I'm So Excited........(May 31, 2012)

It has been several months since I have been to Oahu with Kerry.  I am excited to return with him for the next two weeks.  I love my time in paradise with him.

Hope?

One can certainly hope!

Memorial Day 2012

Thank you to all of our Veterans who have served on my behalf. This man is my hero, friend and Father. He served in the Pacific during World War II. He is the one who taught me Patriotism by his quiet example, humilty, and respect. I love and miss you dad. I also love and miss my sweet Mom. Happy Memorial Day everyone.

Happy Birthday Nora

Happy Birthday to a sweet little girl.  She was so active while she was here I had a hard time getting a picture of her looking right at me.  I can't believe she is growing so fast but she is such a delightful little girl. 

She has the most beautiful hair, it makes her seem so much older than she is.  I wish we had more time with her, hopefully she will be closer soon!

Happy Birthday Nora.

Quiet Observer

Today Natalie had brake problems on her car and so she came in and had them worked on with our favorite mechanic.  While they were working on her car she and the kids came and stayed at our house.  After I finished cleaning bathrooms I decided that we needed to go to lunch.  So I got cleaned up and we headed to Costa Vida.  It was fun to be with them and just visit with Natalie.  However I observed such a sweet experience during the time that we were there I had to write it down.  When we pulled in there was an older gentleman pushing an even older man in a wheelchair trying to find access to the sidewalk and into the building.  He then helped the man in the wheelchair order and get him seated and then he got his food.  After a few minutes I noticed him jump up and meet someone at the door and he escorted an elderly woman to the same table where he took her order and got her food.  He was obviously the son of these two people and watching him with them was such a sweet experience.  He helped them eat where necessary and took care of every need they had.  Most of all he did all of this as a real gentleman and with this huge smile on his face it just made my day.  He had obviously been trained well by them as parents and was in return caring and loving them, very sweet.

Ireland-can't wait!

I found this on the internet today, it is one of my favorite verses or sayings.  As we prepare to take our "anniversary trip" to Ireland I thought this would be a good thing to include.

Thought for everyday!

I love this what more can be said?

An Old New Favorite!!!

Grandma Moments

Last night I went to see Caleb's second grade program, it was very cute.  I love little kids singing, I just wish I didnt' cry so easily!!!  The songs they sang were all from my childhood or teenage years kind of interesting.

I arrived just before the concert started and was delighted as I walked across the back of the room when I saw that Spencer and Emma had big smiles on their faces as I got closer to them. I went up to take a picture of Caleb sitting with his classmates and as he saw me I experienced a similar smile. We went to get snow cones afterward and playing with the kids on the grass while waiting was delightful.

After the concert I stopped by to see Tanner and Olivia and they didn't know I was coming.  I pulled up in the road behind the house where they were outside playing with mommy and neighbors.  When Tanner saw me pull up he had a huge smile on his face and came running to me saying, "Grandma, grandma, grandma..." I got out of the car and was greeted by a huge hug.  I looked up to see Livy running towards me giggling. 

Saying that these little kids made my day is an understatement but these kids made my day.  I would have stopped to see Jack but it was too late.  Maybe today I just can't get enough of my Grand kids, but wish they were all closer.

I"m So Excited......(May 18, 2012) The Inner Geek Comes Out!

   Recently there have been several things that have reminded me of the good ole' days.  Last summer for my birthday Rosemarie took me to see Donny and Marie live in Las Vegas as well as Celine Dion.  It was great fun to see Donny and Marie especially as close as we were sitting. (Celine was fabulous as well!) This family is such a great group of entertainers  Then when we were at the WCC Basketball championships in Vegas "The Brothers" were playing at the same venue can I tell you how badly I wanted to sneak away and buy a ticket to see them!!!!  Most recently KUTV did a piece about them on the late news and that officially took me over the edge.  I looked up current info on the brothers only to discover they are doing their "farewell" tour, they have been to England and sang to sold out audiences.  Wayne had suffered a stroke and like Alan can no longer tour, this made me so sad.  Of course they are doing a show here in Utah and I won't be able to go because of family  plans.... :(
However, I discovered on Amazon they had the old albums on double CD's so I ordered two.

                                                      THEY CAME TODAY!

So the inner geek really came out.  It's been raining outside and this brightened my day.  I immediately played the live concert and relived a very fun memory, I even brought out the dance moves with it.  It's a good thing they came while I was alone so I didn't embarrass any of my girls. 

It's funny I went to this concert with my Mom, my brother Les, and some good friends of mine.  Just like in the live recording I remember screaming my heart out.  Since I saw the news story I thought about all of the silly things I as a fan used to do, like my room plastered from floor to ceiling with various Osmond pictures (which I still have), and listening to the music, far louder than my mom appreciated, over and over and over.  I have also realized that at this time in my life The Osmonds were in a way life savers for me.  The early seventies were tough, I could have easily gotten into drugs and other things because it was so easily available.  Fortunately I had a great example in my family of the gospel and the temptation wasn't really strong but .... About the time I was introduced to people who offered things to me The Osmonds came on the scene,  if they could be so popular and live up to the standards so could I......  Just after we went to this concert my friends changed and I was being ridiculed by quite a few in my Jr. High for being LDS and became the brunt of many jokes, I was given a nickname that I still cringe when I think of it, but I still had my Osmonds and a year later our ward was divided and best best friend Donna came into the picture.  This new group of friends in the ward grew very close and we did everything together for quite awhile.  We kind of lost contact when we all went to different High Schools in the area and sadly Donna passed away two days after Kerry and I married, she was supposed to be my Maid of Honor at our Reception in Arvada, she died that morning.  Never the less the Osmonds played a great role in my young life and I still love the music. 

I had the opportunity to meet Jay and saw him on campus several times but didn't make a big deal of it.  Even with a roommate who came to Provo soley to meet them.  I recently saw Merril in a local store and really wanted to talk to him but decided against it they need their privacy too!  I keep hearing all of these people who see Donny at various places and I just don't.  If I could meet them I would thank them for being a part of my life.

REVENGE IS SWEET

If you can call it revenge  I can now tease my girls about their favorites as well.  Years later Cydney was so in love with NSYNC that she plastered her walls and ceilings as well.  It was actually quite fun and my own mom reminded me that I couldn't balk at the thought of her taping pictures to her walls and ceilings.  Two concerts stick out in my mind the one in which my mom attended with me to see the Osmonds and our entire family going to see NSYNC, two generations of screaming girls, great memories.

So today the inner geek is out in full force and I am loving it!

I"m So Excited........(May 14,2012)

On our last trip to Zion's we stopped in Parowan and Paragonah to do some research on my family line.  I

can tell you that I only found a little info. since Silas Sanford Smith wasn't there for a long time before he was called onto to settle other areas.  But I have been bitten by the bug once again.  I will do another post about it but we did come across this picture.  It was the first real home he built for his family after living in a small damp fort in Paragonah. 

We had driven through the small town prior to going to the city information center for possible leads.  When I saw this picture and we looked at an old town map I knew that the home was still standing.

This is how it looks in 2012.  I am amazed but it gave me the chills to know this is still standing because it was built by his hands back in the day.  I have seen another of his homes in Manassa but this one is even older...   Doing this bit of fact finding has given me the bug to learn more about my ancestors. 

Olivia

Look who's one. 

 I can hardly believe that our little Olivia is one year old today.  She is such a beautiful little girl.  They are all growing up so fast it breaks me heart.  But, I do love being a part of their lives.  Happy Birthday Olivia, it's time to celebrate!

I'm So Excited......(May 6, 2012)

This little guy has become an official member of the church.  We are so proud of him and love him so much,

It's a day at the park.

Some of us were able to go to the park and play.  Discovery Park is one the kids love. 

I couldn't resist this happy little face.

Peek a boo!

I see you.

So cute.

Watching from above.

Hi Grandma!

I love to swing.

Can you hear the giggle?

Not wanting to leave!

More giggles.

Finally here-Jensen's

They were supposed to arrive yesterday but their flight got canceled and then they ended up staying over night in a hotel and then flew out today.  It was a very frustrating trip and they even thought about canceling before they even left Kansas City.  But they finally got here and I am so happy.  We had planned a family bbq the night before so we just postponed it for one night.  Natalie had planned a fun evening for the family.

Love seeing them play with each others kids.

Sweet face!  She was incredibly shy despite bieng with her a few times earlier in the year.

Lucky Natalie, she warmed up to her really fast.

The bubbles were a great hit.

Feeling like a song from Fiddler on the Roof, when did she grow up to be a beauty?

New friends!!!!!!!

Getting rid of the headaches. Ken showing them how.

Not a well focused piture but I love it anyway!

Still kind of cold in the evening.  Snuggle time with Dad.

And with mom.

Not too cold for the ice cream though.

Natalie had found a recipe to make ice cream, it was fun watching everyone try it, especially her!

Sons-in-law!!!!

Does it help freeze faster?

Lovin it!

Sharing time with cousins.

Newest Stevenson family adopted member Katie, and Rebecca working on their ice cream.

And Spencer as well.

And Jessica helping out as well.  Say cheese.

Everyone seemed to be having fun with this.

A cute duo here!

These two disappeared and I found them downstairs with the drums, like father like son.

This is how we determined what type of hamburger we were going to have tonight.  We were allowed three spins and could trade one.  It was a lot of fun and everyone was a great sport about the selections.  I think we will have to do it again.  It's always great to have family together.