Birthday's & Mother's Day Celebration

Is there anything in life greater than celebrating family?

Is there anything better than the those times in your life when you are all together as one?

For me it is always the highlight of my life, seeing my children and my family together in love.

Here we are celebrating Emy, Kate, and Kyle's birthday and Mother's day.

It's always fun and it's always the best thing in my life ---- the celebrating --- the celebrating family and everything it stands for.

What is the saying? "We might not have it all together, but together we have it all!"
That's my sentiments exactly!

Happy Birthday Kyle, Emy, and Kate! Thanks for giving me a reason to once again --- Celebrate!

These moments are always beautiful and priceless to me.

And at no time does it get any better than those times we are together!!!

I'm so glad someone invented a camera!

The word Photograph is Greek in origin. Photo means LIGHT!

Photograph means "Light Drawing" or to "Draw the Light"

How profound that in every picture God has allowed me with my camera to record the light that lives in the human soul! The light of Christ that shines from every face, and an instrument to draw it and record it forever.

Is it any wonder then why I love taking pictures, a chance for me to draw the light! The light of Christ! His light that shines in each one of us!

Just look at the light in Ali's face and in Kate! What a blessing to have them in my life and to have an instrument designed to capture their light!

For Mother's day Des went beyond the call of duty. Here she sketched the light of three important woman in her life, my mom, me and herself. Well, Des you did such a beautiful job! I know this took you many hours and I know you were afraid to frame it for fear it wouldn't be good enough. Well, it's priceless and a gift I'll treasure forever. And I think Desi, you captured the light with just a pencil so beautifully!

So as you can see it was another great Crowther celebration. But the true gifts of the day were the ones that didn't come in a box. They are the gifts of the spirit and of the union of being together, of knowing there is great love in all of that. For when we are together, oh there is so much light! Seeing the light of Christ in my family and in the love we share for each other is always the most beautiful part of the day, those are the true gifts of the day. Well, I keep saying that one of these days I'm going to get my tripod out and put my self into this lovely portrait of people I love with heart and soul. The trouble is I'm always so content just looking at the group. It is my greatest joy! Thanks family of mine! It was a beautiful day! I love you all!

Happy Anniversary Kadie and Kyle

Old age makes me lose track of time! I know it's Kaedell and Kyle's Anniversary, but do you think I can remember how long they've been married?

Long enough to have to of the cutest kids ever!
Well, I just wanted to take a minute and wish them a Happy, Happy Anniversary!
Kadie and Kyle are the greatest! The last picture here was taken on our trip in Hawaii. Kyle was our financial manager, kept track of everything, helped get our vehicles, did alot of arranging stuff for us, and just made our trip so much fun! I won't tell him he's got a permanent job now! Well, I'm very thankful for both of these kids! They bring a lot of joy to our family! Happy Day!

Fun Day

I'm not sure which event put the biggest grin on Kate's face; the ladies that came out, stood in a row, and sang happy birthday to her, or the giant chocolate cake they plunked down in front of her. No matter, we sure had a great time.


Kate and I have a tradition! It's a tradition I will do with all my little granddaughters once they turn 5. We go to Rainbow Gardens and have lunch, then go shopping.

This time Kate brought her doll along for the party and the waitress was pretty cute when she discovered Kate brought a friend. She moved us to a table so Kate's friend (doll) could have her very own chair, plus she brought out tea and crumpets for our party (crackers and water.) She was the cutest waitress ever and she got a great tip from me that day because of it! We had quite the time! I had done a photo shoot that day earlier before I met Kate, so I just happened to have my camera along! Oh happy day! Nothing like capturing the moment!

Well Kate, Grandma can hardly wait until it's your birthday again next year! You are getting so grown up! You are the sweetest little girl and I'm so glad you are mine! Fun, fun Day!

Biggest Loser Declares A Winner!

Yes, I know this post has been long coming! But today the "Biggest Loser Contest" is officially declaring a winner! Now is when you can all faint and pass out because the winner is none other than yours truly ------ ME!

Oh, I have taken some serious abuse over this win! Seth said my tactics were dishonest, posting candy on the blog, making repetitive statements that I hadn't lost a pound, leading the competition to view me as non threatening.

Well, you all remember that I said in the beginning I had a strategy! hahahhhahaha, "Keep your friends close, and your enemy's closer!" LOL!!! I can't believe they fell for the "Fancy Cakes"! But I'm going to sit my thinner butt down and have one right now with a big ole glass of milk to celebrate!

I can't divulge my weight but lets just say I pulled out a pair of pants in my closet that had six inches of dust on them and I zipped them up without the need of a vice grip! Hahhahaha Now, that's not to say they were all that comfortable yet, but hey, they fit!

The best thing about this whole stupid contest is that it got me back walking. It feels so good to get back to my exercise regimen! I am now walking/jogging everyday again and wow, that feels so good! I have long been a fan of exercising. Maybe it's just that I love being active! Use it or lose it! So I'm glad this contest got me back to a good habit. I've been an avid walker for 21 years. But a bad habit set in this last year and I'm happy to have snapped out of it! I have my kids to thank for that!

I did feel bad though because throughout the entire contest Seth really was the most dedicated to it all. My desires really didn't kick in until the end, and to Seth and Kyle, who got this silly thing started, I thank them because it's really done two things for me.

1- It feels good to have food "NOT" control me! Today I've learned you can have a cookie, just don't eat the whole bag! The biggest thing that has helped me is portion control!

2- Believe it or not I've gotten off my sugar addiction! Wow, does that ever feel good. Oh, I still have a little candy, but that's just it, I have a little!

Now don't get all excited like the next time you see me I'm going to have some great body! Nope, I'm still pretty round, but today I have a little more money in my wallet and I don't have to undo my pants after every meal! ahhahahahha Now I've just got to pray the habits stick!

Who wants to bet me I can maintain my new weight for a year? Double or nothin!

Thanks kids! Fun Contest!

WICKED SWEET!!!

For Christmas our kids gave Glade and I the nicest gift, an evening out on the town! We started our night with dinner at the Macaroni Grill, a favorite of ours, it was so yummy and just a fun evening. Then we crossed over a couple of blocks to be seated for the play, "Wicked". I'm here to tell you, it was "Wicked" SWEET! We loved the play. I cried so hard at the end. Who would of ever thought I'd grow a spot in my heart for the wicked witch of the west! Wicked is based on the "The Wizard of Oz" for those of you who are not familiar. It tells the story of Elphaba, and how she became the wicked witch of the West. It is a touching story with so much symbolism to life. And since I'm a great fan of the stage our kids thought Glade and I would enjoy it, and they were right! We enjoyed it immensely!!! It is now a favorite of mine. I could have listened to the young lady who played Elphaba sing all night long. What a beautiful voice. So I just wanted to say thanks kids! It was the best night ever! I'm off to buy the music now!

Congratulations to the Graduate!

It is no small thing to graduate from College with your Bachelors degree! That is a feat in and of itself! I want to congratulate Caroline today for all her accomplishments! Way to Go! Kudos to you today!


Look at that smile! She earned every right to it too! You are the cutest Girl!!!!!!!!!
Caroline is a nurse, and amazingly enough, they don't give you your Bachelors degree after you complete nursing. So really it's like Caroline earned herself two degrees! There is so much intensive work to become a nurse! She could have easily stopped there but this little girl is full of vim and vigor, and she went on to finish up with her Bachelors degree! Smart GIRL!!!
I just love you Caroline, you are the best addition to this family and you bring so much happiness and delight to us all. So congratulations today on all of your determination and hard work! Now when are you going to get your Masters? Hahahhahahaha You GO GIRL! I love you!

Happy Anniversary Gav and Caroline!

The ultimate is getting to celebrate your anniversary in Hawaii!!! Well, I know it would have been nicer if you had been all by your lonesome, but hey, you can't have everything!

So I know this is late but it comes with no less heart! Gavin you picked a winner, Caroline, you picked a goof ball! Hahahhahaha I'm just teasing Gav! Your the greatest soul ever and you know it! I just love you both so much! I love what you both do to my heart! You are the best kids and so important in the Crowther chain!

Ok, hope you had a great celebration. I know you got to go to the Luau and they brought you down on stage to pay tribute to you. That was cool! Lets go to Hawaii next year for your anniversary too, ok?

We love you! Happy day the day I got Gavin, Happy day the day he picked YOU Caroline!

Great Posts Coming Soon To A Blog Near You!

I think just about everyone who knows me, knows my family just took a vacation to Maui, Hawaii. It was a vacation we had planned for sometime, and the fact that we actually went, is still somewhat astounding to me. It sort of feels like it was a dream and I'll just leave you with this thought, I'd give that dream well over a five star rating! I also know one thing, I'm going to take my family and we're going to do it again! This trip was a keeper!

I know this is a funny thing to post on a blog, but this trip turned out to be a spiritual experience I will never forget. This photo you see up above has a remarkable story to it. I don't know if you can faintly see the scripture in the sand, it comes from first John, chapter 4 verse 19, but the entire 4th chapter has great meaning! As you can see the rock is shaped like a heart. I sat in this rock every morning at 5:00 am, on the beach by our condo we stayed at there in Kihei. The picture doesn't do justice to the size of the rock or it's meaning in me, nor does it tell of how I discovered it. For now I'll just say I had ten of the greatest mornings I've ever had in my entire life, and just know for now that God loves me, and I think He vacations in Hawaii too! I know one thing, I never in my wildest dreams thought He would show up to teach me in such a profound way on a beach in Hawaii on a simple family vacation! My Father in Heaven has great style, oh how I love HIM for it!

Great trip Fam! Everyone get your best pictures together! For now just know there are going to be lots of pictures and blog posts on our trip coming up.

Happy Birthday Kyle

Kyle is not a man who likes to be seen in front of a camera! I thought of resorting to the picture I have posted like three times to the blog, but I thought I'd do Kyle a favor and since it is his birthday and all. So I searched far and wide and found these two photos.

We just got back off the greatest vacation ever and I happened to snap this last picture just as Kyle was headed out to take on these killer waves we found on one of the many beaches we went to in Hawaii.

Kyle is a great son in law! He's always with us in heart and in spirit! He's a great support to my family and probably the one thing that I love about him most is how he always shows up with his whole heart! He really works at being one with us and I love that about him. So Kyle we just all wanted to wish you a GREAT BIG Happy Birthday! WE LOVE YOU! Glad you didn't die in that killer wave and I'm glad you are here with us ready to go on many more fun Crowther family trips!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here are a few pictures of Mom doing what she loves. The bottom one with her on the tractor reminds me of the many times mom has taken the wheel on pretty much any machine she can get her hands on. We watched her back the trailer into place many times when we were kids and I remember thinking, "I never want to have to do that". You've always been brave Mom, on stage and off. I love the middle picture for heritage reasons. It is where Mom grew up and we played as kids. Fun memories for all of us. The top picture is my favorite though. We all know of Mom's new-found love of taking pictures. Her smile shows how happy she is capturing bits of life. Mom you used to tell me when I was little that you wanted to keep me in a jar so I wouldn't get big and have to face this big world. I guess you've found a way to keep your family in a "jar". Or perhaps you just remember how busy life was with little ones at home and how little time there is to think about snapping pictures. Either way the moments you've captured are priceless! Thanks for being there for all of us as we've grown and now behind the camera!

We love you! I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Birthday Kater Bug!

Kater Bug! Happy Birthday! Gage and I wanted to tell you Happy Birthday and tell you how wonderful we think you are! You have such a sweet spirit about you, you are always making us smile and laugh every time we see you! I can't believe you are already 7 years old, I have known you since you were just a little 2 year old and you get cuter every time I see you! We just wanted you to know that we love you so much and hope you have the best birthday ever! Love ya Kater Bug!

Happy Birthday Kater Bug!

Can't miss out on wishing this cute little girl a great big happy birthday today! Kate, Nana loves you soooooooooo much! You are the sweetest little girl! I got to have a date with Kate a few days ago and we had such a fun time. I got some really cute pictures too, so that post will be coming. Right now though I just want to throw my arms around you Kate, give you a big hug, tell you how much I love you and how much everyone loves you and what a special girl you are! So glad Heavenly Father sent you to us. Hope your day is really special just like you. PS I loved hearing you giggle when I called today and sang to you on the phone. Nana misses you - but most important Nana Loves you, Grandpa too, EVERYONE!!! Hugs Grrrrrrrrr