It's my girls b day!!

For about 15-20 years I've been trying to make some awesome pulled butter mints. Dh's grandma made them to perfection when I knew her. Now she is gone, and I do not know anyone else that makes them. However, you can buy them at Deseret Book or The Lion House.

My first attempt so many years ago was a dismal failure. I ended up with a bunch of powdered candy on my cookie sheet. Never one to give up, (generally speaking, that is a big fat lie) I have endured and continue to make these mints. It has sadly and luckily gotten to the point where the nephews actually like to eat the many failures more then the rare successes. The smartest thing I did in this mint goal is to get my mom involved, and the sista s. Here is our latest attempt. Later today I will make a bunch of "ruined" mints, so the faithful encourager's of this goal are happy, even if the candy does pull out their teeth, that part makes them so happy.

the reunion

With Kim being home she gets to reunite with a few of her favorite people. It took a minute for the younger ones to warm up to her, but by the end of the night, Kim was back to being a princess to those little girls. cute cute

My girl returns

How cub and I begin our Christmas shopping

Hot cocoa!!

the jolly holly ride

There is an odd tradition that my family has. This has been the first year I have actually joined in the silliness.
One of my least enjoyable things to do each year is to trade out the hard top on the jeep to the soft top, and soft top for the hard top. It takes muscle and co-ordination. We hoist the hard top onto a wood frame and raise it to the top of our garage ceiling. The timing of this twice a year event always depends on the weather.
Last Saturday it was time to get the hard top back on the jeep. Thankfully the boys and cub and dh did all the lifting and such.
Right before the actual placing of the hard top, when all the soft top hardware is off, the people go for a ride around the neighborhood one last time, even in bad weather. Neighborhood kids have enjoyed the yearly event, as well as my own children, but this year I hopped in. For some reason, the boys brought poor little sweetie kitty. She did not like it at all. Here are some pictures, the jolly holly ride is done for 2008.

Grandma hood and my 100th post

I just logged in and saw I was at 99 posts on my blog. Awesome. How appropriate it is that it is for a great announcement.
I am about to enter a new phase of life. The night before Thanksgiving our big family went out to eat. We were all sitting down, I was between Laura and Dave. I remembered I had to tell my Dad something so, I got up and went to talk to him. When I got back, I saw a gift at my place setting. This wasn't too much of a surprise because November IS my birthday month. I sat down and realized it was from Laura and Steve. I, of course, hoped it was a tiny soft baby outfit to announce a new baby in my future. I quickly looked in the bag, and seeing that it was not a baby color or texture, I for some reason, guessed that it was an "Edward" t-shirt, and one for Dave too. Obviously I didn't think too hard on my thoughts, cause why would they get an Edward shirt for Dave? I knew that Laura and Steve had seen the movie, so that is just what I guessed, if it wasn't a baby item.
I pulled out two shirts and the first one I unfolded said.
"Don't I look too young to be a grandma?" yay!! I knew what the message was and squealed loud enough to earn a free delicious chocolate cake. Many hugs and a few tears were shared by the multi generational group there. It was so awesome. I think Laura and Steve have a video of the squeal. Should have used a different word then squeal.. The second shirt was "Grandpa '09" for Dave, but sadly I was shocked and stoked and I didn't get his reaction. I hate it when that happens. I quickly put my new shirt over the one I was wearing. The picture by myself looks a little freaky, I really didn't mean for it to look so odd.
Anyway, I look so forward to seeing my daughter become a Momma, and her dear husband a Daddy.


Sadly, I never knew either of my grandmas. I remember wishing I had at least one when my little friends would refer to theirs. Thankfully I got married to a man with two grandmas! what a bonus. Grandma Ruth and Grandma Faye. I've also been able to watch my own mother and mother in law be grandmas. And watch my sisters be grandmas as well, so maybe I am more qualified then I first thought.


It will be a great adventure I'm sure. I am so excited.

The pirates booty

Isnt that what they call the stash of goods a pirate collects? Aub came home for the night to party with us. She asked for some money for some shoes. Well, each of my dollars already had a place to go. I told her I did have a stash of change she could have. I thought it was about 20-30 dollars. She counted it. It was in one quart sized baggie. It ended up to be $99.83!!! What a pirates booty!! Time for shoes for the cub!! Next time I will count my own booty before I give so freely :)

An opportunity and an honor

The last few days I've been a stand in mom for my sister in law. Her son entered the MTC today, but came in from out of state yesterday. We had him in our home for about 24 hours. Dh and ds joined us at the MTC. It was a great spiritual experience. Elder CP is going to be an excellent missionary. I'm so proud of him.

My awesome chocolate cake

So we met the family at macaroni grill tonight. It was great. I even
got free chocolate cake.

Aub and I see another Beauty and the Beast

the reason behind a few of my songs

When ever I want to check out some of my fellow bloggers, I first check the ones on the side of my own blog. I love checking on everyone and love finding out about other friends that have blogs too!

So I get to hear my song list songs about once a day. Some of the songs on my list are really close to my heart.

I wrote about the Encore songs awhile back so today I'll tell you about 2 more songs.
"Better When We're Together" and "The Luckiest" They both have to do with the acquisition of my son in law Steve.

When Laura and Steve got together she was very happy and twitter patted. I remember the night she stopped by from a clinical in nursing school. She had received some flowers at the hospital that day. We knew she was seeing someone, but didn't know this was the one that was going somewhere. She was so happy that night and laughing and hugging her daddy and I, we changed our thinking THAT night!

So fast forward through the engagement and up to getting the announcement pictures taken. When the CD was mailed to us, I slipped it into the computer and heard this song. Better when were together... Then I saw my Laura and her Steve so happy.. it was so great. This song was also on the cd at the reception, right by me, so I heard it through the night. It never got annoying. It was so connected to happiness, how could it?

The next song is The Luckiest. I had heard the song before, but I wasn't really familiar with it. The day Laura and Steve got married, Steve sang this song to my girl, at the luncheon. I wept through the whole thing. How blessed I am to have a son-in-law that adores my girl, now his girl, like that?

I love the music and it really does mean alot to me.

While the boys camp on a cold night

Faced with an empty Friday night, I took matters In my own hands. At 3:56 pm I walked into the theater and bought one of the last three available seats to see the new big rage, Twilight. I got there just as the previews started. I was really happy to see the teaser for the new Harry Potter. While I gave reading the book Twilight a 4/10, I rated the movie 6/10. It could have been higher but certainly the comments and screams and cheering from the crowd were really annoying. So annoying in fact that I did'nt feel too guilty texting Krista during the movie. The movie was a little long too, but I do now see the allure of Edward. I think it's his good looking, self denial/self control protective-loyal nature that is so attractive. And really, who wouldn't want a boyfriend that could run and climb trees so fast? After the show I went to LHS fall musical "Beauty and the Beast"
By far, my favorites were Gaston and Lumiair- they stole the show. I had thought ahead and turned the electric blanket on inside the sheets of my bed before I left, so climbing into my lonly bed was actually very cozy. That's my Friday night alone.

A new website I like

I consider myself a pretty fair cook, yet I have never oven roasted
ckicken before. Today I read a blog that really lit a fire under me. I
decided to make this chicken to wow the house of boys I live with. So
far, two thumbs up from ds #2.
I'm not sure the picture is all that great but it was pretty good
eats. The chicken baked all afternoon and was more then fork tender. I
think I should have spiced it up more, so I'll do that next time. Take
alook at this blog. It is actually the sister in law of my own sister.
She is a cute spunky thing, even if she is an Obama supporter.
Hobblecreekkitchen.blogspot.com

Fried pickles with cub

a favorite of mine

I recently got to spend some time with this little chicka. sometimes the carseat would be too much for her. Grandma would work the magic by singing, and I caught her on my camera. Talk about a powerful patronus ala harry potter.

Sisters day in California

My cell phone makes it easy to put pictures on my blog, but its tricky to put in much text.
I snapped this picture just after we got to Westminster Ca. for my aunts funeral. It was the next day. But finally all 5 sisters were together, and the patriarch was in attendance as well!! It was a great moment to catch a picture, me with my best and truest friends, my sisters. And my parents and a few nieces too :)

I finished the top

Look what I finished! My thanksgiving hanging. I started it in
January. I'm going to figure out how to quilt the top and be done by
the 22nd. The leaf fabric on the side will go on the back.
I am going to another appliqué class this afternoon. Can't wait to
start!

How did this happen?

I just looked over at what Dave was doing on the computer and this is what I found. How did such an intelligent man hook up with such a funny fun girl like me? With a massive numbered up brain like he has, it's a good thing he has someone like me in his life hua?

A new toy?

We ended up with a free coffee maker. I have no idea what to do with
it. Taking it to d i is my only plan. Is there anything else I can do
with it?

The magic of Book on tape

During this last few months I have been kinda worried about many things. Of course, one of the major ones is the so-in-your-face- political stuff going on. I made a decision early on to fill my mind with other things besides the ever present politicial garbage. So I am here to tell you that if you find yourself wanting to stay away from anything, the answer is to turn to Book-On-Tape or CD. I first turned to Harry Potter and listened to the last 3 or 4 books. It was awesome. So much is lost in the movies. The reader is the best reader for book on tape. Some BOTs I have to take right back to the library because the reader is just way too boring.
When HP was over, I turned to another series. The Children of The Promise series was perfect for me. years ago, I read these books as they came out, about one a year. It really made WW 2 seem as long as it was. This time, I flew through the 4 volumes with in a month. It seems Wally didn't have to suffer as much, but I know its just cause I blew through the books so fast. This series was so good for me to hear in these political rocky times. It gave me hope and courage to face what is before us. I thought, I'm really not a wimp, I just need to look in the right places.

Prop 8 hits Salt Lake

I just heard on the news that there will be a protest or demonstration at the SL temple tonight. It will be from many that disagree with the Church's stand on the California prop 8, the redefining of marriage prop. Regardless if prop. 8 passed or not, where is the freedom OF religion? Its not freedom FROM religion.

I was just thinking.... so those that want "marriage" for homosexuals want it approved of by God? is that the bottom line? A "civil union" gives these types of relationships all the civil rights they would have under marriage. They want the name 'marriage'?

Am I missing something here? I think it is fairly well known that the Bible and most major religions consider homosexuality acts wrong in the sight of God.

So isn't it mocking God to say, "um well God, we know this is wrong by your word in the Bible, but we don't believe you and ya, we want to be married, anyway." ?

I understand the desire to be married. I just don't get the whole God/Marriage for something God doesn't allow thing. But then again, atheists can get married.. don't know if they would get married in a church...hummmm.......

Do you think the homosexual community can understand our confusion?

I'm usually not that vocal in my opinions, and not much of an argue er. But I have some great people that can talk with you if you oppose my opinion and want to spar. He know karate too.. thus the 'spar' term. :)
I continue to be surprised at the signs of the last days, and I pray these are the last days.

From Hawaii

Look what came for me!! From kimmie.

What do you think? Sheesh

An amazing day

Today my oldest dd delivered her first (more to come I am sure) baby as a L&D nurse. It was scary and she was nervous. Her heart was more into this delivery cause she knows the daddy and mama of the little baby. She also knows all the aunts and uncle and grandma and grandpa on the daddy side. Because the dr did not make it in time my smart laur delivered the first grandbaby of one of my best friends. I am so proud of her. She is AMAZING. The whole thing is amazing

Who is luckier?

Grandma and her 30th grandchild. Can't decide who is luckier. R came
over to grandmas with the toys r us catalog, to show grandma her top
picks for Christmas. So sweet so fun!

How can this be good?

Senator Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin stand during the national anthem.
Barack Hussein Obama's photo (that's his real name).....the article said he REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE.....how in the world can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief (this was followed by a photo)

Under Obama, a lady I correspond with was told on her nursing shift that an botched abortion had resulted in a small baby being born. She was ordered, at the threat of her job, to only take vitals on that baby and report the time it died. Being a lady that respects life, she disobeyed orders and fed and soothed that baby until it did die. She was in trouble but did in her heart what she felt was right.... How could anything else be right?

I so don't get the Obama rage... maybe McCain isn't my first pick, but for these and some other reasons, I will be voting for McCain.

A winner : )

Ten fat quarters!!! What am I going to make with these beauties?

Look what I won!!

a find at Costco

I almost had to buy this soft soft soft warmie thing for some baby in my future. This is no announcement. It's just a long standing hope for someday. :)

Just for the record

I am totally for Prop 8. I can't officially vote on this one, but for the record it is my hope that "marriage" will always stay between one woman and one man.

I like to consider myself as one that is kind and respectful to those of differing orientations, but let's not start re-defining words.

Protect families, protect children, protect marriage.

Joanna and Christi

The other day I was at the doctors office and when I was called back I thought I recognized the nurse. I looked at her name tag. Joanna? Ah, I remembered.

When we first moved to Provo summer of 1981, we , meaning my parents and two younger siblings, moved into some student apartments. I attended the student ward while my folks went to the family ward. Right in that complex lived Joanna. She was so kind and quickly became my friend. Somewhere along the line it was discovered that Joanna and her family knew my family from before I was born!! She and Laurie were best friends as first graders. In 1981 she told me about the nursing program at a near by college and I credit her with the decision I made to become a nurse.

So as Joanna gave me my flu shot and checked my blood levels, I reminded her who I was. She was so sweet and kind and so happy to reconnect. She spoke so highly of Laurie and how much her friendship meant.

Today I had this same kind of thing happen to me!! My best friend from a single digit age contacted me through Facebook. Christi and I were buds and she was so good to me. I never could make it though a sleep over at any ones house, but she was still my friend. She moved away from California before high school, and we have had a few times we have seen each other. But this was a better contact.. you know, facebook. Long ago friends are almost impossible to find.
I found two.. or got found by one, and found one.. it was very VERY cool.

My David is gone

Dave is on a business trip and it certainly makes time drag. He is in Mexico. I was invited to come along, but I honestly have no desire to go to Mexico and just coming home from the UK I wasn't ready to leave my two boys so soon.

I thought I might include a silly little thing that was started by the Duclos boys, my sisters kids. They figured out little nick-names for the Uncles, only the married in ones though... maybe its cause the sista s are so tight...
so here ya go
we got
Holly is married to Mean Gene
Karie is married to Brave Dave
Laurie is married to Mad Dad or scary Jerry
Connie is married to Behave Dave... if you know him this makes sense
Krista is married to Screwy Louie

I am missing my Behave Dave. He does wear a tie pretty much all of Sunday, and he does live pretty straight arrow. He is so great and a great leader of this family. I always say,"I don't brag much about the things Ive done, but I do think I landed a great man to be the father to my kids." He will do all he can to bring this family to heaven. Do you believe that we have had very few fights? honestly I can say we have had less then 5 arguments. It's not because we always agree, its just that anger is not a choice he usually chooses. I have never heard him yell, except at a BYU game. Certainly being with him has caused me to be a more peaceful person.
I am a blessed girl. I am looking forward to his return

two songs

Today while I was driving the boys around I heard two songs that made me so happy!

The first was "ABC" by the Jackson 5. I think it is on my list.. scroll on down, just for the fun of it. A few years ago, I found myself the proud mama of a Lehi High School Encore Choir parent. Encore was the best choir in the school. Manu Harris had made it SO great. Ever since I had heard of Encore I had hoped some of my kids would be involved in that choir. It was the premier show choir. At the beginning of Laura's Jr year, she was in!! Oh such fun! The songs, the choreography, and finally some interaction with a lot of boys, for my ballet dancer Laura. As a "mom-of", her junior year was fun, but her senior year, for me, was a blast!! Maybe it was because there were more kids I knew in the choir. By that time there was a new teacher Tiffany Nutter. She was so awesome. Being only a few years older then the students made for some really funny times. Her good husband was a big part of the party too. Both are so talented and spiritually strong. Perfect influences in my book. It was that year I totally bonded with my very good friend Lisa. (We had been in the same ward for years, but never buddied up.) She and I were tour moms with the group to Anaheim that year.
It was also a time I grew really close to my Laura. I always knew the day would come when she could choose whether I was in her life or not, since she would be moving off to BYU. She got news of her scholarship while we were at Knotts Berry Farm shopping. We were both so stoked.

ABC was one of the songs the kids sang. I so love the memories of that. I also smile from ear to ear when I hear "My girl" I think the only person that really knows how I feel about these songs is my fellow tour mom, Lisa. Ah, wasn't it great? Encore show choir has continued at LHS, but has changed its focus to more of a jazz choir, I so miss the old razzle dazzle. I will always love those memories. Many thanks to Manu, Tiffany, Dave, Nellie, Chris, Tyler, Jillinda, Benji, Emily, Ammon, (my its a small world friend) Jenny, Tyson, Suzanne, Jeanette, Celeste, Jason, David J and cute Cassie, um and everyone else.. and those from the first generation, Debbie, Trent, Chelsea ... what good kids. I think of them when 'those' songs come on.

The second song was by Boston, Its been such a long time, (dont remember the real name). Sweet stake dance memories. It is classic in so many ways. Most impressive is I was driving with Joseph, and he totally knew the song and the band. For a minute I thought I had given him a proper education. Alas, no.... rock band... whatever

Sweetie kitty

A few more photos

Amazing hua?

Things I noticed in the U K
Heavy on mayo
No ranch dressing
Not much Internet availability
Saw only one drive thru burger king
Only place we saw soda on tap
No 24, 32 etc drinks unless it's beer
Served 1 cup of water with dinner
Saw just one teenager with a cell
Cell phone use not common
Not many garbage cans in public places like the airport or train station
No one is in a hurry to take your order or bring your check when you
eat out.

Picadilly circus

Las vegas has nothing on this place!

In Aberdeen Scotland

after many hours traveling Dave and i arrived on Sunday morning. We played all day MOnday going to two castles one is donnotter and the other one starts with a c... \i forget... google the donnotter one it is a ruin but huge and quite the hike to get to and from. The constant trial is driving on the right side of the street having a stick shift car (shifter is in the middle) and the stearing wheel on the right side.. no, i am not doing any driving.
I had lamb for dinner and feel a little guilty, but try to remember that lamb is a very religious meal and very biblical!! today was all rain, and if tomorrow is nicer \i will be walkin and shoppin in the city.
i m iss all my people.. in the ruins of donnotter i thought ~and yet im offended~ and missed my buddy meg!! i hope to see her on sunday#

A little closer

24 years ago today

I had my very first baby. Miss Laura Leigh entered the scene and our lives have never been the same. She has been such a fun daughter and I thank heaven that she is still in my life. She keeps me young, despite her claims of someday making me a grandma. I'm so thankful she is in my life. She is a great big sister to the sibs that joined the party. I'm so glad that the tough times never tore us apart. She is a jewel and true blessing to me and her daddy too.
love you baby

An Army of Women?

A few things happened to me the other day, that came together just a minute ago, when my sister, Holly, sent me this link.

http://www.armyofwomen.org/getinvolved

It is for research on breast cancer. I had actually heard this on TV yesterday, but kinda discounted it, thinking giving my monthly platelets was good enough.

Later yesterday, while I was at the grocery store, I passed a woman that looked familiar. She had on a knit cap, like she had lost her hair. I later realized it was a girl I knew from when we lived in Orem. Both she and her husband were dear friends of ours, newlyweds at the time. At the check out counter, I saw her again. I went over to say hi and offer a little light hearted friendship to her obviously hurting life. Indeed it was my friend, and she was so happy to see me and so kind. She told me she had just gotten out of the hospital, where she had had a double mastectomy. WOW! She was so optimistic and up. She has a great attitude. She has great faith.

She is younger then me.

How easily this could have been me.

How easily it could be you, my friend

Check it out and see what you have to give for the cause. I don't know what will be asked of us, but I for one, stand with Holly in joining this army of women.

Another view

The sleeve has two layers. The big outer one is lined with gold.

Finished!

This is Jacobs costume for the comedy of errors. I just finished it. I
think the trim looks great. I added it in the name of artistic
licence. And with the drama teachers okay. It really needs trim on all
the edges, but I would have to pay for that myself. Not worth the $20
dollars I figure.

Wet hat

Dave lost his hat on the log ride but fished it out

Baby and monkey

At lagoon

Halloweens real trick

Ya, still waiting for the show. Looking at my pictures I thought I'd
share one of the reasons I dislike Halloween.

Waiting for the show

Aub and I out in Provo indulging in our ever weird habit of watching
Beauty & The Beast any where it is playing. It's father and sons
outing tonight so cub is hanging with me to keep me smiling. She's a
funny girl.