Grandma Needed A Break

This past weekend I decided I needed to get away for a day or two. So, on Thursday night I headed down to Heather's. It's always fun to go and see the kids in Logan. Lizzie was excited to see Grandma. I also went to see Christopher, Courtney and Max. It was Christopher's 29th birthday and so we went to dinner with them and over to have cake and ice cream. It was really nice. While I was down there, Heather taught me lots of things on the computer, we shopped, visited and just hung out. It was a great time to just relax for a few days. I am now heading back home. I think I have been rejuvenated. A change is definately as good as a rest!

SCHOOL HAS STARTED

This is just a wish for a Happy Day to all the mothers out there whose children went back to school today! Hallelujah to you!!!! I remember how excited the kids were when mine were growing up, but I think the Mother's are the happiest of all. This has been a little longer summer break and so I know you are all Happy that today has arrived.
Good luck to all my grandkids for a very fun year. Be safe and work hard in school. Love you all!!!!

Family Reunion

Oh my goodness, where does the time go???

It has been a month since we had our family reunion and I haven't had 2 minutes to sit down and blog about it. So, here goes!

This year it was John and I's turn. I kept debating what to do and finally chose to stay close to home, real close to home! We camped in our very own yard. It was really quite fun I thought.

The kids were all told that the house was off limits except to use the bathroom. We were pretending we were in the mountains with all the luxuries of being close to home. They were so good and did just as Grandma asked. We didn't play games on the computer or Ipad or phones.

We started off on Thursday night with a temple session for all the adults and then dinner at Applebees. Not everyone was able to go, but those who went had a great time. The next morning between 10 and 12 everyone was to come and set up their tents in the back yard. Heather from Utah was one of the first ones there. She was way excited and so was I. Everyone kept showing up and pretty soon the back yard was full. There were six tents ranging in all sizes and we still had more room. Every family was in a different color shirt and so we took pictures 1st. They all looked so good. Then, we had lunch. I bought subway platters and made salads and had Aunt Tamra make her famous brownies. It was yummy!!!!

After lunch, we went and done 2 service projects, babies and all. We went to Aunt Edna's and washed her windows and then had popsicles under the tree while she told us about our grandparents, great grandparents and even great great grandparents to some. She had pictures and told us a lot. It was really neat. We then took a picture with her. Then, we headed over to Uncle Lowell's and Aunt Lucille's and did the same thing. Uncle Lowell told alot about that side of the family and then had old machinery to show that they had used. It was quite an experience and I think we all learned a lot. I learned things that I didn't even know about my grandparents. Uncle Lowell is the last one alive on my Mom's side and Aunt Edna is the last one alive on my Dad's side. I think they enjoyed us coming also.
Next, we went bowling in St. Anthony. Some of the little kids even beat their parents at bowling. We then went home and had supper. Lindsay and Jaimie's families fixed taco salads and they were excellent. We visited, played, jumped on the tramp and enjoyed the evening. Then, all to bed. Right!!! Some of the men took a few little ones to the neighbors to do a little toilet papering.

The next morning, John, David, Heather and I made a big breakfast for all and then the days events started. The men and Conner and Bridger went golfing and the rest of us stayed and did crafts. The little kids had a super time and made lots of fun things, swords, crowns, bracelets and lots of things. When the men got back, we ate and then had an afternoon of water fun. Jaimie and Heather had planned games, relays, water slides and of course some water fights. It was great and the weather was perfect for the whole reunion.

Brett, Tif, Koby and Heather did the night meal and it was delicious. We had sirloin tip roasts cooked slowly all day, with dutch oven potatoes, salad, rolls and desert. Yum!

After dinner we had a talent show. Every family participated and it was really good.

Later we ate smores, enjoyed one another's company and then some of them headed home. A few of us slept over night again and then sluffed church the nex t day and just relaxed. After church, everyone returned and we ate hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, rice krispy treats and just spent the afternoon hanging out.

I think it was a very successful reunion and we all enjoyed being together. It is so fun to have reunions and I can't wait until next year for Tif and Brett's turn. I won't have another turn for 7 years. Yeah!!! I love all my family and want them to all know it. Love you all!!!!!!!!!

Birthdays and Anniversaries!!!!

July is always a fun month. It's the 4th of July, my birthday, our anniversary, the 24th of July. Lots of fun things happening in this great month. I had 3 days of birthday fun. I relaxed most of the day and then John took me to Texas Roadhouse. Afterwards, we got a chick flick and went home and watched it. The next day, Tiff's family invited us for dinner and then all of the other kids and their families came for cake and ice cream and presents later that day. It was way fun and I was pretty spoiled. On Monday, I went with my sisters to Applebees for lunch and we celebrated again. It was a great Birthday.
Two days later was our anniversary. So, John and I took off about 3:00 and headed to West Yellowstone. We stopped and ate at Ponds Lodge and then went to the Playmill to watch High School Musical. It was super good. Afterwards we stayed at my sisters cabin for the night. We went home about noon the next day. It was really nice to get away even if it was only one night. Now, on to the next activities!

Great Week and 4th of July

For the past 2 weeks, we have been having a lot of extra fun with grandkids. We tended Lizzie for 10 days while her Mom and Dad went to Alaska. It was fun and she was a sweetheart. There was only a few times that she got sad and wanted her Mommy. Tiffany helped watch her a few days while I had to work and she had so much fun with all of her cousins. She got to play with the Johnson kids, the Poulsen kids and the Call kids. We played in the pool, in the dirt a lot,(she loves the dirt) rode the carousel a few times, ate a ton of popsicles and just had a great time. I was pretty tired by the end but that's what happens to Grandmas when they get older. Last Thursday we took her home and then spent the weekend with Heather and Koby. Thursday night we went to the Beach Boy concert in Logan. Then, Friday the men went to the car show and we stayed and played in the pool in the back yard. We went over later and watched the awesome fireworks at the stadium. they were really good. Lizzie was scared of them and hid her eyes the whole time. Camri wasn't quite sure about them. Some she was a bit scared of and Taylie loved them. It was a great show though. On Saturday, the men went to the car show again and the girls went to the Logan Aquatic center and played in the pool for about 4-5 hours. We then watched the Cruize In on Logan's main street. They block the street off and let all the old cars from the car show drag main for a couple of hours. Its fun to see all of them. We then headed home on Sunday. Monday was the 4th. John and I went to the flag raising at the church and then we came home and tilled the garden and mowed the lawn. We didn't go to any parades or anything. At 1:00 we went to Nikida's 1st birthday party. There was a lot there and she got pretty spoiled. We had cake and ice cream and visited a while and then came home and had a nap. Later that night Trever's family and David's family came over to do fireworks. Jaimie had bought quite a few and it was fun to do. We enjoyed the time with family very much. We hope everyone had a great 4th.

Lot of Baseball

The last month I have had 5 grandkids playing some form of baseball, t-ball, fastpitch, you name it.
They have all had a great time doing so, except for the weather. Most of the season was very rainy and windy. Last week the 3 oldest, Conner, Malorie and Bridger all played a tournament. It was so fun to go and watch them and see how much they had improved over the season. They all did really well. All of them can hit the ball good and play the field exceptionally well. Conner has grown so much and he was the cleanup batter #4. He could really hit the ball. Malorie was their pitcher. She struck a lot of girls out and did great batting. Bridger played 1st base and boy could he catch and get those boys out. He also learned to hit the ball really well. Malorie's team took 3rd place and they got a trophy. It was a great month of fun to watch these kids develop their talents. Jacie and Kallie did t-ball. It was their first year and they did a super job also. They don't have a tournament. So, now, what is Grandma going to do every night of the week? I will have to come up with something. Love you all, you did wonderful.

The Passing of my sweet Sister Myrna

May 10th was my sisters b-day. She was 76 years old. She was nonresponsive almost all day, and then at about 5:00 she was very alert. Her family was there and they sang Happy Birthday to her and visited a bit with her. She then slipped back into a drowsy state and at 3:30 a.m. on the 11th she passed away very peacefully. We will all miss her so much! I am so grateful that she didn't suffer in her final hours and that she didn't die on her birthday. I feel like I have lost my second Mother and I think it is going to be very hard in the next few months. I always called her for advice on canning, gardening, and other things. She was always there for me.

Mother's Day and a Bit of Sadness!

Mother's Day was a very special day for me. John, Brett, and Trever all cooked us dinner. They stood out in the rain and cooked steaks and dutch oven potatoes. They did a great job and it was so fun to be pampered and taken care of. We survived the wild week at work also, so that was good. My kids all remembered their Mother and I so appreciate that. I love all my kids very much and they are all very good to me.
Their was a little bit if sadness on that day. My sister Myrna has really gone downhill from her cancer and I don't think she will be with us much longer. I had this feeling that I needed to go see her and I am so glad that I did. She is in bed now and as of today, she is not very responsive. I got to visit with her on Sunday and Monday. She held my hand and said she couldn't do this without me. We talked about death and she wondered why it was taking so long? She said she felt a lot of peace and wanted to know if I wanted her to tell Mom and Dad anything? We talked a lot about family and how important it is to tell them that we love them. I told her that soon she would feel peace and there would be no more pain or worries. She said she was waiting for that and to take care of everyone here. She told me I would have to put a lot of my family to rest, which I'm sure I will. I love Myrna with all of my heart and I don't know what I am going to do without her. She has been my rock for me, especially since Mom died. I always call her to ask canning questions and other advice. I hope and pray that she will not suffer anymore and death will be good to here. I love you Sis!!! Happy Mother's Day and Happy B-day today.

A VERY NEEDED WEEK-END

Friday began very early. In fact at 4:40 a.m. John and I got up and went to the temple. I haven't been in a while because I'm too lazy to get up so early, but today, we went. It was so nice to start our day that way. We did a session and then met David and Heather there because they were going with Jordan for the 1st time. We picked up Nikida so we could watch her, and then we went and picked up Camri and Taylie and took them home also while their Mom ran to Idaho Falls to do a little shopping. They were really good little girls to watch. Then, that evening we went to "Savior of the World at the BYU-I Center. That place is amazing and the production was so good. Kallie was one of the dancers in it and she did really good. I was so impressed with it and really enjoyed it. It was excellent. It really brought the birth of the Savior to life and his crucifixion. The cast was so good and the music was too. I was so glad we went. What a way to start and end your day!
Saturday morning we got up and headed over and picked up Linds and the girls. We then headed down to Utah for the week-end. It was Max's 1st b-day and all of us except Tif's family went down to celebrate it. They had a baptism on the Johnson side so they had to stay home. We first went to Pooh's house and spent the afternoon, then went to Max's party at 5:00. They had a Rock star party, with balloons, jello jigglers, pop rocks, ring pops, and cupcakes all like stars. And, of course Max was the star!!! It was really nice. They fixed dinner and we opened gifts and then they played rock band. It was so fun to see and hear that my kids could all sing and play the drum and guitar. They had a fun time showing their talents.
On Sunday, we just relaxed, visited, and fixed dinner for Trev and family, David and family, Linds and girls, Poohs' family and Dad and I. We had a nice dinner and then we all headed home. It was a nice break to get away and Heather was a great host to let a bunch of us stay. Thanks Heather and Koby for your hospitality. Now, back home to snow!!!! Yes, it is snowing again today!!! What crazy weather!!!!!!

I am sitting here looking at everyone's blogs and decided I should update mine. It has been awhile. I haven't done anything spectacular and we haven't been doing too much as a married couple. John is still looking for a job and so playing or going on a trip has not been an option lately. We did splurge and go out to dinner the other night at Applebees and that was fun. We have spent a lot of time together in our media room(that's what I call it) He is on the computer looking for jobs or playing hearts and I have been organizing my pictures or scrapbooking. It has been fun! We spend a lot of time watching movies at night, but it will be nice when we can finally get out of the house and enjoy some spring like weather. The snow is finally starting to melt, but we still have a long way to go. We have spent some time at birthday parties, upper valley idol, and just being with family and that is always great. Anyway, we are still alive and hanging in there. Hope to be a bit more active when the sun comes out. Happy spring to all of you!

Winter time Again

When we woke up this morning , we had a ton of new snow. Probably 5-6 inches easy. And it kept snowing while we were in church. This afternoon the wind came up and we have some pretty good drifts. If the kids had school tomorrow, they would probably be out because of the weather. Some of the roads up by Ashton, Newdale and etc. are closed for the whole night. I don't know if spring is ever coming!

WE SURVIVED

Valentines has come and gone and we actually survived. It was crazy this year. Saturday was really busy and thank heavens we had Sunday to recuperate. Then, Monday hit and holy hannah. All heck broke loose. I think every man in the valley wanted to spend money on some chickadee. I have never seen a holiday quite like that one. The 1st customer came in at 7:30 a.m. and it never stopped until 9:00 that night. We never even got to eat until 8:30 that night. We did 199 deliveries and had over 400 walk-ins that day. We definately needed more help, but we made it thru. We only had a couple of mistakes and so that was good. Our flowers were really good and overall we did a great job! Looking forward to Mother's Day. HAHA!