Happy 6 months my dears

Our "twins" are six months old now. Wow, time really flies when you're having fun! As a proud grandma I can say that they are darling little girls who our thriving in their homes. They receive so much time, attention and love from their parents and siblings. Recently Claire went to visit Jordan and she took baby Skippy to play with her cousins. Lauren did a wonderful job of keeping them entertained, as did Ellie. They had a great week together and the only problem was that I wasn't there too. Maybe next time! I'm so proud of our daughters. It's so wonderful to see them enjoying motherhood and keeping up with that awesome responsibility. Oh, and the fathers of these little girls are great daddies too. Jordan and Claire are bringing their little ones and coming to town today for the BYU women's conference. We can't wait to see them!

the goodness of people

I was really touched by this story that played out in our community. Even though I don't know these people, I was reminded once again seeing the story unfold, that people are generally good and generous with their times and talents, especially if there is a good cause in which to unite.

A struggling Utah family will receive a brand new home thanks to generous donations from the community and the Heart 2 Home Foundation.
Last year, the Kuester family lost a daughter to the H1N1 virus. Just two months later, their home burned down with all of their possessions inside.
But Friday marked a new beginning for the family of seven. The Kuesters are waiting to get a first look at their new house.

Watch the amazing footage of the time laspe video of the house being built. It's really cool.

In honor of Earth Day

I can't wait to see this movie.

We are F-A-M-I-L-Y

We had a wonderful day yesterday with my brothers and sisters. Mom and David recently got back from Arizona and we got together at my sister's new home. We haven't all been together since Mom's 80th birthday in 2006. I genuinely like my brothers and sisters. They are good people who have done some good in the world. They lead interesting lives and they have wonderful families. There were about 30 of us together for the afternoon. Elder Andy was invited to share his video and pictures of Mongolia and then we had dinner. It was a nice afternoon to be together and to enjoy the company of one another. I'm sure my Mom was thrilled to have everyone there. I know now much it means to me when our kids are all home and I'm sure she felt the same way. She and Dad raised some pretty good kids.



Rick said "goodbye" to his beloved Intrepid. He got a new Hyundai Sonata and we sold the Dodge to Jamie and Ryan. It was a win, win transaction and we (minus Rick) are thrilled that the car is parking at their home now.

In case you're looking for a name for your daughter

My daughter-in-law Courtney send me the link to this video. I wonder why? Hahaha!

Together again

Mongolian seamstresses

The day after we arrived in Mongolia, Andy took us to a very small downstairs apartment where four or five women worked making tailored suits. The missionaries discovered these women and they pretty much kept them in constant work making suits for them to wear in Mongolia and to take home. We went to the market and bought fabric and then we took the fabric to these good women and they worked their magic. One week after dropping off the fabric we went back to pick up the suits. They made two suits for Rick, a summer suit for Andy and two suits for Dave. They made the suits for Dave with only measurements we brought to them and they fit very well when he tried them on when we got home (only needing a little alteration in the length of the pants.) Did I mention they cost about $40-$45 a suit? Hum...well, they did. I don't think they had ever seen such giants come through their door.




Also, did I mention that Andy has many Mongolian custom suits now? Yep, that right. I hope he doesn't gain weight really soon (even though he needs to.) He has every color of the rainbow and they are all well made.

That same day, Andy took me to the shop of another young woman who was a church member and a returned missionary. She worked in a small shop with only one other helper. She asked me what I wanted, sketched it out on paper, measured me and a week later when we went back. This is the beauty she created for me! She picked the color and the fabric. I told her I wanted something very traditional Mongolian, and she did a great job choosing a color that I LOVE. The button clasps are hand made and are unique to Mongolian clothes. The suit fits like a glove. I'll have to be careful to not put on weight either (I don't need to or want to.) Ha. We love our Mongolian clothes and will always remember the talented and sweet women who created them.

We are the World (with a twist)

Sung by young Mongolians! MJ would be proud. I think they do a fantastic job! We actually heard this song sung by the latest group of Americans on the radio while we were driving around the streets of Mongolia. A lot of young people seem to know it, as evidenced by this song. I miss throat singing however...

A fresh coat of paint

It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do for a home! I'm so happy with the results. I love the warmer weather and the chance to be outside. I also saw some popcorn popping on the apricot trees just down the street. Now, that is a real sign of spring. Happiness!!!








We hired a professional painter to paint the doors, the back of the house, the deck, the playhouse and all our fences. It took him all week to sand and tape everything off before he sprayed on the paint. Our painter also got the play house all fixed up for the grand kids to play in when they come to visit next. I'll have to keep Andy and his friends out of it until then. It's going to get new carpet and some other fun additions to make it a place for great adventures.

Daddy daughter date

Ellie isn't the only one who has thrown her club down in frustration and asked for help! She's just starting early at age two.

Oh my...part 4

BYU women's conference is two weeks away. Yikes! I'm slaving away all day tomorrow to finish up my talk. Please pray for me! I could speak for five hours about all the things I've learned in preparing this talk.

I got a packet of information yesterday with more information. Make sure to register if you are going to attend. Here is the link if interested. If you just want to attend my class, please let me know. I can reguest guest passes for just the one class for $10 each. You won't be able purchase the one session pass over the internet, I need to make the request. If you want one of those, please let me know asap, before April 23. Thanks!

I'm planning a lunch for all those family and friends who can attend before the talk. It will be at 12:00 noon in 1053 JFSB. Please let me know if you can make it so that I can order enough food.

Our dear daughters, my mom, sisters and some nieces are coming to town along with my mother-in-law and California sister-in-law. How fun! I'm so excited to see so many family and friends. I appreciate your love and support more than you know. I think it would be fun to go to Thanksgiving Point after the talk and see the tulips. Do you want to go with us?

Play dough

When Jordan and the girls were visiting a couple of weeks ago, Lauren and I made homemade play dough one afternoon while Jordan, Ellie and Ada were taking a nap. I used a recipe I've had for years. I made it many times for our kids when they were young and I thought Lauren would enjoy making some. She decided we needed two colors of play dough and she chose blue and green for the colors. We had a great time making snakes, pies, people and different shapes. It's easy to make, economical and can be stored and reused for a couple of weeks. Here is the recipe:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
1 T. alum

Mix these three ingredients well

add lots of food coloring of your choice to
3 T. oil
2 cups boiling water

Add flour mixture to water and stir well. Pour out on a surface and knead well. If sticky, knead in more flour until it is the consistency of play dough. Have fun! We did.

Spring was sighted down south, and it's headed this way

Rick attended a conference in St. George last week and we went down Tuesday night through Saturday. One of those days I got to spend some time with Carol and her family. They rented a house in Washington and they were enjoying the sun, warmth and free time as well. We enjoyed lunch together and of course a piece of pie from Croshaw's Gourmet Pie store. I'm happy to report that I didn't gain 2 lbs this year since I avoided eating pie with lunch and dinner for three days! It was hard, but I stuck to only two slices. I love that pie store!
The St. George temple was stunning. The contrast between the white temple and the blue sky takes your breath away. Add the red rock in the background and the spring flowers and it makes for a beautiful sight. How many climates do you suppose support lilac trees and palm trees in the same area? That seemed unusual to me. Is there a better scent that lilac? I think not!
Rick and I attended the temple one evening and had a wonderful experience, as usual. I love the history and spirit of that temple.