Idaho Trip!

Don't get too excited. I am attempting to start writing a family newsletter-or maybe you "younsters" would call it a blog. WHATEVER!!
We are happy to be back at home. Although when I had my head in the washing machine all week, the time we spent away was rather like a dream. It was great to get into the mountains and feel some cooler weather. Oh, and spend some time with the family.
There is no place like Idaho in the summer. It is beautiful and green this time of year and the water is flowing everywhere. It made me smile and feel grateful every time we crossed the Lost River. The mountains and foothills are green like I remember as a kid. I got a real kick out of biking with Dad while I was there, (Note to dad, get mom a "bigger" seat for her bike!) although we both would have preferred horseback. We almost climbed up to the natural arch...and dad rolled part of the way back. Rachel got some awesome pictures along the way. Mom made me some rhubarb pie that was the best I've ever eaten and I savored every bite. She has also been sewing and crocheting up a storm and I and still in awe of her abilities. Her creative juices are still flowing strong!
It was fun to have Alicia and Brian come up and join us there. They look great although Brian had a really bad sty and ended up in the Dr.'S office and looking like he had lost in a fist fight. No, you should have seen the other guy! Alicia got out all of her neat Provo Craft stuff and we had fun putting together a couple of cards and such. Grandma played tea party with Emma and Emma ate all her chocolate bear cookies. She had great fun with her.
I appreciated that it doesn't hurt so much to say goodbye now that we are closer. I am grateful for that.
We got to Georgetown on Sat. Evening and there was Ted and his family. His boys are really growing. And I could tell the contrast of raising boys and my girlie house. There was lots of energy in those boys!
Being 81 hasn't slowed Grandma Sleight down much. She can still put on a great meal with little help from the rest of us. Emma commented that she was sure glad that Grandma made some rolls. And good cookies. Lots of cookies.
We all went to church on Sunday and filled two rows! It was nice to be together and hear Don and Ted bear their testimonies. Brian played the organ for our enjoyment and we watched Emma dance on her tipy toes in the chapel. They left for home and I felt bad to see them go back to Provo, but happy to see them so content together.
Ted and Maralee rented a boat and took off Monday morning. We ran over later that afternoon but were unable to hook up with them that day. There are lots of people on that end of the lake!
We attended the pancake breakfast by the Lion's club . Howard and Stevia and Chelsea came over Tues. And it was great to see them.
We went downtown to watch the fireworks and were impressed that a small town could pull off such a good show,
We were relieved to see the house in good standing. Our poor watchful neighbor was beside herself with worry. We were confident that nothing had been disturbed.
We came back to hot weather and really long grass-and Don ended up going up to the boys encampment 3 times in 3 days. (4 hours round trip!). We also had ward conf. Today and he gave a wonderful talk. His boss from SL is coming tomorrow so he is gearing up for that.
Emma starts swimming classes tomorrow. I told her she needs to put her face in the water this year and she said she doesn't think she will. Right.
Well, I have read this thingy and it is really boring. I will have to try harder next week.
We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our newest family member. She is going to be a beauty-we just know it. And with dimples right?! We are praying for you Meredith.
Love Mom, Alane

Hi, me again,
tired on a Saturday night. Yeah, big day, cleaning and cleaning and buying milk. Seems like there is never enough Saturday to go around.
I am just very glad that it is FEBRUARY and one more January is behind me in my life of days. Have I ever mentioned that I hate January? Well, I do. And those stupid christmas cookies are still hanging off my hips.
Oh and that reminds me...it is windy here...WHAT A SURPRISE!! ANd dad and I went out to supper and after went to Target and on the way to the car, I was complaining about how "stinkin" cold the wind was. I also said that I was glad that I had eaten a really big supper so I wouldn't blow away. So what does Dad say? Oh, that I should be glad that I had "big biscuits" so I didn't need to worry. I chuckled before he even finished that sentence...he should know better! But no, out it came. Silly boy. I told him he could have gone all day without saying that!! Poor dad, will he ever learn?
just for the record have I mentioned how very excited I am about being a grandma? YES, this is the gramee to be dancing on the keyboard! So very excited.
Well and tired. Time for some beddy bye. Don't be so shocked that I bloggeed here.
MOM

well, hello out there in cyberworld. This is mom speaking. She who thought the internet was evil and going to poison her kids...still wondering. But, in the mean time, I will attempt my contribution to the blogging of life.
We are all going through the after Christmas blues, including the looking at the last crumbly cookie and wondering why we thought they were so yummy to begin with. Ah, now I am wearing them right there on my thigh. It actually looks a little like the snowman cookie shape. Oh, yeah, it's probably cellulite.
Emma is still singing carols and driving us a little nuts. She wants to know when the next Christmas eve is so she can ask for more presents. Yikes, she is so low on toys around here.
Stacey is semi-anxious to go back to school. I am really ok with everyone out of here.
It will be nice to get back to some quiet. I think. Rachel is not happy with it. And I think Neil is ready to get out of this place. Don't blame him.
Well, I am off for now. Somehow I can't think of much to say when I sit here. Maybe I will have to create a more exciting life so I can blog about it.

Getting started...

Hey everybody! Mom asked me to get this started for her, because she was getting so jealous of the great blogs we were all doing :) I'm really excited for her to log in the latest happenings at the "Cheekie" house. I thought of naming the blog "A bunch of cheekies, a cat, a dog, a fish, and a chomping hampster (I'm not sure I'll ever recover from that stupid thing biting me...Cheesecake, I love you, and I'm sorry for hucking you across the closet!) but the title was limited to about 100 letters LESS than that :)

Hope you all enjoy this. I know I'm excited for yet another way to keep up-to-date on what's going on at home.

Love you all,
Alicia