Its been quite a while since I last posted anything and decided today I would do some thing about it.  As I get ready to make a trip to Maine in part to celebrate the life of my father, Frank J. Pollard.  My memory is flooded with events of the past several years knowing of his difficulty and challenge with Alzheimer's.  It truly isn't a disease that is kind to any one that has it.  However, I must say my father handled it well.  I often spoke with him on the phone until he wasn't able to really talk much any more but he was always very up beat and surprisingly happy.   A lesson I need to learn from him.  I will miss my father but I have Faith that one day we'll see each other again and things will be as should be.  For now I will remember my dad for having great Faith and courage and more patience than any one I know. 

Where did February Go?

Maggie and I seem to be enjoying a afternoon nap. February was to cold for me to leave the house very often so we made the best of it. And she has to be right in my lap. I guess Tammi thought this picture was too good to pass up.

Kayson sporting some pretty cool looking sun glasses. I found this pic and the first thing I thought of was Elton John...... with the big glasses. He continues to make us all laugh all the time.

Jordan went to a preference dance with this kid . I forgot what these people are called....some thing like minons or something like that. If you know let me know. Jordan had a lot of fun doing this and colored all the glasses and had the shirts made. We are so NOT looking forward to Jordan leaving home this summer. She is planning to go to Utah State University this next year and we'll miss having her home. Jayme will be the only one left home. How weird is that going to be?

Mother and daughter having a fun year. Tammi is really going to miss Jordan. This was at a Senior Night. Do you think they look a like ----I don't see it but maybe you do.

So where did February go? I had a birthday 52 now ....wow thats getting old and I also celebrated 11 years since the transplant. Can you believe it? Its great to be alive and see all these wonderful things taking place. Now I can't wait for SPRING to get here so I can get back on my mower and enjoy a day in the sun. I guess I better get busy and start posting more huh?

Surprise, Surprise!!!

We were so surprised when Jason and Emily came home this past weekend and were anxious to show us their version of a new family portrait they had framed for us to keep. Tammi got to see it first and after a 60 seconds of her screaming all over the house, I knew something wasn't quite what it was suppose to be like; it was a picture of an Ultra sound...............Yep! Their going to have a baby. We are so excited I can't even tell you how happy we are. That will make two grand babies in 2012. One in the spring and another in the fall.


Congratulations Kids! You'll make super parents.


My prediction is this: My father had girl , boy, girl. I had girl, boy, girl. I think Jason and Emily will have a girl first as well. Knowing that the sex of any baby is determined by the male and keeping with history I think Emily will have a girl.

Frankly, we don't care which one they get just as long as its a healthy baby. Thanks for all you did while you were here checking my autos and running the mower and wheeler. We loved having you home.

A Good Family Memory Christmas 2011

We had a great time past weekend one that we will all remember for a long time to come. Dinner over looking the Temple and then walking around with freezing tempertures to see the lights and then some wonderful hot chocolate up at Ralph and Teresa Christensens home. We had treats to munch on and played the most amazing game of Cops and Mafia. I learned that Jayme can hold her own in any game and Jason is still a very fine citizen after 4 games. Emily who would of thought you could belong to the Mafia. Nanna, we know its hard to kill you ! Colton doesn't make a good cop and Bryan is still yet a mystery. Bump pa is still trying to figure out the game and Jessica, Jenna, and Jordan are so darn cute you never know what to think when they tell you something. I think they can talk their way out of anything (I believe anything they tell me) We had lots of fun. It was a great time. I hated to say goodbye so fast. Thanks for all your efforts to be there. And a huge thanks to Ralph and Teresa for everything.

Jenna Getting Married

Just a few of the many pictures that were taken of Jenna and Colton. The wedding was very nice at the Logan Utah Temple and then up here for a reception the next day. I thought it all was very nice. We just returned yesterday from St. George where another open House was given in their honor down there where Colton is from. We got to meet many wonderful people, both friends and family of the Cox family. Jenna looked absolutely beautiful and her sisters made sure that everything was perfect. Tammi did a wonderful job putting the final touches on the reception up here. She had a great friend do the recpetion up here, which took a lot of stress off of her. Jessica, of course did the hair ( who else would Jenna have trusted?)

Over 1500 miles were logged in driving to everywhere we've been and I think we've all hung in there quite well. There is no doubt that the Lord has provided yet one more miracle for me to be here for this wedding.

I'm so proud of you Jenna. WE love you and excited to have Colton as part of the family.

On my drive home yesterday as the girls were watching movie in the back I couldn't help be grateful for this marvelous blessing. WE are now down to two girls left at home and by Spring Jordan will be graduating and moving to Logan ----we're not looking forward to that.

Some Recent Photos

I thought this picture was a good one of all the kids so I thought I would put it on. Tammi's dad is centered he's 92 and doing well. Kayson with his tie is very cute. Everyone is home which is something we all enjoy. In the picture right below is me and the girls with our fireworks shirts on. Notice their smiles ...you guessed it we were just starting out, trust me after 10 days smiles were replaced with red eyes and lost smiles. I love my girls hugging on me.

Now that the fireworks are over maybe I can get a few blogs posted so keep watching.

Happy Birthday Jayme & Jordan

Jayme turned 12 in December and now goes to Young women's with her big sister and her mother as well. WOW she is really growing up fast. Jr. High next year. No more primary kids in the Pollard family. That doesn't seem possible.

Jordan is now a whooping 17...... talk about growing up, we figured it out the other day that at this time next year she will be 4 months away from graduating from High School. Oh my gosh what are we going to do with out Jordan at home. Its almost too painful to think about!

Happy birthday to both of you. We are so proud of you and excited for you. It seems like yesterday that you were sitting in my lap reading books together. I have to say they are beautiful young women. Mom and I are so happy we still have you both home with us. We love you and I know your brother and sisters do too.

Happy Birthday girls!!!

2011 is here, now what?

I thought Christmas with all of our children home was great. We love having them here and spending time with them. To kind of recap what Kayson said as we were sitting around the table one night having dinner; calling each one of us by name, and then in the most serious voice a little 2 year old can have he said; "here we are, all together". You can tell it was important enough for him to take notice...and it truly was an important observation...we were together!

We have all been very blessed to share time with each other at such a special time of the year. With out a doubt it is truly a tender mercy from the Lord. Any such moments we can share with each other should and ought to be thought of as a blessing. I really don't have much to say in this post other than one thing; I'm very proud of each one of you. You all are doing so well with each segment of your lives. Jessica and Bryan, you have such a wonderful young boy to be so proud of and that the Lord has entrusted you to watch over and teach him and you are doing that really well. Jason and Emily; we are so proud of you Emily for graduating and Jason for being the Elders Quorum President. You guys are doing great! Jenna; We're proud of how well you have managed on your own. peanut butter and jelly and all. Jordan and Jayme; You are growing up too fast ...please slow down so mom and I can catch up. We love you all so much. Lets make this year one of our best ever.

Love you all

Dad

Happy Birthday to Jenna - 21 Years old

Jenna turned 21 on Saturday. She just recently purchased her own car and is doing super in school. She is so fun to have around because she makes us all laugh. She is always smiling about something. Our third child (also known as the Middle Child) sometimes regarded as lost in the mix of five kids. She always bounced around laughing and smiling and saying some of the craziest things. She loves old movies and can tell you about any Doris Day movie.

She has evolved into a beautiful young lady. Her spirit is special and being with her only makes you love having her around. Sensitive and caring she is always very nurturing to her younger sisters. We want you to know how much we love and appreciate all that you do Jenna. You are so sweet and we miss not having you around more often. I'm so proud of you for how you have managed to live on your own and go to school. You have worked hard and I know it hasn't been easy but your doing wonderful. We love you. Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!!

Home Coming Weekend

This being home coming weekend I thought I should post a few pictures of Jordan. I think this is her first really big Dance date and she went with Korb Carpenter (I think that's his name) Very good kid! They had plans to attend a soccer game and then to lunch at the Mall.

Jessica came home to do hair for her and some other family things we had planned. Thanks to Jessica our girls have had it easy when it comes to

having their own personal Hair Dresser.

Jordan in her dress and up do. Her date doesn't look to bad either. Except I did notice the arm around the her.....not sure I'm ready for this to happen. It was all I could do to say hey not so close their buddy....but I managed to not say a word. Jordan looks great and thanks to all of her sisters and mom for helping her get ready!

A week with Kayson and projects to boot!

After 4 years of having no shelves in my den Tammi had the wonderful foresight to use these old shelves that were in her fathers garage and with my little knowledge of woodworking managed to put on a new front fascia and crown molding on the top. Tammi and I sprayed painted them with my cup sprayer and compressor. They were painted the same color as the walls in the den. I think they came out much better than I had thought they would and I'm so glad Tammi pushed to use them. Finally, our den is looking like a den and we can now get to our books. I know they are not perfect but hey it works well. We almost need another section of shelves for even more stuff. I think this is the first time all of my personal journals have ever been in one place at the same time, all 14 volumes since Aug 4, 1978. It is also home to the last 20 years of daily planner storage binders. Even Jessica was impressed that I had 20 years worth of daily history.

Now for the real important stuff:


I caught this moment with Nanna and Kayson having a minute with the cat and thought it was cute. Kayson really took to Nanna on this trip and they cuddled quite often. Kayson and Jessica came home for hair cutting and for Kayson to play with Me Me. and Goose. We had a great time with them both and always hate to see them go.








Kayson had this cowboy hat on and loved it. He wore this hat for several days. I think he was a lion and cowboy at the same time. Very funny as it kept falling down into his eyes.





Jessica and Kayson having mommy time. She is so good with him and even though my picture isn't very good for some reason I thought this one of them was endearing.

We had several projects to work on one of them was the pumpkins made out of logs. Why I'm not sure but Kayson really got into it and enjoyed painting them so much that he had his shirt covered with paint. Right after they took his clothes off I got this picture of him painting away in his underwear.

He and the girls had fun doing this and the pumpkins actually came out looking pretty cool. I'll try to get a post of the pumpkins out on the front steps.

Its been a while since I last posted anything but when I uploaded these pics I decided to use them in a blog. I couldn't ask for a cuter picture of our daughters. They always seem to have fun with each other I think this is a picture from the girls trip. The one with Jason however, is his sisters way of making him feel extra special because he wasn't allowed to go on the girls trip with his cute wife. Trust me, Jason was loving the attention and I have to admit he is pretty strong. He's built like a tank and yet his sisters think of him as a big teddy bear. Jaymes expression says it all doesn't it? He loves it. They sure do have fun together.

JASON jaSON JAson

I found this mug shot at the local post office -- you know where they keep the WANTED Posters


This was a good shot of Jason just before Fireworks started up after being up all night setting up his booth. I'm not sure what that hairy thing under his chin is but he tells me he likes it. I guess it could keep that part of his face warm in the winter. Jason was a huge help this year in fireworks. He not only is the muscle of the family but he is also known around here as Mr. Pyro. Anything about fireworks you want to know ask Jason, he is the expert hands down! Not only does he know fireworks but he is by far the families best seller...although his little sister Jordan, kind of got the hang of it this year and really gave him a run for his money. If he's not careful she might just out sell him next year! For now, he is blazing hot when it comes to fireworks. he knows his stuff and when it comes to shooting them off well -------get out of the way because your in for a show.


This is Jason the day fireworks season ended. PAyDaY! We couldn't do all that we do without Jason and his strength and of course for me being the only boy in the family --gives me someone to hang with when I need a break from all the estrogen found in this house. We really do need to Thank Jason on so many fronts this year. We love having you home son. And we love having your cute wife come with you. A few weeks ago Jason and Emily came up and worked all day here to help us with everything from garage cleaning to weeds and lawn care. thank you both so much for all the help. What you do in a day takes me more than a week. We love ya and can't wait to see you again.

Fireworks, Girls and Kayson --Life Can't get any Better!

This week has been a hard week of selling fireworks. Everyone is tired and of course there is time to play just a little. Kayson in the jump toy was fun. His mom actually got in with him but we didn't get pictures of that.

Anytime you get Jenna neara camera your bound to have some pictures of all the girls having fun together. Fireworks was a great time for the girls to be with each other. As always they laugh about something(ususally its about some silly thing their mom or dad has done) They do like taking pictures of each other though.

All in the car and ready to go....if you look close you can see Kayson in the way back. He is in heaven with mom and all her sisters there to help out. As Jenna would say "us girls and Monkey" are having fun ............going on a road trip to who knows where? They are all smiles, you can't help but just smile looking at them.

Nanna with her girls, Jessica is taking the picture so she wasn't able to be in the pic. Again they are all smiles. they really do have fun together.

Could I ask for cuter daughters than this?

I love having them all come home at the same time. They have so much fun and to hear them laugh and giggle is priceless.

Its hard to believe how fast they have all grown up. Jayme and Jordan really enjoy having their brother and emily and jess and Jen home. Its not so boring when they are around. I guess that means Tammi and I are boring.

Monkey See Monkey Do!

We had Jessica and Kayson come home this week so that Jess could cut hair and spend a few days with us. I love it when our girls get together and have fun with each other. It really is fun to have them home.

Jordan & Jayme love having all of their siblings home. Jenna came last night and Jason comes this evening.

I had to laugh when I saw these pictures because Kayson and his aunts are always trying to get him to do things like make funny faces and do funny things.

He makes us all laugh so much. He and Jordan are fooling around and making faces while Jordan takes his picture

I think they could do without the tongue though. He is getting to look like a big boy.

We had a cook out the other night and Jessica and Kayson were going down on this piece of corn. Kayson loved it and everyone thought it was funny to watch them both working on the same piece of corn on the cob. Kayson was taking big bites and at one point bit Jessica finger trying to get at his corn.

Monkey see, monkey do is what these pictures are all about. Oh how we miss them when they go back home.

Prom Weekend & Snow shoeing in the Family Room

Well this was PROM Weekend and Jordan was
asked by a nice senior. She looks great I thought.

They are just getting ready to leave the house. Our house has been about hair all day. Thanks to Jessica and her amazing ability to do hair, all the girls are getting cuts and color. Jenna was here as well and I think she was doing nails and hair too. someday Jessica and Jenna should open a salon together.

Jayme tended to Kayson most of the day as he is always her little shadow. Jason and Emily were here as well.

Jordan couldn't look prettier. She is so cute. I think all of my girls look cute, and yes I am just a little biased. I also am a very proud dad to have such beautiful girls that are not just pretty but very sweet spirits as well.

We have enjoyed having all the kids come home together. Below is another picture of her beautiful dress that we borrowed for the prom.

Now as for the other picture of Kayson, this is what you call snow shoeing in the family room. With Nanna's slippers on Kayson is off on an adventure snow shoeing. The interesting thing in this picture is that there was no one else around to see him do it. (because of the hair do's) But I thought it too cute to pass up.

APRIL IS DONANTE LIFE MONTH

Seeing that this month is donate life month, may I remind everyone to remember those waiting for transplants in your prayers and bless those families that provide the gift of life for others. If your not a donor please consider being one and register today at:


Yesidaho.org


Have a great Month, Its great to be a live isn't it?

Climbing on a Combine

I had to post this picture because its not everyday you see five women and little guy standing on a huge agricultural combine posing for a picture. The things people will do ....for Kayson. This little guy has his aunts and Nanna rapped around his little fingers so tight. Watching them climb up on that thing was kind of funny. Once they got up there, they all looked pretty darn good. I do have the cutest girls I think.

Jayme is sure growing up too. She is almost as tall as her mother. Way to go girls, another photo captured moment.

The Lone Ranger with out his mask!

The Lone Ranger....without his mask of course and in his PJ's no less. Mr. Kayson doing what Kayson does best ...entertain his Nanna and Bumpa. I have to say I really felt a void this past weekend as the girls all loaded up and headed to Boise to watch Jordan at the state Cheer competition. Where they took 2nd. place....good job jordan!

We had a great time with Jessica, Kayson and Jenna earlier in the week when they arrived here to spend a few days before heading up to Boise.Once they all left and the house was quiet, I could feel the void with Kayson being gone. He is such a fun little guy to have around and when he is making everyone laugh, its just that much more fun to have him here. He certainly knows how to say MOM and DAD. Ask him about the Dog story and he'll keep you going for 30 -40 minutes on one story. We love it and just hate it when he has to go home. Thanks Bry for letting them come home as often as they do.

It was good to see Jenna. Her smile is always one thing that can brighten your day. She is growing up too fast I think...still think of her as our little girl. Jordan and Jayme love having thier sisters around and when you get them all together they laugh and have a good time --sometimes they cry a little. With a house full of girls what can I say!

Jordan and Jayme went down to spend a few days with Jessica (thanks for having them by the way) Tammi and I were left home alone.....that was real fun. Tammi watched her favorite shows in the family room and I caught a few ball games in the other room. WE're going to have to lose the tv's I think.

Until next time. High OOOOOO Silver. Rides again!

Nanna and Bumpa are good for something?

Jessica and Kayson were here for a few days this past week doing hair again. I had to laugh at this picture because Kayson seems to have found the best seat in the house, bumpa's chair. How content can a little guy be as long as he has is binki and his Heavy Equipment dvd that he loves to watch. He looks rather comfortable in bumpa's chair. Nanna and bumpa are so much fun. We sure did wear him down or could it be the other way around? Cuddle time is too precious to be sleeping it away.