Really Behind

It has been a very long time since I have blogged. January was a cold, snowy month as usual. Not a lot going on. I did do a lot of scrap booking. In fact, I have scrapped about 1 1/2 years of scrapping and will be caught up to the year 2004 when I finish the rest of my half year. Since the weather has changed, I have a hard time doing very much each day. Hopefully I will keep going and get it done. At the end of January we watched the Johnson kids while their parents went on their cruise. That is always fun. Valentines came and it was the first time in 24 years that I haven't had to work on Valentines. So, I actually made a candle lit dinner and had gifts for John for Valentines. It was fun to do. I did miss doing flowers though and I wondered how the day went at the flower shop. Oh well, life changes. I am finally going to have my knees done. I need them both replaced. I went in and they decided to do all the pre-ops. Whoops, my blood pressure was sky high. Dr. Mills told me to go see Dr. Zollinger about my blood pressure. It was out of control, so I am now on blood pressure medicine and I had to go to the hospital and have an echocardiogram to make sure my heart was good. The results came back good. My blood pressure is a lot better and so I am scheduled to have the surgery on the first knee on April 3rd. Oh, I pray everything will go good and I can have a very speedy recovery. This past weekend John and I went up to Island Park with Tif's family for the weekend. We stayed in their friends cabin. It was so nice and relaxing. I could have stayed for a week or two. Tomorrow is all the Easter egg hunts around the valley and Sunday is Easter. We are going to have our first cookout of the year and pray the weather will be nice. Heather and Lizzie are coming up for the next week. It is spring break and she wants to be here to help me a little when I get home from the hospital. It will be fun to have them here. Well, I hope everyone is ready for spring and that you all will have a Happy Easter. Take care and be happy.

Merry Christmas to Everyone

 This year for Christmas we had so much fun.  We started off with the big "ORR" party of course.  We always go to the Egin church and have a big orrdeal.  Vickie's family was in charge and they did a super job.  They had a ham supper, games, bingo, a pinata, Mrs Claus and of course Santa Claus.
The next day, Sunday, we had our Poulsen family party at my house.  We had hoagies, salads, relishes, cheeseballs, crackers, and lots of treats and goodies.  That evening we went to the cemetery to sing Christmas carols to all of our loved ones.  That afternoon the kids did their gift exchange.  They rotate family names each year and buy for that family.  We had a super time.  I wanted to take pictures of each family because they were all here.  So, here they are.

 This is a picture of Brett and Tiffany's family.  Conner, Brett, Tiffany, Bryce, Kallie and Malorie.

 Here is Heather's family. Heather, Lizzie and Koby.

 

   This is Trever's family, Jaimie, Trever, Isilee, Tyce.

        Bridger and Jacie.

 

                                     Christopher's family, Christopher, Courtney, Max and Ella

 

 Lindsay and Rob's family, Lindsay, Adrie, Rob, Taylie and Camri

     Davids' family, Heather, David and Nikida

After coming back from the cemetery, we played games, ate treats and had a really fun time.  Heather and I just about wet our pants when we played the games.  It was pretty funny.
 On Christmas Eve Day we went to Tif's and ate finger foods and then made gingerbread houses.  We do this every year and it is a great time for all.  Heather, Koby, Lizzie, Grandpa, and I spent Christmas eve together.  We shared Christmas morning together and then Trever's, Lindsay's, and Heather's families came for dinner.  We had soups and rolls, crackers and relishes.  We had a wonderful holiday season and we hope you all have a very Happy, Prosperous New Year!!!!

FAMILY REUNION TIME

This past week we had our annual Family Reunion. Tiffany's family was in charge this year. We left early Thursday morning and headed to Utah where we started with a very 'SWEET" deal. We went to the Sweets candy warehouse and store where they took us on a tour of the candy making place. It was awesome and very informative. Afterwards you could sample different candies and then shop at the store. We all bought some sweet treats. We then headed to Hogle Zoo. Brett and Tif stopped and picked up pizza and breadsticks and drinks. We went inside the zoo and found a nice shady place to eat and then went thru the zoo. It was great! It has changed so much since I was last there. Lots more shade and lots more exhibits.
My favorite was the polar bear. He put on quite a show for everyone. He would swim and then come right up to the glass in front of the kids. They all loved it. The sea lions were fun to watch underwater also. We had a great afternoon at the zoo!
When we were finished, we went back to our motel and checked in. We waited for a few latecomers to arrive and then we went to In and Out Burger for dinner. Afterwards we swam at the motel for an hour or so and then finally went to bed. It was a very busy day, but oh so much fun!
Yeah for Friday!!!! I think the kids were the most excited for this day. We went to Lagoon. It has been quite a few years since I have been to Lagoon. They have lots of new rides and the trees have grown so much that it isn't too bad as far as heat. We played and played all day and into the night. We got there at 11:00 and we didn't leave until 11:00. Everyone rode and rode and all tried new and exciting rides that they had never been on. A few of them even swore as they were getting ready to take off or drop.(Not to mention any names, Koby and David)
The little kids loved all the rides that they could ride. And the adults got there fair share in too.
It was a super day!!! Everyone was tired and all slept pretty good.
Saturday came and we slept in and then went and swam before we had to check out. We then went to a park where Brett and Tif provided lunch and had fun games to play. We also did crazy skits that were really fun. Everyone won prizes and enjoyed the day immensely. For our final event, we went to the Brigham City Temple open house. It was beautiful and so nice to be able to see it. It was a great weekend and I am so sad that it is already over. Thanks Tif, Brett and family for making us some great memories to share. We love our family very much and are so grateful we get to spend time with them.

CATCH-UP

I haven't posted for awhile so I am going to play catch-up. The months just seem to be flying by.  I can't believe that June is almost over and it is almost the 4th of July.

We have done a few fun things this spring.  We went to Yellowstone Park with Tif and her family and it was awesome.  We seen Buffalo with their babies, a black bear, elk, coyote, deer, and a Mama Grizzlie with 2 cubs.  I have never seen that much in the Park before. It was a great day.
We have celebrated a few birthdays.  We went to Logan for Max's 2nd Birthday and that was fun.  He was super excited .  Isilee and Jacie both had a birthday and today is Lindsay's birthday.  She is 26.  Boy, I'm getting old.  We went to Post Graduation in Boise for David.  He is a jailer and had to go do that for 5 weeks.  John and I spent the night in Boise and had a nice time just being together for a couple of days.  We have celebrated Mother's Day and Father's Day and that is always nice.  The kids spoil us, but it is fun!!!
We also went to Christophers Graduation in Logan.  He graduated with 2 Masters.  We are very proud of him.
We celebrated Memorial Day and everyone was here but Koby, Heather, and Lizzie.  We had an indoor cookout of course.
Grace was here for 8 days and Russ, JJ and RuthAnne came and spent the night.  They all went with us to watch The granddaughters do their dance recital.  What great sports.

Heather and Lizzie are coming up in a couple of days to spend a few days.  Then, we are going down for the 4th and the car show.
Christopher and Courtney just found out they are expecting a little girl in November.  That will give us 10 granddaughters and 5 grand sons.  They are the best!!!!

John and I are both busy working.  I take a little more time off than he does.  He works way too much.
We have a huge garden this year and lots of yard work.  John does a lot of it and it looks really nice.  I have been trying to get rid of all the weeds in the garden and am slowly accomplishing that.  That darn Eve!!!  We wouldn't have all these weeds if it wasn't for her.  HaHa!

Life is good and we are Happy.  We are so blessed with wonderful kids and their families and we love them all very much.  Have a great summer and do SOMETHING FUN AND MAKE SOME MEMORIES!!!!

Has SPRING SPRUNG???

Today is the first day of Spring 2012. It is cold outside and overcast. We had about an inch of snow yesterday and it was windy and cold. I sure hope it comes soon, spring that is. The snow has all melted today.
We really have nothing to complain about though. Our winter was unreal, very mild and hardly any snow. I only remember driving on snowy roads a few days last winter. It was really nice.
The spring work is just around the corner and I don't know if I am ready for all of it. It is a good thing I have John to help me because we have a lot to do.
Last week, Lindsay, the girls and I went down to Heathers for a few days to just get away and visit and relax. We had a nice time. I read lots of books to my grand daughters, we went swimming, we watched movies, took the girls pictures and did a little bit of shopping. It was nice, but time goes by so fast.
This week, John and I will be going to Boise on Thursday and Friday for David's graduation from Post. He has been there for 5 weeks doing and learning the things he needs for his job as a jailer. It will be nice to get away again and hopefully it will be really warm there.
Well, hopefully spring is on its way because I think I am ready. I hope you all have a great week and are excited for Spring to Spring forth. See ya later.

Great Times in Island Park

Last Friday afternoon the Johnson family picked us up and we headed to Island Park for a night getaway in the famous cabin (BRETT"S HOT TUB CABIN) It was so much fun and so relaxing. It was just what we needed. When we got there, some of them went for a snowmobile ride, some of us just relaxed, and some just played and played. We had a super time. We ate great food, played games, played pinochle, made hairbows, sat in the hot tub, and snowmobiled. On Saturday they all rode the snowmobiles quite a bit. Brett was tired of putting on snow clothes all thruout the day. At one time, it was really snowing and blowing. They were on the snowmobiles and I was sitting in the hot tub with the snow just drenching me. It was awesome, and so beautiful. They kept saying the roads were closed and Malorie and I were excited to think maybe we would get to stay over another night. But, we headed home about 7:30 that night. The Ashton hill was very slick and then there was such a terrible storm once we got to Ashton you could hardly see 2 feet in front of you. It lasted all the way to St. Anthony and then it cleared off and was nice.
It was such a fun weekend and we really want to thank Tif, Brett and the kids for inviting us. Thanks again. We love you and appreciate you.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

We survived!!!!! Yea!!!
Valentines has come and gone and lots of women are probably really happy that they were remembered by their sweethearts. I can honestly say that I helped a lot of that happen. We were so busy at the shop for 4 days straight. It was wild at times, but the girls that helped at our shop did an awesome job. We kept up very well and they all were very happy and helpful. Tiffany helps us every year and she does such a great job keeping us all organized with the orders, answering the phone, waiting on customers, and wrapping flowers. Thanks Tif. We couldn't do it without you. My honey bought me a pretty card and we ate Fongs. It was great! I hope you all had a super Valentines Day. I had to work the day after and it was pretty busy also, but today I am at home being really lazy. Yesssss!!!!!

That Time of Year When LOVE is in the Air

Well, it is almost here. That wonderful week of Valentines. We will be very busy I'm sure and it will be just fine! I'm not going to complain, I'm going to reflect on the Love of my Life instead.
John is a very wonderful husband and he is so good to me. He has always been very loving and kind. He would do anything for anybody and he always tries to do what is right, even though sometimes he gets knocked down or discouraged. He has always been very respectful of women and thinks very highly of the women in his life. He loves me and his daughters very much and we all love him too. He loves his daughter-in-laws and his grand daughters and would do everything possible to make sure they are always protected and safe and felt loved. He is a one in a million/ trillion great guy!
John, I want you to know that I love you with all of my heart and am so grateful that you are mine. Thanks for all you do for me and our family. I hope you have a Happy Valentines and many more to come. I am so glad I get to spend all of my life and all of eternity with you. I Love You!!!

Also, I wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday also. It was his birthday 2 days ago and we had a great time celebrating it. Tiffany planned a family home evening at the bowling alley. Everyone came and ate pizza, bowled and had cake and ice cream for John and Conner's birthday. It was really fun. Thanks Tif. And thanks to everyone who came, called and gave him lots of fun gifts.
You deserved a good day Hun!

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!

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!!!!!!