Game Day

Well today I was the "Lucky Duck".  Debbie taught us a new game and I won both times we played it.  The game is called Canadian Salad.  You deal all the cards out even if not everyone has the same amount.  The person to the left of the dealer plays any suit and everyone has to play that suit if they have it.  If not they can play any card they want and usually pick a high card to play so they can get rid of it.  The highest card in the suit played gets the "trick" and then they lead out by playing another card.  Every round is played like that but each round has a way of having you earn points.  (you don't want points) The first round you get 10 points for every "trick" you take.  The 2nd round you get 10 points for every "heart" you get with your tricks. The 3rd round you get 25 points for every Queen you get stuck with.  The 4th round the person that gets the King of Spades gets 100 points.  The 5th round whoever takes the last trick gets 100 points.  The 6th and final round you get points for everything.  Each trick the points are added up before moving on.  It was pretty fun. I think I only got 35 points total...couldn't have been for each game. (if anyone is left holding an extra card they get those points if there are any)

Julie, Lorrilee and I stayed and visited and then we all decided to go to lunch.  We went to ABC Mandarin.  It was a fun day.  Mondays are Fun Days!

The Malone's

I always like when Larry wants to invite friends out for dinner.  Larry and Matt worked this date out.  We went to Steve Marble's 80th birthday celebration and then to dinner.

I loved being able to pull down a sweatshirt and put it on.  I love spring weather and today it rained off and on.

Larry wanted to try somewhere new and Matt suggested the Huntsville BBQ.  We each ordered a dish to share that had a variety of meats.  It was good.  I totally agree that Dessert should be eaten first like the sign says.  Larry ordered a chocolate cake because he thought I wanted it.  (I didn't really)  We decided that we would eat it first and told the cashier that.  The bummer part is that we got our meal first.  By the time the cake with ice cream came out I was getting full.  I ate some cake and Larry ate the ice cream.  We visited for awhile and I felt pretty good and so I had some more cake.  That was the wrong thing to do.  I got to full and was miserable.  If I would have had the dessert first I could have stopped. haha  I had to go home and lie down while my food settled.  Before I ate too much the night was fun!  The Malone's are fun to visit with.  It's great having such good friends!

Ivy's Birthday

I can't believe that this cute Birthday Girl is 11!  She's taller than me now but still enjoys cuddling with me.  Ivy really likes me and never wants me or her to leave when we are together.  She just would stay with me forever if she could.  You know how that makes me feel right?  Pretty darn amazing!

I  love that Trichelle usually takes her birthday kids to breakfast.  I love that I get invited.  Today it was a last minute decision and so Kimi and I hurried and got dressed and met them at I Hop!  It was fun starting the day off with our Birthday Girl!

Trichelle and TJ had a fun day planned for Ivy.  She got clues along the way hinting on what was going to happen.  Trichelle took her to SLC to get her hair done.  TJ's stepsister is getting married today and so having pretty hair is a good gift.  I bet Ivy will remember this day more than she would if she got a really expensive gift.  Doing things together is the best!  Getting clues along the way make it more memorable.

I'm glad this child was born.  What a blessing she is in our family.  She is such a kind, smart, fun, adventurous, kind, thoughtful girl and a really good example to the younger grands. Ivy Marie makes this gramma's heart smile all over!  She's the one that made me a gramma...a title I didn't know I would LOVE so much!  I love Ivy!

A Few of the Grands

Ivy got to come play while her mommy and brothers did a little birthday shopping for her.  She was having her friends party today and Trichelle needed to get a few things.  I love that Ivy still loves hugs from me and snuggles.  She is such a cutie.  All her brothers adore her.  She is such a good sister.

I got to go pick up pizza for her and her friends.  She was having a swim party for her birthday.  She had a few friends from school over.  She has never been able to have friends from school since she has lived so far from them.  (when she went to the charter school in Layton)  They had a good time.  Carla and I had a good time watching them play for awhile.  I love watching my older kids as parents.  I think they all do a really wonderful job.

We call gramps since he wasn't home when we went over to wish him a Happy Birthday.  He was at Kevin and Julie's having dinner with them.  Kamryn made signs welcoming him to their restaurant.  Kamryn was also the waitress and served them all.  They sure love gramps.  We decided to go over to Kevin and Julie's to see and wish Gramps a Happy Birthday.  They were finished with their dinner by the time we got there and it was wonderful visiting with them all.  Kamryn made some yummy brownies by herself today.  I love how Julie and Kevin just let her do things like that by herself.

We got to enjoy Jordyn and the twins a little too.  Oh my word I can't explain how great these little ones are.  Grands are truly Grand!  I loved holding Jordy and flipping through her little cards with baby animals on them.  She pronounces her words really well and knows what the animals say.  She is so cute.  Julie played fish with Kamryn and Kamryn thanked her afterwards for playing.  Man, my grands have good parents.  I love seeing my kids take time with their kids.  They all do a really good job at it.  It makes my heart smile!

Book Club

We met at 8:30 am at Village Inn for our Book Club this month.  They put us in a corner at a round table, which was perfect for us to share our Book Reports.  I read these three books since our last book club.  The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto was written  with "music" telling the story.  It was kind of different but I kind of feel in love with the story.  It had a lot of twists and I even got ticked off at a few.  When I had finished the first part of the book, I told Larry I hated it.  I took it on vacation with us.  I kept reading it though and ended up liking it.  "Music" parallels  our lives with music.  We are all part of a band...at times people leave and join another band....things like that.  I like the correlations.   The story of Frankie Presto's life was intriguing.  I googled to see if there was ever a Frankie Presto but he was all fiction. ☺ The twists in the book are explained towards the end which relieved my inquisitive mind.

The Seventeen Second Miracle is a book I would suggest for others to read.  It's about how simple and quick kindness can happen.  It talks about how kindness will change our lives and others.  It's a good story that inspired me in many ways.  I like the kindness journal that was kept and shared over the years with many others to help them on their journey through life.  I have started a kindness journal but haven't kept up on it.  I need to get it out and record the daily kindnesses in my life.

Diana, Her True Story was actually sad.  This book was well written and real.  Diana was a beautiful lady but not a happy one after marrying the Prince.  She experienced so much heart ache.  She had to put on a happy face for the public and camera's even if she was miserable inside.  Diana was a kind soul and loved the less fortunate.  She was a caring mother that loved her boys.  Diana's biggest mistake was marrying into the Royal family.  They were not kind to her and her life became one of a prisoner.  Her pleas for help were ignored over and over.  I feel bad that she wasn't able to get away from the press and all the pressure it was to her.  It was the run from the camera's that ended her life.  It makes me appreciate my simple life even more.  Princess Diana has a Beautiful Soul!

After talking about our books we shared our thoughts on some Gospel topics.  The hours flew and the time was well spent.  I enjoy our book club so much.

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday ~ 

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Breakfast ~ What is your favorite board game? (first ones to come to mind) I like Sorry and Trouble and Ticket to Ride.  Monopoly is not on my favorite list and I don't know if it's because I am terrible at it or why.

Lunch ~ What is the funniest story your mother or father tells about you? probably of the time when I was young and walking through the field with one of my friends in Huntsville.  My mom and dad where visiting their friends outside (the Olsen's) and all of a sudden the baby bull in the field decided to chase me!  I was scared to death and running just as fast as my little legs would carry me.  My face was as red as a beet and my heart was pumping out of my chest.  My mom, dad, Clarke and Barbara did nothing too help me, they just sat and laughed.  I'm sure I did look pretty funny and I would have probably thought it was hilarious too had it not been ME!

Dinner ~ What is your biggest fear or phobia?? I hate the dark!  (Nyctophobia)  I freeze up when it is completely dark and I really can't move.  I'm terrified! I also fear the safety of my children and grands.  I hope and pray they are never harmed by someone.

Midnight Snack ~ What was your worst or most dramatic car trouble? I guess the time I got re-ended after picking Kimi up from tutoring.  It had snowed a lot and the roads were slippery.  The gal that hit me was coming down a hill and didn't allow time to slow down or stop.  I was ready to turn right and she slid right into my passenger side.  I was suppose to take dinner to a family and it was still snowing hard and there were so many accidents the police weren't in a hurry to get to us.  I ended up letting the gals mom talk me into leaving after we exchanged information which was a big mistake.  They tried telling the insurance company it was my fault and that I pulled out in front of their daughter.  When someone finally took time to go to the place the accident happened it was clear that I was not at fault!  It was stressful!

Recipe for the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for the week?) Take Time For Others When They Need You!  We all have lists of things we need to do or want to do but sometimes it's good to put those lists away and be there for others!

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The Toomers

I got to be part of this wonderful families celebration today! Lantzen was married to Amanda in the Ogden Temple.  The day was hot and beautiful...just like the couple.  The temple ceremony was simple and nice.  Being around Mallory, Glen and their cute family makes me happy.  I love them.  Lantzen is the cute little guy that we lost for a bit at Lagoon when he was about 3.  I still remember he was wearing a red shirt and Oshkosh overalls.  Lantzen is such an awesome kid.  He's always been so happy and kind.  He is great at every sport.  He is truly an exceptional kid.  I'm so happy for him and Amanda.

I was driving Larry's truck today and a little concerned about parking it.  I said a prayer that I would find a parking place that would be easy to get in and out of.  I turned on Washington Blvd. and right then a couple was getting into their car to leave. I was able to turn that big truck around and drive right by the curb in front of the Temple.  I had enough room to make sure that I would be able to pull out easily if someone decided to park behind me.  God answers simple prayers!

Kathy and I were able to help with the refreshments at the reception.  Mal's kids mentioned how Kathy and I were always there for them and that they appreciated us.  Kathy and Mallory were serving refreshments at Kevin and Julie's reception four years ago on this day.  It's wonderful having such good friends, friends that are always there for you when you need them.  The reception was at a golf course and was really cute.  The sun started setting at the perfect time and shade covered the tables so it was comfortable.

Mallory and Glen are wonderful parents.  You can always tell when the kids turn out and the family is still close and really good friends.  The Toomer Family is seriously one of my very favorite families ever!  There the kind of family we consider family.  I'm so thankful for them and love them all so much.  I was happy that I was able to help with their reception.  It was a fun day!