Dads- We love 'em!

In a family as big as ours, we are so much more likely to have people who have common birthdays. We have alot of doubles between my family and Russell's. It all began when Russell and I were dating and we found out that my dad, Warren Pitt, and my Russell were both born on June 24th.

Here they are blowing out the candles on one of their birthdays past...The list is quite long with other double birthdays .

This is one of my favorite Dads!

So we have a busy June, because we have Father's Day to celebrate, and Russell's Dad, John has a birthday on June 16th. This is our Grandpa Holmes playing the harmonica on Father's Day, which we love to hear and brings joy to our hearts. So this is a month to celebrate not only the Father's that we love to love for being our Fathers, but to celebrate their birthdays as well.

This year my dad turns 75! So we had a surprise party for him on the 14th at my brother's home. My dad was truly surprised. Here he is with my brother Steve and my brother Dennis who came in from Texas, and my sister Lori and her family came from Utah. We had a great dinner that we all put together it was wonderful, and we all enjoyed it so much. Good food, great family!We all gathered pictures for my nephew to put together into a power point presentation which we loved. My sister Lori, even videotaped 3 of my Dad's siblings in Utah reminiscing about growing up together. Another Long Story all together, since my dad is one of 16 kids.

Russell and dad Holmes cooking for Cody's farewell brunch.

Happy birthday to the most fabulous men I know, what a legacy they live and leave for our sons and daughters, and now a new generation, and those that will follow, of humble, honorable, talented and loving Godly men. We are blessed to have you!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

“The strongest thing that baseball has going for it today are its yesterdays”

I grew up in a sports fan kind of house. My dad loves his sports. Especially the local teams. Dad would listen to and watch professional ball of all kinds. My brothers played sports and I was a cheerleader (literally) and a fan.
Consequently, I was a bit of a driving force for my kids participating in sports. Again, the #1 cheerleader and fan.
On Friday night, the quartet my brother Steve sings in sang at the Angel’s game for “Mormon Church Family Night”.

The family all got tickets so we could be there for the singing and the fun.

my sister Jana and hubby Loren - always up for a fun evening!

My sister Tara in true angels spirit!

My nephew Beau and Girlfriend Christine

Randi and our friends Logan and Thad

Jordan and Breana ready for a fun night at the game.

There was hotdogs and soda, cotton candy , ice cream and nachos. Lots of people watching, and lots of cheering the local team. So here’s to the todays and the yesterdays that this game – “America’s favorite past time” brings.

Graduate!

In the middle of a very busy week, we had a high school graduation. After 15 years of Seminary. We have reached a milestone. Our eighth graduate from Norco High School. Our oldest started there as a freshman in 1993, so after 15 years with a Holmes someone on campus, we are done. Skyler graduated! With a big family, it is obvious that some have been easier and some harder to get through these years, and we are proud of our 'Skyman' for his efforts especially these last 4 years to get here. We had lots of support from friends, Brothers and sisters,

grandparents, aunts, and cousins on this special night.

Yay Skyler!

A funny thing happened on the way to the MTC

It was a crazy morning on Tuesday. I did not go to work, our flight was scheduled for 3:00 pm in Long Beach. We still had some things to take care of. Walmart at 8:30 am to buy toiletries that were not in hand yet, Borders for a particular journal, a few more white shirts and a pair of slacks. Home to finish packing and a wait for Dad to come home from work. Stop by the cleaners to pick up Cody's suit pants, buy lunch to eat on the way. We get on the 91 fwy, and about 10 minutes into our drive on the 91, in the Canyon....."Cody, did you get your suit coat from off the back of the chair in the family room?" "No, didn't you put it in the garment bag like you said you were going to ?" 'No, we decided not to bring the garment bag". NOW, what does an Elder do without a suit coat? No time to turn around and go home!!

First we take that flight - Cody's first time flying!

Called the MTC on Wed. Morning, the young man who answered was a bit flumoxed by my question, and had to stammer out that it would be okay to not have a suit coat until Monday, "uh, um, uh, yeah, that will be fine".

Went to do a bit more shopping, and lunch at Cafe Rio. As we are about to go to the MTC, Elder Holmes announces that he Reeeeaally doesn't want to go without a suit coat. Sooooo, off to D.I. we went. I figured if anyone would have a suit coat, the DI in Provo certainly would.

I said a little prayer to find a black suit coat in a 46 Long. Well, prayers being answered, it was not a black one, but a brown one, that happened to be the same color as the slacks he was wearing. $10.00 later a "suit" is made until the real one can be delivered on Monday.

Our Brendon was with us the entire time, and it was great to stay with BJ and Steph, even if only for a night. Good Brother!

Mom and dad are happy for missionary #6 as he enters this new adventure.

Cody enters the MTC,

Mom gets to put his official name badge on with the "Celestial Dot" as they call it in the MTC

We love our son, and know that his love will bring great success as he grows under the Lord's tutelage. Go forth Elder Holmes!

For anyone who would like his address to write to Elder Holmes:

Elder Cody Holmes

MTC Mailbox #168

HON-TEG 0811

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, UT 84604-1793

24 hours Holmes Style

In the 24 hrs of Saturday evening to Sunday evening, my boys have kept us busy. All good stuff. On Saturday our Jordan proposed to his love Breana, and she agreed to be his for Eternity. She is good for him and he for her. Jordan was not experienced in the ways of dating and things before his mission, but everyone sees that once he served the Lord, the Lord blessed him. No hunting and searching needed. She is his. August 9th is the date....save it to help us celebrate.

Engaged!

On Sunday morning we awoke to head over to the Auburndale ward for Cody's "farewell" or speaking assignment in church. We filled the Chapel and then some. Tara and Randi sang, Grandma Pitt spoke, we could feel the love. He did an amazing job really, speaking on D&C 4:5. He truly does try to live those attributes, and is trying hard to emulate the things he has learned. We do so appreciate all those who have spent time teaching, encouraging Cody to be his best self as he enters the Lord's service. MTC here he comes. I know he will be all the better for it, and they will enjoy his tender heart and sense of humor. Going forth with Faith.

He is well loved as you can see from the family and friends that joined us for our breakfast Burrito brunch. Thanks to all for your love, and help, dear sisters and friends for rallying and helping with the crowd control of the hungry and young!

Cody's extended "Riverside Family" and Grandma & Grandpa Holmes

Our Skyler graduated from Seminary... He has not been a hard one to get there, some mornings harder than others, and some days sleepier in class than others. But he did enjoy his experience, and knows that he started his day well, and it helped him as he faced High School. Special thanks to Sister Roberts, Brother and Sister Sistrunk these last two years....appreciate the love.

Disneyland & Happily Ever After

One of those "small world" funny things happened on Monday. Garen, Randi and Cody went with a group of friends for a last Disneyland hurrah before Cody leaves on his mission next week. Randi and Cody were standing in line for a ride, and in the group of people behind them, one guy was wearing a BYU hat. One of Randi and Cody’s friends Logan is going to Provo on his mission this summer, so they struck up a conversation. After having introduced themselves, the woman in the group, said "Cody Holmes – you are Russell and Sheryl’s son aren’t you?’ At hearing this, Randi turned around, and she said – "oh my, you are your mother’s daughter, you have her smile, her laugh…" So the woman turned out to be an old flame of Russell’s from before he met me. To make a long story short, after Russell and I had been dating about a month, this girl came home from the "Y", and her best friend told Russell he should see if she was still interested, because she talked about him all the time. So he let me know that is what he wanted to do, and I told him if he was still looking – "have at it". (No hurt or anger, of course). Cheery me!!
So the pursuit on Russell’s part ensued. He even asked the fair maiden what his chances were for a future. She took some time to consider, but, alas, it was not meant to be. But according to her children that were there at D-land, she has told them what a "hunky surfer" he was in the day! (and still is in my book!)Well they continued talking and went on the ride, then as they were leaving the park, the woman and her family ended up walking out with them. She and daughter kept being very chatty with my kids. When their dad joined the group, and was given heads up on whose grown children they were walking with, the guy said, "Ohhhh, Russell Holmes".
So of course I had to tease Russell and let "my man" know that someone out there was still talking about him. But that after Teri, and one other close call before her,.....Russell said "yeah, but look who ended up with the prize"... I responded "why you did of course"! he had to wait for the {best} to come along after the rest….it's been a great 29 & 1/2 years. Love you baby!

apricots and grubbies

Since I have no new memory card yet, I did not take my own pictures this weekend, totally still sad about that loss, but you still have to listen to me (or read this blog) ... pictures courtesy of Yahoo images...
Saturday morning I went to my sister Karen’s home to meet with her and my mom to can apricots and make apricot jam from the bountiful harvest of Karen’s apricot tree

I grew up doing this wonderful homemaking activity with my mom and my sister, and even did a lot of canning in the first years of my marriage when buying fruit on sale made it worthwhile. But since it has been more cost effective to grow our food storage at Costco, those days have been long in coming as of late. We had a great time, and we are looking forward to more evenings to do the same in the next few weeks. The fruit is beautiful, and the jam is tasty of course.
I did have an experience that has left me thinking. It was about noon, and mom announced that it was time to shut down the kitchen, clean up a bit, and go get some lunch. Well, I had come to this event in my grubby clothes, no shower (deodorant was applied, no worries there), and no makeup, knowing that it is a warm and sweaty experience when you can fruit. Well, in talking about where to have lunch, I was uncomfortable going out to lunch, because of my lovely self. I am just vain enough that the thought of going out in public sans make-up, and in stained clothing isn’t something I do. I am so totally afraid of scaring, even scarring some child who has a glimpse of the unpainted me. But my sister and mom insisted, so I behaved, and we parked in the back lot of Tyler Mall and went in. (I was the one with head down, and slinking).

I realize this is totally my own mother’s fault who’s suggestion this was. She is a down to earth, but classy lady & she taught me that whenever you go out in public, you try to look presentable and those who make the extra effort are a bit more confident, and as they present themselves publicly, have a more positive experience as a customer in any business. So I have lived under such a mindset as this. I wholeheartedly still believe this to be true. But , I went, enjoyed the lunch with my mom, sister, and niece, survived, didn’t see anyone I knew (whew), and have another great memory to add to my familial bank. Here’s to a day of good times, good memories, and no makeup, because I even went to Stater’s at 9:30 pm – again no makeup!