Grandmas List

Things that must be packed before grandma can visit EVER again....

1. Batteries for the hearing aids. "Huh?" is not a complete sentence after 1,500 times. (You think I'm kidding don't you...)
2. A coat - it's freaking winter in Utah. Hot flashes cease to exist after 75 years old.
3. Sunglasses that are not 4 inches (not in depth) in circumference. Jaquelyn Kennendy Onassis was buried with hers and I'm currently considering it...
4. "Where are we?" "Which way is East?" will be written 100 times BEFORE you come to my house.
5. Reviewing the names of MY children - Ryan is not Brandon, Ashley is not Heidi, Mandy is not Erin..... (there will be flash cards made)
6. One piece garments will be one item left home. (HOLY BUM MOM!) (:
7. An alarm clock - for waking you up at church, during conversations, during dinner, and during stop lights. (although screaming loudly "We're all going to die" woke her up really fast!)
8. A legal letter stating that it's OK to have all of those narcotics she takes on an hourly basis - and must be taken with food.
9. A promissory note indicating that she cannot corner my husband and have a conversation with him - after she's taken the narcotics.....and food.
and the final item....
10. Flagulation medication must remain on the things that must be LEFT HOME!

GRANDMA WE LOVE YOU! THANKS FOR THE VISIT - COME AGAIN SOON!

Buddy...

Well, "Dancing with the Stars", "Clash of the Choirs", and "Biggest Loser" have completed their moments of fame - and so it is with great sorrow that the "Buddy gets hit by the cab" voting must come to a close. For those die hard 'Elf' fans - you know that it was a trick question. Buddy gets hit right on only once and stops the car with his hands on the second time. But since the first hit was the funniest thing I've ever seen and when we watch it we have to rewind it and watch it over and over again - we'll call it a one and a half hitting. Thus making the 66% that voted for 2 hits - not the biggest losers, best dancers, or can't carry a tune in a barn.....winners! There was that almost 3rd hit - when he is running across the street with his 'let's go eat food' date- the beautiful and questioning... Zooey Deschanel - where he says, "Watch out - the yellow ones don't stop!" Elf - the best part of Christmas next to egg noggggg.

My Beautiful Daughter-in-law...

You know, not a lot of people can say that about their daughter-in-laws, but I get to say that Bethany is beautiful inside and out. I never thought anyone could love my son as much as I do - but then he found the sweetheart of his dreams. Today is your birthday Bethany - and although the Queen Mum claims you as hers - I know that my heart has staked a claim on you also. You are a gift to our family in every way. I am so grateful that you are the mother of our grandchild and there is no doubt in my mind that someone special is in there (excited to come out and call me Grandma)! I am also proud that a little bit of the Hillary's have rubbed off on you. You now slip and say 'crap' sometimes - an absolute no-no at your parents house (but I will never ever tell). You have a great arm in throwing as you nailed Ashley with a dinner roll to her forehead at a family dinner. (I'm sure it was a strike, right over the plate and would have been a home run if hit...shocked her and all of us right into hysterics!) Mostly you make the smile on Matt's face brighter ever single day you are together. I prayed for you - and he really came through in a wonderful way. Happy Birthday - we all love you so much. (....ok, we kinda like you too Mae)(...and Mori, we love Mori too...)
(...and you know just to round it up - we are kinda crazy about those Stimpson folks too.)

20 never looked so BEAUTIFUL!

Well - here we are celebrating the 3rd of 4 December Birthdays from our family. Mandy is now officially 'not' a teenager anymore. No signs of aging here! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? Mandy was my only child born without drug induced pain killers injected in my body - actually - not by my choice - I wanted the drugs! But Mandy was in a hurry to get into this world - so she just jumped out in about 1/2 hour. I have to admit - the world is a better place with Mandy in it. Most of the significant quotes on our refrigerator come from the infamous Mandy child. For instance, "Does your butt ever get stuck on things?" was a keeper. Mandyisms...hope there are many, many, many birthdays to celebrate them. The first few years of Mandy's life she was peaceful, and quiet, and precious. Her favorite thing was to point at something and say "Hotz". She emptied all of the drawers in my refridgerator and then distributed the items throughout the house. Then some mutant gene took over and she became loud, and funny, and gifted in bringing joy to any situation. Today - she is a shining star and a precious daughter to me. Today - look at this picture and see that the future is full of beautiful things because one little spirit decided to come to our house 20 years ago. MANDY: Worthy of love, virtuous in thought and deed. You live up to your name. Happy Birthday Sweetheart. Love Mom

Santa's Coming!!!

Carol of the Bells, Claymation Style!

18 never looked so HOTTTT

Well, look at you Ryan. Today you are 18 years old! But lets bypass that right now and say hellooooo to Mikenzie! Now you know what a smile or two looks like eh? (That's my little boy with a girl - and a cute one - yikes!) Ok - Happy birthday Ryan! You were the cutest kid ever. You slept with a matchbox car in each hand for the first 10 years of your life! When the doctors (who claimed I was having a girl - the count at home was 2 girls and a boy and I wanted a boy bad) said I had just delivered a baby boy - I jumped up on the table and danced - it wasn't pretty. You were a peaceful baby - and you have a tender heart now. Thank you for choosing me to be your mom 18 years ago. Hope your day is a happy one - Mikenzie just kidnapped you for dinner! RYAN - little king, youthful heart always. Love Mom