Remembering Grandma

Grandma and Jack - May 2008

Where did the time go? Today it is one year ago that my mother passed away. I just wanted to take a minute to remember my mom and found this picture of her doing something she loved. I know she would be proud of us for carrying on without her here, and it hasn't been easy at times, but we have helped each other along the way as a family. I, myself, am especially proud of my dad for putting on his running shoes and staying in the race. After my sister and I made a mad rush to the temple at 5:30 this morning, I decided to spend the rest of today feeling grateful for an eternal family and for the Savior who made it all possible.

Milestone

I can fit a shoe on my foot! First time in almost three months! WOW! Next step, learning to drive again!

Bored.

What to do... what to do... when you have six kids laying around, no money to spend, you can't drive anywhere, and you have one massive lemon tree (We call it a lemon weed.) ? You take lemons and you make lemonade!

Juicing... for three hours... my kitchen has never smelled so clean or been so sticky.

Sweet and sour.

D-man, the machine!

Cutting, cutting, cutting

and, cutting some more!

Straining!

Washing!



We also sold lemons in bags, lemon bars, sticky popcorn, and sugar free lemonade. The kids pulled in about $40. Not bad for a lemonade stand! It also kept them busy and exhausted for two days!

Christmas Morning

P. and Claire and the new doll "Annabeth" (Percy Jackson fans will recognize that one)



My new apron.

Griddle for Kyle.

Bakugan for Derek.

Fuzzy robe for Allie.

Sheer Delight.

We are a happy family... really!

Christmas Eve at the temple. It's really fun!
Allie wanted a picture with the baby Jesus. We took four of these. Not sure what she's doing, but everyone around us got a good laugh.

We ate at Sonic for Christmas Eve. PATHETIC.

Give me my cherry limeade!

It was a lovely night, except for the creepy missionary from Salt Lake who told us we were wimps for wearing coats. Whatever.

So sweet!

Even sweeter!

Allie went up and knoocked on the door of the temple. She wanted to go inside. Can you imagine Allie in the temple. Disaster. Maybe in twenty years or so...

I Know You're All Curious!

It's like that bad car accident and you just can't look away!

Big "D" Number 7

It's always several days of partying around Christmas for us. We also took the entire family to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie... you know "The Squeak-quel". My kids think that's so funny! Anyway, it was a big day for us! This is the first time we have ever been to a movie as a family! Everyone sat, ate popcorn, and laughed at all the potty humor... you know, always have to have one fart, one burp, and at least one kick in the crotch. Lovely.

Arizona Autumn

We found one, little, measly pile of leaves this year. The landscapers beat us to it, I guess! Jack Jack

The kids... The Danas, The Woodards, and The Crismons

C. and Claire... sharing the love

S. and Allie ( They always hold hands when they are together)

No, we didn't have any fun at all!