He Lives! and he's happy...

Several people have wondered why I haven't posted pictures

of Elder Hillary - and the answer would be - because if any of
you have Elders out there, the mom's have to beg and plead
for them to actually take one picture. (I'll let Mandy tell the story
of Ryan her hubbie on his mission and his pictures to his mom...)(Busted)
So.... I finally received a clip of a few pictures I could post. I wanted to include Elder Carter from Logan, Utah in case Momma and Bish Carter were checking in. Our sons would be the two handsome Elders on the back Left side. Awww cute. I have no clue who anyone else is because Ryan's handwriting is so TINY that you can't read it.

Now needless to say - I'm sure that they have taken really nice pictures of each other.... but this one was dedicated to Mandy, the queen of stealing the camera and taking crazy pictures, such as the picture under this one which was actually one of the pictures left on Ryan's camera before he left....case dismissed. Don't you just love crisp white shirts.....ooooo

da manda...

These 2 families were among those being baptized last Saturday. Elder Hillary said he was asked to give a talk about the Holy Ghost, in Spanish of course, he said - It'll be fine. Hopefully they understand taco, enchilada, and horchata right? Oh, and, please pass the chips... Those are the only words I know... These two families have been very kind and open to Elder Carter and Elder Hillary, they have fed them and loved them (these pictures were from a party they had and invited them over for dinner) - they are so beautiful inside and out.

Well except for this little diva -
I asked Ryan to FedX her home she's EXTRA cute!

Just had a question on this picture, can you really
give rabbit ears to the Missionaries AND have
Barbie moon you in the same picture?

Gotta love our Missionaries!
PS - If you'll look to the counter on the right
you'll see - 500 days left as of today, whew, and I thought it
would be longer than that!
We love you Elder Hillary!! (and Elder Carter!)
Would you please put some sunscreen on that nose?
You're starting to look like your mom!!

Andy and well.... need I say more - this kid is loved!

I know, I know - I haven't posted about France yet
but let's get real here people! This is more important!
Matt (one of my handsome sons, his beautiful wife Bethany and our ever so adorable grandson came a visitin' and we enjoyed every minute of it. I was able to have some grandma time - posts later - and Del was able to be (one of) his favorite Grandpas, Mandy and Ryan were able to see just how child proof their home was
(note: remove all knives from dishwasher next time).we were also able to get one special Great Grandma

together with her great grandsons in Cache Valley.You've got to pull off a 4 generation picture
every chance you get.
Great Grandma June (80)
Grandma Nicole (21)
Pappa Matt (25)
(interesting how that works eh?)
and Andy!

This is my beautiful Niece Betsy and her beautiful son Charlie,
you can't see but Charlies little brother is in the oven so
there were actually 3 great-grandsons there!

Gma had lots of songs to whisper in Drewys ear...

Great Gma took some time and entertained
the boys by showing them her wind chimes...

...then they entertained themselves by ringing them
over and over and over again! (Thanks Gma)

Then we had to have a cooldown. Funny thing about these
long handled sprayers, the one on the long end gets to
turn it over whenever he pleases! (oh it was funny)

You never go hunry at GGmas...she had pizza and all the trimmings!

Almost everyone was happy about this picture...

Then it was swing set time, hey who's driving this thing?
Charlies watching out for cars, Andy is always photo ready...

Here's one special lady - look what you've started mom!
(Actually Eric and I can tell you that this is mom's Primary Face...
She'd be hollering at us and the phone would ring and she would
sweetly say, "Hello, this is June....." with her twinkly voice)
(Mom you know I'm not kidding....)
Great day - great babies - great grandmas...

The End

(;

'The good things she's done
The kind words she said
The tiny victories that no one sees
And the changes she's made
When the count comes
As she's adding up the day
In the midst of the coulds and shoulds
Help her remember
All the good'

Heallow Gov'nr.... (must be spoken with really bad english pirate accent like in the movies....)

Yerp - Well - we have a new one now - Herbert Herbert Herbert...because Obamamama stole our last one. (Must have been threatened by someone that really knows how to get something done) OR (he just wants a translator when he and the misses wants to use our tax payers money for the next vacation - because Paris will not be the last place to party)
(Where is David Merriman when I need him?)
Please enjoy the rice in China, thanks for being such a great guy. Did you know that he was the only Governor to not have his portrait painted? Because he was out DOING SOMETHING for our state! Out with 16, in with 17... (Kinda nervous about having the BYU Blue Man - so close to the Raging Red of the U of U..... careful there big guy - those fans are ruthless up there!)
(almost as ruthless as this guy......)
Someone fogot to tell his wife about - the plan -
Mrs Huntsman... "We're going where?"
Governor Huntsman "Oh, she's gonna be ticked!"

I was really excited to hear all of the great stuff on the radio - but the only station I could find that tried (and I say tried lightly) was KSL (gag me with a spoon). But they were too busy giving the traffic report right during the swearing in. Dorks. Like I really care that Rikki Meese found a nice flow in the traffic today - as our New Governor is holding his hand over the Bible... THAT'S why I listen to Radio From Hell on X96 - Bill, with all of this eccentrics - would have never let anyone miss that moment in history - Rikki Meese - you are the winner of today's boner award... step up an claim your prize - we'll give you Herbert, 'cuz I'm still mad they took the Huntsman... Thoughts for a tired Tuesday... Wish 'I' had a George Forman, and a salsa recipe that doesn't call for... oh and by the way - speaking of crap - can we have our State back please? It doesn't belong to anyone else - it's ours. I'll be watching you Herbert....

and just for the political record...

Could all of you Jordan District people be a little kinder to Superintendent Newbold? He's an amazing person - and I'll bet you couldn't do his job with half the class he has! You wanted your new district - didn't you get the memo on how much it would cost? (oh here comes the hate mail.....) Really - he's a wonderful person - that has given his absolute everything and now 10% of his salary just to try to make the peace.
Um, Jon Hunstman, could you fix this before you catch a plane?
Good luck tonight - the sharks will be a bitin'
(offer them our new Governor!)
Argh! (Hold hand up in hook position...) Barry's a good Matey...

All Is (currently) Well...

Well, what a week... happy, sad, grateful, fearful, busy, exhausting, and full of love. Can't complain at all. Matt and Bethany and our amazingly beautiful grandson Andy have been here all week. (Pics to come soon) It was wonderful to be able to share some time with them, and to whisper in Andy's ear how much I loved him. Great trip to the temple. Yummy dinners. Needed 'sit around 'n visit' time, and a priceless visit to Gread Grandma June's house. They are their way home - waiting for the 'We've arrived safely home and all is well' call. Thanks so much for making time for us - we loved every second! Ashley tearfully is home. Let's talk courage folks - Mike and Ashley invented it. She's home safe and Zoey was waiting for her. Thanks for her cute neighbors that made sure all was well at her home with Zoey, the yard and receiving those 'packages'! Mike was finding the perfect rocks for Rucking tomorrow. (Rock on Army Style) Mandy and Ryan entertained Matt, Bethany and Andy on Thursday - Mandy is always one to cook up a masterpiece and say, oh it was nothing... all is well with them this week as they plan a camping trip for next weekend instead of the cold one they were going to go on this weekend. Elder Hillary is celebrating (well not as much as his mom I'm sure) 222 days in the missionfield and had his 'all is well' prayers answered to stay in his current area for the baptism of 2 families in the near future. Del and I spent the night thinking of how blessed we are to have had wonderful, loyal, funny, beautiful, kind, smart and caring kids and kids- in-law and baby boys to love. All is well, all is well. (And then that stupid alarm will go off at 3:00AM reminding me that it's Monday....)(Who invented the alarm clock anyway?) (Wait - Levi Hutchins of New Hampshire, must die...)

Is this legal?

So the conversation goes kinda like this with Mandy and I on instant messaging...

Mandy: Mom - what are you doing?
Mom: Well I'm trying to see where Elder Hillary has been transferred to.
Mandy: How are you doing that - you won't know until next Monday's e-mail?
Mom: I'm watching for where he buys ice cream with his debit card....joint checking...
Mandy: Oh.. Ok...
Mom: And I also have Google Earth searching for two Elders walking in Texas...
Mandy: Mom can you really do that?
Mom: WAIT - I think I've found him.....

Long Pause

Mandy: Mom? (thinking that I've forgotten to take my medication...)
Mom: Ya
Mandy: Is that legal?
Mom: It is now....

Debit card purchase, ah yes there it is...Remains in the same area - exactly what he wanted. New companion? We'll have to wait and see on that one... It's been an interesting ride so far (oh my was I off the mark). You can send ammo UPS right? I love Ice Cream... and Elder Hillary.

Happy Anniversary Mike and Ashley!

Just a note to say that the past 4 years for the Doxstader/Hillary Family has been sweeeeet. It's been a little tough though - you have to wear sunglasses when you're with them because the love shine coming off of their hearts is blinding! Although you are far away celebrating, I just wanted you to know that you are so very loved. Ashley, thanks for bringing such a total gentleman into our family - and Michael, thanks for lovin' our little girl with all your heart. Together they have taught me about love, laughter, sacrifice, loyalty and topped it off with a little guns and roses...Happy Anniversary!!

...now go and make me a Tommy Hawker...