Iron Lady

Today I went to see this movie with Suzie & Lorraine. I am always amazed at Meryl Streep and the characters that she portrays. I was just thinking today that the movies I have seen her in (which I am sure are probably not many of her movies) she always plays a woman who is not very happy or is kind of extreme. As I sat there watching the movie, it made me want to go and get a book about Margaret Thatcher. I don't know anything about her (other than she was Prime Minister) or the events of her day. But then again as pointed out by a caring friend, I was busy raising children. So I appreciated that rationale. It is also amazing at what the movie industry can do to transform people into other people. Now I know what Meryl Streep will look like old. Also, it made me so grateful to be a citizen of the United States.

Snow Days

Home sweet home. Work was canceled for both of us. We got to spend Wednesday and Thursday all cozy and warm at home. This morning Fred is off to work and I'm going to head out in my car. Groceries and getting all my glasses adjusted. I'm tired of watching How I Met Your Mother.

Spencer & Grandpa Fred

Here is Spencer at home feeling just fine after barfing in the chapel earlier. Fred and I took him home because Ben was speaking in Sacrament meeting and Corinne was teaching Relief Society. As you can see, spencer was feeling just fine after all of that. I think it was the late night hour of New Years Eve.....and he was coming down with a cold and all the phelm stuff causes trouble. :)

Christmas Wonders 2011

The first wonder of the season....Shannon showing grandpa her ultra sound pictures.

2nd wonder - Brian the Chef for our Christmas Eve feast.

3rd wonder - Brian's ski mask

4th wonder - Kitty the flying shark!

5th wonder - Zoolights @ Pt. Defiance Zoo with Brian, Shannon, Grandpa Burke, Fred & me.

6th wonder - Richard's baptism in Utah

7th wonder - Temple Square Christmas lights in Salt Lake City

8th wonder - Families are Forever - The Salt Lake City Temple

Richard's Baptism

A very happy day.

Christmas & New Years Highlights

On New Years Eve we met up with my brother Craig & his wife Lynette for dinner. The dinner was delicious and it was really a wonderful time to be with all our children and their spouses. A first of many more I hope. We ate at the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City at a restaurant called Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill. Yummy! I got a picture of everyone eating except Ben & Corinne. They were sitting right next to me...sorry about that. I will sneak some pictures of you two later on when I get to Fred's camera.


Here is my oldest brother Craig and his wife Lynette. I am so thankful that they are a part of my life.

The sole purpose of this family time was my grandson Richard's baptism. Here is Corinne with all three of her sons before the baptism.

Here is Richard before dressing in his white baptism jumpsuit. He is a very sweet boy. He will always hold a special place in my heart. My first grandbaby. I remember the first time I saw him lying in his crib. So tiny and sweet. I couldn't keep my hands off of him. I had to hold him. It was such an exhilarating feeling that I had never felt before.

More to come.

Our Gift to Christ this Christmas season

Here is the cleaning crew after our two hours of cleaning - look we are all smiling. It was a great feeling to be a part of something that made a postive difference.

After stacking tables, putting volleyball nets in tubs and all other general tidying this is the result. The stage is still an ugly place, but at least it is not a hazardous zone for now.

This is the after photo. As I said - only a woman's touch.

This is the before photo. This is what happens when no one cares.

This was how the stage looked before we started.