Hello Again

Thought I might try this again....the truth is that I forgot my password (I am getting old) and it took some time to get it back. Some of the folks have beautiful blogs and one person even published their blog and it was a beautiful sight to see....a photo journal! Anyway I will work on this. I'm sort of excited! I purchased a Kindle. My niece had one and I loved it. I read a lot and it seems like some kind of wonderful that within 60 sec. I can download any book I want to read/listen to and enjoy it. Currently I'm reading three books. I'll let you know how it works out!.....

Blogging in todays world......

Many of my family blogs are open by invitation only. There are a lot of weird people in the world....so I've coded my family identifications. If you're part of my inner circle it's no so hard to figure out..... I've up-dated my blog, but now I need to be re-invited to your new blogs..... If you're having problems reading mine....call or e-mail and we'll get you set up to view.....

I'm off to Virginia tomorrow!

It's spring break! And it's still snowing! There are five of us going to Revolutionary, Civil War sights. I've never been sight seeing in the south. I need to brush up on my "Honey", "Darlin",
Ya All and All Ya All language skill.... We're planning on Virginia Beach, as well! I should be back Sunday....see Ya All when I get home.

In a Detroit Alley with the Kids

This is an alley downtown Detroit...... Greek Town.... Middle of the Day..... A Alley that was enclosed from the winter elements.... A fun little place

Detroit A Sad Story

These are pictures of the Detroit skyline. We've always been concerned about going into downtown Detroit, but the kids found a safe place ...... On a Saturday at high noon. Detroit has an unemployment rate of almost 15%. We went on a rail ride thru the middle of downtown on the People Mover. I was amazed! There were total high rises....beautiful buildings in the center of Detroit abandoned. There were total factories abandoned....as well as very large housing neigborhoods abandoned. It was truly depressing. Some of the buildings had fires in them that destroyed the interior of beautiful brick and stone buildings. I was told that infrastructure is unavailable to tear down or rebuild and corruption of civil servants is rampant. A very sad state of affairs in Detroit.... A quote from Jay Leno " Detroit invented the middle class" and the middle class is disappearing in Detroit.

Detroit in March

Ford Museum with Russell and Natalie.... Wednesday we went to Lunch with Matthew and visited the Museum. It's always a treat to visit my Michigan Family

Stress Blisters

I get stress blisters when I get stressed. I have a spot on my leg that lights up and blisters when things get tough. It drives me crazy with the itching..... March has been stressful with the budget cuts and lay offs..... So far I'm still employed!

Draper Temple Open House

Valentine's Day - 34 years ago I was baptised and this year I went to the Draper Temple Open House with Shawn and his family. It's really quite beautiful. The children enjoyed going to the Temple and Ethan and Emerie especially enjoyed looking into the forever mirrors. It's high on a hill and overlooks the Jordon River Temple. There is a whole new housing development around the temple with new fresh landscaping. It was a great day to celebrate my LDS anniversary! Also Amber and the Children gave my front door a "Heart Attack" very much surprised to see that....plus I got some roses and Jordon told me "not him - but somebody else wanted to be my Valentine" All in All a very good day....

Winter Wonder Land

It's really quite cold here. In the mornings and at night especially. These pictures were taken at the back of my condo....or out my bedroom window at 10:00 a.m. The fog puts moisture in the air and causes everything to look ghost like....Then when the sun finally comes out and starts to melt everything the fog crystals fall like glitter..... If it weren't so cold it would be magical.

Genealogy...I am doing it....My Genealogy

Genealogy is a winter sport! And there should be trophey's! My new Retiremenet Branch is working hard to get everyone involved in Family History etc. The Branch President has visited with each member individually and asked us to commit to 4 hours weekly to genealogy, writing our personal history, study, etc.... Heather has also been asking me to teach her how to do research now that all of her children are in school. So my concious has been pricked from several directions. I promised Heather a trip to the library....but before I go to the library some prep work has to be done.... Needless to say for the past two weeks I've spent more than 20 hours a week in preparing for one trip to the library. I'm looking for an ancestor, a preacher in Camden County Missouri during the 1850 time period, by the name of Elias Key. I need to know who his parents are. I have DNA evidence, but need to be able to document..... I'm consumed with the search. I wonder if genealogy can raise blood pressure?
Wish me luck....Tomorrow is the trip to the Genealogy Library!

New Years Annual Sleding.....

Happy New Year! 2009

Thought I might share important dates for 2009...
January
6 Ken
9 Trenton
22 Jonah
24 Jessica
26 Gavon
28 Christian
February
3 Hayden
4 Noelle
6 Natalie
24 Maron
March
3 Jordon
21 Shawn & Tonna
22 Madison
April
8 Jenson
May
25 Landon
June
3 Amber
6 Benjamin
21 Nathaniel
July
19 Lavette
21 Julie
August
11 Emerie
14 Andrew & Julie
23 Heather
24 Summer & Matthew
September
1 Heather & Ken
1 Kaitlin
20 Ethan
October
10 Connor
13 Matthew
November
4 Tonna
4 Nicole
10 Shawn
13 Andrew
19 Brooklon
December
17 Summer
19 Amber & Christian
29 Russell

If I've made a mistake ya gotta let me know! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

White Christmas

Winter in Utah..... The picture on the left is the three snowmen Amber's kids made....Don't know how they did it! The snowmen are over six feet tall...it's no wonder one of them fell over. The picture on the right is from Shawn's house. I thought I took a picture of the whole valley all white with snow. It's pretty and it's pretty cold.... enjoy....

Christmas Eve Gift.... Family

We had our family Christmas this afternoon. We had some crafts for the kids to make....Santa in a sleigh, a nativity bracelet, Santa scene stickers, Santa ornaments, etc.... we had a good time.... Then the Children did the Christmas Story complete with music.....next year we hope to assign all of those kids who take music lessons to contribute their talents.... We had some treats and good conversation.....The kids shoud be tired out enough to sleep tight tonight. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! I'll post more tomorrow.......

My new favorite shoes

I went to the Sports Store and bought a new pair of winter boots! They're the greatest! High enough to keep the snow out, and warm enough to keep my toes warm! I love em'. We have several inches of new snow and I had been wearing tennis shoes or dress shoes....and when my feet got wet they stayed wet and cold all day long. Live is better now! Enjoy my new winter boot picture, because the boots will be on my feet and there's no way I'm taking them off till spring!

Andrew & Jonah in Disneyland

Last trip to Disneyland before their year end pass is up..... Looks like a great day for Disneyland.....

No Lines, No Snow, No Hot Sun.....A perfect day, Wish I was there! Thanks for the e-mail...

How do they do that???????

Having a Wonderful Time Wish You Were Here!

This just in from the Brooks in Disneyland.... I guess they sent it from their phone to my e-mail. It's a whole new world....It looks like it's raining, but it also looks like they have artic wear on and are staying warm. Enjoy Disneyland! And glad to get the up-date

Today is a laid back day!

Saturday and there's a storm outside! SNOW SNOW SNOW

I'm trying to stay home and let my back heal.....do a few things then rest. I've got some homemade soup in the crock pot....and I'm reading a good book. All decorated for Christmas and the wind outside is howling....

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas!

The holidays are upon me..... I am trying to get everything done. I think I've got all of my Christmas shopping done...and now I'll make or buy a few treats! Last night I went to the Conference Center and saw the Christmas Presentation. It was beautiful, entertaining, and inspiring. There was hub hub and as the Prophet entered the room all twenty one thousand of us stood quietly and respectfully. He sat down with his wife Francis and the hub hub began again. Here's a photo. There were singers, dancers, soloists, orchorister, bell ringers and twenty one thousand other people there. It was very much enjoyed by everyone. I went with three other neighbors.

Last Sunday evening Emerie and Ethan were in a choir performance at the American Fork Tabernacle. It also was amazing. Heather & Ken and family and Shawn & Tonna and family went along too. It was very much enjoyed. It's the picture on the right. I realize that Connor, Ben and Nathan had a hard time sitting, but they were true cousins to watch the performance.

Life is truly Merry!

Happy Thanksgiving!