A Grandma's Got To Do What A Grandma's Got To Do!

Carter called a few weeks ago and told me he was going to Disneyland and asked me if I wanted to come. Of course being the wonderful attentive Grandmother that I am I couldn't tell him no. So I am off tomorrow to go to California with Brad and Christine and the two cutest grandson's anybody could ever have! I am looking forward to going on the rides with Carter and Easton. This will be Easton's first time there, so it should be interesting! Carter has already decided which rides we are going on first, so I am sure we will be following his lead. I love Disneyland, especially when I am with my grandson's!

What I Am Most Proud Of!

New Year's always makes me reflect. As I look back on my life I can honestly say that the accomplishment I am most proud of are these three people! They have brought me the greatest joy a mother could ever have. I learned too late in life that they are the most important legacy I could leave on this earth. Thanks you three!

Walking In A Winter Wonderland -- At The Cabin

We went to the cabin out at Strawberry Reservoir for a few days. It snowed straight for four days! The conditions going out where scary because there were white out conditions going in. The temperature was a moderate 20 degrees most days and was 0 when we left Monday evening. We always have a great time although this trip was a little challenging. The snow was so soft and dry that we were constantly getting stuck and the boys love to go snowboarding down the hills and they couldn't get a good run because of the condition of the snow. Still, we always enjoy playing games, eating until we can't get in our snow clothes anymore and enjoying film marathons. This time it was Harry Potter. Carter of course had to have "Incredibles" as much as he could fit it in. And with having to wear hats and helmets there is some incredible bedhead every morning. We are thinking of starting a contest next time we go. We took Carter with us, without Brad, Christine and Easton. Ashley, Daniel's girlfriend, and Cole our adopted son and friend came with us. Carter had so much fun that he didn't want to go home. He was still asking to go back today on New Year's Day! We are all sore and tired, but a good time was had by all.

Christmas Success!

Well another Christmas has come and gone and it didn't take long! This year was a little emotional, but very much enjoyed. Everyone was happy and there was minimal damage done to the checking account so I claim that as a success. Christine and Brad and their cute boys stayed the night Christmas Eve. Carter woke us up at 4:55, (my Grandma Gurney would be so proud of him)! We saw what Santa brought, opened presents and then enjoyed the morning. Scott and I got the roast beast ready for Christmas dinner. (It's always at our house and we always have prime rib.) It was a very nice enjoyable dinner and we enjoyed visiting with my family. We spend Christmas Eve with Scott's family at their party they have every year. One of my favorite gifts was given to me by Christine. She gave me a set of coasters with everybody's pictures in them. (We have a family joke about me always reminding them about coasters under their glasses and they have taken the liberty of elaborating on this phrase!) By the end of the day I was done. It was a great year!

BYU Fans Congregate

We had the funnest time last night getting together, eating and watching BYU win the Pioneer Bowl! Dan and his girlfriend Ashley, his roommate Lance and Ashley's sister Madi joined us along with my Dad and Mom and Brad and the boys. (Christine was busy assembling some Christmas gifts and we missed her!) It was a great game and the end was especially nail biting. Scott had given up on our team, but I knew from past experience that you never underestimate the Cougars. They have pulled some incredible saves to win some great games and needless to say; it would have been hard to swallow if BYU would have lost since U of U won their bowl game. We are so proud We all are true blue!

The Things We Do For The People We Love!

Okay, there are those people who love animals and there are those who don't. My mom is one of those that just tolerates our pets. She hates dogs licking her, sniffing her, breathing on her, etc. My cute niece Nikell commented to her one time, "I bet you used to like dogs when you were younger". Well my mom came over the other day and asked me to take a picture of her with Griffin, our dog, for a gift she was doing for my niece Amoray. Needless to say I was shocked. So this picture has to be apprecited. I don't think Amoray will appreciate the lengths her Grandmother went to, to create a wonderful gift for her Christmas!

A New Christmas Tradition

Right now I am working three jobs, worked on two birthdays, Christmas and all it's trimmings, and a special gift for my siblings. I was feeling a little frustrated with the season and needed some cheering up. I saw a gingerbread kit at Costco and thought it would be so much fun to put it together with Carter. One night we got together and decorated his house. As expected he ate most of the frosting and candy, but we had a great time. He was so cute, after we would finish each section he would exclaim, "oh, it's perfect"! I am already looking forward to doing it with him and Easton next year.

Birthday's, Birthday's, Birthday's!

Well we just celebrated Jason and Scott's birthdays on December 9. Jason is 17 and Scott, well let's just say that he is very close to the big 5 0! We have a tradition of opening up present first thing in the morning. It seemed really different this year to only have Jason in our bed for the morning birthday celebration. We really missed Dan being there down under the covers pretending that he is conscious of what is going on. I don't know if I will be able to deal with it when there are no more kids to wake up to on their birthdays!

A Christmas First

Every Christmas I do the shopping for everyone and everything alone. This year Scott said he would help me out. Last Saturday was the big day. We not only have Christmas but Scott and Jason's birthdays are on December 9th, so we had some birthday shopping to do also. We were only shopping for a mere three hours and he commented on how much energy this kind of shopping takes. He was noticing that most of the men at the mall had a dazed look on their face and was proud that he had lasted three hours and was only minimally effected. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that he realized how much work I put into getting the right presents for everyone on our list. It is a challenge that I love to meet every year to find just the right thing that will put a smile on everyone's face. I was overjoyed to have some company this year.

Eleven Years + Of Memories

Believe it or not, we finally unpacked the last of our boxes from our move here six years ago. It was a roller coaster of emotions as we unpacked each box and viewed the contents. First I was laughing, then crying, then exclaiming with joy over something I had been looking for, for six years. We lived in Vancouver 11 years. That's the longest I have lived anywhere since I was 12. We had really put down roots, and I dearly loved our house there. There are so many things we miss about living in Vancouver, but overall we are glad that we are here in Utah. We enjoy being close as a family, and getting together and enjoying more memories. I'm glad it's finally done! It is a huge weight off my shoulders!

Six Years Of Happiness And Everything

Six years ago today was one of the happiest days of my life. This day marks the sixth anniversary of Brad and Christine's wedding. Brad has been such a great addition to our family. He just kind of fit right in and we really didn't have much of an adjustment or any bumps in the relationship. He has made a great husband and a wonderful father. Scott and I are so proud of Christine and Brad and their cute little family. They are devoted to their children, their faith, and their parents and we love that they are just minutes away from us. I am so glad that even though Brad is her everything she stills needs her Mom. I love having my daughter as one of my friends.

Congratulations Brad and Christine. Here's to many more wonderful anniversaries so we can tend the boys.

Our Grandkids Are The Best!

This past month we have had the wonderful opportunity of spending time with our cute grandsons one-on-one. We had such a wonderful time with each of them, and just getting to know them and their cute personalities. Carter spent the night at Mama's house. The next morning he woke so cute and cuddle like and we had pancakes (his favorite) for breakfast. Another day we got Easton all to ourselves without having to divide our attention between him and Carter. He is growing up so fast, and has such a darling happy personality. It was so exciting for us to just get to know our not so little Big E. Grandkids are the best! We love having them around. They can turn a perfectly awful day into something special!