Labor Day activities.Kayaking with Chad and Kelcie.  Cool water fun.

Eli and grandpa Rocky out for a spin..Next to shore.

Proof that old people still have fun. Paddling around Quail Lake.

Last weekend here in St. George, the Blue Angels put on a show. We went out into the hills with a picnic lunch, and just enjoyed the good weather and scenery. This is our Meyers Dune buggy, just one of our toys...

Kayak Fun.

We got new Kayaks this week and this is our new adventure. We went to Quail Lake for a few hours of paddling. What a great time we had. A new sport for us, combines, sitting down, cool water, and just plain fun...

Sherry  outfitted with new kayak, O"Brian life jacket, cute sunglasses, and pink toe style water socks.

Rocky not at work...for once....

Some high lites from our, San Francisco trip, July 11-18 2014

Golden Gate Park Flower gardens.

Golden Gate Bridge, we walked part way across, looking down was a sight, and the bridge moves.

Too many buildings and twice as many cars, a lot of traffic. We drove around for a few days, mostly looking for places to park.

 Proof that we were there, and reminder for those who have been there also. Great view.

Shopping is a great past time, reminders of the beach.

We drove down Lombard street, just for the thrill.

China town, streets, shops and people, people, people... Selling things we can only image what it was or is...

Our Camp trip to Pine Valley

We planned a Camping trip in Pine Valley, Utah. We were able to have our children who lived close enough come with us. We went June 20-22 and had two wonderful days. Corinne got to sleep in a tent, on the ground, ask her about it. Neil, Sara and their girls came up from Henderson, Nev. Chad, Kelcie and Eli rounded out our group. What a treat to have our grandchildren there and watching them have fun. We look forward to many more times like these.

Pioneer Trek

June 6-8 2013 We went along on a pioneer trek with some 200 youth and 75 adults. We had a wonderful time with activities, cooking, games and pulling. The trek was from New Harmony to Pinto Utah. The trek covered some 18 miles, and beautiful country. We slept under the stars, on a tarp, with thin sleeping bags. Hot days, cold nights, and memories of a life time. When asked if we would do it again, both of us said, "YES."  Here are just a few pictures.

Easter Weekend traditions

We love to go to the St. George Art Festival,  held in the town square on the weekend of Easter. Wonderful paintings, sculptures, and art of many kinds. Here are a few of those that impressed us this year.  

These Dolphins would go well in Julie's yard.

 These trees were from brass and other metals welded together to depict Bonsai trees

This spider is just one of many rock and metal pieces, merged to make art. (I could do this)

Then their is the art of Expression....

Great time for all.......Wish you were here...

Four Generations

We took some pictures when Waldo was here, and this one covers four generations. Waldo with Eli (Chad's son 7 months old)

Where's Waldo?

Waldo is 91, and Aunt Delma is 96 yrs. old. These are their children, what a bunch of youngsters.

Sherry's dad Waldo Howard came to visit and we tried to show him a good time. Waldo will be 92 in May and hasn't been to Utah for ten years. It was great to see him here and spend some time with him. If you guessed where he is at, check your answers. (written backwards- liart kraP noiZ,      yarrH ytriD sa yellaV renraW)

Elder Ethan Schmalz, starts missionary service

Before we took pictures, a group of excited Elders that were on their way to the temple greeted Ethan saying "Welcome Elder where are you going on your mission?"

  In front of the Provo, Utah Temple.

We dropped Ethan off at the curb at the MTC in Provo Utah 12 September 2012.  Our quick goodbyes and the Host Elder escorted Ethan away.  No time for lengthy emotional fair-wells.

pictures from a time past

Our last trip to California, we went to our old homes and the areas we grew up in. This first house is where Susan, Jerry and Rocky called home in Lakewood Calif. Three bedrooms, one bathroom, five people, dogs and many other types of animals. To know more, just ask those early residence.

Mitony Avenue, Whittier, Calif. home to the Howards. Mike, Don and Sherry grew up in this little beauty. After their Mom, Arminta, passed, the home was sold and the big trees out front were removed. Many days were spent with kids and grandchildren in this yard and neighborhood.

 This fixer-up was our first home. Located on See Dr. Whittier, Calif.   We started with two bedrooms, two children, one bathroom, lots of love and plans. We added two bedrooms, another bathroom, patio, fireplace, and three children here. This home started at 800 sq.ft. Finished at 1500 sq.ft.  We sold it and moved to St. George Utah.  Ethan our sixth child was born here, and we have made changes to our current home also. A story for another time.

One of our favorite places to get food was across the  street, it is still there after 20 years, Stuft Pizza

 The oil fields where Sherry used to ride their horses still has a few of the oil pumps working. A lot has changed around the Whittier,and Lakewood areas since we lived and grew up there. Hope you like the trip down memory lane...

Last Months Events

In May there was a solar eclipse, it was visible here in St. George. We built a solar camera from a cardboard box, and viewed the event with our neighbors. Ethan is showing the box and you can see the eclipse shown on the white paper in the bottom of the box.

We borrowed some solar glasses from the neighbors and what a sight. The shadows were strange while the eclipse was happening.

Memorial Day we went to be with Neil and Sara. They took us over to Boulder City and we went to the Veterans cemetery. Our Aunt Grace is buried there with her husband William. Corinne placed flowers and we enjoyed looking at all the flags.

We went out for lunch, Subway sandwiches, and had a picnic in a local park. Sara and Nora relaxing on the blanket. There are wild big horn sheep roaming the grounds, and this one posed for photos,just for the tourist. He stood there for twenty minutes. Thanks Sheep.