Spring

I've been in a slight state of mourning over the passing of skiing season for the year. (it's eight long months until I can hit the trails again) Because of my newfound love of winter and skiing, I had forgotten the beauty of spring. But then my flowering plum trees blossomed in my back yard . . .

right next to the bright golden forsythia bush . . .And the snow-capped mountains with blue sky and green foothills, almost made me forget about skiing.

I love that we live in such a beautiful world and in such a beautiful spot on this earth. I love all the seasons; but I have been touched again by the delicate beauty of spring with all it's flowering in soft pastels.

Thank you, God.

Sophie Lynn

Mary just called to tell me that Sophie has been asking for me everyday. She says, "uh - Nana?" to which Mary asks if she wants a banana, and Sophie says, "No - go a Nana!" She pats the door and says she wants to go to Nana's house. Boy, do I love that! When she comes to our house she runs to me with open arms saying, "Nana, Nana, Nana!"

The JOYS of being a grandparent!

Definitely worth getting through all that parenting stuff!

Mother's Day

I had a lovely Mothers Day. I like that it's on Sunday because I love Sundays. With our 1 pm schedule I enjoy a leisurely Sabbath morning. Pictured above are the gifts I received: A special occasion calendar (listing family birthdays, etc for the year) and homemade card from Laura, a flat of lobelia to plant and a blue hydrangea plant from Brian and Anna, the beautiful Timpanogos Willie Holdman photo book from Todd, (I love it!) a card from Michael, the cute "freedom" sign (she knows I love all things Americana) and scentsy from Jenny, Rich got me a beautiful pink orchid corsage (to wear to church on Sunday so everyone would know I am loved!) plus he mentioned me kindly in his Mother's Day talk. My parents gave me a card and $20 with which I bought beads and had a creative moment Saturday afternoon making the pictured bracelets. Thank you!

I couldn't resist posting these pictures of my beautiful "daughter-mothers" with their cute kiddies on Mother's Day.

Michael's First Prom

Michael had his first date and first Prom on Saturday night. Doesn't he look handsome in his tux! His group consisted of (L-R) JD Ashman and Alysha Parsons, (my cute niece) Michael and his date, Hillary Bodine, Braden Lanham and Jordan Guinn, Shelby McKell and Jenson Nelson. I'm so grateful the Michael has great friends and they are all GOOD kids!

Family Reunion

My Mom has three remaining siblings from the original seven children in her family, and they all live in different states. Her youngest sister, KaJeen who lives in New York, came to Utah for her youngest son's graduation from BYU so it was a great opportunity to get together. So all the posterity of my Mom's parents, George and Annie Carlsen, were invited to our humble abode on Heather Drive for yummy food, catching up and picture-taking. We had a lovely afternoon and it was good to get reacquainted with my aunts and uncles and cousins. Families are Forever!

Members of my parent's posterity at the reunion: (top l-r) Ryan, Michael, Brian, Dad, Brian, Jacob, (bottom l-r) Rich, Janet, Mom, Dani, Marissa

Spring Cleaning!

The week after Disneyland I got down and dirty with the spring cleaning. My motivation? On April 30th I had fifty-two of my Mom's side of the family at our home for a family reunion. I'm grateful for the motivation! I had quite the week cleaning EVERYTHING! Every closet, drawer, cupboard, inside and out, light fixtures and fans, showers and tubs. It sure felt good! Company is the perfect motivation to get your house clean and then enjoy the visit.

Then I moved to outside and spruced up the front porch flower bed. We had recently pulled out the overgrown bushes and a huge blue spruce and so I had an empty canvas to work with. It was still early for putting annuals in the ground, so I just did some pots for color. There will be a hedge up against the porch when the 11 boxwood plants grow together. I love my new simpler and cleaner flower bed, the perfect spot to look out onto from my porch swing.

Disneyland 2008

As promised here are pictures of our Disneyland trip 2008. We had a great time making memories and bonding. Thanks, Rich, for being such a wonderful cruise director!

Nana and Papa with the gkiddies at Disneyland.

Our six kids showing off their "guns" in Toon Town.

The Hammer family with Pluto.

Laura, Connor and Abby with Flik - Abby was laughing hysterically at Flik.

Jenny with "her" princess, Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty.

This is the sight we met when we arrived home from WICKED. Rich stayed in the hotel room with 5 kids under 5 for 5 hours so the rest of us to go to WICKED together, indicative of the loving and generous family man he is!

My six boys: three sons and three grandsons!

We went to Newport Beach the last day; it was pretty windy and cold so laying down in the sand was the only way to be warm.