Home on the Range: November 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

WILL YOU BE READY AT 94?

CORINNE ASENATH DAVIDSON ELLIS

August 11, 1916-November 24, 2010

Memorial Service

Saturday, December 4, 2010

LaCanada Ward Chapel

LaCanada, California

10:00 AM

Saturday, November 20, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS MARY ANN

Mary Ann Stevens

19 Years Old

Born November 21, 1945

Rt. 8 Box 310

Houston, Texas

Telephone # Holbrook 5 2069

Manti

Isn't this a beautiful picture of my sister? "Blue Jean Baby" was the pet name my Daddy called her when she was little girl following him around as he did chores outside. Nothing about the domestic arts interested my sister when she was growing up. She was more intrigued by what was going on outside. Horses were her passion and when she was 10 or 12 my parents bought her a horse named Roxy. Every afternoon after school she rode Roxy, a Strawberry Roan, around the property and neighborhood. This love of horses lasted well into adulthood and I believe she would enjoy today having a horse to watch from her front room window.

Mary has accomplished a great deal in her 60+ years of life. She is the mother of a son who is involved with medical and humanitarian efforts around the world. She has two degrees and has taught high school science and special education. She has lived and taught in Austin, Texas, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico and the Apache Indian Reservation at Fort Apache, Arizona. She has a warm spot in her heart for children with learning and emotional disabilities. Her students loved her.

Now that she spends most of her time indoors, she has taken a shine to the domestic arts and has remodeled and decorated her home with lovely furniture, art work and color. Her home is a welcoming place to drop by for a chat and many people do just that. She invites all to drop by to "laugh and giggle" a while, and I am privileged to be one of them.

Happy Birthday

I love you, Rebecca

November 21, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY

Born in Lufkin, Texas

on November 22, ?

I do not know how old you would be today, and Mary is off lounging on the beaches of Turks and Caicos, so I can't call her. She would know your date of birth, where you were born, who your parents were and where they were born and when. She keeps our family records and is a wealth of information.

You would be proud of your five children, though all have faced challenges, we are all persevering. We are all married, have children, and as you know are all still living. Four of us have graduated from college, four of us have two degrees, three of us have taught school, one of us is a librarian. We are all relatively healthy and all of us are in our 60s. You have 24 grandchildren and more great grandchildren than I can count. You and mother would be proud of your legacy. We are all grateful for the vision that you both had of what we could become. Each one of us loves you and wishes you a Happy Birthday. PS Give Mother a hug and kiss for us! I know we will each see you soon, but hopefully not too soon. Rebecca

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOGAN

Happy Birthday Logan

Today you are 1 Year Old

You love everything about being Alive

You love the water whether it is in a bathtub or in a swimming Pool

You are always Happy

When your sisters maul you, you giggle and Laugh

You enjoy exploring your world....walking around a table, crawling over to say hello to Chance... sitting on a little Car or trying to ride a Turtle

You sleep and nap like a " Baby"

Your Mother says that you are every mother's Dream Baby and I agree with Her

Poppy and I love you and wish you a Happy Birthday

Thursday, November 18, 2010

ARCHITECT IN THE MAKING

Brooklyn Suzanne Rees

Brooklyn is creative in her play. She has excellent eye hand coordination and sees spatial relationships easily. It is almost possible to watch her brain at work. She enjoys putting together puzzles and is able to transfer what she has learned from one puzzle to working a new one. She is four years olds and is attending her first year of pre-school.

Monday, November 15, 2010

THAT WHICH WE CALL A ROSE, BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET.*

Ernest Craig Rees

Craig was named after his father

Logan Craig Rees

Logan was named after his Father

Jennifer Suzanne Ellis Rees is an Original

Emily Elizabeth is an Original

Brooklyn Suzanne is named after her Mother

Peyton Rebecca is named after Me

Steven Wayne Ellis is named after his Uncle Wayne Roger Ellis

Wayne is named after Roger Williams who was the founder of the Rhode Island Colony. The Ellis Family are direct descendants of Roger Williams

Parker Steven is named after his father

Summer Alyson is named after her mother

Aubrey Lynn is named after Aly's mother Judy Lynn

Macy Rebecca is named after me.

Alisa Anne Ellis Tueller is named after my dolls all named Alisa

Brendon Christian is named after his father Joseph Christian and two great Grandfathers

Nicole Anne is named after her Mother

Hayden Ellis carries his mother's Surname

Blake Joseph is named after his Father

Karen Marjorie Ellis Montgomery is named after our dear friend Margie C.

Roy Ernest Montgomery is an Original**

Paige Melissa Montgomery is named after Roy's sister Melissa

Jennifer Ann Ursitti Ellis

Skyler Joy Ellis is named after her Maternal Grandmother Carolyn (Kay) Joy Ursitti

My brother Thomas Merrill Stevens was named after our father Thomas Earl who was named after his father Thomas Majemsi (Sp) Luke Stevens

My brother Samuel Andrew is an Original **

My sister Mary Ann is a Original **

My sister Judy Stevens has no middle name and is an Original.**

When she was born the church discouraged middle names for girls in order to make genealogy and record keeping easier. My mother also bought two American Motor cars because George Romney was the President of that company and she reasoned that a good Mormon such as George must make only superior cars. Not so....

Returning from shopping one day, Judy, Mary and I pulled into a 7-11 for a drink. Just as we came to a stop the front wheel fell off of the car; completely turned onto it's side. We laughed hysterically.

My mother and her sisters had crazy names.

My mother was named Bentley (Billie) Irene Munsuel Stevens

Her sisters were: Loonie Ophelia, Gladys Bea, Josephine (Jo), and Mary

All are deceased except Gladys Bea.

My maternal grandmother, Heba Hortenese Munsuel, called her husband, my grandfather, Mr. Munsuel all their married life.

As for my name......I was named after my mother's elocution teacher, Rebecca Brown.

An elocution teacher, teaches the art of public speaking. Other than my mother telling me of the origin of my name, I have never heard the word elocution spoken. How do I remember such a word?

Juliet spoke the words in the title of this blog to her beloved Romeo. Names make a great deal of difference to many people, especially the Montegues and the Capulets.

Most people enjoy the sound of their own name, so when greeting others....use their name.

*Shakespeare

** Am I correct?

"WHAT'S IN A NAME?......" *

Charles Arthur (Art) Ellis

Charles (Chuck) Ellis II

Chuck was named after his Father

Charles Arthur Ellis III

Charles is named after his Father

Charles (Charlie) Arthur Ellis IV

Charlie is named after his Father

Jack Richard Ellis

Jack is named after his maternal Grandfather

Richard (Dick) George Ursitti

*William Shakespeare....Juliet to Romeo

Friday, November 12, 2010

WE HONOR OUR MILITARY MAN

Roy, Sir

Roy has been involved with the military since he was a student at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico. After college he served four years active duty, including one year deployed in Iraq. After active duty he served in the Utah Reserves and the Arizona Reserves. His Arizona Reserve unit has been activated and he will deploy to El Paso, Texas for one year beginning in January.

Before Karen and Roy were married, we had little first hand knowledge of the Military. Roy's service has greatly enhanced our understanding of the sacrifice so many of our fellow citizens are making. Though it is difficult for families to be separated, they all "soldier on" and give their spouses and children, mothers and fathers, the support they need to do what is asked of them.

Roy feels a full responsibility for the men who serve under his command. Their physical fitness and training is his top priority. He gets great satisfaction from the service he gives to his country.

This little family is committed to each other and to the Country they Serve.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

UTAH....GREATEST SNOW ON EARTH!!!!

Skyler, Jenny, Jack, Charlie, and Charles

Charles' and Jenny's Family outside the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley.

With the exception of Jack, this whole family skies. Skyler and Charlie have been in ski school for the last two winters and can outski anyone, in their age group, on the slopes of Deer Valley. Chuck has a hard time keeping up with them. Give Jack another year and he'll be out there with them.

Macy

She may look like a little snow bunny, but she is actually a fearless skier on the slopes of Snowbird.

Her family skis and snowboards most weekends at this beautiful Ski Resort which is mere minutes from their home.

Hayden

Hayden is not a skier yet, but he loves the challenge of sledding down the hill in our backyard without falling off his sled.

Nicole, Aubrey, and Summer

These girls love to sled down the hill together. Talk about silly!

Parker and Brendon

Without the work of these boys, there would be no sledding. Parker and Brendon dump buckets of snow onto the slope and pack it down for a hard, fast run.

By the time Jennifer was three years old, we were skiing every winter with our family. We discovered that it was the only sport where regardless of age or ability, the whole family could ski and have fun together. We are happy that our children are continuing this tradition with their families. These are pictures from last year, but there will be more this Decemeber. We expect most of our children to hit our home between December 26 and the first of the year.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUMMER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUMMER

Today you are 12 years old

You are Beautiful!

Beautiful eyes and Beautiful Smile

When you are around, everyone has Fun

You are a snowboarder, a water skier, a soccer player, and a Runner

You are a respectful daughter, a kind sister, a good friend, and a delightful Granddaughter

You enjoy the outdoors and four wheeling with your Brother

You have set a worthy path for your sisters to Follow

Poppy and I love you and wish you a Happy, Happy Birthday!!

WINTERIZING THE D0G KENNEL

You might think that this is Dog Heaven and it is in the summer.

The little house has six inch thick insulated walls and flooring and a side entry so that the wind does not blow into the house.

But, when the wind starts to howl and the snow comes from three sides, it is not Pleasant

For Me.....

I don't know about them.

Last night we returned from Costco after dark. It was pitch black behind the house and rain, sleet, snow and wind were all mixed up. While Chuck emptied the truck, I prepared the dog food dishes. Cody and Annie were running all around us and then they were gone, out into the night, with the coyotes, and cougars. One and a half hours later, they showed up none the worse for wear. So, maybe they don't need an enclosed kennel. But, I do.

We have completely enclosed the back and northern side with plywood and have added two windows that open on hinges. We are off within the hour to purchase wood to enclose the front gate.....and then I will be at peace knowing that they are dry, warm, and out of the wind, rain and snow.

I know.....I need help.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

GREAT VISTAS OF THE WEST

Chuck checking out the Map

Always another road to Explore

I wonder why a lone tree survives while others do Not

Turning off the highway always leads to what is around the next Curve

Where does this road lead? We did not find Out

This is what I love about the West

The Great Vistas

One can see for hundreds of miles in all four directions at Once

Mountain Ridges beyond Mountain Ridge

A Mountain peak in Central Utah

Just one of Many

The unit on the end was ours for the Weekend

Fish Lake

Caught 10 Trout

Lost One

Released two at the Boat

Brought 8 home which was our Limit

All were caught on Velvetta Cheese

This is a supremely satisfied Fisherman

Fish Lake

Notice the jet's vapor trail Above

This lake is hundreds of miles from the nearest Airport

Planes passed over all Afternoon

Fish Lake

A perfect ending to a perfect Day

Chuck and I took a little R&R from our R&R this weekend. Thursday we loaded up the little fishing boat, put the 4 wheeler in the back of the truck and headed south on Hwy 15. Exiting the interstate at Scipio, we headed for Fish Lake which is in Central Utah and is about three hours from our home. Our family has fished this lake over the years, so we were anxious to give it another try. This late in the season, there were few people there and no eating facilities.

We cooked all of our meals in our cozy cabin. Friday we fished for about three hours. Because we had our limit, we were unable to fish on Saturday, so we spent the day exploring the surrounding mountains on the four wheeler. It is the middle of the hunt for elk using a muzzle loaded gun so, we were not surprised to come across a number of hunters on four wheelers and in trucks. These people hunt with bow and arrow, rifles, and muzzle loaded guns using black powder. We encountered lots of snow at the higher elevations, trees fallen across the muddy trail, and gigantic boulders which made me feel that we were driving through a stream bed. Chuck was in heaven and I enjoyed the adventure. We came home today and are looking forward to cold weather and snow for the next three days. We love living in this beautiful State.