A special story

This is a story written by Tristie, one of the little girls in my class, dedicated to me for Christmas. It's a little long, but I think definitely worth the reading. :) (I'm going to write it just like she did)

The Hicker Charly and Moutain Everst

Once opan a time ther was a hicker. His name was charly and he was trying to climd mountain Evereast. He got about half way up when the moutain started talking to it's wife Queen Evereast. When the mouatain started talking to it's wife he almost fained but fell shaking in fear. he started climbing agin but the moutain said stay off!!! So Charly went to get his wife. She would know how to deal with this. So he went to get Sue. They went back to the moutain. Sue talked to the moutain. She found out why the moutain was talking. sue told Charly why the moutain was talking. Sue told Charly that the moutains were having a party and he ate to much fruit cake. and he felt like he was going to puke. so he was telling his wife. that he was going to puke right now and said to run while you can. but but they didn't so they were soon coverd in puke. Sue starded to scream. Charly was so desgusted then he puked to. Sue ran and ran and ran finely she stoped to. Everyone was laughing at Sue. She was running in circles. Finley they told her why they were laughing. Soon Sue was lauging to. Sue told charly they should go home and chang cloths so they said they would be back in 15 minitus so they changed there cloths and came back the mountain gave them preastents. They had a party They played games and had treats and cakes. When it was time for the moutain and it's wife to go to sleep Sue read them good night moon, Amedila bedilea, Mrs. PiggleWiggle's Magic, Skippy Jone Jons, Pipie Jone Jons, By My Brothers Side, Bridge to Terabithia. So the next day when a hicker came to hike moatain Everest I think thats another story. I wounder what happens? The end

It Couldn't Have Been Better!

It came and went fast, just like usual, and now Christmas 2008 is in the past. I don't remember ever having a better time with my family than we had. We played lots and lots of games, laughed, ate, prayed for safe travel in the snow, had a talent show, took pictures of us all making ugly faces, (and yes it was hilarious), talked, went bowling (where after making 3 gutter balls, Anneke got a strike on a red pin and won a free game, and we watched Kate's ball roll very slowly down the lane for about 3 minutes while she was off playing) watched football, watched movies, ate some more, cut hair, hugged and kissed little girls, shoveled snow, shot clay pigeons, laughed at Sam diving in the snow in his shorts and flip flops and then running fast into a hot shower (silly Arizona boy) and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. And did I mention how much we laughed??? We think we're a pretty funny bunch. It was a beautiful, snowy, cozy Christmas too. I'm just so thankful for this wonderful time of the year, for my precious family, and for the birth and life of our Savior.

Knee Report

On Friday, the 21st, I had some surgery on my right knee to fix the miniscus. It was just an outpatient surgery, so counting time to pick up a prescription on the way home, we were gone about 5 hours. Anneke was my nurse and went with me and took care of me that day and night and then on Saturday, she went to Smithfield to pick up her girls for the entertainment for the day. They are definately entertaining and are so sweet and fun. The Lindhardts went home that afternoon. Andrea came in the early afternoon and she stayed until Monday morning. I appreciated Anneke and Andrea so much for their help and their company. My knee is doing great and physical therapy went fine and hopefully by the end of the week I'll be back to normal. The school sent me some flowers and so did Amy and Sam and Andrea and Brad. Anneke and Tom bought some groceries and the girls made sure that I had some meals in the fridge and freezer and they took great care of me.

Merry Christmas to me!

My sweet family already gave me my Christmas gift! It is a new 4 inch thick memory foam mattress topper and a luxurious mattress pad. I sink away into oblivion. I reminds me of a slow moving water bed. I love it and I love my kids for giving it to me. Thanks so much, guys!!!!

Readers' Theater

Today my class did a Readers' Theater about the Thanksgiving Story. They were so cute and so excited to do it and they got really good at it as we practiced. I invited the school psycologist, the principal, the refocus teacher, and two teachers who have student teachers in their classes and could get away, to come be the audience. It was one of those moments when I really love teaching. Third graders are so much fun. They read their parts with such enthusiasm and nice and loud. My favorite line was when Tyler said that the name of the Indian who befriended the Pilgrims was Squinto instead of Squanto. So cute.

All Prepared

Next Wed. there's only half a day of school, so in the morning my class is going to have a read-a-thon. I reminded the class that they'd need lots of books to read for 1 1/2 hours and that it might be a good idea to bring some books from home to read too. So this morning, the same little boy who I've blogged about writing me a song, came to school all excited because he had brought 2 books from home. Now you have to understand that this little guy reads at about a kindergarten level. He also has probably never been to church in his life. So it struck me so funny that the books he brought were The Christmas Box and the Priesthood and Relief Society manual of the teachings of Wilford Woodruff. He's all pumped up about reading them next Wednesday.

Happy Day

Ammon and Natalie got engaged Saturday, the 8th. I don't know any details about when the big day will be or anything, but I think it was cute how he involved his girls in the surprise. He bought flourescent poster board and cut out the letters, Will You Marry Me? and the girls decorated them and then he put them on top of the carport at her apartment. The only place she could see that from was the balcony of her apartment, so he got her out there and there were the words when she looked down. He also got down on one knee and made it official. I'm happy for them. They are a cute couple. So we'll all look forward to a wedding.

Wouldn't You Know It?

I had just bragged to someone how I hadn't been sick for so long or missed any school for any reason and then - first of all my legs started to ache so bad I could hardly stand it. They were also tingly and cold. So that made me think something was wrong with my circulation. It got too bad to stand, so I went to the doctor and found out that I'm real low on potassium in my body. He gave me potassium pills to build it back up and told me to eat bananas and potatoes and spinach. Okay then - I like bananas and potatoes. Tonight I was a good girl and ate a banana (complete with ice cream and choc. sauce on top of it). :) But my right knee is giving me trouble too and I have to have some surgery on it for a lateral tear in my miniscus. So I'm wearing a brace that I get real tired of and it makes me walk weird. But it does make my leg stable. Hopefully I can have the surgery earlier than Dec. 3rd, which is when it is scheduled. So just a little blip in the road.

Visitors

A week ago, Ammon had the girls for the weekend, so he came up here with them and also brought his friend, Natalie and her two boys, Dax and Tage. They spent Saturday night here and then they all went to church with me after which we had a wonderful (If I do say so myself) roast dinner. I enjoyed their visit.

Trick or Treat - Smell My Feet

What a fun Halloween. It started with a fun day at school and ended with about 20 trick-or-treaters that came to my house. I really enjoyed that. Three special little visitors came - Anna, Abbie and kate. That was so fun to have them show up. I was expecting them today, but not last night, so it was a surprise. So here are some pictures of The Little Mermaid, complete with red hair, a scarey witch with the cutest face you've ever seen and a beautiful snow princess.

October, October

October is going by too quickly! It is my very favorite time of the year. I got this picture off of Brad's blog where he has some BEAUTIFUL pictures of fall. I'm not that crazy about Halloween, but love the rest of the month. The colors, the cool air, the leaves swirling across the road, the heat is gone, the flies and mosquitoes are deciding to get the heck away, childhood memories of potato harvest and my mom making spudnuts and us kids making leaf houses, and best of all - the moon! There's nothing as pretty as a full moon in October.

Check it out.

Hey anyone who is reading this. You need to link to Anneke's blog and read a couple of her posts that are so darn cute. Abbie's poem and Thursday night conversations. Ha ha ha ha. They make me laugh.

I got tagged.

Amy tagged me to list 6 quirks of mine. Quirks - that's a weird word.

1. Talking about words, one of my quirks is that I love to look up things online and learn something new, including new words. I especially love it at school when I don't know the answer to a question one of the kids asks and I can say, "I don't know, let's go look it up!"

2. Sometimes I like cereal for supper.

3. I can't go to sleep at night without putting lotion on my feet. I hate scratchy sheets.

4. I love to get all cold or chilly and then wrap up and be cozy in front of a fire and tv.

5. I KNOW that I don't eat right and don't get enough exercise, but I can't get myself motivated enough to do something about it. I'm always going to start 'tomorrow'.

6. I love to dance when no one is looking.

Okay, the rule is that I tag 6 people now. But the problem is that I don't know who ever looks at my blog besides Amy, Andrea, Brad and Anneke.

Advice from President Monson

In the Church News last week, there was an article about Pres. and Sister Monson's 60th wedding anniversary on October 7th. When he was asked to list some elements of a happy and successful marriage, Pres. Monson said:

• Pray together.
• Be mindful of each other. He said it's often the "little things" that matter. "When I'm away, I always call her. I don't leave her wondering how I am, or where I am," he said.
• Be considerate.. "I have the philosophy that you should never embarrass your wife in front of others," he said. "If you can't say something complimentary, don't say anything. The old divine law comes into effect: treat others like you like to be treated. Don't make fun of your spouse. He or she may laugh, but deep down it hurts. We've never had any of what you'd call put-downs."

I think that's great advice from a prophet. Grandma and Grandpa Myers, who have been married 67 1/2 years would probably give you some of the same advice. I cringe when I hear a husband or wife speaking sharply or unkindly to his/her spouse. So, my advice is that you should live each moment together like it's your last, because you never know when it might be.
(Not to be a downer about it, but that's just a fact.) I've always been thankful that the day my husband died, we had had family prayer, he had kissed me good-bye that morning and there were no regrets between us. That's what I would hope for anyone reading this.

PTC

We just finished Parent Teacher Conferences at Preston School District #201 and WHERE IN THE HECK WAS EVERYONE??? Hardly anyone showed up. The slowest one I've ever seen. We decided that with two days off of school and this weekend being General Conference, families probably decided it was a good time to take off and go somewhere. It's actually kind of fun to visit with moms and dads and gain an understanding of why kids are like they are. I'm trying to remember how I acted at PTC when my kids were young. I do know that I made sure the teacher knew who's mom I was as I was sitting down so that they didn't have to guess or ask. I was embarrassed last evening when I guessed wrong. Most of the teachers I already knew though and they knew me, but once in a while, especially at the high school I'd have to introduce myself. And of course, I ALWAYS GOT GLOWING REPORTS ON ALL OF MY CHILDREN. :)

This is sad.

I'm 55 years old and I've only been to this many states in the good old U.S. But my goal before I die is to visit them all. I figure I've got Hawaii out of the way and that's probably one of the hard ones to get to. I got this link off of Juli's blog. Thanks Juli!



visited 13 states (26%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or determine the next president

And one more makes eight!!!!

We found out today that Aaron and Cyndie's little bundle of joy will be pink in February. Yes, I suppose we are all a bit disappointed not to be getting a blue bundle, but my goodness - she's a baby and we love babies and we're thankful she's growing right. And Aaron and Cyndie certainly know how to have cute girls! Won't our annual girls' picture next March be so cute with all those bigger girls around a little tiny new sister/cousin???

The Beginning of "Girls' Day"

Before Cyndie and I met Anneke and Andrea for our day of shopping, we went to Kaydence's soccer game and then to the very end of Kylee's. Cute little girls. Aaron is Kylee's coach and also helps with Kaydence's when they aren't at the same time. After the soccer games, us girls had a fun day shopping and eating out. We missed Amy a lot, but the next time she's in Utah/Idaho, we'll have another party. Yay! Love those parties!

Little Pig, by Hans Bayles

I was looking through some boxes, trying to find a paper that Andrea needs, and I found this story hand-written by Hans when he was in the 3rd grade. And you all know how I feel about 3rd graders - they are a special bunch. So I'm sharing this special story. I know you kids will appreciate your dad's writing talent. :) I'm going to type it just like he wrote it.

Little Pig

Once there was a little pig.
His name was Piggy, "Wiggy.
He was a cute little pig.
But once a dog chase"d him. He was
scared off the dog.
The dog"s name was Lady.
He was a pretty dog.
His master was Lary.
Lary"s mother and father was named
Mr. and Mrs. Lary Edward.
They lived at Horse Ranch.
They had a big ranch.
They had horses, cow,s pigs and
chickens.
They liked their ranch.
They lived far from town.
Lary was 8 years old he went to shcool.
His shcool name was Big Shoe. Lary like his shcool very much.
The end.

Kind of funny that the theme of the story changed by the end huh? How cute. This was on the back of the same page:

About my famlee

I have three brothers I have one sister. One off my brothers name is Bruce he is a funny little brother he has glod (gold) hair brown eyes he is a cute little brother. One off my brother"s name is Gary he has red hair he brown eyes too his a funny little brother to. One off my brother"s name is Jimmy he is my littlest brother. he has red hair to he is cute to. my sister she is busy little girl. she is funny little girl to shes cute to. my mother and father their names are Mr. and Mrs. Hanson Balyes all off my famlee is happy they all have brown eyes to.
The end
Hans

Another funny.

You know, I really could write something funny about every day at school, but I don't want to be obnoxious about it. But here's one more. This little boy came into my room with this note near the end of the school day today. I used to teach him Language Arts at the beginning of the year, but now we've changed the schedule and I don't any more.

"Dear Mrs. Bayles

You were a good techer. I had a good time your class. My mom Ruth is cold in the summer.

Love
Ryan"

All I can say is that if his mom is cold in the summer, watch out Ruth! Winter is on its way!

Field Trip

The 3rd graders went on a field trip yesterday to the American West Heritage Center and Willow Park. It was great fun except for the rain and cold. At the AWH Center, one of the ladies there was telling the kids about a pioneer kitchen. She held up a biscuit cutter and asked, "Do any of you know what this is?" I was with a group of 16 - yes, 16 boys - and they had pretty good guesses, like a cup, a tiny bowl and a piece of wood with a knob on it, but I knew that none of them would guess 'biscuit cutter', so I leaned over to Austin and whispered in his ear "It's a biscuit cutter". He didn't volunteer the answer right off, so I kind of nudged him and he said, "Is it a piss cutter?" Okay - obviously he hadn't understood me. The lady looked at me with wide eyes and we both about choked trying not to laugh. But she went right on like nothing unusual had happened. She was a real pioneer trooper.

Show and Tell

If anyone is ever bored on a Thursday afternoon between 12:30 and 12:50, you can come to Show and Tell at my class. My favorite time of the school week. Sometimes though, you learn some sad things, like the time a little boy stood up and said, "My mom and dad don't live together anymore because they got a divorce. (pause) But I hope they get married again someday." Wow. What do you say to that? Thank goodness, most of the things they show or tell about are fun. One boy in my class, Brayden, likes to write music. So for show and tell he sang some of his songs. He had a whole stack of them, so I told him to just sing his favorite one. The name of it was "I Fell In A Dark Hole." Sometimes it is SOOOOOO hard to keep a straight face! He whipped out a song for me too. You can sing it to any tune (because that's what he does). The name of it is Bayles Teaches School. Here's how it goes: "Bayles teaches school and she's my teacher. She's an awesome teacher. I loooooove third grade!" He just belted it out. I was almost crying I was trying so hard not to laugh but he probably thought I was just so touched. He asks me every day if I like my song and I assure him I do. Another show and tell day a boy, named Kris, brought a flat pizza box, (his parents own a pizza place in Preston), and he held it up and said, "Do any of you know what this is?" A couple of kids did, but most of them didn't. So he said, "I'm going to show you how to fold a pizza box." So he proceeded to do so. The class was amazed at his talent and several of them ooo'd and ahhh'd over it. One comment was that he was just like a magician the way he turned that cardboard into a pizza box. He was very proud and he even presented the finished box to me. I'm so lucky. My own song and my own personal-sized pizza box.

Happy Constitution Day!

In case you didn't know, this has been Constitution Day. In 1786 on this day, our constitution was signed. We talked about it today in school and I found out that the kids couldn't give me a definition of the word 'freedom'. One boy said "It's like when you go bungee jumping." That was the closest definition I got. So we had a good talk about it. Then all the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders went outside and surrounded the flagpole and they took down our old raggy flag and put up a beautiful new one. The kids were almost reverent about it and we all said the pledge together and it was really cool. They were impressed with it all. I'd never go bungee jumping, but I'M THANKFUL FOR MY FREEDOMS!!!! As third graders would say, "AMERICA ROCKS!"

School Blues

I had a pretty rotten day at school today. It started with waking up at 4 a.m. and not being able to go back to sleep. So my nerves were a little on edge and my class jumped all over them today. We had to take 3 different tests today and it wasn't a fun day anyway, but I tried to fit in some Chinese writing because we had just read The Ballad of Mulan. Even that fun activity turned out to be so nerve wracking. By the end of the day, I threw a book down and said, "I can't stand any more" and we had a 15 minute talk about how noisy and disrespectful they have been. I was so angry and so upset that I almost cried right in front of 24 little 3rd graders. THEY CAN NOT BE QUIET!!!!!!!!!! I said, "obviously, I'm not a very good teacher if I can't get you to listen to me when I'm trying to read a story to you." I thought they would be repentant and be sorry, but no....they started giving me suggestions on how to be a better teacher! Here are some of their comments:
1. You could throw the lid off your marker at us if we are being noisy.
2. You could make us miss the field trip next week.
3. You could call our parents and tell them to come get us.
4. You could give us a treat everyday that we are nice.
5. You could make us stay in from recess and do math.
6. You could make us stay in from recess and sit and do nothing.

There were more, but that's all I can think of. We didn't come to a consensus on the best way for me to be a better teacher, so I guess I'll just have to keep trying my way - loving the little buggers.

4 SPOT

4 Jobs I've held
1. Preston Jr. High paraeducator
2. piano teacher
3. babysitter
4. Oakwood Elementary - 3rd Grade Rocks!!!!



4 Movies I Can Watch Over & Over
1. Dumb & Dumber
2. Willow
3. Elf
4. Ella Enchanted


4 Places I Have Lived
1. Ashton, Idaho
2. Rexburg, Idaho
3. Provo, Utah
4. Salt Lake City, Utah



4 T.V. Shows I Enjoy
1. King of Queens
2. Frasier
3. The Office
4. sports


4 Places I have Been on Vacation
1. California
2. Virginia and D.C.
3. Skagit Valley, Washington (don't know how to spell it, but it was a beautiful Tulip Festival)
4. Mesa



4 Favorite Foods
1.Meatloaf and baked potatoes
2. Roast and potatoes and gravy
3. popcorn
4. ice cream



4 Websites I visit
1. Blogs of my friends and family
2. Snood
3. Lewiston State Bank
4. lessonplanspage.com


4 Places I Want to Visit
1. every state in the U.S. (sorry - that's already more than 4)
2.Holland
3. Tonga
4. Rome, Italy

Okay, that was fun. Thanks for tagging me, Amy.

Yahoo!!!!

I'm going to be a grandma again in February. Aaron and Cyndie are expecting. Of course, we would be tickled with a boy, but we have such cute little girls in our family, that would be great too. Just healthy and normal, that's all we will pray for. I'm so excited!!!!!

Wow. I'd forgotten.

I mowed my new lawn tonight! It's beautiful. My new lawnmower worked like a breeze and did a great job. I'd forgotten how fun it is to mow a lawn. Thanks again to my wonderful children for the new mower! Hugs and kisses. xxxxooooo

I got my rocks.

I finally got the rocks I left over at the old house and got them in place here. Actually, Kyle Chatterton brought them over for me cause I could only lift three of them. With a gift certificate from a friend, this little garden cost me about $5 is all and it looks nice. The grass is growing so good. This morning it is only 46 degrees so it feels pretty nice right now.

SAM!

IT'S SAM'S DAY! 25 YEARS OLD ON THE 25TH. HOW COOL. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY. WE LOVE YOU SAM!

FAMILY TIME

It was Myers family time this weekend. We had the reunion at Ron and Lorraine's house in Soda Springs. They have a huge, fun back yard and it was full of tents, trailers, 4-wheelers, a swimming pool, a trampoline, canopies for shade, lots of Washer Toss games laid out, and most important - lots of people. What a fun time. Ron and Lorraine were such great hosts. Paul and Elaine's entire family were there and it was wonderful to see them all. It's been so long since they've all been with us at a reunion. They have darling little grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From our immediate family there was me, Tom, Anneke, Anna, Abbie, Kate, Ammon, Makenna, Paige, Aaron, Cyndie, Kylee and Kaydence. I love it when all 7 of the granddaughters can be together and scream and laugh and play. Friday night, there was an outdoor movie on a big screen (Open Season) so we were bundled up in blankets and sleeping bags, and sitting on cozy chairs. They served drinks, popcorn and candy and it was great. Saturday the kids played in the pool while the Washer Toss Tournament went on. Ammon was in charge since he has won two years in a row. He and Aaron made the nicest bracket chart and ran it real well. Doug Weber won this year - BARELY! BECAUSE HE HAD TO PLAY AARON FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Doug was all warmed up because he had just played a game or two and Aaron hadn't played for a while, so I'm sure that's what made the difference. :) Congratulations to Doug and hurray for Aaron for taking 2nd place.

The best thing in the world for me to know is that I have a family. I love my parents and siblings and their children and grandchildren, and most of all my own precious children and spouses and the darling "Sweet Seven". We missed Andrea and Brad, who were in California, and Amy and Sam, who were in Virginia Beach, and Andy who was in Salt Lake. We missed you guys and love you!

Happy Birthday, Aaron!

Here's the birthday boy (in the middle) with his cousin, Glen Sanders, and the love of his life, Cyndie. Today Aaron is 30 years old. The big 3-0. Wow. I love that Aaron loves his family so much and likes to be around us all. He's lots of fun to be around too. He has amazed me with his willpower to overcome some addictions and to be more in control. He would do anything for anyone and he has a kind heart. He knows how to love the unlovable and that's a real talent and gift. He's a good husband and father and a good provider for his family. He has always had a mind of his own, though, and I remember when he got mad at his teacher in 3rd grade because she put his name on the board for talking and he wasn't talking. It seemed so unfair to him, he decided he wasn't sticking around for anymore injustice and he walked home. All the way to Franklin from Preston. Not only that, but he walked on the back roads and that was even longer. He even stopped along the way and sat in the gutter and ate his lunch. During all that time he was walking, everyone at the school and me and his dad were frantically looking for him. We decided that it was time to get the police looking too, so I came home to Franklin to bring the other kids home, and there he was- sitting on the floor in front of the t.v. watching cartoons. He was oblivious to all the commotion he had caused, not to mention scaring us to death. I didn't know whether to spank him or kiss him, so I just stood there and bawled. Hans was a little more loving than I was about the whole thing. Aaron used to love to go on the "egg route" with his dad up through Soda Springs and Lava because he loved taking a lunch somewhere. But sometimes he would have his lunch eaten by the time they left Franklin. Aaron I love you. Thank you for all the love you give me. Happy Birthday.

A Yard!!

Randy and Sherrie Hobbs donated 6 pallets of sod to my yard "project". (That's almost $1,000). It was quite a shock and then another shock when 35 people showed up at 5:30 this evening to lay it. Do you know how fast 35 people can lay 5,000 square feet of sod? 20 minutes! Yes siree. In 20 minutes it was done and we were all standing around eating pizza, cookies, and brownies and drinking lemonade and ice water. I am so truly blessed. I know that the Lord answers prayers through other people, because I was sure praying for help with what used to be such a mess. Now more than half of the yard is covered with sod. I'm also praying for some cooler weather, but I know that I can't always get everything I want. Besides the 9 days that Wayne Priestly has worked so hard getting the ground ready, Dave and Doug Rallision have donated 10 loads of compost, Frank Priestly donated 2 loads of top soil, someone I don't even know donated gravel, Randy and Sherrie donated the sod, and the neighbors on both sides of me are letting me use their water shares to keep things green. Do I live in a great little town or what???

Happy Birthday, Andrea!

Here's the birthday girl with her hubby. When Andrea was born, it broke the tie, so we had 2 girls and 2 boys. Anneke was so excited to get a sister! Andrea and I came home from the hospital on Aaron's 3rd birthday (July 10), so that's the main thing Aaron got that year - a new baby sister. She was such a good natured, sweet baby with light, reddish tinted hair. Her dad loved to come home from work and shower and then sit in the lounge chair and just hold her and look at her. There were a few times the other kids would argue over her and we'd have to make a "hold baby Andrea" schedule. Her dad is the one who named her. He always liked the name Andrea, so Andrea it was. We love Andrea in our family. She's so fun, talented, wise, spiritual, and just plain nuts at times. My favorite thing to watch her do is her "olympic" moves. That and to listen to her sing. That makes me cry. I'm so thankful she found Brad because we love him too. Happy 27th birthday, Andrea. Love you!

HURRAY FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE!

Isn't July 4th a fun day? I always feel so patriotic. I spent the day with Ammon, Paige, and Makenna in Tooele. They all got to be in the parade at 9 a.m. The girls rode in the Grand Marshal's wagon and Ammon and the other bullfighter walked behind. Paige said it was boring, but Makenna had more fun waving at people. I think little Paige was just wilted from the heat. Then Ammon had to hang out in the park where lots was going on. He had to be there to keep an eye on the bull they had on display there advertising the rodeo, but we still got to go to some of the booths and the girls had a fun time. After lunch, we went to a church away from the park and laid on some blankets in the shade and had a rest. The rodeo was nice and Ammon's friend, Natalie and her friend, Ashley, came and they were great help in watching the girls. The rodeo actually got over a little early and the fireworks started at 9:30 instead of 10:00, which I appreciated and I had a great drive home and didn't even get tired (until Richmond) and I got home around 1 a.m. It was a long, hot, windy fun day.

Finally

My friend, and our mayor, Wayne Priestly, has been working this week on my yard. The weeds are gone and the big pile of dirt is gone. Bless his heart. So now I just need to seed or sod it. But since it's so hot right now, I think I'll just do part of it, and then in the late fall seed the rest of it when it won't take so much water. I feel like such a load is off my shoulders! And I do have one pretty little rose bush. And a nice friend.

Idaho Day 2008

Ok. Here's another slide show. I hope you're not sick of watching my slide shows, but they ARE fun to make and I can get lots of pictures in them. Anneke, Tom and the girls came up for part of Idaho Day today. The girls were sooooooooooo excited to be in the parade and they decorated Grandpa Lindhardt's little cart that I pulled with his 4-wheeler. I had bought 5 helium balloons, but unfortunately, there was a little mishap and 4 of them flew to heaven. But they were pretty as they floated away. The girls threw candy and had a great time. So did I. I saw some Franklin people that I haven't seen in a long time and it was wonderful. So was not being in the hamburger stand. I don't miss it a bit. 15 years of it was a good run, but I'm glad it's over. Thanks to my kids who helped me run it for so long. Anyway, it was a fun day and I enjoyed hanging out in the park. Tonight I'm going to the concert and the fireworks. The Lindhardts had to go home, but I don't mind going over there by myself tonight. But it would have been more fun to have someone to go with me. My thermometer says it's 95 degrees outside right now!

"Biggest Loser" Ends!

Congratulations to Aaron Glen Bayles for being the biggest loser in our family. He lost a total of 12 1/2 pounds!!!!! Aaron, you actually have some willpower and the rest of us admire that. Tom came in second place with a 11 or 12 pound loss. (Guess he's not real sure exactly how much.) But that's great too, especially after a week of being on a trip. So way to go you two. I personally think I'll lose some weight now that I'm not thinking about it so much.

Hurray for Aaron!!!

Back From Camping.

I'm not sure if you really call it camping when you are in such a nice motor home, but let's just stick with "camping". I went to Idaho Falls on Tuesday morning to Marie's house and we got in their new 24 ft. motor home and drove to Riverside Campground up in Island Park. Mark and Kathy were there with their trailer and Darla had a tent set up (they have sold their trailer). Don came up in the evenings. Grandma and Grandpa came up on Wednesday around noon until it was getting dark, then they went back down to Ashton and stayed in a motel. They went back up to Riverside this morning, but Marie and I left early afternoon. It wasn't a long time, but it was a fun time. Whenever I get with my sisters, we laugh a lot and get real silly. WE think we're funny even if no one else does. They are great women and I love them. It's always fun to have Mom and Dad around too. They are quite delightful. They are quite amazing, actually. And then the men keep us grounded. So thanks, Mark and Don. There were soooooo many mosquitoes, but we kept sprayed real good. We loved it when the wind came up, because then they went away. We were discussing where they went when the wind blew and I mentioned that they probably hang onto a tree, so then we really built on that, saying how they wrapped their stinger around a piece of bark to hand on and then we could picture their legs blowing straight out. Ok. You had to be there, but it was really funny. Here's a picture of our re-creation of what mosquitoes look like hanging on for dear life when the wind is blowing. Anyway, it was fun to get away and have a good time. We went for walks, read, laughed, played games, visited, laughed, watched a movie (Cinderalla Man), which was good, ate good food and took pictures, laughed, swatted mosquitoes and laughed.

Riverside Campground, Island Park

Fun day at Aaron and Cyndie's house. June 21, 2008

We had a cookout in Layton at the Bayles' house. Aaron and Cyndie are super hosts with a beautiful home and yard. We ate lots of yummy food and had fun playing with Andrea and Brad's Wii. The girls jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler too. We missed Amy, Sam, Ammon, Paige, and Makenna though. Maybe next time. There's a slide show below of our fun day.

SUPER SPRAYER!!!

I got up at 5 a.m. to go up to copy, got up there and the machine wouldn't work. So I came home and called the guy to come service it. Hopefully he does it soon today so that I can go back up and get a lot done. So anyway, I came home and decided to use up the rest of the weed killer spray I have and try to do some more damage to some of the weeds that are thriving in my yard. I filled the sprayer 4 times and drenched the little buggers. The 4th time I really went after some tall spikey things and some thistles. My arms were starting to get shaky and weak, like when you hold a baby too long. So I was glad I was out of Weed-B-Gone and could quit. I went back over by the faucet to clean up and there sat the last 4 oz. of the weed killer in the pouring cup! I hadn't even added it to the last sprayer full of water! Dang it. So basically the last spraying was just watering the weeds real good. So I had to do it one more time and try to remember just where I had been. It's no wonder my yard looks like it does.

Third Grade Teacher Retreat - Bear Lake, May 27th-29th

WHEW!!

I am so proud of myself. If only someone were here to take my picture. :) I have completed 144 pages to go in photo albums this week! Of course, they aren't fancy like some people have the talent to do, but the pictures are organized and in an album and that makes me happy. Now I just need to get some new binders to replace those that are broken or falling apart, and make sure that all the pages are in order where they should be. Not bad for one week, huh? If only all that working on photo pages would keep me from eating - but no, I can still manage to snack just fine. I can do 2 things at once. So in a few more days, you are all invited to come browse through our albums.

Aren't we so cute?

Here is our family (the part of it that was in Mesquite at picture taking time) at Klea's house at Thanksgiving. It was so great getting to see our Bayles family.

Does it kind of make you wonder what Amy is mad about? Or maybe just a little bit disgusted? What do you think? She was in Mesquite, NV for Thanksgiving with the extended Bayles family. Maybe she was just missing Sam. Actually, I'm just having fun putting pictures on here and wish I had more pictures on the CD I'm using. I got delete happy and erased everything after I printed pictures for putting in albums. I'm working on getting all caught up with scrapbooking and I'm almost finished with the year 2005. Yay!

I'm so lucky!

Look who's coming to my house this weekend!
Kylee Dawn and Kaydence Joyce Bayles!!!

Visiting the Family

On May 14th, I went to Archer (Rexburg) to
the funeral of my cousin's husband. It was a very
nice funeral and I'm glad I went. Here's a picture
of cute Grandpa Myers and my uncle Jerry and
aunt Marg Hansen. Also my little mom with three
of her sisters, Lola, Margaret and Grace.

Just wanted to see if I could figure out how to put a picture on here.

Memorial Day

I just got back from driving out to the cemetery for the second time today. I'm trying to figure out who it is who puts some flowers on Dad's grave every year and I missed him/her again this year. They did it sometime between 4 and 8. It's so nice of someone - they've done it for 16 years now! Anneke and Tom brought some pretty yellow ones yesterday. I wish I had my camera while I was out there as the sun was starting to go down. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! It actually was just a beautiful evening and I had a fun drive around Franklin. I live in a nice little town. I know it's a holiday tomorrow, but it still seems weird not to have to be thinking about planning something for school. Have a great Memorial Day, everyone.

Let the yardwork begin!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

I'm off to play.

I'm going to Bear Lake next Tues. - Thurs. with my "teacher friends". We are all excited and ready for a break.

1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL LEFT!

It's amazing how excited I am, but at the same time kind of sad. I've had a good class and they are cute kids and I'll miss them. And the summer goes by so quickly, we might as well stay in school. My biggest goal this summer is to do something with my yard, but at this point it totally overwhelms me just to look at it. I don't really know where to start. I came home from school with a bad headache and went to bed early, but couldn't hold still and relax, so I got up to play on the computer. :)

Happy Mom

Thank you to my sweet family for the fun Mother's Day weekend. First of all, Brad and Andrea came up Friday night and they are always good for lots of laughs and good times. Andrea had made me the CUTEST, COOLEST quilt. Someday when I learn how and have the right cord for my camera, I'll post a picture of it. Maybe Andrea will put a picture on her blog. :) They also gave me a new "duster". They call it a mu-mu, but that's not really what it is. On Saturday morning Amy and Sam started on their cross-country journey and it was fun to "follow" them for 3 days. They made it safely to Virginia Beach, and we're all thankful for that. What a great adventure for them! Saturday afternoon Tom and Anneke and Anna, Abbie and Kate came up. They gave me a bracelet, lotion and a new cool black "ladder" shelf. It looks so great in my living room. They also took me out to dinner with Tom's mom and dad, Andrea and Brad and the girls. Ammon left me a sweet message that made me cry, and I talked to Andy Sunday night. He and Sarah had spent the weekend with her parents and I can't remember where that is - somewhere in the middle of Utah. Aaron called me this evening, so I've talked to all the kids and I love that. Cause I love all of them. And last night, Makenna and Paige called and sang Happy Birthday to me. So much fun. I'm a lucky mom/grandma.

Latest Coundown

YAHOO!!! 6 1/2 DAYS OF SCHOOL LEFT. And actually, I'm going to have a substitute tomorrow. So really for me there's only 5 1/2 days of school left. Crazy. I knew this year would go fast and it sure has. I've had a good class. Hyper, but good.

How are YOU doing?

I don't know what's up with me, but I've gained 2 1/2 pounds since we started the Bayles Family Biggest Loser contest a couple of weeks ago! I hope everyone else is doing better. At this point, my money's on Aaron. He really wants some new golf clubs. Andrea said maybe I'm afraid of being hungry - I think she's right. That makes sense to me. It couldn't just be the fact that I like to eat. So what is there to eat before I go to bed? Hmmm. Let's see. No - I'm going to resist. Be proud. Do good, Joyce. You Can Do It!!!

New Countdown

10 1/2 days of school left!

Beautiful Rexburg Temple

Sisters in White

The Franklin Stake had Sisters in White today. It was a special temple session for all of the sisters in the stake. It was very nice and was well attended and I'm glad I went. But Logan is crazy busy. I think it was USU graduation yesterday or maybe today.

13 1/2 days of school left!!!!!

Can someone tell me how to get a music playlist onto my blog? I set up a playlist but don't know how to move it here.

Can you believe that I am figuring out how to do this? Of course I will be asking you girls for help though. I don't know how to get pictures on here, but maybe next weekend Brad and Andrea can help me. This will be fun!