Continuing the Tradition

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

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?

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

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!!

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

"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!

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