Blake and Natalia!

Congratulations to Blake and Natalia!  It was a wonderful wedding. I made up for the lack of pictures in last post with this one.  We had the family dinner in our shop Friday night.  I had wanted to elevate it and make our shop to be simple, elegant, and beautiful.  It came out exactly as I had in my head.  The kids all showed up around 10:30-11 and we were working hard.  Dave and I had been up at 5ish and to bed at midnight all week.  I scrubbed the house clean and we started setting up tables and chairs.  Blake and Natalia had been out the week before to help hang lights and finish up the lemonade cart.  

I had a list of things that needed to be done last minute.  As we got closer to the time we were running out fast.  At 5:15 I glanced at the clock not knowing if we were going to be done in time.  But I knew with out a doubt that Cannon, Nicole, my dad, Natalie and Joe would come early to help, even though I had not asked them to, and I could just start handing them chores.  My family is so awesome and I have great friends. Between them, my kids, and Dave we got it all done.  My house was a shamaz and I was embarrassed to those that needed to use the bathroom that it looked that way.  But food was out and shop was decorated.  We prayed and prayed for the weather and it was about perfect.  It was not muddy or to hot, and it was not blowing a hurricane. 

We ate tacos and had a dessert chocolate bar.  Blake and Natalia then introduced everyone, Dave and I did stories of Blake and a welcome to Natalia, Todd and Tanya did stories of Natalia and welcome to Blake.  Blake then did his toast to his bride.  Leah had wanted to do a welcome to the family gift for Natalia, her and Cora found some cute things that represented us and gave them to her with an explanation. Last we played the wedding shoe game. After everyone left we got to cleaning.  Cannon and Nicole, Joe and Natalie stayed to help get everything down and shop swept out, and some dishes done.  Then I sent everyone home with sincere thank you, even my kids and I finished up.  I was so so sore.   My feet did not want to feet anymore. But I could not leave my kitchen unswept or dirty dishes out. I slept well that night. 

The next morning Blake got ready by tagging our last calf.  He said it was the perfect way to prepare. 

The ceremony was simple and short.

I was a disappointed that they did not get a picture with all the bridesmaids and bride or the groomsmen and groom.  Seems odd.  And I made all the ties.  I would have liked to have had a picture with all of them and the dads standing together. 

The rain started as we were driving away from the temple.  It was perfect for pictures.  Dave and I went to Leah and Braydon's during the down time.  I thought we would have a few hours, but ended up with only about 45 mins before we headed to Raymond to help get ready for the reception. 

It was also beautiful.  Jane was my little buddy all night and it was so fun. Dave and I were very social as was Blake, we did quite well. 

Dave and I were in charge of retrieving the hidden truck for the send off.

And that was that.  Well after more hours of clean up. :)  Man, weddings are a lot of work. Blake and Natalia are a great couple.  They will help, support, and love each other in all that they do.  I am excited for this next chapter for them both. 

May 2026

Another fun month has come and gone.  Too fast.  We had a grand month and I took one picture.  Having to much fun to stop and take pictures I guess. 

* We had stake conference.  Elder Senechal was at our conference.  I really enjoyed his talks.  He was very personable and real.  Told lots of stories of his family.  It also worked out great since we had been given lots of extra invites to Blake's wedding just before, so we were able to hand deliver lots to our friends in the stake. 

*Bridal shower in Raymond.  Food was great and it was a lovely evening.

*Dave had been in charge of the gift for Mother's Day in the ward.  We stressed about it for a few day, we have multiple allergies in our ward and were not sure how to navigate them all.  Finally decided to get flowers.  I picked them up Wednesday and by Friday they were dying.  We were a bit panicked.  I ran into Costco and luckily they had some lovely carnations in stock.  Just the amount I needed.  I had prayed all the way there.  Prayers were definitely answered. We divided up the flowers that were dying and took out the live one, divided between the 3 girls and myself and sent them home with them Saturday night.

*Bridal Shower in Champion.  It was so nice of Heather to offer to give a shower for Natalia.  It also was a lovely time.  

*Since everyone was around for the shower, Puzey's decided to stay that evening and have a Mother's Day meal at Myrna's.  We had a few hours in between and it was a beautiful day.  They boys and Jane had been working on cars and cleaning shop while we were at the shower.  When we got home we had a bite to eat and were talking out in the sunshine when I remembered 4-square volleyball.  Blake had not had a chance to play with us yet.  We played for hours.  Had to set an alarm to come in and get food ready for the dinner.  Such a fun day.  I love my kids being together. 

*It is a story, but I ended up at Natalia's bachelorette party.  Cora and Leah threw it for her as Ammon and Braydon gave a bachelor party for Blake.  They had wings and played games.  Us girls had great appetizers and made bracelets for the wedding.  It actually turned out to be a good time.

*I went to Bozeman with my mom and sisters.  We had been planning it for months.  Such a great time.  I love girls trips with my sisters and mom.  We had planned to just sit around and read for a few days, but I am not sure one of us opened a book. :) We talked and I crocheted and they did a little shopping.  We tried a great restaurant.  More were on our list but we ran out of time.  Guess we will have to go back!  It was beautiful and relaxing. 

*Many trips to deliver Myrna for treatment.

*Dave had the week off before the wedding and we worked early and late to get everything ready for the family dinner at our shop. 

*Ward Conference.  Good time, great messages.

*Finished lemonade cart and delivered, final haircuts, chair pick up, food shop, more shop cleaning and mowing

*WEDDING!!

April 2026

Highlights from April.  It was an exciting month. 

General Conference was wonderful as always.  The kids all came out to watch and we celebrated Leah's birthday. We played a lot of games and I did some crocheting during conference.  Such good messages.  Saturday morning was my favorite. Dave and I were on for snow removal at the church mid month.  I was quite sure it was crazy to schedule that far out.  Turns out they were not, because shovel we did.  Thick, WET, heavy snow.  We were so sore.  Checking cows was fun too.  Only snowed for 2 days and then it melted off pretty fast. 

Leah's washer had been not working and their landlord ordered a new one.  While they were waiting for it to arrive, she would come out and do laundry at our house.  We had a few fun hang out days. 

We had a funeral for a cousin of Dave's and made a stop at Ikea while we were in town.  The next week we had another funeral to attend as well.  Bill Toone was a great guy.  The girls decided to all come hang out and stay over for church the next day after the funeral.  We checked cows and Jane helped us feed.  Now when she comes she says 'see cows?' and we get on the 4-wheeler and take her over. 

That night we had dinner with the Puzey siblings and Myrna.  Went to Silver Slate.  Always a delicious meal there. We got home and the boys were out checking cows for us, tagged 2, and the girls were making dinner together.  Make your heart happy moment.

Sunday all the kids had stayed over.  Back at the end of March the stake president had called and asked to met with Dave and I.  We drove to the church and he interviewed us both separately.  Me first then Dave.  After he called me back in and let me know that Dave was being called as bishop of our ward.  We talked for a while about when and some thing that were to happen and we got back in the car.  I turned to Dave and asked if he was surprised at all.  He said no. Next followed 3 very special weeks as we talked and discussed together as no one else knew.  We had heard that it was time for a change in our ward.  Both of us had felt impressed that it would be Dave, but didn't say a word to each other.  We never even joked about it.  Stake President had told Dave that I was his councilor until his were called.  We had so many discussions on walk and drive after dropping Myrna for treatment.  Long hours and early mornings.  It felt surreal and like we were in this little protected bubble.  We had some very special experiences and neat things happen.  Our kids had no idea.  They truly just happened to decided to come to church that week, but Dave was glad they were there.  

One day I went in with Dave to do some early morning shopping.  Gas is getting very expensive and what ever we can to save some. 

I attended a fun Favorite Thing party.  Got some good loot.

Blake and Natalie finished the school semester with excellent grades.  The wedding planning continues.  May is going to be full on. Before he started work and after school was done, Blake came out and spent a few days working on the orange truck.  My job was to hold and tap the wire to the battery.  I did a marvelous job of course. :)   He did discover the issue and now the truck is running fantastic! 

March 2026

Dear March

While I did appreciate the mild weather that was provided, I very much could have done with out the wind.  Please no more wind.  I may go insane.

Thank you

Me

Another great month has come and gone. 

 *Got together for a much over due afternoon with my friend Natalie. 

* Dave got to go to the Pro Bull Riding with a work event.  Sadly that event was not for family or even spouses.  Would have been awesome to see. 

*We meet for some wedding planning with Natalia's family.  Blake had told me the girls were coming.  I said that is great I haven't met her sisters yet.  Turned out it was my girls.  I was totally surprised and it was so fun.  We got some details figured out and had an amazing meal. 

*Blake did a fireside on his mission at The Villa. 

*One weekend Leah and Braydon, Cora and Ammon and kids came to hang out.  We played games and just hung out.

*We got Blake's wedding suit and got material for the ties I will be making for the wedding.  We have been slowly ordering things for the family dinner.  It is almost all ready. 

*We had a great time celebrating my mom's birthday.  All my kids were able to make it.  Delicious dinner organized by Natalie, Kita and Steve came up and surprised her.  They had made a banner and signs and cake. 

*Attended a fireside put on by the missionaries building the Lethbridge Temple.  It was really neat to hear all their miracle stories. 

*I got to hang out with the little girls while Cora got her hair cut. 

*Dave was involved in a Stake Youth Activity.  They did temple baptisms, had and activity, did some family history work and our part was to feed them and have a little social workshop.  Dave asked Leah to come help teach the workshop.  It was great fun.  A good idea to have Leah come join us. 

*Stopped at Hatch's quick after the activity to say Happy Birthday to the little 2 yr old.  I had made a coat I was excited to give her. 

*Little Rhoda was blessed.  Cora and Ammon did a great job hosting everyone.  Ammon gave a lovely blessing.  At church I was sitting between my girls, with their families on each side.  Dave behind and Blake in front and I just thought, I am not sure life can get better than this.  Surrounded by family.

*I had been in contact with the family of an Elder we met in Salone.  He was new out.  They were on their way through and wanted to stop and see us.  Dave got off early and Blake was able to come as well.  Which was good since they wanted to chat with him about the country and his experience.  It was a lot of fun and I was so happy they had stopped by. 

*And as always trip to deliver Myrna for treatment.

I finally made a decision this week.  I have always wondered when to stop blogging.  My life is not that interesting or have that much going on as when the kids were home, but I love to journal and loved having the pictures in my journal.  I have decided this is the year. December I will make my last post and publish my last book then get a beautiful journal and start handwriting instead.  It's been over 15 year and I'm ready and excited to write in a book again.

February 2026

February was an unseasonable warm month.  Mostly.  We went to some high school basketball games. 

Separated cows AgaIn!! It was getting annoying.  We were taking the calves to auction.  Dave and I took the second load.  There was enough room to load the last three that we didn't think we going to fit when one jumped a new part of the fence and escaped once more. We had a successful sale. And the one happy frustrating calf is just living it's best life in the field.  I for one am ignoring it's presence.  But my beautiful calm tempered girl is gone. 

I reorganized and clean the freezer in preparation for picking up our beef.  Leah's washer broke, so she came out a couple times to do laundry until their new one came in.  Dave had a Stake Youth Activity at the beginning of the month.  We enjoyed our usual Super Bowl Sunday with sports movie and appetizers. On the 9th of Febuary my shampoo and conditioner ran out at the same time.  A feit indeed. Valentine's Day we had red meal and watched a romcom. 

I then made 16 loaves of French Bread for the Stake YM's camp.  It was a hit I was told. Dave had a nice time on the camp.  They did some hiking and played some games. 

 That weekend Blake went on a mini vacation with Natalia's family.  As they were there the discussion between them about getting married were amped up and he called us on the Monday night to say they were engaged!  Very exciting.  We think she is great and they are lovely together. 

While Dave was at the YM's camp it was our week for cows.  I broke the bull water every morning before work.  The temperature plummeted that week and some days I had to do it morning and evening. When Dave got back he discovered the lid had been left off of the cistern and everything inside was frozen.  No water for the cows.  We spent the next few night working on it and then Dave would buy some parts, working on it, finding parts, working on it etc.  Finally after many nights we got it all back up and going. 

Dave, Blake and Natalia went skiing.  Blake was avoiding his house during reading week and so they would take turns between our house and Bolokoski's.  He burned a lot of gas that week. 

Over a year ago, Kita told us about a Grandma Shower a friend had for her.  I loved the idea and have been waiting for some one in my ward to become a first time grandma so I could throw one for them. I finally got to the end of the month.  We just had a few fun snack.  Lots of fun chats, and brought her books to build up her grandma library.  

I then gave her a little grandma starter kit, with wipes, a stuffed animal, gripe water and so on. It was a fun night. 

Hatch's moved to SoAb.  They stayed with us one night on the way down.  On the Saturday Dave dropped me at Leah's to go to her RS activity.  We did brunch and yoga.  He then went on to Cora and Ammon's to help unpack.  Blake met us at Leah's and we jumped in with her and Braydon to head out also.  It was fun.  Everyone was there but Natalia, she had a few papers and exams due.  We helped unpack and enjoyed being together. She can see Chief from her yard!

I have been making more animals.  It is a lot of fun. I will have to start selling them I suppose, if I want to keep going as I am spending way to much on yarn. But how cute! 

January 2026

Leah took some great pictures of us at Christmas.  We had planned to do this for weeks and cordinated out outfits.  It was not supposed to be very cold.  Then it was.  Very very cold.  We were only outside for maybe 10 mins.  Can't even see Rhoda but we have family pictures.  Yay for us! :)  I think she did an amazing job. 

I sure have a great looking family.  

On New Year's Day we got together with the Puzey side.  We had a great meal and played a few games.  Listened to some of the grandkids sing and play instruments.  Blake and Natalia came for a dinner as well.  The next day Dave and Blake went skiing.  It was good snow and Dave loved having his ski partner back.  Blake borrowed Grandpa Puzey's skis and they said it made a world of difference from his old ones.  Dave said Blake out skied him.  Blake loved getting back on the hills.  They have tried to go again but we have been unseasonable warm and have no snow. 

That weekend Blake moved into his apartment and got ready to start school.  He attended his new ward and met a lot of people.  Found out his new bishop is a guy that Dave grew up with. I went down Monday to get him a few groceries and stock up of basics as we always do first time for our kids.  Wednesday he started school.  Blake is in the biochem program at UofL and as of now is thinking about rural GP. He is loving being back in class and learning. 

After groceries on the way home I stopped by to see how the temple constructions was coming along.  I am excited for this temple. 

Blake and Natalia get in free to the pronghorn games and Leah and Braydon have been going to a few.  We met them all there and attend as well.  It was a very close game and exciting.  Blake was hilarious to watch.  He kept saying he forgot how much he loved basketball and was just so into it.  I have been trying to win a T-shirt that they throw out for 8 years.  Dave and Blake were very loud and obnoxious and we ended up winning a T-shirt, finally, and the crumbl cookies.  We are good now. 

For Dave's birthday we had all the SoAb kids and Myrna over for dinner.  Again played some games.  We didn't make it a long afternoon as everyone had school and work the next day. 

The next weekend we attended another pronghorn game.  Dave got free tickets for the family from Southland.  We had taken one of his co-workers and his wife out to dinner before the game. We cheered on the team, but did not come out victorious this time.  It was close again though. 

Saturday was Kailey and Kyle's open house.  She looked beautiful and Kyle seems like a great guy.  So happy for them. 

We had a fabulous anniversary.  Didn't do anything.  Which was nice for a change.  On the Friday we had an appointment to take a cow to butcher.  It had been a relatively nice month so far, then we got the coldest day of the month.  It was -23 as we loaded up this cow.  And she was strangely aggressive. Dave and I got her loaded and said a prayer that all would go well. 

We got to the butcher and dropped off the cow and headed back home.  We were about 30 mins from home when we passed a cop on the side of the road.  We had been worried about how the truck would run and the manifest we had.  As we carefully drove by and sighed a sigh of releif  Dave said, 'well we have passed all the check points.' I told him not to say that out loud till we were home.  Not even 3 mins later we heard a wierd rattle sound and suddenly a BIG plume of white smoke.  Dave barely got the truck and trailer pulled over when we were stopped dead.  That truck was not starting again.  We finally got ahold of Jared and he came and rescued us.  It was a very cold wait as he had a ways to come.  Then our good friend Vince happened to be free and said he would come get the truck.  He has a trailer with a winch.  Jared dropped us home, we had a quick bite of food and much needed bathroom break.  Then went and got the truck.  On the way Vince said he would go back out with Dave and get the trailer after.  We are very grateful to him and the time he lent us that day.  

On Saturday my siblings and parents got together to celebrate Christmas at Moxie's.  We have started doing it in January as December is so busy.  We had a nice time together. 

My birthday was low key.  Nice of lovely birthday wishes from everyone but my kids. :/  Cora did text me late at night and Blake called about something unrelated.  Nice job kids!  Feeling the love. 

Last weekend of January we were invited to a ward members for dinner and a game.  It was a really fun dinner.  On the 31st we had a car spa day.  Blake needed a part fixed and had come out the week before but the bolt was on so tight they could not break it.  He meet Dave at work where there is a high impact tool and they got it loosened.  He came back out on Saturday and they got it all done in no time.  It was a beautiful day.  Natalia and I sat outside in the sun as they worked.  Dave changed my oil and washed the cars.  Leah and Braydon came out and he changed the oil in their car.  We had dinner and played a game.  I love my kids living close.

I have started finger knitting.  It is so fun, but an expensive hobby.  Why are hobbies always expensive.  And this go me wanting to croquet animals.  This turtle is my first attempt.  I didn't have the right yarn yet, but didn't want to buy the expensive stuff until I knew I could do it.  I just started with what I already had. 

Turned out ok.  I hit a sale at Michael's for the right stuff and here we go.