A new day!!

I decided I would go outside and take some pictures. I felt like a kid on some sort of a safari. The dogs thought they needed in on the act so I took their pictures. Aren't they cute? I only say that so they can't hear. And these two characters think they are people. Diesel is the one in the front and Spot in the back. Spot is a bluetick hound and a drooly dude that thinks he is the boss. Diesel is just a sweet dog that loves attention. He has appointed himself the llama watcher. He spends most of his time in the pasture down the street with our llamas. If one of them gets out he follows it wherever until it is returned to its pasture.

Here are a few young fowl not yet laying eggs.

Here is an ancient piece of equipment in the field. It was used on this farm way long years ago.

A close up of the sunflowers grown by Joel.

I just liked this~an old piece of wood and a shovel...

This is a unique tree only grown at the Balmforths' in Woodville. Its scientific name is Palmpine. Actually eaten by the resident goats a few years ago. Its hangin on by the skin of its teeth.

More fish...

See the fish. There is a great big koi but he was camera shy!!

Here is the backyard pond. You would have had a laugh watching me take these pictures. I was on my belly trying to get a picture of the fish.

Here is a close up of the apples on the tree.

This is one of the apple trees in our yard. It looks like we may even get some apples this year.

Joel's Yard Projects!

These flowers have been in the yard for a few years, and due to no or low water they have never really been beautiful. Wow having water makes these amazing!

This is a shot through a wire angel my sister in law Betty gave me along time ago. Silly, but I love it.

New breed of Dog (rather llamas) we have many and Joel extends a mobile fence so they sometimes feed on the side lawn. Now hold yourselves down~I feel a little envy goin on. Not everyone is this lucky. (I hope God gets my bad humor)

This use to be a huge mound of just dirt. Oh my no it was dirt with 3 foot weeds. My clever prince took odds and ends and throw aways and made this rather clever pond setting that is very peaceful to stand by. He is a lover of nature. If he had access to unlimited funds look out!!

Joel started studying square foot gardening months ago when it was winter. He read and read and then made the boxes. He had things planted the end of April and covered them and babied them along. The premise is to eliminate weeds and to keep track better. I think it has worked for him. He has approx 10 boxes. Probably not the ideal for a huge family who wants tons of produce. Each square has a 3 part dirt mix.

Can you guess what is in this one??

Cute huh? Flowers right along with the cabbage. It makes me smile. He really loves watching them grow.

Another view of the pond area. He has used an old metal wagon wheel (in the forefront) and planted flowers in it. I was helping weed one day and he says I pulled flowers.

This is just a little old bird house. I love simple things!!

We have lived in Woodville since 1995. For most of that time we have looked close to the biggest disaster on the street. All sand, no water and lots of weeds and junk. Joel has been working hard to create a fun country atmosphere on a low budget. Thanks honey~it looks great! You're a genius. Here are some pictures of the yard and Joel's square foot gardens. I put a couple of Amber's square foot garden as well. (Lost the pictures somewhere, I will post them later.) Yikes! Ill be glad when I get this figured out.

Sunday trip to Boise

We decided late Saturday evening to go to Boise to see baby Tyler blessed. We left home at 6:30 am and arrived at the Murray home at 11:00. Heather had a nice lunch with Beau's mom and siblings and of course us. The pictures are of the front of their new home. Grandma Cathy and Tyler, uncle Jason and Tyler, sleeping Lydia and her aunt, Terry and Valerie. Heather, Cathy and Tyler. We had a lovely day. Beau and Heather spoke as well as blessed the baby so sacrament was a good experience. They seem to have a nice young ward. We left after the meeting was over and went to visit some old friends. Wally and Donna Hendrickson of Boise. Joel and they go way back to McCall when he worked and lived there. Wally was in a hospital bed in the living room and the vigil of waiting for him to cross over was in process. He quietly talked to us as much as he could. They are sweet people and we were really glad that we stopped in to say our goodbyes.

Sleeping Lydia and her aunt, Beau's sister.

Heather, Cathy and Tyler
Terry and his favorite big sister (ONLY)

Uncle Jason and Tyler

Grandma Cathy and Tyler

Tyler Murray 2 months old!! Big Boy...

New House in Star, Idaho

Our Family

Here is the Balmforth Bunch!! We can hardly believe they are all grown up. We had these taken right before the twins graduated from high school. I hope to have all nine of them together for a picture when Cody gets home. Here we are in an old alley behind some stores. Arent they awesome!!

This is my darling Dustin, He looks like he should go to hollywood.

This is my fabulous Taylor. Since graduation Taylor has really changed his looks. He has gone from ducky blonde hair to his more dark blone. He is an a great kid!!

Here is miss Ashley, looking rather demure. I put this one on because I couldnt figure the whole thing out yet.

Here we are in Shelley at the Snake River. It is such a beautiful spot. I go there to read, and ponder or whatever.

I loved this picture of them walking away. The photographer didn't really like that the car was there~but oh well.

We had these pictures taken before the kids graduated. The boys were headed out of state to work and I wanted to get some pictures before it was hard to gather everyone in. I am hoping to have all 9 kids together when Cody gets home. Won't that be great!!!

pictures!!

watch out for this bunch in the future...

A load full of grandkids

Amber and Baby Hesston


Part of the family at graduation

Taylor and Ashley before graduation

Boy time flies!!

Its now July 12, 2008. Now to test my memory of all past events. First of all May 22 Taylor and Ashley graduated from high school. A week before that Ashley graduated from 4 years of seminary. Both events were delightful and sad because those were our babies. We have been doing these for a long time. Wayne Dyer once said you need to approach life with the attitude of delight as if it were your first experience and delight as if it were your last. He having 8 children and us with 9, do alot of the same things over and over. Ball games, wrestling, dance,plays, programs etc. So with that approach you never get bored and you can always be having a good time. Next Dustin and Taylor left for their summer jobs in Oregon building huge cellars and insulating them. They came home for the 4th of July. The kids are all experiencing their independance from mom and dad so we didnt do anything together, and it was still a great day. I went into Idaho Falls to the parade and sat with Amber, Travs, and Garrett. They had put up an awning the night before and so we had a great spot and Garrett was so fun to watch. Afterwards I came home and got a picnic lunch ready and my dad and his wife Linda came over and we had a picnic in the front yard. Joel put up the awning and the picnic table under it and we had a delightful afternoon, Ronda, my daughter in law and my grandkids Clayson and Emma came too. In the evening we met Amber, Travis,Garrett, Ashley, and my sister in law Betty Root came with us to the Fireworks put on by Melaleuca. It is always a great event,touting the best in the west. There are upwards of 50,000 people who watch so it can be a trick to get home. We have mapped out a great spot and we are always home within 20 minutes. Fun times. I am trying to get Ashley to post graduation pictures along with some family pictures we had taken prior to graduation. So on the the next party!! Amber finally decided she didnt need to do an elephant pregnancy (we were all beginning to wonder) and had a beautiful baby boy July 7. So Hesston Richard arrived after Amber being only 40 minutes in the hospital. All elnatural and happy and healthy. Momma and baby are doing great. He looks so much like Amber did when she was born. So we will also see what we can do to post some pics of that cute tike. So with a birthday of 07/07 he will be nicknamed double o7. (just kidding) Joels square foot gardens are doing great! Pictures to come as well. ASHLEY where are you? Ashley has been working at Jamba Juice this summer. She is really excited to go up to Rexburg to school. She has worked hard to earn her money. Now to get a laptop..... Its hard to believe we are half way through July already. Tomorrow is Jennifers 36th birthday. Happy Birthday JJ!! I am still working at the Ribbon Retreat with some really great gals. We have a good time together.