Ragdolls

Our busy day!

2011-05-26T09:13:00.024-07:00

It's 6:30 am, time for a shower, then wash the bottles. Easton is up and ready for his bottle. Diaper change and wash hands, then his bottle. I hear Cole and Caden. They are ready to go. Diapers changed, hands washed (again), big brother Asher is up, good morning kisses to everyone. Waffles and juice for breakfast. Open the laptop and say good morning to the picture of mommy and daddy.

Didn't mean to get the chandelier in the picture, but I have to look up to these two. This pic is from last Saturday. They were headed to Trevor's graduation from California State University Chico.

Now that they are finished with breakfast, wipe up little hands and faces, and it's time for Easton's fruit and cereal. Hands washed and a little snuggling on the couch with everyone and their new blankets. Asher has had his blanket for two years. Grandma just got the other 3 done this month.

Asher

Cole and Caden

Easton

Runny noses wiped clean. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on TV. Pajamas off, clothes on. Pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo. Time for Easton's morning nap. If this seems like a run-on paragraph, that's because it is a run-on morning.

We are watching the video of Grandma's kitty, Cooper, playing fetch. Cooper does love to go after the little crochet ball with the bell inside and bring it to me. The boys love the video of our hen, Chick Patty and her two baby chicks, mommy hen is showing them how to eat.

Time for a snack. Goldfish and a fruit snack for the twins, chocolate covered peanut butter granola bar for Asher, then a fruit snack. Clean the hands and faces (again) among other things.

A fight over a toy, tears shed and a little hugging. It's a good thing Fisher Price toys are tuff stuff, they are sure getting a workout here.

Ok, let's see if we can gather for a story.

Easton's up from his nap, dirty diaper changed, hands washed, time for a bottle. Fish sticks in the toaster oven for the bigger boys. Maybe they'll have some applesauce with those.

Ahhh, a moment of silence, while they eat. Let's see, how many times did I hear Asher ask, can we watch a movie?

Asher: Grandma, I want a bologna sandwich, not fish sticks.
Grandma: Asher, you had a bologna sandwich yesterday.
Asher: I still want a bologna sandwich.
Grandma: OK Asher, after you eat these fish sticks and applesauce I'll give you half a bologna sandwich.
Asher: Thanks, Grandma, that's awsomeness. Grandma, if we're out of bologna maybe we can go to the store for more food.
Grandma: Who will watch you while I go to the store?
Asher: We can all go.
Grandma: I don't think we need to go to the store, it would take me longer to get all four of you in your carseats in the van than it would to shop in the store.

Lunch over for the bigger boys, hands and faces washed (boy my hands are sure dry, how many times have I washed them today)?

Time for Easton's vegees. Everyone down for a nap. Empty the dishwasher, wash up the trays from the twins chairs.

A short rest, I know I brought a good book to read.

Wow, that was a quick nap. Snack time. Cole and Caden have a multi grain mixed berry snack bar. Asher has a cupcake. Face and hands washed, trays washed.

Time for Easton's bottle. Caden takes a ball away so Cole plops his head face down on the floor, more tears, more hugs.

Playtime, Cole and Caden are on the floor with baby Easton. Talking to him and smooshing on him. They do love the baby. Giving little pats and hugs. Outside for a walk, everyone holding hands. Just up and down the block.

Easton's ready for a bottle, dinner's in the oven. I'm starting to wilt. Maybe the lasagna will give us all a little energy. Not too much of course so they will go to bed.

How fun, my sister Nancy just called. She is coming from Reno tonight to visit. It will be good to see her. I'm not sure when I saw her last. Possibly two years ago at the reunion in Wellsville. I must have seen her since then though, because I'm sure she has seen the twins.

Easton has had his dinner of cereal. Now just a little playtime and he'll be ready for bed. Bath time for him tomorrow.

Lasagna for the rest of us, can't wait to clean that up...well, it wasn't too bad.

The twins have had a story and are now in bed. Asher and I will read some stories in just a few minutes and then Nancy should get here and I'll put Asher to bed.

We have had a full and busy day...here comes tomorrow. Do you realize that there are 40 little fingers in this house.

It's a White Christmas here!

2009-12-24T09:04:00.005-07:00

Christmas goodies are on the way!

2009-12-14T11:54:00.004-07:00

for:
Jenna
Ethan
Brandy
Josiah
Amanda
Micah
Hannah
David
Abigail
Noah
Jonah, and
Lyndsay
Dylan
Mikayla
Rylie
Hunter
Aiden
Ash
Alyssa
Willow
Camden
Trenton
Bella
Calix
McKenzee
Conor
Madden
Asher
Maddox
Gracie
Caden, and
Cole

CA Visit

2009-11-15T22:07:00.014-07:00

I had a great time in CA visiting the boys. Truly worn out when the week was over. I can see why we have children when we are young. It is quite hard to keep up with the three of them at my age. Asher has quite the personality, and Cold and Caden are starting to show theirs.
I don't look forward to the 15 hour drive, but it is absolutely worth it once I get there.

Caden and Cole

Cold and Caden

Caden

Cole

Caden and Cole

The always busy big brother, Asher

Happy Asher

Grandma and her three grandsons at the
end of a great week, Asher, Cole and Caden

Nick Survives

2009-09-01T15:19:00.003-07:00

I hadn't posted since I returned home in July. Nick was so thin and barely moved around. I hugged him, loved on him, talked to him, and of course, fed him some of his favorite foods. He loves avocados so he got a little taste when I had some salad fixings. I also broke down and gave him a teaspoon or so of canned cat food 2 times a day to try and fatten him up. After a couple weeks he seems to have gained back all the weight he lost, and he is running around the house playing with Cooper like he used to. I just returned from another few days away and I guess he didn't think I disappeared this time. He is doing fine, just old. He needs to hang on for a while, he will be 18 next March, and I am just not ready for him to go.

New and Old Lives

2009-07-16T18:27:00.010-07:00

I am truly enjoying my visit with my new grand babies. They are doing great! Cole weighs 7lbs 8oz, and Caden weighs 7lbs 11oz, 19 3/4" long. It is still hard to get up in the middle of the night though, you start to wilt about mid-day *!* and still keep up with the 2 1/2 year old. Here are a couple pics of the sweethearts and their brother.

Caden, Asher and Cole

Cole and Caden

Holiday called a little while ago and said that my sweet Nick is very lethargic today. It doesn't seem that he has moved at all today. Oh dear, this will be hard to lose him. He has been a member of our family since December 1992. I guess 17 1/2 years is a good long life for a cat. He has had lots of energy before today, always running around the house with his younger cohort, Cooper. I am sad that I am not there with him, but I asked Holiday to give him some extra love and tender scratches under the chin for me. I hope he feels better, I don't want to lose him before I get back home :(

More Pics of Twins!

2009-05-10T12:06:00.010-07:00

Today they weigh 3lbs 10 oz. and 3lbs 9 oz.
They are both 16 inches long.
Introducing Cole Henry

Cole

Introducing Caden Tyler

Caden

Caden

Caden

Cole

Cole

TWIN BOYS ARE HERE !

2009-05-09T21:23:00.011-07:00

Our babies are here early!!!
Cole and Caden arrived at 7:04 and 7:05 AM.

3lbs 13 oz. and 3lbs 12 oz.

Brandy went into labor at 4:00 AM this morning.

They couldn't stop the labor, so they were delivered

by c-section. Brandy is tired and sore, but doing well.

The boys were transferred to Sacramento for their

care, and are doing ok. Will update as I am updated.

Please keep them in your prayers. She was at 31 weeks,

so they are 9 weeks early.

Happy Birthday, Brandy!

2009-03-21T17:00:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday to my little girl, Brandy,
born on Friday, March 21st, 1975.
She has brought great joy into my life,
first as a baby and now as a mother.
I love you, Brandy!
Compare these photos of you and me.
1975

1954

1983

1962

January 2007

Brandy is much taller and prettier!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T11:56:00.008-07:00

From our house

to yours.

It's definately a cold and white one for us! We miss everyone, have a great day!

Just the beginning

2008-12-14T11:11:00.008-07:00

The forecast is snow for the next 5 days or so.

Cleaning the path for the chickens, so they
can get to their food.

They really don't like walking in the snow.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-12T17:13:00.006-07:00

Christmas is on its way *!* I am so tired...You should have seen me carrying all of these packages into the post office. I pulled in and started putting boxes on the curb and a nice lady and her daughter asked if they could help me carry them in. That certainly helped a great deal. I am glad they are on their way to their new homes. Don't forget, Do Not Open 'Til Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Marlene!

2008-12-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Marlene was born 10 December 1948. Happy 60th Birthday to my big sista out there in Arkansas! These are some pictures that my Grandma Butler had of Marlene. Glad you're part of the family!

Age 1

Age 2

Age 4

Age 6

Age 18, I'm glad those glasses went

out of style!

1974

We are Sooooo excited !

2008-12-08T21:33:00.002-07:00

Say Congratulations, Grandma, we're having TWINS *!*
Check out Brandy's blog.
www.ohanadreams.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday, Wayne

2008-11-09T08:48:00.003-07:00

This week is the anniversary of my brother Wayne's birth and death. Wayne was born 9 November 1951, and died 12 November 1963. My father said that he was not given oxygen after he was born and the consequence was cerebral palsy. I want to share a few photos of him during his short life on this earth. Wayne was well loved by our immediate family, and I remember the expressions of love of our extended family as well. I think of him often and send him my love. I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that our family is eternal. Happy Birthday,Wayne.

Spring 1952.

Wayne at Roeding Park, Nov 1952,
shadows of mom and dad.

Mom and Wayne, Rickey, Dad and I, March 1956.
Wayne is 2 years and 6 months older than me,
but he was always very small, due to the
muscle atrophy.

Mom and Wayne, May 1963

LUVRGBS

2008-10-31T13:07:00.003-07:00

Grandpa Holiday says when his first grandchild, Lyndsay was born he called her his GB. When we moved to AZ in 2002 I decided we needed a personalized plate. Few people can figure out what it means. We have had people follow us into a parking lot, just to ask us what our plate stands for. We do love our grandbabies, so we want to advertise (or brag)!

Gracie

2008-10-30T22:42:00.012-07:00

We have a beautiful new granddaughter! Gracie Renee was born on Tuesday, October 7th at 4:14 am, 7 lbs 1 oz, 20 1/2 " long. Gracie is the daughter of my son, David and his wife, Julia. We are so happy to welcome her into our family. I drove to Albuquerque today to see her and take lots of pictures.

David's baby picture

Julia's baby picture

Who, me?

2008-10-21T08:02:00.002-07:00

Thanks Abby for the Award! I do enjoy making those baby blankies and burp cloths. I love having wee ones in my arms all wrapped up and snuggly.

I shall have to pass it on to the Dadhood. His creativity, mostly through words, keeps us all in stitches (most of the time).

Pumpkin Farm

2008-10-10T12:34:00.012-07:00

Yesterday, we went to the pumpkin farm, just north of Sacramento, CA. They have built cute little storefronts
to look like a town, hayrides, a train, petting zoo, little shops, and lots of fields of pumpkins of all sizes.

Asher had lots of fun feeding and petting the goats,

going on the slide,

making funny faces,

and climbing pumpkins.

Frogs and Fireflies

2008-10-07T14:50:00.007-07:00

This is my first pieced quilt. I bought the fabric at least a year ago. Just finally finished it before this trip. My daughter Brandy bought me an airline ticket so I could go see my grandson, Asher, and spend time with her family. I think he loves his new blanket. It was fun to make and I am happy with how it turned out.

We have been having a great time, and I can't believe his vocabulary. Yackety Yack, all the time.

7 Random Things Meme

2008-10-03T09:41:00.007-07:00

1. I married my husband in the Albuquerque Temple
5 days after we met. Yep, I said 5 days.

2. I could watch the same movie (one of my favorites) once a week for the rest of my life. Silly, I know, but I could and would if I had time.

3. I hate to throw food away. I like everyone to eat all the food on their plates. I'm not sure why, probably due to having to do without, and I despise waste, especially since someone had to work so hard to buy it. I'm glad we live in the mountains, now I put all the leftovers out for the skunks, and they finish it all up.

4. I can sit at the computer and do family history research for hours upon hours, searching censuses and other records. Don't plan on anything getting done in the house, which I never used to let go. I have to tear myself away or get everything done before I sit down to work.

5. I can only eat fresh mushrooms, preferably sliced and lightly cooked in butter. I cannot stand cream of mushroom soup, or pre-cooked mushrooms. They taste like I am chewing on a rubber band...yuck.

6. On the other hand, I actually used to like and eat liver and onions before I met my vegetarian husband.

7. I earned an all expense paid trip to Oahu, Hawaii in 1990 by winning a nationwide data entry contest offered by the company I was working for at the time. Eight days and seven nights totally paid for and a gift of $1,000.00 to boot for spending money.

All who may read this please add the meme to your blog and let me know so I can get to know you better!

Raffle for Callie

2008-09-22T10:35:00.011-07:00

My sweet little cousin, Callie Butler (20 months old) is still in the hospital in Phoenix. There is a raffle on her big sister's blog at http://ourhappynest.blogspot.com/. Go see what is on auction today. Our prayers and thoughts are continually with this little sweetheart.

One of my well-loved baby blankets,
and a dozen burp cloths is up for auction.

In the future I will be posting some of these

on ebay, in a variety of colors.

100% cotton flannel, double sided blanket,
approx. 44" x 44"
6 burp cloths, double sided, approx. 11" x 22"
Pre-washed and double rinsed, ready to use.
Great colors for baby boys and baby girls.
1 blanket and 6 burp cloths, purchase for $35.00.
1 blanket and 12 burp cloths, purchase for $50.00.

Plus shipping, using flat rate box, priority mail.

(right now I think that shipping price is $9.80)
I'll check on that later.

1 blanket and 6 burp cloths.

Lonely Days Ahead

2008-09-01T19:17:00.005-07:00

The Dadhood goes back to work tomorrow. As much as I love him, I haven't gotten much done this past week with him home. My fault to be sure, I just enjoyed sitting and talking with him, and doing more genealogy research.

Our little squirrel has been back taking as much seed as she can ... haven't seen any baby squirrels yet though.

Little Thief

2008-08-21T17:50:00.010-07:00

We have lived here 6 years, and have only seen 2 squirrels in our yard.

We have had a new guest in the back yard since June 28th (date on 1st picture). She is a 'Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel'. We thought she was a chipmunk until I checked google. Chipmunks have the side stripes going from their eyes all the way down their side and back, and golden-mantled squirrel's are larger and only have stripes on their back or sides.

See her tummy laying on the rock?

She was fatter when we first saw her so we figure she was going to have a litter. She would go and collect straw and other things to take to her burrow for a nest. We saw her through July 6th and then she was gone. We thought she must have moved to another yard, or was picked up by a hawk. But then, she showed up again on August 9th ... a lot trimmer. We have watched her the past week or so, coming up to the bird feeder in the tree out the window. Filling her cheeks with seed and then running to the back of the yard and disappearing under the pile of old yard trimmings and pine needles. She actually jumped from a rock at the edge of the patio up 2 feet to the platform we have set up for bird seed. I hope the babies come out soon so we can enjoy their visits.

Click on the pics to see how fat her cheeks are!

Baby Skunks

2008-08-09T08:56:00.009-07:00

Mama skunk knows she can come to our yard and get leftovers and old eggs for dinner. This past week she brought her new family. I couldn't get them all in one picture. There were 5 skunks at once, checking out everything. She had 4 babies this year. It's not easy trying to take pictures of skunks... trying not to get sprayed 'n all. They are so stinkin' cute though. The babies LOVED the leftover mashed potatoes w/sour cream in them. They actually had a little fight over those. The babies are about 5-7 inches from nose to back legs (not that I'm going to go out and measure). I was at the back window, leaning out, so I was only about 2-3 feet away.

Look at the claws on that egg, WOW!

Check out mom's claws.

I was tagged by Sarah

2008-08-05T11:28:00.006-07:00

Rules: Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answers.

Ten years ago:

1. I don't remember that far back...oh yeah, living in ABQ.

2. Working for a dentist.

3. Mountain biking the Sandia Crest at 10,678 feet elevation (Five+ miles on "downhill blue" ski slope in the summer, see photo. I did this 3 or 4 times).

4. Directing the church choir (1st time for everything).

5. My youngest was 16. I went to his band & youth philharmonic concerts.

Five things on today's to do list:

1. Feed the cats.

2. Feed the chickens.

3. Gather the eggs.

4. Dishes, laundry, etc.

5. Add 50 people to my genealogy file through research.

Five snacks I enjoy:

1. Dark Dark Chocolate w/almonds.

2. Buttery popcorn and ice cold chocolate milk.

3. Jelly Bellys.

4. Cashews.

5. Mother's Circus Animal Cookies (iced pink & white).

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Get out of debt.

2. Travel to see family.

3. Buy the top notch camera of my dreams.

4. Take photos of tombstones, for genealogy.

5. Travel for fun.

Five places I have lived:

1. Princeton Ave., Fresno, CA

2. Osuna Rd., Albuquerque, NM

3. Suburban Dr., Austin, TX

4. Glen Hills Dr., Rio Rancho, NM

5. 8th Ave., Show Low, AZ

So I tag: Jenna, Hannah, Brandy, Lyndsay, Dylan.

Mountain Bike Trails at Sandia Peak

Close Call

2008-08-01T15:14:00.005-07:00

Last night someone came to the door just before I was going to go out and put the hens up for the night. After our guest left so did my thoughts of what I needed to do, sooo I didn't get out there until after dark. I opened the gate and went out back, then I saw her...our friendly skunk, about 3 feet from me. I didn't trust that she might be super friendly enough to not let me have it! I backed up and went back in and got the flashlight, made a lot of noise so she would take off. Yowza, I was a little worried there. We enjoy leaving out old eggs, and leftovers for her. She has never "skunked" us in the 6 years we have lived here, but I sure didn't want that to change last night. I lucked out. Here is a picture of her from last year. I was standing by the back door with the window open to take this. How do I know she is a she? She brought her 2 babies last year to eat, and I can tell by her size, compared to the daddy skunk we've seen.

Our Hens

2008-07-29T12:50:00.006-07:00

Pearl, Pepper and Prissy

How fun it is to go out and walk the yard with the chickens. Even more so to go in and retrieve the eggs, and they taste great too. You can tell I'm a city girl, I'm sure no one that was born on a farm, and has to do this every day thinks it is fun. Holiday lets them out in the morning, and I make sure they are closed in every night since we have racoons, skunks and wild beasts living in the area. We clean out the "Chicken Catchiatorium" once a week, and truly enjoy their antics during the day. It's quite hillarious watching 2 or 3 of them going for the same worm, and the chase that ensues after one gets it. I think I need to get a more exciting life (ha! ha!). We have had them since July 12th and they have become accustomed to us and the property. They still don't stand still for you to reach out and pet them, but they love to eat from my hand. Well, I thought it was time to blog and share our dull life with everyone. I'll try to think of things to post.

Oh, Pioneer!

2008-07-24T06:23:00.011-07:00

How privileged I am to be a descendant of this marvelous woman. The following is a brief sketch of my great great grandmother, Roxena Mecham Carter's life, as told to her daughter, my great grandmother, Anelia Carter Van Ausdal, on the 7th of October 1916.

My name is Roxena Mecham Carter, daughter of Edward Mecham and Irena Currier Mecham. My father joined the Mormon Church when I was seven years of age. he sold his farm in Pennsylvania to go with the Saints to Missouri in September 1837. We traveled two months, stopping in Indiana three weeks with my father's brother Moses Mecham. My father persuaded him to go with us to Missouri although he hadn't yet joined the church. My father's brother, Ephraim, came with us also. Dimick Huntington came to father and told him not to cross the river for the mobs were killing the people. They had killed fifteen that night. I stayed out with father in the rain all night in a wheat field when he was guarding our house. Mother was too sick to leave the house. They killed our neighbor's 15 year-old boy that night along with a little boy and girl and threw their bodies in an old dry well. The older boy's name was Alfred Nelson and I used to go to school with him. The little boy was named Smith. They also killed his father. Joseph Young covered them up with brush.

When we arrived there the people that had been expelled by the mobs were sitting on the banks of the Missouri River and many were sick with the fever and ague. It was the last of November! My father drove to a place called Quincy and stopped all night. The family who took us in had just had the cholera one month before. Her husband and twelve children had all died but one. The next morning my father drove 30 miles to a small town called Columbus. He moved us into a house in a field on my birthday December 2nd. The house was very open and cold and we sure suffered. We only stopped there two weeks, then moved into the town of Columbus, Illinois and rented a house from a man named Mr. Chapps. We didn't dare let them know we were Mormons as they were gentiles.

We lived in Columbus until spring, then we moved across the Mississippi River to Iowa. It was a fine place with plenty of deer and wild game. Father would go out every few days and shoot the wild turkeys. Deer were as numerous as cattle. They came in herds around our place to eat hazel brush and other browse. I gathered hazelnuts there. We lived there five years as did father's brothers, Uncle Moses and Uncle Lewis. Mother was so frightened of the mobs that father moved us across the Mississippi River. I used to go to the edge of that river and get mud with my toes to make play dishes, then I would bake them. Father put up a house five miles from Nauvoo. We lived there four months and all took sick with the fever ague.

Father went away one afternoon and didn't get back until late in the night. While he was gone a big thunder storm came up. It happened that a young man named Henry Snelson was plowing in the field. It rained so hard mother got him to come in the house and the storm was so bad he stayed all night because we were alone. Father came at eleven o'clock. Just then the house was struck by lightening and nearly all torn from over our heads. I was struck and to all appearance I was dead. For a half hour my eyes were knocked loose from my head. Father pressed them back as he laid hands on my head. He sent Henry Snelson a half mile away to get a brother Chase to come to our assistance and he told him I was killed. Mother was burned by the lightening and stunned. Father was also stunned for a few minutes. He laid hands on me and asked the Lord to restore me to life three times before brother Chase got there. He and mother would not give me up, and his faith brought me back. I began to struggle for breath just as brother Chase got on the door step, and he moved us to his house in the night. I was blind for four weeks from the effects of the lightening.

We all went into Nauvoo to hear Joseph Smith, our beloved prophet, preach his last sermon before he went to Carthage Jail to give himself up. It was just one week and one day before he was killed. He preached under a bowery. I had come to my eyesight just enough to see the wave of his hand through the light, but I slowly recovered my sight and the Lord heard our prayers. We then moved into Nauvoo the day he was killed. I went with my parents and the saints to meet them as their bodies were brought into his mansion. We went about two and one-half miles to meet them. We went the next day to view their bodies as they lay there, an embodiment of all that was good and pure. It was a sad day, one never to be forgotten. We also attended their funeral. My father, with twelve other men, buried them in the Nauvoo house cellar at the hour of midnight, and after they heard the mob had found out where they were they took them and buried them in another place. Even after they had so brutally killed them, the mob was not satisfied. The blood thirsty villains were still wishing to do more, for they offered a big reward for their heads.

Father rented a house in Nauvoo. The mobs had given orders for all the Mormons to get out of Nauvoo or they would kill us all. There were seven hundred of them. My father and many others moved out the first of June. We crossed the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and stayed at Mount Pisga awhile. Five or six hundred members of the church came on to Council Bluffs. We then went to a place called Bonaparte. My grandfather, Joshua Mecham, died there and grandmother, Permelia, was left there alone; but some of the saints brought her with them to a place called Garden Grove. It was in the fall of the year. Father went with an ox team and brought her to our house in Council Bluffs. The place we lived in there was called Parley's Springs, but after that it was called Carterville. We lived there two or three years and became acquainted with William F. Carter. He played the drum in the Nauvoo Legion Band. We were married on the 13 of March 1846. We crossed the Missouri River on the ice and were married by Brigham Young and then went back to Carterville (which was named for my husband), and lived there for two years. Then we moved to Cainsville, and my husband set up a big blacksmith shop and the mobs burned it to ashes. Also his first wife's house when her baby was only three weeks old. She was ordered out by the mob and she sat on a goods box and watched her house burn.

Just before I was married, my father was so sick with measles I had to drive three ox teams and yoke them up. I drove them 500 miles. I drove two yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows all on one wagon. Mother had two small children and father was too sick to drive. The measles settled in his back. Sometimes the young men of the camp would come and help me yoke up the cattle. When we got to the Bluffs six hundred Mormons were called on by the governor to go and fight the Mexicans. President Brigham Young told them to go and there would not be a drop of blood shed and his prophecies were correct. They beat the drums for volunteers and my mother and I saw father fall in to line in the ranks, although he was weak and could hardly walk. Then Brigham Young sent for him to come to his camp that night and he said to father, "Brother Mecham, I don't want you to go with the Battalion. You are too weakly a man. Stay behind and help build houses for the widows that will be left." And he did. He went into the timber and cut logs for two houses, one for us and one for William F. Carter's first wife Sarah York. He built her house adjoining ours. He would cut logs and I would haul them with an ox team. The six hundred volunteers went and we stayed there three years.

In Cainsville my husband made hobbles and horse shoes, and many garden hoes for the gold diggers that were enroute to California. He sold them and got plenty of money to go on our journey to Salt Lake City (they arrived in time to be counted on the 1850 census). I carried my baby across the plains. She was so small and weak. When we got there he gave one thousand dollars for one home and he sold stock for another home. We lived there fourteen months, then sold out and moved to Provo. He rented a farm from Isaac Robbins. We lived there three years. My husband went up on the east bench in Provo and took up one hundred acres of land where the asylum now stands. He built two houses for his families to live in. In 1852 he was called on a mission to the East Indies. He and Brother Forthingham went from Provo to California in an ox team. He sold his oxen and violin for transportation across the ocean to Calcutta, and he stayed there three years.

As soon as he left home, there was trouble with the Indians, and the Blackhawk war broke out. My father and Uncle Lewis Mecham lived up by us. One day some Indians came up there. They looked angry, and they muttered something to themselves. Father and Uncle Lewis took their families and ours that day and went down to the town of Provo for fear of being killed, and I believe we would have, for the next morning they went up there and the Indians had shot arrows into our pigs and chickens. So we had to move to town to stay.

I am the mother of ten children, 100 grandchildren and a good many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. I was born in Salem Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. My name is Roxena Mecham Carter. My father's name is Edward Mecham, my mother's name is Irena Currier. My father's mother is Permelia Chapman Mecham. His father was Joshua Mecham. My mother's father was John Currier and his wife was Sally A. Silver. My husband was William F. Carter. Our children were: Irene Chatwin b. 1849, Elvira Houghton b. 1851, Edward M. Carter b. 1853, Arletta Chatwin b. 1855, William F. Carter b. 1858, Meribah Clemens b. 1860, Sally A. Richmond b. 1862, Junietta Wall b. 1865, Amasa Carter b. 1868, Anelia Van Ausdal b. 1872.

My mother and I were baptized into the Mormon Church when I was ten years old in 1840 by Nathan Tanner. We both were confirmed by the Prophet Joseph Smith. We were baptized in a big creek in Iowa and we were confirmed on the bank of the stream. I was 16 years old when I was married 13 March 1846, and was endowed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, 25 October 1869 by Brigham Young.

Front Row-Arletta b. 1855, Roxena Mecham Carter b. 1830, Irene b. 1849
Back Row-Sally Ann b. 1862, Junietta b. 1865, Anelia b. 1872, Marybah b. 1860.

Roxena Mecham Carter died 15 September 1919 in Santaquin, Utah at the age of 89.

Great Finds!

2008-07-21T10:26:00.010-07:00

A few weeks ago we cleaned out our shed, and I finally found items I thought were lost and gone forever. At this time of year, we reflect upon and celebrate the journey of our ancestors' trek and their arrival into the Great Salt Lake Valley. I discovered a copy of a letter that was written by my great-grandmother, Anelia Carter Van Ausdal in March 1931; the 89th anniversary of the Relief Society. It was placed in a strong box, which was engraved, "This box is to be opened on the anniversary of the Relief Society in the year 1981. I was truly relieved to find this wonderful document. I am thrilled to have the testimony of this great woman and her expression of love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I scanned and forwarded it to my siblings, and I hope they enjoy it as much as I do.

Anelia's parents, William Furlsbury Carter and Roxena Mecham Carter were asked to stay in Iowa until 1849 or 1850, as he was a blacksmith and was asked to stay and prepare the wagons, horses and equipment of other emigrants. They arrived in Utah in 1850 in time to be included on the census of the Great Salt Lake County.

The picture above is of my great-grandfather and great-grandmother, William Miller Van Ausdal and Anelia Carter Van Ausdal. They were married 21 April 1890, this is a photo of them taken sometime after their marriage.

My Kitties

2008-07-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

I believe I have always had a cat. I LOVE my soft furry creatures. I remember when I was little, one of my first cats was a black cat with gold eyes; his name was Pedro. We rented out our house and moved away for a year when I was 6, and when it came time to pack up and go back to our real house, Pedro was nowhere to be found...we think a neighbor lady stole him and kept him in her house until we were gone (so my dad says he thinks happened). I know that whenever I have been sad or lonely I turn to them first. Their constant purring is very comforting and relaxing. They say it will bring down blood pressure, I can attest to that.

There have been many kitties over the years, mostly due to the fact that they didn't stay in the house all the time and they weren't very street smart, to put it mildly. Since Nick showed up at my doorstep on Christmas Eve 1992, I decided there would be no going out. They can stay active indoors and live a little longer. Nick is now 16, and Cooper is 4. I figure they can enjoy the birds from the window, and I don't have to worry about finding a flat cat or receiving treats of birds or mice at my doorstep, thank you very much. My husband could tell you how frantic I am if one sneaks out. Nick slipped past our feet at the door one day and we spent quite a while outside searching for the little stinker. One night, Nick pushed open the screen at the kitchen window that was only open 3 or 4 inches. I looked all over the house for him in the morning, not aware of his escapade. When I looked outside, he came crawling out from under the shed; straight to the bath, you filthy dirty cat, but still alive thank goodness, and at least the skunk didn't find him first. I don't think he learned his lesson though; he will still try to sneak out. When the grandchildren are here, my first instructions are "be sure and close the door so the cats won't get out." I hope that's not all they remember when they visit.

While I am sitting here at the computer, my feet are kept warm by Cooper, who always seems to shadow me. He follows me to whatever project comes next. If I am sewing he will lay at my feet or right beside me; sometimes he will stand at the window and cry for me when I go out in the yard. Is there a greater love than that?