Just Killing Time Til Dinner

Dad and I forgot to eat lunch so we are starving. His friend Dan is here and they are having their weekly discussion about religion, stocks, world events, ect. So, I can't cook dinner yet so I thought I would take a minute and update a few scrapbook pages. Some are edited and some are new. I need more blog updates from the Stewarts, Readers, and Callahans (hint hint). Hey, I want to thank the Readers for a fun weekend even though we had a few sick people to tend to and remember to keep Macie away from red pirate juice.

We just finished Skyping with Coco. He told us all about his picture book and how Mommy was making cookies. Sher sent pics of PayPay and she is sitting up now. Today when I was talking to Sher, I could hear Payton in the background playing with Kierstin. She sure loves her siblings.

Bright White

Here is an edited version of Ellie with a white background which I have been using alot lately. The colors just pop so much brighter. Okay, I really am going shopping now and next time I think I will type first then add the photo. The new Blog Editor is new to me so I will have to figure out the best way to apply it.

OFF TO SHOP

I am off to shop for Christmas gift. I really enjoy this time of year and I have such fun finding just the right present for everyone. Dad was such a good sport on Black Friday. We arrived in Logan at 9 AM and shopped until 1:30 PM. He would have stayed even longer but I had hit all the big sales by then. We still don't have our big tree up yet and I am wondering if I should put it up, because it takes up most of the living room. When I am struck by the fact that our family Christmas party is here on the 23rd I suppose it will be assembled. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL
AND TO ALL A WONDERFUL WEEK!

What I Did Today in 17 Degree Weather

Happy Halloween

Dad and I dressed up for the ward Halloween carnival. It was memorable because our activity chairman is an interior designer and the decorations were based on a black forest. Tree branches were sprayed black, then mounted in buckets with rocks to hold them up. There were 200 cut outs of bats which I helped hang in the gym, spider webbing, lights and really cool games for the kids. I got to be the pirate that ran a kids game filled with magic potions. Even the adults dressed up for this one. The best had to be Quinn and Jodi Whitaker. Quinn is 6'7" and Jodi is 5'11". They came as Frankenstein and his bride. Great costumes. So I will be awaiting every one's updates of Halloween. We didn't take very many pics, but here they are. That cheesy smile is because I have decaying teeth but I guess you can't really see it. Dad just needs a horse, huh?

I Love SKYPE

Dad and I just skyped with these three. It really is almost like being there cause we interact like

we are all together. We got to see Cohen's new Thomas the Train blanky that Allison made him and he showed us his new blocks and read a story with us. He is just so great about interacting with us. He even hands things to us through the computer screen. We may not be there but Skype is the next best thing. Now if we could just kiss attack him through the screen.

Can I just say that I have no idea why my paragraphs get so messed up when I post them. Does anyone know why? I type it a normal format with no weird spacing. Frustrating!

So I will just space it on purpose. See See. Here are some new scrap pages. Something new has been occurring lately. Ellie and/or Addie will call just to talk to me. They really are good conversationalists. It is such a highlight to hear their cute little voices. I get to spend a few days with the Readers this coming week. Should be fun. Danica and I are taking them to Gardener Village for the Halloween festivities.

Been scrapping a little bit this week. Mostly I have been cataloging the countless books Norma bequeathed to me. Inside the front cover of nearly every book, either Norma or my Mom have written their name. It makes me miss them immensely when I see their handwriting. It feels like I am sorrowing all over again for both of them. I do miss them so so much. It is more difficult to share my feelings about my Mom because none of you really knew her. She was incredibly dedicated to her children, she was so naive about common things that even she laughed at herself, and she made the grandest cinnamon rolls I've ever eaten. She trusted me more than she should have and loved me more than anyone else could have. She really was my best friend in all the world. So in some small way this is my tribute to two fabulous women who have had such a profound affect upon me. I hope with all my heart that I can love each of you as unconditionally and completely as they did me. In God's great mercy He has made it possible for me to be with them again, if I so live worthy. As an added note, Dad and I went to the temple Wednesday and completed Art's temple work. Both Dad and I were very focused on feeling Art and Norma's presence. Norma was ready to go through the temple but her health didn't allow it.

As the session began I was wondering if she knew we were there. I looked up as the lady helping with our session passed by and I noticed her name tag. Then I knew Norma was present and tears flowed freely down my cheeks. This lady's name was "Norma Jensen". I know it was no coincidence, since she usually doesn't work that shift in the temple. It was a sweet experience.

September Family Fun

Just lots of fun with all the family here in August. Wish we all lived closer but our hearts are

always connected. I cannot express in words what all of you mean to Dad and I. You keep us

focused on what is really important. We are so blessed to have each of you in our lives.

Just Trying to Feel Better Scrapping

So, yesterday Bri and I spent the day cleaning her

apartment til' it was spic and span. She then treated

me to lunch at Cafe Sabor which was delectable.

Energy yesterday, ill today. I was OK until noon then

I crashed after spending the morning cleaning my own

house. So to forget how lousy I feel, like I have the flu -

Dad doesn't feel well either so stay away! I worked on

sb pages for awhile and here is what I finished and some

are ones I just did this afternoon. Yes, I am going to miss

Grant. He is such a great kid and he is always willing to

hang out with me and explain the details of video games,

bow shooting, and hospital dramas when he was four. The

photos of Kylie were ones I took just prior to her USU grad.

That was a really fun day although it was so cold and it was May!

Payton in Pages

A new baby is like a blank canvas. Whatever colors, hues, shadows or blends we paint with

will be reflected in them. If only we knew how much our artistry mattered as we picked up

the brush to sketch the beginning of our masterpiece. I often wish I had chosen brighter colors

with less shadows, but fortunately babies grow and life has a way of evening out the tones.

New Front Yard DONE!

Dad just finished mowing and trimming the lawn. He does such a good job.

He even agreed to mow every five days and set the mower blades half an

inch shorter just because I like the lawn to always look freshly cut. Thanks

Dad!! I can not even begin to count the hours Dad and I have spent on this

project. Last year he ripped out all the hedges and I picked out bucket loads

of white decorative rock that were underneath them. This year we had a

tree cutter take out a huge cottonwood that was near the front window. It

literally took days to haul off the wood chips after they chipped out the trunk.

Next we spent nearly two weeks bringing in scraps of sod that we also had to drive

to Mendon to pick up out of the large sod field. We wondered if they would grab hold.

While we were in Tennessee, they really caught on and every single piece is green now.

Then came the fun part. Choosing and planting all the flowers. I honestly think

that this summer alone I have planted nearly fifty flower starts. They are mostly

perennial so they will return each spring and continue to grow larger as the years

go by. Honestly, my biggest flower problem is that crazy cat, Charlie. He really

believes that is his personal litter box and green house. Every day I have to fix his

potty stops because he messes up the mulch and then on top of that he eats the

tall red oat grass because he thinks it tastes delicious. Every day I threaten him but

he just turns his nose up and walks on past because he knows his charm will win out.

The Callahan Crew

Upon arriving in Tennessee on June 1st at the Callahans' this is what we found:

1. Three awesome children that were so ready and willing to call us Grandma and

Grandpa. Within minutes of arriving they were all snuggled up on the couch with

me and then the top photo was snapped. The boys really enjoyed shopping at

Walmart with Grandpa that first day and I just enjoyed getting to know each child.

2. One very expectant Sherina and one very anxious Chad. He swears he had prego

cravings too. The photos were taken at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. It's a really

pretty place with a small stream running through it. We went there on our third

day with Sher and she was crazy enough to run a foot race with everyone.

3. A new attraction featuring genuine articles from the Titanic. We went there on our

way home from the park and just goofed around while we browsed outside. The

bottom two photos are in front of the boat as it cuts through the waves.

4. A bunch of kids who are very good bike riders. I rode along with them once in a

while because it was just to dang hot to walk. A hard working, fun loving Dad who

does all he can to keep everyone happy and kicks butt in Tai Kwon Do and can sing

with the best country music stars. A new mommy who tries daily to find balance

in her busy situation and a beautiful new baby girl who her family loves so much.

Grandpa and Grandma Miss Y'all! XOXOXOXOXOXO