Neatly tucked away....

So - for 3 days now I have been yelling and screaming at my computer, it is unacceptable that it is not cooperating with me - I mean - I realize that 'I' am the one that tells it what to do for me - but it's NOT LISTENING!  Consider for a moment how excited you would be as your new little toy arrived in the mail just in time for Grandchildren to photograph, Daughter in Law visiting, and you Daughter's graduation to capture! All of my wonderful pictures are tucked neatly away on this new toy...

AND.... my computer will not accept the new hardware so that I can download them just like everyone else did with Grandbabies, Beautiful Daughter in Laws and Mandy's Graduation....  BUT... alas.... my mind is full of those sweet moments and as soon as I down load both my camera and my mind - I'll recall those moments.  Until then you can sneek a peek on Mandy and Ashley's blogs - (Bethany's is private) - and enjoy how wonderful it all was.

To Emma - welcome - I fell in love with you instantly.

To Andy - Moo.... phft...

To Bethany - you are such an amazing mom - thanks for going the extra mile for all of us.

To Mandy - I'm so happy and proud of you - you did it - and you did it beautifully - my BYU Graduate.

....also to Mandy - you know - not everyone gets to graduate with Tommy Hawker...

To my camera.... snap out of it...

Better posts to come - better moods, and less angry vibes.... you @#*($U computer....

Wanna Git Hitched?

April 22, 1983

Salt Lake Temple

...a couple of 27 years later...

4 kids

3 in-law kids

2 grandchildren

lots of amazing memories

more to come

Love you Mr. Hillary

Moving day...Missionary Style

So.... Elder Hillary might be a very busy Spanish Speaking

Missionary over the next few months.  He was just transferred to

the Gila Valley Temple area - and hopefully will be part of the

open house and dedication of the new LDS Temple there.

(Hummmm..... wonder if there are tickets still available?)
He had many places that the thought he might be sent to...

but this is a precious gift at this point of his mission,
and a well needed change of scenery.
He currently has 8 months left to serve.

He has not been to a temple since the MTC in February of 2009,

and his heart aches to go.  (Part of being a Hillary Kid).

So - pack your bags son - I think you might get to

see President Monson - and he loves his Missionaries!

Gila Valley is the home of President Spencer W. Kimball's

hometown - and he was my 'growing up' Prophet.

Who's your favorite Missionary?  That's an easy call for me.

Thanks for all of the kindness and love offered his

way from the people of Hatch.  You will not be forgotten!

Ok - this is sumpthin...

You know... I have a great appreciation for talent.  Because I lack talent thereof... I rejoice in the talents of others.  When I see a great performance I like to share it with everyone.  This week Mandy participated in the "Fifty is the new Forte" - a tribute to Classical 89.1 Radio - the BYU Wind Symphony was invited to perform and be on live Radio and also KBYU.  Unfortunately for me - I do not have a copy of it to share - but believe me - I will find one!  Mandy was the soloist for 'Amazing Grace' which - along with the rest of the concert hall - brought tears to my eyes once again.  Their last song of the night was 'Symphony No. 7' composed by David Maslanka.  Del and I figured out that we have been to over 10 years of Mandy's concerts - and with Matt and Ashley before her and Ryan after her - a combination of 15 years of concerts - in Classical, Jazz and Ensembles - a rich life of beautiful music.  The Symphony No.7 was beyond anything I think I've ever heard - if you can find a recording of this - or find it replayed on TV please do so - but hang on to your socks because they'll be knocked off!  The following is a recording of Bishop Carter - he is the father of Elder Carter, Elder Hillary's companion for several months.  This entire family is THIS AMAZING!  I just wanted to recognize this talented, gifted human and let you in on a little bit of the "WOW" factor.  Stay tuned - I'll find Mandy's concert somewhere - and you'll see why the world has been made a more beautiful place one note at a time.  Way to go Manda - and here's Bishop Carter - (um.... and all from the heart.... nope - no sheet music here folks!)  Enjoy...and clap loud afterwards ok?

 

Good Freakin' Friday...

Ever since I have known my husband, Mr. Hillary, he's always taken Good Friday off of work.  He loves watching the Jazz Singer for the part where Neil Diamond tells everyone in the band to have the day off for Good Friday, wait - or was that Hanukkah? Ok - so confused.  Never the less - he was home today.  It's quite rare to have him ask to go and get groceries with me - but today, on Good Friday - his good deed was to help me out.  So... even though he drives one of these...

and on weekends drives one of these....

.... today he drove one of these....

The rocket scientist in him had some issues with a faulty wheel 

of which I said, "Mr. Hillary, how about you go and get another cart?"

Of which he smugly smiled and replied - "No - I think I like this one..."

and because it was Good Friday, I didn't even mind the

- deliberate - 

screeech screeeeech wobble wobble

throughout the whole store.

(Knowing all along that he could have turbo charged it with

a box of tooth picks and some paper clips from aisle 14)

I loved looking back at him driving along,

making race car sounds with as he drove,

dawning his Levi Jacket, Harley Boots...

and Pony Tail....(now there's a visual.....)

Gotta love my man.
Gotta remember the meds for him next time before we go...

*PAUSE*

Dear Lord,

Thank you for not having video cameras

in the store I was shopping at with my Mr. Hillary

today - please just keep them at Walmart.

Amen

*Push Play*

Shopping for groceries was especially exciting for him

- and I knew because this is what I saw....
(and folks if you've ever seen Mr. Hillary..
these ARE his eyebrows)

...as we approached the cereal aisle and he was able to

pick out his own cereal, and at age 55ish - you would have thought it

was Christmas Day - and not Easter when he found this...

Little did I know - it would take so little to make him so happy....

except when THIS came out of the happy machine...

...and he realized that (duh) spending hours and hours clipping coupons saves you these...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

and makes eating a lovely dinner of this....

a little easier on the wallet, as we celebrated his

roots by having fish on Good Friday.
(just for the record.... I came home from work this morning
and made him a Good Friday Pancake, with a chocolate chip
smile and Blueberry syrup for hair - I wanted to put a cross
on it with the chocolate chips - but I was already pushing
some serious religious buttons - Good Friday Pancakes
DO NOT count for some reason....I'll have to find
the scriptural reference on that one...
I think they should count personally.....)

I think EVERY Friday should be
GOOD FRIDAY,
(That and pay days...)

and that these....

should be found on the shelf, year-round.

Enjoy your egg rolling, ham eating, bunny hopping weekend.

And for those in Utah,
enjoy the snow,

snuggle up warm, and

try to remember where you put the snow shovel.

Cheers.  (Yeah Jammie Church & Conference Bingo)

Happy Easter

To my Loved Ones - The Blessings in My Life

Matt, Bethany, Andy, Emma

Ashley, Mike, Zoey

Mandy, Mandy's Ryan

Elder Ryan

Mom, Dad (?) Oh there you are Dad!

Eric, Teri,

Betsy, David, Charlie, Tyler

Brandon, Heidi,

Katie, Erin

Molly,

Keith, Karin,

Brenda, Ken, Michael

Eddy, Patrick,

Steve, Brooke, Bradley (and my Gina),

Stan, Melinda Rose,

Pappa Ed (because we miss you)

...and you...

Mr. Hillary, Grocery Shopper extraordinaire...