Birthdays...TJ and Macie

These two got to celebrate their birthdays this week.  I'm so happy that they are each part of our family because they each add so much. 

TJ's birthday was on the 5th. TJ is funny and makes us laugh.  He's a hard worker and he cares about our family.  He is a really good dad and loves all his kids.  I have enjoyed watching him with his newest addition.  There is so much love and concern for little Behr.  He displayed that for the other kids too but there is a different sense of pride and joy that is added to his fatherhood since Behr.  It's fun seeing.  I think he is even kinder to Trichelle or at least more attentive.  He's a keeper!

Little Miss Macie Marie turned 2 today on the 7th.  She makes me smile.  I love this age and everything new she is doing all the time.  They learn so much when they are little.  Macie is old enough that she wants to stay with me now.  She is going to get to have a sleep over.  I was talking to her Sunday about going shopping with me to get her a present and when it came time to go she said "no...gramma's."  I asked her if she wanted to stay with me and she smiled and said yes and was content to stay.  She didn't get to just because we weren't ready for her to but it's going to happen this week and I'm excited.  Macie is starting to talk and she clicks her tongue on the roof of her mouth now that she has one. :)  She is learning her colors and loves playing with dolls and purses and girlie things.  She is such a cutie and I'm so glad that she is ours.  I love this little girl so much.

I have been asked if I have favorites and I can honestly say each child has qualities about them that are my favorite but as a whole I love each and every child with all my heart.  They each bring me so much happiness and life wouldn't be complete without them.  Right now though...Macie is my favorite 2 year old.

Mal and Kathy

Today we met again and had lunch because Kathy had ordered Mallory and I a bracelet for Christmas and when we met to exchange gifts they weren't here yet.  As we were leaving today Mallory mentioned that we were getting away with out pictures.  I had my camera but sometimes I don't think they like taking pictures and so I don't.  I had been thinking that I would just collage some pictures of us over the years.  Mallory thought that maybe we should bring a few different shirts with us and change and get a years worth all at once.  We do always have the same back ground because we always go to Applebee's at 3:00.  Then only picture in the collage that wasn't at Applebee's is the one of Mal and I sitting at a table.  That was before we decided to just make Applebee's our meeting place.  

I love these gals.  They are both very dear to me and I cherish the memories I have of us together.  I love our visits and the good advice we all share with each other.  Life is really good and it's nice to have the love and support of such good friends.  

The Anderson's

Finally we had this cute family over for dinner.  We have mentioned it for over a year and it happened tonight.  It really wasn't hard coming up with a day or time and so we'd better make sure it happens again soon.  Issac and Luke were seriously so excited which pretty much makes me happy.  We use to get to tend these cute boys but haven't for a few years and I think they have missed coming over as much as we have missed them.  They are fun boys.  We adore Heather and Jerry and always have.  Jerry was one of Larry's Priests when Larry was Young Men's President and they have been friends since.  We got to know Heather through Jerry and love and admire her so much.  I love that I get to go to the plays and other outings with her too.  This is just a great little family that has made it through some really big challenges.

Isaac and Luke LOVE Jared!  Jared is so good with kids and always takes the time to play with them and make them feel special. Tonight Jared wrestled with these guys and they were all sweating pretty good.  It was fun to watch them since these little guys have grown so much.  Jared can rough them up a little more now that they are bigger.  Isaac gave Jared a hard time for being so skinny.  He said he could squeeze Jared and feel his insides move.  Being too skinny is not Jared's fault....he eats a lot.

I love the Anderson Family.  They are like family to me and us.  We really enjoyed having them over.  The boys actually wanted to spend the night because they didn't want this night to end.  Actually when they got in their truck Luke said those exact words..."I wish this night would never end." (Heather text me)  I'm glad they love us as much as we love them.  We really do need to make sure we have them over more often.

I'm thankful for friendships that last and last!

I Am Thankful

 I like when Kevin come over to do his laundry because he usually brings his cute girls with him.  I didn't get a picture of Kamryn but I did enjoy her cuteness and hugs.  The little's sure have a way of brightening up any day.  I sure do love them all so much.  I am Thankful for my Grands!

 I am Thankful for my brother and that he is able to come and visit now.  Bennett is funny and positive and loving and a really good guy.  It's fun having him around....he makes me laugh out loud and smile a lot.

I am Thankful that my mom invited us all for dinner.  That hasn't happened for over 15+ years and it was nice.  We had a Thanksgiving dinner that was yummy.  I enjoyed all the sighs and yummy sounds everyone was making while enjoying our dinner together.  (it really was good)  I am Thankful for Larry and his ability to talk to my sister and others.  I appreciate his questions and interest in them. I am Thankful that I have learned to be Happy any time and anywhere.

It's a New Year!

Hip Hip Hooray for a New Year!  I love that the years fly.  I love all the new experiences and fun each New Year brings.  I'm excited to see what's in store for my family in 2016.  I know we are going to have a few new additions...that's always exciting.  Maybe a new addition will come from a marriage....that'd be cool.  What ever this year brings there will be more blessings than not and so I am looking forward to another year to celebrate life.

I plan on attending the Temple weekly and reading my scriptures daily with the family and by myself.  I plan on listening to the Spirit and being directed by Him.  I plan on writing a book about Jared's story since the fictional book that was written could really confuse people on what really happened.  I have an idea of what I'd like in the book and so I'd better be the one who writes it.  I plan on helping my mom and doing her scrapbook that she asked me to do.  I plan on being kinder and more positive.  I decided that I will not talk about the negative things that have happened in my life but only the lessons learned from them.  I feel so terrible when I speak unkindly.  I plan on trying to understand others instead of being offended or hurt by others actions or words.   I plan on smiling and feeling the Happiness that life brings each day.  I plan on counting my blessings!  I plan on Enjoying 2016 with my Family and Friends!

Happy New Years Eve

I LOVE Our Family Tradition of going Bowling with the Jones Family.  We started spending New Years Eve together when our kids were young.  We have made so many fun memories over the years and I am glad that we still are doing this with our grands now.

We use to try go to different bowling alleys but now we reserve the bowling alley in Morgan.  It's a great way to go.  We get to have the place to ourselves for two hours.  We can bring our treats and just have fun.  The owner, Keith is a great guy.  This year he has a beard and little Macie called him Ho Ho...he does look like Santa.  It's fun meeting together and bowling and visiting and catching up.

Our families really enjoy each other.  We have camped together and use to share a time share on a house boat at Lake Powell.  Our kids had fun growing up together and now their kids are playing together making memories.  Tonight the girls were dressing up and playing so cute together.  When it was time to leave there were some moans and groans.  

Everyone made it bowling this year.  I enjoy remembering back over the years and seeing how much Vicky's grands change from year to year.  Brock just keeps getting taller...he's 6'4.  Brock is just 3 months older than Jared but has always been so much bigger.  Both families have a few new little's this year. They are all so cute.

I can't help but get a  little emotional now since Dave has passed.  He is the one that started reserving Morgan Lanes and he is greatly missed.  Vicky is such an example.  She is so strong and smart.  She has so much going on but seems to be handling it as good as anyone could.  We admire and adore sweet Vicky.

My grands borrowed my camera and had a little fun with it.  These three make me smile.  They are cute and goofy and silly and completely wonderful.  I'm glad they all enjoy each other.

This year it was our turn to have the dinner and games at our house.  I left the Christmas Decorations up and even the balloons from Larry's party. Larry thought I should and so I did.  In fact, Larry doesn't think I should worry about putting the Christmas Decorations away for a while. I think I will but not sure when.  Brook shared a memory of coming to my house to play while Vicky and I crafted.  Vicky and I use to craft together a lot.  I don't craft too much these days.  I think it's because I keep my old things and because I can't see as well to do it.  I'm glad Brook remembered and shared with us.  I enjoyed listening to Nick talk about his kids and their differences....it's fun seeing these kids parent.  We have good kids and for that I am thankful.

Most of the families left around 10:00 because the babies needed to go to bed and prefer their own beds.  We had a few stay though and so we played 5 Crowns and it lasted right up until Midnight.  Cindee had brought us lots of party horns and so we stepped out into the freezing night and blew those to bring in the New Year.  We visited with Vicky a little longer while her car warmed up.  We sure enjoy Vicky.  I pray for her.  She is a great example and really is pushing forward with a smile.

Alexi and Nate

 My adorable niece, Alexi was married today to Nathan Baldwin.  It was a chilly day but wonderful.  Alexi is beautiful...inside and out.  I love this cute girl.  She radiates goodness and her spirit beams from her.  I'm so happy for Alexi and Nate, they have a great life ahead of them.

I had only met Nate once and so I watched him today and I liked what I saw.  I believe he knows that he is blessed to have this cute girl as his wife.  He was tender and got a bit teary a few times.  I like him!

I had the honor and privilege to share a few thoughts at the luncheon that they had.  Alexi called me the other day and asked me if I would.  As soon as she asked me I started crying because I felt so honored.  I did a little better today while sharing some thoughts but did get a little teary when I told Alexi how much our family adored her and was so happy for her. I felt very blessed to have the opportunity to share my thoughts about Alexi.  She only had her cute sister Shay and me share a few things...so ya...I feel special.

I love Tonya and Marks family and their cute grands and the ones that have married into to the Coy family.  It's so rewarding to see our kids grow up to be awesome adults.    We're excited for Alexi and Nate....fun times are headed their way.