of living where we do. It keeps me in awe.

Summer Snippets

2009-07-24T09:56:00.001-07:00

Summer is going way too fast and I have procrastinated posting as I am waiting for some pictures. But I’ll get with it and do better. We’ve had a few slightly significant (perhaps only to us) events to report.

HURRAY!!
June 18 was a much looked forward to day – especially for Glenn. In the morning he got his braces off! We celebrated with corn on the cob for dinner that night! Also that night he passed his final Board of Review to become an Eagle Scout. The picture shows those who reviewed his project and Glenn with his Scout Master – his dad.

A REAL Garden

Ever since moving into our home we’ve wanted a garden. For the past two years we planted a few things in a temporary garden area. Well this year we tilled some ground and planted a ‘real’ garden. I love the Law of the Harvest – planting and reaping. These pictures show the before, during – tilling, just after planting and currently. We’ve already had a few green onions and some radishes.

Summer Projects

Another yard project that we’ve been working on is the steps to our deck. We started last summer, measured out the dimensions and framed them with wood. We started a ‘steps fund’ and got serious in putting them in this summer. We have three completed so far and depleted our fund. Hopefully we’ll be able to finish before the end of the summer. (I wonder what Scott will get for his birthday!)

Trek June 24-27, 2009 Dillon Montana

One of Glenn’s summer activities included going on “Trek’. It is a re-enactment of the Mormon pioneers coming across the plains by handcart. He had the opportunity to put himself in their shoes. The participants all wore period clothing, pushed handcarts with their belongings, ate on tin plates, set up and camped out each night, and did without electronics for the three and one-half days. This is especially meaningful to our family as my great-grandfather was in the Willie Handcart Company. Glenn chopping wood for the campfire.

Notice their mascot on the front of the handcart!

(The skull, not the girl.)

Glenn with his 'family'

Arm wrestling.

FOURTH OF JULY

It just might be true that having 3 of our children and families in one area is quite a draw. It also helps that they are closest and that Scott has been providing some of the ranch supplies that they’ve needed this summer. So Lemhi was our Independence Day destination. We planned a camp out for the evening of July 3rd with a dutch oven meal. We had BBQ ribs, fried potatoes, corn on the cob and apple cobbler AND roasted marshmallows and s'mores Yummy! The best part of the whole night was watching Weston, Kenzie, and Katie. They had so much fun and were so excited to camp out. Later they had a few sparklers and fireworks. Scott and I took advantage of a good night’s sleep at Allison and Brayden’s house and met up again for breakfast. We had bacon, sausage, scrambles eggs, pancakes, juice and hot chocolate. And I might add that the pancakes were perfect – thanks to Brayden’s cooking and the fire being just right. At noon we attend the parade in Leadore. It was a fun small town parade like many that we have in Drummond. I received the compliment of the day. I was holding Katie, my granddaughter, during the parade. One of the parade participants put a candy in her bucket and said, “and here’s one for mom”. I thought that as pretty cool to look young enough to be the mother of a two year old! We relaxed most of the rest of the day and returned home that evening.

The smoke was getting in Katie's eyes and she

was trying to keep it out.

Weston playing in the water. At times during

the evening all of the kids were in the water.

Do you think Katie enjoyed her ice cream?!

Kenzie was so excited to camp out. She really

enjoyed her roasted marshmallow.

Weston and Katie with their giant sparklers.

A great sunset to finish the evening!

Happy Anniversary!!

2009-06-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

On June 11, 2009 Scott and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary. We were married in the Logan, Utah Temple. As we look back, a lot of time has past, but yet it seems just like yesterday. Our love has grown so much and we have become best friends. Building our house was never the challenge to our marriage that many said it would be. We worked together and made decisions to make the other happy. We love being together even if it is working on a project. We have a wonderful family and consider them such a compliment to our union. The pictures are of us at our wedding reception and then at the Draper, Utah Temple on June 12, 2009.

On Being a Grandma

2009-06-07T17:53:00.000-07:00

I have a great family!! One of the fun things about being a mom is that you get to be a grandma at some point. I have 8 wonderful grandchildren. I am so grateful for their parents and that they are doing such a great job of loving and teaching, I am going to feature each one in this post. So who goes first? That is a hard decision. So I’ll go by families from oldest on down.

So here are Wes and Julie's children. They live in Lemhi, Idaho

Weston just completed kindergarten and is 6 years old. He has very nice handwriting and loves super heroes. I recently shared my Spiderman costume for him to pretend in. He has developed a pretty cool flip on the trampoline.

MacKenzie, age 4 in April, lets me read to her when I visit their place. She colors wonderfully and even has a cool picture on my refrigerator. She has been going to preschool this year. She loves to go to aunt Allison’s to make “tooties” (cookies). She is pictured here on her new birthday bike.

Katie is 2. She likes to think that she can do what her brother and sister are doing and yells “HEY!” if she feels left out. She wants ranch dressing on most everything that she eats. She can be quite shy at times yet sometimes assumes the role of the director, telling guests where to sit at the table. This is her new birthday cowgirl hat. (Weston and Kenzie were too excited for her to open her gift and couldn't wait for her face to be washed after lunch - sure is cute though.)

Ashlynn, Brynlee and Breyson belong to Brett and Jinni in Moses Lake, Washington

Ashlynn is 6 and also completed kindergarten this year. She is learning to love to read and can be quite imaginative in her spare time. She always says “I love you Grandma” when we talk on the phone

Brynlee is 4 ½ and has enjoyed preschool this year and being involved with Ashlynn and her school work. She has a little mischievous twinkle in her eyes when she smiles but can be a go-getter when there is a job to do.

Both girls loves being daddy’s helpers, growing their garden and being big sisters to Breyson.

Breyson is 4 months old. I am so grateful for the miracle of adoption that brought him to our family. A July court date has been set to finalize everything. A lot of things have got in the way of traveling to see him, but I look forward to our family reunion this week and hope to get some grandma time in.

Ethan and Spencer are Allen and Jenny's boys and live in Flagstaff, Arizona

Ethan will be 4 in October. In a recent phone conversation with him, I was asking about him planting a garden. I asked if he was going to plant carrots and he said, “No, just a garden.” But later he said they were also going to plant an orange tree. I hope that works in Flagstaff. He sends Grandma pictures in the mail to hang on the frig. He lives for the weekend to be daddy’s best buddy riding bikes, working on projects at home or looking for firewood.

Spencer was born on February 27. He has inherited a Mackay baby trait of doubling his birth weight in 3 months. Jenny recently sent a video of his first laugh that Ethan accidentally caused by dropping a rattle on his tummy.

The life of being Grandma Mackay!

Graduation pictures

2009-05-30T11:10:00.001-07:00

HURRAY FOR BEGINNINGS!!

2009-05-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

With the school year coming to a close, I'm thinking that I might have time to create a family blog. So here's to the beginning of The Mackay-Merry-Go-Round.

Last Sunday was high school graduation at Drummond for Glenn. It is the last high school graduation for our children! Wahoo! He was blessed with some awesome scholarships. It was a pretty fun day shared with family and friends.