Thanksgiving November 27, 2014

This year for Thanksgiving, our married children went to their other families.  Clilnton, Chelsi and I celebrated with Jamie & Darla and some of their children and families.  It was great to catch up with the neices and nephews.  As always. Thanksgiving is all about the food!  This year was fabulous!

 

Prime Rib by Jeff  Port ( husband of my neice Lacy Arnold Port)

Brine Soaked Smoked Turkey by Clinton. Very moist and delicious

Pumpkin Pies by Darla (wife of Jamie Arnold)

Raspberry Cream and Banana Cream Pies by Yours Truly (the banana cream pie recipe if from my Grandma Vera Barrett)

Silly family picture  Me, Chelsi and Clinton

"Barnyard" I was so excited to play several games of Barnyard with different family members!  I Love this game!  Since most of our children and grandchildren went another direction, this was a great choice to spend time with this part of the family!

Young Women in Excellence November 23, 2014

     Sunday, November 23rd, was our Young Women in Excellence Program.  It was an interesting experience planning for and presenting this program.  Tammy Gee ( Personal Progress Leader), Stacy Roberts (Laurel Class President) and I were in charge.  Stacy wanted to complete a 10 hour project for Divine Nature, so our theme is "Be Your Own Kind of  Beautiful" and Stacy was in charge.  She came to our first meeting with alot of Great ideas, so we used them. We were each given assignments and had several meeting to report back and keep moving ahead with more things to do.  At one point, the three of us were to get together to make some necklaces.  It appeared that Stacy dropped the ball and didn't show.  I was ready to give her a "talkin to" when I saw her the next day.  Instead, she found me and explained what had happened and made it right by setting a new day to get together.  I feel that was a great learning experience for both of us.  In the end everything turned out beautiful.  The program ran smoothly, and Stacy conducted very professionally.  It turned out to be a very nice event.

     During the program, Tammy Gee gave out awards to the girls and I received my Honor Bee!  It looks great with my Young Women's Medallion!
     I found out how supportive Clinton was because he came because I was getting an award.  I didn't even ask him.  He has been so supportive the whole time I have had the calling of Young Women's President.  It is a very big calling, I do enjoy the girls and serving them.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive husband and to have the opportunity to get to know these great girls.

Playing with the Grandkids! November 22, 2014

Clinton and I had a great time watching Payton and Braden this Saturday night.  Brock and Carrie needed a date night.  We were happy to help out!  We had dinner with them.  We read stories.  We played with toys.  At one point, this is how Grandpa and the kids wanted to play!

Payton is on Grandpa's shoulders and Braden is on his lap.  It made for a great picture.  It is fun to have these guys live close by so we can spend lots of time with them.

My Birthday! November 7, 2014

I had an extended birthday this year.  It started Wednesday, November 5 and went through Tuesday November 11.  What a fun time it was!

Clinton took the day off on Friday, My Birthday.  He took me to Sun Valley.  We stayed in a nice hotel, we ate at a fancy restaurant and walked around Sun Valley looking in all the exciting shops.  He bought me this beautiful coat!  He sure knows how to make me feel special!

When we arrived home on Saturday, we found these lovely gifts on the back step.  I have to say, that the smore cupcake from the Cocoa Bean ( from Gailiene Rudd ) was to die for!  I love the measuring cups and balloon. ( from Becky Jeppson )  They brighten my day!

My Mom bought me lunch the Wednesday before my birthday and gave me these adorable salt and pepper shakers!

Sunday, November 9th, Brock and Carrie made me a birthday dinner.  Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy!   Carrie made this delicious chocolate cake with chocolate ganache.  Melt in your mouth yumminess!

My friend, Angie Lewis bought me lunch and gave me these cute reindeer serving bowls!  Also my friend Cari Zollinger bought me lunch and gave me some beautiful grey gloves!

To top it all off, Chelsi bought me lunch, took me to a ceramic shop where I painted this pie plate and bought me a delicious cup of hot cocoa!  My birthday week has made me realize that there are alot of great people in my life that are there for me.  I am very blessed!

Bowling Babes 11-6-14

I have been bowling for about 20 years.  Pam has bowled with me the whole time.  Michelle started 3 years ago.  Bowling is a real social outlet for me.  I love visiting with all the ladies.  Once a month  we have a feast.  The food is always so delicious.  Bowling is something that I am good at.  I really enjoy it.

The members of the Alleycats team are Michelle Parkinson, Me and Pam Blackburn. My average is usually around 150.  As you can see, we are serious bowlers because we have our own balls and shoes.

3 Sisters having fun in Texas 10-28-14 to 11-2-14

My sister Janet invited us sisters to come visit her in McKinney, Texas.  Kathryn was already going on a trip to Jerusalem, so it was just the 3 of us.  Janet had a lot of fun things planned for us to do. She called and asked where I wanted to shop, I told her it didn't matter because anywhere she took me in Texas is better that what I have here!

We spent one entire day at Canton, this really, really big flea market that is awesome!  We just arrived and took our 1st "Selfie".  ( Janet, Me and Susan ) It was so funny, Susan's daughter Ellie was a little embarrassed and sent an awkward message back on Instagram!

Here we are in front of this cute little shop.  We had a stranger take our picture!

Janet said we had to have a pie from the Pie Place.  They were delicious!  They were half circle shaped pies of whatever filling we wanted.  The pumpkin was a good choice!

As you can see, we made a haul!  There were lots of treasures to buy!  We had a blast!

We stumbled upon this great little restaurant for dinner.  It did not disappoint!

We spent some time shopping down on the Square in McKinney.  The boutiques are so fun to shop in!

Janet took us to an outdoor shopping center, so many shops, kind of overwhelming.  I guess everything is bigger in Texas!  We had dinner in this crepe place.  I ordered the banana fosters crepe, It was to die for.  Then we went back to Janet's and I had her white bean chili with pheasant, delicious.  I decided Life is so uncertain, I had to have dessert first!  All in all we had a great "Sisters" vacation!

Grandkids at Halloween 2014

I always send a Halloween package to my grandkids.  this year I found these great masks!  I like to send them things other than candy.  So I sent them Halloween pencils also.

Idaho Grandkids:  Braden and Payton

Washington Grandkids:  Emma, Kimmi and Kaden

Arizona Grandkids:  Jordan, Treyton, Londyn, Deegan and Cheyanna.

I think the masks were a hit this year!

Halloween Dinners 2014

If you don't already know, I just LOVE Halloween!  It is a toss up with Christmas.

The 3 Monday's before Halloween, when the FHE groups came over, I cooked Halloween dinners.  We had dinner in a pumpkin, spider web dip, bone shaped chips, a pumpkin bunt cake with eyeballs and a candy corn parfait.  There was also spiders in their ice cubes.  I even threw in a family dinner too.  Payton was real impressed with the spiders in the dip and ice cubes.

Chelsi would help set the festive table.  One of the girls said it felt like home. The bloody eyeball S & P Shakers were awesome!  My Visiting Teachers gave me withches shoes S & P Shakers just in time to use them.

For one of the dinners I made these bloody eye ball cupcakes!  I had to take some to Payton and Bradon.  There is sure alot of fun Halloween food to enjoy!

Fall Board meeting October 18, 2014

I belong to the GFWC (General Federated Women's Club).  It is a world wide service organization.  Our Chapter is the Rexburg Civic Club.  I joined because I wanted to give back to my community.

Susan Landon, (Past President),  Mauri Barton (Idaho President), Nina Ricks (2nd Vice President), Linda Flamm (Past Pres and is now on the State Board), Pat Packer (Presiden)  Me (1st Vice President).  This is a fun group of ladies.  I'm glad I get to associate with them.

This was the cute centerpiece that was on our table!

Payton - October 3, 2014

Carrie had to go to Vernal for a funeral so I got to hang out with Payton while Brock was at work.
We had a great time!

Of course we had to go get ice cream at Cocoa Bean!  Yummy!

We played outside. He wanted to go jump on Ronnie and Paula's tramp.  He also likes to go to the School Park and play on the toys.  We also made cookies and took them to Agritech to share.

Get Well! September 26, 2014

Oops! This happened in August, I just didn't take the picture until September. I had a procedure done this summer.  It is called an oblation.  The joys of growing older!  Brock, Carrie, Payton and Braden came to visit and bring dinner.  Payton handed me this card and said "Grandma's sick".  He seemed very concerned for me.  It was so cute and they really brightened my day.

It was so thoughtful of them to come over.

Carrie said Payton had to sign the card by himself.  I love the hands!

Sister Meredith September 7, 2014

This is Sister Meredith, she is from England.  She is serving a mission in the Pocatello, Idaho Mission.  We have been fortunate to get to know her and help a little with the work.  She is amazing!

She is getting transferred and leaving us soon.  We invited her and her companion over for dinner right before she left.  We wish her well on the rest of her mission.

Clinton's Birthday! August 31, 2014

Clinton turns 51 today!  Happy Birthday!  Every year it is tradition to have a German Chocolate Cake for him.  Millie always made the cake.  Since she is gone, I have now stepped up to do this for him.  It is a very delicious cake and it is completely made from scratch!  Yummy!

Clinton deserves the best.  He is so very thoughtful and looking out for others, I am glad I can give back to him.  He is a great Husband and Father.  He always does things to make me feel special.  Most important of all, he is a worthy Priesthood holder and loves his Heavenly Father.  I couldn't ask for a better man to spent my life with.  I am one lucky girl!

Bear World August 30, 2014

I have never driven through Bear World.  I asked Carrie to call me next time she went so I could come along.  (They have a pass and go often.)  I really enjoyed this activity.  There were lots of animals to see and the little kid rides were perfect for the grandkids.  This was a fun morning.

Grandma, Payton and Braden enjoying Bear World.

Payton on the train and ready to go!

Carrie, Grandma and Braden riding the train too.

Weekend at Camp Albin August 9 - 10, 2014

Brock, Carrie, Payton and Braden came to Camp Albin in Island Park and spent the weekend with us. We rode the 4-wheelers, took the boat out on the lake, and took some walks around the Island.  On Sunday, we attended church in Island Park.  We had a great weekend.

Payton has his helmet on and is ready for a 4-wheeler ride.

Brock and Braden are ready for the ride too.  Clinton wound us around on a bunch of trails through the woods.  It was a good ride.

Grandpa was taking a nap and Payton decided to join him.

Carrie, Brock and Payton were pulled around the lake on the tube!

Just behind the cabin in the soft mud we found these bear tracks!

It was pretty dusty driving the 4 - wheeler so this is how Grandpa dressed for the ride.

Tea Party July 22, 2014

I just love serving in the Young Women group in our ward!  We have the best girls and we always have a good time.

We had a tea party!  Everyone came dressed up with hats and gloves too.  Sister Annette Sommer and her sister helped us put it on.  Lisa Redd was our speaker.  Our theme was Divine Nature, Daughter of a King.  We had great tea party food and used the old wedding reception glass cups and plates.  A few of the girls helped with decorations.  Everything was perfect.  We had a very special evening

July Birthdays July 13, 2014

On this Sunday, we celebrated our family July birthdays.  Kaden the 18th, Carrie the 19th and Tyson the 27th!

We sang "Happy Birthday" to all and they all got blow out the candles!

Girls Camp July 14 - 18, 2014

Girls Camp was a blast!  The theme was "The Hunger Games".  This is the flag from District 2.

     This year camp started on Monday.  We took the Jr Leaders and our 4th years up a day earlier than the rest for a special activity.  We canoed down the river just below Big Springs..  Even though we got rained on, we had fun.  The girls that came were Sabrina Luthy, Julianne Gee and Tylynn Proctor.  Brother Proctor, the Bishop, Sister Dayley and me were the leaders.  This was a great way to start off camp.  That night we got settled in our cabin, which was Camp Albin in Island Park, and then had a delicious dinner, complete with my Brownie Trifle.    
      The next morning we met the rest of the girls and leaders at the trail head for our hike.  It was a great hike.   The trail traveled mostly along the river and was 90% in the shade.  The rest of the week was filled with fun activities such as:  Shooting guns, Constellations, Boating, and Canoeing.  Our Testimony meeting was very spiritual this year.  The girls really bore their testimonies.  It was powerful.  A good time was had by all.
   

Mack's Inn Dinner Theater July 2, 2014

We went to the Mack's Inn Dinner Theater in Island Park.  Great food and a fun show.  The girl who served us was the daughter of Robert Blaser.  We both knew him, Clinton went to school with him.

We love going to plays!

We are happy to be here!