Growing older...

I'm not sure how I feel about growing older...  In truth, I don't really feel that old until I pass by a mirror and see my reflection, or until I try to keep up with all the 30 year olds in my palates class!  Then it hits me... I really am getting old, (something I could NEVER imagine when I was young!)  Time has taken away  my flexibility, my endurance, my coordination,my figure, my brain and my youth, but in it's place it has given me time! Time to do the things I never was able to do when my kids were young.  I have  time to read, time for my friends, time to cook, time to play,  time to spend with my "Young Women", time to go on dates with Steele, time to travel without having to arrange for sitters and most of all...time to spend with my grandchildren!!  They are the payoff!  Time spent with them is priceless! So I will gladly relinquish my youth just for the privilege of being a grandma!

Tess and her guardian

Steele

Blessing Tess

Tess in her (and her mom's) blessing dress!

It's January 23rd, and before the month is over I need to share the highlight of the month... on Sunday, January 2nd, Nick and Chelsea blessed their beautiful daughter, Tess.  It was a very special day!  Tess was perfect as she was surrounded by her father, grandfathers and uncles! Nick gave her a name and a beautiful blessing! He blessed her with a kind manner, with mental, spiritual and physical strength and to be able to overcome illness.  He blessed her with an open heart and an open mind and the ability to judge people by their hearts and not by their outward appearance.  She was blessed to be an example to her friends so that they will come to her for help and for counsel.  She was blessed to find a worthy companion who could take her to the temple where they could be sealed for eternity. Lastly, Nick blessed  Tess to know that she can always come to her family for help, support and love and that she would  know how proud her parents are of her and how much she is loved.
Grandchildren really are one of the Lord's greatest gifts! Tess and Steele James are both blessed with wonderful parents! It is pure joy watching your children become parents and start families of their own!

 

Ugly Sweaters

It's that time again...for our Ugly Sweater Contest.  Here's our 2010 entrees.  

 BreAnna picked this one out for Blake. 

 Blake did a little customizing on this sweater for Bre. 

 Bryan found this for Jon...totally unaltered!

 Jon held on to this for 2 YEARS...it was worth the wait!

 Chelsea's pick for Laurie!

 Laurie found this for Nick.

 Nick picked out this "ensemble" for dad

Dad got a little stuck in the 60's when he found this for me.  

 Christmas scrubs for Dr. Larson

 Look what I found for Tess!

 Cute family...even in "ugly" sweaters!

Celebrating at "Arellas"

We had a vote and Jon won for giving Chelsea the "ugliest" sweater!  There were some great finds this year.  I look forward to next year!  Merry Christmas!

Can you find Nick?

I just couldn't resist this...I was looking around on facebook and saw that someone had tagged Nick in this picture. This has to be one of my all time favorite "class pictures!"  See if you can pick Nick out!  (Actually, he's hard to miss!) Those were the days!!  Love him!

Halloween 2010

It was definitely a quiet Halloween at our household this year!  I was recuperating from dental surgery,  Bry, Bre and Steele  were in New York City, visiting old friends and enjoying fall in the "Big Apple."  Blake was attending Halloween festivities in Provo, and Sean was celebrating "Day of the Dead" in Mexico. We didn't even have very many "trick or treaters!" LUCKILY...we did have a visit from the cutest little witch EVER...Nick and Chelsea came by with  Tess in an adorable witch costume that Chelsea made! 

I love Halloween and I really missed dressing up this year , but I just wasn't quite up to it.  Rest assured,  I won't miss it next year!  Here' are a few pictures of Halloween 2010!

Beautiful baby Tess!

 Thomas the Train...how cute is he?

 Bre as a Famous Rockett Toy Solider 

Haunted Pumpkins!

Blake's pumpkin, Jon's, Lauri's and Nick's!

"Wayne's World, Wayne's World, party on, excellent!

Proud parents Nick and Chelsea

Bry and Bre's pumpkins

Old School Tron and contemporary Tron!  

Bre, Bry and Steele at FAO Schwartz

"Ain't She Sweet..."

 

On September 14th Mom turned 85!  She will probably shoot me for making that announcement, but if I were her, I would wear my age with pride!  She is amazing!  No one would believe she is remotely  close to 85!  On Wednesday she attended a birthday luncheon in her honor, where she celebrated with her dearest friends.  It was a wonderful afternoon and mom was touched by all the warm thoughts, songs, cake, flowers and a surprise appearance by Bob! We are so blessed to have her for our mother!

To Mom on her 85th Birthday!

God must have rejoiced in "Nineteen twenty-five"
He saw what he'd created & He knew you'd thrive!

I wish I had seen a glimpse of you then...
You must have been the "bees knees" to all the young men!

Yet other men paled in comparison to...
The young man who stole your heart from you!

The dashing young pilot, dressed in Navy white,
You must have known you'd found your White Knight!

Together the two of you would persevere,
An unstoppable duo throughout the years!

Bringing up three children would have it's drawbacks...
Bob and Nancy alone, would stop most in their tracks!

Luckily, Susan made life a bit better
"Patty Pioneer" would never  pester!

All our friends that came round knew to be tidy.
Alene's reputation was, "she's little but MIGHTY!

It takes "Wonder Woman" to do all you've done.
As a wife and a mother you're  NUMBER ONE!

But what you've accomplished goes far beyond that...
You're a best friend, business partner and diplomat!

You were always the one that built our esteem...
Try outs for cheerleader or pursuing life's dreams!

And you were the one whose shoulder we cried on
Long after boyfriends and girlfriends were gone!

You helped us with our homework night after night
You made sure on prom, our dress was "just right!"

You planned out each wedding, down to the bouquet,
You saved your daughter hundred's of miles away!

You've supported each child and grandchild too,
You never missed a baptism or a debut!

No one's more grateful for your eighty five years,
Than your children whose lives you continue to steer.

Happy Birthday Mom...Your life we emulate!
You have more than earned this day to celebrate!


                     Happy Birthday Mom

Not Too Shabby...

This is a preview of an article that came out in August's issue of "Instore" Magazine, called "America's Coolest Stores."  The picture is from the Grand Opening of OC TANNER.  You'll note that the store front it amazing and that the "doormen" are particularly handsome!!   It was a great night!