Baking Divas

One of those things that I am working toward with my grandkids is instilling a few of things:
1. Grandma’s house is a fun place to be
2. The importance of laughter and having a good sense of humor
3. Baking is a staple of life
4. Singing songs makes the time fly by and lightens our heart
5. Nothing beats a good nap

This past weekend, all of the above was accomplished, save the nap part.

We started our adventure by heading to The Chicken Nugget Place, AKA McDonald’s Playland. Perfect. Much to this grandma’s dismay there were 58 (okay not that many) snotty nosed kids with dirty hands playing in the middle of the big play toy. Eeewww. I just bathed them in hand sanitizer when they got back to the table. It went something like this:

Maycie: Grandma did you see that boy with dirty hands?
Me: Ummmm, which one? They all had dirty hands.
Maycie: The one who was picking his nose.
Kayla: Gwwwoooosssss
Me: Let’s go outside and hose you two down.

Then it was back to the house for our cookie baking adventure. This time I introduced the art of …. Stirring….

And here you have my baking divas. Their grandma wouldn’t be caught dead in an apron, but I’ll be darned if they didn’t look precious!

Happy Fall!

4th of July - Huntington Beach Style

This year I was fortunate enough to spend the Fourth with my friend Marika and her family. See look how cute we are:



And look how cute our toes are. Not that you care about our toes, but you know me…. I am all about the toes.


We started off our morning at the Huntington Beach parade. It is the largest 4th of July parade on the west coast, and probably west of the Mississippi, but at least on the west coast. Little children leaned in to see the action.


But the standard attire was this:




Please note the strategically placed star and matching sunglasses, thank you.

Every parade has its fire trucks. But the Huntington Beach parade has the vintage pumper truck with Blaze the mascot dalmation. Here we see Blaze regally riding.





Then we see engineer Bob giving Blaze the two finger signal. I don’t know what the two finger signal is…but Blaze does. He is, after all, a super hero dalmation.


I think the part that got me the most were the veterans and active duty military. Some gave all, and some were impacted for life.



Some have the spark of patriotism that shows in their walk. God and Country.

After the parade we headed back to the Harris abode where Roger grilled up some incredibly yummy tri-tip, and shrimp.










We finished up with fireworks. Please note the firework reflection in Uncle Fred’s glasses.





What a great holiday courtesy of Harris and company.

Mother's Day

To say that I feel blessed as a mother probably sounds so run of the mill. How do I say how incredibly lucky I feel to have three beautiful, healthy, happy, well adjusted, funny, wonderful children?

First, both of the girls called me and wished me a Happy Mother’s Day. Jake woke up first thing in the morning (closer to noon) and the first thing he did whilst stumbling out of bed was to come find me, kiss me, and tell me Happy Mother’s Day. Seriously? It doesn’t get better than that…. but wait, there’s more. Earlier in the week, each one of my kids posted on Facebook their own version of me.

J’Amy’s read:


“Well words can't really put into perspective how perfectly wonderful my mother is. Yes, you all should be jealous! :D She is by far the most remarkably loving mother and Grandma. She has stood by my side through everything, when I look around and can’t seem to see anyone in the clouds….There she is.”

From the moment she was born, my little nickel baby, she was my first love. The day she came I looked at her and knew that my life would never be the same again. The amount of joy, laughter, and pride that she has brought to my life is immeasurable. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for her and all that she has brought to me.

Then Ashley:


“An Ode to my Momma you never cease to amaze me whether that is with your talent, kindness or beauty. You have forever & will forever be the best teacher I have. I can't tell you how much beauty dwells in you & is shown in your everyday life. I love you SO much Momma & can never express how blessed I am to have you! -Buggie”

Ashley has always been my little ladybug - - my Buggie. She blesses me. She warms me to my soul and in her I see a light that transcends this world, an eternal flame. Every day of my life I am grateful for her. It was not by a stroke of luck that she is mine and I am hers. She is a precious part of my life, my journey. I am forever glad that she is mine.

And last of all, my Jacob, the man of many (NOT) words:

“I changed my profile picture to one of my favorite memories that I have with my mom to honor her for mothers day. I love her with all my heart and couldn’t ask for a better mom. I love you momma :)”

Ahhhhh my dear and sweet Jakie boy.... He has been my darling baby boy. He has been the light and joy of my life. There is nothing that compares to the love between a mom and son. I can look at him and feel his happiness, his sadness, his joy, and sometimes his anxiety. He and I are connected ~ we get each other. He is my precious, my baby, my son. There is nothing quite like it. .... I love you!

The week started wonderful with such beautiful things on Facebook. And then on Mother’s Day the girls made an incredibly yummy dinner, that I didn’t have to lift a finger to prepare or clean up after - - - niiiiiice. Maycie made me an absolutely stunning, seriously stunning, pipe cleaner necklace. J’Amy had the kids make me a darling flower pot with all of their handprints and B’s footprint…precious! And fun little miscellaneous decorating items. Ashley and Drayton gave me the perfect plant – Moses’ cradle in the perfect pot - - a HUGE coffee cup. Seriously, I don’t think she could have picked anything more aprapos. And Jake surprised me by getting off early from work just to come and spend the day with me. Sometimes, the gift of time is more valuable than anything.

Again, to close this post with what a blessing my kids are to me seems trite, but you know what? They just are.

Muah!

Easter

So what a beautiful day it was today! I woke with an absolute glow ~ not sure what that was about, but either way, I am not questioning it. I am just going with it!

All was in order for the big day:

Bunny Towel - Check.

Easter Eggs Hidden in Plain View - Check.

Easter Cupcakes - Check.

Then along came the kids - seriously I don't think it gets cuter... First this,

Then this,

Then this??? Help me Rhonda!

Kayla and TeeTee

Ashley and Drayton

How did I miss a picture of J'Amy and Eric?

= = = Insert Picture Here= = = =

It was a great day filled with love, family, cupcakes, deviled eggs, and oh ya, fairy dances too...

Muah!

Thanksgiving turns to Christmas OVERNIGHT

Okay, so first of all, I think it is time to take this down.

Second, can I just say “huh???”

First this… (yes, I am wearing sweat pants...no comment please)

Then this….

And then this…. I left my gloves out in the garage so I didn't track the snow in everywhere. I went out the next morning and they were frozen solid.

Holy Snow, Batman!

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The Blurrrrrr of Time

So, as I continue to think about where the heck time has gone....here is some of the pictorial evidence which proves my theory that my grip on time is slipping.

This is J'Amy getting ready to leave for a high school dance.

This is J'Amy with her family this Christmas...yes...two babies later....

I remember rocking J'Amy just like this...now it is me rocking my granddaughter Kayla... see the evidence of time slipping away?

I remember Ashley like this...an awkward teenager in braces....

Now she is a beautiful woman, happy and engaged to a great guy...

Yes, my grip on time is slipping right between my fingers.. Oh wait, those are J'Amy's fingers with the bling her darling hubby gave her for Christmas

It's all just a blurrrr....

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Christmas Eve

It is Christmas Eve here at the humble hacienda.




The list reads something like this:
1. Presents Wrapped - check
2. Prime Rib Roast ready - check
3. Lists made - check
4. Last minute stocking stuffers - not checked
5. Last minute jewelry items - not checked

(Yes, Maggie's Christmas necklace DOES say "I Believe"

6. Cup of coffee - check
7. Ding Dongs - check

So it will be a white Christmas here in Bountiful. This is the scene in the backyard:





In my Christmas mailer this year I wrote "My grown up Christmas wish is that each of us live in gratitude." I hope you will take time to reflect on your life and be grateful for all the blessings God has given you.

Merry Christmas!


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Rush of the Season

This was the night sky last night. Can you believe how stunning? I saw this tree completely backlit by the setting sun. I stood and looked at how gorgeous it was and remembered that my camera was in my purse. The definition of the tree is perfect, and as the branches extend they almost look ferny. In the rush, rush, rush of the season, it was nice to stop for a moment and see the beauty of a silhouetted winter tree. Take a moment, if even just a moment, to appreciate the beauty of the life around us.

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Thank a Vet

It is such an amazing thing to drive up my street and see this sight. Something inside me wells up when I realize the sacrifice so many have made to make and keep this country free. So that when we walk into the church of our choice, go to the library or post office, we don't have to worry that a bomb will go off when we walk in. We are safe in this country.

General George Patton said "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died, rather we should thank God that such men lived."

Easter Shoes

So, it was Easter in Bountiful. I decided this year I wasn't going to buy any candy for the Easter baskets - - but then it was those darn Reese's eggs that got me... and of course the boys needed gummy worms... But for Maycie, I didn't want the candy thing. So I stocked up on PacPac (Maycie's word for Dora the Explorer) and Finding Nemo fruit snacks, raisins, a play purse, her very first pet ( a goldfish named Nemo), and her new little "Bawbi" (Barbie) dress up shoes. At first she wasn's so sure about those shoes ~ but as soon as we got those on her - she was clicking around all over the house in them. Who cares if they don't fit? They totally have bling on them and they click when you walk don't ya know....

All in all we are hopeful that Nemo survives and that Maycie has plenty of days of play in her Easter shoes!

Gratitude

Wow, what a Christmas it was! The day started out perfectly mahvelous!! The kids were thrilled with the Scavenger hunt to find each of their main presents – J’Amy and Eric got the Wii, Ashley a Mac Notebook, and Jake an iPod. The day was perfect. Maycie was pretty much done after she walked into the living room and saw all the Santa had left for her…the Princess Tent, Dora the Explorer Vanity… does it get any better? Well, it does when you can put Barbie Mariposa on the DVD and curl up on the bopee with your favorite blanket and chocolate milk!!

Breakfast was fabulous ~ great job J’Amy!!! Then off in blizzard like conditions to the great northern reaches… All was going along fine at 65 mph in 14° ambient temperature, along with 40 mph wind gusts. All was just fine until . . .the VW buggie just stopped…quit…I had just enough time to cross over 4 lanes of traffic as the car came to a complete halt. I checked the ignition – nothing - - Fortunately, the kids were in another car and I called and they came back. And then… my knights in shining armor. . . my son-in-law and his precious dad… they came and rescued me. They sacrificed their Christmas morning to come help me get my little buggie off the side of the road and towed to the dealership.

My previous post signed off by saying “Endeavor to live in gratitude.”

I am so grateful to have such a precious son-in-law who loves me and would sacrifice whatever it took to help me. I am grateful that I have the resources to fix my car. I am grateful I have raised such good kids. I am grateful for Eric and his daddy Kim, who came to my rescue. There really are true knights in shining armor – and mine is a hero to not only this mother-in-law, but to his little baby girlie too!



Love you Eric!!