End of December 2009 Poster

Not only is it the end of another month, but as the end of December, it is the end of another year. As we say good-bye to 2009, here is how Elder Gary's poster looks for the year.....

7 months of stickers. Still a ways to go until the half-way mark though.

All the different stickers for all the different months

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Happy Very Special 8th Birthday!

Today is a very special day for a very special boy. Today Tanner turns 8 years old. Which means that in 4 days he is going to be baptized. He keeps us laughing with his quick sense of humor. We are so glad that Tanner came along in our family, it's been fun having him as the caboose to the train of our family.

Oh how he loves his TMNT--

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Looking a little tired thinking he's never going to eat the cake!

Finally getting to blow out the candles!

Was so excited to get the same present all his brothers and sisters got on their 8th birthdays. A real set of Scriptures with a case and his named engraved. He couldn't wait for his birthday to go pick them out!

Happy Birthday 8th Tanner!!!

Oh Christmas Tree!

I used to leave our Christmas decorations up until New Years, then we had Tanner a few days after Christmas. In order to keep his birthday just his birthday, we take the decorations down the day after Christmas. This year was no different. At least in the taking down the decorations part. Wynn decided he didn't want to haul the tree down to the Christmas tree drop off. Instead he wanted to burn it to see how fast it would burn since for some reason it dried out really fast this year. It usually is barely started to dry up when it's time to take it out.

I didn't want it burned in my backyard, even though the fire department is only a few blocks away, and the fire hydrant is in my yard. I told him he had to call our dear friend the Fire Chief. Craig decided he was in and told us to meet him at the mouth of Green Canyon. He even went so far as to call and tell the fire house that if they got a report of a fire at the mouth of the canyon that it was just us and he was with us. And does it scare anyone that I was the adult representative in this situation?

If you choose to watch, beware of the off key (on purpose) singing and silly comments. And sorry, I had to turn it on it's side to fit it in the screen.

(and this was done with no disrespect to Christmas. It was just a tree at this point)

The Best Christmas Gift EVER!!!

This morning we got up around 6:30. We went downstairs to see what Santa had brought. (More on that on a later blog) Then we went upstairs and opened the gifts under the tree. We had just finished that when...........

ELDER GARY CALLED!!!!!!

We got to talk to him for ONE HOUR! Even though I get an email from him every week, it was sooooooo good to here his voice. He spent Christmas Eve with a great family there in Texas. He told me the dad had sent me an email. So I came downstairs and got on my email and had the 2nd best present.........

PICTURES OF ELDER GARY ON CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!

Elder Memmott watching Elder Gary checking his email

Elder Memmott and Elder Gary with the Christmas tree







Elder Gary with the Christmas tree.
(what a good looking man)







with his Amarillo, Texas mug for his hot chocolate








Elder Memmott, Elder Taylor (just home from Korea) and Elder Gary

The Group

Elder Gary, Brother Taylor, Sister Taylor, Elder Taylor and Elder Memmott

With the Texas flag

Saluting the Texas flag

(he really does love Texas!)

Doesn't he look good! I am so glad that he had such an awesome family to spend Christmas Eve with. Thank you Brother and Sister Taylor!!! Merry Christmas to your family and God Bless You!

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care

In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

with Christmas Eve dinner all done

The tree all trimmed. The presents, how fun.

Now it's off to see the lights of our friends.

Then home to see what games Santa's elves left under the tree again.

We'll play for a while, but it can't be all night.

Or our Jolly old friend will be nowhere in sight.

And though these things are fun,

the true cause to celebrate this season.....

This is the one

only True Reason.

Merry Christmas to all our friends!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Today was Tuesday. Therefore, it means tonight was Mutual. Tonight happened to be the Young Mens/Young Womens combined activity. The YM were in charge. We went caroling to people in the ward......

We got to the church, had a prayer, got instructions of whose houses we were going to....and then found out that they couldn't get a wagon this year. What!!! The kids were so disappointed. So we loaded up in vehicles and drove to each house. I had 6 girls with me, and oh how much fun we had. I think we had as much fun driving to the houses as we had singing at the houses. We sang 2 songs at each house. Each recipient being ever so appreciative of our thoughtfulness. But as we got in the van to drive to the next house, we would listen to Christmas songs. There was much singing and much more laughter, loudly on both counts, on the short drive. It was a nice night for it, no below zero freezing temps like we had last week!

The last house was one of my neighbors.....Crazy Bonnie. (said respectfully and well earned, of course. Bless her heart) We got to the house, all lined up on the walk and porch, rang the doorbell, she opened the door and we began to sing.......she actually stood there and listened for a few bars......then she yelled for us to get off her porch, slammed the door and turned of ALL the lights, inside and out!!! The kids all faltered for a second and looked at us leaders and we kept on singing. We finished that song and proceeded to sing 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' just like we did all the other houses we had gone to. Then we proceeded to the Church house for cookies and hot chocolate. All the kids laughing there heads off at what Crazy Bonnie did. (at what she did, not at her)

They loved it. Had a blast that they will never forget. Or not for a long time at least, if they don't write about it in their journals.

His One Christmas Wish

I got my weekly email from Elder Gary yesterday. He is still in Canyon. He is a little bummed that he is still in his greenie area, but great work is going on there.

In the email he let me know that he received his Christmas box from my parents. Then he proceeded to let me know that he didn't want us to send him anything.....I mean NOTHING!!! He said the only thing he needed was clothes and he has all of them that he needs. He wants us to take the money that we would have spent on his presents and shipping them to him, and use it for someone who really needs it. He has ALWAYS been one to think of others before himself.

At first I thought, I can't just send him nothing! Not one thing! But as I have thought about it, this was his Christmas list. His one Christmas wish. Give to someone who needs it worse than he does. This is what he would do. After all, this is the kid that right before he left for his mission, we had a food drive. I sat 2 sacks of food out for it. But Gary wanted to do something from him. So he went to the grocery store, bought things on sale, so he could buy more with the same money, and bought a full sack of groceries to come home and place it on the doorstep.

So....That is what I am going to do. I am going to take the money that I would have spent on him and give it to someone that I know needs more than he does right now. I know, beyond a doubt, just who that person is supposed to be. Then I will send him a Christmas card telling him who his gift went to this year.

May we all learn from a humble missionary, just what the true meaning of Christmas really is.

Merry Christmas Elder Gary.

Not a Very Wise Man

Hope this brightens your day with a good laugh!

Not a very wise man...

Mark forgot his wedding anniversary and his wife was really ticked off at him. She told him, "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in under 6 seconds, AND IT BETTER BE THERE."

The next morning, Mark got up really early to take care of the gift. When his wife woke up a couple of hours later, she looked out the window where there was a small gift-wrapped box sitting in the middle of the driveway. Confused, his wife put on her robe, ran out to the driveway, and took the box into the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Mark is not yet well enough to have visitors.

End of November 2009 Poster

Can you believe it's the end of November already? Time for another mission poster update.

Closer and closer to the middle of the poster. Of course, as the rows get longer, it's going to seem to take longer!

Such cute Thanksgiving sticker to add to the other holidays.

Surprise

Well, it looks as if I am doing a new post! Yes. I know I'm behind a bit. Ok, 2 months. And I need to update to a Christmas background. (How'd we get here already?) I know. I know. I had computer problems, then went out of town, then more computer problems, work, life, a move, another trip...............

I didn't realize how many people actually read what I have to say. Yes, I've gotten your emails, or you've asked to my face. I am planning on catching up. And yes, I know I'm 2 months behind on Elder Gary's mission poster, so those are the first 2 I'll post.

As I'm catching up, I'll do it the way I always catch up (gee, I must get behind.....A LOT!!!!) I'll put the actual date on it. But I'll try to stay caught up at the same time. Hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew right now!

So, if you want to be brought up to date on the zany Jenkins' family escapades, stay tuned.

Happy Sweet 16 and Never Been Kissed

Sixteen....16!!!...years ago a beautiful little baby girl with black eyes (with the longest black eyelashes I've ever seen on a baby), black hair and olive skin was born. Her name is Morgan Shelby. We knew those eyes were going to be trouble, and now she's 16 and we're so.......afraid, but glad that she is well grounded in her beliefs. Doesn't mean we're not going to worry though. Judge for yourself.

She loves Piglet









And out comes Pooh Bear








Blowing out the candles

What could be in the packages?
(isn't she pretty? And doesn't even know it)










The loot

Happy sweet 16 Morgan!

(and tomorrow she gets her drivers license!!!)

End of October 2009 Poster

So here it is the end of October already. Time for an update on the Mission Poster. Time seems to be flying by. Where has the time gone?

Look how close to the middle we're getting!!!

See all the different months? Nice Halloween stickers!

Happy Happy Birthday Mommy Dear!

My mom has raised 7 children and is now seeing her grandchildren getting married and starting their own families. She deserves to have a very Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom.

End of September 2009 Poster

It is the end of September. Time for a poster update. Fall is definitely in the air. It has actually snowed here today and it is cold.

Making progress

Added one more month!

Tannerism #13

The other day I was on my Facebook. I noticed that the 'Farm' on there that Tanner usually takes care of for me was getting a bit overrun. I decided I would take care of it by deleting a few things and rearranging and then readding things back on. Tanner walked in while I was doing it......

"Mom! What are you doing?"
"It's getting over crowded so I'm rearranging it."
"Why are you getting rid of the plants. I don't want you to delete them!"
"But I have to for right now. We'll put some more back on. I'm going to make it bigger and rearrange things so they fit. It's too crowded."
"You're deleting them. I told you I didn't want you to do that."
"But I told you I needed to."

He turns his back and sticks his foot out in a very teenager sort of way and says in a sing-songy way....

"I'm not done not liking you right now."

I couldn't help it. I cracked up. It was too funny!

And he did like the 'farm' when I got it rearranged.

Happy Happy Birthday Drewann Dear!

Today is Drewann's (Drew) 22nd birthday! I can't believe it's been that long. She was my right-hand for so long, it's hard to have her all grown up. We're taking her to Las Vegas on Thursday for an interview to work on a Cruise Line, so she gets to pick out her present there. But we did celebrate with cake and ice cream, family and 'roommates'.......

Drew with her cake and the roses are from the 'roomies'

Veronica, Lindsey, Emily and Drew

'The Roomies'

The picture my dad put on his birthday email of her.

Drew and Gary in Lexie's sunglasses

Happy Birthday Drew!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Dad's birthday. I don't get to see him much, but I love him!

Dad and Andy showing off their hats at Andy's wedding

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Good To Go For Another Year?

I had my annual doctors appointment today. I have had enough female/health problems that I don't go to the doctor. Literally. Wynn has always had to make my appointments for me, and then take me to them to get me to go. Seriously. I kid you not. And then in November of 2007 we found my current GYN and his PA. Can I just say.....Hallelujah!!!

They have never treated me like a stupid female. Two years ago the PA listened to my problems and told me it wasn't all in my head, it wasn't normal, everybody does not go through this, etc, etc......I had never said what the other doctors had been telling me, but this is exactly what I had heard my whole life. I literally started crying in the office. The PA put her arm around me and gave me a hug and told me they were going to help me. She wished she had met me 20 years ago because there were so many things she could have done for me. But at that point, there was really only one option open to me....to have a hysterectomy. I was fine with that. So the very next week I was in to see the GYN, the did some tests, I followed up the next week and was scheduled for surgery for one month from my first visit to them.

It has been a long road since then. My weight was up, ugh, which caused my blood pressure to be up, double ugh, and I was severely anemic. I was put on BP meds (1/2 pill once a day) for 3 months until I lost about 5 pounds and my BP went down. Then I was taken off of them, knowing that I needed to get more weight off and if my weight went up at all I would be going back on the meds. So started the long process of getting the weight off. I exercised, counted calories, watched as I did Weight Watchers with Wynn and he lost 25 pounds and I lost 2. It was hard. But the weight has started to come off. It's just such a slow process. When you basically eat healthy to begin with, no chips, sweets, pop, junk etc, there's not a lot to cut out to lose weight. It can be very frustrating.

So a few months ago I made my appointment for today. Yes, I made the appointment all_by_myself and today I went there all_by_myself. I was nervous about going because my weight is not to the goal we made. And although I take my blood pressure regularly just to make sure it is staying down, I was having Doctor visit anxiety. So on to today.....

They all raved about how good and well I look and how much weight I have lost. Then I went into 'the room'. Of course they wanted to get my weight and blood pressure. I_was_EXTREMELY_nervous for this. Drum roll please........My blood pressure was a good number. Yeah! My weight was down 12 pounds! Yeah! But even better was the fact that I had gained 4 more pounds after that appointment that they, of course, didn't have recorded. So I have lost 16 pounds. Hooray for me!!! Of course I still have to get to the goal weight I have set with the PA, but she was very impressed and very happy with my progress. I just know I can't slack off knowing I won't have another appointment for a year. Next year I know I can be at my goal weight if I just keep at it. It's not going to be easy, but I already feel so much better I can't wait. Plus I'll HAVE to get a new wardrobe. There's the best plus! Now we just have to wait for the blood tests to come back because she doesn't think I'm anemic anymore. Gosh. Once I finish getting the weight off, I'm gonna be a whole new me!

And It Starts

Tonight was 'Parent Night' for the Marching Band. That means that Sky View and Mountain Crest both perform their routine for competitions this year for their friends and family. That means it is the start of the competition season. They each perform their routine twice. Can I just say, it was cold. Not as cold as last year though since the wind wasn't blowing. Last year it was at Mountain Crest, so this year it was here, at Sky View.

Mountain Crest performed their routine. They are still polishing it up. It was a little rough still. Then they did their second performance. It went better. It was interesting. It should be good once it's a little more polished.

Then it was Sky Views turn. I must say, when Morgan walked into the living room with the new Color Guard uniform on.....I wasn't impressed. In fact I was a little worried. But as they walked out on the field I was happy to see that it looks soooo much better out on the field than just in the living room. In fact, it looks good out their in their performance.

They took the field and I was excited that I had remembered the camera. I gave it to Wynn to video the first performance up close and then go up to the top of the bleachers to video for the second performance. That way we could get Morgan & the second one would show the formations. As he was videoing, we noticed that it just stopped. We then found out that my card was full! Remember my computer being down? Yeah. I haven't been able to download my pictues forever! We did get the computer back tonight, but now I don't have anything from their performance tonight. Sigh. It looks pretty good too.

So I will get the pictures downloaded soon and hopefully get caught up on my blogging.

Volunteering

Today I started the volunteer hours for AmeriCorps. These are the 25 hours that are in the 'not comfort zone' area. For 5 hours today I volunteered at the Special Olympics. Not just me though, Morgan, Lexie and Tanner went with me. My hours go toward AmeriCorps, Morgan and Lexie's hours are for a Value Project for Young Womens. Tanner's are just so he learns to serve others.

I was very nervous this morning as we were headed there. Talk about out of my comfort zone! I didn't know what they were going to have us do. I didn't know how Tanner would do. I knew it shouldn't be a problem for Lexie, she does Peer Tutor at school. (that is where for one period of school a day, students go to class with a child with special needs and help them with their class. Lexie goes to Science with the student she peer tutors. She absolutely loves it!)

The Special Olympics today were held at the University. The event was swimming. We got to time the races. Morgan was in the big pool area (along with my friend). Lexie, Tanner and myself were in the small pool area. Each of us had a lane we were responsible for timing, except Tanner, who helped me with my lane.

It was so fun to watch the athletes and see how excited they got when they finished. Notice I didn't say when they won.....but when they finished. But, yes, they were excited when they won too. They had such great sportsmanship, they were truly role models in how to behave at a sporting event. It was also exciting to see how Tanner cheered for them & laughed as they splashed us as they got to the wall. There was one boy that, when Tanner would see him would say, "Look mom, it's the guy with the really big splash."

If my kids learned nothing else today, I hope they learned that we can always learn something from everyone. Even if they are different than we are. Though we were there to serve them, they truly taught us plenty, and in that way, served us.

We will be doing more hours for Special Olympics. I'll be posting about each of the events we get to volunteer for. I know I'll be nervous again next time as well. Maybe it won't be so out of my comfort zone by the time I get my hours done.

AmeriCorps---Round #2

Last year I wrote about my year in AmeriCorps. It is a volunteer program in many areas. I volunteer in Literacy. There are many requirements for the year, I am part time......

• 900 hours

Out of those hours, there are certain areas that have to met.....

• 25 hours of community service that can be done in an area that I am comfortable
• 25 hours of community service that have to be done in an area where I am NOT comfortable, for a Non-profit organization, that I work directly with the people the organization benefits.....(cannot be the same thing I did last year)
• 1 Literacy night project
• 1 Homeland Security project
• 1 Martin Luther King project (January)
• 1 AmeriCorps week project (May)
• Training sessions....school, district & AmeriCorps
• Study groups, about once a month, of which I am study group leader this year.......the organization is reading and discussing 'Bridges Out of Poverty' this year
• only 180 of my hours can come from training and community service
• Reading groups....I work with the most at risk in Kindergarten and 2nd grade
• Any other things that the Principal and Literacy Facilitator have us do within the parameters of AmeriCorps
• CERT.....since I completed this last year, I don't have to do it again this year. They didn't give anything to replace these 20 hours, so I need to get them on my own

Now we just need to make sure we get our hours in and projects done. And help the kids learn to read. Not always the easiest of all the tasks for the year.

Give oh Give Away

Go to this blog......

You can enter for a chance win a beautiful picture of the

Salt Lake City Temple.

Except that I plan on winning it! It's beautiful.

Kill It? or Let It Die a Natural Death?

We have been having problems with our computer since June. First it messed up my whole log-in, losing all my pictures that were saved on the computer and my favorites that were saved for the internet. I found them all eventually and got them copied back where they belonged. It copied some of them several times and Lexie and I laboriously made sure we had pictures then deleted the rest....back and forth, back and forth...

Then it got a virus. We could work around it for the most part, while Wynn worked on it every day after work trying to remove it. Then it got ANOTHER virus, and we had to take it to the computer doctor. It took them no time at all and it came back feeling better. Not like new, but better than it had in a long time.

NOW it refuses to get on the internet...AT ALL!!! We are all having to use Drew's laptop for now. Are you kidding me? It says that there is a connection problem, but Drew's laptop connects just fine. GRRRRR. So now we will have to take it back to the doctor. This time I think we will add whatever it is that makes it go faster too. Might as well just get it all done now.

So that is why I am behind on my blogs again. Can't get on the computer for long and all my pictures I was going to use are on our computer and I don't feel like searching the cd's for the ones I wanted. So once we get it running, I hope I have time to catch up!

Birthday of a Father-in-Law

Today is my Father-in-laws birthday. He has lived most of his life in Wyoming, but now spends his days in Utah. He has had a long, eventful life. He has seen many things come and go and many things change in his lifetime. Some good and some not so good. But progress none the less.

And here he is with Zach and Sara. Another grandsons wedding.

Happy Birthday Dad, Grandpa, Dean

8 Years Ago

Eight years ago today, we were living in Evanston, Wyoming. I was pregnant with Tanner. We didn't have cable or satellite at the time, or even an antenna. Lexie was 4 years old. I had sent the 4 older children to school when I got a phone call from Wynn. He told me to turn on the radio and proceeded to tell me why. At 8:46 Eastern Time, the Twin Towers in New York City had been hit by hijacked by terrorists jets, one jet each. A hijacked jet had also hit the Pentagon. Yet another jet had been hijacked, but the passengers overtook the hijackers and it went down in a field in Pennsylvania. It was presumed that it was suppose to hit the White House. I could only listen, having no way to watch. Wynn's boss, as well as many bosses across the country, sent them home early, since no one could focus long enough to work. The country was in a state of mourning. We went down town to a furniture store so we could watch what was going on. I couldn't believe what I saw. Total devastation. The country rallied together. We were again the 'United States of America'.

Today they are revealing the memorial that has taken years to build. Many people that lived through the tragedy, many of them lost family in the attack, are going to be there for the reveal. The victims are being honored. Many people that are attending were just children at the time. They will be remembering the parents, friends & family members that were lost.

Maybe with the memorial being revealed it will help us remember what this country is supposed to be about? Maybe we can remember that we are supposed to be 'UNITED'. Maybe we can remember that our presence in Iraq (thank you Donovan and Trevor) and Afghanistan is necessary or the war would be on our soil.We need to remember those who lost their lives that day. Today should be a day of rememberance of so many things.

Happy Birthday Andy!

Today is Andy's 23rd birthday! Andy has always loved loud things.....trucks, tractors.......anything that makes noise. And the faster the better. He likes the tricked out everything. Even at 2 he knew what he liked, and it had better be John Deere green. And he even got some for his birthday again this year. I don't think his collection will ever be done.

Leza planned a BBQ for his birthday dinner. We all went over to their house for it, both families. Some of the kids had to leave early, but we had a nice dinner with family.

Leza baked him his favorite...German chocolate cake

(white cupcakes as well)

He's not old enough yet. He got them all with one breath.

Happy birthday Andy!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is my Grandma Hulsey's (Evelyn) birthday. She is like the energizer bunny....she just keeps going, and going, and going......She has so much energy and always has time for everyone.

I hope I'm just like her when I grow up! Although I don't know that she'll claim that she's grown up yet! (wink)

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

End of August 2009 Poster

It is the end of August, which means an update of the mission poster. Quite a change from just a couple of months ago!

Look at it filling up! 97 days already!

Still a ways to go though.

You can see each different month!

Tannerism #12

Lexie and I were sitting at the table playing 'Sorry'. Tanner was at the table playing with some of his toys and watching us. (Lexie and I are having a 'Sorry' tournament) I went to make a move and hesitated, to think, and Tanner put his hand on his chin and said "Hmmmm." So Lexie and I did that too and noticed that we both rolled ours eyes up.

Us, "Why do people always roll their eyes up when they're trying to think? Maybe it's so they can see in their brain."

Tanner, "Or that cloud over their head."

Us---Hysterical laughter

Tanner, "What? You know how they always have a cloud over their head when they're thinking in a commercial. If you would just look in the cloud over your head then you would know what you're thinking!"


Then he proceeds to disappear in the office, coming out a minute later. He had with him a notebook they use to draw in. He flipped right to a picture he had drawn a long time ago of a person with a dialogue cloud over their head.

"See. The cloud over peoples heads like in the commercials. Just look in there people!"

Does Anybody Ever Really Catch Up?

I said a few posts ago that I had a book I had been trying to read and would let you know if I finished it......yep I did! Not before the kids got home, but just a couple hours after. So, YAY ME!!!!!!

I just put up 4 Tannerisms that have been sitting here waiting for me to post, starting with #8. That kid is soooooo funny. Make sure you catch up on these! I hope it doesn't get lost in the translation.

I have a few mini-vacations from summer to post. Maybe I'll get to that next week. I can't believe August will be over on Monday!

I did finally find all of my pictures on the computer after Wynn got home from girls camp. He showed me where to look, I searched and searched. Then all of a sudden...PICTURES!!!! I got them moved back where they go and it recopied some of them a few times. So Lexie and I sat here and deleted the extras, making sure of triple checking that we did indeed already have that picture in the file it was supposed to be in. I haven't got them all on facebook yet.....but I did get them all on CD. I still need to get that flash drive too.

Drew is all moved home and now needs to start the job hunting next week. Glad it's not me.

Guess I better go exercise so I'm ready when it's time to carpool the Color Guard girls this morning!

Tannerism #11

Lexie, Tanner and myself have been watching the old school Beverly Hillbillies reruns on TVLand. We were watching an episode where 'the wealthiest woman in the world' wanted to buy the mansion. She wound up trying to bribe Granny and Ellie Mae with some fur coats. The two of them finally realized that she wasn't being sincere and decided they needed to return the fur coats. Of course, they decided they needed to return them clean, so they threw them in the washer. When they get to the woman's hotel room, they explain what they did, then show her the coats. One was shrunk, of course. The zebra one is completely white, the lye soap took the stripes right off. Etc, etc. Tanner doesn't even skip a beat and in all seriousness says........

"Well, that explains why we can't put Moose in the washer. His fur would shrink and his grey would be gone."

Yeah, that's why. Bahahahahaha!!!!!

Tannerism #10

Morgan and Lexie went to breakfast for one of the girls that was leaving Young Womens to go to college. Of course, they decorated with balloons. Lexie brought 2 of them home and gave them to Tanner. They were just regular balloons blown up by the girls. Tanner let go and they fell to the floor instead of floating to the ceiling like he was expecting. He looked at Lexie and said......

"Why aren't these balloons made out of Helaman?"

Seriously!

Tannerism #9

Lexie and Tanner were building things with the Jenga blocks. Lexie had built a tower and Tanner told her it was leaning......

"It's leaning."

"No it's not."

"Yeah, it's leaning over."

"Tanner, it's not leaning. It's straight."

"Lexie, it's leaning. It looks like that Leaning Tower of Paris thing!"

Laughing so hard we were crying.

Tannerism #8

A few weeks ago Lexie, Tanner and myself were driving in the car. We saw someone that looked a little.......different, to put it mildly. So the saying was said of 'Don't judge a book by it's cover'. Tanner and Lexie start saying random things and Tanner comes up with.......

Don't judge a spy by it's gadgets!

Really? Then we find out that, (all in one breath) "Well, you guys said don't judge a book by it's cover and that reminded me that Lexie has that book 'Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover' and she's a spy in the book so I thought of a spy and a spy has lots of gadgets and I just came up with 'Don't judge a spy by it's gadgets'."

Really.

Celebrate Good Times...Come On!!!

Today was Drew's graduation day....for the 3rd time in her life. In June 2006 she graduated from High School. One year later, May 2007, she graduated from Beauty School (which she started while still in high school mind you). So she has been a cosmetologist/stylist for over 2 years. Today she graduated with her Master Esthitician! YEAH DREW!!! She worked hard and it only took her 4 months because of already having her cosmetology license. So Wynn took the day off and he and I drove to Salt Lake to be there for her at this momentous time of her life.

Tomorrow she will take her state exam and get her Esthitician license....because we know that she will pass. Then she will be moving back home for now because her next goal is to work for a cruise line in their spa on a Cruise Ship. She already has an interview lined up...but it isn't until October. So she will live with us and work until then. WAY TO GO DREW!!! We are sooooooo proud of you!

Drew getting her turn in the 'spotlight'

Drew and her friend-ly graduates

Wynn, Drew and myself

Good Grief!

Man. Has it really been that long since I last did a post? I guess I have some serious catching up to do! I'm not planning on doing a long one here though. Just a short 'this is what's been going on' one.

We went to Lander for Wynn's family to see his oldest sister Delaine. We celebrated both Leza's (actually posted this one) and my birthdays. I got super sick for over a week, starting the night of my birthday....didn't go anywhere, didn't do anything....for OVER a week!!! Went to 1 1/2 days of training for AmeriCorps Tuesday and yesterday, will do a post on that later. And have now sent the kids off to the first day of school. Reading Aides don't start until Sept. 2nd, though I will probably go in for a couple of days next week.

So now I have the whole day to myself. I should probably clean something, or do some sewing, but I'm not going to. I think I'm just going to curl up and read the book I've been trying to read for the last month but kept getting interrupted! It's not very long, just 237 pages, and I'm already on page 49. I think I could actually have it almost done by the time the kids get home. I'll let ya know!

Happy Birthday Daughter-in-law!

Today is my daughter-in-laws (Leza) 22nd birthday! She has been in our family since November. Wynn and I went to dinner tonight with her, Andy, and her family. We went to Cafe Sabor. It was fabulous. Who ever thought that Coconut Soup wouldn't taste like coconut? I was going to take pictures while there to put on here....but didn't remember until I got home. So.....here is a picture from the weekend instead!

Happy Birthday Leza!!!!!

Tannerisms #7

At the first of July-ish I bought Tanner a pair of khaki pants for Church so he didn't have to wear his suit all summer. (he gets too hot and that's never good!) He wore them to church, they were to the bottom of his shoe just above the floor so not dragging. He wore them the next Sunday and I noticed they were at the top of his shoe. I thought they must have shrunk and then remembered they hadn't been washed since he only wore them a couple of hours. I washed them and he wore them the next Friday when we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. I noticed his socks were now showing between his shoe and pants when he walked and they were really tight on his tummy. He had only wore them 3 times in 2 weeks and had been washed once!!! So I bought him a bigger pair and took the now too small pair to Tawnya for Sammy. That day I got to thinking that even though I had to buy him new pants for school in the spring because his others were too small (so they were fairly new), he hadn't worn them all summer. I figured he probably ought to try them on to see how they were so I knew what I had to buy for school.......

(If you haven't watched 'Over the Hedge' you probably won't find this as funny as it is)

Me--"Tanner go get all your jeans and try them on for me."
Tanner--"Why?"
"So I can see how long or short they are."
"Fine."

I was cooking dinner so he gets them and takes them to my room which is next to the kitchen. He comes out and I see they are WELL above his ankles. Wynn was in the back yard working on the yard....

Me--"Go show your dad your pants Tanner."
Tanner--"Where is he?"
"In the back yard."
Tanner opens the back door, looks out, and with no hesitation what-so-ever turns around to me, puts his hands out and says........
"He has a weed hacker Vern, A WEED HACKER!!!" Grins and goes outside.

Honestly...where does he get this? We were laughing so hard we had tears running down our faces!

End of July 2009 Poster

The end of July already? Where is the summer going? Time to update the poster once again! It's looking good!

May, June and July---66 days

So much fuller than 2 months ago.......but still quite a way to go. :)

Tannerisms #6

Earlier today I was in the office sitting at the desk and Tanner walked in very straight faced. For the full affect, picture this with him straight faced, monotone, slight shrug of the shoulder and tick at the corner of his mouth........

"I guess Drew and I have a date tomorrow night."

"Oh really. Why?"

"Cause she just called me and said she will be here at 6:00 tomorrow night just in time for me and her to go swimming. So.......(sigh)I guess that's a date." (I didn't even hear the phone ring!)

"Don't you want to go swimming? Aren't you excited to go swimming."

(more excited) "YES! (shrug) But I just guess it's a date."

Doesn't figure he's supposed to go on a date with his sister I guess. Hahahahahaha!

Quiet Time And Devastation

This morning Wynn, Morgan and Lexie headed out before 6:00am for Girls Camp. This is Lexie's first year, and she is the only new Beehive in our ward.That leaves only Tanner and myself at home all week, at least until Drew gets home late Thursday night or early Friday morning. But then she has to be back to school on Saturday. The others get home Friday afternoon/evening some time. I was never allowed to go to Girls Camp growing up. Maybe that is why I've never been camping in my life. Maybe that's why I don't think I'd like it. They are still trying to figure out a few days to take me camping this summer. My girls are asking the inevitable question of 'Why?' And my answer is....I don't know. I have no idea. (So mom, here's your chance to answer them.........if you want to.)


I got on my computer Saturday night and all was well. I got on yesterday, but only had a few minutes, and noticed there was something wrong with my log-in. It was not right the picture I had as my background, all my icons were in the wrong place, and my internet was even messed up. I commented about it to Wynn and figured I would have him look at it later. I forgot. So this morning AFTER they left for Girls Camp, I got on the computer to email Elder Gary. I then noticed/remembered the mess my log-in was in and decided to change the picture back to the one I had. It was one of the ones of Wynn and myself in Cali. Ummmm, ya. No picture in the choices available. No picture for the ones before. I got on my pictures and in fact, there were NO PICTURES ANYWHERE!!! All my pictures are gone. I can't find them. All the folders are gone. Even all the favorites on my internet are gone!


I got on everybody elses log-ins and they are all fine! (thank goodness for them) I only had some of the pictures on cd's. Only a few are on facebook or my blog. Morgan wanted to put them all in folders on FB for me, but we hadn't got around to it yet, so I was going to have her do it next week. I talked to Wynn but he didn't know where to tell me to look. I am devastated. He assures me that if he can't find them when he gets home, that they are still there and all we have to do is take the computer in and have them pull them from the hard drive for me. I'm still devastated. Can they put them back like I had them? Labled and in the folders like they were? I was going to get a flash drive to put them on, but just haven't. Guess I will get one now! As soon as they get them back for me, they're going on one!


Maybe I should take a computer class so I could find things when this happens. It's always when Wynn is out of town. Why didn't I have him look yesterday when I noticed. Because I didn't check my pictures because I really didn't figure it would be a big deal to put everything back the way it was. I don't know how this happened. I didn't do anything different on Saturday night than I have done the other 2 million times I've been on the computer. Anyway, I have faith that Wynn or Drew will save me from the evil computer monster somehow, yet again.

24 Years Ago Today

Wynn and I were married on July 12, 1985 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. I was extremely sick that day and still tease him that since I don't remember that day at all, I am just taking his word for it that I actually said yes. Today we celebrated with the family by eating......nothing fancy. Egg enchilada and banana splits.



I thought we were getting something together for a 'gift' and we were still talking about what to get. So I got him nothing and he gave me this......

Happy 24th anniversay!

(Yep. They're real)

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Today is Wynn's 46th Birthday!!! And he had the day off! For his birthday he took me to see 'The Proposal'. We loved it. See what a great guy he is? He does stuff like that for me all the time. He is such a sweetie. That's why I love him. So just for being such a great guy, we got him something he's been wanting for a while......

Forgot the candles....so he got the 'OLD' one

Also forgot that we were out of wrapping paper.

The towel seemed to do fine.

I think he liked it anyway. Even without wrapping paper!

But I did remember the most important thing....

the present he really wanted!

(and it's expandable for him to make all that yummy stuff he wants!)

Happy Birthday!!!!