Alphabetical thankyou

I'm thankful for All my sons.  They are good, loving, handsome men.

I'm thankful for Big hearts that show and give love...and are inclusive.

I'm thankful for Cute Laila.  She is growing up. She has a darling giggle.  She is a fabulous writer.

I'm thankful for Delicious food...especially the sugar and butter kind.

I'm thankful for Feelings.  I've cried a lot lately...but it makes the happy times so much better too.

I'm thankful for God.  I know he lives and loves me

I'm thankful for Holidays that allow us all to get out of the routine and to gather with family and friends.

I'm thankful for Ideas that grow as I paint, if I just get out of my own way good things start to happen.

I'm thankful for Jobs. It's good to have something to get out of bed and do. 

I'm thankful for Kindnesses shown these past months while I am grieving the loss of my sweet momma.

I'm thankful for Ladies who lunch with me.... it keeps me sane 

I'm thankful for My Wayne.  He is my joy, my rock, my sweetheart...I can't believe how lucky I am.

I'm thankful for New stuff in my house....paint, couches, closet, windows, tv....it's nice

I'm thankful for Ordinary people...who go around doing daily things.....

I'm thankful for Pie!

I'm thankful for Questions  

I'm thankful for Righteous parents.  So glad Dad is still with us...and Wanee is just the best!

I'm thankful for Sweet Bre.  She is going to make a marvelous mom.  She is perfect for Addison

I'm thankful for Theatre. Can't wait for "5 Carols for Christmas" to open this December.

I'm thankful for U (you)

I'm thankful for Various technologies that I use every day...phone, computer, ipad

I'm thankful for Wonderful extended family.  I'm glad we get to go through this life together.

I'm thankful for X-citing new year plans. Monson coming home from mission and a new grandbaby

I'm thankful for Yelocar.  I love driving around in comfort and singing my guts out to xm radio

I'm thankful for Zzzzzz's.  I love my sleep

Friday Family Flashback

Sept 9, 1996
Landon is playing soccer.  Every time he gets hit he looks over to his parents like..."They hit me. What are you going to do about it?"  But he is the team cheer leader while playing, of course.  He gets every one excited and ready to play.  Truman also plays soccer and is probably the best player of the bunch.  He thinks that the soccer ball is his and he is out to protect it at all cost.

 Then there is Monson.  His new thing is....if he is playing on the computer and things aren't going his way he yells, "There is trouble in this room...There's trouble in this room!"  If he is in the bath room and needs help he yells, "There is trouble in this room."  If he finds himself in any kind of stress he yells the same thing.
Monson has the greatest freckles on his face.  They look like they were put on special by a Hollywood make up artist.  His mother kept telling him that they weren't freckles but Angel kisses.  He kept saying, " yuck."  Well yesterday she told him that he had the  neatest freckles and he looked at her and very disgusted said, "Mom an Angel kissed me...don't you remember?"

Latest painting

I'm going to clear my make shift paint studio out of my basement and use mom's beautifully well lit studio instead. Dad invited me to. It will be good. I will channel all of her creative energy and hopefully make some great stuff. 

This is my latest. Laila loves it and wants it in her room. It's called "rolling Waves".  It's a big 48x 36 canvas 

Family Flashback

Aug. 5, 1996
Marcie and Melinda were trying to teach the kids how to do a "real" dive off of the board. All of the kids were doing quite well.   Landon was having a hard time getting the courage to go off of the board in a regular diving position.  Finally Melinda told him that if he would dive she would give him five dollars.  Well he was off the board in nothing flat.  Next came Megan.  She stood on the end of the board for at least five full minutes, in diving position and not moving.  Nothing any one would say would get her off of the board.  Finally Landon succeeded in getting her off by yelling, "Megan, go off! Think of the money.  Think of the money."

Monson made a great observation as he was watching all of the swimmers.  He said, "Mom, I get it.  Boys have chests and girls have swimming suits."
Monson always wears his underpants backwards.  "So I can see the pictures."
He has a very picturesque scene of Batman and Power Rangers etc... He won't let you change them around.  It's that way or naked.

Saturday was Landon's baptism day.  We were sitting in the chapel and the kids and their dads all walked in in their white baptism clothes  Monson looked at them and said, "Hey, there's the Holy Ghost!"

The party's over....

Our long looked forward to, Florida time has come to an end. We loved being with Add and Bre so much.  Micky and Alex Larsen joined us as well.

Wayne had a good time "spoiling" the kids with things and stuff, food and dinners. 

We went through the animal kingdom and saw the Nemo show and did the Everest roller coaster. We got to hang out in Hollywood and experience the 50's Prime Time cafe with pot roast, shakes and s'mores. The magic kingdom was magical. We got to eat at the new Beauty and Beast restaurant with the Beast. It's booked 6 years out but Bre worked her magic. 

 It was fun to see Addison's work and experience the shows and parades so we get a better understanding of what he does.  He really likes it.  He is in parades as all of the tall characters.  This week Woody

And Goofy

  He does amazing puppetry at Disney jr and as Sebastian in the Mermaid show. He runs around as Beast in the stage show.  

He and Bre continue to try out for other opportunities in the park. 

This is the MI SI CI parade.... Move it. Shake it. Celebrate it.  He practiced this parade over and over in a parking lot at 4 in the morning.  Good thing he likes to dance. 

Bre loved life as Ariel but is so happy to be pregnant. We got to feel baby Welch kick and move. It's very exciting. She is going to be a darling mama 

We got to see the  beginning of Christmas in the park.  So pretty. I only cried a little thinking of my sweet momma and how she soooo wanted to be here. She would be pleased at what Add and Bre are doing-- having an adventure   

Ahhhhh the beach

We made it to Orlando. Oh happy day. Addison and Bre have spent condo time with us and the best part so far is sitting with Bre and feeling the baby move and kick.

We went to church on a most perfect sunny Sunday then headed out to sit on a beach. We are good beach sitters thanks to years of Bear Lake training. We took long walks. Watched pelicans and herons dive into the water and squished our feet down into the sand with all of the other shell creatures that like to burrow. 

Family Flashback

June 2, 1996
Monson was sitting with the neighbors at church today for fast Sunday.  The next thing they know the neighbor boy is taking him up to the stand to bear his testimony.  Melinda and Wayne about died. There were others waiting to talk and so Monson had time to wave and say Hi and make faces to everyone in the audience while he sat on the stand.  When it was finally his turn he stood up, smiled and said, "Look I'm talking up here."  Then he would ask the neighbor boy what to say next.  Needless to say he was a "hit" with everyone except his parents.