Marcio's Visit

Marcio came on Sat. Dec. 5 . We always welcome him back to our home and are excited when he comes to visit. He was our exchange student from Brasil in 94 & 95. He spent 3 days with us leaving on Dec. 8 and going to New York for a few days before he returned to his home. He has very cute twin daughters who we have not met but got to see some great pictures. His wife has visited with us in the past but didn't come on this trip. We have also met his dad and one of his sisters. Kristin has met his whole family because six years ago at Christmas she went to Brasil for 3 weeks and stayed with them.

Office Christmas Party

12-4-2009 It seems I am always in charge of my work Christmas Parties. This year was no exception and here are a few pictures just before it started. We ate first then played games, and ended up having a great time. The menu included chips and dip, bacon wrapped little smokies, pinwheel sandwiches, shrimp, meatballs, huckleberry cheesecake, and red velvet bundt cake.

We played Christmas Trivia, Christmas Bingo and added the spin wheel this year but it did include the infamous dice game. I actually came home with a few prizes this year, $10 cash, walmart gift card, and candle.

What Happened to Aug. & Sept.

New Hobby . I have decided making watch bands can be fun. I used to do crafts, or sew all the time and now I have found myself only doing housework, yard work, and work work, hence I have taken up making these watch bands. It has been simple and fun something besides work. I hope to use them for gifts, or would even sell them if people wanted. Wendy and I made a number over this weekend as we watched conference. She is very quick, and I am slower. I put it together then decide I think I would like the beads in a different order and redo it. Here are a few pictures of some we have made.

I can not believe it has been almost 2 months since I have added anything to my blog. There has actually been a few things happen since the end of June and in July. First of all Alex was Baptized. It was a wonderful baptism! What stands out most for me was the look (smile) on his face when he came out of the water, also I have heard him say a couple of times "that was the best day of my life." I hope he will always remember that feeling. A week after the 4th of July I went with my friend Patty to Greybull Wyoming. This was a spur of the moment trip, but I had a great time. What beautiful country, including a trip through Yellowstone! After spending the night in Greybull, we took a short trip up to Shell and into the Big Horns where we stopped at Gary and Deb's resort. It was great to see them and boy are they are in a gorgeous location. Then if you have seen Sausha or Kristin's blog you know we went on a family camping trip. It is always wonderful to be together, and for me camping is an added treat I love to camp. We had fun floating, and going to Yellowstone. Then a week later I went to our Ward's Girls Camp at Warm River. We only stayed 2 nights and 3 days, but had a fun time! The girls were great, and got along so well. I also turned 55 during this period of time. I know it sounds old, but I don't think or feel that way.

TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN MY DAD'S 98TH BIRTHDAY AND I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT HIM TODAY. I OFTEN THOUGHT HE WOULD MAKE 100.... . THERE ARE ALWAYS REMINDERS OF MY PARENTS, AND TODAY I AM MISSING MINE!

CUTE MOTHER'S DAY FLOWERS

Aren't these cute? Made with cookies, gumdrops, and gummi apple rings!

Alex's 1st Pinewood Derby~~~~Mine too!!!

Alex had is 1st Pinewood Derby last night.....Isn't he quite the handsome cub scout? I think he had a great time and did quite well......I have never been to a Pinewood Derby and it was fun to watch but even better to see what a good time the boys had. Of course Wendy was there with a couple of friends to support Alex and then my friend Patty Conan also came to cheer Alex on! It was a great way to spend an evening!

Showing off his Silver car...will it be a winner?

Anxiously waiting at the finish line!

Proudly showing off his awards. Each race he was in his car took 2nd!

Alex received his Swimming badge before the racing started! Sydney decided she had to show everyone how she could do the splits.....

Last entry on the "Basement"

I don't think the pictures give the "new" basement justice! I promise this will be the last entry on my painting project. I have to admit I love the way it turned out and even though I hate painting I have decided I like it so much I will be painting the bathroom the same color, but I won't be blogging about that.

My next project is to clean out the garage, next weekend, and then hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can work in the yard a little. I have decided not to use the Briarwood Assoc. yard care people and will be mowing my lawn myself. I actually don't mind mowing the lawn but I will have to buy a lawn mower and weed eater.....! Always a project or something to do, I am not very good at sitting still.

Making progress....not quite done though

Painting the Family Room~~~~I really hate painting~~~But like the end results

This is what the walls looked like before I started painting the basement family room. Painting is one of my least favorite things to do, but I am so excited for the end results. I think the brown is so rich it almost looks like suede. My family room is very big, so this project will probably take some time because I paint a little then take long breaks.......

This is what the walls will look like when I am done!... I do love the colors!

SADY *****Man's Best Friend

Sady came to our family back in 1995. Sausha found her at "Ricks College" when she was attending and since she couldn't find her owners, or a new home she came to live with me.

Even though, she was 15 or 16 years old she always looked like a puppy. She was somewhat of a neurotic dog. (We assumed she had been abused) She never learned how to play, and was insecure, always following me wherever I went. Sady was a very loving dog loved human food. Those big brown eyes were so easy to give into, she really was a cute dog. She was always begging for food and dad used to feed her half of his meals. She keep him company after mom passed away!

Today is a sad day since Sady is no longer with us. She had congestive heart failure and yesterday it become very difficult for her to breath. It continued today, and so I took her to to the vet, were it was determined things weren't going to get any better for her. Kristin and Wendy with her when she passed away! Thank you for being there!

HAPPY 24th K R I S T I N ! ! ! Special times:Special Memories

Hope you have a great day! And year ahead!

Happy Birthday to you!

GIRLS DAY SHOPPING

Our day started out at 7:00 am. The roads were horrible until the Downey exit. Just past Pocatello, the snow flakes were some of the biggest I have ever seen, about the size of tennis balls. They were beautiful. I ran into my cousin David Birch at the McCammon truck stop! It is interesting no matter where you go there is usually someone else you know. We also ran into an old neighbor at Tai Pan.

We reached our destination Tai Pan (awesome place) about 10:30 am and shopped 'til 2:30pm. Our feet didn't even hurt, the time went by so fast we thought we were there for only a couple of hours! It was so much fun! and we all got some neat stuff!

Before heading home we stopped at

Maddox's in Brigham City. I bought

two pies to bring home for Kristin's

Birthday. Raspberry Cream and

Chocolate Cream....yum!, but when

I got home one of the pies was

Coconut cream instead of Chocolate!

Yuck, what a disappointment Everyone is smiling. My friends and shopping companions Pat & Melanie!

Look at all the "treasures" we found. It filled the back of

the car! We gratefully arrived home safely around 7:30 pm. It was a great day, other than Pat's headache. Sorry Pat!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY, WENDY

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!......I had a very low key New Year's Eve....went to bed!
Here's 2008 in "quick" review
Marcio visited us from Brasil in Jan.
I was unemployed from Jan. thru May---I loved being able to stay home, I did work part time during that time however.
Worked for a Dr.'s Office from June thru July and then the end of July
Regional Hearing and Balance Center wanted me to go back to work there, which I did.
The summer went too fast and I didn't even make it to Yellowstone or camping this year.
My aunt Marie passed away in July at 100 years old
Sydney spent alot of time in Dr offices and Hospitals, but the last quarter of "08" she has been doing great! What a blessing!!!!
Alex turned eight in Aug. He didn't get baptized so that is a little disapointing, but will hope for the future. In Aug. I was also released from Young Women's as secretary, and put back in as the 1st Counselor.
Dad passed away in Sept. (see earlier blog) I really have missed him and my mom. Somedays, I feel like an orphan!
Oct-Dec went by so fast I am not even sure what happened those months.

And now it is 2009. Jan. is a birthday month for my family
01-02 Wendy......Happy 30th Birthday !!!!!!! New Decade for you
01-05 Doug (brother).......Happy 60th Birthday!!!!!!!wow!!!!!
01-25 Kristin......Happy 24th
01-27 Patty (sister-in-law) Happy 60th Birthday!!!!!!only list the age "cause" it's another one of those milestones!!!!
01-30 Greg (brother) Happy Birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL!