What an AMAZING GIRL!

Lacey just completed her last performance on the Bear River color guard team. We are so Proud of her and love her so much! Here are a few pictures of this amazing girl!

What a Year!

The past year 2012 was quite a year for us. We started the year off with a cruise to the Mexican Riviera were we saw killer whales from our balcony room, we swam and snorkeled among the fish at Lovers Beach. And eat yummy fish tacos in Puerto Vallarta. And our little doggie had a puppy while we were on our cruise.
Beginning of February the Bishop asked me to be the Primary President and I accepted and right away put me to work with a stake baptism and various other duties to complete that month.
But I do love serving in the primary it is the best calling to have.

Lacey competed in Winter Color Guard competitions and in the spring they took state again for 3 years in a row. She also tried out for her senior year of color guard and made it.

In the spring I decided to redecorate my living room and re carpet Lacey room. It turned out pretty good and we enjoy having family and friends visit even though it is small.
We had a pretty good spring and got to camp with Randy one more time at Crystal Hot Springs.
And we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary.

Summer was fun with camping with our friends at Lava Hot Springs and going in the Truck to Nebraska and Indiana to see our Grand kids Lee, Rocky, Miriam, and little Katie bug who was born while we were in Nebraska. And a wonderful visit with Tammy from Wisconsin.
Not so fun stuff I did in the summer was bladder repair surgery and getting C diff infection and hospitalized again. But I feel better and I am grateful for my family in taking care of me especially Lacey Jo. I love her to pieces.

Other summer favorite memories were Lacey's Parades, getting a new bike, fireworks, helping Lacey with her FFA lamb, the county fair and BB Q's in the back yard.

Fall is my favorite time of year and we enjoyed an Indian summer. Lacey signed up to be a model with Steve Harrington Photography. And started her Senior year and Andy his last year at USU.
And sad news of our father Randy. He passed away of cancer.

December was fun decorating and cooking, making our first gingerbread house and shopping and a wonderful visit from Peter and Bonni and Little Katie.
All in all it was a fabulous year memories we will never forget.

The Places Ive seen!

As I was traveling in the semi truck with my husband I  got to thinking of all the places Ive been and seen.
I am not a world traveler by any means but I have been on some fun trips through out the years.
I have been as far east as Mertyle Beach in South Carolina and as far north as Canada. Seen the sunset in the Mexican Riviera and took a steam boat ride in Laughlin Nevada on the Colorado river.
I have traveled through the western states with my hubby in the truck and through the mid west a few times.
 One of my favorite places to go was Tennessee a few years back. The people were so friendly and everywhere you went they would call you honey or sugar pie. One lady asked my how many younguns did I have. I love the rolling hills they called mountains and all the  small red barns along the roads.In North Carolina you can see tobacco plantations and cotton growing everywhere. One of the most beautiful trees Ive seen is the magnolia tree.
My son lives in Indiana and when we visit I got to go to Lake Michigan which is huge! In Indiana it is very humid but I enjoyed the beautiful trees and farms all over. We even went to Ohio in Amish country. What I liked best of all besides visiting family was the lightening bugs, they would come out at dusk and float all around I think they are magical.
As a child our family went on many trips we went to places like Grand Canyon, California coast where our dad buried us kids in the sand , Colorado we saw the Mesa Indiana ruins, Yellowstone Park and saw buffalo, Lake Powell where we saw Rainbow Bridge, and so many wonderful camping trips with our grandparents.
I have been on a cruise to the Mexican riviera twice once with my mom and sisters and just last year with my hubby. While on my first trip there I wanted to be brave so I tried the banana boat it looked like fun bouncing around on the back so I climbed  on but the next thing I remember was being pick out of the ocean by a Mexican saying to much tequila for you!  You can bet I wont go on no banana boat again any time soon
My recent trip to the Mexico in Cabo San Lucas I was brave and went snorkeling and saw some beautiful fish and enjoyed the sun in January.
Another fun trip I remember was our trip to Disney land on Lacey's 12th birthday. we traveled in the semi truck and stayed a couple of nights in a hotel and a couple of nights in the truck. We had so much fun riding all the rides and we even went to the beach and played in the sand and saw killer whales.
I have only mentioned a few of what I have seen and places Ive been. But As beautiful and fun as some of the places I have visited the best place is home among the beautiful mountains and my family.

I'm Blogging again!

It has been forever since I have blogged but nobody noticed except my sister Tammy I miss her very much and ever since she moved away we don't keep up like we should and she inspired me to start blogging again.
I will tell you what each of my family members is up to these days and I will start with Lacey.

Lacey is a senior at Bear river High and is on the color guard team she wakes up at 5 am 4 mornings a week for practice . She is also the yearbook editor and Laurel President. She had a busy summer with practices, parades, raising a lamb, and helping with the Brigham City Temple open house. She participated in a cultural dance festival which was so awesome and it was a spiritual experience.

Alex has been living in Vernal Utah and working on an oil rig. He visits now and then but we miss his fun spirit in our home.

Peter and Bonni about two months ago had a baby girl they named Katherine Brooke. She is very sweet and Pete is a good dad and husband. Bonni is going to Nebraska university. Peter and Bonni live in Lincoln Nebraska and Jay and I were fortunate to visit them when Katie was born. While we were there they blessed her. They are doing wonderful and they might visit for Christmas.

Andy is living at home and completing his degree at Utah State in Logan. He should be done in the spring and we are anxiously awaiting to see  what his plans are after college.

J.J. and Sam  they have the cutest family. They live in Indiana their kids are  Lee is 6,  Rocky just turned 4 and Miriam is cute as can be 19 months old. J.J. is working as a maintenance mechanic at a bakery and Sam is going back to school. We are so proud of them and love and miss them very much.

Jay is busy driving truck but he loves it most of the time. We did manage to take a break this summer and go camping in Idaho with our good friends the Sperry's.
 John also helped this summer as a usher at the Brigham City Temple.

Some sad news that happened in September was my Step Dad Randy passed away. We loved him so much and we will miss him dearly.

I am still a cook at Garland elementary and I love that job. I love that I am home early and I have holidays and summer vacation. This week we have 3 days off for fall break. I want to spend time with my daughter , mom, and mother inlaw.  I am also very busy as the Primary President  in our ward and I always have some projects going  to occupy my time.

I hope that I can continue with my blogging and I will try to cath up on reading everyone's blog too.
 So Happy blogging everyone!

Summertime!

It has been forever since I posted in this blog. I have a lot of news about me and my family.

I have been working summer lunch and it is going by quickly only one more week to go and then I can relax a little before school starts up again.

I have been working on many projects this summer here are a few, camping, going in the truck with Jay, sewing color guard flags and making Alex's room a sewing room, gardening, organizing and cleaning and enjoying my new to me KIA and the hardest job of all is trying to keep everybody happy.

Jay has been busy building me a sewing table. I love it, I am so amazed by all that he can do.

Jay has sold his motorcycle. he wasn't using it a whole lot so he sold it to pay for repairs to his truck and he surprised me with a cruise. Wow! We go in January to the Mexican Riviera. So fun and I can't wait!

J.J. and Sam are doing fine they are good parents and we miss them so much! Rocky just had a birthday I can't believe he is 3 Wow! Where did the time go?

Andy is preparing to go back to USU and he has been working at a summer job to help with his expenses.

Peter and Bonni the newlyweds are happy and enjoying life. Bonni just started school. She loves math I don't know why? She is also taking a welding class. She is amazing! She also had a birthday July 1. Peter is busy with his work and he loves working on trucks!

Alex is in Duschene and is looking for work. He is having a rough time finding a job but I believe in him and know he can do it!

Lacey has been practicing color guard a couple of days each week. She loves it even though it is such hard work. She has had a busy summer she went on trek and according to her she almost died! Ha Ha ! She went to laurel training camp and learned more about herself and grew closer to the savior. she is still doing a lamb. Fair week is not that far away. Summer has flown by! Today is her 16th birthday It has flown by so fast! I still remember the doctor telling me it is a girl! I haved loved every minute of the past 16 years and look forward to many more with her. I Love You Lacey Jo!

I have enjoyed this summer and I look forward to all the seasons yet to be

in my so called( Riehle) Life.

Wedding

We had a beautiful wedding in Montana and a fun reception in Wyoming.

Bonni was very beautiful and my son Peter was one handsome husband.

Bonni's family were great host and we had a wonderful time.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful children!

Miram Elizabeth Riehle

Miriam Elizabeth Riehle born April 6 2011. She looks a lot like her daddy. I think I will call her EMIE. We love her very much!

Spring!

It finally feels like spring! I am so looking forward to warmer weather and being able to go camping or work in my garden. I am also getting excited for our new grand daughter who will arrive on April 6th. We love our boys and grand sons but girls are just so sweet and they are such a joy! I have so neglected my blog and I should update all that I and my family have been up to. John has been busy with work and honey do projects, like putting in a new bathroom fan, building a fence, fixing snow blowers, working on the trailer and cleaning the back yard, the list could go on and on but we try to concentrate on one project at a time. John was also made Stake clerk. We got a chance to have dinner with an apostle Elder Tom Perry it was a wonderful evening. I have been busy as a lunch lady and I enjoy it so much! The ladies at my school have inspired me to quilt. So far I have finished 2 mini wall quilts, a baby quilt for Sam and J.J.'s baby girl, and I am halfway done with Lacey's quilt, I had to set that aside to get Peter and Bonni's wedding quilt done. I am also preparing for their wedding in May and looking forward to meeting Bonni's family. I am also striving to be a good mom to my children, a good friend, a prepared primary teacher, a devoting daughter and a loving wife. J.J. and his family are busy waiting for the new baby. She is due to arrive on April 6th and I wish we could go and see her and hold her, but pictures and phone calls will have to do. Andy is out in Indiana visiting his older brother, He has been helping them out before the baby comes and will be coming back to Utah at the end of the month. Peter is working in Lincoln Nebraska and driving back and forth to visit Bonni in Laramie Wyo. Alex has had a rough time this last week. He quit his job at Carpenters to be an oil rigger but that job didn't work out so now has to start over again. Lacey has been having fun being a teenager. She is learning how to drive, she is preparing to go to trek and laurel training camp this summer. She will be 16 this year wow time flies when you are having fun! I have so enjoyed having a daughter. It is to hard to cram everything in our lives in a few sentences. But the main thing is that every body's fine I love my family so much and we are well blessed.

Christmas Memories

As a child Christmas was always a magical time for me, the smells of oranges or cookies and treats baking in the kitchen, the beautiful lights and ornaments on the trees, the visits from Grandparents on Christmas morning with their arms full of gifts, the Christmas Carols and the programs we used to share as family, all the beautifully wrapped presents under the tree,and the beauty of a fresh snowfall on Christmas morning.
I remember having young children eagerly waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.
Seeing their eyes light up as they open their presents. I miss their excitement.
But as time passes I have let the worldly things seep into my life and the hustle and bustle of the season, the too many things to do and I haven't focused on the true meaning of Christmas.
Some how I need to capture that magic again. I know I will never have the same kind of memories of my childhood or when I had young children at home. But I know I can make Christmas meaningful and more spiritual. I need to put Christ back in my Christmas.
I can think about the Savior and his life and what he has done for me. I can give more than receive, I can think of all my blessings I have been given, I can create wonderful memories that my family can cherish and I can show love to others and give more of my time and myself through out the year not just at Christmastime.
So during this season let us all try to remember why we really have Christmas.
Let us remember Christ and all he has done for us. Let us give back to him this year.
Merry Christmas to All and God bless you!

ThanksGiving

I am so thankful for so many things. I am thankful for my family and all they do for me. Each one is so special and I love them so much! Life wouldn't be very much fun without a family.
I am thankful for the freedoms and peace that we take for granted and sometime we don't appreciate what our for Fathers have done for us.
I am thankful to live in a small community where others share the same values and respect each other.
I am thankful for the simple things that make us comfortable and happy each day. Like running water, a warm bed to sleep in,or a car to drive.
I am thankful for good food and good health. I am thankful for all the beauty that we see all around us.
I am thankful for a good job and the blessings that come with it. I am thankful for good friends and neighbors who are always there when you need them.
I am so thankful for the gospel and being a member of the true church of Jesus Christ.
I am so thankful to my heavenly father for all that I have and the wonderful life he has blessed me with.
Thanksgiving only comes once a year but we should always have an attitude of gratitude in our hearts.

Pete's graduation

Our son Peter just graduated from Wyo tech in diesel mechanic this past weekend.

So me and Jay packed up and headed to the wonderful state of Wyoming. We left really early on Friday morning so we could visit and get ready before the graduation at 2:30 pm.

Everything was going fine until we stopped about two hours before Laramie. There was a big accident involving 2 semi trucks with fuel tanks and we had to sit for an hour while they cleaned it up. We also should have made a bathroom trip. We were so uncomfortable but managed to hang on until we got to Rawlings. We arrived in Laramie just in time to see if we could get a room but no one was at the front desk. So we met with Pete and his girlfriend and headed to the graduation. I wanted to get dressed and freshened up but Pete said not to worry it wasn't that formal. And he was right people were dressed sloppy but I still would have liked to at least cleaned up from our journey. The graduation was nice nothing fancy we weren't able to hear most of it the speakers were echoing. But it was so good to see him so happy and a job well done.

We finally got our room nothing great but it was the only room in town and then we took Peter and Bonni out to dinner at Applebees. The town was very busy with Wyo tech graduation and Laramie University home coming game and a Lenard Skinnerad concertand I don't like crowds but we had a great time getting to know Bonni. After dinner Pete took us to his adopted grandmas house and we had a nice visit with her and sang some songs for her and ate some cheese cake bonni made.

The next day Pete was suppose to leave for his new job but Bonni convinced him to stay just one more day. They spent the day together while me and Jay went sight seeing.

We first went to the Lincoln statue visitor center and up happy Jack canyon. Then we headed to Cheyenne to a couple train museum. Jay wanted to see the Big Boy because he and his dad loved trains and they followed the big Boy across the state idaho and Utah until it got to Ogden's train Museum. The museum was fascinating and it was a beautiful day. We also enjoyed homemade mini quiche at the farmers market.

We took Bonni and Pete out for pizza and me and Jay went on a walking tour of Laramie. It was good to see them and get away from the every day stresses of life but it was a short trip and we missed the other kids so Sunday we headed home and we decided to take a different way home by Bear Lake and a good thing we did they closed the road due to a fire. It was a beautiful drive looking at all the fall colors. We made it home safe and sound and Peter made it to Lincoln Nebraska just fine. He starts his new job on the 27th. We will miss him so much but we wish him all the best and who knows maybe there will be a wedding coming up soon?

Updates

Where did the summer go? I can't believe how fast time is flying by so quickly and before you know it it will be summer again.
A lot has happened with our family since I blogged in July. Lacey turned 15 wow She is growing up so fast.
She just started High School and she is taking a journalism class and she will be working on the yearbook. She is also involved in FFA and plans to go to all the football games to cheer on her friends in color guard. I have also signed her up for piano again after having one year off. She will do well because she is very talented but well see how much she likes it when I get her up at 6:00 AM for her lessons.
Lacey also was involved in the fair showing her lamb. She does this every year and this year she did all right she earned a blue ribbon and sold it to the company Jay works for. she also entered a picture of Seymore as a puppy that she took on her cell phone she got 2nd place ribbon not to bad for only using a cell phone. We love the whole fair days. We were only able to spend one day at the fair and rodeo because this year we went to a baptism in American Fork and a sealing at Mt Timpanogas Temple and a missionary farewell in Orem and camping at lakeside RV park with my mom and Randy. It was a wonderful weekend seeing family and friends.
I also had to say goodbye to my terrific sister Tammy. She and Charlie moved far far away to Green Bay Wisconsin but I wish her all the joy and happiness that I can and we hope to come and see her next summer.
Something really exciting that has happened is that I will be a Grandma again! The baby is due in April and we are so happy for them. They are hoping for a boy so Rocky can share a room and Sam won't have to share her shoe money. J.J. isnt as excited as we are at least not yet since he is the babysitter while Sam works.
My news is getting even better Pete will graduate from Whyotech and he has all ready landed himself a good job in Lincoln Nebraska we are so proud of him but we will miss him but wish him all the best at his new life.
Other family members are doing great! Alex is working at a mattress pad company he is doing well at it and enjoys not working at Wendy's anymore.
Andy has stated USU again and working part time. Jay is busy with work and enjoying no calling at church for awhile. He is also having fun playing with our fifth wheel trailer.
I am now teaching Primary in our new ward I teach the 4 year olds. I also started school lunch again and I am enjoying getting back to a regular work routine.
As you can tell our lives have been very busy but non the less fulfilling.

Nothing Sweeter Than Summer Time

Good times at Flaming Gorge! Also, Rocky's 2nd Birthday was July 14!!

Let Summer Begin!

I am so excited that it is finally summer. But you can't tell by the weather lately, before you know it will get very hot soon and then we would wish for the cloudy weather back.
This summer should be great! I have it all planned out. I am going to go with Jay a lot in the truck hopefully somewhere exciting or maybe I will get to go to Washington to see Jennifer or possibly to Indiana to see Rocky.
I am also working a little at the summer lunch program to earn extra money for Lacey's drivers ed and school fees. Easy come easy go.
And the Big adventure will be girls camp at Cinnamon Creek it will be so fun to spend time with my daughter and drive her crazy.
We are also going to go camping a lot in our new trailer. Our plans are to go to California in July if we can scrape up a little more money. But if not we will go somewhere closer to home but it should be just as fun!
We will still be raising a lamb for FFA which is takes a lot of our time but well worth it.
With all these plans I hope to relax a little and just do fun things like spend some time with my sister Tammy, go to movies and swimming or just hanging out together.
Peter will also be visiting us from school in June. Not that I will see him much he has all his time scheduled for fun with his friends. But we will get to see him graduate in September.
Some exciting news is that next week Elder Jeffry R. Holland is coming to speak to the Youth and their leaders in our area.
I also planted a salsa garden so I will be busy canning and wondering why I even bother the boys eat it faster than I can make it.
My Last goal of my summer is to be more active by walking and biking. This is easier said than done.
I look forward to the wonderful summer that is ahead. It all goes so quickly Hopefully I can make this summer fun & memorable.

My Mom

I want to spotlight and honor my mom on this Mothers day and tell her how much she means to me.

Mom was always so giving especially around the holidays. She loved to see our faces as we opened up our gifts. She always took the time to get us just the right thing.

Mom always kept our home nice and she was a good cook. One of my favorite meals that she made was pork chops with Parmesan noodles. She made homemade bread, rolls and donuts sometimes. We always had fresh food from our garden year round because she canned which wasn't an easy job with a family of 9.

She always helped with my English home work. Mom loved and still does love to write mostly poetry. I love to read about her memories and stories of her childhood.

My mom plays the piano beautifully and she played the piano for church for many years. She was a great example to us girls who took lessons from Mrs. Peterson. I wish I could play as well as my mom.

Some of Moms favorite foods were raw peas. She spent many hours kneeling in the pea patch picking and eating. In the summer at lunch time she loved Pepsi right out of the glass bottle. Mom loves fresh garden tomatoes and she loves pastries and black licorice. But I know apples were never her favorite.

I remember all the fun vacations. Yellow stone, Grand Canyon, and the Redwood Forest just to name a few.

My mom has also loved cats. Many pictures I have are her with her cat. they were like her children.

Mom always took great care to celebrate our birthdays. I loved how she always had a store bought cake with our names written on it. And as we got older she would take us shopping and out to lunch. it made me feel special.

There are so may things I could say about my mom but it would take to many pages to say all I would like to say.

My mom is a wonderful lady our family has been blessed by her being in our lives.

We love you Mom and Grandma Love Monica, Jay,J.J., Sam, Rocky, Andy, Peter, Alex, Lacey, Bella, Seymour HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Today is my 27th wedding Anniversary. As Jay would say 24 good years. I know he is only joking. Ha Ha. But all kidding aside we have had some wonderful times together.
1982- met on a blind date, fell in love, got engaged
1983- married, started our family with J.J., lived in Orem Utah
1984- sealed in the Jordan River temple
1985- second son Andy was born, moved to Sandy Utah
1986-moved to American fork, Jay new job hauling grass sod
1987-enjoying life with our small family
1988- # 3 son Pete arrives, move to Tacoma Washington
1989- Alex our 4th son arrived the day after Christmas
1990-1993 living in Lakewood Washington, Jay working at a drywall company, Me a stay at home mom
1994- move back to Utah, living in North Salt lake
1995- surprise it's a girl! Lacey joined our family of boys
1996-1997- Jay working for LW miller, and finds a job in Corrine Ut. Making plans to move to Tremonton
1998-2000 enjoying life with teenagers
2001-2007 enjoyed boys graduating from high school,working with the kids a 4 h raising lambs, sending sons off to war, missions, enjoyed vacations to, North Carolina, Zions,California, Disneyland and cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Anniversary trips to Daniel summit lodge, Laughlin NV, Little America Hotel in Salt Lake city, Sherwood hills in Logan, wolf creek in Ogden and Idaho Falls
2008- oldest son gets married and moves to Indiana, our first Grand son is born.
2009- Jay working for B&B trucking for 6 years, I working as a school cook. visit grand baby in Indiana, send Pete off to college.
2010-anniversary trip to crystal hot springs.
we have had a wonderful time some ups and downs but mostly ups!

Rocky and his Hot Dog!

What.s for dinner

Most of you know I enjoy cooking very much. I love to collect recipes and come up different ideas for meals. So this is what I am having for dinner this coming week. I have also included a good pork roast recipe. Enjoy!
Thursday :Turkey Sandwiches with chips
Friday:Hamburgers and crinkle fries
Saturday: BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad
Sunday: Company Pork Roast mashed potatoes and gravy, Lacey's dinner rolls, steamed broccoli, and chocolate cake for dessert.( I love to bake but we usually only have dessert on Sunday's)
Monday: Soft shell Tacos
Tuesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce
Wednesday:Teriyaki Chicken, Stir Fry vegetables and Rice.
Well that's what I have planned so far. I do change it around depending on what I am in the mood for or what ingredients I have on hand.
Company Pork Roast Marinade
4 lbs Pork loin
2 TBSP Honey
1TBSP Soy sauce
1 TBSP red wine vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard or regular mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
Mix all ingredients except roast in a bowl. Place roast in slow cooker and pour mixture over the top. Cook on low for approx. 10 hours or until tender.
Oven method: Place roast in foil lined roasting pan. Pour mixture over top. Cover with foil and bake at 325 for 2 1/2 hours basting frequently. uncover for the last 45 minuets to brown roast.

Our new trailer

This weekend we bought a new fifth wheel trailer. We really didn't need one until summer but we wanted to get a jump start on it before all the good ones were gone. A good thing we did. The guy who owned the trailer had 3 other people look at it and we called 15 minuets before the other guy got it. We found this one in Taylor near Ogden and it fits our needs just right. We plan on going to California on vacation. In July we are going to the Redwoods and then Donner Pass State Park. Now all it needs to do is get warm so we can use it. I am so excited!!

remodeling

This month went so fast! I can't believe it will be march in a few days. I am so tired of the cold and the snow, we have had so much of it. I am looking so forward to spring!
I finally made a decision on what to replace my beat up old kitchen floor and hallway with.
I decided that a hard wood would get to much wear and tear with the kids and the dogs and it is also hardwood is pricey. So I went with a laminate wood product that looks great and easy to install. It will be easy for me since Jay is going to install it.
I am also going to paint the kitchen and hallway and color other than white.
I am most likely going to paint it a tan. I am always fearful color but I am going to be brave this time.
After we are done it will feel like a whole new house. I am so excited for the final results. but I know we have a lot of work ahead of us.