My "Deer" Grandbabies!!

Look how sweet they are-- and 3 more to come in the next 8 months!!

Wolfcreek summer fun

Big J on his motorcycle

Christmas Time at our House

So much has happened the past month and I wanted to get in and update my blog before more stuff happens. I also realize how important our blogs are right now. With an international family, a blog can really help to keep us all connected. I love to see the updates that all of my family and friends and their friends and their friends post. In fact it was so much fun after our HUGELY successful Twilight opening weekend, that I saw Megaplex Theatre pictures and midnight girlfriend gatherings throughout so many different blogs. It was AWESOME!!
Driven by sales through our Events department, our Little 5 theatre chain placed #1, #2. #4 & #6 in the nation for opening weekend sales for Twilight! It was so much fun and so much work.
And then there were Holiday buy outs and Company & family dinner party events that I worked with. What a fun job-- to get paid to help people have fun!
Now for the family-- We have NEWS!! Rebekah and Curtis are expecting our #6 grandchild July 7th! It will be awesome!! We sure do love our little grand children and the time we get to spend with them. I am planning to leave in 2 weeks (from tonight) for Milan for #5.
Last week we had the kids over for the annual decorate Gingerbread cookies event. Jennine posted pics on her blog. Then they helped decorate our tree. Then this past weekend Jameson raced Motocross in Heber at an indoor arena. He took first place in one of his categories. He is a great little racer-- both motocross & BMX. So, in asking Rod for pics for our family newsletter- these are the pics that he gave me. I am also including a couple from boating this past summer because they are so fun.

Rory's Halloween Afternoon Adventure

Photo Tag - The Italian Job

Kristi tagged me for the 4th picture in the 4th file on my desk top. Now- because we have reserected an old computer for me to use, This picture is what we get. Now it might look un-assuming picture-- some workers Of course they are in the canals of Venice. But what I remember about this was this simple thing really struck me. We were picking Rachael up from her mission and this was about the 4th day into the trip. We had arranged to stay at B&B close to the train station called "Anna's Rooms for Friends". Interestingly enough, this was probably Anna's limit to her English vocabulary. Anna was early 60's and her and her husband opened up every square inch of their 3 bedroom flat for paying guests. We shared everything, even there bathroom (ps-- never use the towels next to the bidea). But that is part of the charm of European budget travel at $100 or more per night in Venice. Now- back to the picture. On our way to find Anna's door bell, we walked down this alley and here were these men on a boat that looks very similar to our Eliminator back in South Jordan. Only this is actually their truck. And the street their own is kind of like a dead end alley. When most of us think about the canals in venice, we think of gondola's and The Italian Job. But these men have the real Italian job. I wonder if Venicians ever water ski??
I tag Leslie & Bill -- my 2 cousins who share their bday-- if they ever check this blog. I would tag Amy if she had a blog.

Who's your mama?

I know, I am going to SHOCK the very few who might check my blog on occasion to see if there is EVER a new post. Well finally I will do an update. Because of a variety of computer and "busy husband who holds all of the family pictures hostage" I am going to use an old picture to blog about something that I have been thinking about lately. And I will warn you, it is sentimental.... There is an evolution that happens when your child becomes a parent. The first time I witnessed it was a moment wasn't expecting. Rory had purchase his first condo and Rod & I dropped in to see the remodeling projects. It was night and Rory had some friends over. One of those friends was an old girl friend he had started dating. She had a baby and he was asleep upstairs. It was touching to listen to Rory talk about this little guy who eventually would be such a huge part of our lives. And then Chanel was born. To watch Rory hold her and talk to her when she was only a few moments old. She looked up into his eyes and she knew him! And shes still daddy's little shadow. And now little Emerson! When JR and Rory were little they used to hang out in Rod's shop and tote his tools around. I see in Emerson's little spirit that same joy in just being with his dad. His big bkue eyes are so amazed as he explores the world around him. And little RoriAna, our sweet little princess. She is so tender and sweet-- when she smiles and coo's it feels so celestial. She reflects or Savior's love in her tenderness. But now for our new little one and the thoughts that have been traveling through my heart. This time about 4 years ago, Rod and I traveled to Europe to pick Rachael up from her mission. It was such a joy to be with her after the 18 months of service. We traveled through her mission visiting the people that she served with. Soon I started feeling like her connecton with those Italian women were almost closer then our relationships. I knew that she was leaving them and her love was so strong and the thought of moving on in her life without them was very difficult. Finally after a conversation about it, I felt better and decided that I was probably just being sensative. Now time has moved on and my sweet baby Rachael, my first born, the child that made me a mother and eternally linked me to my mother, and her mother, and her mother -- now has a sweet little heartbeat of her own. And now, as I think about those same relationships that she had such a hard time leaving 4 years ago, a huge debt of gratitude fills my heart. I am so grateful that Rachael will have those wonderful women as part of her baby's life. And I am so excited for what is yet to come with Rachael, and someday, Rebekah.
Th picture at the top of the page is Rachael as we picked her up on her mission with a little girl in Verona. I love her embrace.

IT's a Bambina!!

Rachael & Gio will be welcoming a sweet baby girl in January!! And guess who is planning to go play with her!!! Yup--- me!!! We are ver6y excited for this newest little addition!!

100 Things about me- a little at a time

1- My computer doesnt like to work, so this will be done in blocks- until the blasted thing decides to turn off in the middle of something important.....................................
2- I guess I get frustrated easily, but I am trying to work on control :)
3- I am easily sidetracked
4- I am totally in love with my husband
5- I have married for almost 30 years (technically 28 1/2 years)
6- I feel like I am 10 - 15 years younger
7- When I was young I liked people believing I was older-- thus marrying a man 5 years older when I was but very young
8- I am glad all of my children waited to marry until they were 21 and older
9- I LOVE being a grandmother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10-I cherish my family.
11-I love to travel
12- I love exploring new places
13- I love Hawaii
14- I love Europe
15- Being on a beach in Lake Powell at night with no one but my family around is like heaven on earth. It is magical.
16- I love Autumn View
17- I love my extended family and camping with them at Autumn View.
18- Being the youngest of 7 is great.
19- I am the tallest among my siblings.
20- My mom is one of my best friends.

Hello little Emerson Maxwell and Rori Ana!

Cousins- One week and one day apart

My Favorite Granddog!

Isn't he just so cute? He is such an amazing dog and loves coming to Grandma and Grandpa's house! He loves to sit in my lap and be the center of attention. I love my granddog!

Horton is AWESOME!!!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Rendering- Due to be completed in 2009

Little Me

Smith Family about 1964

A little side trip for my memory -- 2003 Italy

This is a little alley in Florence. Through one of these little windows they are making gelato.





These are some of my favorite landscape pictures from when Rod & I traveled to Europe to pick Rachael up from her mission.

Lova's Funeral Program

Wrapping our arms around our Grandmother

The opportunity to create a beautiful tribute to a loved one for their final resting place is very special. There are those who say "There are people who get paid to do this" do not understand the gift of being able to wrap your arms around that person and hold their physical remains through this time. This casket was built by Rodney, JR, Rory & Curtis. Rebekah, Rachael, Jennine, Kristi, Donna, Deanna Newbold and I worked on the lining. Every casket that we have done has been unique and reflect the spirit of our loved one who has passed. The wood, finish, interior stitchings, even the fabric choice reflect our love for that specific person. We cannot make a casket for every person in our life who passes away. It is not physically possible or mentally. I really believe that it is important to have your own personal experience in the grieving process. Do something that memorializes that person and helps you with that transition. On every casket that Rod & I make, we have a very special spiritual experience. We treasure those moments that we feel the spirit of our loved one linger with us and inspire us to move forward.

Carved Rose

Grandma's casket

Some Enchanted Evening

You might have to go the www.southvalleyjournal.com, Jan 3 edition, page B10 to read the article. It was a fun night!!!

Rebekah & Curtis' wedding

Emerson

Chanel and the Nativity

Grandma Royce on Christmas Eve