50 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Sleeping In
2. Hot chocolate
3. Making people laugh
4. Smiles - especially baby smiles
5. Cats purring
6. Having my hair played with
7. Window shopping
8. Laughing so hard I get tears in my eyes
9. Stepping on crunchy leaves
10. A clean house
11. Getting engrossed in a book right from the start
12. Helping someone
13. Rocking out to 80's music
14. Hearing my kids have fun together
15. Having my kids call or text me
16. Chewy, gooey brownies
17. Back rubs
18. Hearing my husband say "I love you"
19. Personal letters in the mail
20. Crafting
21. A baby holding tightly on my finger
22. A good hair day
23. Cold pillows
24. The number 24
25. A good work out
26. Hearing someones life story
27. Typing
28. The smell of men's cologne
29. The feeling at the temple
30. Doing the right thing
31. Seeing my husband happy
32. Sunsets
33. Thunderstorms
34. Peanut butter
35. The color slate blue
36. Being told I am doing a good job
37. A wagging tail of a happy dog
38. Trips up the canyon
39. Campfires
40. The morning after a snow fall
41. Slow dancing
42. Singing in a choir
43. A good sneeze
44. Being winked at
45. The smell of fresh laundry
46. Hot homemade rolls
47. Smell of rain
48. Anything pumpkin spice
49. Naps
50. My family

33 years

Yesterday marks 33 years since my best friend Patti Robinson was killed in a freak accident in Utah. I was 16 years old, just days before my birthday Her funeral was held on my 17th birthday I think of her often. We had been friends since birth because our parents had been friends.

When her Dad had cancer and her Mom fell at the hospital and had to be hospitalized too, Patti stayed at my home. I remember the morning we got the phone call that Patti's Dad had passed away and my parents had to be the ones to tell her.

The next year, Patti and her Mom Beth came with my family to Europe. We spent 5 weeks traveling all over. Patti and I were inseparable. We went to different high schools and so we didn't see each other as often once we got busy with life. But we were in the same singing group taught by Myrene Nixon and so we spent time together.

Patti had this beautiful red hair. It was thick and curly and the perfect color of red.She was spunky and fun. She would always come up with the craziest things to do. We spent a lot of time laughing together.

My first kiss was on Patti's front yard. She was the first person I told. Even though we didn't spend as much time together, we did talk on the phone often. I loved her as a sister. I think of her often and wish she could have met my husband I know she would have liked him and would have teased him and gotten along with him.

I'll never forget the phone call. It was July 23rd on a Saturday, so Utah celebrated Pioneer Day that day. I went boating all day with my family and was worn out. My parents went to the fireworks but I chose not to go. I heard the phone ring and answered it. It was Sharon Swapp. She told me that Patti Robinson had been killed. I was stunned. How could this happen? We were so young! That moment changed my life.

I know one day I will see her again in heaven so until then my friend, I love you !

Krazy, Klassy Kennedy

 Kennedy sent me this picture of her new dress she bought while up at school.  I was brought to tears to see what a beautiful woman my baby girl has grown into.

 As always, she amazes me with her creativity and talent.  She created this on a computer program and just casually said "Oh, look what I made last night."  I was blown away!

 One day I came home and found pictures of a younger Kennedy covering every photo in the house!  She had found a stack of school photos from years ago and decided to put them every where!

 I planned to make a quilt many years ago with denim and flannel.  But I never got around to it.  Kennedy saw it and asked if she made it, could she have it.  I told her that was fine.  She put her mind to it and in a week or so had it done!

 Kennedy introduced me to Snapchat.  She would send me these fun photos often during the day.  This was towards the end of the school year.

She did send me one that said "Mounds don't" but I could not find it.  I thought they were hilarious!

Engagement Photos

 Lindsey asked her Aunt Janice to take the engagement photos of her and Tomek.  They met up with Janice and George at a beach in San Diego and ended up with stunning photos!  They purposely took a few with them to the side of the shot so that they could make these into announcements for Save the Date cards.

 This is one of my favorites because it totally shows their personalities with each other.  They always have so much fun together!

Memorial Day

 On Memorial Day, Kennedy, Kyle, Maizy and I went on a hike up Deem Hills.  It was a good hike, but hot.

 That afternoon we went to the Stoic apartment complex to barbecue and swim.  Jim slaved over the grill.

 Kaitlyn and Ethan ran into someone they knew at the pool.

Kyle and Kennedy hung out by the Jacuzzi. 

Mother's Day

 Kyle came to church with me and Jim to be with me for Mother's Day.  I love when any of the kids join us for church.

 This mom-to-be, Kaitlyn, and Kennedy made a yummy dinner and dessert!  They even held it at the Stoic apartment so I wouldn't have to clean up!

 Ethan, Jim and Kyle played video games while the ladies cooked.  But they did the dishes.

 While everyone else was busy, I sat and colored and talked to the girls.  I really enjoy coloring and don't get to do it often.  It is the latest craze to have coloring books for adults. We played games afterwards.  It was a great Mother's Day.  I love my 4 kids and couldn't be more proud to be their mother.

Salsa Festival

 I saw on Groupon that there was going to be a Salsa Festival so I rallied our friends and we made a day of it.  It was fun because you had endless amount of chips and then went from booth to booth to try salsas.  There were good ones, spicy ones, fruity ones and some not so good.  But it was fun!

Jim, Carla, Greg and Karen Colyar, Mark and Heather McKinstry.

Run Rally for Ryan

 Kennedy and I participated in the Run Rally for Ryan.  This was to remember Ryan Edwards and bring attention to teen suicide.  There was a lot of information on how to recognize signs and what to do to help someone that may be suicidal.  Although it had a sad reason to meet together, it was amazing to see the outpouring of support and love.  I helped at the sign in desk and then walked the course.  Kennedy ran it.  This is going to be an annual event and I think it will just grow and grow.

Hole in One...again!

 Jim loves golf.  I sometimes wonder if he loves golf more than me!  (He reassures me he loves me and the kids more.)  But he could golf every day and never get tired of it.  A few years ago he got a hole in one while golfing in California.  It was such a cool and once in a lifetime event!  Except, this is Jim and he proved it wrong by getting another one.  This time in Phoenix.  This is the hole from the tee box.  

 This is where the ball hit at first then rolled into the hole!

The score card.  Sam told me it was fun to see a bunch of grown men jump up and down and hug each other!

Bubble Run 5K

 We decided to start participating in 5K races, but only the fun ones!  This was the bubble run.  Our group consisted of (back row, L to R)Laia, Lari, Kaitlyn  (front row L to R) Meaghan, Sonia, Devynne, Liz, Heather, Carla and Robin.

 Kaitlyn and I waiting for the race to begin.  Notice how clean our shirts were at first!

 This is the group after the run.  You run through these areas where giant machines are blowing colored bubbles.  As they pop on you, they leave color.

 This is my shirt and socks front and back after the race.  It was so much fun and I can't wait to do more.