Happy Birthday to my baby!

Happy Birthday to my lovely daughter that has brought me so much joy! I love you very much. Where has the time gone? Twenty-Six? No way!!!! You have grown into a lovely woman, wife and mother. I am so proud of you. I love you very much!! You were a beautiful baby and sooooo good. It was a pleasure to have another addition to our family.

Pretty in blue!

Growing up--starting to get independent.

You always loved athletics. Basketball--your favorite.

Volleyball

Senior Picture.

Met the man of your dreams.

A beautiful bride and doing it the right way--at the temple.

And then came family. What a beautiful family.

Seth and Preston are adorable. Then Morgan joins the family. Yea. A daughter.

And it all started when you were born October 18, 1983

Newest Family picture 10/09

Scott needed a picture of the family, so while Jodi and Shar was here last weekend, we took this picture. We will have to zap Chauncy in as soon as we can.

Some Summer Fun

Hangin' Out--Just relaxin'!

Aiden loves the dirt--just rolling in it makes him happy

Morgan's 1st bath at the cabin.




The boys all ropin' for a quarter--well or double or nothin'. I think Justin and J.J. finally won.

Riley and Kashlee swinging on the hammock.

Grammy has to take pics of the puppies. I always put my grandkids in the pics to make the puppies look better!

At Home Depot, buying flowers to pretty up the front of the house.

Octuplet Mom has NOTHING on me!

"What? What did you say Ms. Vetinarian? I have to wean my eight 2-week-old puppies?" GULP! I squared my shoulders, "Okay, if that is what we have to do."

I wish I had taken pictures of the maiden nursery bank! Everyone was there to help

J.J., Marlo, Shar, Chauncy, Steven, Cim, and Scott and I.

The puppies had to learn how to drink from baby bottles.
Finally, they all got some down, but I do believe that there was more was
on our shirts and pants.

There is a ray of light behind that dark cloud.

While we were at the vets, and Sadie was getting hydrated intraveinously (it took about 4 hours), our other momma dog crawled in with the puppies and let them cuddle up and suck on her. I asked the vet when I went to pick up Sadie if there was anything we could give the surragate mom to bring her milk. She gave me something that they have used successfully on horses, so we'll see. In the meantime, we have to bottle feed them.

The Gila Valley Arizona Temple

We had the most wonderful experience this weekend--ground breaking for our own temple. It's only two minutes from my house. How is that for being blessed? It was such a spiritual experience to be there. I absolutely loved every minute. We dressed warm, and inspite of early weather reports that said it was going to rain, it was perfect weather. (I'm sure it was because of a lot of prayers.) The general authorities were Elder Wilford W. Anderson of the Seventy and Elder Neil L. Ander son of the Presidency of the Seventy. The spirit there was very strong. There is no better feeling. I love the gospel and my Heavenly Father. We in the Gila Valley are so blessed to be getting a temple. I am soooooo excited. Here are some pics of the program with a pic of the temple. They didn't scan as well as I wanted, but you can get an idea.

I even got to turn some dirt!

After it was over, Scott, his parents, J.J. and Marlo and I got to cook steaks and bisquits for the dignitaries. That was an honor, too.

Family & Christmas--WONDERFUL

We had a wonderful Christmas season. I'm so thankful that all my grandchildren live by me for this Christmas. Jodi was home which made everything complete. Christmas Eve, we adopted a hispanic family that have 5 children, two of which are in my 7th and 8th grade language arts classes. We took our gifts and we all went to their house and sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The father invited us all in. Picture this. A tiny front room. They have seven in their family and their was 15 of us. We gave them our gifts and all the girls gave me a hug. It was very sweet and touching. The family acted very humble but thankful. It was a wonderful experience.

We started our Christmas morning with Steven calling us about 5:15 so we could see Riley see his trampobine (that's what he called it).

Aiden was bright-eyed, butdidn't know what was

going on.

Next, on to J.J. and Marlo's house. The kids were so darling. Of course, Grammie isn't prejudice or anything!

Kashlee giving J.J. a kiss.

Justin loving his Star Wars Phantom Spaceship

The whole family with their gifts.

Next, we all went to Shar and Chauncy's--the boys were still asleep.

But not for long.

They found the things under the tree and on the couch.





But they needed to follow Santa's footsteps to find......


yes, you guessed it.

A trampoline: must have been on a lot of kids lists this year.

Check out that big smile!

Gifts all open, now a family picture.

NOW on to GRAMMY AND PAPA'S HOUSE.

Look at all the Huge presents for all the grandkids! Can you tell what they are?

Yep, mini chairs.

We all had a great time, but most importantly we love each other and enjoy each other's company. My goodness, we have so many blessings! I'm so thankful for our Savior and it is so important that we remember the true meaning of Christmas. Christ loves us all and wants us to all love one another. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I love you all very much, too.