Christmas 2011

I am so dumb at loading things. You will need to scroll down to see a few pictures I loaded by myself but not in the right way. They actually went on as 2 separate posts. Who is the POST?
Anyway, I will learn.
Christmas was a great time this year. We decorated the tree after Thanksgiving this year and I had help from David, Lindsay and kids as you can see in my picture. We did lots of fun things. we had our big Orr party on Dec. 17th and then had the Poulsen exchange party the next night at our house. Everyone was here and it was really fun. We ate, went to the cemetery and sang carols, came back and exchanged gifts, had all the grandkids open their gifts from us, played games, ate and had more fun. We always give all the grandkids new pajamas. They opened them and then had to put them on before they open their next gift. This year we gave them each a toy. I think they were all happy.
On Christmas Eve, we went to Tif's and ate and decorated gingerbread houses. That has become a family tradition. John , Kallie and I decorated ours together. We made a pretty cute house. On Christmas day , there was church. So, we went to church, and then went to the Johnson's to watch them all open their gifts. That was very fun. John and I then went and opened our gifts by ourselves. It was just like when we were first married. W
e were back to just the 2 of us. We then fixed Christmas dinner and the Johnson's, the Poulsen's and the other Poulsen's (Trever and David) came and spent the rest of the day and into the night celebrating. The next day, John and I went around to all the other kids homes to see what they all got. Everyone had an awesome Christmas and we sort of spread it out over a few days this year. It is always fun to be with family at this time of year. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and that 2012 will be a very happy, prosperous and healthy new year for all.

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!