Lunch with Logan

Claire and I love to go to lunch with the kids. We try and go about once a week, but sometimes we skip. We've been a little flaky lately with everything going on so it was time again to sit and chat with his Logan and his friends. Usually we take Subway or McDonald's as a treat, but today it was good old peanut butter and honey! I haven't had a peanut butter sandwich in soooooooooooooo long. It was super yummy.

One of our favorite parts about going to lunch is playing on the playground with both Taylor and Logan. Their lunch times are back to back this year and so we can see them both together! Claire LOVES to go out with them and run around in all the chaos. They keep a watchful eye on her with the bigger kids running around.

One of Many Tributes....

One of the millions of lives touched by President Hinckley.

Our Beloved Prophet

A lot has been on my mind this week with the passing of President Hinckley. I was laying in bed reading a book on temples and temple symbolism when I heard the news. I thought it was fitting since he over saw and dedicated so many temples in his time. I thought I would be much more sad, but I felt a sense of peace knowing he'd led such a purposeful and rewarding life serving the Lord and would be reunited with many family members, especially his sweet wife, Marjorie. I'm sure that was a joyous occasion. I told someone, I would have loved to witness the celebration of him returning with honor. What must that have been like? It inspired me to better my life. What must everyone have said? What is he doing now that he's freed from his mortal body? What are his future plans? What does the Lord have in store for him, who has he had the opportunity to speak to?

President Hinckley has touched my life in so many ways. It was a supreme opportunity to meet him in the San Antonio Temple celestial room. He changed my view of heaven as a young woman, with his humor. Up until he was called, I sometimes worried that heaven might be a place of such seriousness.....not so! Our world is a better place because of this man, missionary work, temple work, and so many other aspects of our lives are enriched because of him and his leadership. He will be greatly missed, never forgotten.

New Beginnings

Last night was New Beginnings for the Young Women in our ward. It was a 'beauty pageant' theme. It was very well done and had Miss Faith & Mrs. Faith, Miss Divine Nature & Mrs. Divine Nature, etc, etc. They were showcasing the past, present and future of each of these values. Kathrine was recognized as a new beehive, (because she j-u-s-t missed New Beginnings last year with her Feb. birthday) and I was asked to represent the value of Integrity. It was a honor to be involved, and I ALWAYS, ALWAYS love squirming my way into any YW activity. I love that Kathrine and Alli are in the Young Women's program and I so enjoy being with them. The evening ended with a beautiful rendition of Walk Tall. My good friend sang, and the YW joined in with the chorus. Talk about a tear jerker! Then they were each crowned with a tiara and a Daughter of God sash. Look at these two beautiful Daughters of God! I am very proud of the way they both are living their lives.

We topped the evening off with a stop at our favorite frozen custard place, Shake's. YUMMY!

Shower Time

Last weekend we celebrated with Buddy. (You can't even tell she's expecting!) Number four is on the way and she is ANXIOUSLY awaiting the arrival! We tried to convince her to have a 'real' shower, but she insisted she'd rather have a girls night out. We decided to meet for socializing and dessert. I hope she had a great time, I know I did. I'm so grateful for her friendship. We've had many good talks and I've appreciated her warmth, comfort and advice. We cannot wait to see if it's a boy or a girl! Any day now!!

This was my first attempt at a diaper cake. It's the back side....so not the greatest photo. Isn't that such a cute idea? I stole it from a picture I saw on someones blog.

Who am I?

I was up in the attic this afternoon looking for my ancient Personal Progress book and I came across these photos. I was totally amazed at this first one, it looks so much like Claire I couldn't believe it! (By the way...that purse was to die for! I loved that purse for many, many years. Yes, it's orange, and it's colored with beautiful beads from top to bottom, with a little white fringe along the edge. Goes with everything!)
I've noticed when I sometimes talk about being a pure blonde in my youth, I get the doubtful stares. Here's proof of what I'm saying! Really.........I'm more comfortable as a blonde, even though my hair is such a dark dishwater color now. The price of age and hormones I guess. All I can say about that is......if I had to choose age vs. free blonde hair...I'd choose age any day! Please note how the collar reaches to my shoulders. Can't beat that in the 70's.

Here I am proudly pointing to the paper ornament I made in Girl Scouts. We decorated a tree at the Oaks Mall (for those of you from my stomping grounds) I remember thinking it was one of the coolest things I'd ever done! I guess that's what happens when you live in a city where kids at school are also in the 4-H club. If you don't know what that is....you'll have to Google it!

Sooooooo Pretty

Claire loves to come in my bathroom in the morning and do her make-up too. She always has a little blush, eyeshadow (she uses my eyeshadow brush and thinks she's getting something on her eyelid :) and lip gloss. Whenever she's done she looks at me like.....don't I look gorgeous and I ALWAYS respond.....Claire, you look sooooooooooooooooo pretty! Little girls, they love getting pampered. Of course, she is truly beautiful - regardless!

Gotta love that made for camera smile.

Workin' it!

H~a~p~p~y New Year!

New Year's Eve 2007! We were invited to a friends house to enjoy food and fun. Talk about the party house. There were all kinds of food, snacks, desserts, and goodies to munch on and for entertainment we enjoyed Wii, Rock Band, ping pong and the hot tub (Logan even braved the 47 degree pool!) We partied the night away until the ball dropped at midnight. It was the perfect way to celebrate having the whole family together with good friends. Here's to a great two thousand and eight!

Mason is Blessed

We were so happy that we could be a part of Mason's blessing. It was supposed to be last Sunday, but there were so many travel delays it didn't work out. Thankfully, they were able to stay for another Sunday. We all gathered at Mom's ward and James pronounced a beautiful blessing for Mason. It was fun to go to this brand new building (even though it's 45 minutes from our house with a 9am meeting time.) We even saw some friends we haven't seen in a while....one of them was a speaker in sacrament. What good timing!

Good-Bye Audge. This was her last day here. She had to catch her flight after church. We'll be seeing you in California!

Sophie and refried beans

We had a huge Mexican dinner the other night with the whole family and Sophie was introduced to refried beans. I think it was a hit. We had my whole family here and the 3 cousins. All the older girls took it upon themselves to watch Sophie and Claire. (So nice!) They did a great job cleaning this little girl up and giving both of them a bath, getting them their jammies and entertaining them for the evening. It was great to sit and talk with everyone with no worries! Thanks girls. Audrey said she wants to hire you permanently!

Time for the Temple

During the midst of our busy vacation time with family here and there, the girls were able to attend the temple with Chris. It was a brisk morning and the cousins had spent the night...(which always means late to bed) but the girls hopped right up - got ready and were out the door by 6:45am. N-I-C-E!!!

Audge is here again....YAY!

We were so excited that Audrey could come again. She had just been here about a week ago with her husband, but didn't have the chance to visit with our 2 brothers. She was able to come out again and we were happy to have her. We love spending time together!! She flew in the evening of Dec. 26th which is Shana's birthday...we rushed home from the airport, quickly ate some yummy dinner Chris prepared and went to celebrate with Shana. The next day we had a Good-Morning breakfast for everyone so we could all get together.

I'm so grateful to have a sister. What a marvelous blessing. We love you Audge!

Christmas Evening

Christmas Day we went to Mom's house for a deluxe turkey dinner with all the fixin's. I guess I didn't have my camera out much. These photos are all I have :( It was nice to be with everyone. James, Malinda, Mason, Mom, Dad, Bryce and our family spent the evening together. Thanks to Mom and everyone at her house who contributed to the makings of dinner, it was delish! The kids loved playing with the 3 dogs James and Malinda brought, and the swing set out in Grandpa's back-yard. After we digested a little bit of dinner, we headed out to the BMX trail again and everyone took a try at it.

Seemed like books were the gift of choice this year. The kids received more books from Grandpa and Grandma Sieg. We can't wait to read through all of them. Thank you!!

Christmas Morning

This picture is for Grandma Karen and Grandpa Larry, everyone wanted to say Thank You for the beautiful books and gifts. If I could choose the perfect gift......it would always be a good book. We received a wonderful book all about the temple...."The Gate to Heaven." So far, it's been very interesting.

This is the first Christmas I can remember where Chris and I were up before the kids. We were up early and had a chance to chat in bed for a bit before the kids came running in saying they could tell Santa had come! Whooo-Hoooo!! The first thing they ran to was the plate of cupcakes and shredded carrots. The little ones were amazed that he actually ate the snacks, drank some milk and took some of the carrots to the reindeer. Miracle of Miracles! I think they were pretty happy with what Santa brought and also the little extra things from us, Grandma Karen and Grandpa Larry. My favorite gifts were the homemade cards we received from the kids and (as usual) the beautiful card Chris wrote! It has been a very Merry Christmas.