March 23, 2009

Check out . . .

What's going on this weekend. Come join us!

P.S. Although a bit off topic, these are a few new photos of Graham. :-D







Snow Tracks

March 23, 2009

When my cousin, Travis Semmens, qualified to compete in the Junior Olympics held in Truckee, CA, I couldn't wait to cheer him on! Simon and I drove up to Sacramento airport to pick up Aunt Susan and Trent, then headed to Truckee. We arrived just in time for the nightly awards ceremony. Travis had consistently made it to the top ten and that night was no exception. As I sat up in the bleachers, surrounded by hundreds of chattering kids and cheering parents from all over the county, my heart began beat with pride for the accomplishment of my cousin. Cross country skiing is no walk in the park.

The next day, Aunt Susan, Trent, Simon and I heartily enjoyed a beautiful day at Squaw Valley resort. This was the first time I had ever visited a resort outside of Sierra Summit. The large shopping/resturant/relaxing area at the base of the mountain surprised all of us. Who knew you could stroll the shops and bomb the mountain in the same day?

Takin' a break for some eats.




The next day we headed over to where the Olympics were being held to watch Travis for the first time. Nerves were tight as the racers "broke from the gates" and zoomed across the snow.



Go, go, GO Travis!!



The last race we watched was a relay. Only the top three team members could participate in this exciting race and Travis was one of them. Yay!! Thanks to the endurance and skill of all three of these guys, Alaska won the race! Whoo-hoo! :-D


Travis posin' with his Mom. We are all so proud of you Trav!

Back at home on Sunday, we celebrated Travis's achievements with a special dinner. The dinner was nice, but the special part was having our family all together. (Except for missing those who weren't there!) We love you Semmen's family!

Fun times together . . .


And fun times with toads . . . :-D

March 10, 2009

Our Prayer






Everyday is a journal page

Every man holds a quill and ink
And there's plenty of room for writing in




All we do and believe and think
So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessings





Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketchings

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count


Lead us in better ways
Somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much

Life means so much

Life means so much

Everyday is a bank account
And time is our currency
So no one's rich, nobody's poor
We get twenty-four hours each
So how are you gonna spend


Will you invest or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count

Lead us in better ways
Somehow our souls forgot


Life means so much . . .Life means so much

Life means so much

Has anybody lived who knew the value of a life?
And don't you think giving his own
Would prove the worth of yours and mine?

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count

Lead us in better ways
Somehow our souls forgot

Life means so much

Life means so much

Life means so much


"Life Means So Much" ~Chris Rice