Date with Ivy

I don't get to see Ivy much since she started going to school in Layton and we miss each other.  I told Ivy we would do something during Christmas Break. Thank goodness Ivy called me because I had forgot.  We were able to go to lunch and to the store and spend a few hours together before her dad picked her up.  We went to Costa Vida since I had a gift certificate which I found out wasn't good anymore.  There wasn't an expiration date but the certificate itself was expired. Oh well....we enjoyed our lunch anyway.  

I can't believe how grown up Ivy is.  It was so fun chatting with her and spending one on one time with her.  She is such a sweetie.....as are all my grands.  I love being their gramma and having them in my life. They truly make it brighter for sure!  Being a Gramma is a wonderful title that I absolutely love!

I might talk too much

One of my favorite things is having a pedicure.  I love pedicures.  I love the message chairs while getting a pedicure. I love relaxing and pampering myself every now & then.....Today I did it!

Then tonight I went with some of the neighbors to dinner.  Oh my heck I am pretty sure I talk too much.  I don't think some of these young ladies probably appreciated all my talk....oh well I said what I did and at least I feel better.  I hope I didn't shock them too much with what spilled out of my mouth.

We met this evening because Emily is moving further away.  She already moved to another city close by and we miss her...but we will really miss her when she is gone to Virginia.  I will miss her smile...I hope she posts pictures still after she moves so I can see her smile.  I love these ladies even though I am so much older than them.  Geeze .... not even one of them has even reached 40 yet.  It just made me realize I no longer care about age.  I love everyone no matter their age.  I am glad to be included.

The time went by so fast as we chatted and laughed.  I had such a great time.  I usually have a great time when I am out and about and surrounded by friends.  I made everyone swear that what was said there could not be shared....not even with their hubbies.  I had a lot of built up emotions and opinions and they were released. YIKES!  Hope I didn't damage anyone!

Nights like tonight~when I can talk too much~help me survive....I am thankful for good friends and survival!

Ice Skating

It's funny that we don't visit the Winters unless we go on vacation with them.  I decided to see what they were doing today to see if they were available to just visit.  It took awhile and Sue called me and invited us over to Ice Skate with them.  They had also invited the Brinkerhoff family.

It was fun but I was very hesitant since I just learned one of my friends broke her tailbone from ice skating. (she was doing a "tricky trick" which I have learned at this age shouldn't be done....no tricky tricks)  Kimi and Jared had a good time.  Kimi did really well and I will just say that Jared was good at falling right but might have a few bruises.

I cheated and skated with a chair....it's kind of like having a walker when you are old.  I won't lie though...I even managed to fall with a chair and do have bruise on my knee.  It was so much fun.  I'd like to go again and if we do I think I will use their skates.  I used Justin's old Hockey skates and they hurt the back of my legs. The skates sloped forward and I wanted to stand up straight....the skates won and I kept my legs bent.

We warmed up inside with some hot chocolate.  We visited for a little bit and then came home happy with our first day of this New Year!

Oh....and today I put away all the Christmas.  A guy came to our door and even made fun of me for not having it down earlier...I really don't like people sticking their nose in my business....I was enjoying the Holidays and didn't feel like doing it any earlier.  The only reason I did it today was so the family could help me carry boxes in and out...which is a huge help!

New Year.....2013

I am looking forward to this year.  It's always exciting to see what new is headed our way.  I hope a few new grands are headed our way. I am choosing to keep on doing what I have been doing.  I am going to continue to make fun happen.  I am going to smile like this picture says and make the best of what is thrown my way. (I changed the words on the picture to fit me)  I am going to enjoy this year!

Last Day of 2012

Larry decided to take us out for Breakfast on this last day of 2012.  We decided to invite the kids that are home. Kind of forgot to invite Braxton (he lives at Gramps...next door) and I noticed that in all these pictures Braxton wasn't in any of them. However we did see him a lot today and he spent the whole day with us.(except breakfast)  He was sledding and making a snow fort (with some cute girls) and was a little late for bowling but he was enjoyed by our family most of the day!

I'm not a big breakfast person and was sick for  a few hours after eating put it was still fun to take the kids our and spend some time with them and each other.  It's funny to me how cookies in the morning don't make me sick but a regular breakfast does.

At 4:30 The Jones Family and our Family met at the bowling alley in Morgan.  We rented it for 2 hours and had a great time.  We fill the place up these days.  It's so fun seeing everyone grow up.  The Jones Family got three new grand babies since last year and we got Kamryn.

I love our tradition of bowling with the families and then playing games after and of course eating.

A long time ago......a very long time ago.....just the adults went out to celebrate the New Year coming in. It was fun but I am so glad we started including the kids.....I like that better.  I think the kids like it too because all our kids show up with their families.

This year we got the lanes a little earlier than normal...there was a mistake....but we preferred it and even scheduled for the earlier time for next year already.  Having the earlier time allows the kids to celebrate with us and then go with their friends if they want.

We went over to Dave & Vicky's this year afterwards and had yummy taco's.  Vicky always goes all out.  Our younger kids mentioned that going to the houses after is the funnest.  I think because I interact more with the Jones kids.  It is fun...I like it....I like it a lot!

Bridgette taught us how to play "Farkel" and we had a great time laughing and playing that.  Dave won....I think Dave wins a lot.  It was a wonderful last day of 2012.

My New Years Resolution last year was to "make fun happen" and I was able to do that.  I know many people might have thought I was crazy (including Larry) but many also wanted to join in on our fun and be our friends.  Larry even told me once that I have way more fun than him....he's right I do!  He's way more spiritual than me though because he works at that.  I still feel like I am spiritual....I just might not have the knowledge he has acquired and I'm okay with that.

I cheered a lot of people on.....gave a lot of "woot~woots" and made others smile.  I know I was a good influence...happiness always is!  Having that goal was good for me.....it was a hard year in some ways but because I was making "fun" happen I enjoyed all days.  Now don't get me wrong...there were moments in some days that weren't wonderful but that didn't last the whole day....I didn't let them.

The good things that happened this year is Julie and Kamryn changed their names to Ropelato.  We love having them in the family. No one got lost.  Trichelle and TJ and the kids moved a lot closer...right in Hooper.  I made new friends. (never have enough in my opinion)  Our family has enjoyed good health. We got Jaydan home and so for the first time in over 6 years our family is together. (I love that)

Everyone still enjoys being together.  We went boating and to dinners.  We carried on Family Traditions.  We laughed a lot ..... we are so blessed!

2012 Flew by for me and even my younger kids felt the speed of this past year.  It was a great year and we are all alive and smiling so what more could we ask for?  (NOTHING)

Woot~Woot for 2012!!!

Focus!!!

My mind has been enlightened again and the answer has been there the whole time.  It's hard at times to be a "Spiritual Being" living here as "Human Beings".  We forget what we already know and have to be reminded again.  It happens .... in fact, it happens all the time and will continue to happen all the time so I am not going to let it get me down.  The reason I have been riding the "Crazy Train" is because I was FOCUSING on the things that confused me.  I was focusing on the things I feel I am lacking.  I have been focusing on the things that hurt me.  I have been focusing on the wrong things! DUH!!!

Don't get me wrong.  I have noticed the blessings, and the good things and even taken time to Thank Heavenly Father for them but then I went right back to focusing on the wrong things.  I think that is why my mind has been so confused.  I noticed and acknowledged the good but let my focus drift.  This morning before church my mind was enlightened with knowledge and it was reconfirmed again at church today.  (funny how that happens so often)  My focus needs to stay on the good things....sure I am going to notice the negative stuff and the things that cause me pain but I do not need to leave my focus there.  My focus needs to be on the Good Things happening, the Blessings.  It's funny because I even write down my blessings each day (or most days) and so I do notice them but they haven't been the things consuming and occupying my brain......They will be though.  My FOCUS has now made a turn....no longer will I Focus on the things that make me sad, or confused, or miserable....instead I will Focus on the things that bring be happiness, the things that make me smile, and things that help me feel the Spirit and HIS love.

I am a normal human being and so I know I am not the only one that goes through this.  This is life and I am learning.  I am learning the same things over and over again...and I suspect that is just life too.  I can accept that.  I am blessed.  I know that I am loved.  I can be happy right now....no matter the circumstances that surround me.  I need to remember where to FOCUS!!!

Mascot Night

Braxton got our family ticktes to Weber States Game tonight.  It was Mascot Night and so we decided it would be fun to go.  It was fun to go.....Waldo makes me smile!  The game wasn't even close and I only know that because I looked up at the score every now and them.  I was watching the Mascot's....not the game.

It was fun going with a bunch of our kids.  They are so funny to watch and listen to.  I simply love them!

 It was fun watching the Mascot's interact with all the fans.  Totally made my heart smile! Of all the Mascots....Waldo was the absolute best.....and that is the truth.....not just bias.

The Half Time was a game between the Mascots.  Kind of funny to watch since some of them have a problem lifting their arms and all are limited on seeing.  Waldo's team won but I felt like they had the advantage since they seemed to be able to move the best. (Waldo, Torch and one of the Dancers)

Oggie the Raptor did okay with his moves.....he was even able to do a back flip.  Pretty impressive for a Raptor.  Waldo made a pass with a few back handsprings and a back flip of his own....he is just so cool!

 It was a fun night and I am glad we were able to go and support our Weber Wild Cat!