I have a confession - for the last 2 years I have patiently, persistantly and lovingly guided and trained this sweet little grand-daugther into one of the best snail catchers in all the land. We don't call them "snails", we always call them "ca-ca snails". We have had a lot of fun and deep conversation while in persuit of these annoying creatures, it is a time I really look forward too (for more than a couple of reasons). Now, I've never told Annie what happens to the ca-ca snails we collect, she just loves being outside and helping Grandma and I refuse to believe I am taking advantage of her - she's really a natural! Lately, however, her mother has been expressing some reservations about Annie's participation in this "activity" and I believe has been thwarting my endeavors.
Her eyes are sharper and her little fingers quicker than mine, and she doesn't hesitate to snatch those ca-ca snails no matter how big or how small and place them in her bag -
Just a few in this early morning catch (the princess outfit just adds, doesn't it?)
I just can't stand what those "ca-ca" snails do to my plants!
And flowers -
Well, the last time we had our "hunt" I was working elsewhere in the yard and noticed Annie hunched over a paver and gently talking to something . Curiously, I walked over and saw she had taken a few of those ca-ca snails out of her bag, placed them on the paver and was encouraging them to "race" each other. I asked her what she was doing, and with those big brown eyes she looked up at me and said "Gramma - I really love snails"
WWWHHHAAATTT??? Could this really be true? I was stunned (this has Marisa written all over it!). I told her to go ahead and play with the er...a "snails", but not to forget to put them back in the bag when she was finished. Awh - now I do feel guilty in having her participate in our "hunting" activity.
While contemplataing this new twist to my plans, I remembered a game her mother and I used to play when she was a little girl. Maybe next time Annie comes up for a visit, instead of engaging in our regular "hunt", I'll get this game out and explore the possibilities of helping her develop other talents - afterall it claims to be "an exciting game of pursuit, chance and skill".
P.S. I know all about snail bate, but it doesn't work as well as "disgarding" them in the bags.
Yummy -
And even a little video -
We have had the priviledge of working on a LOT of the Temples (most recently the Oquirrh Mtn, Draper, Twin Falls and Rexburg) and find it a little interesting this isn't the first problem with this Moroni on this Temple. At the setting ceremony (quite a big deal when they actually put Moroni in place - you know, work completely stops while everyone watches Moroni being raised by crane through the air to be placed on top) but this time he was tilting and they couldn't get him straight. The ceremony went on, the pictures were taken but he had to be removed and "worked on" before finally being placed (unceremoniously) back in place - straight. Now he'll have to be removed - again, "worked on" - again, and replaced - again. Could it be we possibly have a REBEL Moroni here? I 'm going to pay attention to this Moroni in the future - I think he's trying to tell us something!
Her eyes are sharper and her little fingers quicker than mine, and she doesn't hesitate to snatch those ca-ca snails no matter how big or how small and place them in her bag -
Just a few in this early morning catch (the princess outfit just adds, doesn't it?)
I just can't stand what those "ca-ca" snails do to my plants!
And flowers -
Well, the last time we had our "hunt" I was working elsewhere in the yard and noticed Annie hunched over a paver and gently talking to something . Curiously, I walked over and saw she had taken a few of those ca-ca snails out of her bag, placed them on the paver and was encouraging them to "race" each other. I asked her what she was doing, and with those big brown eyes she looked up at me and said "Gramma - I really love snails" 
WWWHHHAAATTT??? Could this really be true? I was stunned (this has Marisa written all over it!). I told her to go ahead and play with the er...a "snails", but not to forget to put them back in the bag when she was finished. Awh - now I do feel guilty in having her participate in our "hunting" activity.
Love you, little Cate!
Ez had as much fun jumping on the couches as he did the bounce toys! What a boy -
This is the only picture I have of my adorable grand daughters, and it's BLURRY (because they were going SO fast down the slide)
What a handome boy -
Cate even got in on the action - all too soon, she'll be flying down the slide just like the big kids.
The happy couple -
And here they are today - handsome Tim and his beautiful girls!
Happy, Happy Anniversary Tim & Marisa - we wish you many, many, many more! 
