Another Son...another Mission we are please!!!

March 17, 2010 the letter with his call arrived...
Funny storie, Ryan does not seem to like attention. When his letter arrived I emailed Brent, who could hardly contain his emotions. That same afternoon Ryan showed up as he was heading to the golf course with a friend. I informed him his letter had arrived and we wanted to know what his plans were. He had no clue!!! Then later we get a call that he would come up to our house and open it along with family members who could make it. This was an exciting evening. Grandpa Max was so pleased. Those in attendance, Brent and myself, Eric, Brandi, Hayden, Maya, Crew, Matt, Heidi, Jaxson, and Max.


New Jersey Morristown Mission...
he reports June 2


Ryan has completed his mission paper work...we are now awaiting his Mission Call...
This Sunday  Feb 28, at 8:30 p.m. he will be ordained an Elder. We are excited for him and very please at the decision he has made...
We wish you the very best Ryan...this will be a wonderful experience for you as well as your family...

Happy Birthday wishes to our Crew!!!

This guy is now a year old....my how they change and grow up so fast!!!

The start of my future remodel of the kitchen...

My trip to Las Vegas was the start of a future kitchen make over badly needed...I am getting really excited about this project. Right now however it is pouring down rain. I have plastic sheeting over the trailer...hoping nothing gets to wet before I get it unloaded tomorrow!!! The kitchen is next years project, I am gathering materials. This year it is my master bedroom and bathroom...

Quick trip to Vegas....

I made a quick trip to see more grandcritters...I love these kids!!!! TONS

I cannot stay to long just stealing loves and kisses and hauling back some cabinets for my kitchen remodel...

Day 5....recap of events

I arrived at Shelley and David's last Sat. Feb 13th, Shelley had on and off contractions which finally started moving forward Feb. 15th; our little no name baby arrived at 1:53 p.m. very alert, very healthy, and very cute...more than cute she's beautiful...David and Shelly keep telling me that forsure today my little grandaughter will have a name. I am enjoyinf my visit....even the cold snowy weather...
Day 10 Back in Farmington, my little no name baby has a name...Ella McKinley Crowther
Day 9 New born pictures for baby
Day 8 Shelley and Baby first time out....we went to dinner
Day 7 Back to Cedar to spend more time with Shelley, David, Baby
Day 6 Quick trip to Las Vegas...
Day 5 Baby Laundry
Day 4  Mom and Dad still have not been able to decide on a name for this cutie...For now she is my no name baby!!!

Day 3 Dad gives baby first bath
Day 2 Grandma takes long nap with baby
Day 1  Both Grandma's get in on babies first outfit

Born Feb. 15 at 1:53 p.m.
Weighing 7 lbs 9 ozs
20 1/2 inches long



 

Day Four.....Still we have no name!!!

I am having fun with this cutie!!!

Spanking...A must read!!!

Tough Love vs. Spanking - Good Argument

Most of the American population thinks it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.

Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. Eye to eye contact helps a lot too.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

Sincerely,
Your Friend

This works with grandchildren,

nieces, and nephews as well....

Brent often fowards me funny emails passed around the office....this one gave me a little chuckle!!!

Thank You Brent....

Saturday I left for Cedar City missing the flowers that Brent was going to give me...I was rather sad about it. But today I had a flower delivery from my honey...I am still in Cedar City helping Shelley with her new baby girl!!!

I love Brent...I love these flowers...Thank you Honey!!!

Grandcritter number 8

Our little no name Baby born Feb. 15, 2010 at 1:53 P.M. weighing 7 lbs 9 ozs

20 1/2 inches long...She's a cutie....

Conversation hearts change up their phrases and flavors for the first time ever...

"Be Mine." "Kiss Me." "Sweet Talk." Nothing signals Cupid's arrival quite like conversation hearts. This year, thanks to the landslide results of an online survey in which the candy's manufacturer solicited suggestions for new messages, one in 80 candy hearts will say, "Tweet Me.


Isn't that modern. But did you know just how vintage these 144-year-old candy hearts are?

We'll give you a short (and sweet) history lesson: The New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) debuted their Sweethearts Conversation Hearts in the 1800s. Originally called "motto hearts," their precursor was a trendy fortune cookie-like treat sold during the Civil War called a "cockle," which had printed phrases rolled up inside its scallop-shaped shell. Printing words directly on the candy was the bright idea of Daniel Chase, the brother of NECCO's founder. He also invented the machine that both pressed red vegetable coloring on the candy dough and cut the shapes. The new candies were a hit, especially wedding-day versions with sayings like: "Married in Pink, He will take to drink," and "Married in white, You have chosen right." At the turn of the last century, NECCO "Conversation Mottos" were even produced in shapes like watches, horseshoes, and baseballs.

Many of the original sayings, like "Be Good," "Be True," and "Kiss Me," are still printed, but NECCO began to update its lexicon in the late 90's with hearts that said "Call Me," "Fax Me," and "Email Me." Last year's new phrases were all food related, from "Recipe 4 Love," to "Top Chef." And while it used to be impossible to find the candy hearts during any other time of the year, in March of 2009 NECCO produced Twilight-themed candy hearts, with sayings like "I heart EC," "Lion and Lamb," "Bite Me," "Dazzle" and "Live 4 Ever."

NECCO manufactures eight billion Sweethearts per year and approximately 100,000 pounds of candy hearts are sold each day during the six-week period between January 1 and Valentine's Day.

If you'd like to personalize your own candy hearts, but don't want to purchase a full production run (approximately 1.6 million individual hearts), take inspiration from the Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. With a Microplane and rubber stamp kit, the possibilities are endless.

If that's a little too crafty for your taste, type your phrase into the Acme Heart Maker for a virtual conversation heart. What can you do with virtual candy? If you can't eat it, at least you can tweet it.

Printed in bon appétit magazine, on Mon Jan 25, 2010

It's that time...to be ahead!!!

There is one/many things I have enjoyed, loved, about my marriage to Brent...When a bill comes in the mail he whips out the check book and pays it. Then as soon as we get those w-2's he's on those taxes...I spent most of the day gathering all our paper work so that we could finish these taxes this weekend. I can remember a time feeling like the pictures below...   

                   not anymore!!!

                      Thank You Honey...

I am so Thankful....

Wacky Gift...

This month is Mildred Bell's birthday...as my parents get older it becomes harder every year to fine something they could use, would like ect. Yesterday I decided to drive into Salt Lake and have lunch with my hubby. I also decided that a few times a month I need to take in the sites of this wonderful Utah Valley. Today I to headed to Trolley Square. A few weeks ago Brent and I went there to eat at Rodizio Grill, The Brazilian Steakhouse located in Trolley Square. We met some friends  on a Monday evening for dinner and a presentation. Afterward we walk through the shopping area, I  always have an interest of window shopping... Brent does not share it...LOL. So a return trip was an adventure, I love looking at shops. Besides I needed to find a Birthday gift...I saw these facing Grannies and knew that I had found my gift...You wind them up and watch them go!!! I can't wait to find racing grandpa's!!!

Happy Valentines Day....

Despite my Valentine thief...I have gotten all the Valentines finished, wrapped up tight awaiting Feb. 14th...I love this extra special day in which we can again express the great love we have for our spouses, children, grandparents, family and friends. I also love Vintage Valentines...they are so pretty. I don't think even our modern day scapbooking and cardmaking can compare to these sweet images. Like most people I have very little decorations when it comes to Valentines Day...now I have an idea...collect old Vintage Valentines!!!

Valentine Thief.....

I love watching 24 hours with Jack Bauer...Brent and I got hooked on this during our Honeymoon. Lost is on tonight...looking forward to this final season. So anyway we are laying in bed watching 24, Brent jumps up and saids he's got to get his uniforms ready...strange I thought as he never worries about them until Wednesday night for the games on Thursday. I usually finish them up for him and fold them nice and have them ready. I looked at him puzzeled...isn't it a little yearly your games aren't until Thursday? He gave me a strange look...and said he also was going to get some heart cookies. I asked him, "what heart cookies"? "The ones in the pantry," he replied.  It dawned on me....My Valentine stash...he had found the Valentine stash I was planning on using for Valentine treats/presents. So today replace eaten treats, wrap and hide in better place!!!