Dancing with the cuties!

We came straight from the airport from being in hot AZ into the cool and rainy Utah, right to a dance recital starring our 5 cute granddaughters. They all did so great!
Jenna is the most experienced dancer and did awesome! This is the costume from Cruella Deville
Nicole was also awesome in both of her dances. She has been taking dance for several years now as well
Lucy was new to all this and was also very impressive. She had taken 2 classes, so she had to memorize 4 dances and did so great.
Averie didn't enjoy dancing as much as we all thought she would--who would have thought, right, but she still did great in both of her dances. I hope she will try it at least another year

Addie loved her dancing and especially loved getting makeup on. She was fun to watch and did great. 

Sisters:

There were 34 dances and 12 of the dances had our cute granddaughters in them. Made the night go much faster. We are very proud of them!

Baby Fix

Got to go to WARM AZ for a week and meet our newest grandson. How fun it was. He is so adorable and tiny and what a sweet natured baby.
Kim didn't look like she had even been pregnant and kept up her busy pace with errands, straightening up, laundry, homework, taking care of her newborn and fixing dinner.I had the easy job of playing games with the kids and holding the baby.
It was really good to get to be with the other 4 and get to know them better and see their personalities.
Kylie is such a sweetheart. She is so responsible and will see things and help out anyway she can. She always steps in to help when someone is sad.
Tyler is such a joy too. He also wanted to help and teach. He is so smart and an excellent reader.
James is so good on video games and wanted grandma to play. When I told him I didn't know how, he would teach me. (I still "died" every time). He is a good big brother to Bennie Boo. He really, really hated pictures and wouldn't let grandma take any of him!
Little Ben is so cute and has the personality to match. He has this impish grin that can melt your heart. He also has a tender heart and is great at giving hugs
The family seems to be adjusting well and they all love their newest brother. Kim is so organized she wanted to get pictures done so we went to the park. Kim promised she would let them stay and play if they were good for pictures, so she got some good ones. Daniel had to keep chasing James to get him back in. He is at that stage where he hates pictures.
Thanks Kim and Daniel for a great week and taking care of us--should have been the other way around. You have a beautiful family!

"Over" Overwhelmed

If anyone gets feeling that life is too busy and they want to slow down--beware! Life is much better busy. Nothing can make you feel your mortality like a good back ache. Words to the wise--Protect Your Back! When I foolishly tried to pick up that box at Target 6 years ago I had no idea how that moment would change my life. I know I have been blessed though because after 2 years, the pain was manageable and you get used to it and life goes on as normal. Until, that is, you are hit again. I didn't see this episode coming and the pain hit me out of the blue.  So, here we go again.
But, in everything there is opposites. I have this rotten pain that makes sitting, standing, working, etc pretty miserable. But, I also have a thoughtful, caring, and amazing family to get me through. We have had meals brought in every night--dad has been loving that cause everyone has even brought desserts. Seriously we have been way too spoiled.
Then, yesterday the door bell rang and grandchildren and their parents came in with cleaning supplies and equipment and smiles on their faces. I was "ordered" to lay down and watch. My little grandchildren each took cleaning supplies and went to work.
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Even the big boys helped willing and I was so impressed that they really know how to clean. They will make someone a great husband some day--way far away some day!
Their moms and dads cleaned everything--stuff that only gets cleaned a couple of times a year even--way better than my Saturday morning cleanings. I lay there fighting emotion--so sorry to be a burden on families that have so much to do in their own lives but a deep gratitude for their love and concern for me. It was truly overwhelming! Thank you so very, very much

March happenings

We got to see Justyn play in the jazz and symphony band concert a few weeks ago. He even had a solo part and did really well. We love to see our grand children s accomplishments.
I have about 10 pictures of him but he is making a face in all of them. I had to threaten him to get this one!
Trav and Allison and family came up for conference also and since it was their spring break, they got to come for Averie's baptism and stay the whole next week. They went swimming and to Cabela's one day with the cousins and then to Jump on it another day and a movie another day and time just playing with their cousins so they had lots of fun happenings. On Friday, they invited grandpa and I to go to BYU with them and that was really fun. We got to see the Carl Bloch paintings--that was so impressive--and then went over to the President Hinckley alumni house.


 We went to eat at the Cougar Eat next. After lunch grandpa and I came home and their family got some good stuff from the bookstore. It was fun to be back on our old stomping grounds. It has changed so much since we were there a hundred years ago, but still brought back lots of memories. We found ourselves hoping we get some grand children that will go to our old Alma Mater.
We enjoyed our time with their family and getting reacquainted with our youngest grandson. I loved coming home from work and holding a baby!
Little Alyssa didn't feel great for some of this trip, but is doing better now. Luke didn't want to sleep here at our house, so Allison got pretty exhausted. Hopefully by the next trip he will have better sleeping habits.
We enjoyed conference very much and wish it weren't only twice a year.
Laura and Olive came and joined us on Saturday and we loved having them visit.

The only regrets I have this year is that I didn't take more pictures. I keep forgetting and my camera is getting dusty! I need to keep the memories, so don't shy away if I can remember to take them.

Baptism Day

Averie had a special day for her baptism. Lots of family and ward members came to support her. There were 2 great talks given by her aunts. Laura gave a talk on baptism and gave Averie a special penny necklace to remind her of the things she talked about and Mary gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and showed lots of things in a tool box to help her remember how the Holy Ghost helps us. Her dad baptized and confirmed her and she got lots of comments written on cards to help her remember her special day.
With her mom and dad



Her  family
And, the combined Hall and Pratt family (Liz sacrificed and took the picture)
Most of  the cousins who came --Luke, Zack and JD are missing (JUSTYN!!!!--this could have been a great picture)

With Nicole, who will be baptized next
And, with her mom


We are so proud of Averie and her decision to be baptized!

Averie

Our little Averie turned 8 years old! And, she wanted to ride a horse for her birthday so, since she has an awesome aunt, who owns horses, her deepest request was granted! Margo is always so accommodating and let all the kids have a turn, along with the adults--whether they wanted too or not. It was a fun day and fun birthday for Averie. Grandma got invited to share in her day and since I was tending Colton, Logan and Izzie, they got to come as well.  

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The kids had a grand time just getting acquainted with the animals. They were so impressed that the dog would obey commands--especially shake

Averie had the first turn and stayed on with everybody else. She said she wasn't nervous at all. Margo led her around for awhile, then she rode ahead of her.

After a long ride,  Margo took the others. This is Addie--wish the picture wasn't so dark.

JD loved riding and didn't want to stop--until he discovered she had toys, then he was pretty happy riding the big wheels.
Lucy loved the horse and she and Averie asked if they could do it without Margo leading them, so they did.

 Zack had his turn next and looked like a natural.

Colton and Logan really didn't want to ride, but Colton finally gave in and with a little coaxing, Logan agreed as well. After they loved it.

Then came the real test--was Grandma going to be a good example of the adventurous spirit with her grandkids??? You have proof--I do it for them
Darren felt like he was home again when he got on. He even showed off a bit and had the horse gallop.

Christie went for a ride with Averie. There was a little pressure there cause she had given her mother so much!
Last she took Izzie for a few minutes so she could experience it. She loved the horse and wasn't afraid at all

After the horse riding adventure, we were invited to Golden Corral with their family. It's tradition, you know. It was a lot of fun. Averie told me at the end of the day that it was her best birthday ever! Happy Birthday, Averie. We love you.

(Disclaimer about all the pictures--not favoritism, just we were invited)