Kay's Creek Parkway

I went on a little birdwatching outing at the Kay's Creek Parkway in Layton. If you've never been there, you're missing out on a beautiful treat. I've taken Sophie there a couple of times to practice riding her bike because it is such a safe place to practice - and so lovely and full of bird song at the same time.

Bill Fenimore, owner of the Wild Bird Store in Layton, a master birder and author of a number of books on birding, led our bird walk. We were able to see a great variety of birds: Yellow Warbler, Western Kingbird, Mourning Dove, Yellow Breasted Chat (I've never seen this bird before!), American Goldfinch, Black-Capped Chickadee, Red Wing Blackbird, a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks, Black Chinned Hummingbird, Evening Grosbeak, American Robin, Cordillarian Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, House Finch, Scrub Jay...and we could hear California Quail calling and clucking, as well as a Spotted Towhee and a Song Sparrow. Bill tried to call the Song Sparrow to see if we could get him to come out of hiding, but we were unable to get a glimpse of him.

That's 15 species seen, and three additional species heard - pretty awesome for an hour of looking.

The day I took the photos was overcast, and it started to rain pretty hard while Sophie and I were on the return loop of the trail. Today it was beautifully sunny. You can tell from the photos, though, what a lovely place it is.

So, what are you doing for the 4th of July?

I was talking to Michael on his birthday, and the subject came up about the 4th of July. According to my calendar, it is on a Saturday. We talked about maybe going up to the lot in Cottonwood Canyon for a few hours (it can't be too long with all the little ones). Jesse will be in California, Chris has to work, and I will have Sophie and Ben for the day.

Nathan went up and check out the lot on Friday. He cut and moved two trees that had fallen across the road, and said that the road is fine, the lot is beautiful, the snow is melted except for the most shaded places, and the stream is full of water and too wide for our usual leap across. It sure sounds fun to me to enjoy the shady coolness, cook some hotdogs, maybe have a watermelon, too. Or maybe just enjoy being up there, and come home and have a barbecue?

We would probably be coming home in the afternoon or early evening, as Ben goes to bed about 7:30. I think we (dad, Sophie, me, Michael and Cathy and family) will watch fireworks from the deck. Last year we could see at least six different fireworks shows from the deck, including one coming from the nearby Layton park.

If you are interested in joining us for all or part of the day, let me know, and let's make plans!

Random News Update

Here is a random run-down of news from the extended family:

Johnny and Holly have purchased a house is Phoenix, and he starts his specialized training in orthodontics on Monday.

Corinne is scheduled to have a C-section on the 20th. She and Paul will be in town until mid-August. He is doing an internship with Ray Quinney & Nebeker lawfirm in SLC.

Evan Morris graduated from high school and will be attending BYU in the fall.

Grant Buehner returned from his mission to Spain late Thursday evening. He looks great, and was really fun to visit with!

Sarah Ligget is returning from Ecuador tomorrow (Sunday) after completing some service there.

Jared Pugh has his mission call.

Scott and Christina Pugh moved to New York. Jewel and family recently returned from a trip back east - they were able to visit church history sites and also Gettysburg along with Scott and Christina.

Mark and Darren Pugh are both working out of town for the summer.

Brett and Durece Lingwall just bought a house in Sandy.

Kate Ferris Lingwall is expecting baby #2.

Jake Lingwall was honorably released from his mission after ten months with some health problems. Beth and Nils drove down and picked him up.

Paul Bills graduated from Olympus High, and was a Sterling Scholar in English. He has a mission call. His brother John will be returning from his mission next week.

Carol Bills is getting married in a couple of weeks.

Bonnie Larsen and her dad Mark completed a 75 mile bike ride to raise money for MS.

Chris is set to be induced and have her baby on July 15th, Sara Larsen's birthday!

Grandma's Radiation

Grandma Bee returned to the Huntsman Cancer Center to have a radiation treatment this week. Many heartfelt thanks to Merilee, who arranged for her to be seen immediately by one of their excellent team of specialists and receive radiation the next day. Everyone we met at the Huntsman had nothing but the highest praise for Merilee and her work - and several people said they couldn't run the department without her. Jewel, Grandma, Merilee, and I had a nice visit over lunch, too.

Grandma hasn't yet felt the relief the radiation treatment should provide to her, and wasn't feeling too well for all the wedding activities, but was there smiling and being beautiful nevertheless.

According to Dr. Hitchcock, Grandma has many areas of malignant lesions throughout her bones and organs, but it has been progressing slowly and responding to the previous radiation treatment as well as to the medication that she takes. I am so grateful that she has been able to enjoy life the past two years since her diagnosis.

Thanks, again, Merilee, for all your help and expertise!

Wedding Day

Wow! It has been a great day - a great week for enjoying the company of family and celebrating Natalie and Ryan's wedding. I first met Ryan's family at a shower on Wednesday evening. Last night at the reception, it was wonderful to see cousins I haven't seen for a long time and catch up on what is going on in their lives and with their families. And of course, the sheer enjoyment of being with my brother and sisters (and their spouses), my beautiful mother, and many nieces and nephews.
I don't think there are any finer people on earth than my family of origin -brother, sisters, and parents, and I always feel such a joy and contentment when we are together. The opportunity to be with them has made this week truly special. There was an especially beautiful closeness being together with them in the temple this morning when Natalie and Ryan were sealed. I couldn't help thinking about my dad, and feeling that he was there as well. Several of my siblings were touched by the same thoughts.
Ryan Olsen's parents are serving as mission presidents in Cordoba, Argentina. His mom was able to return Salt Lake for this week of wedding activities, but his father had to remain in his calling in Argentina. What was really cool was that they were able to have Ryan's dad listen in by cell phone to the tributes and comments made by the parents and siblings of both Ryan and Natalie, and then he shared his thoughts and some advice for the newly weds as his wife held the cell phone up to the microphone. It was a truly lovely and touching occasion, and the food was outstanding. Market Street Grill sure does know how to cook a perfect filet of salmon!
I have really enjoyed these special days, even though it involved a lot of driving back and forth. The only thing that would have made it even better is if my own children could have shared in some of the gatherings with their cousins and extended family.

Natalie Morris' Wedding Reception, June 26, 2009

Here are some photos taken at Natalie Morris' wedding reception.

Kennedy's Dress

Here is adorable little Kennedy Bohman in the little dress knit for her by Grandma Melodie.

A Visit to the Tree House Museum in Ogden

A Fun Day Playing with Cousins, 6-11-09

Asher and Hayden Sleep Over

Kennedy's Blessing Day

Amy's Birthday, Memorial Day, Summer Begins

We celebrated Amy's birthday on Memorial Day. The kids had fun
playing outside, and everyone enjoyed Amy's choice for birthday treat: pudding dessert.
 
Other photos taken June 2, on Kennedy's two-month birthday.

Curt and Ryan visiting on the deck.

Conner is really excited about the birthday candles!

Hayden is really into the birthday for mom.

Little Kennedy can sleep through most anything.

We're making jewelry!

These are lots more fun than the pop-beads I remember!

Amy modeling her birthday necklace.

Michael has a cool bracelet.

Wow, look at Evelyn's beautiful necklace!

Here's little Paul-o.

There's that cute smile!

I found this little Bronco helmet at DI - thought it would be appreciated by the Bohmans.

Kennedy on her two-month birthday.

What could be more fun than playing in water?

Time to "bask in the sun", as Sophie says.

Hayden learned the beginnings of a front flip.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Memorial Day Photos and more

It turns out that several people in the family have suggested that I have a family blog - a place to share news, photos, and anything else we want to share. I guess that's a reasonable request. 

     It turns out that I already had the beginnings of a blog for the family, but just never did much with it. I'll dust it off and make a new post, and send the link around.

     What I'd really like would be for everyone to be able to post things. 

     I'll be looking at various site and means and experimenting a bit.  Any suggestions are welcome!

Ex