Excited...

This I know...

In April 1985, Bruce R. McConkie spoke in general conference... just 13 days before he died. I will never forget this talk. He concluded with this powerful testimony. I cry every time I read it or listen to it.

And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God—I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.

I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.

But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.

~ "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane" Bruce R McConkie, Ensign April 1985

Now that's a slip and slide!

Mark, Cash, and Colby having fun at their ward party. What a slide!

So brave!

Mark sent Colby down the slide like a bowling ball!

That's Mark and Colby at the bottom of the slide!

Mark made it all the way down on his feet, show off! 

 Go Cash!

Grey wasn't quite ready for the big slip and slide.

 Fun Dad with muscles!

(Photo credits to Tiff, who will be on the slip and slide next year!)

Awesome swimmers...

I'm so impressed with Cash and Colby, they are really learning to swim. Cash missed the first round of lessons because he broke his arm, but he has quickly caught up. He swims the full length of the pool. He also dives for rings. Colby is confident, and he looks so cute with his goggles on.

 Good job fellas!

Just Grey...

Tiff took Cash and Colby to see a movie on Tuesday, she wanted have an outing with them before the baby comes. So it was just Grey and I.

He is delightful!

I brought Grey a souvenir from Wyoming, he liked his bear backpack.

 

"These are my fireworks." Grey carried these around all afternoon!

I told Grey it was nap time. I said if he would take a nap, when he woke up we could play some more. I said, is that a good idea? He replied, that is not a good idea. We laid on the bed, I fell asleep, but he never did!

What a beautiful, sweet boy!

Bulls, Cows, Calves...

I like to stay with Lloyd and Rhonda at their ranch. I like to go for walks in the morning. The air is clean, and it's nice and cool.

Sunday morning I woke up to a rooster crowing. I fell back asleep for a bit. It very unusual for Lloyd and Rhonda to sleep in, but we had a couple of late nights, so I was glad they did.

When Lloyd got up he asked me to drive out with him to were the cows were, because he had to bottle feed a calf. His mom doesn't have enough milk, so they need to supplement. Soon enough the calf will start stealing milk from the other cows.

I really love spending time with Lloyd, and watching him do chores. He helped our Dad, and grandparents for years. He learned from best that hard work pays off. 

We drove to where there were a bunch of calves and cows. Lloyd got out of the pickup, and started saying, "Here baby, here baby." Soon the calf came running to Lloyd, and he enjoyed his breakfast. 

You can see #71 ribs, but he will catch up real soon. 

After the chores were finished I drove back to town to visit my brother Kenny. We had good visit, better than when I saw him in April. He smiled more. They are taking good care of him at Lifecare. I noticed he kept leaning forward in his wheelchair. I asked him if his back was hurting, and he nodded yes. I rubbed his back for several minutes, and he seemed to like that. I always hold his hand, and tell him that I love him. I walked away wondering if this will be the last time I will see him. I had the opportunity to thank some of the nurses and aides. One nurse said, Oh we love Kenny. That made me feel good. I pray for him everyday. 

I also took flowers to Les and Mom's grave. How I miss them.

Later that day my aunt and cousins joined us at the ranch. Lloyd had loaded up two bulls to take out to the pasture were the ladies were! So we got to ride along and watch Lloyd turn out the bulls.

It's a lot of work to run a ranch. Lloyd and Rhonda both know all the best ways to take care of the livestock. They actually really care about the cows. Lloyd calls them "his girls." 

 Cousin Teri loved seeing the horses.

Rhonda cooked up a delicious dinner. We sat around Grandma Federer's drop leaf table.

We talked and laughed until dark. It fills me to the brim to be with my family.

Federer Family Reunion 2017...

After we scattered Uncle Dale's ashes we gathered at Clear Creek Park in Cheyenne for a reunion. Many of our aunts and uncles have passed away, so our numbers are getting smaller. Aunt Kay is the only one left of my Dad's brothers and sisters. It's a little strange thinking that my first cousins and my siblings are fast becoming the oldest generation. 

I have to say that my brother Marion was the star of the day. He hasn't been to a reunion for several years. Aunt Kay was so happy to see him!

 Lloyd ~ Mandy ~ Theo ~ Debbie ~ Chad

 Rhonda ~ Patsy ~ Margaret 
Bob and Joyce Parker (Grandma Federer's cousins) ~ Raeland

 Reece ~ Chad giving Theo a kiss
Tracy ~ Debbie ~ Casey ~ Shaylynn

 Teri ~ Lloyd

 Bob Parker ~ Eileen

 Debbie ~ Tracy

 Rhonda ~ Paden ~ Kaden ~ Reece
Theo ~ Chad ~ Lloyd

Jimmy ~ Reece ~ Chad ~ Theo ~ Kaden

 Theo, who won the best dress award and cousin Greg

Marion ~ Jimmy

My cousin Margaret who is 95 years old...

she is nearly blind, she is ever sweet, positive, and we are all amazed by her.  Her Dad, Louie was Grandpa Federer's brother.

Our dear Aunt Kay with cousins Teri, Debbie, my brothers Marion and Lloyd and cousin Chad.

First cousins... what happens in Wyoming stays in Wyoming!

My cousin Greg shot a video of the whole group, but he didn't take a picture. Darn.. but we had about 30 family members attend the reunion. 

From the video that Greg shot:

We are not a perfect family. Some of my family members smoke and drink way too much. But that's our family. Sometimes they cuss, but they are always willing to help out a family member or a friend in need. They love their children and are good parents. They offer support in good times and especially during sad times. I love them, and will always try to keep family ties strong. You just have to show up.

#wholefamilystrong #throughthickandthin

Federer Family Reunion 2017

Lloyd Federer and Rhonda Bowman

Mandy Federer Morava, Paden, and Jasper

Theo Federer, Teigan, and Raeland 

Eileen Federer Williams 

Marion Federer 

Heidi Federer Parker

Jimmy, Casey, and Shaylynn Federer

Patrick and Aaliyah Sims

Kay Federer Dangerfield

Debbie Federer Coy

Teri Federer

Margaret Federer Larsen

Pasty Larsen Redd

Chad, Tracy, Reece, and Kaden Federer

Greg Federer

Bob and Joyce Parker

Budweiser Jim