Just a little Lowder

At the Portland, Oregon Temple with our darlings...

2011-12-03T22:47:00.000-08:00

I'll post more about our wonderful Thanksgiving visit with our beloved Snyder family later, but for now, this precious picture will have to suffice. We do love our little angel girl! <3

Mother/son bonding...

2011-11-07T19:15:00.000-08:00

We were at our stake conference in Oakland this past Sunday, and I had to get this sweet shot. He's a wonderful son, and she's a wonderful mother. Love these two precious people!

80 years young!

2011-11-07T18:28:00.000-08:00

So....I am indeed the luckiest daughter-in-law in all the land. This darling mother-in-law of mine has been such a huge part of my life, and one of my favorite blessings for the past 29 years. She has treated me as a DAUGHTER in every sense of the word, and from her I have learned to be a much better person than I would ever have been without her in my life. She is one of the kindest, most loving women I have ever known, and she has been there for me and for my family through thick and thin. I could not possibly love this little five foot angel any more than I do. She is truly one of a kind.
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweet Mom. You are loved more than you can possibly know....

Halloweanies

2011-10-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

Our ward trunk-or-treating spectacular this year was different for us for many reasons. First of all, we were invited to be in charge of one of the game booths, which we pulled off without incident--praise all that is good and holy--and the kids even seemed to actually enjoy it. It was right up Tor's alley, too--pumpkin golf. Yes indeed. As you can see by our professional grade photo, the object was to get a golf ball up a little ramp and into the pumpkin's mouth. They got two tries to get it in there, or 47, depending upon their skill level, and then they got to pick out a prize. It is amazing what a small child will do for a small rubber object of questionable origin or function. But nonetheless. Fun was had by all. Especially by me, as I sat myself down on a chair with the basket of prizes on my lap while my darling handled the little monsters...er....darlings with their swinging golf clubs and wildly flying golf balls. Oh, and the tracks that kept falling apart. But I was holding down both the fort and the prizes, so what could I do? Someone's got to do the heavy lifting. **sigh** That chair wasn't all that comfortable anyway, but I hate to complain.
Another reason this year was different was that we actually dressed up. Yessiree. And how. I had a hot date with SPIDER MAN, so what could possibly be better than that? They say that behind every good man is a good woman, and I would have to agree with that statement. In this particular case he would not even exist were it not for my needle and thread and a LOT of little plastic spider rings...which, I might add, had to have their 'rings' amputated in order to become just a plain spider which could sit quietly yet menacingly upon his shirt. Can I interject at this point that I do not even like spiders? At ALL. And it is no easy fete to sew them onto something without touching them. I tried that, believe me. Can't be done. And just to add insult to injury, I even hung them in my very own hair. On purpose, no less, so that my spider man would be attracted to his spider woman. I swear. The things we do for love.....
But the highlight of the night was definitely when all the little golfers rushed the parking lot to do the actual trunk-or-treating. This was the year of all years for me in that respect. I had one of my young women on one side of me, who we invited to come sit on the back of our van with us because in our charitable condition we realized that she was just standing there handing out candy bars without having a proper place to sit. Did I get away with that, or did you catch the "candy bar" part? Yup. You did. Okay, so I was handing out my candy with one hand, and dipping into her candy bar bag with the other. Bless her heart, she even tilted it in my direction to make it easier. Favorite young woman, hands down. And then on the other side of me was a darling little family who were giving out the assorted tootsie rolls which also call my name. Should I be embarrassed that I made actual children wait while I tilted the bowl towards the light in their trunk so I could pick out the orange ones? Well, come on--it was hard to see out there in the dark. What's a girl (okay, a grown woman) to do? I didn't want those little stinkers to get all the orange ones....Give me a break.
But in one respect, the night ended much the same as all other trunk-or-treating nights in that we were the first ones to burn rubber out of the parking lot. We were done. Stick a fork in us. The pumpkin golfing had taken its toll on these old fogies...The only thing that could have kept us there any longer would have been a grandchild or two. And that wasn't in the cards, so off we went....to pick the spiders out of our hair and the orange tootsie rolls out of our (MY) teeth. Ah, the joys....

Technologically challenged....

2011-10-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

....but we can still be happy about it. :) The top picture shows how lovely and relaxed you can be when someone else snaps the picture...The bottom one shows a different story. It just so happens we couldn't figure out how to use the timer on our camera that we've had for YEARS, but that doesn't mean we can't leap back fast enough to make it seem like we do. Ignorance can be bliss. We're living proof. Even if we do look slightly crazy. :)

SWEET potatoes.....

2011-10-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's a little peek into the life I get to live....I opened up the refrigerator today to find this note on a plate containing two huge sweet potatoes. Let me explain. Last week, I bought an entire bag of sweet potatoes at Sam's club....because they were there. Now mind you, neither Torrey nor I like them. And we are the only two people who actually live in this house. So, go figure. My school of thought was that we SHOULD like them. They are good for us. They are loaded with antioxidants. Uhm. It is Fall. They are orange.... They were there. So you can see how I suddenly found them to be entirely irresistable. No? Okay, well anyway. On with my story.
I had just returned from a trip to Colorado where my mother had mentioned that she actually cooks her (regular) potatoes in the crock pot instead of baking them in the oven, and they turn out great. I thought that was genius. I simply had to try it. But I decided right there on the spot in Sam's Club, that I would try it with sweet potatoes. Maybe somehow that would just put them over the top, and Torrey and I would have found our new favorite food! Right? RIGHT??? It could happen...
But it didn't. They did indeed turn out perfect in the crock pot. That part is for sure. But there was one problem. They were still sweet potatoes. Which neither one of us like. Did I mention that? Anyway, I valiantly ate one. Well, half. Okay, a fourth. Then Torrey valiantly ate some, too. We pawned 3 of the hugest ones onto Torrey's Mom, who lives nearby and happens to love sweet potatoes. Now there's a tender mercy. I hate wasting food. But. There were still these two ugly ones left. And so I put them on a plate, right in the very front of the fridge so I wouldn't forget about them. That worked. I didn't forget about them at all. Perish the thought. Instead, every single time I opened the fridge, I thought, "UGH. Sweet Potatoes." And I watched them get uglier and uglier by the day. First they developed a funky sheen. Unnatural, I thought, as I reached across them to get to the real food. Then, they sort of started to sink in on themselves. I wasn't entirely opposed to that--unlike the sheen which I personally found quite offensive--because in the back of my mind I was sort of intrigued by that and secretly hopeful that they would just continue to sink and sink and sink until there was nothing left of them at all. Not even a little sheeny spot on the plate. Then I could just merrily toss it into the dishwasher and think "Huh. Wonder why I left an empty plate in the fridge." Hey. That happens around here.
Anyway, the sinking into invisibility plan did not work out. They just sunk enough to look even uglier, so I was left with my inner debate: to toss or not to toss. I decided to decide that later. Which was when I found the note. Which made it all worth it. I would buy that entire bag of sweet potatoes again just to experience the note. Oh the notes we have traded back and forth over the years! Those notes and the ensuing laughter are some of the BEST parts of my life.

My gigantic and beloved family...

2011-10-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a picture--under glass, no less--so it isn't very clear. But I love all these dear ones and want to blog this precious picture so the world can see my beloveds. What a group! They have all grown up to be wonderful adults, and I could not possibly love them more.

September at the Oakland Temple

2011-09-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

It's such a beautiful time of year...I couldn't resist snapping yet another picture. :)

Shauna and her best friend lugging her luggage...

2011-09-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

Our annual "back to school" ritual. Shauna and Nicole loading it all up and moving it all out. Now that is a TRUE FRIEND!

My first college roommate!

2011-09-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

This my dearly beloved friend and former roomie, Dee. Oh the memories we have! :) My brother surprised me when I visited him last week--he had invited her over! It was so great to see her--I think we could talk for about a week straight without ever stopping. What a great surprise!

Start your engines! Or just hop on your bike...

2011-09-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

We were just about to hop on our bikes and head into the wild blue yonder of 17 Mile Drive at Pebble Beach, California. This was our Labor Day weekend adventure, and it was one of the funnest dates we have ever had. We had previously ridden along the coast of San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and all around that area, and we LOVED that, so we were excited to go down to the Monterey area and do this ride. It was perfect! A perfect day, perfect weather, perfect EVERYTHING!

Along the way...

2011-09-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

I think this is "Bird Rock"

2011-09-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

...such an original and catchy name, don't you think? :)

Showing off his balancing skills

2011-09-03T20:52:00.002-07:00

Beautiful scenery

2011-09-03T20:52:00.001-07:00

Happy, happy us....

2011-09-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

More of us....

2011-09-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Italians!

2011-09-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

As if the day weren't perfect enough, Torrey got to chat it up with some vacationing Italians. He was in heaven...He LOVES to speak that beautiful language.

My Rock...

2011-09-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

Biker babe? I think not....

2011-09-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

Rockin' round the....rock.....

2011-09-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

Some really awesome scenery...

2011-09-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

...and the stuff behind him isn't so bad either.

Pebble Beach is a peach....

2011-09-03T20:44:00.000-07:00

If the shoe fits....wear it. Embrace it. Proudly :)

2011-09-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

How is this fair, I ask you?

2011-09-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

I get up before the dawn each and every day, and work out until I can literally wring my clothes out (ugly mental image. I apologize. But still....) and my dearest beloved who sits at his desk all day and then comes home to the couch, can still totally kick my tushy when it comes to bike rides. The little dot you see way, way up ahead of me on the road is him. I was sneaky and let him get way ahead of me this one time so I could get this picture. :) All the rest of the time he was about two inches from me, watching over me and making sure that I didn't do anything clutzey like I have been known to do on previous bike trips. Oh, that everyone should have such a doting guardian angel! Truth be told, if I weren't holding him back, he would have lapped me about 5 times before I made it back to our van... I guess his trip across California on his bike a couple years ago lingers on in his muscle memory. Or something. Cuz....dang. It just doesn't seem fair...

Picnic lunch by the beautiful sea

2011-09-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Relieved to trade my bike in for my van...

2011-09-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

Our Pre-Labor Day Adventure at Pebble Beach

2011-09-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

We really love our van, even though we seldom have people to fill it up these days. We can throw our bikes in the back and take off to torture ourselves in any number of gorgeous locations within a couple hours drive of our home. We live in one of the most beautiful areas in all the land! :)

Our quick little trip to Oregon...

2011-08-10T06:21:00.000-07:00

We shopped, and ate, and visited, and got them all moved in. We are so happy and excited for them in their new adventure! Go little Snyder family!!! We love you!

The Snyder Family at their new church building

2011-08-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

First day of Medical School in Oregon...

2011-08-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

Yay, Eldon!!!

Be of good cheer....

2011-08-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

...for I will lead you along. (D&C 78:18)

And they said you find them under a cabbage leaf. HA!

2011-07-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

We all know you actually find babies under the zucchini leaves!

Grandma and Shauna playing hide and go seek with the veggies...

2011-07-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

Every time they turned around there was another enormous zucchini! They pruned and gathered and giggled. What a fun morning at Grandma's house!

None shall pass!

2011-07-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

Our darling little Everett

2011-07-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

Could there ever be a more adorable child???? I think NOT! And sweet as can be, too. We are blessed, that's for sure!

Model status...workin' it!

2011-07-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

The last day with our little baby doll...

2011-07-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

...and boy are we going to miss her! She is wearing her new little dress that we bought her, and she didn't EVER want to take it off. :) She is a girly-girl, that is for sure! Grandpa and Grandma are totally in love with our little Chiara...

Protecting our little lamb....

2011-07-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

I used this as the visual aid in my YW lesson today...it was about how important it is to have a Worthy Priesthood Leader in your home. I think this picture captures it perfectly because she had no idea how dangerous the waves were, and all she wanted to do was run into them with great abandon. I love this picture...and this wonderful man.
"There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary's mischief will be the power of the priesthood." (Boyd K. Packer)

We beach ourselves...

2011-07-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

...two weekends in a row! If that's what our grandbaby wants, that's what our grandbaby gets!

2011-07-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."
— C.S. Lewis

California serving up an awesome sunset...

2011-07-09T22:17:00.001-07:00

My missionaries...

2011-07-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of them all and love them so much!

What did I ever do to deserve them???

2011-07-09T22:15:00.001-07:00

Blessed, lucky....you just can't get any better than this!

How did he know that I wanted this more than anything???

2011-07-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

Sweet little Everett. What an absolute darling he is!

The Pied Piper of all babies...

2011-07-09T22:11:00.000-07:00

...all children everywhere adore our Shauny girl, and her nephew, Everett is no exception.

How to melt your grandpa's heart in one easy step.

2011-07-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

Everett cuddles...doesn't get better than that!

The Bryce Lowders....how we love them!

2011-07-09T22:08:00.001-07:00

So happy to be with our little Everett!

2011-07-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

The cousins!

2011-07-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Chiara cruising with her peeps.

2011-07-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

Our Panda Express picnic on the kitchen floor...

2011-07-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

Love you, Kev and Rach!

I'm sure it's because he doesn't want us to leave...

2011-07-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

That must be it.

Chiara rolling Everett into a burrito...

2011-07-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

...much to his dismay.

One little blanket, and one little girl....

2011-07-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

...and oh, so very much fun!!!

Hail, hail, the gangs almost all here....missed you, Eldon!

2011-07-09T21:57:00.000-07:00

He's just too cute not to smooch...

2011-07-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for summer internships in Utah!

2011-07-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

It's a lot closer than Virginia, and we were able to get our family together for the first time in a year. Hooray! Bryce is such a wonderful father. Here he is with his mini-me, Everett.

This happened once before.....

2011-07-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

...but her name was Shelli, and his was Bryce. It's such a walk down memory lane to see these two little granddarlings playing together just like their parents did at that age. I hope they grow up to be best friends... How we love them!!!!

Utah's main attraction....our grandson, Everett.

2011-07-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

If there is anything breakable, dangerous, or off-limits....

2011-07-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

....we seek after these things.

The REAL Sleeping Beauty...

2011-07-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

...or maybe it's just some cute little imposter trying to fit on her couch....

My little Snyder girls

2011-07-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

Chiara loves the swings...

2011-07-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

...and unfortunately they are almost always located out in the glaring, sweltering sun....Good thing Auntie Shauna is the unselfish sort, and puts up with it for a long, long time. :)

World's absolute best Auntie....

2011-07-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

This is the updated version of one of my favorite pictures of these two darlings that was taken over a year ago. Auntie Shauna is still on duty, and loving every second of it.

At the park with my granddarling, Chiara

2011-07-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

Please do NOT be jealous of my tan... :)

We practically had the beach to ourselves...

2011-07-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

...because everyone else is smarter than we are. :) Not really. It was super fun, even though it was cold and foggy. We ended up eating our picnic in the car, Shauna cuddled up in a blanket on the beach and dozed, and I snapped some treasured pictures from under a couple layers of towels and a sweatshirt.

Sand castles with Chiara

2011-07-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

So you would think by looking at this picture that she was in love with this idea. I'm sure she would have been, had there not been a big, wide ocean right there beckoning her... Good thing we snapped this picture when we did, because we could NOT keep that little baby doll out of the water!

Grandpa and Grandma's little water baby

2011-07-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

Day trip to Baker Beach

2011-07-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

Does it look cold? Foggy? Windy? Why yes, yes it does. And it was....but that didn't slow Chiara down. She was in heaven! It took all of Grandpa and Mommy's energy and skills to keep her out of the waves. And we still had to drag her kicking and screaming back to the car after she was soaked to the skin and freezing. This is a little water baby we've got, for sure. Grandpa assured her that she could ALWAYS go to the beach when she comes to visit us. :)

A picture is worth a thousand words...

2011-07-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

The birthday boy on his 51st birthday!

2011-07-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

Floating down Mainstreet

2011-06-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm getting carried away with these posts. But I love them. And this is my blog. So....guess I'll just carry on. :)

Now why didn't I post this for Father's Day?!

2011-06-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

The world's cutest Dad! :) What a happy camper he is! Love you, Dad!

Mr. and Mrs. Fourth of July! 2010

2011-06-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

Love you, Mom and Dad! Happy 51st wedding anniversary!

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

2011-06-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

I know, I know....I'm early. But since I will not be available during the actual event this year, I thought I'd throw in this little gem from last year. We were at my parents' 50th wedding anniversary in Delta, Colorado. It was such an amazingly fun and wonderful reunion for our extended family. Props to all our kids and grandbabies for making the supreme effort to be there!

My father and mother, and my son...

2011-06-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

I chose this picture because I KNOW that my son will grow up to be one of the world's greatest fathers. He has truly been one of the world's GREATEST sons...
I was blessed to grow up in a home with a father who set the spiritual bar extremely high. His example of serving the Lord and his fellow man simply cannot be equaled, in my eyes. I never once came home late at night that he was not sitting at the kitchen table, pouring over his scriptures. More often than not, he would be excited about something in them and want to share it with me right then and there. He would gather us around and teach us from the scriptures at every opportunity, and he would gather us from the far corners of the house, yard, and neighborhood for family prayer. He was always, always serving the Lord. I can't even remember a time when he wasn't a church leader: Bishop, Stake President, Stake Patriarch. He was up before the sun rose every single day, tending to our animals, our "crops", our grain elevator, our stake, ward, and family. Not in that order. :) As a father he was tough on us. And I am the person I am today because of his high expectations and example. He is one of the greatest teachers I have ever been privileged to hear. He taught us to think in spiritual terms, and to expect miracles. He lived a life just slightly south of Job...and I remember pleading with the Lord to ease his trials, and reminding Him of what a great servant and disciple Dad had ALWAYS been. WHY oh why was he tried and tested at every turn? And when I told Dad this one day, he was quiet for a few moments and then through his tears he said, "Connie, I wouldn't change a thing..." Now that is a man who understands the big picture. That is a man who loves and trusts the Lord, and who has been refined by Him. That is the man who is my Dad. And that is the man to whom I owe much, much more that I could ever hope to repay. And that is the man I love with every single bit of my heart.

Yet another wonderful father....

2011-06-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

...Yes, we are blessed. We have wonderful fathers in this family of ours. And here is our Eldon, another devoted father to add to that list. Words cannot express how grateful we are to him, and how much we love him.

While I'm on the subject of really great fathers....

2011-06-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

Let me throw my brother, Dan, into the mix. He is unquestionably one of the most amazing fathers and grandfathers that I have ever known. He's also one of the best people I've ever known. He has been a constant source of joy and support to me, and my life simply would not be the same without him. "Daniel, my brother, you are older than me...." and I thank heaven for you every single day! I love you, more than you could possibly know.

One of the greatest moments of my life....

2011-06-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

There are some really wonderful fathers in this world. Lots and lots of them, in fact. But this son of mine is truly one of the best EVER. He is all a mom could ever hope for....and much, much more. Happy Father's Day, my son!

The best choice I ever made....

2011-06-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

...was the man who I wanted to be the Father of my children.
Happy Father's Day, my darling Torrey.

The best birthday gift a girl could get...

2011-06-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

...the BOY flying in for the birthday weekend. :) What a fun time we all had with Corey!

Happy 20th Birthday, Shauny girl!

2011-06-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Shauna in full bloom :)

2011-05-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

What a fun day we had shopping for flowers to Oakland and back! Maureen is such a wonderful friend! She tolerated us for almost 4 hours--no one should EVER had to do that! :) What a fun and memorable day. <3

We LOVE flowers!

2011-05-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

Love is not the only thing blossoming around here...

2011-05-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

shopping for bridal flowers!

2011-05-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm....wonder who she's thinking about....

2011-05-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Oh wait. I think I know.... :)

How do you keep a grandpa happy all day long??

2011-05-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

Even while putting together a million piece bunkbed? You simply mention grandbabies....and then that's all he can think about. Grandbabies sleeping end to end on his carefully assembled bunkbed. Then he forgets about his knees popping out of joint from kneeling all day. And about his aching back as he bends over for hours on end. Yup. The magic word around here is GRANDBABIES. It makes everything a labor of pure LOVE.

Great Expectations....

2011-05-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

Can't wait til our little babies are wearing these for their Aunty Shauna's wedding!!! We can't bring ourselves to put them away. :)

It's raining, it's flooring.....

2011-05-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's not really raining, it was actually a broken water pipe. And it's not really flooring, it's....oh, wait, yes it is. :) I think it looks really nice in our kitchen and bathrooms, actually...lovin' the old worldish feel. Carpet is next! YAY! :)

Shoppin' with my little bride-to-be....

2011-05-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

...for all things domesticity....or something like that. :) Fun, fun day at the Vacaville Outlet Stores. Even though we were running from store to store through the rain. And even though neither of us really like to shop. It was still so fun to spend time with my girl. We split a carmel at the chocolate store, and a salad and pizza at our family's favorite pizza place-- AMICI'S!!!! Yes, it' true: there is an Amici's in Vacaville!

Waiting for Rachel......

2011-05-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

...and his happily ever after. Who would have ever guessed that this would be the temple where he would be married one day? LOVE it!

She's ready....

2011-05-06T04:21:00.000-07:00

...and waiting. :) Our little bride to be at the Oakland Temple where she will be married on July 1st. So happy for her!

Me and my baby girl on Easter Sunday

2011-04-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

The assistant chef...

2011-04-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

...and her trusty companion.

Cookie face

2011-04-30T09:44:00.001-07:00

It's just a Zone bar, but she called it a cookie. :)

2011-04-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Independent...

2011-04-30T09:43:00.001-07:00

...and quite the little shopper, as well!

The perfect backdrop for a picture with the grandparents

2011-04-30T09:43:00.000-07:00