Family

Every year after we have my moms party we have my aunts, uncle and cousin over. We just repeat the dinner we had with her friends. I feel it is so important to keep family close.

Don set the timer on the camera as you can see the first picture we were ready for but this one was a candid one because it took 5 in a row. I love it because the smiles are so real.

This is my mom's brother, his wife and their daughter.

My aunt, uncle, and first cousin. I enjoy having them over and most of all that I have a husband that feels the same way. Families Are Forever!!!

My Activity Day Girls did such an amazing job decorating these cupcakes.

I love how all of the leaders work so well together. It makes our calling so much easier when we know that we can count on each other.

Say Boo:-)

Look how cute they all looked. Faith looks so much like her mom, she is the one being a bride.

I have loved my calling. I don't think I would ever get tired of it. I know that it looks like we are only having fun but when you are having fun you are learning. Learning doesn't mean it has to be boring. This age is so teachable. I love them all so much and I can not wait until the next time we meet:-)

Mom's Party 2011

Why we have the party. My sweet mom, she gets excited like a little kid. When she was growing up she never had any type of party the she was able to invite friends. Every year it seems to increase by 1 or 2 friends she invites.

This is the group this year plus 1 so a total of 14. They all look so beautiful:-)

We told them they were queens. A lot of them told us they have never been treated like queens before. I thought that was really sad. I hope we all try and treat our older women with love and respect.

We did 2 big tables this year and it worked so much better:-)

Don and sweet Aja serving. I know I'm always saying things about Don but I feel I can never say enough. He is my prince. I always think how did I get so lucky only being 17 and having the man of my dreams. I'm not saying we never fight but in the end he is always by my side and the first one usually to say I'm sorry not because he is always wrong. but because he knows how stubborn I am...lol..I love you Don thank you for all you do for me and my mom:-)

Yummy

I love Fall!!! I have never liked to bake much, I think it's because I really don't like desserts. When people tell me I have to try this yummy dessert at different places, I never feel like oh I can't wait to try it. I don't mind tasting it but I never finish it, not because it's not good, I just don't crave those things. I'm more of a salt person, potato chips, pretzels etc...So I'm not saying I'm so healthy because I think that is worse for you...lol. Anyway, one thing I do love is when I do make desserts, I love to see people enjoy them. It makes me sooo happy!!! This is a pumpkin roll, I always thought it looks so hard to make, so I never tryed it. It is the easiet thing I made on my first try:-)

Then I made these Carmal Apple Cheesecake Bars. They are a little harder with a lot more steps but everyone keeps saying make me some more. I didn't realize how expenise it is to bake a lot. But I will continue to do it because it makes people happy:-) I wish I had a commerical kitchen, so I could see if anyone would buy any of these yummy treats:-)

It was Aja's turn for a party. I let the kids choose one big party that I throw for them. Everyone has had a turn but Kya so I have a few years to think what we will do. I loved doing this one because everything fits into the treat category.

Aja usuing her cute cup she made.

Take home treat. My friend found the cute glass cupcakes at Tipan in the clearence area and the plates were 2 for a dollar, they say "YUM" on them. It's kind of hard to see them but they were cute.

We did have some healthy food.

I'm happy I had almost everything already for the decorating. I love to find clearence dishes. That is my weakness. When I find cute things I see a table all decorated in my head...lol. I try and buy things that can be used in a lot of different ways. If anyone wants to use any of my things That would make me happy. I love to share anything I have.

I'm so thankful for all the people in my life and all the things they have taught me and continue to teach me.

Ipo's Pics

Love this pic of Stac:-) Ipo took all of these pictures with my carera. I love how everyone captures something different in pictures.

Love the 2 forks:-)

Don's hands after dipping the chicken. I love him he is so cute, sweet, loveable, fun, Ok I'll stop:-)

Don and Kev cooking, the way it should be...hahaha...Ipo give me back my camera!!!!

Another Few Days at the Cabin:-)

All my cute grandkids:-) We went to the cabin again. It's so nice there, I hate to come home.

Kev riding Bransons ATV. I rode it but way too scary for me, and I love to go fast.

I always try and bring different things that the kids can do. I remember blowing these when I was a kid. I had a lot of fun playing with the kids. I hope they will always remember these fun times. Again I want to thank Bruce and Shelly for sharing their cabin with us.

Kee'Onu and his friend Austin

Brans and his ATV. I didn't get this approved to put on my blog by him, but I think it will pass...lol..I hope we can do it again real soon, and next time Don won't have to go to a business meeting:-) I miss him so much when he is not with me.

Hettrick Mini Reunion

We had a mini Hettrick reunion. My brother said he will be going out of town for a few months and would be nice to see everyone before he goes. Oh how I love text, I had it planned within 2 hours.

We played beach ball volleyball. Everyone loved playing even the little kids could play:-)

My brother was so cute with the kids telling them stories.

My mom and her sister and brother

Aja and Kyrie won money from the pie eating contest

I love family things and I think it's important for the cousins to be close. It just goes to show it doesn't take much for everyone to have fun together. My aunt and I will be planning the big Hettrick reunion next year. I can't wait!!!

Manti Pageant & The Cabin 2011

Cute little Kya:-) We decided to go to the Manti Pageant and the cabin this year. We had a great time but the pageant was a little too long for the kids, so we ended up leaving early.
I love how Ben is using Noelle's arm for his pillow. I love these 2 kids. I am so thankful Kevin and Maria trust them with us. I think it's so nice to have them come with us and build those memories. Kevin and Maria also give the kids a turn to go with them camping.
This is the beast "Rhino". We had a great time looking for lizards in it. We went like 2 miles an hour, so most of the time I walked. Bruce and Shelly have been so giving letting us use the cabin, Rhino, and everything else. We have always been the type of friends that what is mine is yours. We just don't charge each other for everything. I think if more people were like that we would all be wealthier in so many ways.
Stac & Ipo. Stac didn't feel very well at the cabin but at least this was a good couple of hours.
The group of cute kids that went with us. I'm like Stac in that way the more the merrier:-) Love building the memories!!!

Hands

One of Branson's friends' mom took these pictures. One is her grandmother hours before she died and the other one is her grand baby hours after birth. She titled it "Hands". When I look at it I think of the veil and our Heavenly Father and how close they both are. I just bought me another camera hoping to touch someone in the way I was touched by this picture. Pictures have always been one of my favorite things. Everyone knows when I show up I have my camera with me. Thanks Tia for the inspiration.

Nature VS Nurture

We had a fun time going with my brother and sister-in-law to dinner. Don was suppose to lean in the pic but didn't...haha. My brother has been out of town so we haven't seen him much. I love to have debates with him. I find that we agree more then disagree we just say it different. Don and Linda are not as opinionated as me, my brother, and my sister. Where do we get it from?

Elmyra

Why is Keo so sad?

Because one of my baby birds died. I think the another one is dead also. I hope the others make it because I want the kids to see them. I know you are not suppose to touch them, but I kept looking at them, so I probably had my scent on them. I'm like a little kid I get so excited. I told Don I want to get my own eggs and hatch my own chicks. I think it might be a yes...haha

My family calls me Elmyra "I'm gonna hug you and kiss you and love you forever" This might be true because Branson's dog always runs away from me and I am always kissing and hugging him. I thought that was being nice. At least I'm not the only one. Aja is so sweet but all the animals run away from her. It's funny because her own dog growls at her if she even thinks of picking him up. That's OK Aja there's enough room for 2 Elmyra's :-)

Memories:-)

I have had a lot of fun looking at old pics, because I have been scanning all my pictures in. This is Don. He was 3lbs 11oz. I'm not sure how big Doug his twin was but Don looks big for only being 3lbs but it's hard to tell in a picture.

I love this pic of Don & Doug. I think they must have gotten into lots of trouble getting into the mud...lol

This is my newborn pic a little large 9lbs 2oz. Look at the double chin.

I guess I need to rescan this one, it's just a little crooked. This is me and my brother, we are 5 years apart. I love this picture because I look as big as my brother.

This is Stac, she was 6 months. She was always a happy baby.

This is Brittnie, she was 6wks in this pic. I have a better picture but haven't scanned all of hers in yet. I guess it's good I'm too old to have a baby because this picture makes me want one....LOL

This is Brans, he always had some car type of toy he carried around with him. If he couldn't find it, he would cry until we found it. Brans loves cars to this day.

We were sealed May 5, 1984. Brans, was always crying, Don and I were worried that when they brought him in he would start screaming and we would be embarrassed. When they had the kids come in he was a perfect angel. What a wonderful day this was, I am so thankful for the temple.

Now this was the normal Brans...LOL..I love my family and love looking back and remembering my cute kids. I hated when people would say "Enjoy them now because they grow up so fast". When things were so busy and crazy I would think I can't wait until they grow up. Now I'm that person saying "Enjoy them now...............".