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...

Dayplanner

Dear Andy and Emma,

Today is a day that we need to hang out.  For starters I would pick you both up and squeeze you like crazy and smother you with those slimy Grandma kisses.  After I put you down, I would do it just one more time just to make you giggle and squirm.  Then I would start taking pictures with the Grandma camera - the one that whenever I get it out everyone moans and groans - just like we did with my mom!  I would say funny things to you and make you smile, I would take pictures of Miss Emma - because she would probably be takin' a newborn baby snooze - and because she would be the one of the two of you that would hold still.  Then as she's sleeping, Andy, you and I would run outside and draw on the sidewalk with chalk.  I would love whatever you drew and then make sure it didn't rain for a whole year just to keep it there.  We would make sure that Grandpa was with Emma and then we would get your trike out and head out on an adventure around the block.  We certainly would have to stop for every rock, bug and friendly animal.  (Oh and a sip from your Capri Sun now and then) Some of our neighbors would come out and say, OH, you look just like your daddy, and you would giggle.  We would drag a stick along the fence- because it would make that funny sound you like.  Just about then a big truck would go by and we would stop dead in our tracks just to watch it go by.  We would look up the road and make sure that there wasn't another one coming.  You would be talking your head off and I would understand almost everything - but it wouldn't matter because you would be perfect in every way.  Then we would head home to check on Grandpa and Emma - they would be watching Snow White or something, and you would then have to change the movie to Toy Story or Cars.  I would have to pick sweet Emma up and remind her how beautiful she is and make sure she was smothered in kisses all over again. (Ooo Slobber!)  It would be time for some cheese sammies, and a cold drink of chocolate milk.  Of course - there would be cookies.  Oh darn, Mom and Dad will be late coming home - so we get to throw you in the tub and into your jammies - the two of you all snugly clean and warm, and we would sing, and read stories, and ok, you would have to jump on the bed.  All too soon, that last eyelash would be so heavy that you had to close your eyes - both of you - with you arms over your head of course!  Then I would take one more picture, and smile - and think that there wasn't a place on earth I'd rather be than standing right there, right then, looking at my Grandbabies.  Just wanted you both to know how much I love you.  Let you know that there is someone far away that cares.  Let you know that you are right here in my heart every single day.  (:  XOXOXO

This week in Hollywood....

FINALLY.... I have a moment to blog some bits and pieces of this past week.  Beautiful bits and pieces I might add as they are about my daughters.  It was wonderful to be a witness to both events as their mom.  Let's get this party started.

THE MANDY

BYU Senior Recital

Mandy has been playing saxophone for at least a hundred years or so.  At her young age - she has more composers, notes, movements, and rhythms in her brain than most people will ever know about.  Mandy not only  knows her stuff, but she puts all she has into making sure that you love it too.  Wednesday night was no exception.  A required for graduation Senior Recital, or many times during the past semester I've heard referred as the Recital of Death basically.  The adjudicators show no mercy, they take no prisoners - you do it or you do it over.  By last weekend - Mandy's lower lip was the envy of J-ZEE, swollen and bleeding.  But that's just an inconvenience for Mandy.  I've never met anyone that prepares herself so much as her.  The recital took our breath away - and left us wanting for more.  Sure - I'm her mom - but if you've ever experienced the talent this young woman exhibits - you have been treated to the very best in life.  There was a live recording going on - and even though everyone dare not even make a peep - her grandmother said out loud, "Beautiful" and she was right.  Now Mandy will have that captured moment in life on tape for ever. That night Mandy, (as always when you perform) you were beautiful inside and out.  I was very proud of you - and hope to always see that spark of life in you with your music.  Here are a few pictures from that night.

The only picture we were allowed to take during the concert....

Her accompanist was brilliant to say the least.

I'm pretty sure Ryan her hubby is glad it's over too!

He was her calming factor, and did a great job of doing just that.

You tell me - which is more beautiful - the flowers or Mandy?

Yep - you're right!

Grandma June Bowen - Beautiful

Mandy and Ashley - be jealous everyone... be jealous...

The momma and the chickas

Mandy's cousin Betsy (with a singing voice like an angel)

made a special trip with her hubby David to make sure

that Grandma June made it to the concert.  This meant the

world to all of us!  Thanks Bradshaws!!!

Everyone should have a Mike,

Lucky us!

It was wonderful to have Ruth and Randy Merriman

there - they jumped off of a plane from being in Texas

and drove straight to the concert - they are wonderful

in-laws to Mandy and she's lucky to have them too.

 

L - R - Me, Betsy & David Bradshaw, Grandma June,

Del, Mandy and Ryan, Ruth and Randy Merriman (Ryan's

Parents) and Mike and Ashley.

THE ASHLEY

THE BRIDAL SHOW!

Now when Ashley isn't busy being an Engineer at a local Rocket Motor Corporation... she loves to model for Urban Talent.  This weekend was a dream job for her as she was asked to model the bridal dresses at a Bridal Show at the Union Pacific Station.  It was a beautiful setting for these beautiful models to strut their stuff!  Now if you would like to actually SEE Ashley doing her job beautifully, you'll have to see HER blog located at the right under Doxstaders.... because you see, Mandy and I went to watch her but at the last minute we were asked to help dress, change, and prepare the models to go out again as they each had 3 changes to make in NO time at all.  So why not!  This meant no pictures of my beautiful daughter modeling - but it also meant having a total blast back stage!  Ok - so I've never seen so many naked tops and thongs in my life, all of which reminds me to pick up some slim fast tomorrow.  We zipped, upzipped, tucked in here, tucked in there, laced up, tied up and picked up and then did it all again. These dresses were about 2 grand a piece and the heaviest things I've ever seen!  I had to pull them over their heads just to get them off.  I think next time I'll volunteer to dress the men... (:  Never the less - I did get to peak out and snap one picture for my memory.  Just can't download it from there!  But I do have this cute shot of Mandy helping her sister.  Ya - look at that waistline... holy cow - I think I had one like that when I was 12 or so.  Mandy was great help as her little long fingers could unlace all of the 'tied up from top to bottom' dresses.  Everyone looked beautiful - I just wish I had more pictures of the day! 

aaaaaaaahhhhhhaaaaaaa Lee Lee just posted her pictures,

so I have PIRATED one to share with you!

oh ya.... beautiful

I actually wanted to dress the beautiful chocolate man behind her...

oh - so fine...

After the show they all posed for a picture.  Ashley is

of course the pretty on on the far left - this was her favorite

dress and boy did she wear it well.  Nice thing about Ashley?

What you see is what you get - all real - all hard work -and

all pure beauty as it was handed to her from heaven.

That's what I love about her!

Great week with the chickadees.

Next week?

We're polishing up our pink stelletos to wear when

we go to see "Legally Blonde" Broadway style!

Thanks for sharing this week with your mom girls!

I love you!

Emma Lynne - Makes an Entrance!

I am excited to share with you a sneak peak at this new arrival!  I do want to respect the privacy of her parents, they have a private blog.  I have had a few requests to see the newest member of our family so I will let you just look for a minute ok?  Miss Emma Lynne made a grand entrance into this world last night (March 12) at 10:10pm.  Bethany started pushing at 10:00pm - um, ya, ouch - she was a little torpedo!  Her mom will win the 'holy cow' award by bringing in this 9 lb 6 oz 21 inch long beauty to this side of the veil, without drugs, there was no time!  I'm completely convinced that it was very difficult to leave Heavenly Father's side and come to earth - but just look at the parents that prayed her here safely!!  Can you see just how beautiful this mom is?  I am so grateful for her! She's put her own life on the line to bring these beautiful spirits here.  I love her so much, and I am so proud of her.  Now - check out my handsome son.  Please look past the 'Uncle Eric' growing on his chin - and look at that joy in his eyes.  Matt is a wonderful dad, and now their family has one of each kind.  A holy terror (whom I adore!!), and a sweet lil' thing (whom I am already in love with)!  Andy will look huge!  He was on his way there this afternoon to see his little sis - who no doubt will become 'MY BABY' to him in no time.  That brings our family to a grand total of 11!  CONGRATULATIONS! 

By The Way - just for the record that makes

Me the Grandma of my first Granddaughter,

and My mom's first Great Granddaughter!

Sweet.... Joy....

Welcome Emma - The world is as it should be today,

because of you!