Harvest Tree 2009

Here is this year's version of my Harvest Tree. The quail in the nest is my favorite part of the tree's decorations. The nest reminds me of new beginnings and to look at each new day with hope and faith. I am particularly thankful this year for the blessing I have received. Even though I do not feel worthy of so many blessings I am thankful Heavenly Father doesn't go by what I think. This is definately the time of year to Harvest goodness and blessings and be greatful for them everyday.

Walt Disneyworld 2009

We had so much fun this year in Walt Disneyworld. The highlights were Richard Marx performing at Epcot (hello again 1980's)! We loved him! Well maybe me more than Jack. His performance was excellent. His crystal clear voice was amazing. We had a most wonderful time in Hollywood Studios watching and cheering on the American Idol hopefuls, in the new American Idol experience just opened this year. Walt Disney guests can audition for stage performances held throughout the day (7 performances) and in the evening all the winners came together for one final performance. Jack and I attended the early afternoon performance and the final performance of the day. Excellent singers!! You all would have loved it. The winner (who I voted for) sang unchained melodies and nailed it! So much fun cheering them all on. We went on a backstage tour at Animal Kingdom; it was amazing to us the staff and animal keepers love the animals so much. They take awesome care of the animals. If I were an animal this would be the five star resort hotel stay! The animals all come in at night to sleep. They have even trained the crocodiles to go in their sleep areas at night. Can you imagine that. The animals get treats, fans, toys and sooo much love. It's exciting to see how green Disneyworld is. Solar power is used whenever possible and recycling is commonplace. We watched as the vet performed surgery on a turtle hit by a car; screws and pins were put in it's shell inside and out and will eventually grow back together. Jack and I were two of four performers for the Backlot Tour at Hollywood Studios. We were the deck hands. The set takes place on the deck of a ship....the ship is shot at by torpedo guns from all directions. Our job was to scream alot and act funny. They gave us a few moments to dress and then hit the stage. I was good at screaming, although no time to think of a funny skit...oops! I am extremely exhausted and recovering from 85% humidity and very warm temperatures this weekend. Zapped my energy. I probably will not be making a Disneyworld trip for a while. We loved getting back home and loved being in the temple again Friday.

CATCHING UP!

Seems like time has just flown by these last several weeks. Lots of fun. Busy, exciting, fun!

Here are a few photos of what we have been doing.

Heather home from Colorado had her little Arayla blessed a few weeks ago by Grandpa in Jeanette & Kent's ward. The photo taken at their home after the blessing.

The next week Jack took Jacob out for early morning Buckeye flying fun. Jacob flew in Kevin's (Jack's friend) two seater flying machine. Sounded like they had a wonderful time in the air. We were sad we couldn't spend time with Jacob and Kara and the kids while they were in UT the last few weeks. We will look forward to a Nevada trip to see them soon. Looking forward also to seeing Arayla and Heather again soon.

We had a fun filled Tea Party evening with Heidi and Don's kids last night. We had a little English culture night.

We talked about English traditions; afternoon tea, with treats. Big Ben, and best of all.......I told them about the Mormon Missionaries (Apostles) traveled to England to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who later became prophets. Namely of Wilford Woodruff who baptized all the United Brethren group (except one) and another 1200 in an eight month period. When Mom and Dad came in; they told them about our English tradition tea party, treats most importantly the propriety of the pinky finger out when you sip your tea (soda or milk in our case) and forgot most of the Mormon Apostle missionary story. How funny. We'll just keep on teaching!

Next up is German Culture Night (by Grandpa Sommer in German, then in English translation). We'll keep you posted!

Sleep Over Fun!

Sleep Over Fun! We did Hula dance lessons ( Pearly Shells, Hukilau), Roller Coaster track building, Curled Hairdo's in th AM. And loads of fun for all. Thanks Heidi and Don for letting us have sleep over fun times with your treasures!

P.S. Grandpa learned the Hula dances as well, it was fun for the girls to see Grandpa Hula dancing. They say he's silly! I thought he was fabulous!

Deep Thinking

I view myself as diffident, although I do not want to be. I want to be self confident, sustain self esteem. I realized I fear becoming arrogant in the process of becoming self confident. After deep thoughts, I realized the difference between arrogance and self confidence is RESPECT. Respect for myself and others. Arrogance is not a respectful state-of-being, on the contrary; full of pride, self-superiority over others. Maintaing self confidence is trusting a realistic judgement, power, respect regardless what others may say or do. Heavenly Father wants me to be self confident and understand my self worth. I am grateful he listens to my prayers to help me understand how to become the best possible version of myself. I need to be my best self to qualify to be at His side.

The Best Pictures of Me

Samantha and Heather created these portraits of me (Grandma). I love how they have captured the beauty all around me...which to me is my family! I love these pictures of me!

Mom an amazing example to me!

Mom and Brent came for a visit this weekend. I am so thankful to her for the example she is to me. She has lost over 100 pounds this year, later diagnosed with breast cancer. Endured three months of intense chemo therapy, has neuropathy in her leg, nerve damage in her arm (due to the poisonous chemo therapy leaking from the vein momentarily), has dry eyes (can't see very well even with her glasses on), yet manages to stay POSITIVE through it all! I am so thankful to get to have her here with us longer. She is a blessing to me and her whole family. She has made so many new friends and feels more confident than I have ever known her to be. She is what I may say....Mom; only better! She has many wonderful stories about nurses she loves and friends she adores. We all agree; she's the best.

I love you Mom. She may be unhappy with me for posting these pictures together, but I hope she will be alright with it. In fact the recent photos of this weekend was the first time she has ever allowed anyone to take her picture. I am so thankful to have a few pictures of my Mom, with hopes of many more to come!

Jack took this photo from his Buckeye, Saturday. He's having

lots of fun in the air. The tents are up and looks ready for the

open house to begin in a few weeks. Can't wait!

Tribute to my Mom

This is my tribute to my Mommy for Mother's Day.
My Mom is an amazing person.
She is the poet in our family. She has written many beautiful poems. This poem is my first, although I wanted to write it special for my Mom. She means the world to me. I wanted to share a poem about my feelings of a very special person in my life, and my Mom's life. It's a poem about our Savior and King.
This is my way of sharing my feelings of Mom.

MY PEACE

"My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you",
These words in my heart, I hear loud and true, But do I do what I should do?
Many times I get caught in this dark and dreary place,
In my mind His promise, did I erase?
Why didn't I notice His outstreched hand?
His footsteps beside mine in the sand?
Do I have to see Him to believe He is there?
For my sins He did ransome, all things He did bear,
For you and I His blood He did shed,
Though my love for Him is still left unsaid,
Lord please forgive me, because I did not notice thee,
Now my eyes are open, and finally my Savior I do see,
Thy light shines all around me, I feel thy love and grace,
My Lord help me to live that I may feel thy sweet embrace.
I'll wait patiently until the day of Thy return,
Lord help me be like thee, a place with thee I might earn,
My Lord and King, upon thy throne it is thee I will adore,
My Family may I treasure with thee, Lord forever more.

Mom;
I love love you more than words can express. Thank you for all you sacrifice and have sacrificed for me. Thank you for showing me how to love, how to live. I love you endlessly.
Eternally Yours;
Annette

Dad Sommer's 80th Birthday

Today marks the 80th Birthday of Dad Sommer. Yesterday the kids all got together in Idaho to have a wonderful Birthday celebration lunch together with Dad, complete with the ever-fitting brick mason's cake.

Jack mentioned he felt all the kids and their Dad became closer than ever. Tender sentiments were expressed by each child to their Dad. Jack mentioned when Dad spoke of his feelings for the kids they were all touched and felt closer as a family.

We are so very thankful for his example, love and devotion. He is a wonderful father and we couldn't feel more blessed. Thank you Dad for all you do for us. We love You endlessly.

Heather Anne's Baby Shower

Heather had such a wonderful Baby Shower last Saturday at Heidi's. She got tons of stuff for her precious little baby girl. I can't wait to see her in all the cute clothes she got. Heather was so thankful! She got a good head start. I am sure Shakia will be so happy. I'm sure he wished he could have been there, and we missed him. Heather looks so fabulous seven months pregnant. One would not believe she is due in July. Jack and I already love this baby granddaughter and can't wait to meet her. Congratulation to Heather and Shakia! We love you!

Fun and Games?

A Tale of Good Sportsmanship........

The evening started with Jace wanting Grandma to play a game of swipe (just he and I); this request did not go over so well with Heather. She told Jace she wanted to play and it wasn't fair for just Jace to play with Grandma. Jace backed down and agreed (with the old...OK, fine) sentiments. Sammie soon came and wanted to play also. We all sat down to a fun game of swipe (every time I play this game I hear the darling laugh of Hamilton swiping from me). Jace explained the details of the game and added to Heather, don't get mad if someone swipes from you. I added my usual talk; the importance of playing to have fun. This is the ironic part....Heather told everyone; "we all need to be Good sports"! So we agreed and started the game. Heather was happy for a minute until......people were swiping from her, she said; "it's not fair"! So Jace explained it is fair and I agreed. Meanwhile; Sammie was killing us! She had seven dice and most of the chips! I had to grab my camera and take a picture of the amazing feat. I said way-to-go Sammie and took a picture; the part that was hilarious to me was I looked at Heather and she was being a BAD SPORT; although she made it clear we all need to be good sports. I had to take a picture. She will laugh later when her kids do the same. Heather ended up crying at the end of the game and pouting for a while; wanting Grandma to hold her and hug her better. Of coarse I reiterated the importance of playing to have fun. I had to laugh quietly and tell Jack how funny it was to me!

I remembered growing up; my older sister had to win at games. She always cheated. I was always happy to let her win if it was so important to her.

Oh what fond moments with Fun and Games. Thanks Heidi & Don for letting us help teach Good Sportsmanship!

Ahhh Spring!

So glad to feel Spring! What a wonderful time of reflection, and new beginnings. Jack and I have been anxiously awaiting Spring this year with a few extra weeks of snow, we are so glad to see the trees blooming and grass getting green. We have been talking about Spring and the wonderous time to renew our attitudes for good and rededicate ourselves to healthy habits. Jack is already up in the air with his Buckeye, looking forward to seeing Spring from a bird's eye view. I can't wait to run a few miles on the Jordan Parkway, my most favorite afternoon activity (except time with the kids, grandkids of coarse). We love the sights, fresh smells and awe inspiring moments of beautiful changes Spring brings. May we all look to Spring to inspire us to grow, and to look forward to life with a renewed sense of peace and joy.

Beauty Shop Fun!

This weekend was a sleep-over weekend. The boys went to the park with Grandpa to fly the new shark kite (although Grandpa forgot the camera, oops). The girls and Grandma dressed-up adorable French poodle stuffed animals. After baths, the girls were having fun playing Beauty Shop. Grandpa is a very good sport, (begging me not to post a picture) but I had to. He's the best! The girls styled his beautiful gray mane. After a few accidental pulls of the hair, pokes in the face with the combs they completed their outstanding skills with a little bling; (purple bow right smack in front)! We almost got Zak and Jace in the action. Of coarse we got the old.. you

go first, no; after you... bit from the boys. Maybe another day..(that is if we can fit them into our

exceedingly booked Beauty Shop schedule); after all we do have mad beauty skills we're perfecting. What Fun!!!

Today is our 8th Anniversary!

Jack and I have had Eight WONDERFUL years together today! We were just saying last night the years keep getting better for our love nest! I don't know if many of you know this about us....Our song is; I knew I loved You, by Savage Garden. This was the song playing the first time we met (and danced together). The song sure does some-up how we feel about each other now, and the first time we met as well. We knew we'd been blessed, we knew when we met, Heavenly Father answered both our prayers and brought us together. In fact, we sometimes reflect on our first meeting and laugh a little and cry alot because we are so blessed to have found each other. Those of you who know Jack; know very well, he is shy yet confident. I however, am shy, shy, shy. In fact; the night of the dance was my first night, stepping out to mix-it-up with other single people. I spent a year after my divorce spending much time alone, getting to know myself. I went out alot, to movies dinner, etc. yet alone. I decided that day at work I would go out, meet new people and just have fun! Wow! What a shocker meeting the love of my life there. By the way....it was I who asked Jack to dance, because he wasn't taking a coy hint very well, and I decided I was not going to miss meeting him. (Again, those of you who know me well, would never expect me to ask Jack to dance with me.) I'm glad I did. We are happier, and more in love than we ever thought possible.

We know if we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ together, our hearts will grow closer and we will feel more love for each other, our precious family, and all Heavenly Father's children.

Once more, we are sooooooooo blessed.

Thank you for sharing a moment to reflect with us...our deep and endless Love!

Jack and I, so HAPPY together!

Jack and I are blissfully happy together! We love spending time together. Doing anything, loving every moment we spend together along the way. We have so much fun. We wake up excited to begin a new day together, then go to sleep so grateful for the precious moments granted that day.

We strive constantly to improve ourselves, in hopes one fine day we will get to meet our Savior and King; to live together with our Family for all Eternity. We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christ is the center of our love and our lives. We both feel we would be nothing without Him.

Our lives are simple, mostly uneventful to most onlookers. Although we are simple folks, one thing we do....is simply love, love, love. We are so grateful for our family! Our treasured children and grandchildren have brought us more joy than we can express in words. Our hearts are full.

Our lives are blessed. We are truly grateful.

Grandbabies we adore (Heidi and Don's treasures)!

Heidi, our oldest Daughter and her husband Don, have four little treasures. Zachary is the oldest, Jace, Heather and Samantha (Sammi). They moved back from Indiana about two and a half years ago as Don found work with IHM (emergency). They have felt very blessed to be back (home). Since moving back to Utah, we have volunteered to babysit their kids every Friday (except the last, when we have Kimi's kids for the weekend). We love seeing them each Friday, we all look forward to Friday's. Especially Heidi (and Don when he gets a night off work), we hoped Heidi and Don could go on some dates, read a book, or just spend some quiet time for themselves. Although I think sometimes Heidi misses the point. She'll drop off the kids, and when we ask her what she gets to do that night, sometimes she'll say; "I'm going home to CLEAN"! We'll have to help her understand the Mommy time concept a little better. Sometimes the kids spend the night, and we all have a ball. Precious, precious moments for us, not to be missed. We are so thankful to Heidi and Don for allowing us one-on-one time with their treasures; to love, and help teach them Gospel principals is a joy beyond measure for us.

Grandbabies..we adore (Jacob and Kara's treasures)!

Jacob (our oldest son) and Kara have three precious children we adore! Their oldest is Adia, Orin, and Hamilton. Each are so special to us. They live in Fallon, Nevada where Jacob opened his law practice. We miss them sooooooooo much. We wish we could babysit them every Friday, attend every Birthday celebration and everything else going on in their lives. Kara is so good about blogging. We feel more connected each time we read their latest blog. I want them to know we stretch a hug across the miles each day to them.
We can't wait to go and visit them soon. We love to visit them when we can. We look forward to it for weeks before we go. We love spending every moment we can with them while we visit. We have so much fun playing games for hours. They are all so adorable. These pictures were taken in December 2008.
Their precious spirits and glowing smiles, truly light up our lives. They bring us more joy than we can express. We adore each treasured one!