New Orleans

Larry had a convention in New Orleans. The company he buys parts from pays for him to go.  He didn't want to go to it but when he asked me what I thought I told him I'd love to go to New Orleans.  It's slow at work and so he thought it would be fun to go on a cruise if possible before the show.  Well Luck was in my corner and there was a cruise leaving New Orleans, going to Cozumel and returning the day before the show.  Yippee....I was excited.  I invited Roger and Carla to go with us because they are fun to travel with.  They were excited to and so off we went.  We left Wednesday morning (Mya's birthday) and got to New Orleans just an hour or so after Carla and Roger.  We met them and decided to walk on over to Bourbon Street and check it out.  Before we went to far we stopped so that Larry and I could get something to eat.  We ended up at a Hard Rock Cafe and got a hamburger.  Then we adventured to Bourbon Street because Bourbon Street really is an adventure.

We were warned by our Taxi Cab Driver not to be taken advantage of.  We can almost say we weren't.  Almost because we did fall for a prank that ended up costing us $5.00.  I'm told you shouldn't make eye contact with people...like ignore them....well I can't do that and so they get me.  A guy asked Larry if he wanted his shoes shined.  We laughed and said No Thanks.  The guy kept with us as we walked and told us that he could tell us where got his shoes...what city and state.  He was so confident that he said he would give Larry $5 if he was wrong but said that we had to give him $5 if he was right.  As I type this I am experiencing a little dajavu....I think we might have heard of this before.  Anyway, we agreed and that's when he got us.  The man said "you got your shoes on your feet on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Carla and I got some beads without showing our "boobies" and learned that this little tradition started because people pretended to be wealthy and would throw their riches and jewels to the peasants.  We little peasants liked getting the beads and wore them like we were rich too. I didn't see anything too crazy on bourbon street but I know that I wouldn't want to be there during Mardi Gras either!  I did have a guy dressed up like a jester come and connect arms with me while I was connected to Larry.  He walked with us for awhile and I asked him how far he was going to go with us.  He said that usually people will ask for a picture by now.  I told him I understood that they charged for pictures and that's when he let go of me and turned around.  It was funny and he was a little scary looking so I didn't mind not getting a picture of him.  

We boarded the Carnival Elation Friday afternoon.  It was a nice ship and there were a lot of people that lived close that took this cruise with us.  It was the bounciest cruise I have ever taken and I am really glad that Carla and Roger do NOT get motion sickness since this is their first cruise.  I was the only one in our group that got sick and I actually got sick a few times but neither time lasted more than a few hours.  We had hit a storm after porting at Cozumel and the ship rocked all night Saturday and most of Sunday.  I'm glad it wasn't my first cruise or it might have been my last but since I know they aren't all like that I will go again.  I had the meds I needed but might get a few more if we go again.  I really hate being sick but I have always been prone to motion sickness since I was a little girl...it's just how I'm put together.

I do enjoy our little towel creations that greet us each night before going to bed.  I really prefer a chocolate on my pillow as well but that didn't happen this cruise.  The Mississippi River is huge and dirty.  It took us hours to get from it to the Ocean.  It was cool seeing it and being on it.  It's still used for transporting supplies.  There are lots of ships and cruisers on it all the time.

It was a nice day in Cozumel.  We heard that it was the best day all week.  We didn't have real plans and decided to go Parasailing since there really wasn't a beach close by.  It was beautiful and peaceful.  Larry and I went up first and I couldn't believe how smooth and calm it was even though I have been before.  I enjoyed going with Larry and kissing him high in the sky!  It was a perfect day.  Roger even found a Harley Store and got him another shirt.  That's something Roger likes doing whenever he goes somewhere new.  He got a shirt in New Orleans at a Harley Store there.

The storm made us 5 hours late on Monday when we returned.  That didn't bother us since we were just planning on doing a little sight seeing.  We weren't in a hurry and didn't think we'd be able to check into our Hotels until later anyway.  When we did get off the ship we went to our Hotel's and checked in.  Roger and Carla went to the one we stayed in on Wednesday but Larry and I were at another one since we got it paid for by the suppliers.  They were still close to each other and we met at ours.

We ended up going to a buffet at Harrah's casino.  It was pretty good.  I really wanted to try the gumbo but it looked too gross.  I had some in a ladle but just couldn't bring myself to putting it in the bowl.  It was the craw-fish that kind of freaked me out.  While we were in New Orleans I did try a few other things that are unique to there.  Pralines (very good), Po Boy (okay) and Beignet (Good) are all a New Orleans thing and they were good and should be tried.  Since we didn't have a lot of time left in our day we decided to buy a day pass for the trolley and ride it around.  We ended up riding one trolley to the end of it's line and back again.  It was fun and we did see some interesting things.  That was pretty much all we had time to do on Monday and so we called it a night and returned to our Hotel's.

Tuesday morning Craig and Rachelle joined us.  They came to the convention too so that Rachelle could help Larry with the ordering.  We had the morning to do a few things because the show actually didn't start until the afternoon.  We decided to go on a City Tour.  It was interesting and we learned a lot of things.  The driver did a little review towards the end of the tour and even though I couldn't remember everything I did remember quite a bit.  We learned that the guy who wrote "You Are My Sunshine" was actually talking about his favorite Horse.  The houses are build at an angle so that everyone gets the evening breeze.  The cemetery is above ground and if you have more members of the family that need to be buried they take the oldest casket (there can be 2 to 3) and remove the body and put it in a body bag and stack in under the caskets.  That casket is burned and a new one is put in.   A body has to be a year and a day old before removing it from a casket. We learned about the jewels being thrown to the peasants and the people throwing them pretending to be wealthy.  The colors of Mardi Gras mean things too.  Purple is for Royalty, God for Wealth, and Green for fate or fame...really I can't remember.  There was a lot of information and I didn't take notes so I can't remember it all.

On the city tour we went to a cemetery, a sculpture garden and through town and the French Quarters.  Everything was interesting a cool.  I really enjoy city tours because you do learn so much information that you probably wouldn't just guess or know on your own.  By the end of the tour it was time for the parts show to start.  Carla and I didn't want to go to it right away and so we used our trolley pass and rode different trolleys around.  We recognized lots of places from our tour.  Before we started trolley jumping we went into a CVS pharmacy for some treats.  I had heard that we needed to try Pralines and we found some there.  Pralines are pretty good.  When we came out of the store and was waiting for the street light to change so that we could cross the road I had an interesting experience.  A lady asked us for money and I guess Carla ignored her but I smiled and shook my head "NO".  The lady had a beer in one hand and a bag of clothes that she referred to as "crap" (not her exact expression) in the other.  She then told me that I looked nice and so I returned the compliment and told her that she also looked nice.  Then she shared that she was going to the doctor and needed to take her bag of "crap" to him.  I should not have commented but I did...I told her that was a lot of "crap" in her bag.  She then reached into her bag and I knew....I knew where this was heading.  She pulled out a manila envelope and told me that she had to "crap" in that little envelope and take it to the doctor.  I laughed and gagged and told her that I really did NOT need to know that and that she probably shouldn't be sharing that with others.  The light finally changed and Carla and I crossed the road laughing.  I shared this little experience on face book and one of the ladies that we met on the cruise told me that it could have been something much worse pulled out of her bag.  I don't even want to know what might have been worse.  The trolley that Carla and I rode was probably one that more residents use to get to town.  It was fun watching everyone.  I was impressed with three nice looking young men that gave up their seats for some older ladies.  We had a good time!

We took a trolley that seriously just went down the river walk and back but it did end up at the conference center where we wanted to go.  The driver told us we had to get off but that's okay because that's where we were going.  The conference center was also right by the port for the cruise. Before going to the show we went to an outlet mall and looked around.  I made eye contact again with a guy in the middle of the mall selling face and eye cream.  I ended up in his chair having him fan my face after applying some cream to my eyes.  The cream did take my wrinkles away but it felt like glue.  He applied another cream on my forehead and those wrinkles went away as well...it was amazing.  I had told the cute sales man that I never buy on the spot like that. I like to think about it first which he wasn't happy to hear.  He was a very pushy salesman and kept trying to get me to commit to one of the creams.  They were on sale "Today" for half the price making them only $350-$400 each.  Boy....I really had to really think hard about that...NOT!  I hated the way my eye felt and the more I touched it the more it looked like it had originally.  I figure at this time in my life my skin should look a little older...heck....I earned these wrinkles!  The salesman couldn't believe that I had seven children though.  I'm not sure if that's because most people in the world have only a few or what...it didn't matter one way or another and I will think it was a compliment. ☺

Carla and I went over to the conference center and Carla was able to walk around and get some free bags and hats and see what it was all about.  I stayed with the paperwork and soon Craig joined me and we had a really nice visit.  Larry and Rachelle finished up their ordering and we enjoyed a nice dinner provided by the suppliers.

I really enjoyed New Orleans and I'm glad I got to see what it was all about.  I would recommend others to go visit there as well.  We had a really good time.  I still have sea legs from the cruise and find myself balancing from the imaginary swaying I am still feeling.

The kids all had a good time while we were gone and everything was in order when we got home.  It's fun having older kids that are responsible.  I heard they even prepared Sunday Dinner at our house.  I sure do love my kids and hubby!  My life is Good! 

Oh How Great...Mya is Eight

This beautiful little one is eight years old today.  I can't believe how big Mya is getting.  I love this little one.  Mya is smart and tries hard at everything.  Mya is kind and nice.  Mya is a wonderful big sister but she told me she wishes she wasn't the oldest....there's a lot of responsibility for the oldest.  Mya is funny and surprises me with her humor sometimes.  She has more of her dad in her the older she gets.  Mya loves giving me hugs.  Mya will discretely tell me if she notices something that she doesn't quite like.  I like that she lets me know if something doesn't seem fair or right.  Mya is obedient and listens to her parents, teachers and us.  Mya is talented and is good at playing the piano and drawing. Mya enjoys reading.  I adore this beautiful child.  Mya has chosen to get baptized and she asked me if I would say a prayer at her baptism.  I love being involved in the grands special days.  I'm so thankful for Mya...she adds charm to our family.  She's a sweet little one!

A GRAND Weekend

I got to see and spend time with all my cute grands this weekend.  Oh My Heck...they are so dang cute and fun!  We got to have Behrenger Friday after school and then over night so that his parents could celebrate TJ's birthday.  Ivy and Zaden got to come with Behr until their dads picked them up and I'm not kidding I get as excited as they do.  I absolutely love that my grands love coming to our house.  Not long after Ivy left I heard a little knock at our door and there was Kamryn and Jordyn.  They wanted to come play because they were bored at gramps.  I love having their cute faces at my house and Zaden was really glad he had someone to play the Wii with. I enjoyed watching Zaden and Kam play together.  Jordyn is fun and very loving. Baby Behr was really good and we all enjoyed him so much.  He slept all night and was laughing at me kissing on him when his mommy came Saturday afternoon to get him.  My grands really are good babies and kids.  They are fun and polite.  They aren't rowdy or destructive.  I know it's because they all have such great parents....it shows!  I smile every time I see one of their cute faces.  I think they are all so darling.  I really could never pick a favorite because I adore them all so much.

Saturday morning I left Behr with Jared and Larry while I went to a Relief Society morning social.  It had a cute winter, snowman theme and the decorations were all very cute.  We had waffles and then some fun entertainment.  The Relief Society goes to a lot of work to unite us sisters and keep us connected to each other.  I appreciate the time and effort they spend on everyone.

I got Behr back when I got home and the boys went out and took care of all the hay that Jared will need for the next week.  Trichelle came before they got done and after visiting for awhile she took Behr home. Trichelle and TJ missed their cute baby.  I enjoyed visiting with Trichelle for a while though before she left.  I always enjoy visiting with my kids when they come over.  I am really trying to stop what I'm doing so that they have my undivided attention but I still need to work on that some. It's hardest to do when I'm in the middle of something...which I usually am unless it's tending the grands then I usually don't do anything else.

When the guys came in from doing the hay and cleaning the corral we decided to hurry and go to Red Lobster before more grands came.  We had just enough time.  It was so yummy and good and even better that we had gift cards and didn't have to spend any of our money.  Food is always better when you don't have to pay for it.  I think I look tired but really I wasn't....I was just having a bad hair day. ☺

We got home in time to greet Justin and Natalie's cute kids.  We got to keep them for a few hours while Justin and Natalie went to their Adult Session for their Stake Conference.  It's so fun having these kids over.  After they played for a while I got them bathed and we watched Curious George with them.  I had forgot about Curious George since it's been a few years that I have watched it. (Zaden use to love it)  I like it because it teaches the kids things as well as entertaining them.  I enjoyed all the hugs and loves this weekend.

We finally got to see cute Sadie on Sunday.  She looked so little sitting at our bar waiting for some ice cream.  Sadie is mobile now and crawls all over and pulls herself up.  She also gets behind people and they don't realize it and knock her over.  She had a bruise on her head already from that happening and got another one on top of the one already there.  So sad but she is pretty tough.  The weekend was complete.  I got to see all the grands.  It usually happens every other Sunday but even though I get to see them all on those days I really don't interact with them like I get to when a few are here at a time.  When everyone is here they all play together which is fun to see too but I really like tending them every now and then and having "our time" together.

 Macie got to spend the night on Sunday for her birthday.  She was so excited!  Macie and I slept on the front room floor because that's more fun than sleeping in the playpen.  She's a wiggler and I kept covering her up through the night.  Other than wiggling and me worrying about her being warm it was a great night.  She went to sleep good and woke up with a cute smile and then a big hug for me.  We made pancakes together because that's what she wanted.  She was so happy to help me stir the batter.  Macie is a great little eater and ate her pancake right up.  She was excited to get dressed so we could go shopping and get her something for her birthday.

I took her to Walmart because it's close and I needed to be back to take Grandma Donna to Costco to make an exchange.  We had over an hour to find something.  It was so fun watching this cute little girl walk up and down the aisles picking up things with such enthusiasm.  She makes me laugh. I thought she might like a princess dress up and when I showed her it and suggested it she said: "No....Yuckie".  I tried again a little later and got the same response....haha she doesn't like princess dresses.  She found some Lego's in a big wagon and I thought that was it...until I showed her a doctor kit thing and then she put the wagon back and wanted the doctor toy...until she saw another set of lego's.  That was it...the Lego's in a box was the gift she wanted and was happy with.  I really love taking the kids shopping.  It's so much fun for me to watch them think and make their decisions.

Macie wanted to go home and play with Kimi and her new Lego's while I took grandma Donna to the store.  We were fast and I was back in an hour.  Macie was ready to go get lunch...actually she thought we were going to have lunch at my house and was sad when we walked away from the kitchen.  Once she understood we were going she was happy again.  She didn't cry but had a pouty face. We went to Arctic Circle because she wanted a corn dog.  She had a great time playing.  She looked so little climbing the big stairs.  She didn't want to leave until her food was gone either and so we were there for a few hours.  It was fun and it was fun having Jaydan and Kimi join us.  I love this little 2 year old and she loves me...and the rest of us!

So Yep this Weekend was Grand....Having All My Grands Over!  Oh how this Gramma loves and adores these cute little people!

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday!

A little feast without the calories!!

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! Go HERE to JOIN IN!!! 

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Happy New Year 2016!

Breakfast ~ How did your New Year start off?  With a big bang, a whimper or a "I want a do over!" ?  I'd have to say with a bang!  My mom invited Larry and I to dinner and that hasn't happened for over 15 years.  We had some friends over for dinner and are just continuing our lives as normal.
Lunch ~ What are some of your New Year's resolutions for 2016? I don't make New Year's resolutions.  I pretty much just like continuing what I'm doing.  I try to listen to the spirit and act on it when I am prompted no matter what time of year it is.  I do plan on doing a few things like....write a book.  Since the New Year I have started a book because of Jared's little situation in 2011.  I feel like there is too much that happened not to share with others.  I plan on spending lots of time with my family and friends like I have been doing.  I plan on turning to the scriptures more and studying them instead of just reading them.  I plan on accepting things for what they are and will try to understand unpleasant things by thinking why they are happening without being offended.
Dinner ~ How would you sum up your 2015 year? THAT WENT FAST!!!  Holy Crud the years fly by.  2015 was Fun and Wonderful though.  I was Very Blessed and Very Happy! Kimleighel Graduated. We went on a few cruises, we went to Hawaii, Disneyland and spent a few days at Bear Lake with the family. We got two new grand babies, went to the Temple 3-4 times a month.  Had weekly lunch dates with friends and enjoyed many family traditions.   
Midnight Snack ~ How would you like 2016 to be different than 2015? I can't really think of anything that I would change for this coming year. (well I'd like the scales to be lower but seriously that really doesn't matter too much to me...it does matter for life insurance though) Having a wedding would be nice but fine if it doesn't happen.  Really I'm not in a hurry but it would be nice.
Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?) Be Happy No Natter What....don't let others actions pull you down or change your mood.  

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Scrapbook Finished and Delivered

One of the things I planned on doing this year was a scrap book for my mom.  She gave me a bag of cards, obituaries and funeral programs that she wanted organized in a book.  I haven't had time or at least I didn't make time until this week.  I made it simple, nothing to fancy at all but I thought how much will it really be looked at anyway.  I got everything in pages and called it good.

I knew this weekend was going to be busy with my grands and so I took it to her today.  I wanted to see my little brother before he went back home too.  He is so happy this visit...I think his new girl friend brings out the happy in him.  While he was here this time he raised the ceiling in the garage so that an electric garage door can be installed.  That's his Christmas gift to my mom....what a thoughtful gift.  My mom should be enjoying a new door next week.  My mom didn't want to check out the scrapbook while I was there because there were other things going on at the time and so I don't know what she thought of it.  (maybe that's a good thing)

I sure miss my daddy...

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.