Lemmon Lunacy

Bowling HIGH

2012-01-16T19:19:00.000-08:00

Too bad it wasn't for dollars because I would be rich. At least for that one game. I broke my top score, I broke Tom's top score and I bowled 4 strikes in a row. That score board was sweet! First frame was a spare, then my turkey, and then another strike. I was yelling by this point! Then another spare. Finished out with another couple of spares and a strike in the tenth! Holy cow! I was excited! Final Score? A 213 Baby!!! Now my average has been around 125 but since the holidays I have been lucky to break 100 so tonight brought back my confidence. Of course, the game before was pathetic and the one after likewise. But I will always have that One! WhooHoo!

A New Year

2012-01-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went in a flurry of fun and here we are a good third of the way into January of 2012. I already have a long list of should have's like should have taken some pictures to post on this blog. But alas, I didn't so am going to just go ahead and post anyway. We had a lovely Thanksgiving with all of the family at Bob and Sabra's. I even Indian wrestled Ashley and won I might add. Check post on Sabe's blog for pictures of that day. We had our usual Christmas festivities, looking at lights with the grandkids. You know I did take pictures that night. (I will have to put them into this computer. I got a laptop that I am still learning how to use.) Anyway, that was a fun but very cold night. Christmas Eve brought the annual party with friends and family. We had a fun time with pinatas, too much food, and the gift exchange. Then Christmas morning....a first for Tom and I in a long time. We woke alone, just the two of us in the house. It was sweet but sad in a way. We got up(later than a usual Christmas morning)and exchanged our gift to each other. I gave him the same wallet he took back last year. Maybe next year he will keep it!!! Then we got ready for church and I love going on a Christmas to hear all of the music that we only hear this time of year. I enjoyed it immensely. Then we all came back and had our annual Christmas breakfast, just had it at lunch time this year. We gave our gifts to the kids and enjoyed each other until the evening. I missed my mother, thinking I needed to call her several times during the day. Then New years blew in and here we are. I didn't write any resolutions down yet but have been pondering on it. I have lots of them on my mind. I am going to have a special day with Strider every Thursday and I am looking forward to getting closer to him. I think we shall have some fun!! I am looking forward to changes that may come this year, hoping they do. Life is good and I hope I can be a source of goodness in the lives of those I love and serve. And I hope I get better at taking pictures and blogging entries in this cyber journal of mine.

Second Annual Halloween Camp Out

2011-11-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

The Arrival

Last year, with so many grandchildren having reached the age of invitation to the Halloween parties, I decided it would be best to do two of them, one for the boys and one for the girls. So began the annual Boys Halloweenie Camp Out. I never did get around to posting last years activites so I wanted to make sure I got it done this year. For the boys, Grandpa pitched a tent which we decorated with spiders and webs. This year we all went bowling. Last year we did a movie at the theater. They were more interested in getting back home to hunt for ghosts just like last year. We ate pizza at the bowling alley and consumed enormous amounts of junk once we got home.

This year instead of ghosts, we had a pumpkin hunt amongst the trees in the back yard.

They loved it all. They ran and yelled and jumped and rolled!

And when they began to wear down, we lit the fire and roasted marshmallows.

They were ready to lie down by ten and entered the tent. The weather was still so warm, even though it was the 12th of October. The wind was whistling and the humidity was dense. By 2am Tiny wanted to sleep in the house. He was followed by Buddy sometime later and around 5 Dawson came staggering in. I slept in the recliner once the first one gave it up. Grandpa stayed all night on the patio in his cot. Lino woke up sometime before the sun came up and took my place in the lounge chair next to Granpa. All of the boys were no worse for the wear come morning and all left to go to other activities by seven except for Lino. He hung out with me until around two in the afternoon and we had a great time, playing games and watching a movie. Even though they had to leave early, I think all had a lot of fun and they are already thinking of next year.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

2011-11-12T08:35:00.000-08:00

And Down the Yellow Brick Road, we had the 5th Annual Girl's Halloweenie Sleepover on the 28th of October. And I had the best time, planning and hosting all of my beautiful girls, excepting little Lexie who isn't old enough yet. This year however, she realized she didn't get to stay and cried, breaking my heart. I am sure she will be ready to attend next time around. Our festivities began in the Emerald City with a buffet of scrumptious tacos, rice, and all of the favorites of my girls. At the table they found their annual sock all wrapped up like cupcakes with a rainbow sucker for a topper. (Thanks to Brenda Hall who always has the best ideas.)

Grandpa made a perfect hourglass for the table. This is a story in and of itself! Suffice it to say, he made a special trip to the store after he broke the first hour glass the night before the party and I was of course a little upset! As always, he saved the day! He called to say they had an orange one but no, that wasn't good enough! After all, the whole color scheme of the table was red and black. I am so bad!! So he called Ashley and bless her little heart; she dropped everything and scooted over the the El Centro Marshalls and found a red one. So now we have an extra orange hour glass for the next occasion I need one! (I should be and am a little ashamed!! Poor Tom!!After all I had green plates as we were in the Emerald City and originally I was doing the whole table in green! And he actually chooses to live with Me? I should have been sent to my room!)

Tied to each of their chairs was a broom that they later used to play a game I called The Flying Monkey.(I could barely walk by Sat. afternoon as I was the flying monkey gone bad!) They each put their broom on one end of the yard by the witch. I, the monkey, stood in the middle and they were at the other end of the yard. The object of the game was to retrieve their broom before the monkey tagged them. If they were tagged before they got back to the Emerald City with the broom, they fell asleep in the spot they were tagged. Then someone who had a broom and made it back had to come rescue them by tagging them with their broom. It was the best tag game I ever played. I had more fun than a "barrel of flying monkeys"

I usually do a ghost hunt but wanted to mix it up this year. Last year we had a treasure hunt in addition to the Ghost hunt and it was a favorite. So this year we we hunted for the Ruby Slippers. I went to Goodwill and found the perfect pair of heels to turn into a pair of Ruby Slippers. They were part of the centerpiece for the table when we began but ended up hidden in the haunted forest, filled with a crystal heart for each of my "pretties". The hearts were wrapped in damask sacks and later each girl made hers into a necklace. While I was out hunting for the perfect shoes to turn into the slippers for the table, I hit the dollar store and found 5 pairs of little gold slippers that were meant to decorate a tree. There the idea for my treasure hunt was born. Although I searched every dollar tree from here to El Centro, I could not find 2 more pairs. We made do. I turned all said shoes ruby red with a little paint and glitter. Then each was tied with a line or two of a poem that contained clues. They had to find all of the little slippers and put the poem together to figure out the clues.
It was a little harder for them than I expected but with a little help they soon figured it out. The first place they were sent was through the field where poppies cannot grow, up the vertical mountain, though the long dark tunnel where the witch was melting on the castle floor. They made it to the playhouse out back where they found a pile of witch's clothes on the floor. Under her cape they found another clue with a magic wand that lit up. They had to light their wands and then find another clue that was hidden somewhere on the castle walls. This led them into the haunted forest where the Ruby Slippers lay hidden amongst snakes and spiders,(all plastic of course.) It was great fun to watch them figure it all out.

Each girl had her picture taken in the Ruby Slippers and and Rainbow Tshirt. (Kaylie and Syd had pink spider shirts. It's hard to find 7 of anything when you need it!!)

We also had our annual crafting session and it was heard that it was the best craft we ever did. They each painted a board that Grandpa cut in their color of choice and decoupaged the letters HOME in rainbow colors of paper. Then they applied lime green vinyl words that said "there's no place like" over the top. A hook went into the bottom and a pair of Ruby Slippers used in the hunt were threaded with ribbon and hung. Very Cute!! And thank you to my good buddy Renae for cutting all of those letters and vinyl on your trusty Cricket before you left! What would I do without you??) Small problem encountered was the fact that we were short two pairs of slippers so Grandpa, who is always there to lend a hand, said he would hand carve each pair for the two oldest guests. So they are still waiting patiently for their slippers.

While crafting we had a surprise guest that illicited a round of screams and much chaos. He remained all night and in the morning we escorted him from the garage, back into the wild from whence he came. Isn't he a lovely green? And he had the biggest eyes!

There are always unplanned activities that come up and this year was no different. Kaylie and I were talking about costumes and she was wearing a headband in the manner of the 70"s so I told her she should wear a red velvet dress I had that was pure 1968 vintage and in beautiful condition. I had it in a box in the closet. So out came the box, which also contained my wedding dress. The velvet dress fit her perfectly and for some reason I didn't get a picture of that. But one thing led to another and all of the girls began to try on my wedding dress and that led to all of Ashley's prom dresses and they modeled and laughed and we had the best time.

We ate and played and painted until we were all worn out and ready for our movie which of course was.....The Wizard of Oz! Most of the party goers were asleep before Dorothy made it to the Emerald City but Brooke and I saw her wake up safe and sound back in Kansas. In the morning, we finished up our craft, ate pancakes of course, with scrambled eggs, always the favorite. Then Kaylie and Syd played on the computer and cleaned the kitchen, (bless their little hearts) and the other girls played in the yard, dressing up and making believe, my favorite thing to watch them do. Sydney did join them and I finally coaxed Kaylie out for a picture.

They all went home by one, I mopped the floor, took a pain reliever and slept on the couch! I LOVE HALLOWEEN SLEEPOVERS!!! And a most excellent and heart-felt THANK YOU to my wonderful and beautiful daughter Ashley who made this all happen. If she had not been with me every step of the way, from planning to cooking to crafting, none of it would have happened! Thank you sweetheart! I love you!

Still Here

2011-10-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in my favorite chair, wasting time, or should I say catching up by visiting blogs and facebook. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly life moves for everyone. It would take me a month to send out congratulations to everyone on the wonderful events in their lives from weddings to new jobs, babies, and accomplishments. That's what happens when you stay away from the computer world. So let me just say it here. Congratulations to each and every one of my beloved family and friends on your life events. I thrill for each of you when I read of your accomplishments and good fortunes. I wish nothing but the best for you. We are still in the house and supposing we may never sell in this market. But way to busy to worry much about it. I have been planning activities for kids, and Relief Society, and having fun doing it. We had our second annual Halloweenie Campout with our little boys. Four of them came this year. I will post pictures soon. I am on my nook at the moment and haven't loaded any photos on here. I should do that I suppose. It would be so techie of me! Anyway, we had fun and when I do get the pictures up, I will tell all about it. I am afraid the pictures will be horrible and not exactly self explanatory as usual. I took a bunch of pictures on our bike trip to Yosemite in Sept. So will have to post a few of those also. This week is the fifth annual Girls Halloweenie sleepover and I have much to do for that yet. I think I am running out of energy just planning these events but I can't seem to stop! Well, it's time for church so will post this for now, call it my journal entry for the year, and be back with pictures another time. I never even got around to posting last years Halloween festivites and here we are again. How is that possible? Or maybe I just don't remember posting about it. I will have to check on that.

Movin' On

2011-07-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

I knew the time would come to sell our house. It always does. And as always, my feelings are ambivalent. I swing from " how exciting, a new adventure to "Ugh, I can't stand the thought of packing and storing! But to use one of my daught er-in-laws most detested phrases, It is what it is. So today I choose to be optomistic that it will sell and when it does, I will think of it as a blessing. After all, it's just a house. I can take any four walls and make it home as long as I have my family around me. But I probably should take a few more pictures so I can "remember when"!

Families Are Forever

2011-07-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday, June 30th, became a red letter day in my heart. I finally made it to the temple to do my mother's work. I had planned to be there in May and that didn't work out. Then we decided to go on her birthday and that didn't work out. Because Salt Lake had no record of her death, I couldn't print her cards. After finally tracking down the problem and getting it resolved, I printed the needed records and we were on our way. To say that it was a spiritual experience is an understatement. Suffice it to say, I was where I needed to be and so were my parents. I felt of their love for me and for each other. I felt my mother's excitement as the thought came to me that now she could go to places she had not been able to go before. I am at peace. Tom and I were able to do the endowments for her, her uncle and have her sealed to her parents, her parents to each other, my dad and her sealed to each other and then me to them. It was overwhelming. Some years ago I had the temple work done for her brother who died in the Korean War. As I came away from the alter my thoughts turned to her sisters and brothers. I felt like I need to get the records in order and get them all linked together and soon. Only one of the seven children is still living so I have lots to do. I am so grateful for this opportunity that is mine, to do this work for my family. What a great blessing in my life. The picture here is of my mom and her family when my mom was a little girl.She is the second one on the left in the middle row, with the little curl on her forhead, in a striped sort of dress. They were homesteaders in Montana and all but the youngest of the children were born in the one room log cabin that my grandfather built. It is still standing in the fields of Montana to this day. I walked through is back in the 80's. The second picture is of all of her brothers and sisters and their father at a reunion in 1981. Grandma had already passed away and of course Uncle Arnold. I was named after him as he died right before I was born. His middle name was Lee. I became a Lea but then the nurse that filled out the birth certificate thought it was misspelled and put an h on the end, making it Leah and that's the story I was told of how I came to be known as Patricia Leah. Just a side note there!! Well, this post is getting a little lengthy isn't it? But I couldn't let this special time go by without sharing it in my little blog world. I am happy!

Les Miserables!

2011-06-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Sabra for the picture. We had a fabulous time on our girl's weekend. Lots of shopping, eating, and just enjoying being together. Thanks to all of my daughters for a fun time!

Reflection

2011-05-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

These days seem to leave me wordless. It has been one year yesterday that my mother passed away. In some corner of myself I have been profoundly changed. I seem to have lost something of me and I don't even know what it is or where to look for it. I had planned to be in the temple on this day but life just didn't work out the way I had planned. Still, I look forward to the day and know it will come shortly. I wonder, is she looking toward the day? I wonder what it is like for her now, is she busy with all of the things she didn't get done here? I wonder alot about death and how it changes you. I don't visit here much anymore. I can't seem to make myself. It isn't that I haven't had a year of wonderful happenings that I could blog. I just don't seem to have any words in me. I am rambling and have no idea why I am here at this keyboard other that it has been a year. I wonder if I will ever stop missing, longing, aching, and feel content again. Perhaps, some day. If this sounds a bit like a pity party, I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to mark the passing of the year. I am grateful for my mother and her life. I am grateful for the lessons she taught me. I am grateful for the plan of salvation, even though I still wonder. I am grateful for the love my mom had for me, the things she taught me, the capacity she had to endure to the end. For I guess when all is said and done, that is the last great thing we do, endure to the end.

Lost Blogger

2011-03-27T18:07:00.001-07:00

Today is a good day. I have been having more and more of them lately. When I sat down at the computer a little while ago to do some browsing I really had no intention of posting anything. As some of you may have noticed I haven't been here for some time. But when I noticed on Sabra's blog a post that said Kelly's Visit under Lemmony Lunacy I was intrigued. Really, Kelly came to visit, who's Kelly? I missed it and it was my blog?! Then I clicked and the page could not be found. I began to wonder if you don't visit or post, does a blog go away into some unknown computer world, never to be read again? So I clicked on The Lemmon Family under my favorites bar and here I am. Because my mind is in a much better place these days, I decided to leave a note to say I was here! I feel like I have jumped a hurdle now and I may even come back and post again another day. I do want to leave here today, knowing that I honored the rest of the cupcake kids. While my heart and mind were checked out last year we had a couple of birthdays. The girls did get their cupcakes from Grama but I just couldn't seem to pull myself together to write it all down. So here are the pictures of the last two of the year. Malaya was in September and Jade was in November. Malaya is my little artist, always drawing for me. She is so quiet that sometimes I lose her in the hubbub of our gatherings. She is undemanding and sweet, kind and funny and silly and a delight to have around. I love you Malaya! Jade wanted a turkey or some Thanksgiving theme for her cake. She wanted me to bring it to school and I did. She loved it. She is such a fun girl, always ready to be by my side. She loves to draw and is always ready for a project with Grama. She is loving and loved so very much!Jade is always up for a gathering of cousins at Grama's and we haved had so much fun together! So Happy Birthday to my little girls, for last year. At least I got this posted before you turned ten and eleven!!

More Birthdays

2010-07-06T10:44:00.001-07:00

June and July bring lots of birthdays and celebrations in our family. So we celebrated 3 of them on the 4th of July. We missed Naomi's on the 23rd of June because we were in San Diego. Great trip!! And Mallory's is the day after mine and America's on the 5th of July. So we all gathered on the 4th in the evening for lots of food and fun. All of the boys and families and Ashley were here. We ate and visited and watch old home movies, had cake and ice cream and then headed out to see the fireworks. They were beautiful and lasted longer than any I had ever seen. Perfect weather, perfect company, perfect day. Mallory is now 9 and Naomi is 6 and I am older than both!

The cakes were a little on the slippery side with the heat and humidity so the frosting wasn't standing up much but the girls loved them. Mallory had requested a red, white and blue so Naomi got one too. Of course Maverick had to tell me again how he didn't get a gumball on the top of his so I found him one and he put it in his pocket. I wonder if he ever chewed it up. I think it was more about possesion at this point. Funny boy!

June 13, 1925 - May 19, 2010

2010-06-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

My Mother, My Friend

She was kind,beautiful,bodacious.
Loving,patient,tenacious.
She was true and brave,courageous,
with laughter and cheer so contagious.
If I could see her but once again,
I would call her mother, my very best friend.

Happy Birthday Mom, I love and miss you more than I ever thought possible.
I think of you every day,and wait for the sound of the bell.

Seven Years

2010-06-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Dawson! Seven years on the 8th of June! He was born on his Great Grandfather Lemmon's birthday! Dawson is such a sweet boy, always has a hug and kiss for his grama! We love you kiddo! The cake was more about taste this time I think. I just didn't seem to have a heart for it this month but doesn't mean Dawson isn't as loved. Just couldn't seem to make the fingers do what I needed them to do this day. And he wanted Power Rangers and had to settle for the ole Spiderman! But hey, he didn't care, it was more about getting his cake from grama, I think. Hope you have a great year Sweet Dawson!

Grama and one of her Favorite Little Men

Night Time

2010-05-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

Night Fractures. Splinters crevices that become chasms with each ting of the bell, until longing for the void where there is no sound,no smell, no feeling, only darkness and silence that never comes. Then the buttery soft light of morning growing and filling the blackness of dreams, bringing courage to walk the precipice one more day, hoping to make the journey, hoping for strength to stay the course, finding that glade of peace, knowing the towers of guilt, regret, remorse, sorrow and loss will overshadow all in complete and utter silence, no breath, no ringing of the bell.

Seven Down, Five To Go, I Think!

2010-05-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Brooke turned four and requested a Hello Kitty Cupcake! After much searching I found a topper at the bakery and proceeded to the kitchen. Ashley baked the cake for me one night and I tried to make it look cute the day of the party. I had trouble with the frosting, my mind was in a funk, but I think she liked it anyway. Little girls are like that, they love whatever grama makes them. We had a great time with all of the cousins at Triple P. I always love to see them all together. Happy Birthday to our toothless little Brooke. I remember getting the phone call and hopping on a plane a couple of hours later. You were born before I made it to Denver but I have a picture of us just a few hours after you were born. I held you and whispered I love you in your soft sweet ear. Happy Birthday Sweet Little Girl!!!

Kaylie Thirteen??

2010-04-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

One more giant cupcake done. This is the sixth so I am half way to my goal. Every single one of the kids has been looking forward to their cupcake. I hope no one is dissappointed. Kaylie wanted a green one and her response was,"Awesome, grandma!"

How is it possible that our first little granddaughter could be a teenager. Look out Aaron and Gel!! I remember the day Kaylie was born. Aaron called and said they were going to the hospital in San Diego where they were living. I packed a bag and was on the road within the hour. I was there to watch Kaylie take her first sweet breath of life, to see her daddy weep as he held her for the first time, to see the joy on her mommy's face. I truly felt a part of the circle of life for the first time. What a blessing to be a mother and a grandma. Happy Birthday to our sweet Kaylie. You are so beautiful, smart, talented, funny, sweet, the list goes on. I love how you love your family. I have watched you over the years with Malaya and Lino and what a good sister you are to them. We are so happy to have you home from your "stardom tour". Always know that Grandma and Grandpa are right here for you. We love you Kaybugs!

Sydney's Twelve

2010-04-21T19:23:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday To Sydney! Sweet, smart, lovable, kind, crafty, talented, the list goes on! She is a girl after my own heart. We have fun crafting and talking and hanging out whenever we get the chance.

I hope she liked her giant cupcake. I think she was expecting it to actually look like a cupcake. The others did. But Sabra said do something with horses that she collects. I thought about a barn and then Sabe said she rides the mountain with the big A out in Roll. Why not make that? So I gave it my best shot! I don't think she knew quite what it was supposed to be until I explained it. But that's ok. I had a great time creating it anyway and it may not have been the purple cupcake she dreamed of, but it was from my heart and it tasted pretty good, too!!! I took the left over cake, (you have to trim the top off the bottom portion of the cupcake and the bottom off the top) and I used it to make the rocky path up the sides to the top. Then I mixed chocolate pudding mix into white frosting to get a grainy, sandy looking goop to frost the entire thing. To this I added strategicly placed candy rocks, green grass, and purple and orange flowers. I topped it off with 12 Breyer Horses, one for each year. YeeHah!!! I hope all your wishes come true Syd!!!

Craft Day at Grama's House

2010-04-08T15:22:00.000-07:00

With spring break coming to close, I wanted to have some time with my favorite girls. I thought it would be fun to craft. So I called the older girls together and this is what we did.

The Challenge

Each of us had to take 3 blank envelopes from the bank (Granpa had a stack of them he had been saving) and make something to give away, keep, and trade. They all finished the assignment except for me. I only got 2 done. Anyway, they had access to stamps,ink, stickers, etc. and I told them to use their imagination. We had a great time. At least I think we all did; the noise level indicated as much. Good ole Gramps brought pizza and rootbeer at noon. They all went out on the patio and I kept crafting so I wouldn't be tempted by the pizza. My stomach and pizza do not get along well. After I finally finished my second one for the trade, we all picked a number and then put that number in the cup. Each drew out a slip and the person who put that number in gave their creation to whoever took that number out of the cup. I thought it was great fun! It was exciting to see each little girl use her imagination and ability to come up with something from nothing but a blank envelope. Most of all, I will always treasure the time we had together. I do love my girls.

Blog Hopping

2010-04-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

I have been spending some time these past days visiting blogs of strangers who are fantastically talented and generous in sharing their gifts. I am truly amazed each time I venture into blogland, at the variety and scope of talent out there. And I do spend a little time wondering why I just didn't get very much of it. But no bother, I am thankful for eyes that I can see others visions brought to life. I love gathering ideas and wish I could also gather time to put them into my own little creative niche. I garnered an idea from a couple of different blogs,(sorry I didn't write them down and now cannot find them again to give credit). I thought it was so sweet that I had to try my hand at altering a baby shoe into a pin cushion. Mine are quite different but I was pleased with the way they turned out. I got crazy on ebay and bought 4 different pairs plus one lonely little boot. I have finished 3 and am in the middle of number 4, hoping to get it finished shortly. Just waiting for an uninterrupted hour. Here are a couple of them. Sorry the pictures are not fabulous but they really are cute in real life. And most important of all, I had fun making them. I kept thinking of a quote by artisit Thomas Kincade that I used in a speech for a class I took once upon a time. "What a joy it is to be able to create something. Creativity is one of the great priviliges of being human. The benefits of creative endeavor don't necessarily depend on the quality of the endeavor. It is the very act of creating that renews you." I was renewed that day for a short while. I find that when life is just overwhelming for me, if I can take a minute and just craft for a bit, I am better, mentally and emotionally. So thank you to all of the wonderful artists out there in bloggerville who inspire and motivate me. I will probably never achieve artist level but I do enjoy a good craft.

No Fools Here!

2010-04-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

I remember a friend bringing me hand dipped chocolates one April 1st. Of course I didn't realize that was the date or I might have been a little leery. They looked lovely and I was so touched that she would bring me such a delightful gift. I took a big yummy bite and got a huge mouthful of chocolate covered cotton! We had a great laugh! I thought about making some for my grand kids but while giving mom a breathing treatment,she suggested they might choke. I guess!!! She told me her mother used to make pancakes and put a rag in one. I thought that was a clever idea. She said her oldest sister,Violet, would usually get it. And she would yell, "Burned again!" Seems she was usually the target of the practical jokes around the ranch and always a good sport. I don't think I did anything worse than putting salt in the sugar bowl when I was a kid. And I'm not even sure if I did it or my brothers were the culprits. Speaking of brothers, I should post a picture of the whole gang. It was the first time all of the siblings were together since my dad died 13 years ago. My mother was thrilled and it was a pleasant evening for everyone. My two older brothers have since returned to the North, leaving me here with my younger ones. Mike is 8 years younger and is a blessing to me. He tries to help all he can. I don't see much of Tim, 4 years younger. Mom is very weak these days and sleeps off and on, both day and night. I am so glad she got her wish for all of her children to be in the same room one more time. Well, here's to April Fools everywhere and to Spring, new life, and patience in trials!!!

Lexi's First Birthday

2010-03-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

We were talking last night about children's birthdays. Why is it that the first child always gets the big bash on their first and the other kids get a cake if they're lucky?? Lexi was one year on St. Patrick's Day. I managed to get the cupcake made and left the rest up to the family. We had a little party with a few cousins so it wasn't that bad. At least we have a photo to show her when she grows up!!!

She got into it and even managed a bite on her own!

YUM!!!!

Three For Three

2010-03-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

I got the Giant CupCake pan before Christmas and decided my resolution for the New Year would be to bake each grandchild a giant cupcake for their birthday. So far I have done it, starting in January for Tiny, then Lino and Buddy. Tomorrow is Lexi's big numero uno so will be baking a pink one for her. Sabra put a pick of Buddy's cake on her blog but I am going to post one too, for the two people that read my blog:) Buddy came to play a couple of days after his birthday and wanted to know why he didn't get the gumball on his cake. He was very excited at the time about the soccer balls. So I remided him he liked the soccer balls but he still wanted the gumball. I told him I did have a red one or a pink or white one. "I think I'll take a blue one." "I don't have a blue one." "Well, you can go down to my dad's shop and take a quarter and get a blue one, or a green one." What a wonderful little boy. I just love that kid!!! Anyway, here are my boys with their cakes! Happy Birthday to all four of my favorite little people born in the months of January and March!!!

Ides Of March

2010-03-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

Twenty years ago yesterday,the Ides Of March, we moved into our house on Bardeaux. Crazy where that twenty went. Our life has changed so drastically, and mostly in the last month! But that's whining for another day I suppose. Anyway, Ceaser died and yesterday my mother fell down. Scared the living right out of me!! Then I was so mad, I mean sooooo mad!! And that is for another day too. I really can't be positive right now so I better move on!!!

March Onward

2010-03-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

March, it came in like a lamb! Though most days I feel like I have been mauled by a lion,today however, was an exceptionally good day following an exceptionally good night. Mom slept from 11pm to 5am with a pit stop and then on into the morning, finally rousing around 9:30. We got dressed and had breakfast, then moseyed out for a spin in her stroller. We had a great laugh about how you start out life in diapers with someone pushing your stroller and you pretty much end life the same way. I almost dumped her out of the wheel chair, getting her out the door. Then I forgot to lock the brakes while I was hooking up the dog's leash and looked up to see her rolling down the street. I didn't even know the street sloped! We talked,laughed,looked at birds, well I looked and pointed, she couldn't see much. But she did like the smells and sun on her face. It was a good day! Then my brother form Montana arrived. She always loved Larry. He could make her laugh when no one else could. Happy days!!! Hoping for another restful night! Thanks to you who commented on the previous post with your kind and inspiring words. I appreciate them more than you could know.

Life and Learning

2010-02-28T16:19:00.000-08:00

How is it, that one minute everything is perfect, for the most part, and then....
Tom and I were at lunch a few weeks ago and I told him that I had been having thoughts about how our life was so blessed. I was thinking about the trials and adversities we have had. I wondered if those were my refiner's fire or was there something larger, more defining in our future. Was I to be tried so much more that perhaps I would not make it through? Where I would question my faith? Was I to have some trial perhaps, that would break me or at least mold me painfully? Would I be able to overcome? And he said he had been thinking along the same lines. We have been so blessed in our lives, our family, our business. What payment would be required at the Lord's hand? How would He choose to refine, define, and make us what we need to be to inherit what He has for us? Anyway, it was a great discussion over tacos at our favorite restaurant. And then WHAM!! Life as we knew ended one Friday night a few days later. On Feb. 12 to be exact! One of those dates that must surely have cosmic overtones!!!(Both of my grandmothers were born on that day.) I went to lunch with friends to celebrate one of their birthdays and then came home for a little siesta. Life is good! Went to dinner and a movie with dear hubby! Came home and just sat down for a little relaxing before bed and the phone rang. I usually won't answer it but since it was about 10:30 I thought it might be important. It was. My mother was on the other line gasping for breath. "Come, I need you!" And we went. And life was never the same again. By Tues. it was evident that she would never be able to be on her own again and there was no way my brother and I could make it work, taking turns at her home. So I made the decision to bring her home. Tom supported me fully, the devoted and wonderful husband that he is. We called all of the family and many came to bid farewell. We thought it was imminent. The nurses at Hospice thought it was imminent! Maybe it still is! That was 2 weeks ago. When the family started arriving, Mom rallied. She is still weak as a kitten and has to be fully tended but she is still very much with us most of the time. One more brother is due to arrive on Tues. With her medication, she is still able to breathe and her sweet litte heart continues to pump, though very very softly and slowly. I don't know how long she will be with me but I count these moments precious. That is not to say this is not the biggest trial of my life thus far. If you know me, you know I have a somewhat, shall I say, aggravating?, relationship with my mom? From the time I was very young, we butted heads. But now, I am being molded in patience, compassions, long-suffering (especially the nights!),and in doing good. I am learning that is hard to put your needs, wants, and desires all on hold, not knowing for how long, to do the hard things needed doing for someone else. Life is not easy these days. Some days I want to cry and say, Give me my life back!! But someday I will have it back and that will mean I won't have my sweet wonderful mother to kiss and tuck in at night. She used to tuck me in and sing me a little song, " Ship Ahoy". Now it is my turn to tuck her in and sing to her, to hold her hand when she can't get her breath and tell her it will be all right. It is a privilege to be her daughter. She has born many sorrows in her life, and I am blessed to be able to help her through this end of times. She is gracious and so very grateful, never forgetting to thank me for letting her come home with me,like I could let her go anywhere else. Looking on her, so frail and slight, I am amazed by her inner strength. Though we have locked horns many times through out our lives, she is truly my hero and I am blessed among daughters.

Birthday Boy

2010-01-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Our Miracle Baby

Happy Birthday to Strider. He is three years old today. Our little miracle baby, we are so blessed to have him with us. He is so bright and fun and a little bit of the devil and we love him completely. He is always entertaining, even when he is tormenting his brother and sisters. Tiny,as everyone calls him, melts my heart when he puts his little arms around my neck and squeezes tight. He loves to play out in the sand and water and eat candy at Grama's house. He has this raspy deep voice and I love it when he talks. "Grama, have fruit rollup?" He always asks for those when he comes to play. Life is passing at such an accelerated pace these days, it is hard to grasp that he is already three. Happy Birthday Tiny. We love you!!

Happy 2010

2010-01-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Happy new Year to One and All. Christmas was busy and bustling and just down right fun but I am ready to relax with my new book now! I am still enjoying the decor and have to be in the mood to take it all down so maybe by February I will be there. I love the holidays. And I love the down time that comes after. January is my favorite read month and I usually get about 3 or 4 books read this month. I am into my new one I got from Sabe for Christmas. It is called The Help. Great read so far. We had lots of good times, good food, and good family and friends to share it all with. We took all of the kids caroling before Christmas on a Monday night. The Jones went with us and they still came back on Christmas Eve so it must have been fun. We also had our annual Christmas Eve bash with the pinatas and Santa Bag. Then Christmas morning was the big breakfast, followed by the opening of gifts with all of the grandchildren and children. This year Ashley spent the night before Christmas with us so we had someone to wake up with Christmas morning. It sure is different with no little ones to rouse from the bed. I used to dream every Christmas Eve that I forgot to stuff the stockings. But last year I didn't have the dream and it didn't return this year. Apparently my anxiety levels over the morning have dropped off. I didn't get very many good pictures at all, even with the new camera. Too busy I guess to stop and shoot. But I will always carry the memory of my beautiful family in my heart. I love them all so much. We missed Kaylie but got to talk with her on the phone during the party. So now it is on to the New Year. I haven't written down any resolutions yet but I have one that I am already working very hard on. And I am sure it will take many years if ever to become proficient. I used to always write my resolutions down, even categorizing them. But the last few years I haven't done that. Made me feel like a failure when I didn't realize them. I think perhaps I had too many. Well, I am totally rambling now so that means the time has come to get off the blog.

More Pictures of the Ages

2009-12-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

I still have yet to master this blog machine. Apparently the pictures don't publish in the order you start with. And they will only take 4 or 5 per post I gather. A safe guard for the reader no doubt, so they don't die from boredom in front of the computer. So here are a couple more of the life and times of Tom & Patty. I would try to lable them but I am sure to lable them out of order. Read on for the actual anniversary post.

Forty Years in Living Color

2009-12-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

I don't know why the pictures didn't download to my post but I am trying again. Don't worry, I didn't put forty full years in, not even close. Just a few down through the ages.

Just A Couple of Innocents who had no idea what life was!

Happy Anniversarys

2009-12-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary first to Aaron and Gel. They were married on the 10th of December, two days before our 25th. It was some party that year. I wanted to throw another one but.....
Bob Seger might say "Forty years, where'd they go? Forty years, I don't know where they've gone!" We celebrated at DisneyLand, where we wanted to go on our honeymoon. lo those many years ago, but had no money. We actually borrowed $200. from Max and went to San Diego Zoo and Sea World, and stayed 3 nights in a motel. Wow, all for 200 dollars. Can you imagine?! We had a wonderful time at Disneyland and rode the roller coasters over and over. I told Tom riding them was pretty much like our life together. A lot of ups and downs, high peaks, and low valleys and every once in a while, we would be thrown for a couple of loops. Sometimes we would just hold on tight, breathe deep, and hope we stayed on the track. And then there were times in the last 40 years where we would be at the top of the highest pinnacle, where for a brief, shining moment we could see forever and what a view. I loved the old lady in the movie Parenthood who told her family about the roller coaster and the merry-go-round. I like the roller coaster better too!! Our life together has been an amazing ride! Someone once asked me if I was single again someday, would I remarry. I told him probably not and he asked why? And I still stand by the answer all these years later, that once you have had the best, it would all be down hill from there. I could go on and on about the last forty years but let it suffice to say, I have been loved and taught by the most unselfish person I have ever know, who protects and serves me daily. I would be lost without him. He is my anchor and my sail. I look forward to eternity with him by my side. Happy Anniversary Tom.

Our Champion

2009-11-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Gramdpa and I had the exciting opportunity to see Sydney show her new horse Bell. She was awesome. She won 3 ribbons for her collection and looked so cute on that big horse. We are so proud of her. I don't know much about horses but Sydney seemed to handle her well. She got her to do what she wanted and looked like she had fun. Way to Go Sydney!!! We love you!

It Was A Party

2009-11-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

I am finally getting around to posting a couple of pictures of our amazing 4th Annual Halloweenie SleepOver. We went ahead and had the party the week of the flood. I manage with the help of my work horse hubby, to get the house back together and we partied into the wee hours. I made each guest an apron tucked in a bag with lots of goodies. My theme was skeletons so they got a bandana covered with the motif to match their aprons, along with a necklace of bones and an eyepatch. They were all the cutest pirates this side of the islands. We had chili pepper with the trimmings for dinner. Everyone was plenty full though they all wondered why I didn't have little name tags for each item on the menu, like last year. Sorry kids, you were lucky to get the party at that point, what with the water rising and all. We did all of their favorite things from Man on the Moon to hunting ghosts. We watched falling stars and talked on the tramp until it grew too chilly even with every blanket we could find in the house . Then we bedded down to a movie and all were asleep within half an hour. Next morning, we cooked ghost pancakes, scrambled eggs and then played until noon. It was especially memorable for me as I do not anticipate Kaylie will be with us again. She is now 12 and gone off to foreign lands to be famous. Next year we will have new guest list that includes 2 more boys so the dynamics will be entirely different, but I am sure just as joyful. I look forward to it with anticipation and new ideas to make memories that will hopefully last a lifetime for both them and me.

The Missing Pirate

2009-11-04T16:46:00.004-08:00

For some reason I do not seem to have a picture of Sydney in the chair. I thought I had everyone that night. Maybe she was off hunting ghosts but I do have one of her the next morning in the yard so here it is. Sorry Syd, I don't know where the other picture went or if in fact, there was another one.

2009-11-04T16:46:00.003-08:00

2009-11-04T16:46:00.001-08:00

More Halloweenie Party Pirates

2009-11-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more pictures from the party I just posted about.

Should'a ! Could'a ! Would'a !

2009-10-19T10:42:00.001-07:00

It was around 11:30 pm, just drifting off to sleep. I heard the water come on and thought, "hm, that's odd,I don't usually hear the sprinklers. Oh well, don't wake Tom, he probably just wants to wet the grass really well for the seed." I then turned over and drifted to sleep, listening to the lullaby of water running. 3:30 AM
I hear Tom saying,"Dear, ya better get up, we have a huge mess!" I bounded out of bed to a squish and a splash! I should have shook him awake, I could have, I had the thought. I would have but I talked myself out of it and now.....Ahh,hindsight!! We mopped for a couple of hours and went back to bed. At that point we thought it was contained in the laundry room where the pipe under the sink broke. When we got up this morning and surveyed the damage we realized how extensive it was. We have taken up all the pad and carpet from the bedroom, the wood in the hall closet is still oozing water, the wood in the hall is drying and we are hoping it won't buckle. We have unloaded the bookshelf in the family room, ready to take it apart to get the carpet dried under it. The water seeped to a few feet in the middle of that room. We are hoping to dry it out with a shopvac and some more fans. The house is pretty much in disarray and so I sit here and share the whole of it with my keyboard. Went to stake conference and heard a great talk by Nicki Olsen on how life is a test. Sure enough it is and I am "immersed" in it at the moment. But things always have an upside to them if we look. Like, this could have happened when we were out of town for the night. Tom could have slept straight through and it would have run another few hours. Some of it drained out in the laundry room floor so that's a plus. And it's just water, carpet, and a mess. No one is hurt or sick or dead! A mess can be cleaned up with patience! Well, that's the tale of our 2009 flood. I hope I get it all put together by Friday or I will have to re-schedule the Halloweenie Sleepover to next Friday. That would be ok as it would be the weekend of Halloween anyway! So, everyone out there, have a great day for me!!!

Halloween is just Around the Corner.

2009-10-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

I love October. Especially when the weather changes. But mostly because it is the month of Halloween!!! Yeah!!! Can a whole month have gone the wayside since I last visited this page? Apparently so! I would post pictures of our great trip to Colorado but alas, they are still safely secure in the camera. They are pretty boring anyway but when I do get them onto the computer, I may post some of the more scenic ones. We had a fabulous time, covering Zion National Park, up through Utah to Salt Lake and on over to Durango. Perfect weather most of the way, even through the desert. We left around 5:30 am and came back around 10:30 pm and it was cool both ways. Time has flown since returning home. Between grandkids, projects, volunteer stuff, and an elderly parent, I seem to wear myself out every day and have no problem sleeping the late evening away on the couch. I haven't even taken time to read a book this month!! How did that happen??! I am now in the throws of working out details for "Grama's Halloweenie SleepOver", scheduled for next Friday night. I am looking forward to it! These pictures are from the 2nd year Sleepover, when we just had 4 little girls here and then the 3rd year (last year) when we had a few more. (I guess I lost the 1st year pictures when the computer crashed!) This year the guest list will remain the same. When you are in Kindergarten, then you get to come. So next year there shall be NINE! But for now only 7 will partake of the festivities!!! So Fun!!

Hospitals

2009-09-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for modern medicine. I am grateful for a place to go when pain is so excruciating that a grown man weeps. But THIS hospital???? It does leave a lot to be desired. Tom is home now and improving daily. It was a long week. And so out of the blue to end up there last weekend. He has been so healthy lately. He went in with acute pancreatitis and came out with some bad bacteria that now requires this horrible antibiotic that makes him weird. I could go on and on about the negatives in this hospital but suffice it to say that if and when he gets another attack, we have decided to head to the ER at Scripps. We are sure he will be admitted and on pain medicine and the road to recovery before he can get out of the ER here. I do appreciate the kind nurses. We had a couple of them and though they lacked some skill, they were caring and somewhat attentive. We are looking forward to his full recovery so we can get on with our ride. We were supposed to leave this Monday but looks like we will have to postpone for a little while until he gets strong enough to hold up the motorcycle. I am crazy for the fall colors up north so am looking forward.

Dog Days

2009-08-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

I can definitely feel the end of summer coming, the days known to me since childhood as the "Dog Days of Summer"! I have no idea where the phrase came from other than my mother has lots of those little tidbits she has taught me over the years. Last week we had an especially exciting day involving an actual dog, a dog named Tobee, my dog to be precise. The boys, Buddy, Tiny, and Lino were playing with me and Tobee and 3 hoses. Now Tobee's favorite thing to do is play in the water. We were having a great time spraying her, watching her jump and do flips, biting the water. She is crazy. We played for quite some time and then moved on to making boats and castles. I noticed as we sat to eat popcicles that Tobee was acting a little funny, walking crooked and just not moving normally. I called her to me and she was barely breathing. I thought she must be having a heat stroke so I took her quickly to the sink and hosed the dirt off of her. She felt cool, her nose and ears were cool to the touch. But her breathing was becoming more and more labored. So I put her down and she went right into her kennel. I called the vet, described her symptoms and she said to bring her right in. But I had 3 little boys, covered in mud. What to do. Tom was out to lunch. So I yelled at them, they were still out in the mud, and told them to come quickly and get in the car. No questions, just run fast. They did and I dropped them at Lino's house, mud and all, no lunch, on the door step. The nanny came to the door, she doesn't speak English well and I shoved the boys into the house and told her my dog was sick and I had to go. I have no idea what she thought but I felt bad about the mess the boys were in. Anyway, I raced to the vet and just knew my dog was going to die in my arms before I got there. They took her right in, gave her some oxygen and stabalized her. To make a really long story shorter, she basicly had inhaled the water to her lungs and was suffering from fluid in her lungs. We had basicly about drowned her. She also was over heated, and had gulped so much air her stomach was 3 times bigger that it should have been. They put her on IV fluids and medicing to take the fluid out of her lungs and tissues. She came home for the night because they had no one to watch her and then I took her back in the morning for another 8 hours. She's back to normal now, barking and annoying Tom to no end, but it was scary. Anyone who knows me knows how attached I am to my dog. So this week when the boys come to play with Grama, Tobee is restricted to the house and from the hose. I would have taken pictures of our fun in the sun but Tom had "the camera" somewhere.... I am saving to buy my own! I guess I should just get batteries for the old one and use it until I get the new one.

Camp and Then

2009-07-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

First there was camp and then there wasn't. It seemed to come fast and leave even faster! I had a great time at Camp Zion and will hold all those memories dear to my heart but I can't say that I am much melancholy over the end of it all. I will miss working with all those fun ladies I have grown to love though, most of all. And I will miss getting to know different YCL's each year. And I will miss, ok wait, now I am a little bit sad so I won't go on about that!!! Here are a couple of pictures from this year. We laughed and laughed as usual and cried some too. That's camp. The funny story of the year was... the quilt or should I say quilts. The wards all made quilts as a service project and I wanted the stake leaders to give one to Sonnet as a surprise. So Renae, our quilting guru and I selected and cut the fabric and then I sewed it up. I was so excited to present it to her. Unknownst to me, she had decided they should do one for me and so we each had a quilt to give the other. Surpise!!!! We came home a day earlier that usual because of the 4th of July and I think everyone was pretty happy about that. I slept most of my birthday away, worn out and coming down with the flu. I spent the following week in bed, recuperating. Then we took off to Hawaii, the Big Island. Tom and I had a splendid time, laying around, sipping Pina Coladas and reading. The island was a little dissapointing, all covered in lava as it was, but never the less, it was Hawaii so how bad could it be, right? We rented a boat so we could see the coastline but Tom got sea sick so that was a bummer. We saw lots of lava flows and some rain forest. Tom turned into this camera nazi and I didn't take very many pictures. Bobby got a new camera for New Zealand and Tom really liked it so he went and got the same one. But he doesn't like it when I use it I guess cuz he won't take it off his belt. I think I will have to get one of my own. We did get a couple of shots but he took almost all of them himself. Which is hilarious because we have been married 40 years and he had never been the one to take pictures. Funny man!! So now we are home agin, home again, jiggiety jig!!! We will see what the lovely month of August holds in store for us!

Best Day

2009-06-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

You know how most days you get up with a plan in hand. And most days it unfolds differently than designed? Well, today was one of those days. And it was the best day!! Of course I have no pictures as I left the camera on the counter. I was invited by Jade to come to her awards ceremony in her class room this morning. When I got there I found out that Kaylie was having her 6th grade graduation. So after Jade's class was done, I ran to the graduation just in time to see Kaylie get her diploma. Then I ran back to Mallory's to watch her get her awards and then over to Malaya's room. I didn't make it for all of her awards but was there for one. So then I decided we should all go to lunch so I went to Sydney's class and kidnapped her and then we all set out for Triple P. After stuffing ourselves we headed over to the 99Cent store where we killed a few dollars and an hour. We had so much fun! I loved the last day of school when I was a child and today I was happy to experience the fun with 5 of the most beautiful granddaughters in the world. They keep me young at heart. Today was my BEST DAY!

Family

2009-05-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday Jared blessed our new granddaughter, Alexis Reign Lemmon. It was a wonderful blessing and I felt blessed to have been there. She is our 13th grandchild. My cup is full to overflowing! This picture is of some but not all of the family. Grandpa had a Bishopric meeting, and Zulema was home with sick children. Tanya Thompson happend to be walking by and I snagged her to take this shot. I love it. Sabra had to chase down Maverick and he was no way going to get his picture taken. And I especially love the look on Lino's face. And we call Naomi the poser. Every time I take her picture, she poses. She will probably grow up to model one day!! We all had some laughs, especially when Tanya showed us our family picture that she carries in her scriptures. We were all amazed that she would have it, for one thing, and then we laughed about how funny we all looked in it. It was taken around 1989 or 1990. Jason referred to it as the Cardigan picture. The boys all had sweaters on. Funny!! And Jared is leaning into the picture like he was just some kid who walked by and wanted to be part of it. One of the kids said they could't believe we paid for that picture. It is the only professional family photo we ever had taken. We do have one other and it was actually taken in the produce department at El Rancho Market in 1982! Now that one is hilarious. I always love how families get together every year for an annual picture. For some reason, I just never made that happen. I think it's because I have never liked one picture of myself, ever! I have great pictures of the boys and Ashley and even a couple of Tom. But I just can't get one of me that makes me glad I had it taken! I am not what you call photogenic. I need to be Photoshopped!!! Anyway, the day was wonderful and in the evening, most everyone came over. We missed Aaron's family but the rest of us had some laughs and watched the cousins play. I am so blessed!!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2009-05-01T11:34:00.001-07:00

Sorry to say we have had no April showers to speak of but the flowers seem to be blooming quite nicely in the yard!

When I was a little girl we used to celebrate May Day. I would decorate baskets, sometimes the little ones strawberries came in, weaving ribbon in and out to make them pretty, or making whem out of paper, into little cones with ribbon. Then I would go pick dandelions to fill them and hang them on the neighbors door, ring the bell and run. Such fun! Where have all the flowers gone!! And the traditions and fun of a simple life? Well, no matter. Happy May Day. And here is a bouquet for anyone who reads the ramblings of a nostalgic granni!!

2009-04-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

Forgot to add the pictures to my Spring Break Sleepover with the girls. We had breakfast and went to the park. (Earlier Post) These are pics of the girls fixing breakfast and the menu and place settings. We also said the "Pledge of Allegience" at breakfast. Malaya or Mallory made the flag and taped it up on the wall so we could say it before breakfast. So funny! We said it with great conviction!

Spring Break At The Zoo

2009-04-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

I forgot that I went to the San Diego Zoo with 4 of the grandkids the first week of spring break. What can I say, it was 2 weeks ago. But I downloaded pictures from the camera and there they were to remind me of the fun time we had. We left on Monday morning and headed directly to the beach, where I sat ensconsed in blanket, sweater, jacket, and shoes and socks. The kids all had swimming suits on. We buried them in the sand. They chased the birds and built sand castles. When their lips were blue we packed them up and headed over to the rollercoaster at Bellmont Park. We rode the Merry Go Round and a couple of other rides, the headed to the hotel. There they immediately sought out the pool and continued to cool their body temps to just above freezing. I stayed under 2 huge towels and shivered most of the time. It was even too cold to get in the hot tub. After everyone had showers and warmed up Zulema and I couldn't bring ourselves to load them all up for dinner. So we ordered room service. Grandpa is still trying to float a loan to pay for that but oh it was so worth it. Jade,Dawson, Brooke, and Naomi all thought it was the best! After watching Beverly Hills Chihauha and some other movie I don't recall, we decided to get them to bed. Since we had 6 of us, Zulema had brought her blowup mattress. But it was in the car which we had Valet parked. so she went down, got them to bring the car around, and she lugged this thing up to the room. It had to weigh 50 pounds I swear. Then she unfolded it to blow up with the electric pump. The pump that Jason forgot to put back into the bag when they used it last. So the kids slept on the floor and didn't seem to be any worse for it. Early, well not that early, we got up and headed to the zoo, via MCDonalds. OH YEAH, TOYS Pancakes all around! Then off we went. Had a fun bus ride, saw all the snakes, oooh, and went to the petting pens. Most of the animals were resting from being petted so that was a little dissapointing. But still, you don't get to pet a goat that often in the city!! Then we rode the tram, saw the polar bears and rode back in time to catch the sea lion show. I enjoyed it but the kids thought it was too short. Hey, this is the zoo, not Sea World! By now it is mid afternoon. The kids are tired and whiny so they want to leave. We did have lunch at one point and snacks a couple of times but they were pretty much done. As we headed out the gate I remembered that last time I was at the zoo I had missed the gorillas so I determined that we had to see them this time. So we all hiked down the long hill, glimpsed them from behind a wall of people before they fled to the other side of their enclosure and hiked back up the hill,which by now was twice as long. Naomi had a little accident and we had no extra clothes so used Dawson's sweatshirt to wrap around her waist. This did not please Dawson at all and he walked the entire way to the parking lot, giving us dirty looks over his shoulder and clenching and unclenching his fists. His mom told him he had better stop being so mad by the time we got to the car or she was going to leave him. You could see him trying to get over it but when we got to the car he had reached meltdown stage and cried long and hard. Not because Naomi was wearing his shirt but because we didn't go to Tiger River to see the tigers. I had no idea Tiger River was that important or we surely would have made the effort to hike one more enormous hill! After about 20 minutes all was calm and we had a fun ride home. That was our Spring Break Trip To The Zoo and we all have fond memories and pictures, too.

Lost in Time

2009-04-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

I don't know where the last few weeks have gone. I feel like I am in a wave of endless days, flowing and ebbing with such swiftness, that I am continually tredding with out getting out of the water. Conference was wonderful. I wish I could recall every quote that touched my heart. I wish I could recall one even! I guess I feel lucky I can recall watching it at all. I am grateful that they come written so we can feast over and over. Spring break was a delight even if I don't go to school. I had lots of fun with all of the kiddies! We went to the fair and all came home with the most delightful hats! Of course, I didn't have the camera! I want to get a picture and when I do I will post it. One night, the 3 middle girls spent the night. I got up at 3am to find them giggling in the kitchen. What are you guys doing? Just stuff. ok well, keep it down and go to bed pretty soon. Ok grammy! The next morning I came out to find the table all set with decorated napkins, name tags, and a menu. They were so excited! They made eggs, waffles, juice. In the middle of the night, the peeled I don't know how many tangelos and cut up all the strawberries and mixed them with cinnamon! YUM! We had a very festive breakfast, after which we went to the park and played. I did have the camera this time. Oh, I love those little girls!!! I am so blessed to have all of my perfect grandchildren right here! How I love being grandma! They are so good to me!

Babies

2009-03-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love babies. We got a new one, on St. Patty's Day even! No they are not calling her Patty after me, thank goodness for that! They are calling her Alexis Reign, Lexi for short. She is so teeny, weighing in at 5lbs,8oz. 18 1/2 inches. Perfect. Some dark brown hair and the sweetest little face! I am in love. Naomi and I have been hanging out for the last two days and she is so excited to be Big Tiger! That's what her daddy calls her in Chinese. She used to be Shahu (little tiger. Now she is dahu, Big Tiger. Naomi loves to do projects and is now at my elbow, wanting to do a bunny rabbit puppet project so I think I had better post this and get with it! She is standing here having a conversation with me, apparently about random thoughts in her head. She just said, "It sure takes Jesus a long time to come back doesn't it?" And "Does Tobee cry a lot?" And "Are you almost done?" All said with her little lisp. I love her!!! I do apologize for the photos. I am the world's worst photographer. I know that! I do try, but what can I say? And I can not figure out for the life of me how to get the pictures where I want them on the page. Still working on that!

Monkey On My Back

2009-03-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

You know how, when you have something that you need to but you would just rather it went away, it just hangs on your back and weighs you down. And the funny thing is that the longer you carry it around, the heavier it becomes. So then you finally decide to do it and it isn't that heavy of an ordeal at all. Well, maybe a little but when it is all said and done, you are glad not only to have it over, but even a little puzzled as to why you procrastinated the ordeal to begin with! That happened to me today. For weeks now Tom has been after me to can his beloved beets. He grows them with pleasure and picks and eats them relish! All I am required to do is cook the bleedin' things! Some nights I will even nibble one or two. I finally went in search of all ingredients and jars needed today. After only two stops I had everything required and was home and in the kitchen by 1:30. I will admit, not with the best of attitudes I began. Tom was right there for each step and helped peel and fill the jars. It wasn't until he reminded me of all the projects that I ask him to do for me all the time, without so much as a murmur, he happily fulfills my every whim, that I finally smiled a little. And when the last jar popped as it cooled on the counter, I felt like I had actually accomplished something stupendous. Okay, maybe not quite that great, but I did have a sense of peace that I had finally gotten that monkey on my back laid to rest! We now have a dozen jars of wonderful pickled beets, home grown and labled with love! Good day! Good man I married!

My Heart Hurts

2009-03-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile. We took a little road trip and I even took a picture or two but they remain trapped in the camera. Then Ashley moved out. Actually, it has been a moving out day for a couple of weeks and it wasn't until I helped take the bed over that it really hit me. When I left her apartment, I cried and felt like I had just left her at kindergarten again. My heart actually hurt in my chest. I know, she' been married for almost 2 years so what the heck?? But when she left the first time, we had just had a big party and she didn't take the bed so it was like she was just going away for awhile. This time she left a room pretty empty and it left me feeling empty as well. But all is well and I have big plans for the room now. I am going to start organizing my pictures. Yeah! So I may have some fun stories to tell in the coming weeks. Well, have to run for now. Children have descended and need me.

2009-02-25T12:12:00.001-08:00

I got this picture in the email a couple of days ago. I had to laugh. This was taken right after we were sealed in the Mesa Temple in May of 1979. And I do mean right after. We were wearing this when we went into the temple. I wonder no one made mention that we might want to wear white shirts and ties!! We were so naive. But we did get sealed and that was the important thing! It was a wonderful day and though we have had many mountains and valleys in our family life since that day, I would say that it has been abundantly blessed in all ways.

It's Birthday Time

2009-02-17T15:35:00.000-08:00

Twenty Three years ago today was a Monday. That meant Family Home Evening at the Dunes. I went to my Dr. appt. at 2pm and headed out to the dunes with the family in tow. We hadn't been there very long and I began to cramp. I didn't say anything, just started timing them. By 6 I told Tom we had better get going, I was pretty sure I was in labor. We left the boys with the Marchants and hooked up our trailer and headed on in. We hadn't gone far when our truck quit working properly and we were pretty much moving along at about 2 miles an hour. We dropped the trailer at the inspection station and kept on limping in. The pains were about 2 lminutes apart and I just knew we were going to have to name this baby "Freeway". To make a short story shorter, we made it to the hospital and had the biggest surprise of our lives. We got a baby GIRL!!!!! WoW! She has been a light in our lives every since. So Happy Birthday to Ashley Nichole Lemmon Coulter. We love you!

Primary is Thumb-thing!

2009-02-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

Well, Valentine's Day came and went and with it, the Primary Activity that was Thumb-thing Special! I think it was successful and I hope the children remember a little of what was taught. We had a round of 4 classes all geared toward making our family strong. Then we gathered at the end and had a little object lesson on how the family is like a rope. The kids all seemed to get it and liken what they had learned from the classes. There favorite part of course was the Tug Of War we ended with. Oh and the cupcakes!! Thanks to all of our presidency and Lynna for teaching the classes. I felt like we had a great time, good turn out, especially considering it was a holiday weekend. I didn't of course, take any pictures which was so like me! So now I am on to the next project, Young Women's Camp. I finished "Celebration" again and wanted to let the author know how much her book has meant to me so I did a search for her online and found out she passed away last year. I am sad. She was so wise and I wanted to tell her. I love so many of the things she says I wish I could remember them. But for today I will post one of my favorite. "The gift of daily celebration is bound up in our ability to see the hand of the Lord, the Creator, in all things-to see beauty in every manifestation of creation, in the talents of others as they are inspired by God, and in others themselves, because they too,are creations of the Lord." I hope you all have a day of Celebration today!

It's February? Are you sure? What year?

2009-02-09T16:57:00.000-08:00

I am amazed that time can pass by me without so much as a breeze to tickle my mind. January is a blur. Actually, most days are. It's what happens when the mind goes! I spent a few days ill for a few weeks of last month but this one is better. I made it to the gym for 5 days in a row last week! Hallelujah!! I have been reading quite a bit. Finished Edgar Sawtelle, loved it. Although it did take me a little bit to get into it. Someone at the gym was talking about it and I said I just couldn't get into it and they asked me where I was. I told them and they said I hadn't gotten to the good part yet. So I went home and read another 20 pages and there it was!! I was hooked. Had to sit and finish the whole thing that night! Then I took a trip with The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. Good read! Finished Firefly Lane on Sat. night. Started it Sat. morning, stopped long enough to take 7 of the grandkiddies to the movies, and then picked it up and didn't put it down until it was finished. I loved it. Great Read! In between I read the 3 volumes of The Kingdom and The Crown series by Gerald Lund. I had read them before but felt like reading them again. And I am glad I did. Made me go back and start rereading the New Testament.
Then last night I started another reread, the book called Celebration. I read it every few years and then in the back of the book I write a thought or two. The first time I read it was in '96, then in 2001 and the last time was in 2003. That's one good thing about not being able to remember, you can keep reading your favorites and they are all new again. When I am in the rest home, I'll get to meet new people every day, again and again!!! Anyway, this book is so inspiring to me. I always want to do and be better when I finish it. The last time I read it, I recorded this thought. "I always come away with hope and desire to "celebrate" life more fully, better,and more consistently." I always try to remember the adage, "Celebration is self-made" But I do forget so it is always good to sit with this old friend in print and remember again! Well, that pretty much sums up my sitting down time for the last few weeks. I probably read more in January than I do any other month. Down time from all the hub-bub of the holidays I guess. I am now gearing up for YW camp this summer. We have it mostly planned and just need to get the info to the wards and make it all happen. Saturday is our Primary Activity, then in March and April I have camp activities with the Stake. So that should keep me busy. In between I get to love on my little girls and boys. We went to see Hotel For Dogs last Sat. I have to say it was delightful and I clapped at the end. Much better experience than I had anticipated. It held all of the children's attention and I think they liked it as much as I did. I took Grama Peggy shopping last week and had a heck of a time getting clothes to fit her. They didn't have skeletal sizes. We finally did find a couple of size 2's that fit ok if she puts a belt on! Ah, old age, ain't it grand. We did have some laughs so it was a fun day. Well, this post is long and pretty boring since I didn't even have a picture to spice it up. But then, Journals can be laborious for the reader at times, I'm sure. Maybe if I didn't wait so long in between times.

Plan Ahead

2009-01-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Naomi came by for a visit the other night. She is always entertaining and has a lot to say. This night she was planning ahead, I think. She was standing by the Christmas tree and flipped one of the shiny little red crystals with her finger. Ashley let out a belly laugh and I asked, "What's so funny?" Naomi told her that "I'm stealin' these when Grama's dead!" Way to go Naomi. Stake your claims now. Sydney had dibs on the pink t-pot that belonged to my grama already! Love being the grama! It is the best!

Back To Business

2009-01-05T20:01:00.000-08:00

Well January is here in full force. I skipped over the whole resolution thing. Someone said that a goal not written down is just a wish. Suffice it to say I have a plethora of wishes. But today I did accomplish a job that I have been putting off for most of last year. That is, to get rid of all the backed up ironing that has expanded exponentially for many months. And I did it in a little under 5 hours. Yeah. I would pat myself on the back but my arm is too stiff from wielding the iron and the steamer. Oh yes, I got the Tobisteamer for Christmas. That is what got me into the laundry room in the first place. It is a handly little gizmo but I wouldn't buy it again. It takes some practice to get the clothes to move in the right direction. Forget pants, for that I had to get out the old board! But flannel shirts steamed great, as well as the rayon, nylon type shirts. And perma press white shirts were a breeze. However, steam does burn! I won't say how many pieces I acutally ironed. It would be too embarrassing. So, after going to the gym, I felt like I accomplished a small feat today. And I can scratch that off the to do list. Now if I can just keep ahead of it all! Tomorrow I plan to tackle another of my wishes. If I manage to complete it,then I will write it down! I will try this approach this year and see if I get any better at getting things done.

On the Subject of Christmas Trees

2008-12-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

Sabra told me about a contest for Christmas Trees. I thought I would try to enter it but I am not sure I know how. So I will post this and then see how it goes. Apparently you post pictures of your tree on your blog and some tips for decorating it and then enter a link. So here is my attempt at the tree this year! Remember I am using a crummy camera, not to mention the skill of the photographer! I do better at decorating trees.

Decorating Tips I Have Found Useful
I always start at the top and using a fake tree makes it easier. I decorate the top while it is apart as I would a floral arrangment and then put it up on the tree. I then add any garland before beginning on the ornaments. I group the ornaments into like piles and then add them to the tree. I wish I could say that decorating the tree is the highlight of my Christmas but alas, it is not. I prefer to decorate the shelves and tables. But you have to have a tree to go along with the rest, so I try to do it first and get it done. I do like a fancy tree and have been collecting ornaments for several years after fading out the country look. My tree is too short for my house I am now living in so instead of buying a new one when I moved, my handy husband built me a stool to put it up on and then I use yards of fabric to swirl about the bottom. I love fabric garland also as it fills in lots of bare spots. And fake trees are great because you can just move the branch where you need it. Also, branches of berries stuck in here and there are great filler. So that's how I do it and there it is!

More Lunacy?

2008-12-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks Sabra for the comment reminding me about Sunday night. I had forgotten. I had better start looking at the calendar. Just a note on the last program I was off to when I posted last time. No pictures of that one as I actually forgot the camera. Tom offered me his throw-away when we got there but I was too prideful and didn't want to be laughed out the door:) So I missed the shot but the program was very entertaining and the girls looked like they were having fun. I thought that was the last program but I heard from Krista that Naomi was having one on Thurs. As I was tied up with Relief Society, Granpa had to go it alone. I asked him how it went and he said it was chaos, but that Naomi did great on her 3 words:) Company arrived on time and we had Grandma's dinner and then all the family arrived and more chaos ensued but we all had a fun visit. Of course I didn't have the camera so no pictures. But Deb took a couple and said she would email them to me so I will have one to remember the occasion. Fun note to the evening, Ben Mucha and his wife and daughter came over. We hadn't seen them since Ashley's wedding so that was fun. Now, today the company leaves and we have Kaylie's Christmas Concert for the PHIL-AM association fundraiser. She is nervous but I know she will do great! I will try to remember the camera!

Christmas Programs & Then Some

2008-12-10T17:11:00.001-08:00

Well, two down and one to go. No pictures to post because of course I had to sit so far back that I couldn't get anything on my crummy camera the first night! The second night I had second row seats and didn't bring my crummy camera becuz I figured I would be too far back! So tonight I will try again and see if I get a single shot. Sydney and Kaylie and then on to the next activity! It has been so fun this week. I love being grama! I get to go to everything and do nothing! Suits me fine! Christmas is coming....and I have to go shopping. Tomorrow is the R.S. shindig and then Friday is company and Grama Darlene's birthday! Actually it is today! Happy 83rd Grama! Sat. is Kaylie's Christmas concert and then the programs will be done. Oh yah, and on Friday, Tom and I will have been married 39 years. We are going to celebrate next week when things calm down. Why would I get married in December is my question! Young and stupid I think was the reason!! But it has been a remarkable 39 years, will lots of mountains and a few valleys. I wouldn't trade any of it though because it has gotten us here and I love where we are! Life is good and I feel content!! I highly recommend marriage for the long term! It gets better and better!!!! So off to the Christmas program I am, hoping for a close up shot! Oh and by the way, Happy Anniversary to Aaron and Gel today! They have been married 14 years. You may wonder how I can remember that! Because they got married two days before our 25th anniversary so I can always do the math! Another side note about weddings. They got married on Grama Darlene's birthday and Bob and Sabe got married on my mother's birthday! Cosmic timing huh?

It's beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

2008-12-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

Not only have I not blogged in eons but I haven't even checked my mail. Everyone is busy this time of year and I am among them. But tonight was a great time at the annual gift exchange. Good food, good conversation, good gifts. Thanks to Sabra and Shannon, the hostesses with the mostesstes. Next week looks to be as full as the last two with grandchildren's programs, church socials, and birthdays. I am looking forward to it all. Maybe I can remember to take the camera!! Just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope you are full of the spirit and in love with your life!

Insomnia

2008-11-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

I didn't sleep much last night. This is getting to be a bad habit! I did ponder on camp for a couple of the 4 hours I laid awake. I don't know why I don't get up. I keep thinking I will eventually fall back into oblivion and if I do get up, it is over for sure. Of course if I got up I could actually accomplish something. So therefore, I must be too lazy to get up. Maybe I need a new mattress. I am pretty close to the floor, enveloped in softness by morning. Today is Jade's birthday. Happy 8th Birthday Jaderz. If I am not napping I will take you shopping. Just kidding, I will be there to get you out of school early. How's that for a birthday present?? To all of my dear friends, just wanted to say, Make it a great day and smile! Only 4 years and we can vote again! In case you didn't get the picture, those are the rings I found under my eyes when I finally did get up!!!! Do you think they make me look "tired"???

Smiles All Around

2008-11-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

The Primary Program was splendid. We were touched by the Spirit in ways only brought by children. They were ready, willing, and for the most part prepared. They sang their best and all who were there were filled. I was sitting on the floor with my legs bent up under me for most of the time, except when I had to crawl out of the way so the Valiant 8 class could sing in front. My favorite thing was the front row, with all of the little boys trying their best to sit still and pay attention. One of them had his coat wound up around his shoulders whilst he sang in his loudest voice, Called to Serve. I won't name names but I love him to death. At the beginning, when they all came up to sit on the stand, Maverick was determined that he was sitting in the front row too. Unfortunately, the nursery wasn't invited to participate in this event, so I had to have him keep Grampa company in the front row down below. As I was on the floor the entire time, turning the flip chart for the next song, I couldn't see if he lasted the rest of the meeting there. I couldn't see the faces of the parents either and that was dissappointing. I am sure they were all beaming with pride. As a grama, I certainly was. So now this is over, we can move on the the next fun thing on the agenda, and that would be...... Twilight!!!! See you all there!

Vampire Business

2008-11-12T22:05:00.000-08:00

Is everyone ready? Twilight is coming on! I am more excited for Sabra and her excitement I think. Not that I didn't love the book. Will admit I read it twice. But I wasn't a huge Edward Fan! Gasp! I am a dog lover, so shoot me! I think the evening will be great fun! Anytime one stays up that late, there is sure to be a lot of laughter! Come on Brenda, drink some caffeine and join the party. Look forward to seeing many there! Maybe some other Jacob fan will come out of the closet! I am wondering how many will show up in teeth! Maybe I'll wear fur! Oh wait, Sabra said this party was for more mature fans. Ok, I'll try to act my age. Dang it!

Am I weird?

2008-11-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

I just read Erica's blog about how weird she is. I was also tagged by Sabra so I thought I might as well take the challenge and post 6 weird things about me. I think I am fairly normal so I am not sure how weird these really are. I think I might have outgrown most of my weirdness as I progress to old age. and maybe in a few years I will be considered just a little eccentric if I am lucky. Ok here goes.
1. I have vivid dreams every night that I can remember in detail. And I used to get up and share them with Bobby at the breakfast table. He also has great dreams and we would take turns telling each other. I miss kids at breakfast.
2. I don't eat breakfast until after I work out. I take a Prilosec instead. Is that weird? Probably not at my age.
3. I hate showers. I love baths. I only take a shower if I am extremely hot or in a big hurry. I love to soak and regret not putting a TV in the tub area. I was going to and then thought that I I was laying in the tub that long, I should probably be doing something a little more productive.
4. I am driven by guilt. If I can feel guilty about anything, I will!
5. I love to read. I stayed in bed one day and read the entire 4th volume of The Work and The Glory, only getting up to pay the pizza delivery guy and go to the bathroom where I also took the book. Tom was out of town with all the boys and Ashley was watching movies. Great day, great book! Stay in Bed days were one of Ashley and my favorite things when she was little.
6.I can't stand to be touched when I sleep. Not my feet or hands or anything. I have to be under the covers, and the heavier they are the better I feel. Makes it difficult when the hot flashes hit but as soon as I cool off, I have to get back under the quilt. I am sure it is driving Tom crazy these days, with all the in and out of the covers going on.
See? I told you I wasn't very weird. Boring maybe, but not so unusual! I even asked Ash if she thought I had anything weird about me and she said she thought I was pretty normal, so there ya go!

Well Iwould tag someone if I had any blogs that I follow other than the ones that have already been tagged. I am still learning this stuff you know!!

Let the Good Times Roll

2008-11-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

I haven't been here in awhile but with all of the hoopla about the election, I thought I should stop and blog! Maybe things will get worse, but maybe things will get better! No one knows! But if they do get worse, well then, they get worse. It is what it is! Follow the council of the Prophet, put your house in order, and fear not. Life is supposed to be a challange. I say we all just do our best, help those in need, and be happy. I know, this doesn't really sound like me right? I am usually the glass is half empty kind of girl. But Sabra inspired me today. Hats off to her. And hey, if nothing else, the first lady is a fabulous dresser. It would be nice if we can all afford new clothes in the next four years, yes? So then, let the good times roll. Come what may, we will all be here together!

The End of the Story

2008-10-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

For some reason my computer wasn't computing very well this morning. And neither was I for that matter. So I forgot a couple of items concerning The Party. And I wanted to post a couple of the pictures. When the guests arrived they all put on their new t-shirts and we took a photo op on the staircase before dinner was served. Ashley was here to help me pull it all together. Thank goodness! While I was playing, she was cleaning up the kitchen and getting ready for the next activity. What a wonderful thing to have a daughter. I highly recommend having at least one. Another thing to come from the next mornings activities was a discovery that Sydney loves gardening with Grampa. She helped him plant all of the seeds and we are excited to say that all have come up and we will have salad shortly! And salsa!! Yeah! The extravaganza was all I hoped for and more. We started planning next year. With two more boys coming, we are leaning toward a camping theme! I have duly recovered now and I am making brown bag scrapbooks of the evening delights for each party attendee. I hope to have them all done by Halloween night for their treat bag! Wish me luck!

Success & Recovery

2008-10-22T08:58:00.001-07:00

Now that's what I call a Party! All of the guests arrived within minutes of each other and boy, were they stoked. No one was going to be late for this night! We had our gourmet feast of Goblin Stew, monster eyes, Goblin Nuckles, Witch fingers, etc. To drink, it was Vampire Blood over Frozen Eyeballs. (Kaylie and Jade thought the dinner was their favorite thing.) After dinner, we played Man On The Moon, (Dawson's favorite thing about the night). Then we had a ghost hunt. I put words on the bottom of their treat buckets and place cards. (Those were little framed witches with each person's face in the frame. Cute!) Anyway, when I drew their word out of a sack, they got to go ghost hunting. I had hidden enough sacks decorated like ghosts around the house so each little witch and one warlock, too, could make two hunts. I had planned to do it randomly through out the night, but they wanted to do them all at once, so we did. Crafting was Sydney's favorite. We painted wooden pumpkins and decorated Chinese globe lanterns. (Just a side note. Only in Yuma do we have to turn on the swamp cooler in the garage so we can stand the heat at 9PM in October) My favoritne thing was sitting in the dark on the trampoline and each person got to tell a story. We went around the circle a few times and what a funny bunch of kids! We hooted and hollered and had so much fun! Dawson wanted to jump, though, while telling his stories and the girls were not that keen on the idea! We couldn't see very many stars as the moon was so bright. Around 10:30 or so, they all put their feet in the tub, washed away the cooties, and put their new Halloween socks on. Socks guaranteed make the weary bones sleepy. (Dawson removed his immediately following pictures.) He was the first to fall asleep however. We then put on the movie. First choice was The Night Before Christmas! BORING!!! So we tried Hocus Pocus! That was fun and some of the children hadn't seen it and those who had, it had been a long time. We were all entertained. We had popcorn and M&M's in our Monster Hand bags for our treat! Ashley brought donuts for a game we never got around to playing so in the morning, they became Zombie eyes for breakfast. We washed them down with Mummy blood that we turned chocolate with Goblin Poo for those who wanted it. While the kids played outside, I baked the cupcakes and then we had a frosting party. We had frosting from here to there and back, all mixed in with hundreds of sprinkles and sugar drops! Very Fun! I had planned to take everyone home by 10 but we were having too much fun. We wandered into the yard, the sand, and eventually, the water. When all were soaked and smelling much like the dog, I loaded them up in the back of the truck and delivered them to mommy, full of sugar and complete exhaustion! Ahh, I love being the Grandma!!!

Anticipation

2008-10-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

Ignore the date in the corner of this picture. I forgot to reset the dang camera. This is the table I have been decorating today in anticipation of tomorrow's 3rd annual Halloweenie Sleepover. Expecting 6 little witches and a warlock too, for some of Grammy's Goblin Stew. If the kids have half as much fun as I have had planning this night, then we will call it stupendous. Will post a rundown on the events after we recover.

Thanks Jay

2008-10-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

Hey thanks for opening this up. I am thinking of trying my own blog but will try posting here and see how that goes.

The Arrival

2008-09-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Now that I figured out how to get the picture onto the blog, I will try to copy the story.

Time is a funny thing, passing quickly one day and barely moving another. On this particular day, in December of 2002, the clock ticked in slow motion. Jared Dan, the youngest son of four and big brother to sister Ashley was coming home from Taiwan, after serving two years as a missionary.
All preparations for the excitement of the evening to come were done. The bedroom had been thoroughly cleaned from baseboards to ceiling fan. New sheets and pillows were on the bed. A cozy, manly blanket was folded across the foot and a new picture of a moose was on the wall. A cabin motif said, “Hello, welcome to your new space. We love you.” The minutes slowly ticked on.
We were to meet the 6 o’clock p.m. flight from L.A. His brothers had ordered Triple P pizza to be picked up on the way home from the airport. Of course they had his nickname, The Bull, spelled out in pepperoni. The minutes ticked on.
Carla, his babysitter from days of old was bringing the Welcome Home Elder Jerry sign to the house. We waited and waited. Amazingly, the minutes were now rushing by and the anxiety levels rose at about the same pace. After several phone calls and anxious conversations, it was determined that she had better meet us at the airport as the sign was not going to be finished by the time we needed to leave.
His dad was much too relaxed for my levels of adrenaline and I began to pace about, nagging that we had better be leaving now or we were going to miss him getting off of the plane. At last, the minute I had planned to be out of the house arrived and no one could stop me from getting in the car and driving like a maniac to the airport. We arrived about the same time as the rest of the family and began waiting the last half hour of a long two years. Soon I would have my youngest beloved son in my arms again.
My other three sons began to have some fun at my expense. About every 5 minutes one of them would say, “There it is mom, the plane is coming!” and I would cry, “Where, where, I don’t see it!” And everyone would laugh. I was biting my nails and snapping at everyone who came too close. Finally, the plane landed. Then I watched as each person deplaned, thinking the next one had to be the One. And the boys would say, “There he is, see him?” and I would say, “Where, Where, I can’t see him!” And they would laugh.
The last 5 minutes were the longest minutes in the history of my life. And then, by some miracle he was there, walking to me. The family fell back and my little boy, grown into this wonderful, handsome young man, was in my arms and we were hugging and crying. I ruffled his hair and kissed his sweet neck. And it was as if he had been born again and laid into my waiting arms. Only better this time, because I already knew him.
Carla showed up with the Welcome Home sign about 20 minutes after he arrived and I laughed. In minutes, we were home.

2008-09-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

The Sport of Blogging
I have been toying with the idea, for some time now, of using this space to record some stories. I thought it might be fun. Then I did some volunteer training for Hospice and one of our assignments was to bring a photo into class and tell the story of that picture. The next time we came to class we were to have written a memoir of that story we shared. The idea behind the exercise was to help us help those who are dying to tell their stories if they chose. What came out of that exercise for me was a desire to write. And where else better to do that than this little space that no one ever reads. That way I won't have to worry about anybody being too harsh with their critiqueing. Is that a word? Anyway, I am determined to give this blogging sport a try. This is the picture that I took to class that day. I titled the story "The Arrival"

2008-09-25T19:41:00.001-07:00

2008-09-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

2008-07-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Seems no one posts much on this since we all live here anyway. Not like we don't keep in touch huh? and do we have any friends who look at it? Who knows huh? Well, I am going to give this one more shot and see if I can add an image just for fun. Hey it worked. This is us the day we hopped the bike for Georgia. You think we look bad here, you should have seen us when we got home:)

Boat!

2008-05-23T23:48:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night I told Bobby I thought I was ready to give boating a try. Friday afternoon, he brings a boat home!

Brooke!

2008-05-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Brooke! We are all looking forward to the move and getting to know her better! See you all soon!

Frankfurter Von Festivus Lemmon 2005-2008

2008-04-28T14:54:00.001-07:00

Our beautiful dog passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words (rare). I did want to mark the moment and post a picture in tribute! Frank will be missed!

Sea World

2008-03-28T18:38:00.001-07:00

hey all

It felt a little weird being at sea world in the middle of Texas but it was a nice park and we had lots of fun none the less.

As you can see I can still shoot a basketball. Kids got to feed and touch the dolphins, go on some rides and see the shows. the Shamu show was real good and the seal and sea otter show was really funny, they got a big kick out of that. Didn't have any pics from Easter.

Easter

2008-03-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T22:10:00.000-07:00

OK I didn't get it the first time, but now I got it!

Happy Easter!!!

2008-03-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!!! We missed you this year, but I hear you were having a great time at I think Sea World. Here's a Easter pic and a pic of Jared back in Feb at the park where Forrest Gump was, in Savannah. This is my first post, I'm sorry, so I hope it turns out.

Try Try again

2008-03-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

I am retarded, no doubt. This is the third time.

Ok I think it might work. This is not the best picture but it was a hard ride that day!

On my own

2008-03-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am going to give this a great big whirl. and if it does't work, look me up in the physc ward! I organized my pictures, the few I had left from the camera. I lost most in the crash of Jan. but there were some cute ones so I will see if it works. Love to all. I am off the Colorado on the morrow!

Learning!

2008-03-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some great pictures of Jared and Krista with Naomi. I'm helping Mom learn to blog.

My Snow Day!!

2008-02-27T08:06:00.001-08:00

This is me and this is how I spent a lot of the time while we snowboarded. It was fun and i can't wait to do it again. It was snowing all day and when we were done the truck was so covered in snow (about 3 times more than the picture) we didn't know if we were gonna get down the mountain!

Pizza Night

2008-01-30T18:55:00.001-08:00

Every Wednesday is pizza night in our home. Buddy is notorious for falling asleep at the most random times in the most random places. I have a little collection going of odd spots we've found him. I thought I would post tonight's though.

Hot Rodz!

2008-01-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

As we all know Lino & Maverick have become quite the riding/driving duo! Each night they love to bring terror to the residents of 25th Lane! We can't believe the car still goes!

Home?

2008-01-21T07:20:00.001-08:00

Jason, when do we know if you are moving home or not? Did Jeff get a hold of you with some potential business opportunities? Fill me in.

2008-01-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

Went to the mall on Saturday, Jade got some new clothes.

We had fun.

Tiny!

2008-01-15T09:42:00.000-08:00

Strider is one year old today!

So I guess this was a waste?

2008-01-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

I guess everyone of the Lemmon family except Sabra are just looky-loos, because no one seems to post on this blog. I wonder if anyone even bothers to look at it? Well, Zulema and the kids got home safe from Mexico yesterday afternoon. they enjoyed themselves. Fernanda was very pleased and excited to see her family again and did not want to come back with Zulema, which is fine. I guess Jade was pouting about something down there and Zulema asked her what was the matter and commented that, look and see how happy Fernanda is here. To which Jade replied, "It's because Fernanda is mexican and I am not..." Zulema said it was pretty funny. She can probably tell the whole story a little better as I am telling it second hand. Kids went back to school today but don't know how it went yet. I am at the jail today pulling teeth on the dregs of society. that is it for now.

Happy New Year!!

2008-01-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

So it was great to see everyone over Christmas. Made going back to the hospital very difficult, in fact I haven't actually gone back yet. I am on call today but have not had to go in yet, I will be leaving here, shortly. Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope to see you all real soon.

Anybody out there?

2008-01-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

I don't know if anyone reads this blog. Certainly, no one posts on it! I've been pretty active with lemmondrop.blogspot.com, but I will post a picture or two on this one.

Knott's

2007-12-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from Knott's. We had a good time even though our timing was way off! No weekends and no toy drives next time! P.S. Jason, I've talked to a few "experts." They say never go to Disneyland the week after Christmas. Just a warning! Though disneyland has a system in place for the popular rides, so you won't have to wait an hour just for one ride like we did this weekend!

2007-11-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

so we went to a carnival at the church saturday night and Dawson was a power ranger, then on halloween he wanted to be spiderman, of course he did not want to wear the mask for either one. We went trick or treating and Brooke loved it, she went strong for about 45 mins, did not want to be carried and would not let anyone help her with her candy bag, it got to the point that she was just dragging it behind her and all the candy was falling out. so I was behind her picking it up and putting it back in. Everyone thought she was adorable, of course she is but I am biased. the girls had a fun time they were about 4 houses ahead of us the whole time and we kept having to slow them down so they wouldn't get lost. Dawson had fun but lost his glow stick down a man-hole so there was a slight outburst and over reaction for a moment, fortunately Brooke had one too and she didn't mind when we yanked it off her to calm Dawson down. So that was halloween. I went as a post call resident, it wasn't much of a costume, Zulema went as a witch just from the neck up. she wore the wig and hat at work and then trick-0r-treating as well. That is about it. All you guy's pics look great the girls are so cute and Lino as the fireman it funny. Mav and Stridor were very cute biker boyz, can't believe how big Stridor is. Thanks for putting stuff on the blog. It is like when you are on the mission and you get mail, it is exciting like that!!!!

2007-11-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Halloween

2007-11-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hope you guys in Dallas had a wonderful fun Halloween. I will try to get the pics from the camera to the computer and then maybe I can send them but I am not so sure. I can't wait to see the ones you post. We had fun. Mostly it is amazing how much candy you can get in such a short amount of time when you do the trunk or treat idea. Aaron made the comment that it would have taken you guys hours to get what they did in 30 minutes. Funny! Grama Peggy came along dressed as a witch and she had a great time seeing all the kids. She is getting up there but she still wants to be a part of it all. That is good! Live for all it's worth while you can, even if you can't see it very well. I love my mom. The older I get the more I appreciate the gifts the Lord has blessed her with and how she has weathered the enormous trials of her life. Well, so much for waxing sentimental, I have to go sew a costume for Dad. He is one of the apostles, James I think, for the Primary activity on Friday. We are doing Night in Bethlehem in Dec. so thought I might as well make something he can wear in the Bishop's Winery that night! So have a good one. We will see you in just a few weeks. Can't wait! Loveyou, Grama!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'll post a picture of Grandma Patty with some of her grandkids. I know she's having trouble posting photos. I'll include two, so everyone looks good in at least one!

Halloween!

2007-10-31T20:57:00.000-07:00

I sure hope everyone posts photos of their kids on Halloween! I'd love to see 'em! I'll put one up of Naomi, but the rest of you are on your own!

Jason

2007-10-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

Jay

What up When you get time send me an e mail and tell me how your interview went.
say hi to all the fam. and give them my love.

Dad