Staycation 5-I'm Still Surviving!

As day five starts, we find a water sculpture at Thanksgiving point.  It is cool and refreshing and the kids get  a bit soggy but it is summer after all!

Prehistoric Adventure awaits us.

It is most interesting to learn about dinosaurs. 

A little adventure in a cave.  Thank goodness it isn't the Nutty Putty Cave...dangerous!

I think you have heard about "Hug a Tree?"  Well this is hug a dino!

It is alway fun to make your own dino and see if you can survive the beast!

Building dams, making volcanos and finding dinos is a great time.

A friendly dino gives us a much needed rest to prepare us for what is yet to come.

Brecklyn, however, is fearless and poses for the picture.

We are digging for bones and we are so successful.  Perhaps we have discovered a new dino that has never been found before.  What do you think about that?

Logan is a natural on the ponies.  So comfortable and happy.  He was a born rider.  He even got off all by himself. 

Tyson hauls Breckie off to jail for getting into mischief.  But Breckie stays longer than required.  Think she may have made some new friends in jail.

Logan sneaks out of the bar without paying his tab.  I think that the sheriff will soon arrest him and put him in jail with Breckie.  Hmmm...what kind of grandkids do I have here, anyway???

Well, it's on to the last day.  I think that they have enjoyed themselves, I know that I have!

Staycation 4- Pioneers All The Way!

Brecklyn and the boys like to ride the ponies and its the first place we stop at Pioneer Village.

A little wave as we pass and the little cowboy smiles for the camera.  The weather is perfect at this time, early in the morning.

Dancin' cowgirl at it again!

A wagon ride around town to see the sights.

Then we dip candles because electricity is getting very expensive these days!

The cowpokes deserve a little break now and then.  It's dusty and hot in the desert sun!

Pioneer food proves to be mighty fine!

Pioneers didn't have cars, but seems they spent a bit of time running around in circles!?!

And then the California Gold Rush causes people to head to the West.  Seems there was slim pickin's today, but we do manage to get to the bank to cash in our nuggets for some taffy.

The price of gold is low today.  Was it worth all the hard work?  No, we want MORE CANDY!

After all the work, it's time for that studly young man to get a shave and a haircut.  Ty isn't so sure about the instruments of the day.  But he does need a haircut, truly!  (Are you reading this Jay???)  JK.  Anyways, we all have a shave and Logan isn't so convinced that this is a good thing to do, either....

Notice the happy face?

Brecklyn loved her shave...hmmm.

So on the way home, the cowboys get some shut-eye and we call it a day.  They are all exhausted after the adventures of day 4.

Yes, ridin' the range is hard work.  We loved every minute!

Staycation 3 - Having Fun on The Heber Valley Railroad

Here we are at the Heber Valley Railroad.  It is a fun place to be. 

Inside we find a train. "Is it Thomas?" asks Logan.  "No, it doesn't have a face."  He is a happy train passenger today.  He waves and gives the peace sign to the skiers on Deer Creek and they wave back.

We have a little late breakfast on the train.  And lunch an hour later.  Ice Cream, nachos and corn dogs fill the bill. 

Our peaceful ride is interupted by bandits holding up the train.  Grandma's money is quickly gone and later in the gift shop, Logan sees bandanas.  Yes, he wants one so that he too, can be a train robber...Tyson says they have lots of bandanas at home.  Get a different and better souvenir!

On the ride home, we get tired and droopy eyed, but we all manage to stay awake.  The train goes from side to side and people walk like they had had a little too much whiskey with their nachos.  Yet we enjoy it and have a picnic at Vivian Park in Provo.  There its more fun to play on the monkey bars and slide, than eat.  Grandpa comes and meets us there, just in case someone doesn't want to ride back.  They all do.  But it was nice of him to come.  So another day has come to an end and brings us to the next adventure at the This is the Place Heritage Park Pioneer village.  We shall see what the day holds in store tomorrow.  If grandma and grandpa survive.  We are getting old, ya know!

Staycation 2- Utah is a Pretty State, Even Close to Home Pt 2

Kids loved chasing this little guy everywhere.  But he was just to fast.
He's just too quick. 

Great-grandma sees one too.

Cute babies to feed. Brecklyn does not want to sacrifice her "funyuns". That was the only duck type thing we had.

Tyson sits over the potgut hole hoping to catch him as he pops up. Doesn't happen...Time in the dirt.  Brecklyn does not enjoy this
part...too hot, too messy.  So "boyish".

It was hot, so back home we cool off.

Brecklyn gets splashed by the boys doing "boyish" stuff again....

Sun-tan time under the basketball hoop.

Then a little picnic table ping-pong, a new invention, I am sure!

Now for some much-needed "girl-time" and we can call it a good day!

Staycation 2- Utah is a Pretty State, Even Close to Home

We are always Hungry.  Mutual Dell supplied the place and grandma provided the grub.  I don't think anyone was hungry after the picnic.

A little ride to Tibble Fork.  Too bad grandpa didn't supply us with the rods and reels...

The baby liked it too.  Slept through the whole thing.  Got a little bug bite or something.  He be fine.  Notice we are on the 4 generation trip today.  Great-grandma, momma and the kids. And of course, grandma.

Great-grandma at Tibble Fork.

When I Get Impatient...Something To Think About

As you might remember, the head of a company survived
9/11, because his son just started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was His turn to bring donuts.
One woman was late because her Alarm clock didn't go off in time.
One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike Because of an auto accident.
One of them Missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to take
Time to change.
One's Car wouldn't start.
One couldn't Get a taxi.
The one that struck me was the man
Who put on a new pair of shoes that morning,
Took the various means to get to work
But before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot.
He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid.
That is why he is alive today..
Now when I am Stuck in traffic ,
Miss an elevator, Turn back to answer a ringing telephone ....
All the little things that annoy me.
I think to myself, This is exactly where
God wants me to be At this very moment..
Next time your morning seems to be
Going wrong...You can't seem to find the car keys,
You hit every traffic light,
Don't get mad or frustrated;
It May be just that God is at work watching over you.
May God continue to bless you
With all those annoying little things
And may you remember their possible purpose.

More Polish Grallas From Luboschütz and Oppeln

In the Catholic parish in the city of Opole, Poland, a Gralla family first appeared about the year 1791 residents of the village of Luboschütz. This Gralla was Nicolaus Gralla, a soldier, age 30, who married Marianna Hannalonka of Opole, age 27 on the 3rd of Feb. Another early Gralla to this area was Valentin Gralla, who moved into Luboschütz from elsewhere and was also married on the 3rd of Feb. 1791 to Agnes Libor of Kempa. He was 28 and she was 26. As these are the only two Grallas in this parish, it is probable that they were brothers moving in from another town. Records are sketchy for this time period and few Gralla entries were noted. Later we find more Grallas in Opole.

Adalbert Gralla married Marianna Waletzko on 27 June 1824. He was then age 30 and she was 23. Four children were born to this couple, Joseph, on 14 Nov. 1834, who married Maria Klaus, Johann, 12 May 1827, who was married three times; to Agnes Malek, Josepha Hilla, and Agnes Kochanek, and a stillborn son on 24 Jun 1833, and a daughter Rosalia born in 1818, who died on 30 Aug. 1825.

Joseph Gralla and Maria Klaus, daughter of Mathias Klaus of Halbendorf married 14 Feb. 1865. Joseph was a brick mason at the time. Only one son, Joseph, born 26 Nov. 1865 was found in this parish.

Johann Gralla had several children born in Opole. From his first wife, Agnes Malek, whom he married on 8 Feb. 1846 when he was 19, and she was 18, were born five children. Anton was born on the 11th of Jan. 1848, and died on the 30th of the same month. Christina was born on the 2nd of May 1849 and died 28 Dec. 1851. Daughter Marianna was born on 14 Aug. 1851. She, too, must have died early, although no record was found, as the next daughter was also a Marianna born on 14 Aug. 1853 and died shortly after on the 9th of Oct. The last child of this union was Julianna, born 23 May 1855-died 24 May 1855. On this date, the mother of these children, Agnes, also passed away.

From Johann Gralla's 2nd wife, Josepha Hilla, he had two children; Francisca, 27 Sep 1856, and Maria, 8 Mar. 1858 and on the 31st of Mar., his 2nd wife passed away at age 22 with complications from childbirth.

Johann then married Agnes Kochanek, daughter of Joseph Kochanek on 22 Jun 1858, when he was 31, and she was 19.

Their children included: Julianna, born 20 May 1859, who died on 9 Jul. 1859, Peter, born 5 Oct. 1860 and Catharina, born 17 Nov. 1862, Thomas, born 18 Dec. 1864, who died on 1 Feb. 1865, Juliana, born 18 May 1865, Johannes, 13 May 1866, and Julianna, 18 May 1868.

The Grallas from the town of Luboschütz and the parish of Opole, are small in number. There are some indications that they originate from a larger group of Grallas from the town of Lugnian. Gralla immigrants to the United States include Grallas from Lugnian and Opole.

Zucchini Everywhere!

Well, I decided to try a recipe that I got from the Home Food Storage Lady in Highland, Chirine Wadsworth. Her link is the bottom one of my sidebar blog list.  Alpine Food Storage.  The recipe was for Zucchini Relish. Sounded good and my friend, Sylvie, at work, says she uses the same recipe. So, I got out my old Kitchen-Aid grinder attachment and started grinding the veggies. In the upper right starts some of the mess I created. But it only got worse from there, couldn't take a picture of that. My dear husband always says, "Clean as you go". Well, who wants to keep cleaning and cleaning, just do it once and forget it, is my motto. And then when I was done, I put it in the bowl and refrigerated overnight. It looks good. But then I had to go out and buy a new steam canner, since I quit canning over 20 years ago, had to do with starting to work full-time, I guess. I gave my mom all my equipment and jars and so I am starting from scratch. Below is the recipe, just in case your zucchinis are also growing out of your ears.

Amazing Zucchini Relish
8-9 pints of Relish

Soak
10 C. zucchini
3 C. onions
4 red bell peppers
5 T. salt

Mix
3 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1 t. turmeric
1 t. nutmeg (Sylvie's addition to the recipe)
3 C. vinegar
1 t. dry mustard
1 t. black pepper
1 t. celery seed

Grate zucchini in food processor, along with onion and bell peppers. Mix salt in with vegetables in large plastic bowl and let stand overnight. Next day, rinse thoroughly in a large strainer and drain well.
Place shredded vegetables in large heavy pan and add remaining ingredients. Mix well and boil for 30 minutes. Pack in jars, seal and process 10 minutes. 

So back to the farmer girl version of me...Actually, if I had more time, I think I would do a lot of this.  Probably more canning, than eating.  At least that was how it used to be.  Then I would wonder if the stuff in the jars had rotted and I would get salmonella or some other strange manifestation if I ate it. 

Fly Tying

Since Tyson was 3, he has been a fisherman at heart. He started tying flies and fishing at age 3 and at 9, now he poses by his prized flies, all of which he has created. He loves it and loves doing this with his grandpa. They love doing just about anything together. They just want to be together and then it is fun no matter what they do.

Pony Ride

Day 1 Staycation

Here is a little snack break at Wheeler Farm. The kids seemed to enjoy it, especially the souvenir shop. Isn't that about normal?

Those Precious Childhood Memories!

Yes, we all have them, those first things we remember.  My first memory was of moving to our home in Elmore, Minnesota as I was about 4 or 5 years old.  I was outside in the front yard riding my little tricycle--a now non-existent riding toy.  Anyway, my English was quite limited as we hadn't lived in America all that long.  I spotted a girl across the street.  She had dark hair and kept saying things to me, none of which I could understand.  What did she want from me???  As things progressed, she and I somehow got together with our two very different languages and became playmates as we were both the same age.  Through playing together, I managed to pick up English and by the time Kindergarten started, it wasn't even a problem.  I had that language down. 

Well, yesterday as Brecklyn drove with me to my hair appointment, we talked about our soon-to-be little "stayvacation" activities for the upcoming week.  Brecklyn said that Logan was sooo excited to be going on the Heber Creeper Train because he wasn't able to when we went two summers ago when Brecklyn was three.  I asked her what she remembered and if she had liked doing that.  Oh yes, she said, I remember it very well.  I asked what she remembered about it.  Well, she said, we got off the train (at Vivienne Park in Provo Canyon) and I stepped in dog-poo in my flip flops and you had to clean me up.  Boy what a remembrance, not what I expected at all!  Anyway, after she reminded me, I remembered that incident too.  So, let's not forget to take the baby wipes and hand sanitizer this time!

Living in the Desert!

At work today we were talking over the " fence " , actually through the cubicles and Sylvie 's daughter was going to Arizona to visit Sylvie 's son's family. He is going to dental school there. The other day, her little grandson said to his mother, "big bug ". And his mom went to investigate and it was a cockroach, a typical sight in the desert ... I know, I lived in the Palm Springs, Ca. area. So I mentioned to her what my parents did at night. My parents noticed the roaches came up through the drains. At night, when the roaches roam, they would always keep all drains closed and the shower drain covered with cardboard or something that could be weighted down so that they could not come up through there, either. Anyway, a memory from my youth teenage years of living in the desert.  Funny what comes to mind that you haven't thought about in years...