The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Just humor me with this one!
For Mothers Day I asked for a garden. The kids thought I was crazy and kept asking me what I really wanted, and I kept saying, "A garden!" We have a great area for one, but had a really bad experience with our first attempt at a garden in our first home. You see, we had an expert gardener that lived next door, so we just thought, we will do what he does. (duh?) So we planted a HUGE garden. Bad idea! He was retired, and that was his full time hobby. We were young with 4 kids under the age of 8, inexperienced gardeners, and trying to put in a yard in at the same time. (excuses, excuses) None the less, our garden looked nothing like his! Weeds quickly took over, tomatoes cages tipped, plants died... it was a sad sight!
Throughout the years I have wanted one, but was always brought back to that memory. Although lately , there has been more counsel to grow and harvest a garden, and at our Stake Conference, there was an exceptionally motivational speaker, that made up my mind! I turned to Rich and said.. "This is the year, we are going to plant a garden again!" He kind of looked at me like, "really?, have you seen what the area looks like? That a lot of work!"
But being the wonderful husband that he is, he rounded up the kids and we went to work. The Saturday before Mothers Day, we weeded, tilled, pulled out rocks, garbage, etc and planted a garden. :)It has been so rewarding to care for, and watch our little plants grow. (we did some research this time and learned a few things, amazing what you can do when it is done right) We have enjoyed some zucchini, peas (fresh out of the pod) and a few cukes. Saturday when I came in with the biggest bounty of our harvest yet, I said to the kids, "Now is that a great gift or what?" They still think I am a little weird about my excitement over the garden, especially when they saw me taking a picture of my veggies!Of course, there were no laughs as they enjoyed the first batch of fresh salsa! Huh kiddos, where are the jokes now? I should have placed it in a prettier bowl for the pic, but hey, it was going fast.
So, there ya go. We in no way claim to be experts, but I am thrilled with the garden that was given to me for Mothers Day!

Girls Camp 09

I feel so lucky to be in the Young Women with my girls! I was able to go with Chelsea for all 4 yrs of girls camp, and have been with Mckena and Shayla for 2 yrs. I love sharing that time with them. And thankfully the feeling is mutual (they even said so!)
I love the YW in our ward, we have a bunch of great girls. I enjoy and learn so much from the ladies I serve with, they are wonderful! Not too mention being there with my mom too. Not very often you get 3 generations at a girls camp together.
This years theme was "The Road to Virtue." It was a great camp with all the important ingredients.
It is nice to be home though, in the comforts of my bed, and not having to worry about wildlife creatures. We saw a deer, 4 snakes, smelt a skunk, and heard raccoons!
The guys did the typical guy thing at home, ordered pizza, watched movies, and went to work! Luv ya boys :) Thanks for holding the fort down and especially for letting us come home to a clean house. Now that is support :)

At the Lake

We have a group of friends that we met years and years ago when we all had just 1 kid, living in apartments. We have been lucky enough to stay in touch throughout the years. We don't get together often enough, but when we do, it is always a good time. The Stenquist invited up "the Gang" (which we somehow named ourselves) up to their lake house in Bear Lake for the weekend. The weather was not the best, but it did not matter. Laughs, water fun, four wheel'n, and reminiscing makes for a good time and good memories. Although we missed the Klitgaards who could not make it, and Rueben, who had to work.

Family Vacation

Every year the Franklin Clan goes on a family trip together. This year was Mike & Shelly's year to plan it. They picked Downata Hot Springs www.downatahotsprings.com
It is about 30 minutes before Lava Hot Springs. We had a great time being with family. We arrived Wed night, played at Downata pool Thur. and then went to Lava Pool on Fri. Rich spoiled us, and rented a cabin. It was so nice to not have to really rough it. We don't mind camping, but really miss our trailer, and he was just not up for all the "work" real camping requires. We justified it with the fact that this is probably our vacation of the summer! It was fun, because the whole family was able to come, except for Uncle Paul, who had to work. With everyone there together, it equals 13 adults, 20 kids, and 6 dogs! Quite the clan.

Happiness.. Our Heritage