I am one proud grandmother! These little ones are so beautiful. Chloe is three weeks old, Jack will be one year old tomorrow, Kate will be two years old this month, and Addie is four years old. Happy Birthday Jack and Kate! Oh, how I love them all! Best news–I get to see them all soon!!!

INTRODUCING CHLOE LYNN

I'm totally and completely IN LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome sweet granddaughter!

It's been a while

Things never slow down here. I haven't blogged in a while. I'm going to try something new, and just write short blogs. I think I'm in the category of writing too much. We'll see how this goes!

Here's a breakdown for the month of June 2011.

My dance recital was this month. It went well. It's always such a relief to have it over. I was proud of my students! They looked wonderful in their costumes, and danced their hearts out. You can't tell by the photo, but there are about 195 students who barely fit on the stage for the finale.




We've worked hard on our yard and gardens. We're very pleased with them.
I've always wanted a fountain in our yard, and William and I created a fountain garden on Memorial Day. I'm loving the calm influence it creates. I love hearing water trickle and fall. It relaxes me, and makes me feel so peaceful.










Michael came to see us this month, and we loved his visit. He helped us de-junk our basement, and helped Marc and Laura Lee move. He also helped Laura Lee on her drive from Cincinnati to Utah. Unfortunately, they had major problems with Laura Lee's car overheating because of radiator problems.

William and I are missing Marc, Laura Lee and family already. They've only been gone for a few days. They'll be in Utah for three years. How we miss our granddaughters and family.



Ryan and Sarah and Jack are doing well. Jack is as cute as ever, and Sarah is taking lots of pictures, which we LOVE! We miss him so much too!



Jenn and Jeff are only 2 weeks away from their baby's due date. We can hardly wait!! We are so excited for this baby to come. I can't wait to post pictures of their new baby girl!!!

Tanner is doing great on his mission. He's absolutely loving it. We love hearing from him! We're so proud of him. I love being a missionary mom.




That's the short of it all.

Atlantic City/Times Square trip

William and I were able to take a quick vacation to Atlantic City and Times Square. We were invited by Laura Lee and Marc, and we had a ball! I won't go into a lot of detail. It was my first time to New York City, and I loved it. We only stayed half a day in NYC, but it was long enough to get a real feel for it. Here's some photos from our trip:

Atlantic Ocean



On the boardwalk with our daughter and her family. We walked this boardwalk a lot! It's very cool!



On the boardwalk in Atlantic City!



I got a photo in front of Carlos Bakery, but we didn't go in. There actually was a three hour line we would have had to stand in!




Boy, do I look like a tourist in Times Square



Radio City Music Hall/Times Square

Mexico trip

Aerial photo of Mazatlan

My parents invited my sister, my sister-in-law, and me to their time share in Mazatlan for a week. I was so excited to be with them! Mazatlan is charming, and it's such a treat going somewhere WARM in the winter. The most wonderful thing about the trip is that I could be with those I dearly love.

It took a lot of effort to get ready to go. Finding substitutes for dance, and for my YMCA classes was probably the most challenging thing to do. It also felt strange to pack summer clothes in January- but hey, it's really FUN! Well, the day quickly arrived for my vacation, and I was off.

My parents have a lovely place in Mazatlan. They visit every year, and have for the past 20 years. Some refer to the area by the beach as paradise, and it certainly feels like it. The view is lovely from my parents apartment. Flowers were in bloom, and the palm trees are everywhere. The beach is serene, and the landscape is lovely.

The weather was on the cool side while there. I honestly didn't pack enough warm clothes. My father warned me ahead, but I kept thinking it would warm up. I actually had to go buy long pants, a jacket, and socks! While were there, a record was broken for the coldest temperature for that day (maybe February 3, 2011) in 50 years! Mom especially froze, and thankfully they have a nice little heater at their place which kept her (and us) warm.

Some of the best memories from this trip are: (1) walking and running on the beach with my sister and father; (2) eating Tlalapeno soup (which I now make at home) at Panama restaurant, and making it at our apartment; (3) going to church in Mazatlan and feeling the brotherhood there (truly understanding that we all are God's children); (4) being asked to play the piano for Sacrament meeting at church; (5) getting two massages that were amazing; (6) eating chili relleno's at "I love Lucy's" on my birthday; (6) playing games with my family (Domino's, Five crowns, Scattegories, etc.); (7) laying out in the sun by the pool; (8) taking the water-aerobic class (which wasn't very aerobic) in the outdoor pool; (9) loving everything and anything with lime and avocado on it; (10) bartering with the natives for items; (11) eating fresh shrimp at a local restaurant; (12) drinking hot chocolate when I was cold; (13) dining extremely well and having our parents treat; (14) enjoying free time with my family with no deadlines and no stress; (15) being able to visit my aunt and cousin there too; (16) visiting the downtown plaza where the beautiful Catholic church has been restored; (17) seeing my father being attacked by pigeons while attempting to feed them; (18) shopping with my sister, who is a pro at bartering); (19) watching the colorful and picturesque sun set; (20) choosing several desserts for my birthday, and having a small slice of each; (21) emailing my missionary, and receiving his email while there; and (22) having an ipad techno training seminar with three ipads in the apartment (we tried to teach each other how to use them).

Some of the not-so-best memories are: (1) getting a heat rash on my stomach from laying out in the sun (my first one- however it wasn't terrible– just weird-and it quickly went away); (2) trying to cancel dance classes from Mexico (there were major ice storms at home); (3) finding out my camera's memory card was full, and being fearful to delete the photos on it- so I took no photos of my own (the photos below are ones from my sister - THANKS!); (4) realizing that the nations of the world are becoming more chaotic and agitated as I watched the events of Egypt unfold on CNN (with Egypt's citizens demanding that Hosni Murbarak step down).

I just want to acknowledge my parents goodness. They were so generous and kind to spoil us with this kind of vacation. It is something I shall always remember. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You're the best parents and I LOVE YOU, and am so grateful for your goodness in my life! I also have an amazing sister and sister-in-law, aunt and cousin. I love you too!


The whole gang, minus my mother, with dancers


The five of us


My mom and aunt


Me and my sister


My aunt, cousin, sister-in-law, sister, and me


Mom, my sister, me, and my sister-in-law


Lynda with dancers



Catholic church at Mazatlan


Palm trees and beach


Sunset at Mazatlan

Tanner leaves on his mission

I'm becoming one who blogs less and less. It was quite embarrassing to remove Christmas music, and the Christmas background from my blog today; and to see November 29, 2010 as my last entry.

I did want to share some photos of Tanner leaving for his mission. He's been gone for about a month now–and we are officially empty nesters. It's a bigger adjustment than I thought it would be.

Tanner is in the mission field, and is doing well. Here's some photos of the day he was set apart, and of the day he left. He wanted our farewell to be quick and short, and it was. It's wonderful to have a missionary son serving again. Oh, the blessings!



On the day Tanner was set apart as a missionary


Mom and Tanner at the airport


Dad, Tanner, and mom


A tender moment



Saying goodbye


Our last missionary son on the day he left

Michael returns home from his mission - October 27, 2010

There are few things more joyful than a missionary reunion. I hold them right up there with babies being born and weddings! We were so excited for Michael to come home from his mission. We've been on a high for some time now. My parents were able to come for the wonderful event, and we had such a special time with them. Michael was as sweet and humble as ever as he arrived home. We are so grateful for him and feel so blessed to have him as our son. Thank you Michael for your incredible example!