Happy Birthday J.J.

Today is my sons John's Or (J.J.) birthday.

He is a kind and caring person. He is such a good son, husband and father!

I just want to let him know how much I love him and to wish him a Happy Birthday!

We love you John!

My favorite season

This is my favorite time of the year. When the weather changes the leaves fall and the cool nights begin. I enjoy making warm soups and stews and warm apple crisps. I love to curl up to a good book with a hot cup of cocoa or just watch TV or movies in my pj's.
I am a homebody by nature and I love taking care of my family and my home. Every year I work on projects for Christmas. Last year I made recipe books and stockings and pj pants. This year I am making pillow cases and I am working on scrapbooks. I also plan on making yummy treats and goodies to share with everyone.
I am also trying to keep things simple. By simplifying things there is less stress.
I am also enjoying this season of my life. I have more time for myself and I am able to do the things that I enjoy. I am learning more about myself. I enjoy my grown kids they are fun to be around. It is a great accomplishment to have almost all of my children raised. And knowing that you did your best. I also enjoy being a grandma even though it is a long distance. I can't wait until my son and his wife come for a visit, and of course little Rocky.
Many people don't enjoy the cold days or the long winter nights or the feeling of an empty nest but they give me a feeling of peace and security. I love the holidays and the chance to be with my family and friends in celebrations. I am enjoying this season of my life. What season are you in your life?

Halloween Fun!

My brother Matt and his wife Kelly as Shrek and Fiona

Lacey and her friends after the Halloween Ochestra concert

Halloween Ochestra concert

Lunch lady witches

99 balloons

The video at the bottom of my blog is a segment I watched on Oprah . This video tugs at your heart strings and you really appreciate and love your healthy children. God loves us so much and he is always watching and taking care of us.
Make sure you have a box of tissues handy.

Twists and Turns

Life can take its twists and turns and my life has had some turns in it lately. Turns for the better I hope. I haven't written about what is going on with us here in Tremonton. I still am a cook at the Middle School. I love working there. The ladies are so nice and we all get along really well. My hours are short enough so I can enjoy my afternoons and I get holidays and weekends off. I even get paid in the summer to not work. What more could I ask for?
I also have been riding my bike to work and walking when I can. And a couple times a week Jay and I go swimming in the morning. We love spending that time together before he has to go on his trip in the truck. We have really been trying to have some sort of exercise every week. We have fun and we might even loose a few pounds in the process.
J.J. and Sam and baby Rocky will be visiting around Thanksgiving. We are so excited for them to come. Jay went to Ohio last week and on his way he stopped for a visit. I was jealous but I will so enjoy their visit in November.
I have also been caning a little bit and trying to boost up my food storage. And be fiscally fit with our finances.
I have also volunteered to be the Chairperson for pennies by the inch. I am in charge of the North half of Tremonton. I have to find neighborhood volunteers and then I have to gather all of the money and turn it in. It is a big job but I want to help out our community.
Peter is still in the same area he has been since the beginning of the summer. He is tracting a lot but hopefully he will get transferred to a new area with more success.
Lacey is doing fine. she is playing the piano and reluctantly taking violin. Shopping is on her mind these days. She just got her lamb money and it is burning a hole in her pocket. I am making her save most of it.
Andy has been going to USU and taking writing classes. He also teaches gospel doctrines every week. He just recently went on a date. Wow! he has only been on a few dates since he came home from his mission. I was so happy for him.
My biggest news is that Alex has flew the coop or in other words he has moved out. He shares an apartment with some friends and he is still a maintenance manager at Wendy's. He didn't move that far away but I think he just wanted to spread his wings. We miss him a lot but he comes over once in awhile to say hi or borrow some food. The house isn't the same without him.
Jay misses all his boys being home together. He is mostly with us girls when he is home. I know he loves us but it just isn't the same. He has always been around his brothers or his boys. I sometimes miss the whole gang at home but I am happy for my family and our lives have to take twists and turns in order for us to grow.

Tammy's Birthday

Last weekend I was able to spend some time with my sister Tammy and celebrate her birthday.Jake loves his mom so much. He is so thoughtful. He made a treasure hunt for her to find her presents.
We had a great time shopping for scrapbook supplies and eating yummy lasagna made by Charlie her husband and we watched Edward Scissor hands the next morning we scraped a few pages for her scrap book and a YUMMY breakfast. We had a wonderful time! Happy Birthday To A Wonderful Sister!

A fun labor Day

These are only a few pictures that I have to show. My card was full and it didn't save them.

For Labor day weekend my sister Tammy and her daughter Savannah came for a visit. We worked on scrap books, shopped for scrapbook supplies (hopefully she will get hooked on scrapbooks they are so fun!) and we made zucchini quiche. I wanted to take her to see the movie Mama Mia because I have been listening to the sound track all week at work and I love ABBA'S music.

I really liked the movie and we both cried when she sang the song to her daughter on her wedding day. It is definitely a chick flick. Our husbands were worried about us because we went to the late show and they made sure we went straight home. Which we did. Let's face it we are not party girls.

The next day Jay picked up Charlie in his semi truck on his way home from California. When they got home we made a picnic and headed up Logan Canyon. We enjoyed the shady spot that the guys found and it was right next to the river, but the bugs liked our picnic just as much as we did. So we didn't stay long. We next went to Sunrise peak and overlooked the Bear Lake valley. It was very beautiful there and we got a glimpse of a moose.

Lacey brought her friend Lexie with, because we are too boring for her. Charlie had fun teasing the girls by pretending to throw grasshoppers at them but they were really pebbles.

And since we came all that way we had to get the famous fresh raspberry shakes in Garden City. Savannah said that raspberries look like our brains. She is so cute and she says the funniest things. We ate in a covered wagon outside the ice cream store and Savannah had a ginormous ice cream cone which was melting faster than she could eat it.

We headed home very happy and tired. We gave a sticky Savannah a bath and we all talked and listen to some music and finished eating our picnic.

Our week end was very nice and I am so glad that I could finally spend sometime with my sister and her family.