Amazing Jakes

A hectic week for sure. We closed the week on Saturday evening, by going to Amazing Jakes. Tristan loves being with Gracie, so anything she does, he thinks he can do. So cute.

Reason to smile!

My "princess" Gracie, is finally here from Colorado for a visit. She is definitetly a Grandma's girl. She will be here for a month, we will have lots of fun! Being a Granma is the best.

52 Blessings

I know I am way off from the weekly blessings project. So I am just going to post random blessings, if I catch up I do, if I don't oh well. This week I am grateful for earthly beauty...Hum, does that make sense? Sounded good to me. After we went to church, we always have a bit of down time, it has been awesome weather, so the screen doors were open, I could hear the birds chirping and making noise, the wind blowing, and I just thought how wonderful it was! As I checked my email this afternoon, a friend sent me this awesome poem, how fitting for how I was feeling. I love our beautiful earth!

We live in an awesome world.
Make it an awesome day.
Peace To All and May God Bless You Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

My Mother's Day Treat

My wonderful son Jayson and his lovely wife Tina, gave me a gift certificate from Valley Nails for Mom's Day. So Tina and I planned a "ME" day. Yep, we had lunch at Nielsen's Frozen Custard, then on to some pampering. Aww, I love to be pampered. Thanks Jayson and Tina for a great time. I am glad we are family!

It's MOTHERS DAY

This is the reason I am so EXCITED today... Not only do we get 1 phone call, we get 2! A phone call from each of our Missionaries!
{A friend composed the boys together in one picture!}

Colorado Pictures

I had such a awesome visit with the Grandkids! I have missed seeing them so much! It was a fun 3 days. We went to church, went to the Cheyene Mountain Zoo, I had their pictures taken at JC Penney, went to McDonalds, ate at Red Lobster, and played in the park. They kept me busy for sure!



Gracie is such a good big sister, Gavin is getting so tall.

Garen is such a happy boy, I cannot believe he is walking allover!

Here we are getting ready for our zoo adventure!

Gracie and I love the giraffe's! It was neat to pet them and give them crackers!

They have a avairy, and the cockatiels and parakeets can land on you, this one liked Gracie!

Gavin liked the wallabys!

Aww, the elephants were playing thy were so loud...must have been the cool day!

Weekly Blessings Week 16

So I was feeling a bit down... so I bought myself some bright yellow sunflowers! They always remind me to be Happy!

I AM OFF TO COLORADO SPRINGS!

I am so excited to fly to Colorado Springs....to see Stacey (my daughter) and my grandkids. They don't know Grandma is coming. I am getting there late tonight, and flying back on Tuesday afternoon. I will post pictures when I get home! I cannot wait to see them! Have a great weekend! I know I will.

52 Blessings Week 15

Ok... So I skipped a few to get back on track. I will make them up somewhere..

This week I am grateful for my pioneer stereo system in my jeep. I love the gps navagation, because I get lost easy. Well not lost, just turned around. NO, I do not know East, West, North, or South, when I get out of my safety zone. My gps talks to me in left and right directions! I also love XM radio, and I can hook my i-pod up too. Yes, to modern tecnology!

My neice Athena Gayle Thomas

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of taking my neice's senior pictures. I love taking pictures, I wish I had more self confidence. I love doing engagement,animals, and family portraits, basically anything that can be re done, if I mess up. Athena will graduate from Red Mtn. High School this year. She is so photogenic, I loved taking them. Enjoy.





A look at them in Black/White too



U are so beautiful Athena!

I've been tagged!

MIDDLE NAME Ellen

Mel tagged me with this one.

1) You must post the rules on your post before you answer questions.

2) You need to list one fact about yourself using each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name use your maiden name instead.

3) When you are finished with your answers, you tag one person for each letter of your name.

E ~ Emotional, I am so dang emotional these days!

L~ Love being a Wife, Mom, and Grandma!
L ~ Lady Bugs, I love finding lady bugs, I love them crawling on my arms!

E ~ Ellen, Iwas named after my Grandma Thomas, it was her middle name too!
N ~ Nest, We have no more childern at home, making us empty nesters after 28 years.

I tag . . . Kayola, Debbie, Tawni, Sarah and Barbara

The new Mr. & Mrs. Justin Wells

On Friday, March 28th our nephew Justin Wells married his sweetheart Lorin Payne in the Mesa Arizona Temple, so exciting. Justin is our first nephew to be married in the temple. Justin and Lorin met while in High School, Justin returned this past August from the Florida, Orlando (spanish) Mission. They picked up where they left off, and I guess the rest is history... It was great to be with them in the temple, help with the luncheon, come home take a nap, and back to the reception. Congrats Justin and Lorin, we love you!

..........................................................................................................................................................................

On March 27th, our sweet neice Shannon turned 14. Where again may I ask...."where does time go?" I can so remember her being born, with her dark brown hair, and the cutest round face. She is the princess of the family, with 2 older brothers. She competes in Jr. Olympic ice skating, and she is awesome. Shannon always has a smile, and I love just talking to her. Hum, will have to check into some skating pictures for my blog.


Hope you had a "Happy Birthday"!

Utah, MTC bound

We flew from Phoenix on Monday, March 24th to Salt Lake, we landed got our rental car, and checked into our hotel. Everett and Colten both wanted to eat at Wingers, we used to have several here in Arizona, but they closed about 2 years ago. So it is a tradition to eat at Wingers whenever we frequent the Salt Lake area. Colten wanted to eat his favorite foods before leaving for New Jersey. It was great to be able to spend some quality time just the 3 of us in Utah.

This is Colten, grabbing a bagel, before we headed to the Salt Lake Temple for session. We also walked around Temple Square, the Salt Lake Temple Visitors Center, we also went to the Joseph Smith History Bldg, and checked out the Conference Center. We did some shopping, Colten bought some of his friends a tie, with a matching tie for him. Colten had to have 2 suits for his mission, we had bought his second suit at Mervyn's, and he was never thrilled about it. Colten has always been very picky at how things fit him... So we went to Mr. Mac's, he tried on a couple of suits, and since we knew he would never wear the one from Mervyn's, we decided to buy him on from there, plus they have free delivery to the MTC in Provo. So here are a few pictures from our ventures in Salt Lake.

To read more about Colten and his adventures for the next 2 years, click here to go check it out.

Finally updated

Yes, I am still here. We were super busy, getting our son ready for his 2 year mission for our church. Here is a photo update, of what has happened since the middle of March.

Lots of last minute shopping, trying to tie up all the loose ends, like realizing that Colten got the wrong 2 pair of pants to match his suit jacket... and he was leaving in 5 days for the MTC.

Having Colten's pictures taken at Brandt Photography, they provide a free session for Missionary's, and give you a free wallet for the plaque that will hang in your ward building for the 2 years they are serving. Plus a added bonus, they post your picture in the Beehive News.

My 4th (not really, but our great friend) son, Daniel Wesley got his mission call...He is going to the Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Mission and reports to the MTC on June 18th, 2008

The same evening as Daniel opened his call, we had a bridal shower for my nephew Justin's finance, Lorin Payne at our home. They are getting married on the 27th of March, yep the day after we take Colten to Utah.

(Thanks for making the cake Kelli.... Your the best!)

Then Colten had his opportunity to speak in our ward Sacrament on Sunday March 17th. So that was cause for a little family dinner. Since he spoke at the beginning of Spring Break, we actually had a little gathering on the following Sunday, which happened to be Easter. Logan and Colten's good friend Chad Dewey gave his talk on Easter also, so it was a busy Sunday for sure!

Here is Colten with Daniel who is headed for the Pennsylvania,Harrisburg Mission is June, Chad Dewey who is leaving for the Russia,Yeikenburg mission on April 9th, and also Chase Judd who is headed for the Mexico Vera Cruz Mission on April 2nd.

Easter Morning, we had Jayson, Tina, and Tristan over for breakfast. Of course the Easter Bunny didn't forget Tristan's basket.. The Bunny also put together a package and sent it to our Colorado grankids...and a package to Elder Logan Wells in Puerto Rico. Busy times for sure!

After Colten was set apart as a Missionary on Sunday evening March 23rd, the next morning was time for Colten to say "good-bye" to everyone one last time.... Here he is with Jayson, a bit tough on both of them... They are very close!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Happy St. Patricks Day to all!

"May your blessings out number the shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you wherever you go. "
~ Irish Blessing

52 Blessings Week 10

This week I am grateful for the Power of Prayer!

Power of Prayer “How wonderful it is that you get on your knees, and pray in earnestness night and morning. Prayer unlocks the powers of heaven in our behalf.
Gordon B. Hinckley

This past month, as we have waited on medical opinions, for a decision on whether Logan was to come home from his Mission in Puerto Rico to have knee surgery or to stay and finish serving, I have felt the power of prayers and faith in my life. I have had a sweet assurance of peace that all would be fine. I could have been majorly stessed, and a wreck but I was very calm and patient thru this. So all of us are so relieved that he will continue serving!

52 Blessings Week 9

Yes, I know I am behind....

I love my leather rocker recliner chair! I have been sick with a cold, and pink eye... So this chair has been my salvation. I can sleep like no other, can u imagine me curled up, and 4 dogs sleeping with me too? I also love rocking my grandbabies. I love reading to them in my chair, I love them falling asleep with in my arms.

52 Blessings Week 8

This week I am grateful for my son Colten. He is such a wonderful young man. He is always so helpful and loving. He nevers tells anyone "No" when he is asked to do something. I love seeing his growth in the gospel. I love his example of attending the temple! He just went on a little trip with a few friends before he leaves on his mission. He did sessions at the San Diego Temple and also the New Port Beach Temple. He has always been a obedient kid. I am going to miss him.
He will make a awesome missionary. He leaves for the MTC on the 26th of March. He will be serving in the New Jersey, Morristown Mission. I l♥ve you son!

Girl Scout Cookies... and dieting

Did you know that Girl Scout Cookies have a history? But what I want to know is whyeverytime that it is cookie season, I am trying to lose weight..... Arghh......
Anyways here is some history of the GS Cookie.
Girl Scout Cookie boxes are bold and bright and capture the spirit of Girl Scouting. Introduced in the fall of 2000, these boxes clearly show girls having fun and growing strong. The licensed bakers produce a maximum of eight varieties, including three mandatory ones (Thin Mint, Peanut Butter Sandwich, and Shortbread). All cookies are kosher. So what kind is your favorite?

52 Blessings Week 7

I am "grateful" for my camera. I l♥ve pictures, I l♥ve taking pictures! I l♥ve scrapbooking, I l♥ve making dvd movies, I l♥ve looking at photography. I l♥ve preserving memories with my camera! So it is a clear choice this week.. I l♥ve my Nikon D70.....