A December Do-Over...

Seriously, I can't believe it is January. I didn't get to enjoy my December and Christmas and school break the way I had in the past. Let me 'splain...

1. Maddie was still sick and we spent at least one day a week in the doctor's office and I DO MEAN a whole day...

2. I tried to do catch up on the other days of the week for work, Primary, the house, Meg and Hunter, Jeff...

3. Meg finally got tired of waiting and put up Christmas sometime around the middle of the month (with a miniscule amount of help from Mad & Bud)...



4. Spent one day on the phone calling surgeons to see if they could help us over Christmas Break...they only wanted to see her and charge another office visit and then do surgery in January...

5. Spent one morning on the phone with the insurance company filing complaints against the 2 doctors that were "helping" Mad by putting her surgery out until January...

6. Happy note: the insurance lady called her own surgeon and got us an appointment for the next morning...the 23rd of December...and had us penciled in for surgery on Christmas Eve...



7. The insurance lady even came to the hospital to visit us on surgery day... :0

8. I hurried to finish shopping and wrapping on the 22nd...

9. Jeff had a wonderful little procedure done on December 28 which leads me to another story I will post next...

10. Meg started her next show "The Fantasticks" on New Year's Eve...(rehearsals almost every night in December...)

11. Mad is recovering very nicely. She went back to school this week and did NOT miss one single day!



12. I tried to get all of Primary ready for the new year with new classes, teachers, rooms, schedules...there are more than 100 kids and more than 35 teachers...the first activity of the year was on Jan 2 and we thought it went well...most of the kids came and most of the teachers came...we kept it just about an hour...I couldn't have done it without my awesome counselors...

13. I called to cancel Mad's surgery that was supposed to be on the 7th of January and the person asked if I wanted to reschedule...I laughed and hung up...

I did have a wonderful day on Christmas. We had a little Christmas that morning and then made our annual family breakfast...breakfast quiche, juice and fruit...the Moores came up and then we spent the afternoon with Moores and Godwins and the Andersons were even able to come down. I love to be with our families and I guess I don't really need a Christmas day do-over...I look forward to next year and no one being sick!

I Caught Him!

We always leave cookies and milk for Santa. His cup is always dry in the morning like maybe he licked it clean. "He must be extra thirsty" I thought. Maybe the kids weren't leaving enough milk for poor old Santa.

I decided to try an experiment...I set the camera on the cupboard next to the stove. I put a motion detector on it so it would turn on when a light came on.

Christmas morning this is what I found on my camera...!

This one's for Jeff

I love Thanksgiving. My kids have a five day weekend and we get to be with family. We usually put up the Christmas tree sometime that weekend and eat leftover turkey and pie. Speaking of food...Jeff is more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Dessert for him would be another helping of turkey. He sent me this picture so now I know for sure what his thoughts are on pumpking pie!

Thanksgiving...

I love(d) to listen to President Hinckley. I found this video and thought it might be great to share with you for Thanksgiving. It's a beautiful story. Happy Grateful Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for. For starters:

1. my family and friends. I love you all so much.
2. my ward family and the blessings of being in Church.
3. my home and job. Jeff's job, too.
4. insurance. uh, yea, insurance. (ER visit last week was $5200!)
5. scholarship money...Meg can go to college on her scholarship and today Maddie just got a scholarship to Weber!
6. humor. Someone is always telling a joke or in some way making us laugh. Meg has even made us laugh out loud a time or two. Good job, Meg! Hunter keeps us smiling while he recites old Bill Cosby stuff. "Hey, hey, hey!"

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. It is here and I am so excited!

Tantrum, Anyone?

Maddie and I were at the Walmart. She said to me, "If I am a good girl, will you buy me something? If you don't then I will have a tanrtum. I learned about those in psycology today."

"That would be kinda fun to see," I said.

We walked on and I asked her, "Are you going to do it in the nylons aisle or the deodorant aisle? I just want to know so I can get my camera ready."

"It will be a spur-of-the-moment kinda thing," she said.

Well, I forgot and bought her a little pair of booties. DANG IT!

My camera will be ready the next time we go out, though, I promise. You-Tube, here we come!

Vote Today...

and don't forget to take your ID.

Sunday Sweet

Happy Halloween!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

My sister, Crystl

This is my sister Crystl (as Medusa last Halloween) and her son, William. She just turned --! (put the numbers in, if you want to, Crystl!) Happy Birthday!

I was almost twelve when she was born and I remember that day. I had to go to school but I wanted to go up to the hospital. Oh, well. I told everyone that my mom was having my baby sister that day. It was before the time we could find out what the baby would be so everyone thought I meant that mom had had my sister already. No, I said, she hasn't had her yet. Then how do you know it's a girl? they wanted to know.

I am the oldest of 7 kids. Then a brother, then a sister, then brother, then sister, then brother...so, of course, the next one HAD to be a girl! Or, HE would be in trouble when he got here!

I got home from school and Dad confirmed I had a new sister. She was so little and pretty. And HOLY COW! Hair as red and orange as the sunset! None of us had her hair color. It's beautiful!

Crystl was my little baby and I loved to share her with the Young Women in our ward. My little brother Alan was also a favorite playmate for my friends, too. I took my little friends all over the neighborhood and played house with Tami and Judy and Cindy.

When she was little, she loved to wear her cute little swim suit. She slept in them, played in them and went visiting in them. She also loved to wear dresses. Twirling her skirts was one of her favorite things to do!

One day she snuck away from me and tried to go see the kittens in the yard. I ran after her to catch her before she got to the electric fence. I got to her just as she grabbed the wire and started screaming. I grabbed her around the waist and couldn't let go. I must have pulled on her as I grabbed her because we flew back into the dirt and grass and lay there shaking and crying. Sheesh, girl!

We were swimming at the creek and she wanted to get to the other side to play with the other kids. I carried her on my back and fell into a hole. We both went under the water and Crystl panicked. She climbed to the top of my head and held on for dear life. I hit the bottom of the creek and pushed up, trying to pull her off of me so I could push her to the edge of the water. She was holding on so tight I couldn't move her. We went down again and I thought we were going to drown. I know someone was there to help me. I was able to yank her off me and push up to the surface at an angle. That push got us to the other side to play.

Crystl loved to do whatever everyone was doing. She was also very good at entertaining herself for hours. Mom would take her to college when she had no one to watch her. Crys was very quiet and would sit for the whole class without making a sound.

Crystl loves, among many other things, to sing, knit (did you see the witch socks she made me?), have kids, make really amazing scrapbooks (she even made some for her cats!), go camping and spend time with her family.

She is crazy about musicals and will come see all the nieces and nephews perform even if they only have a tiny part! What a nice Aunt.

I love Crystl and am so glad she was not a boy! Happy Birthday! Love you.

This one is for Ky...

If the Shoes Fit...

My sister Crystl made these awesome witch socks. I LOVE THEM! Thank you, Crys.

Our city is haunted!

Look who I saw on the street! Happy Halloween!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Today I was released from my Young Women's calling as the 1st Counselor and I am now the Primary President.

I had been in Primary for about 8 years. Mostly as a teacher for our new and old ward but was the 1st Counselor for almost 2 years. Our President's husband was put into the Bishopric a year ago and I thought they might change the Primary around. The Bishop asked to see me and Jeff so I just knew I was going to be in the new Presidency. Ok, I said to myself. I can handle that. When I was asked to go to YW as their 1st Counselor, I thought it was a mistake. I think you mean Primary, I said. No, he said. You are needed in YW. Ok, I said. I can handle that.

It took me a month or so to get into the swing of YW. I hadn't been in there for almost 10 years. I loved it. I really enjoyed getting to know the other leaders. All of them are so different but they all love the girls, love life and love the gospel. I learned so much from all of them and had a wonderful experience with them. Especially girls camp and the slumber party with the leaders.

The YW were great, too. We have an awesome bunch of YW. They are all very nice girls. They have strong testimonies, they love to do service projects and we all liked to sit around and just visit.

I am especially thankful that I got to be with Maddie at her last girl's camp and see her on Trek. I am so proud of my kids and to see one of them in action as a leader makes me appreciate them even more. Maddie takes charge when she is supposed to and lets others be the leader when they are needed. I am thankful that I was able to share some special experiences with my girl.

So now I am back in Primary and there are 80+ kids in there. I think it will take me a few days to get back into Primary mode. I have some great women to work with who have a love for Primary and the children. I hope I learn LOTS from them!

Autumn is a time to change and it has always been my favorite season. I guess it is well that my big changes have happened in the fall.

22 years ago today...

Jeff and I were married! We are still sane, still love each other, haven't killed our children, still have no money, and still have a sense of humour! Here's to eternity! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray!

Funny Video

My Buddy is 12!

I started calling my son "Buddy" just after he was born. He has lived up to that nickname and has been a great friend to kids of all ages. He loves his cousins and has many close friends. He plays fair and includes the tiniest cousins in activities. (most of the time!)

When I found out I was going to have a boy, I cried. I was really scared because I had two girls and didn't know anything about boys. Heavenly Father knew I needed a good boy to take care of so I got Hunter! My "scaredy-catness" was for nothing! Hunter has been a wonderful boy. He helps when I ask (with hardly any fuss) and is thankful for what he gets in return.

He has a wonderful sense of humor and loves to tell jokes, do standup comedy, and play tricks on any unsuspecting sister who happens to come by!

He just finished his 11-year old scouting with a great leader; our neighbor across the street. Kim is a good neighbor and friend. He loves scouts and loves the boys. He is also a Democrat. We are Conservatives as are most of our other neighbors. I told Hunter he needed to think of a nice gift to give Kim to thank him for all his time and hard work in scouts. Hunter said that was a good idea. A few minutes later he said, "I know what I can give Brother Wixon. A mug that says Proud Republican!"
I told Kim and he laughed. He said he would love to get that from Hunter!

Hunter is also an entrepreneur. As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, Hunter made a "Job Break Co." to have the sisters hire him to do their chores. (He made a few bucks from that.)

Next was the exterminator company. Meg hates spiders and will squeal like a girl when she sees one. Depending on the pitch of the scream he will say "That is worth $1." "I'll get that one for you for $5.00!" or "Good grief, that's only worth 50 cents. Get it yourself"! (I think he is opening his own bank with that money!)

I love my son. He is excited to be a Deacon and pass the sacrament. He is a great little leader and has many good qualities to share with us. I am glad he is in our family and I am glad I had a boy!

Hunter and his cousin/friend, Tyler

Hunter and his cousins/friends, Anna and William

Hunter and his cousin/friends, Koby and Krystal

OH, THE DRAMA!

Meg opens "Beauty and the Beast" at the Terrace Playhouse this Friday. I hope you can all come see it.

Maddie starts rehearsal this week for "The Wedding Singer". Performances are in March.

Hunter turns 12 on Saturday. HOLY COW! A new post just for him is coming up. (He's not so much a part of the DRAMA at our house but he does add lots of humor to our lives!)

Noodles, anyone?

Today I found a recipe that was good and quick to make. (my kind of recipe) I have never been fond of ramen noodles but this I liked!

Ham and Noodle Toss

2 c broccoli florets
2 c water
1 c cubed ham (I used lunch meat)
1 T soy sauce
2 pkg ramen noodles-any flavor
2 packets seasoning from the noodle packages

Put the ingredients in a large saucepan, breaking the noodles into little pieces. Simmer for about 7 minutes or until the noodles are soft. Stir frequently.

(Green onion might be yummy on top but I didn't have any)

Do you have a family favorite recipe that is quick and easy to prepare? Post it here and a picture, if you can.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Ok, so on my last post I mentioned that I don't like school to start, which is mostly true. (I really like buying new school supplies and right now I have enough pencils to last through the next century...too bad no one writes letters anymore...) This commercial made me chuckle:

School has started and summer is over!

I love and hate this time of year. I love fall and it is just around the corner. I hate that we don't have more days to play. I love that the house is quiet when I come in. I hate that we have to get up so early. I love that we have a daily schedule. I hate that we have to go to bed so early!

Jeff started his job at the Jr High. I miss him terribly! I know. Wierd, huh? But we have been on our own schedule now for almost 8 years. We worked together as much as we could. We didn't get as much done sometimes because I was driving and he was giving me bad directions! (just kidding, Jeff!)

We talked about everything: church, politics, our neighborhood, our church callings, our kids, our extended families, our job, friends, money, the future, the past, our kids, our house, friends, money...

Last week I was by myself and actually was looking forward to that. But I was so blurry brained that I couldn't keep anything straight. (I even forgot TWICE to give papers to the secretary when I met her. Duh.)

I even went to the Jr High on Wednesday and ate SCHOOL LUNCH so I could visit with Jeff for an hour! Good grief.

This week will be better, right? Right.

I was reminded of the first day of my sophomore year when I asked Lori how Taiters was doing without Linx to play with. She said Tait was having a ball and kind of liked having the house to herself! She and Lincoln are only a year apart and have been the best of friends. I remembered when Alan started kindergarten way back when...

Alan and Crystl are only a year apart, too. They were also best friends. The bus pulled up and we all got on except Crystl and Alan. Mom was trying to get Alan off the porch to the bus but he wasn't budging. He had his arms wrapped around the porch poles and was hanging on for dear life. Crystl was wrapped around him and Mom was crying. (She always hated us to go off to school and even tried to home school us once so she could be with us all day.)

Anyway, I got back off the bus to help Mom. Alan started crying and then Crystl started. Then I started. I finally pulled Alan off and Mom took Crystl. Alan and I went to the bus and he got to sit in the back with me and all the big kids.

Poor babies. Poor Mom and poor me. We (Mom and I) still get teary-eyed when we talk about that day.

Anyway, a new season has started and it will be memorable. Meg is in her second year of college, Maddie is a Sr and in her last year of High School, and Hunter is in his last year at Elementary School!

Looking forward to fall weather...

Yup!

"Hillary Clinton says it takes a village to raise a child. I've seen the village and I don't want it raising my child." - unknown

Can I get one ticket to...Asia?

I love this! MacGuyver can fix anything! Too bad this salon is in Asia somewhere. Unless they style your hair to LOOK like MacGuyver! (then, never mind on that ticket!)

Huh?

So, Meg and I were just in Walmart. We were in the checkout line and this guy next line over was holding one of those fishy bags with the twist tie. Except he wasn't buying a cute little fish. He had a big, ugly eel that kept jumping straight up like it was trying to get out of the bag through the twist tie.

Anyway, a woman in front of him turns around to see look at this eel. She was asking him about it and then shook her head and said, "People just keep coming up with new things."

Eh?

Happy Birthday, America!

God Bless America

Committing treason left and right. Would I have been so bold? I am thankful for those who did and the sacrifices they made on our behalf. Am I showing enough gratitude today? Are you?

TREK! June 2009

Isn't Maddie a cute pioneer? But where's that bonnet?

I was so excited to go on trek this year and see Maddie. I stayed at camp and cooked, set up camp and got ready for the kids to get in at the end of the day. How wonderful it would have been for the pioneers to have dinner waiting when they stopped each night.


Each family received a baby doll which represented an actual baby that crossed the plains to Utah. Maddie's family got twin sisters, Emma and Clara. Maddie ended up carrying at least one girl most of the way. At one point on the trail, Emma died and had to be buried in the valley. Maddie was very upset and realized to a small extent what the pioneers had to do when they lost a child or family member.

Where is that bonnet?


About five o'clock, one of the men came into camp and told us he had just seen the first company back over the hill. They would reach us in about an hour. We had been talking about all the kids and especially our own, wondering how they were doing and if they were having fun.

We hurried to finish dinner and grabbed our chairs. We went to the edge of camp and lined up like we were waiting for a parade. Maddie's company was first and as each family came in, we were all cheering and clapping. Everyone was so excited that the first day was almost over and we had had no major casualties.

Four of the five families came in but not Maddie's. I was getting a little anxious as I did not know why they were late. Did someone really get hurt? Way off in the distance, we could see white family flags snapping in the wind. The next company was heading our way. As they got closer, I stood up and just stared at who I hoped was Mad. There she was! Walking, smiling and happy.

I couldn't help it. I cried. "Oh, mom! Don't cry." she said. "I'm ok!" Gotta love a girl who is happy, sweaty, tired and funny. But...Where IS that bonnet?


AHHHHH! Shade!


And cold water to clean up!


We moved camp the next morning and set up at our new site. The day became overcast and a cool breeze moved in. How nice for everyone! As the day drew on, the clouds got darker. When the last family rolled in, the rain started! And the hail! It sprinkled on and off until 10 pm. Bedtime...and then the rain did not stop until early the next morning. Everything was soaked!

We got to stay at that camp that Friday night. Thank goodness. The weather was nice and cool that entire day. The sun came out and dried the blankets, shoes and the muddy ground.


Maddie's family. Anyone seen Maddie's bonnet?



The last trail ends. YOU DID IT!

Bonnet?

What a great experience we had. I loved the dirt, sun, bugs, sweat, the testimonies and the feeling of gratitude for all I have been blessed with. How thankful I am for our ancestors who sacrificed so much for all of us. I love Utah and love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I wonder, though, what legacy am I leaving for the next generations to come? Will they want to reenact a portion of my life so they can feel closer to me? To my Heavenly Father? To feel the blessings he bestowed upon us?

Meg is 19!

So, nineteen years ago I was feeling pretty crappy. I couldn't walk, couldn't eat anything, couldn't bend over, couldn't sleep...well, you get the idea. I had been to a picnic with the Moores on Saturday, June 23 and was playing on the swings. I got STUCK in the tire swing! (how embarrassing)

I had had a pretty good day (all the "couldn't"s aside) and then woke Jeff up at about 3:00 Sunday morning. I couldn't move my leg very well. This thing was sitting so low in my body I think it was cutting the circulation off in my leg. We drove to the hospital and Dr. D came to see me. I told him I wasn't leaving until I was carrying something fun in my arms! He was in a good mood and said, "OK!"

About 12 hours later I was holding this thing which was by now, thank goodness, a little pink baby girl! We were going to call her Meg Anne (Meg after a cute little girl in the movie "Three Fugitives" and Anne for Anne Shirley of "Anne of Green Gables".) We put the two names together and it was perfect!

I had ALWAYS wanted to my first baby to be a girl and just knew that I would. When I had been dating Jeff a few months, his dad said to me "You know, if you marry Jeff, your first child will have to be a boy. Jeff is the firstborn son of a firstborn son of a firstborn son of a firstborn son of a firstborn son." (is that 5 generations?) I told him sorry but my first baby would be a girl. When I was pregnant, we would tease each other and I even found a button that said "It's A Girl!" and wore it when I was with Don.

When Meg was born she was the first grandchild on both sides of the family and the grandparents came to the hospital to get a peek. Wouldn't you know it, Don took her and hogged her longer than anyone else. I didn't even get her back for over an hour!

Meg has been a very busy girl since that first Sunday she arrived. She has been involved in theater, choirs, student government, family, jobs, friends and church. We love to hear her sing and watch her act. She loves her Sunbeam class and loves her little cousins.

I love Meg and all she does for us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEG!

This is my sister Melody. She was born on Flag Day! How cool is that?

I was three when she was born. We lived in Alabama and flew to Utah so Mom could have her baby in Bountiful. Mom said she was afraid to have her babies in Alabama (she thought she would die)...(which she almost did when she had the next baby, Bryce, but that's another story).

I believe that I had my first remembrance when Mel was born. It was a life changing experience for me when I got a sister. Don't get me wrong, I had fun with Arden. But he really only wanted to chop stuff up and tear things apart, but a SISTER! Now, that had some great possiblity!

So, I remember the airports and being at Grandma Bishop's house. I took a nap in the front room behind Grandpa's big green chair and when I woke up, Mom was gone and we went to the hospital to see my new sister with the bright red hair. The nurse held her up to the window so we could see her.

Mel and I played dolls together all the time. Mom made us the coolest little beds for our dolls and cute little doll clothes. She made our dresses too that matched but were different colors. It was almost like being a twin!

Melody has three cute little kids and a nice husband. They bought Grandma's house (yes, the same one I mentioned before) which I think is very cool because Mel has Grandma's flowers and plants that Grandma loved! (And she shares them with me!)

I am glad Melody is my sister. We have a long history that only we can appreciate! She is organized and wise. Maybe one day I can be like her just a little!

Love you, Mel. I am glad we are good friends! Happy Birthday!

HE'S EMPLOYED!

Jeff went back for a second interview today and he was offered a job to teach History and Geography! Of course he accepted! YAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laurel's Birthday

We had Laurel's name for her birthday this year. I wanted to give her something that wouldn't break or be outgrown. Melody and I thought she might like to learn to use a sewing machine. I got her some easy patterns for capris and a skirt. I took her to the fabric store and she chose some really cute animal print fabric.

We cut out the patterns for capris and Laurel sewed the side seams and the inner leg seams. (You have to say "Inner leg" reverently while doing a Buddha pose) I sewed the waistband and hemmed the bottoms. We made two pair in just about 5 hours. Laurel loves the new capris and wanted to wear them to church the next day.

Good job, Laurel! Now you can help me with costumes for the next show! (hee hee, that was a great gift to give me, huh? Ummm...I mean "give her"!

What can you do with 2 Master's?

Jeff graduated from U of Phoenix this month. He has his second Master's and has already looked into getting a doctorate! He has already told the kids that when he gets his doctorate they can no longer call him "Dad". They have to call him "DOCTOR Moore"!

He had his first interview today at Roy Jr High. A small drive but nothing he can't handle. We are still hoping for a Davis County position but are not holding our breaths.

"Congraduations!"

Duct Tape and Chewing Gum, Anyone?

OH MY HECK! I loved Mother's Day this year! Jeff and Hunter gave me season 1 and 2 of MACGYVER! And Maddie gave me season 3! I need some duct tape!

MacGyver...what a hunk! Old tv, quick thinking cute guy and NO commercials. Awesome!

Meg got me a cute purse which I love. (It's the perfect size to carry some gum, tape, paper clip and a pocket knife.)

Thanks everyone!

One more...

The Baa-Studs of Wales-Amazing!

Happy Anniversary!

I just found these two commercials for the LDS Church. (see previous posts) They are so cute. We have not seen them at our house. This month marks the two year anniversary that our tv has been unplugged from the antenna.

We watch dvds and old videos. The kids think they are horribly picked on and can't carry on a conversation with anyone at school because they do not know what happened last night on ... (whatever the latest show is). Poor things.

I lived without a tv at our house from the time I was born until the middle of 6th grade. Our neighbors gave us a little 10" black and white tv for Christmas. Wow, were they rich! We didn't have videos or dvds and forget about renting them. They did not exist.

I don't miss the news, crappy sitcoms that make everyone look like idiots, or blood and guts shows with murder and more.

I do miss the old tv shows like the Brady Bunch, Little House, Andy Griffith, Perry Mason and The Amazing Race.

I would love to have tv with only uplifting shows and commercials. Since we don't have that, we boycott!

Swashbucklers

Runaway Stage

Hee Hee!

I first thought of Crystl when I saw this! Love you and all your little craft projects!

Laughter is Sweetness to the Ears

So, the girls and I have found this great website all about cake decorating. I thought Meg could get some really great ideas from it. She works at the bakery at the local grocery store. Anyway, we decided it is NOT the best place to find great ideas.

This website is pretty much all about "Wreckorators" who work at bakeries around the world. Some of their creations are hilarious, some make you shudder, and most of them leave you wondering...WHY?????

The hostess does post some wonderful ones on her "Sunday Sweets" and we ooh and awe and sometimes drool (sorry about that).

I thought you might enjoy some good laughs. The girls and I have been staying up too late at night to see all these. We aren't through them all yet. Happy looking!

"Show Boat" March 2009

Maddie opened "Show Boat" last night and it sounded great. I was in the box office for the first half and only got to see her at the ending.

These are two of the costumes I made. They are my favorites and only took me 6 weeks to make! I think she loves these dresses as much as I do. The plaid is a black and white taffeta. The fabric was fairly easy to sew on but I am no good matching plaids. I used a Civil War pattern and just moved the shoulder seams to the top of the shoulder instead of the side of the shoulder, the way it would have been worn in the 1860's. It has an under bustle pillow, huge petticoat, skirt and top.

The other dress is navy blue with small orange stripes and dark orange accents. It has an under bustle pillow, huge petticoat, skirt, back bustle, front apron and the top. I only needed 4 different patterns to make that outfit. Maddie has a great figure and looks wonderful in these dresses. Don't you think?

What?

Okay, so I know it's not Easter yet, but since all the stores are decked out with candy, etc. it must be time to put this up now.

It makes me laugh every time I see it. Happy Easter. (I'm looking forward to Spring)

This is my sister, Lori. She is a great friend to me and yesterday was her birthday. She is very busy with her five kids and husband but would help you with anything if you asked.

She keeps up with politics, helps at her kids schools, reads anything she can, has the patience of Job, (from what I've read; I never met the man), has funny kids who keep us all laughing, loves my kids, has more kids at her house at any one time than the zoo does on "free kids day" (hey! kids...zoo...lori's house...!)

I love Lori. She always makes me smile. Happy Birthday!

My friend, Lance

Last night I got a phone call from my little friend, Lance. He is 7. He said he needed to tell me "some stuff". First, though, he wanted to know if I like the DS or the WII better. I have never played with either one, so I wasn't much help. He told me how to turn them on and play with them, just in case I ever got a chance. I asked him why he wanted to know. He said that his big brother Ben had to do a survey for school and so he wanted to do a survey of his own.

He said he got in trouble at school and "lost" his friends. He was not looking forward to today. He also fell and got a big hole in his knee. He was not having a good week, I guess.

We talked for about ten minutes and he told me he got to talk to Ann Ann. He is patiently waiting for her to get back to his house!

A funny thing about Lance. When he was a baby, he and his parents and big brother, Ben, lived with us for a few months. They lived downstairs. He would crawl up the stairs every chance he got and just play quietly with me or whoever was home. I say quietly because when his mom realized he was gone, she would always come get him and take him back home! One day Ben got some fruit snacks and somehow Lance got them and started running away with the little bag held high above his head. I guess he thought that if they were up high, Ben couldn't get them! Funny boy! (Ben was a lot taller than Lance! But Lance was pretty fast!)

Thanks for calling me, Lancey-boy. I hope we get to talk again.

Maddie is 17!

So, Maddie is 17 as of two days ago. She is having a birthday party and I am hiding in the bedroom. I am very proud of her. She has a lot of good friends and loves to be with them. She is a happy girl most of the time and has a great sense of humor.

For the last few months she will get into bed and then call, "Mom." "Mo-om." "Moooo-oooom."
Then I am supposed to say "WHAT?"
Her: "I can't go to sleep until I get tucked in."
Me: I'm not tucking you in."
Her: "I promise I will go right to sleep if I get tucked in."
Me: (I tuck her into her blankets and she lays there and grins with her arms sticking out of her blankets--when I reach over her to tuck in the other side she tickles me and says "TICKLE FIGHT! TICKLE FIGHT!") (we both laugh but I am not supposed to)
Me: (flustered)"Good night."
Her: "I love you."
Me: "OK" and then I walk away

Maddie: "Meg." "Me-eg." "Meeee-eeeeg." and so on.

EVERY NIGHT! Of course we all laugh and roll our eyes. What a funny tradition! (It's from the movie "ELF" if you think it sound familiar)

Happy Birthday, Maddie! Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. She got on the high honor roll at school this last quarter! Way to go.

That took longer than I thought!

I made three costumes for Maddie and just need to do touch up on a couple more. They look great on Maddie and I am very happy to be finished. I will post pictures soon.

This month and a half has been quite eventful (and not all fun). Meg wrecked her little Ford Escort. She hit the back of a school bus (no one was hurt) and crunched the front of her car. It folded like a taco. The bus has a little skid red skid mark and that's it. She and Jeff went to the junk yard and got parts to fix her car back up. Meganne actually LIKED that!

Maddie got a date to Valentine's Dance at LHS. She found her dress at a consignment shop for 1/2 the marked price of $80. What a bargain shopper. It brings tears to my eyes! She looks great in this dress. It is dark brown and is very modest, too. I didn't need to do anything to fix it for her to wear it! BONUS!!!

Jeff has two more classes to go until he is DONE with school and then he will have his teaching degree. I am so excited for him and look forward to him being a member of faculty somewhere and having health insurance!

Hunter has been working very hard on his Merit Badges for Scouts. He loves checking stuff off and accomplishing new things. He has done a Family Home Evening lesson on the Word of Wisdom and even drew his own pictures for an activity. He made his Valentine box for his school class and won first place! It is a bank safe and looks good! He even started TWO of his own companies called: S.J.B.Co. & M.E.S.S. SJBCo stands for Sisters Job Break Company and his ad says: "Ever have parents nagging you to actually DO you JOB??? Don't worry, we understand. Just give us a call and we will help! Contact us for prices." He actually made $5 off Meg one day!

MESS stands for Meganne's Emergency Straightener Service "Ever have a friend coming over last minute? We can help! With quick and effective service, we get the job done." (fine print at the bottom says "Prices will vary with shorter notices")

Oh, yeah. Jeff and I were in a car crash on Monday. It was snowing and a young guy ran a stop sign. We spun in the snow and ice and ended up facing the way we had just come. We tore up a few layers of sod in the median. We were shaken up and bumped around some but we are ok. Our Outback is in the body shop getting the left back door fixed, the rear axle straightened and I don't know what else. Damages were around $4300. Glad the other guy had insurance. We are in a rental for the next few weeks. Also glad the kids were not with us. One of them would have been in that seat by the back door.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope y'all had a great Christmas and a safe New Year's celebration. I am gearing up to sit at the sewing machine for the next month. Maddie needs only three costumes for "Showboat"! I am so excited! Maybe it will take me less than a month! Hey! I have dreams and aspirations. I even have a toilet bowl that's springtime fresh. (haha! Inside family joke)Have a cool January!

Funny boy!

I found some videos of "The Waltons" tv show. I checked out about 6 episodes from the public library. Last night Hunter, Maddie and I watched the first episode. It was great! Oh, the good old days...Remember when tv had good shows that were worth watching?

Hunter just came to me and asked if we could "watch the next pioneer movie".

Merry Christmas!

"Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space."
~ Dave Barry

I like this video much better than the last one I posted.

"Annie"

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Halloween 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Trunk or Treat

What do you think of this? Would it be too late do try putting costumes on our cars this year or should we do it next year? Check out this website for more ideas. http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/2008/10/decorate-your-car-for-trunk-or-treat.html

What a History!

Next time you are feeling rather unimportant, try a little arithmetic trick based on the undebatable fact that it took two people, your parents, to get you here. They each had two parents, so there are four more people who contributed to your existence.
You are the product of eight great-grandparents, 16 great-great-grandparents, 32 great-great-great grandparents, etc. Keep on multiplying the number by two. If you figure an average of about 25 years between each generation, you'll discover that a scant 500 years ago, there were 1,048,576 people on this planet beginning the production of you!
This is from an article in the Reader's Digest (year unknown)

It's Voting Time!

Just wanted to let you know that next week you can still vote early. Go to www.daviscountyutah.gov/clerkauditor for locations and times. This info is only good for Davis County. Choose wisely! I'm just sayin.

Dalley Family Portrait

Fall Is HERE!!!!

Eternity!

21 years ago today, Jeff and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple. We have not had easy times but we have always loved each other. Jeff makes me laugh. As mad as I am sometimes, and don't want to give in with even a smirk, he can somehow manage to make me giggle.

One thing, though. He does not like to smile when his picture is taken. He teases me about taking pictures of everything (when I remember my camera). We were at the drive-in this summer and he pulled this face because I wanted pictures of our first summer activity!

He can fix MOST things. We call him the "Rainman" at our house. He remembers everything. He knows something about everything. Family members and friends call him for help on taxes, computers, insurance, retirement, medical issues, school, math, Priesthood blessings, cars (which does make me giggle), politics, Scouting, building things (that's usually Hunter), recipes, and many, many, many more subjects.

He is a great nurse and I say that sometimes he is better at "mothering" than I am. The kids have always gone to him when they are sick or hurt. Even in the middle of the night! (I have to admit that I taught all my kids their first word, "Dada", so they would call out to him).

He is generous. If he had a dollar in his wallet, he would give it to you if you needed it. Since he never has a dollar in his wallet, you will have to take my word for it. His time is valuable to him and us, but he will help anyone who asks for it.

Last year on our 20th anniversary, Jeff asked me if there was anything I would change in our marriage for the next twenty years. I said I wanted to stop rolling my eyes at his jokes, etc. Sorry, honey! I'm still working on that one! I guess I have eternity to stop it?

I love that Jeff honors his priesthood. He carries out his church calling faithfully. He makes sure we have scriptures and prayers. He goes to Priesthood Session of Conference every six months. He always comes home and gives me a hug. I ask him what he learned this night and his answer is always the same..."Love and honor your wife and stay away from porn". He has done well listening to and following the Prophet!

I am blessed to have Jeff. I love him very much. I am thankful he loves me, too.

So Cute!

Ice Cream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!

Ice cream Saturday night after Priesthood Session at the Godwin Cul de Sac! Bring your flavor of ice cream and a topping. (Bowls and spoons would be great too)