No trip to So. California would be complete without...

A little trip to Downtown Disney with my sweetie....

we danced to a Salsa band in the street...

Sonia, Patty, Ron & me

We ate fajitas at The Rain Forest Cafe

We ate beignets at Jazz Kitchen...DEE-LISH!

These 3 act like they weren't noshin' on the beignet's, but they were!

We just had a really great time in California over the Thanksgiving holiday. A big THANK YOU to Ron's sweet mom for putting us up (and putting up with us) unexpectedly! And a double fist bump to the heart to the rest of the family who knew we were coming and didn't give the surprise away!

                                                  

                                 

Sunny & 78

This has been a super fun Thanksgiving holiday! Playing at Seal Beach, watching them blow in shaved ice for the kids to play in, and listening to Christmas music being played by a band while we ate Ruby's Old Fashion milkshakes. Not your "traditional" transition to Christmas, but I'll take it anytime!

Abuela,Michelle,Patty,Larry,Madeline,Grant...

This little sweet shop was packed with people....and they were all our family!

So many yummy things to choose from.

Earlier in the day, Angela and I did a little volunteer beach clean up.

They weighed it when we brought our bags back. Mine weighed in at a whopping 7oz. and Angela's came in at just over 6oz. Hey, every little bit helps!

A balmy Thanksgiving Day

Nothing says  'Thanksgiving' like a fresh picked orange from Abuela's tree! Sweet and juicy... and the oranges were good too!

A Christmas Video (Let Him In by Michael McLean)

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,

But the realization of how much you already have.

Phoenix Zoo today....

Someday I want to be this close to a real African elephant.

I've always had a fascination for elephants. Not Asian elephants as much as African elephants. Maybe because when I was little I learned you could tell the difference between Asian 'phants (that's what you can call them when you are a cool 'phant lover like me) and African 'phants, by their ears. Asian: small ears. African: large ears the shape of Africa.

Phoenix Zoo today, Mozambique someday!

Grandpa is cool! *even in the Arizona heat!

Recently we were in Arizona visiting our kids and grands. Every morning we would wake to the pitter patter of little feet climbing out of bed and running around directly above us. We were in the downstairs guest room, the little feet were upstairs. (I guess anything you don't have to endure everyday is a novelty.) These little ones are pure joy to their grandpa and me. It is especially fun for me to sit back and watch as these children idolize their grandpa. In their eyes he can do anything. He truly does have boundless energy, patience, and love for all of our grandchildren. It's one of the things that makes him so darn attractive to me! Of course one of the traditions whenever grandpa is around, is to make chocolate chip pancakes with the kiddo's. Everyone has a turn helping and everyone is important in making the worlds best chocolate chip pancakes!

TA-DA!

A week or so ago I posted about the (3x ) reincarnation of the headboard I was making. Well we finished it- (can I get a big AMEN!)  just before we left for Arizona but I didn't have time to post. So here it is! Nothing fancy, but nice clean lines. Ron raced to get it up before I changed my mind about anything else on it. A big ol' THANK YOU to my honey!

An Attitude of Gratitude

This month gives us an opportunity to stop and think of what we are grateful for. If you are able to read this on your computer, you know you have a great deal to be thankful for. My little series of Thankful Me was a snippet of each of my grandchildren. I love them so much, and I love spending time with them. They truly make me laugh and warm my heart. A friend of mine had me do a little exercise of thankfulness. Set the timer for 5 minutes and write down everything you are thankful for. My problem is I write one down and then think about all the reasons I'm thankful for it...which slows you down. So I'm sure there are more things I could have written down, but I ran out of time. This is my five minute list.
Ron, our kids, our grandbabies, my testimony, The B.of M., Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, The Atonement, my friends, my home, good neighbors, beautiful Washington, the changing seasons, healthy food, flowers, my dentist, books, being able to read, warm clothes, my car, my health, make-up, laughter, music, my eyesight, my siblings, hair color, chocolate, candles, computers, deodorant, toilet paper, school, church, kindness, a hot shower, grocery stores, farmers, traffic lights, being able to walk, my hands, police officers, Maxalt, my parents, a toothbrush, color, heated seats in the car and shade.
I wouldn't want Freud to analyze my list in the order I put things in. I'm pretty sure I'm more thankful for my parents than I am for hair color or traffic lights or even my dentist....eeesh! What are you thankful for?

Thankful Me

I am thankful for sweet Ella. She is smart and fun to be around. Being the oldest grandchild, she holds a special place in my heart.

Middle-aged Mormon Man: PDA's: Parental Displays of Affection

I borrowed this from Triple M. because I thought it was full of great wisdom and just exactly what I want my kids, grandkids, steps, and friends to hear. Go to this link for the full (and short) post.
Middle-aged Mormon Man: PDA's: Parental Displays of Affection: My kids hate to see my EC and me hug and kiss. They cringe and avert their eyes. They say "C'mon you guys!". But, I know it's just for show...

Thankful Me

I am thankful for Tyler. He's a deep thinker, and has these beautiful long eyelashes. I just love him.

Thankful Me

I am thankful for Logan.He is the Minnie Me of Grandpa Williams. He is very tender hearted. Love that boy!

Thankful Me

I am thankful for Nathan. Such a handsome little boy with a sweet and tender heart. I love him.

Thankful Me

I am thankful for Coleman. A ball of energy and a sweet spirit rolled into one little boy. I love Coley!

Thankful Me

I'm thankful for our sweet Elly. She is such a beautiful little girl, with a happy spirit. I just love her!

Thankful Me

I am so thankful for little Landon. He is just a little cherub. When he talks to you his words are very deliberate and carefully spoken. You just want to kiss his cheeks! I love him.

Happy Month-a-versary

Today is our ten month-a-versary. My sweet husband continues to amaze me every day. He is the kindest, most gentle man I have ever known. I wish I could tell you what it's like to live with this man. Not only would it be TMI, but you would have to pack a lunch and sit at your computer all day to read of all the great qualities that he possesses. I will be the first to admit that the circumstances we find ourselves in at this stage of our life contributes to the tranquility we live in. All of our children are grown and living responsible lives (he has 5, I have 3). None of the shenanigans those crazy Brady kids inflicted on poor Mike and Carol! We decided before we got married that we wanted our home to be a sanctuary from the world. Ron genuinely lives by the Spirit. He makes me feel like I can do anything. He makes me want to be a better person. Lastly, he makes me laugh. There has not been a day go by since I met him that he hasn't made me laugh...and I find that incredibly attractive. Thank you honey. Thank you for choosing me!

Thankful Me

I'm thankful for little Owen. He's a beautiful, active, little guy, who is always on the go! I just love him!

Humor

This I love....

 "A person without humor is like a wagon without springs; jolted by every pebble in the road." ~Henry Ward Beecher


...Because it's so true!

Thankful Me

I'm thankful for our handsome Bryce. He's just an independent little man. The funny things he says makes me giggle, and he's a great hugger too...this little guy just warms my heart.

My husband the Patron Saint of Patience

My husband and I have been working on making a headboard for our bed....since last January. Okay, we haven't actually been working on it since January, but that's when I said "I'd like to make a headboard." I think I may have even said it under my breath, or whispered the words, or even thought about making a headboard, and the next thing I knew...I had the most beautiful (huge) piece of plywood sitting upstairs in my bedroom, waiting to be transformed. My hubby is like that. I have to be careful when I say I want something, because he will do his darndest to make it appear for me....except a kitty. I don't think he'd make one of those appear. Or a puppy. But anything I wouldn't have to feed or kennel while I was out of town, yes. Back to my headboard...I originally thought I wanted a fabric covered one. Something with simple, clean lines. So I searched and finally found just the fabric I wanted. Fabric, foam, batting, staple gun. We are in business. Ha! Or so he thought....(my husband is a saint)...I changed my mind. I no longer wanted a fabric covered headboard. I still like them and I think they can be beautiful. But I'd like something with some pretty mouldings. "Mouldings I can do!", he said. Off to Home Depot we go. Picked out a beautiful crown moulding for the top, and some thinner curvy moulding to make 3 'picture frames' in the center. That was easy. It's ready to paint and put up-maybe a good FHE project....except...this morning on the way to church I said "Honey....ya know how we have 3 moldings in the middle of the headboard?" "Yessss", he said. "Well, they bug me. I really don't like them. In fact I hate it. And I plan on using that headboard for a long time, and it will bug me forever if we don't change it." He said...and this is where my husband is up for canonization...."OK." So tomorrow we will tear off the 3 square shaped mouldings, putty, sand, replace with something else, putty, sand, paint, and maybe install the headboard this week. I'll post pictures when it's done. It's only been nine months....what's the hurry?

Thankful Me

I'm so thankful for this little monkey. Annabelle is as smart as she is adorable. It is because of Miss A. that her grandpa and I are together. I just love her!

Thankful Me

I'm so thankful for our little spitfire, William. He has a tender little heart. He also has the most beautiful blue eyes from his mommy. I love this little man.

Thankful Me

I am so thankful for my little "H". Hudson is like a baby sparrow...so small, so sweet. Because he is the youngest in his family, if he wants to be heard he has to make a little noise. I love this little guy!

Thankful Me

I am thankful for sweet Gracie. I am also grateful for a loving son who gets to raise this beautiful baby girl. I loved the General Conference talk given by Elaine S. Dalton, Love Her Mother. That is every mother's wish for her grown children.

Thankful Me

I'm so grateful that our newest grand baby, Daniel, is growing and will be able to come home from the NICU soon. He is so precious. As you can see, baby Daniel was transfixed on Grandpa as Grandpa sang lullaby's to him. (Grandpa has the same effect on Grandma!)



I Made It!

I made it 31 days without candy!  See 31 Day Challenge.And if you count today, it's 32 days. WooHoo! I haven't had the least bit of a craving for anything either. Ha! Doesn't mean I won't partake again, but as long as I don't have the desire for it, I'll ride that train.

Thankful Me...

Today is the first day of November. I would like to start this new month by expressing my gratitude for a worthy husband and son-in-law who gave me a Priesthood blessing. Details aren't necessary, but I was in pain, and Heavenly Father heard and answered my prayer. I love my family, and I love our Father in Heaven.