Wednesday is my favorite day!

I have been lucky enough to have a very special day of the week for awhile now. It is Wednesday and let me tell you why. Jaxon and Megan and Courtney moved to Idaho Falls several weeks ago and I have missed them dearly. Before they moved Megan was teaching piano lessons to several young musicians at our house. When she came each Wed. she brought Courtney and we had a wonderful couple of hours together! When they announced they were going to move I knew I would miss my special Wednesdays.

Lucky for me Megan decided to keep teaching piano here at my home through December so Wednesdays are still my favorite! The weather has been so nice here that Courtney and I get all bundled up, she sits in the red wagon, we stroll to the park and on the way pass by her favorite apple tree where I climb the wall to get Courtney an "appo, appo, appo".

Some people have pets to keep them company, I'll just stick with grandkids! Miss you Jay!

A Surprise for me on RON'S Birthday...figure that one out!

For Ron's Birthday this year, Ron, Brett, Aubrey & Jay surprised ME by sending Ron & I to Fullerton, CA to see Brett & Aubrey........for Ron's Birthday?!?!?! Along with the trip itself I was surprised...for Ron's Birthday, with tickets to see "Wicked" with Aubrey and the boys went to the USC vs. California football game! It was wonderful company, beautiful weather (we went the week before the fires!) and Jay told me I'm his favorite Grandma named Jill!!! It was a fast and furious weekend...........and all for Ron's Birthday! I'm thinking all the kids should do the same for me on "their" Birthdays! What do you think fellow mother's of the world?

And the Not-So-Cute part of Halloween!

This is him----Chester! AKA... Ethan, Ashley's hubby and sidekick. He plays the part so well it's scary and even Courtney cried and backed away when she saw him at the door for trick-or-treating. Wouldn't you?

Darla...aka...Ashley, Ethan's wife and my daughter was not in full costume for the evening but we hope to get a pic of the two of them together someday. They are hilarious and have way too much fun!!!

The Best Part about Halloween '08!

Usually Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday and I don't certainly don't look forward to the after 8:00 crowd of "kids too old to be trick-or-treating". But this year was different. As you can see our little Courtney Rose came to the door in anything but a scary costume and even though all we got out of her was a faint "tweet". Her ladybug costume was perfect and she tolerated all of our ooohs and ahhhs and the picture taking. The only thng that would have made it better was if her cousin Jay could have been with her. There's hope for the holiday after all!!!!

But I'll admit I have started playing Michael Buble's "Let It Snow" and James Taylor Christmas favorites....but only during the day when I'm the only one home!

The white envelope finally opened!!!

After what seemed weeks, months and years, Tanner & Ron arrived home safely from a wonderful month together in Europe! That was a once in a lifetime experience for the two of them. They came home on Wednesday Oct. 22nd it just so happened that everyone was present for the opening ceremonies! We managed to squeak a 20 minute window of time we could all be here, including Brett, Aubrey& Jay via webcam. I could sense in Tanner's eyes he was experiencing a myriad of emotions and realized "this was it". With so many in the family familiar with the verbiage used in all mission calls, we knew what to expect, all except where and when he would go. He read word for word "you are hereby called to serve in the North Carolina, Raleigh Mission and are to report to the Provo MTC on January 7th".

We are excited for Tanner and now will spend the next 2 months preparing for him to leave. He joins 3 of his other cousins in the Southern states. They must be something right down there y'all!

Mystery White Envelope

So picture this.........You receive an envelope in the mail and it's not addressed to you. You know what it is and you know you shouldn't open it. Your friends think it's okay because "you are the mom , Jill". More friends show up at the house and try to convince you that Martha Stewart has a fool-proof way to steam it open and reseal it without any trace of tampering. Your brother, who is in the FBI justifies opening it because it really doesn't fit the "tampering" criteria. The addressee is in another country and his whole future for the next two years is contained in that envelope....................WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Luckily Tanner will be home tomorrow and then we will all know where he is going on his mission and I can make plans for the holidays. When it arrived on a Saturday (I thought the 'usual' day they came was Wednesday) I recognized what it was immediately. I let myself tear up for 13.5 seconds and then gently leaned it against my Israel Pottery on the counter. It's been there ever since. I am so thankful that Tanner has chosen to take this path in his life right now. He is ready and worthy and now the Lord sees fit to call him somewhere in the world to share his joy, knowledge and testimony.

What if they miss their flight???????????????

She's still the same girl but only better!

So here's the deal...my cute daughter Ashley has never been one to dress up, try new things with her hair, accesorize, wear high heels, and definitely never be caught wearing earrings. Well this picture doesn't do her justice because you can't see all the embellishments to her new lifestyle! Maddie, Aubrey & Megan have taught her well and thanks to my earring making skills her lobes are now adorned with the latest bangles and baubles! Way to go Ashley. Maybe, just maybe, one of these days I will take you all and you can help me get out of my "NEW YORK" navy blue sweatshirts (I have 3) and into style myself!!!! Love my girls!

I just need to let the world know that I have now taken over the title of ping-pong champion between Maddie and I. I'm good and I know it and now she knows it! Hopefully she will tell all her friends and they will call me up for a challenge. I used all the skills that Tanner has taught me and luck came in handy a few times! We have been playing almost every night since Ron & Tanner have been in Europe. I think I might even challenge them when they get home! It might be smart to play them while they are suffering jetlag or right after Tanner opens his mission call....whichever seems the most opportune time.

Fall Cleaning!

So what was supposed to be spring cleaning quickly turned to, "I'll do it in the summer", which has now become fall cleaning! Maddie and I are alone for a month while Tanner and Ron are touring Europe and the hidden treasures we are finding is providing us with much laughter! Hopefully we will actually get the cleaning done too!

The many faces of Courtney Rose Anderson!!

My cute little Courtney Poo-Poo!

Watching your own kids grow up is rewarding and so much fun but I think we all missed out on some of the relaxing moments in their lives. Courtney is now 15 months old and has brought a whole new joy to my life. I just wish her cousin Jay was around more often so I could smooch his face too!

What's a trip to Hawaii wihtout a couple of Hawaiin princesses!!! Now it's back to reality for me. The kids back to school and time to iron since I haven't since June 27th, the day I left for my 2 month long trips away from home. It was a wonderful summer and I owe it to my husband and Tanner and Maddie who supported me while I was away and held the fort down. A family of 10 is living with us for awhile until they can move into their own home. It's back to cooking for me!!!

We had many great "firsts" on this trip. Here we are getting ready to touch sting rays, snorkel with sharks and then do a little swimming with the dolphins. We even rode 'belly to belly' with the dolphins. Beautiful days, wonderful company and making forever memories. Ron and I decided we should do this with each of our kids and theri spouses!

Then Ron surprised me with a trip to Hawaii for a week. Several months ago Jaxon, our son, asked if I would watch theri darling little Courtney Rose while THEY went to Hawaii. I willingly said yes and looked forward to watching her. When Ron surprised me, while in Manti, Utah celebrating our anniversary, I will admit my first thought was, "But what about Courtney?" We had a wonderful time and Megan planned the days perfectly. Btw... This was the view from our hotel window!!! Wouldn't it be great to wake up to this every day!

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything. It has been the craziest but most rewarding summer of my life! I spent a total of 1 month with Brett, Aubrey & little Jay in California. They are all doing great and enjoying their new apartment that they moved into while I was there. Aubrey and I spent many an hour in the middle of the night talking and laughing while feeding the little guy. I will forever cherish those nights.

He's arrived!

Early but cute as ever!!! Jay Allen Richardson is my first grandson, born to Aubrey and Brett. He was one month early and has developed some complications but we are hopeful and optimistic that he will enjoy life to the fullest will and bless the lives of those that will surround him. I am enjoying my time in California with this special little family.

A new life reminds me always to cherish every moment and take nothing for granted.

Zion National Park Photo Gallery - Zion Ponderosa

Zion National Park Photo Gallery - Zion Ponderosa

Check out this website and think what fun we could all have for a family reunion. I'm not sure when we could all get there but it's a fun site to explore!!!

Here she is in all her glory! Miss Courtney Rose, the light of our lives! She is fast approaching her 1 yr. old mark. Three teeth, a lot of pointing and rocks out to any kind of music! She is anticipating the arrival of her Baby-boy-Richardson in just a few weeks now!

Another graduate in the family and the last one by his side! Tanner finished out his HS career with high honors and we are so proud of all that he accomplished. Congratulations Tanner! Yes, that is little Maddie, the last of the graduates from our family...and in only 2 short years!

Laughing Love Birds

Yesterday, May 6th, we finally had a full day....well 3/4 of a full day of sunshine! I sat outside for 5 hours, in shorts, watching Tanner and his partner Becca, play in the district tennis tournament. They played well, I burned so bad I couldn't sleep last night but.....the whole day was worth it!

Okay so let's talk about these toesies! Who does this? These are the little play dough toes of my 10 month old granddaughter, Courtney Rose. Megan is a wonderful mother and it is so fun to watch her interact with Courtney. Courtney is not lacking for love and attention from the rest of us either. She is developing quite a personality and there are slight hints of hair growing and teeth popping through. I've decided that everyone should have one of these 'little people' to play with and amke your days BRIGHT!!

Spring? or Why Do We Live Here?

So, this one's for you Aubrey! The first day of spring came and went, I'm sure without a hitch for some...but here in Rexburg, Idaho, we were left out of the invitation. Just this morning I sat on the couch in my plush "Muhammed Ali" robe watching in amazement the snow that was once again falling! Tanner watched it too and like a 5 yr. old said, "Mom, I just want to play tennis!" After living here for 10 yrs. I can honestly ask myself, "Why do we live here?"

Then the sun shone through, only briefly, and shined down upon the newly fallen snow as if to tell all of us that it would be okay. I stepped outside onto the porch to get the morning paper and noticed that several crocus were desperately trying to poke their heads out of the ground.
The air here is crisp and clear and despite the cold and snow of the winter of '07 I'm glad I live here. Our kids are all happy and healthy, Ron has a job he loves, the van DOESN'T need a new transmission and tomorrow I get to babysit my granddaughter. It really doesn't get any better than that!

Now here is the picture!

I hope the picture works this time. I hear three times is a charm!

Let's get this thing going!

So I already made one attempt at this set up and decided that I am completely technologically challenged. This is a picture of me and my wonderful hubby Ron while we were in Vienna, Austria last year. We spent a month together touring 8 countries while directing a student group from BYUI and also chaperoned our daughter, Ashley and her then boyfriend Ethan. They got engaged in Austria and are now married. So much for my chaperone skills! I look forward to many more adventures with Ron and our family in the years to come.