Word from a "MIL"

I am a Dr. Phil junkie... THERE! I said it!!! I started to DVR his shows a couple of months ago and can't get enough! I have noticed a "re-occurring" theme though ... MONSTERS In Law... aka the dreaded Mother in Law.

As a mother we love our children more than life itself. We would do ANYTHING to take away their pain and make their lives happy. HOWEVER, there are those MIL that think they "know best" for their children regarding everything. Even when they are adults!! YIKES (who would want that responsibility??) I have watched on DP (Dr. Phil) numerous MILs who are trying to break up their child's marriage ... including posting a profile on several single websites for their son. SERIOUSLY? Those type of women are the reason MILs get such a bad reputation.

As just one Mother-in-law in this crazy world.. I would like to comment about my awesome son and daughters in-laws.

Lynn aka Vinny: He is just like one of the "boys". He fits in perfectly. He's very talented (plays the guitar) and is good at math. He has one of the best work ethics I've seen! AND he's vocal at soccer games. I love his laugh! Unfortunately he is a Utah fan but I'll let that one slide....

Annie aka Wank: People think she is my daughter when they see her picture. She's passionate about yoga and is very smart. She pays attention to detail and makes the best chocolate chip cookies. She's great at hosting a great together with 2.5 seconds notice. Annie likes BYU!

Collette aka Coco: She's learning to deal with this tight group of siblings. She's extremely photogenic and a good cook. (I've tried her meals on Scott - big success) She's business smart (degree in economics) and kicks my butt when playing "words with friends". Collette will let Owen wear a BYU shirt but is a pure Packers fan.

I love these three people. They are like my own kids ~ I am so happy to have them in my life and in my family!!

Holidays, Birthday, and the end of a year.....

Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday Randy!!! Happy New Year! .. Now I'm up to date with my blog - at least til the end of the year - 2011 - that is!!

I will throw in a few pictures just for fun!

Rick and I went to the cemetery
to decorate for Grandpa Reid's
favorite holiday!
(we should have taken an elf or two)

Christmas Eve: Dinner and then gifts to each other. This was a tradition that I have had since I was a little girl. My kids grew up with it and now their kids will as well. It's always great fun. I always remember my parents especially on this night.

It was a big night for jerseys, of course.
Dominick the Donkey struggled this year~

HUGs were a "must" when giving
a gift!

Annie and Scott

Randy and Jamie

Oh Sam and his hats!!!!!

Next up... Christmas Morning... Scott, Rick and me~

An iPad for Scott
Some jewelery for Jeri

A COUGAR pillow, helicopter and football for Rick

We missed having Rusty, Collette and Owen with us this year. But thanks to Collette's creative picture taking - I had multiple pictures of this darling, sweet little elf decorating my house!!

Doesn't Owen look like he's singing a Christmas carol?

THEN December 31st - Happy Birthday RANDY!!
Are you really 34??

Everyone was there to celebrate~

(even though there aren't
more pictures of Randy!)

We all sang and wished
him many, many, many
more years!!


(does Sam look like me?)
Once again, at the end of another year.. I am grateful for my wonderful family. I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have such terrific kids, in-laws, grandkids and husband. I am truly a lucky lady~ My hope is that 2012 will be a better year for everyone's health, jobs, school and life in general. I love you all with all my heart xxx xxx xxx!

Songs of Thanksgiving...

November has turned into an emotional month for me. I think I cried the majority of the month. During the first few weeks of November last year - I was taking care of my mom. Then she passed away the day before my dad's birthday. This November was tough for me but a loving husband, kids and brother helped me get through the rough spots. I am grateful for my wonderful parents. I miss both of them so much! Some days it hurts so much. But I am so thankful for having them in my life and in the lives of my kids. Life is short and time goes so fast - enjoying and spending time with my family is a definite HIGH for me! So with that....

Thanksgiving this year was a blast! Rusty, Collette and Owen made

the trek from Wisconsin and Rick from Portland (thanks so much all of you)

to spend Thanksgiving with us Utahn's! We had a wonderful 5+ days of

visiting, eating, visiting and more eating.

Below are pictures from the week in no particular order.

Rusty meets Sam

Sam and Owen compare sizes

Jenni and Owen, Rusty and Lennon

Lennon and Sam

The bathtub is too big.. the sink is almost too small



Owen rocks hats...




Dyson is a huge Owen fan and
it was hard for him to say goodbye


Susie came to visit and get in on the baby chat

Tell me who is a luckier grandma then me??
NO ONE!!

A lovely Thanksgiving dinner...

this year which will rank HIGH on my list of favorites!

It was truly a wonderful week. I'm so grateful for my kids and their families. I'm glad, in spite of differences of opinion, we can all be together and have a great time. I love you all so much!!

Lennon is demonstrating how we all felt at the end of the week...
she's either yawning because she's tired or...
screaming because she's sad that the week
is over and part of her family left.

My THOUGHTS exactly~

Oh Halloween - How I love it!!

I have loved Halloween since my first witch costume - in first grade. Of course, I'm not into all the scary, ugly, haunting stuff... I like cute witches and pumpkins and parties.

This year I decided I wanted to have
a Halloween party.

But who to invite???
That was easy... The Grandkids!

So Dyson, Colby, Hank and Max
came over to our house
on the Friday before Halloween
dressed in their most scariest costumes.

I strung lights throughout the basement rooms,
had a little scary music playing, lots of decorations ...
and my witch had sort of a witchy British accent....

We played all kinds of games
and then went upstairs for some
soup, glazed donuts and rootbeer floats.

I had a terrific time...
I hope the kids did as well!!

These two little cuties didn't play at the party
but I'll get them next year ... my pretties...
(add witches cackle)

Halloween evening I went over to
Randy and Annie's for their traditional Halloween
dinner and trick or treat party.

I had to dress up as the MOST
SCARIEST thing I could
think of....

(The saying on the shirt says
"the devil made me do it")

It was SO difficult to actually pay
MONEY for that shirt!!
But I did get a few laughs~

Sam and Lennon did dress up

for this party.

Sam isn't sure "what" is holding him!

and Lennon isn't sure what she's doing here...

I might dress like a devil but I sure love these babies!!

We can't forget our other family!
We definitely missed Rick, Rusty,
Collette and Owen for all the festivities.

oh Owen! What a cutie!!

It was a terrific Halloween this year!!