Landon's Birthday Sleepover

Landon is three years old now and we had him over for his birthday sleep over. I picked him up in Saratoga Springs and drove up to Papa's work. We checked things out there and then we rode the train (Trax) over to Gateway. Landon really liked the train. We found the food court and ate pizza, pasta and breadsticks until our tummy's were so full we couldn't even move!! We walked around for a while and then went over to Barnes and Noble for Landon to pick out a book for his birthday. It took him quite a long time to decide as there were many books that he liked, but finally he chose one. He put it up on the counter like a big boy and then Papa paid for it. He carried that book all the way to Trax and then to the car and into the house, not letting it out of his sight. When we got home we popped some popcorn, put on our PJ's and watched a new DVD that I bought called "Bolt". He really liked the dog. He said it reminded him of his dog Daisy (although Daisy doesn't talk or have super powers, but Landon has a good imagination!) After the movie it was time for bed. He said his prayers (which was really sweet) and climbed in. I read his new book to him and then we turned off the light. On Kimmy's bedroom ceiling there are stars that shine when you turn out the lights. We talked about the stars and then we had quite a neat conversation--it went something like this: Grammy: "What do you want to do when you grow up Landon?" Landon: "I want to go on a mission like Brett." Grammy: "What will you do on your mission?" Landon: "Teach people about Jesus and then they can be happy too!" Mind you this is a 3 year old and he knows and feels much more than many people do in this world. Anyway, we woke up the next morning (5:45 a.m I hear this little pitter patter of feet and then he climbed in between Papa and I for about 45 minutes) and ate breakfast and did some chores around the house. We wanted to fly a kite but there wasn't any wind in Tooele. We took him home in the early afternoon. We had such a good time with Landon, as we do all of our grandchildren. He is a sweet, sweet little guy!
As usual I have the pictures backwards so this is Landon with his new book.

Here is Papa and Landon on Trax

Landon eating Pizza. It was a HUGE piece and he ate most all of it!

Landon helping Papa clean off his desk

Landon on the skywalk into Papa's office.

Thinkin' of Brett

Before Brett went on his mission we cleaned out his drawers and closet and took a lot to the D.I. so that when he comes home he can have a clean room. There have been guests sleep in his room since he has gone, but the room has stayed the same. I went in there this morning and just sat on the bed and looked around. I love his room. I love the wallpaper, the wood around the windows and door, I love the little nook where his desk still is. I especially love the things he chose to put up on his walls and corkboard. On one wall there is a big orange sign that says "Missionary Under Construction" that he got when he was little. On another wall a small picture of Christ in Gethsemane, another wall a framed Aaronic Priesthood reponsibilities chart he got from one of his Y.M. leaders. In a corner he has a little wood plaque that he painted at my Mom's grandchildren's party years ago that has a stenciled picture of a house with the words, "Return Home With Honor". Then on his corkboard he has a big picture of the Savior along with several small Mormon Ad's and pictures of the family. I thought about this while sitting there and realized these things on his wall must have been important to him and are probably a reflection of what he wants to be. This says a lot about his character. He only has about 7 months left. In his last letter he stated that he was a little anxious about how little time he has left, he doesn't want to waste any of it. We feel a little anxious as well. Brett is so happy doing this work for the Lord and we know that this full time mission will come to a close. But we also realize there are even better things in store for Brett in the future. We love him so!

Service Mission

Last year (2008) I blogged about all the important things that happened to our family, births, parties, vacations, family reunions, etc. Well, I slurped my blog into Blurb.com to print out a hardcover book. It really is a history of our family for the year. I am pleased with it. One of the kids, while looking through, realized that I had forgotten to add something about my service mission. So, for history sake I will blog about it. I started my mission in October 2008 and serve in the Membership Record department calling people whose records have been sent back to SLC because the Bishops don't know where they have moved. I go in every Wednesday all day and call all over the United States and Canada to find these people. I love my time there. The average age of the people who serve there is 80 years old, and I am not kidding!! Many of them are in their 90s. In fact, we just celebrated a brother's 91st birthday this last week. He is a frail little man with a quick wit and mind. I want to endure to the end like they are doing. I have had some really wonderful experiences calling people, especially parents who are hoping someone will touch their children's lives. When I pray I ask the Lord to bless these lost sheep who we find with a good Bishop who will make sure they are nurtured and loved back into the gospel. I feel like I am making a contribution to the Lord's kingdom and I am so grateful to be of service to Him in this way.

Things I love

Well, it is past midnight and I can't sleep (this has happened a lot lately). I find myself tossing and turning trying to think of calming things or sing songs in my head. Tonight, I thought about the things I love about each grandchild. So here they are:

Emmie~~I love how when we are all together, all of a sudden I find her climbing onto my lap. Even at 6 years old she still loves to sit on my lap. This makes me feel so special.

Logan~~I love how he never hesitates to give me loves. In fact, last time we were at his house, he sat right by my side and every minute or so he would reach over and give me a hug. He knows I love hugs!

Daxton~~I love how he and I will be talking away and all of a sudden he will say, "Grammy, I love you this much (holding his hands as far as he can stretch them)!" This does my heart good!

Allie~~When I call their home and she answers, our conversation goes like this--Allie: "Hello", Grammy: "Is this Allie-my-gallie?" Allie: "Is this my Grammy?" I am the only one who calls her this, and she loves it when I do. I love it when she says, "my Grammy".

Landon~~I love it when he is giving me hugs with a hunk of my hair in his hands and he says, "Sometimes, a guy just needs his Grammy!" and then I say, "Sometimes, Grammy just needs her Landon."

Easton~~I love it when he shares his "B" (which is his little blankie) with me. That is a sacrafice for him, because it is his most prized possesion. When he puts B up to my face he closes his eyes like, "I know Grammy will love this as much as I do."

Kate~~I love it when she smiles. She brightens up a room with her smile! She is still little and loves her mommy, but sometimes, she will let me hold her and love her which does this Grammy's heart good.

Clayton~~I love it when he comes to me and gives me those open mouthed kisses!! He loves to flirt with all females and has such an adorable smile! He loves his Papa too!

Lexie~~Only 5 1/2 months old and she is smilin' up a storm. As long as her tummy is full she is happy! Sounds like a Webb to me! I love how she watches her brothers around her play while she is smiling all the time.

Every grandma out there knows exactly what I am saying when I say each and every grandchild holds a special place in our hearts!! Well, that is what has been keeping me awake, so now that I have expressed my feelings, maybe I can get some sleep!! I might have to read a little of Harry Potter, (I've read all the books about 3 times), maybe he can help me dream of magic, Hogwarts, Dumbledore or maybe just Hagrid. Goodnight and wish me luck!

Valentine's Dinner, Dance and Games

Nick and I sent out invitations to our kids and grandkids for a Valentine's dinner dance and game party. It was a blast!! Kim and Spencer and Scott and Lacee and families couldn't come and we missed them, but you can't be to everything. Anyway, I have been nursing a cold for about a week and so Nick really helped me on Saturday. He cleaned the house while I did the cooking. We had lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs with homemade breadsticks (Adrien) and a wonderful salad (Amie). For atmosphere we ate under candles (battery operated ones for the kids table) and along with our decorations it was quite festive. Here are some pictures of the activities:

First of all, before the party Nick gave me this beautiful willow statue of a husband and wife dancing. We love to dance. He gave this to me even though he calls these statues the faceless wonders (he doesn't like them much, but he knows I do). What a guy!! After we ate, the doorbell rang and Nick said it was the home teachers!! But it wasn't. He arranged for a barbershop quartet to come and sing love songs to the women in the family. They sang "I love you truly" (which is a song that my dad use to sing to my mom all the time) and a couple of other songs. Then they gave each of us a long stemed rose. How sweet is that?

Then the dancing started--This is Kate, Emmie and Allie doing the floor show to High School Musical 3 (Emmie brought the CD). They are quite the dancers

For lots of years Nick and I went to the Glen Miller show up at USU with some friends and the last two years of the show we took Jarom and Adrien and Brion and Amie. We were sad when they didn't do it anymore, so we put on the Glen Miller CD and we all danced the night away. (Actually that is an exaggeration, remember, we are OLD PEOPLE!!) There is nothing like dancing to Chattanooga Choo Choo. Logan didn't want anything to do with dancing until Emmie talked him into coming in and trying it. Here are the grandkids dancing to Glen Miller.

Here is Brion dancing with little Kate, giving her a little dip. Amie and Lexie are dancing as well. I wish I would have taken some pictures of the couples dancing as that was really neat to see. I will have to remember that for next time.

The favorite part of the party for the kids was the chocolate fountain. It was really fun to see them dipping and eating. The mess was worth all the smiles and "mmmm-this is really good" comments. Here is Landon, Logan, Allie and Emmie. Notice the chocolate faces~~How sweet is that!

Adrien and Kate with Allie. They really liked the rice krispy treats to dip.

Then off to the games. Here is Logan playing Bingo. I was amazed at how well they all did with their numbers and letters.

I liked this part~~Twister was a fun game when Nick and I were growing up. The kids LOVED it! Here is Emmie, Logan, Allie and Landon.

Well, it was a great party! Something that will be remembered for some time. I guess it is a good party when one of the grandkids ask when the next one will be. I think I need to go lie down and take a nap before I think about that one!!! Hope all of you had a wonderful Valentine's day!