Well, I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I am really bad with the whole card thing so hopefully all of you see this and know that the Colliers send their love this season.

Love,
Jeremy, Shay, and Harlee

Answer to pictures

Leland got the answers correct.
Troy, Terence, Sheri.

Questions!!

Here's what I'd like everyone to do - just copy this blog and paste it into yours (changing the answers of course), we may learn something new about each other - try not to be a SCROOGE!!! 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper for sure!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial! Because I dont like the sap on my lights and decorations

3. When do you put up the tree? Any time after Thanksgiving!

4. When do you take the tree down? Christmas day or the day after

5. Do you like eggnog? I sure do it is tasty...but I have to put regular milk with it because it is to thick for me.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't think I can just choose one but I like everything besides the clothes that is!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Reena-Dad-Bryan and Alice

8. Easiest person to buy for? Sarah-Clay

9. Do you have a nativity scene? So as I read this I thought to my self I don't have one. Boy did that make me sad. Then as I got out the Christmas Decorations I found a three peice nativity scene made out of clay pots. I have to admit they are pretty cute. Looking at my nativity it made me so happy. I am looking for a cute one so if you see one let me know!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Cards...I love to get them in the mail so why not splurg the 42 cents and mail them. It puts a smile on my face to see the cards in my mail box

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I cant think of it just yet I will come back to this question if i remember what it might be!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I think its called The Christmas Story! You'll shoot your eye out!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I like to try to get things through out the year but I dont always succeed in that so most of it is in december!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas Present? Your better belive I have! But not many I like most anything that people give me!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oranges and peaches and tamales

16. Lights on the tree? Yeah you know it...it has to shine bright for all to see. Josh does get carried away with the lights...carried away like all there is is lights and you have to hang the decorations on the light wires...were you have to many pluged into one out let and blow a fuse and have to have a couple of cords...yes that carried away!

17. Favorite Christmas song? I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

18. Do you travel or stay home at Christmas? home but we go to the Barfus home in the evening some times

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course I can.. dasher dancer prancer vixon comet cupid donner blitzen, and you cant for get the most famouse reindeer of all Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. But then a gain I love stars!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Now that I am married we open them on Christmas day... except the ones we open on christmas eve with his family and my mom

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How comercialized it has become

23. What theme or color are you using? Glass hearts on the tree with colored lights and blue and silver ribbon that goes with the tree skirt...the swag is silver and the ribbon is silver and black. one day I will have a theme...just have to find what I like!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner. Tamels I don't think I am spelling that right but you all get the Idea I am sure

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? books and new carpet a couch mostly things that are too much money so I wont be getting them. Also I just love to see what Josh gets me I love gifts exspecialy ones from the heart!

Who's the sexy babe struttin her stuff

Who's sitting in the puddle of water in the hole in the front yard?

Who's standing up next to him?

Who's the sexy babe walking by strutting her stuff.

Just get a look at ??????I can't tell you who is checking her out as she walks by.

Is this picture priceless or what.

Tell me who you think they all are.

THANKSGIVING

I was thinking for Thanksgiving we should start a thankful journal.
I will bring the journal and start.
While we are sitting around waiting for the bird to cook or the potatoes to be smashed we can take turns writing in the thankful journal.
It will be fun each year to read old entries and add new ones.



Cheli and i finished our Christmas cards.
It took me about an hour.
It took her all dang day long and that was with me helping.
They are so darn cute.
But, I hope she picks an easier pattern next year.
We had fun.
Those darn M&M's went everywhere.
The punch didint' work right so it will be going back. but that is a good thing because then we can buy some more yarn or scrap booking supplies, or better yet a new pen.

See you all on thanksgiving.

Time to Face the Change

Hello everone! I changed the log in information on our blog so if you would like to add posts then let me know and I will give you the info. Otherwise, please continue to comment on, and enjoy the posts to come. Thanks all!!

Shay

My email:
c9h9e@yahoo.com

Hello all. Hopefully you have all received your invites to Thanksgiving. We are hoping to have a good turn out. We were thinking that this year we could make gingerbread houses. They have kits at Sam's Club for 10 dollars so if you would like one for your family please let us know. We will need to get the money from you ASAP to get that done. Also, i think we usually go to a movie for our reunion, but we were thinking we could go to one for Thanksgiving this year also. It is mot a must, just trying to throw some more things out there that we could do for entertainment. So, I think that is all... for now. Please let me know if you want on gingerbread house kit . Love you all!!

Shay

Halloween in all its glory!

This is our Halloween basket!! YUMMY!!!!

We had a great day! We had tons of kids come to our house trick or treating! I did miss Harlee i wasn't home yet but josh got a picture of her and she is so cute! Josh and I dressed up! I like to say I was a Hawaiian Princess and Josh is the tourist that captured my heart! He has worn that shirt for Halloween since we have been married!

Hawaiian Princess and the lovable tourist!

Maybe next year I will be something crazy!!

Halloween a time for trick or treating!!! Boo!

Just want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!!! I cant wait for everyone to post pictures of them selves in there costumes fun fun fun!!! Have a great day and be safe! did i spell selves wrong because it looks way wrong but spell check didn't pick it up? let me know please...I know Reena will tell me :)
Happy Halloween!

More Jokes!

A priest offered a nun a lift.She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his and slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?' The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.' Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.' Moral of the Story: If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Q: What is the difference between a pigeon and a stock broker?
A: The pigeon can still make a deposit on a Ferrari.

A little girl asked her father: 'How did the human race appear?' The father answered, 'God made Adam and Eve; they had children; and so mankind was made.'Later the girl asked her mother the same question. The mother answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.'The confused girl returned to her father and said, 'Dad, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Mom said they developed from monkeys?'The father answered, 'Well, Dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family, and your mother told you about hers.

On their first night together, the newly weds decided to set up signals concerning their "urges". The lady said "If you want it, squeeze my BOOB once, if you don't want it, squeeze my BOOB twice."The gent said "OK, if you want it, pull my DONG once, if you don't want it, pull my DONG 48 times."

Jokes

This 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting. When she went before the judge he asked her, 'What did you steal?' She replied, 'A can of peaches.'The judge then asked her why she had stolen the can of peaches and she replied that she was hungry. The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied 6.The judge then said, 'I will then give you 6 days in jail.' Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment, the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something. The judge said, 'What is it?' The husband said, 'She also stole a can of peas.'

A man was walking one day, when he came to this big house in a nice neighborhood.Suddenly he realized there was a couple making love out on the lawn. Then he noticed another couple over behind a tree. Then another couple behind some bushes by the house.He walked up to the door of the house, and knocked. A well dressed woman answered the door, and the man asked what kind of a place this was."This is a brothel", replied the madam."Well, what's all this out on the lawn?" queried the man."Oh, we're having a yard sale today."

A businessman was confused about a bill he had received, so he asked his secretary for some mathematical help."If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?" he asked her.The secretary replied, "Everything but my earrings."

BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday
Toni
Letty
Bonnie
Cassie
Jamie
who else is in October?
What a great month!!!!
Thanks for the birthday wishes..........................

Hope Terence is having fun in Disneyland.

Shay, are you going to assign dishes for us to bring for Thanksgiving????????????????????

October Birthdays

Happy birthday Aunt Debbie!!! And all you others who have October birthdays! We hope the year is filled with joy!
Love, Your Family

Good ol' times

Hello family! This is Tavia. So I was looking through pictures at mom and dads house and found some that I thought you all might enjoy! So here is goes:

Grandma and Grandpa

Mom(Toni)and Dad(Leland) at a dance

Mom and Dad Dateing

Dad on Wedding day

Dad and Grandma

Dad Golfing

Family

Dad, Grandma, Grandpa on wedding day

Well thats all I have so I hope you all enjoy!

Thanksgiving!!

I just wanted to say that the little get together at Uncle Terence's was great! He made some awesome burgers and we all enjoyed each other's company. We also decided that Thanksgiving this year will be at my house. Yes, this is Shay. I think it will be fun but you will all have to bring something. I'm not really good at doing the whole dinner myself yet. Give me a few more years though and I'll be a pro. So that is kind of what is going on. Love you all and hope all is well.

I"M FREE

I'm Free,
I was layed off from Autoliv after 15 years + of service.
It was a hard day today. Saying goodbye to so many great friends.
But we will keep in touch through e-mail. Oh how wonderful is e-mail.
I couldn't believe how many people came into my office while the security gaurd stood gaurd over me emptying my desk drawers watching so i wouldn't take anything that was company priority. Like i would want it anyway. He even took my discs to have them checked out and then they will mail them to me.
Anyway, So many people came in and gave me a big hug and so many tears were shed, I can't believe it.
Even some people i wouldn't expect it from.
But that is the way it goes.
I have a training class to help me get my resume updated and learn how to interview.
It's a competitive world out there and I am afraid of what is ahead.

But i guess it is time to learn something new.

Thank goodness for Doyle. He has been my rock. He thinks it is great. Now we can go play and have fun.............................Maybe for a few weeks.

So if you hear of any great jobs out there. Let me know.............I'm looking.

Have a great day everyone.
Life is good.
Love all of you
Deb

Hi, its time to see how we all did on our little family quiz. The answers in order are, brown, 55, yes softball, BS in marketing from usu,Rocky Mountain Corrosion Control,Chevy Nova, Devry in phoenix Az for Electronic Tech, no,maybe. Well check your answers and see how you did. Now here is the quiz for week two.
1. Toni actually has two degrees, can anyone guess what the first degree was in?
2. If you have been paying attention you will know the answer to this question, what division of the service was Terence in?
3. Did Troy go to college? And if so what was his degree?
4. Did Wyatt go to college? And if so what was his degree?
5. Has Leland ever gotten a whole in one golfing? (Pat on the back).
6. What is Wyatt's favorite 60's-70's group?
7. When was Letty born?
8. How many years have Troy & Letty, Wyatt & Bonnie, and Leland & Toni been married?
Good luck! Post your answers and may the best person win.
P.S. I have picture proof of catching more fish in a day than Doyle! Eat your hearts out.

Terence Update

So congrats to Brad and Chris and Wyatt and Bonnie. And good luck to Tavia. College football is great this year, lots of the top teams with their noses in the air getting beat. Everyone at work is getting more excited every day as we get closer to our Disney World trip to Florida. I leave on Debbie's birthday, so happy birthday now because I will probably forget. I hope this weather lasts for a while. We can do without the cold for a little while. I have pulled out my old slides from when I was in the Air Force. I am going to get them digitized and on a DVD so if there is anything of interest I will post them. Sorry I didn't do Leland's test, but I would have missed most of them.

By the way I do rememer when Wyatt got hit in the eye. I came riding up on the little Honda 90 motorcycle that Troy and I bought. There were several kids milling around outside and the front screen door was wide open (something Mother and Grandma would never put up with normally). So I knew something was up. I walked in the house and there was Wyatt laying on the couch with someone's shirt all bloody held to his eye. Mom was more or less in a controlled freak out. She told me to go get Dad on the railroad with my motorcycle and in the meantime she had called good old Aunt May to come drive them to the dr. Well luckily for me I had listened over the years and knew that Dad's section ran from the Depot north. So off I went along the tracks until I found the gang a little ways north of the old stock yards. I explained what happened and Dad just glanced at Herman (he was Dad's forman). Herman just nodded his head and Dad grabbed his lunch box and jumped on the back of the motorcycle and off we went. Aunt May was just backing out of the driveway as we got to the house. Do any of you think you could leave work now a days without a major explanation? Well maybe I could at my new job, but never when I worked for Dillards.
Those were the good days weather we believe it or not.
Later
Terence

It's Official

Baby Girl Wilcox is officially Brynn Kirsten Wilcox. "Brad the Dad" is doing much better and has gotten the hang of changing "poopy" diapers quite well. Christine was feeling a lot better last night. She is still quite tired, but doesn't seem to be in too much pain from the surgery.

Princess Payton

Princess Payton turned three on Tuesday, September 23, 2008.

For all of you reading these two postings - it is true. Wyatt and I now have two granddaughters, both born on September 23, three years apart.

In this family we like to combine birthdates - Jonathan and Mondie, Garret and Mariah....

I think Heavenly Father is making it easier on Wyatt, he only has to remember one date for multiple people.

Baby Girl Wilcox

Baby Girl Wilcox was born on September 23, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs, 3 ounces and was 17.5 inches long. Chris had a C-Section and is doing fine. We were all quite worried about "Daddy Brad", so was the doctor. He kept asking Brad if he was okay because he didn't look so well.

Chris is at the University Hospital in Provo, Room 408. She will probably be there until Friday or Saturday.

IM back

how well do you know your family? Question 1. what is Lelands favorite color? #2- how old is troy? #3- does debbie have any trophys and if so what sport? #4- what kind of degree does terence have in what field and form what college? what was the name of troys buisneses? What kind of car did wyatt drive in 1976? where did mondie go to college and for what? Did chelli put up peaches this year? Is doyal really that good at fishing? Everyone post answers and I will grade you next week and ask next weeks questions then. until next week . LIbeliband

The Barfus Sundae Scoop!

This has been quiet the week. My mom had a surprise for me...my sister is in town...for her best friends wedding...we are spending all day Sunday together. I cant believe how much I missed her. She said she has only been in South Carolina for about three months now. To me it seems like a long time, like a year or so but nope it was only about three months. Crazy how time fly's. I did tell Reena that I expected a letter every month..she has exceeded my expectation on the letter front...I am the one that is lacking in that department she sends a letter about every week i am not as good I will have to work on that.
Nothing new with Josh and I...just the same old things. Oh I did play basketball the other day with some friends from work...man my arms were sore from shooting the ball...I made a three pointer once..out of luck i assure you... yes it only happened once. I am not good at it but it was fun to play. that's all until next Sunday maybe my life will be more exciting in one weeks time.

Who done it?

Hope you like the new background for the blog. Tried a different leaf one that looked a bit more like Huckleberry bushes instead of grape vines but it didn't work so, this is what we get for now. Input is welcome.

The Barfus' sunday scoop!

It is Sunday yet again! Yet again nothing new with us just playing in our garden! I did repot some plants I just love doing that! If anyone wants a start to a charlie plant I have some i am starting, just let me know! So yesterday I did my shopping for the week and you will never guess who I saw at Maceys....yup that's right I saw Tavia! She looks so cute in her work clothes. she even helped josh and I out to our car how nice she is!!! Everyone at Church asked Josh what I did to him....like I would hurt him.....umm..yeah. hahaha!! one more thing i am getting ready to make my christmas card list so if you haven't ever gotten a christmas card from me give me your address so that i can send one. I just love to make them its so fun!! yup thats all. one more thing Update on Josh, he is now in a boot and he is doing pretty well not to much pain. we go back to the doctors on the 11 of this month i will keep you posted.

The Sunday scoop!

Hello everyone! So I has come time again to hear from the Barfus'! I know this is a big ticket item and all wants to know what we've been up to so here goes! So on Friday while Josh was at work...moving equipment...the $6,000 machine tipped and he went to catch it and realized it weighed over 3000lb so he went to back away and fell and he thought he sprained his ankle...so on Saturday morning he woke up and it hurt worse than the prior evening...so he went to the doctors office...he broke it not sprained it...now on Tuesday he has to go back to a different doctor to see about a cast or a boot...yup he is really excited about that. So now he gets to be pampered all the time! I think he likes that a lot to have my undivided attention...and so he doesn't have to do any yard work or help around the house. This is his first broken bone ever.

time for more

High, its the big kahuna again coming at yo live from Grantsville. does anyone remember the time that we went down bye the old plant on the railroad and went into the old house down there and ran into the hobo and he chased us out of the house and we ran all the way home without stopping we were SO scared. Or when whats her name hit wyatt in the eye with that steel pipe and he about lost his eye. Just a few more tidbits in the life and times of the wilcox kids.

New Posting?

Hey,

I was thinking it might be easier for everyone to log in to this blog under their own account. This way when you post on this blog it will post as you that wrote it. Instead of logging in to one account. This does require you to open a Google account. It is easy and free to do so. All I need to do is sent an invite. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Josh

Christine's Baby Shower

Chris asked me to let everyone (female gender) know they are invited to her baby shower on Saturday, September 6th. It will be at 1:00 p.m. in Mona (only 10 minutes south of Santaquin). If any would like to come let me know and we can car pool from my house. Bonnie

Good News!

Hey family! How are you all? This is Tavia! Well I have some good news for you all...I am planning on going on a mission and I got to start filling out my mission papers today! My bishop told me to see if there is any family that wants to help out with it so that I can put on my papers who is gonna help and how much. So if you would like to donate any money toward my mission just let me know soon so I can get those papers in and get everything going! I hope all of you are doing well! I will continue to update the info about my mission till I am gone. Thank you all!
Love, Tav

The weekly dish on the barfus'

So the dish is we just dug up a hill of potatoes from our garden!!! We are going to eat them for dinner. I cant wait and we made salsa from our garden. I love our garden! one last thing our cactus is going to bloom its so beautiful when it does that. other than that we are boring.
The other day I was thinking I really wanted a tasty treat and that made me think of grandma. when we would go over there you could always guarantee that there was a tasty treat and all you had to do was ask "Grandma can I have a Twinkie" and it was yours. that is a memory that puts a smile on my face.
just thought I would share that with all you guys!

Eat Your Heart Out Huckleberries

MMMMMMMMMMMM these are so good, mmmmmmmmmmmmm i just can't get enough.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmthey are better than i remember.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yum, yum, yum..............can you just smell that aroma.mmmmmmmmmmand the taste is out of this world.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Yummy Huckleberries from Copenhagen basin.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm so so good.


:)

Huckleberry Delight

Huckleberry Hound

Im back

Hi everyone its me again, champion dutch oven king. Home for the weekend with a real bad summer cold.I ran back and forth to the bay area California all week. I know that you all want praise as the greatest kids or best sister ever, but i don,t have anyone else to compare too so i guess the answer is yes. I was thinking this week about all the times we would play ball games at the park or over in the field bye the homers, and how mad we were when the Jehovah witnesses built there church there. I don't remember seeing Terence or troy very much though. they probably new that even at a young age that i was much more superior than them so that is ok.Toni started her first year as a teacher this week, and she gets her kids Monday. she is nervous, but i know she will do just fine . I'm real lucky too have her in my life. college football starts in one week, I'm fired up, how about all you? well I'm out of things too write about , so I'll go back into my archives for more until next week. bye

Leland

Just some fun old pictures to look at and reminisce over

Cheli and Grandma and zipper

Jesse and Megan

Leland and Shy oops i mean Shay :)

Jesse and Terra

Mom and Dad

Mom, Aunt Esther, Aunt Mary and Aunt Evelyn. Good friends-(Sisters)

Dad, Darlene, and uncle Brad. Good old picture

words of wisdom from leland

Hi everyone, this is my first posting so here goes. I also remember meeting dad when he would come home from work, but i took it a step farther. I started going too the railroad shack where dad ate lunch during the summer when i was out of school and visit with dad and his coworkers, and got too know them pretty well. I talked with ray law, and huck all the time. I also would sneek over to the tracks and put pennies on the track and squish them flat when a train came by.I spent a lot of time on the farm working with dad and shooting the 22.It was hard too let the farm go but we were not able to take care of it . I'm traveling all over the west these days, going to oregon,califonia,arizona,colorado,wyoming,idaho,washington,newmexico. Not for funn just work. well I'm all typed out see ya again.

leland

All you want to know about the Barfus'

Josh and I are finally home after spending 8 glorious days in Hawaii!! Oh yeah on the second day we were there we went to a waterfall and josh and I jumped off it was so cool. Then we went to a tidal pool area and got all our stuff stolen out of the car...that included our wedding rings and phones and more.....you may be wondering why our rings where in the car in the first place.....well when we went to the water fall we didn't want to loose then when we jumped in the water so we put them in the back pack then when we were done with the hick and got back to the car we forgot to put them on.....we went to eat and then off to the tidal pools and that's how it happened. We did file a report but I don't think anything will come of it so it’s our bad...it was crazy they went through the whole car trunk included even where the spare tire is. But not to worry we didn't let that spoil our Hawaii adventure
we went to the dole plantation not as exciting as I was hoping for but fun none the less.....what did we do oh we went to a botanical garden I saw a cinnamon tree and a clove tree and some other really cool plants it was way cool. We went to a light house but we didn't get all the way up before we had to turn around to get to the car before we got locked in but we made it almost half way up and the view was beautiful.
So my first time in the ocean.....I get stung by a jelly fish yes the mean Portuguese man of war on my arm....I tried not to let that ruin my ocean experience. We did go snorkeling and that was way cool I got to swim with a sea turtle way cool they are so cute. I saw a big school of fish snorkeling is crazy fun. That’s all I can think of to write.

A little info PLEASE

Does anyone know how Chris and Brad are doing? I would love an update. How about Troy's family? What's going on with them? Come on people, lets get posting!

Shay

Just Love and Hard Work

Think about what Mom and Dad did when they were not working. Did they travel. go to their cabin at the lake, go out to dinner all the time, spend money on fashionable clothes or any of the other things that are part of our conspicuous consumtion today. No they worked hard everyday, even when it was a day off. We always had 3 meals a day, everyday except Sunday when we had a good breakfast and a really good dinner. Dad would go to work at 7am and get off at 3:30. Troy and I would run down to the corner to meat him as he walked down the street from the railroad. We were usually rewarded with something in his lunch box. Maybe it was a left over twinkie or maybe it was a frog or an agatt that he found along the tracks. In the summer he would sit down for a half hour or so. He would have a beer and then he was off to the farm to work until it was too dark to see anymore. Then it would start all over the next day. On Saturdays he would spend the day on the farm, sometimes Sunday too. Mom was always up in time to cook Dad a good breakfast and make him a good lunch.
When they did take a little time to have some fun it was a family thing. On Sundays we would take a ride. Maybe it was just a ride around town. We would usually stop at Hoopers store, which was a little two Aisle grocery store. That was the ONE day of the week we might get to have a soda pop. We usually had a Hires Root Beer or a Nesbit Orange. Once a month or so we would go out to see Uncle Clifford and Aunt Golda, maybe stop to see if Uncle Herman was home. Or we would go out to see Aunt Esther and Uncle Warren. Once or twice a month we would get together with Uncle Brandon and Aunt May and their family and go up Montpelier canyon for picnics. Dad and Brandon would collect dead wood for the fire and then they would cut willows for sticks to roast the hot dogs. Mom and May would have salads and beans. Dad and Brandon would just have a good talk and relax. Once or twice a summer we would go out to the lake. Dad was a good swimmer, but Mom didn't swim. She did have a bathing suit, it was white if I remember right. They really liked to take a drive around the lake. Dad would point out where he had lived when he was a kid and where he once had a little garden next to a spring on the hill.
We always had food, shelter, a warm place to live (except for the back bedroom, but we always had lots of blankets), and a close family. The main thing I remember is that we were always home for dinner and then we were together in the front room, watching TV, Dad and Mom were probably reading, and then we were off to bed after the news.
More to come
Terence

OK, lets start with Grandma. Here are just afew other things I remember. Besides helping grandma with her tea in the morning I also helped her make her bed. especially when we were not in school. Her bed had to be just so, and the bedspread was always just right. One of the things I really remember about Grandma was how she would wash my hands. First she would run the water and get it just right, not too hot not cold. She had a way of using the washcloth and then drying your hands. I think she would have been real good working at a spa. I remember Mom talking about the whole back yard being a garden, that includes the grassy area we grew up with. Mom said her front yard was perfect with lots of flowers. I recall Dad wondering how she could ever get anything to grow where the back lawn was, but Mom said she had one of the best gardens in town. Of course we have all heard about how much Dr. Stock the dentist thought of Grandma. When she had to get false teeth she paid him off by washing the bibs he used for 1 cent a piece (for you young ones yes there was a time they used cloth and they were washed and reused). Even if she was only charged $50 in those days that amounts to 5000 bibs. And she washed them all by hand with a washboard and tub. None of us really know how hard they had it. When all they could pay for was basics like food and the light bill. No telephone (they didn't get a phone until Mom started working at the phone company), no car, none of the things we take for granted like magazines and newspapers. No going out to eat, no new clothes just because we want new clothes. Grandma's cane was even given to her by a friend.
We are spoiled to death and we should all sit back and think of how easy we have it.
Terence

Mom And Dad

Mom And Dad

Aren't they just the cutest couple ever!!!!

living life and loving life we live!

Oh yeah josh and I are going to Hawaii!!!! In 2 days crazy I know.....right. We are super excited to go down and visit with Richard and Mary Ann(josh favorite cousin)! We will tell ever one how fun it was and what we did...if its not to boring....hahahah!!!!

i almost put losh and cheli hahaha

Josh and cheli

A little tid bit

Hi family. I just wanted to tell you all that I added some of our blogs to the site so when you visit here you can visit others too. If you have a blog you would like to add please do. Not sure how? Go to LAYOUT and where it says MORE FROM THE FAMILY click the edit button, add your URL and add your name. Then save changes and you should be good to go. Don't worry, we are all learning how to do this together. Just try stuff out. It can usually be un-done if it's not what you wanted. Good luck.

Shay

P.S. When you post or leave a comment please leave your name so we know who you are. THANKS!!!

More of Grandma, our Queen

I think i goofed so sorry if i did, i do not know how this blogger thing works yet.
I typed Lelands stuff once, but i have to type it again because when i went to add the picture, everything i wrote disappeared on me.

Leland wrote:

I remember Grandma Skinner liked to sit out on the front porch and watch all the neighborhood. She also had a big jar full of buttons. she had a button for any shirt. She loved sauerkraut and wieners and i could smell that 2 blocks from home cooking after school and i would run home to get my wieners out of the sauerkraut because i hated it. I also remember one of her relatives used to come and visit and they would talk in German and I could not understand a word of it.

Debbie wrote:

I remember grandma making me dust mop her bedroom floor. She had linoleum on the floor. I had to make sure i got in the corners and under the bed. She had her temple clothes she kept in the top right hand drawer of her dresser and would get mad at us if we got in it. She had a cute little vanity she would sit in front of to comb her hair. she had me comb her hair once and braid it and put it in a bun, but when i was putting the hair pins in i pushed too hard and scratched her head. I don't remember ever combing her hair again. Grandma would always have me sit and write letters for her that she would then translate into German and send to Germany. She would always tell me to write bigger.

Grandma taught me how to knit and i would sit on the couch by her chair in the corner. She would have me rub lotion on her legs and i hated the smell of it. Grandma always was busy crocheting or braiding rugs or sewing quilts together. She drank Pero tea. I would hear her at night laying in bed saying her prayers in a whisper. I think they were in German. She loved the morning glory in front of the house and the Holly hocks on the side of the house where the humming birds came. Grandma sat in the kitchen in the morning and all day until just before dad came home from work and then she would get up and move into the front room for the rest of the night. She had to use a walker because she couldn't walk very good. I could remember that grandma could always tell when someone snuck into the house which we tried to do quite often.I would try my hardest to sneak in without her knowing it but would always get caught. I didn't know why for the longest time. The one of my mart brothers told me she could see the reflection in the fish tank that stood in the corner.

Terence wrote:

I remember grandma being such a good cook. Once a week she would bake bread. That was the day we all looked forward to because we would gave wonderful fresh from the oven rolls for dinner. My spot at the dinner table was next to grandma. I knew that i better be careful about what i put on my plate because if i didn't eat it all i would get a lecture about all the starving people in the world. Mom told me about the time during the great depression when hobos would come begging for food. Grand ma would never turn anyone away. But she would make them cut kindling. Then she would feed them the same as the family was having. Two things that grandma cooked that were my favorites. German potato pancakes. and cinnamon rolls. Always cooked just right and always without the need of a recipe. Grandma was into cleanliness. She would supervise Troy and I when we washed the dinner dishes. If they didn't' pass inspection they went back in the sink for a re-do. Terence.

Wyatt wrote:

I remember helping Grandma sew on her sewing machine which had no power and was operated by foot power. She would give me $5 every time i came home from college so when i went back i could eat something good. I remember the birthday parties we had for grandma and all the relations would come. We had to have it outside because there were so many people. Grandma would make me go out and get rhubarb and horseradish and help grind the horseradish. It was so bad i would have to go outside to get a breath every so often. But her rhubarb pie was worth grinding the horseradish. When Grandma was mad she always would say deminta gita. I don't know what it meant but i knew she was mad. I can remmber how cold it use to get in the back bedroom, and how grandma told me to go get a blanket and my pillow and put them on the new gas stove that sat by the one wall in the living room and then she tod me to run and rap myself in them and climb under the other covers in my bed. The only heat in the house were in the living room and the stove in the kitchen. I remember grandma trying to teach me to count in German but i didn't have the patience to sit ther eand learn so she finally told me to go out and play. I was so happy then but regret not learning now. I always wondered why we lived with Grandma and i thought she was quite stern with us, but then i realize that grandma needed us just as much as we neede and love her. She taught us some grat princeples in life that would lead us to who we are today and heow we should trat other people. She was one of Gods great spirits that has lived on this earth and i know that she will gain her celestial glory and live as a God in Heaven along side Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. Wyatt.

Grandma

Does this picture look familiar to anyone.

Doesn't it just bring back a flood of memories.

Just to list a few,

Mondie said:

My memories of grandma! I remember helping grandma cut and tear the old worn out clothes into strips so grandma could braid them and then make oval shaped rugs. Then she would tell me to pt it on the gound and roll on them so they would flaten out. I also remember her sitting in ther corner by the refrigerator and darning all of our socks. When she would sew, she would ask me to thread her needles because she could not see and she would cus and say ,"I hate these damn English needles".

STAY TUNED, MORE TO COME.

dodo

How cool is this family blog.
I am so excited. I just want Shay, Cheli and Whit to know i think they did a fantastic job of getting this blog up and going and i hope we can have tons of fun and picture perfect moments galore on our site.
Shay i love your pictures.

I hope all of you have an easier time than i did.
I tried to add pictures but couldn't figure out how.
I need the younger generation to show me.

good luck.

Shay where are you?

Family reunion pictures!

The family reunion was a blast and a great success. Thank you to everyone for coming and making it so wonderful. Here are some pictures I took (shay), and I think Aunt Debbie and Josh took some more so hopefully we'll get them on here soon. We love you all and can't wait to read your blogs.

First blog may it have many more to come!!

Welcome Family
We made our dreams come true....we now have a family blog.....to let each other know how we are doing in this big world we live in today.......please let us know if you want us to change anything on the blog...or if you love it the way it is please tell us in a post!!!!! Please have fun with this and don't worry I (cheli) cant spell but they do have spell check if you need it. I know i will use it all the time so don't feel dumb. Do i dare say its now Blog time!!
love
Shay Lee Collier and Harlee Cadence Collier and Tavia Whitney Wilcox and Cheli Rae Barfus
I just used the spell check