Happy Birthday Scott!

 It has been awhile since I updated this little family scrapbook on the internet. I like to pop over here from time to time and look at our family adventures and I think in these unprecedented (ha!) times I should be keeping track of the Gale story again. 

So I will start today with Scott's birthday. Here are some past posts celebrating the birthday boy.

And a some fun photos to add to the scrapbook: 

Baby Scott helping Dad build the deck. 

Scott was a good sport. Playing Pretty Pretty Princess with his sisters.

Big brother and baby brother. 

A favorite picture of mine--Scott fresh off his mission 

when we picked him up at the Portland Airport.

That time we took him to New York City.

Oh the 90s artistic photography! 

But Scott looks adorable.

Scott and sisters Siara and Shanna all spiffed up for a school dance--waiting for their dates to arrive. They were all in high school together and this was a moment when they were all in the same

place at the same time. 

This is out of focus but it's a rare shot of the first three Gale kids in their early days.

Happy Birthday Scott! We love you!

Happy Birthday Scott!

I found this forgotten memento today as I was searching for a cute picture of Scott to insta for his birthday. I thought that tiny newborn picture of him was long lost. It is the only picture we have of him brand-new. As we have often told, we were poor students when he was born and we couldn't afford to buy the hospital pictures that were offered. This was the thumbnail pic that was stapled to the order form. I managed to save it and keep it in his baby book. 

I wrote that little poem for him in the early weeks of his life on earth. I was smitten with this little bundle of joy who made me a mother. I typed it up on a real typewriter...Andy had to have it for his BYU classes so it was a fancy bit of technology in our little chicken coop. It looks like I illustrated it as well. I am certainly not a poet or an artist, but that was the expression of my overflowing mother heart. Somehow it survived all of the moves and the chaos of a big, busy family. 

And, yes our joy has grown with this son. 

Today I can say again, thank you, thank you for 

this (not so) little son.

How we love him so.

Our son, Scott.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mom

P.S. Seeing this picture today, I am struck by how much Porter looks like him! 

Forever is Composed of Nows

Welcome to the World Little One!

Earlier this month, I flew to Texas and with fortuitous timing, this little guy made his debut about a day later. 

Meet our 8th grandchild:

 Porter Scott Gale

8 lbs. 6 oz. 20.5" tall.

Son of Scott and Nicole and little brother to Bailey, Norah and June.

He was born on his Aunt Shanna's Birthday on General Conference weekend.

The Conference blessings just keep piling up!

The big sisters meeting baby brother.

And Nana crying happy tears and bursting with joy.

June likes to check on her little brother. 

My son with his son.

Nicole and her sweet baby boy. 

Beautiful--inside and out.

Another Vacation Highlight

During our week of Disney, I spent a fun day with our granddaughters chilling at the hotel.

I wanted to give their parents a day to play child-free.

We did the laundry and you know, riding in the elevator,

putting quarters in the washer and dryer and 

watching the clothes spin around

proved to be great fun!

I enjoyed the air conditioned comfort and the girls enjoyed

hotel furniture gymnastics.

We went down to the pool grill for lunch and enjoyed some

On Site

"DINNING"

(This made me a little crazy--you know how I am about grammar and spelling)

Technically, it was On Site Dinning when 

baby June wanted a drink of Norah's smoothie,

there was some very loud protesting...

And then Norah kindly shared with her by accidentally dumping it in her lap.

But, since we were just an elevator ride away from a bathtub,

not a problem!

After naptime and an afternoon snack, we met up with the rest of our gang for dinner. 

The next morning when Nicole got the girls up for another day of The Magic Kingdom,

 she told me they asked,

 "Can we stay here with Nana again? That was fun!"

So when it comes to entertainment, Nana's right up there with Disney.

How We Spent Our Summer Vacation

Remember when I used to keep a blog? 

Yeah....

 I begin posts

of questionable importance and then I get interrupted 

and they are left to hang out in the archives gathering dust...

Here's one:

We went to Disney World.

This was a long over-due promise kept.

When Shane and Sam were wee young-uns, we planned a family vacation to Disney World.

A few months before, we were at the Oregon coast on a very busy holiday week-end at a very crowded beach and Sam decided to find his own way to the restroom. 

(We had been momentarily distracted by Seth on a beach bike, running

 into a poor, defenseless elderly lady.) 

Sam, being the independent three-year-old that he was, didn't feel any need to ask for adult supervision to negotiate the crowd and made his way alone to the bathrooms far, far away.

Just as I was in full hysteria and Andy had recruited the life-guard to help us look for him, Sam came sauntering nonchalantly across the sand..

That was the moment I realized I could not handle eight children in a crowded amusement park.

But six seemed doable.

So, for their safety and my sanity, we got an awesome babysitter to spend the week with the little boys. And we  promised  we would take them when they were a little older. 

So, fifteen years later, promise fulfilled.

Whew! 

Anywho, we tagged along with Scott, Nicole and those adorable little granddaughters.

We enjoyed all of the Disney fun in varying groups and worked the Fastpass system with

great precision thanks to the Gale Force Logic Team.

The little girls did the Princess Tour

I think my princesses are pretty sweet!

It was a real Princess Palooza! 

Their Daddy was cast in the role of Palace Guard during

 the theatrical performance of

Enchanted Tales With Belle--

he was a good sport and quite the actor:

And Bailey had a starring role as Belle's father.

She gave a stunning performance--shivering in prison.

Sam and Shane's childhood Dream-come-true

(If you wish upon a star...makes no difference who you are!)

Getting a hug from Tigger!

And we conclude this post with a cute picture of the ever-adorable

June.

Sitting in a Dinosaur Restaurant.

In Disney World.

With a dinosaur hat on her head.

Good times.

Life Lately

Here's a quick re-cap of the ongoing adventures of the Gale gang...

First, an adorable picture of that sweet baby June:

Miss June on her Blessing Day

Andy and I celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary--hard to believe it has been that long. We enjoyed some time in New York City--and that deserves a post of it's own...so stay tuned! While we were
there--during the intermission of "Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark" in fact--we found out Sam was accepted to BYU Provo. There was some mad texting going on between Sam--who was at the Manhattan Temple on a youth temple trip (he was actually walking back from Chipotle with the Bishop at the time; so don't worry--no texting was going on IN the temple!) and Shayla and me. Shayla looked it up for us and announced the good news to Sam and he told me. Perfect timing and much rejoicing. Sam applied a year early and without a high school diploma so we were holding our breath and hoping. He will get a year of college at BYU before his mission which will be good preparation for him.

In the meantime, I was surprised to find that my service was requested as president of our Relief Society. The last two times I was called to fulfill that calling, I had a clear forewarning. The Lord used to mercifully prepare me for things that He knew would overwhelm me. I was humming along enjoying my youth Sunday School class and having fun every month as Cubmaster and never even saw it coming. The Lord moves in mysterious ways. I have lived here seven months and felt at a disadvantage in choosing counselors and secretary but thank goodness for inspiration and guidance. Especially since I wasn't even there for my first Sunday on the job. I was in New Jersey...

...for June's baby blessing--rescheduled after the big storm (one of the many big storms!). We packed up the Uncles Sam and  Shane and made the drive to New Jersey. It was a fun weekend with Scott and Nicole and their sweet girls.

The Uncles with baby June

I gave the camera to Bailey and she got some great shots:

Her Mom--the always lovely and amazing Nicole

Little Sis Norah 

A window and wall composition with construction

paper balloon.

She stood up on the couch for this one.

Selfie!!

Shoe shot

Nana and Bailey shoe shot

Baby sister with Nana

That was fun!

I should mention that I have been homeschooling Shane since January. We are starting small with a couple of other kids coming here twice a week for TJYC and some history, math and science.

It was a big decision that I was putting off while I gathered information and resources. It was

hard to start over AGAIN in a new place. But there have been many tender mercies and we

are loving it. Well, I am loving it and Shane is not hating it.

 I take what I can get with the Truthist. 

Shayla has been loving BYU and will be staying for spring term. She has awesome roommates and they are moving into an apartment together after this semester. The big leap from dorm to apartment! In the meantime she has been getting her papers in for a mission. She loves her mission prep class and we talk often

about the many things BYU is doing in their wards and stakes to prepare SO MANY missionaries.

We will be awaiting the news on her call in a couple of weeks. 

And finally, Gentle Reader, 

I am going to be 50 in a couple of weeks. FIFTY YEARS OLD. And as crazy as this sounds, I can only think of the many good things that have come my way in 50 years of earth life. I don't mind the wrinkles and seriously I have only had one grey hair so far. Thank you genetics. (And no thank you genetics for the buck teeth and the greasy hair and huge pores. You win some, you lose some).

So, where was I? I'm getting old and forget what I was saying sometimes. Oh! The wrinkles and the weakening eyesight and the slower metabolism are a small price to pay for the wisdom and experience that I get to take with me For the joys of eternal family ties. The amazing blessings that come with each and every child and grandchild. The peace that comes from knowing my purpose here and having the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to guide my path. I have lived long enough to know that in the tough times, I can find comfort and that it will all work together for my good.  

My annoying optimism wins out and I keep finding Joy in the journey.

And that's why I kept this Christmas decoration up after the holidays.

The view from my window.

Life Lately

A beautiful storm gave us eight and a half inches of snow:

So of course the boys had to get outside and enjoy it:

Shane's fancy hat:

Scott traveled around Europe and then came here for his Birthday:

(He was in Paris that morning and New York City that afternoon)

Bailey helped me make the cupcakes:

Bailey and I did a lot of crafting whilst she was here:

She wanted a box for her Daddy's birthday present, so we

watched a youtube video and learned to make origami boxes:

Then we (meaning I) made many, many boxes.

Those lovely presents hold cute little notes and drawings as

well as some erasers and rubber bands that Bailey found

in the craft room drawers. Look at that face--I would gladly

fold boxes all day with that little girl.

Bailey playing "copy-cat":

She made her headband out of a rubber band and some curling ribbon.

Love that pose!

One evening, we sent Scott and Nicole on a date and the girls hung out with us.

Bailey decided we were going to have a masquerade ball so she put on

Norah's dress and Norah put on her sparkly shoes and they danced

around the living room. 

Mmmm Thanksgiving Dinner:

We prepare and plan and cook for days and it's all over

in about an hour:

Some post-Thanksgiving story time with Uncle Sam:

Dad's birthday was on Thanksgiving this year so we feted him

with a big feast and then later we sang to him and he blew out

candles on his delicious Ferris Acres Ice Cream Pie.

I think Sam is thinking of a really good wish for his Dad.

After the holiday and hubbub were over and Scott and his family had 

headed for home, I found this little tea party set up in the living room.

Good times.

A