Sweet Brookie Celebrates "24"!

Twenty four years ago today I had the privilege of

bringing this beautiful young lady into the world!

She was a charmer from the get-go....she

even won a baby contest just by smiling her

way into the judges hearts. Even as a very little

girl she was aware of people around her

and made them feel special by making eye

contact and telling them "Hi" by name. And she

has NEVER given us a lick of trouble!! So...

today we celebrated her just as she requested!

She started her day by getting her hair done and

her stylist said she needed "birthday hair" and

that's exactly what she got!

Here she shows us her age "the big 24" and

models her up-do!

I think it was a cross between "edgy" and

prom...but is suited her and only Brooke can

carry something like this off. Love her!!

Next she wanted sushi....so we met her for

lunch at the Mikado...three adults and four

pre-schoolers...yeah, I know!

(Rule of thumb...don't let the pre-schoolers

outnumber the adults!)

She received calls from her admirers

throughout the day...and let me tell you

they are numerous!! Everyone loves Brookie.

Of course, the Gregory's were there for

the ENTIRE celebration. Kennan and Brooke

are kind of inseparable! And Jude and Greta

might as well be Minie and Poppy's siblings.

I had to document this sushi....delish and I'm not even

a sushi fan but the Mikado has is goin' on!! The

Vegas roll was incredible...thank you, Brookie.

Those who know Kennan know she HATES any

seafood but after my raving about it

and as a gift to Brooke she was willing

to give it a try. It didn't make it all the way

down her throat. She still hates it...but at least

she tried!

Here's the happy birthday lunch group! I must

admit, we do have a lot of fun together.

Can you tell????

And of course, a Williams women's gathering

wouldn't be complete without a Target run.

Here Poppy and Minie are modeling some

Easter bonnets and gloves from the dollar bins.

Later in the evening, we left the littles behind

and all headed out for an "adult" dinner.

Brooke wanted to go to the Cheesecake Factory, but

they had a 2 hour wait so we followed Brookie's

lead to the Epic restaurant and while we waited

Brooke opened presents. She is sort of into

all things vintage these days and here she

is opening a vintage tea set I found for her.

I can highly recommend the Epic...we

were NOT disappointed. And we had

a great time with the whole group.

As you can see, Mark and Tiff are kind of

just a part of the "whole group".

Here is the birthday girl with the two who brought

her into the world. She has always been a ray of

sunshine in our lives and I don't know anyone who

is loved more. She is a beautiful woman, an

outstanding mother & wife, a talented writer and photographer,

a crafter extraordinaire, and has the most genuinely

understanding and compassionate heart and

warmth that draws people to

her and makes them want to remain close forever.

My life is so abundantly blessed for having her in it and

I'm so grateful that the Lord trusted me with the responsibility

of raising such an amazing young woman.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET BROOKIE!

The best is yet to come....

XOXOXO Mom

P.S. I hope I am there for all of it!!

ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Waking up to this today made me want

to climb back under the covers and

hibernate!

And NO, Dustin, these were NOT taken

at Christmas!!

It's beautiful and we need the moisture

(I really dislike that phrase) but can't we

have it in December and January and

maybe even February and then be

done with it?? I am SOOOOO over winter!!

My Baby Boy Turns 34????

This is Brad and he's 34!!

See this charming smile? It belongs to my second son and

it pretty much sums up what he is all about. Brad is happy!

He is optimistic and positive and without guile. And he pretty

much came that way. He believes the best about everyone

and he wants only the best for everyone. The only time you don't

see that smile is when he is feeling sad for someone or something

else...even if it's a dog (Duke is a case in point). And he has been

a blessing in my life beyond measure. Upon my return from

St. George, we were able to celebrate Brad's 34th Birthday.

I know...hard to believe!

Brad is an outstanding father. He had to wait longer

than he would have liked to step into that role, but

it's no surprise to any of us that he is beloved by his

girls. And the feeling is ever so mutual!

Poppy and Grandpa joined in the celebration.

Grandpa is making some major in-roads with the

"under 2" group in the family. Both Bella and Poppy

have come to enjoy a little snuggle from Papa Mike.

Vanessa made this amazing Tres Leche cake for

the party with blueberry trimming....YUMMMY!

Here's the group that celebrated together. The Gregory's were

still in California and were missed, but Brad is always worthy of

celebration! Thanks, Brad, for choosing to come to our

family and for choosing to stay so connected with us all.

We are all better people for having you in our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON!!

XOXOXO

Santa Clara Sugar Babies

Remember how I was going to remember my camera? Well, I arrived at Robyn's house only to find that I had left my camera on the counter at home! :( So we have yet another pictureless post! Anyhoo....I got to spend five days with Robyn's cute group while Robyn accompanied Bob to some meetings in San Diego. They were kind enough to fly me down and back so I didn't have to make the drive. It's always a pleasure to spend some quality Nannie time with that group. Since I don't have photos, I thought I'd just document some of the memorable moments:

1. Observing Tucker and Abe fully engrossed in their book of choice. These two love to read!
2. Building a tent in the family room that stayed up until Mom and Dad were coming home.
3. Playing American Girl dolls with Gwynn and having her neighbor friend look at me like I'm a weird-o because I am.
4. Having Gil just randomly ask me if I will snuggle with him.
5. Sharing the king size bed with Gwynn and Gil every night.
6. Remembering what it's like to deal with kids that write on walls and washing machines that don't work when you have 4 or 5 loads to wash!
7. Having Abe tell me to be sure to share my recipe for banana pudding with his Mom (such a delicacy!).
8. Being the one that the sad child runs to for comfort when they are hurt or sad.
9. Smiling to myself as each of these Sugar Babies tries to convince me that their Mom lets them do something I know full well she doesn't!
10. Being a hero because I can make a ninja star from paper and can figure out the instructions for the paper airplane.
11. Having to call Child Protective Services on a crazy mom at the boy's school (traumatic for the boys to observe the scene that required the call!).
12. Giggling as Gil exclaims "this is TOO much!" when his Mom and Dad show him what they brought him.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Lamoreaux crew and even though childrearing is for the young...Nannie time is priceless! Thanks, Robyn and Bob, for trusting me with the most precious things in your life and for giving me the opportunity to build some great memories with those charming children of yours. I couldn't have been anywhere better. I have a special place in my heart for those Sugar Babies and I can't wait to meet their baby brother. XOXOXO

Sunday afternoon...

After an 8 hour day at BYU and a short visit to

my neighbor's for a baby shower, it was

a welcome relief to have the local littles

and their parents come down for dinner.

Everyone contributed, with the Jackson's providing

the main course, and the rest of us pitching in.

We made home-made strawberry shortcake

for dessert and these two little ladies had to

be right in the middle of the preparations.

Between their long stretches of sickness, my

new employment and Brad's traveling, we

haven't been together for several weeks...

and oh how we miss this group when they

aren't around to brighten things up.

The women made another trip to UVRMC to

visit sweet Lisa and Hayden while the men

watched the kiddies and the Jazz game.

All in all it was a VERY good Sunday...

busy and long...but VERY good!!

Ponderings, Performance and Pictureless Post :(

My kids have been reminding me that I have gone too long without a post. I am of the opinion that posts without pictures are kind of boring!! But just by way of documentation, this is what has been happening. First and probably most surprising to all concerned....I got a job! Mind you I have worked plenty in the past 36 years or so....you know, raising 6 children and keeping up with their 3 meals a day, innumerable loads of laundry, cleaning up after the above mentioned 6 children, attending to the countless activities and all that goes with the lives of growing children, many varied Church positions, lots of volunteer work from PTA to Primary Children's Hospital, assisting with grandchildren, etc., etc. However, circumstances are such that it's high time I try to contribute in a financial way. (Surprise!! I guess I don't get to retire after I put in my time on the home front! Silly me!) Anyhooo...I am so fortunate that Dustin's Mom had a need for an employee, as needed (PRN) and in spite of my lack of confidence in my ability to do anything worthy of monetary reward....I am working and I must admit, rather enjoying it. I'm having to stretch a bit (well, quite a bit) and learn a few new technological skills but it turns out this old dog can learn a few new tricks. So, that's pretty much where I have been. I'm still Grandma-ing and will be tending Robyn's littles at the end of the month and will be heading to California for the anticipated arrival of grandbaby #13 and assisting the new Mommy where needed in March but that's the beauty of this new job. They are okay with me coming and going as needed. Could it get any better??? I think NOT!

In other news....I'm thinking the highlight of the past couple of weeks (and maybe longer) was going with some wonderful girlfriends to opening night of Ballet West's Swan Lake. Four of us had a nice visit on the drive into Salt Lake, a quick bite to eat and thoroughly enjoyed the ballet. My buddy Jeanne's husband is a VP at OC Tanner and she had the OC Tanner box seats.....amazing!! The costuming was incredible, scenery breathtaking, choreography beautiful and talent outstanding. It's been a long time since I've been to the ballet and I have forgotten how much I love it! It was really good for me to have some girl friend time and escape to another world for a little bit. Thanks, Jeanne, for always thinking of me when you gather friends. I'm going to hate it when you move to London! :(

Otherwise, I have just been enjoying the little moments when I get to squeeze and snuggle the local grand babies. They are a very therapeutic bunch of little people and truly make my days worthwhile. And I promise to do better about remembering to bring my camera along in my life. I know, I know...pictureless posts are hardly worth it!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Miranda!!

Fourteen years ago, our entire family hovered outside the

hospital room door waiting with anticipation for this

little baby girl's first cry....and when we heard it we all

cried too. How we have all adored this little angel!

I have shared some priceless moments with her that

I'm sure she has no recollection of but which will always

be dear to my heart. She was the first grandchild on

both sides of the family and she was perfect. She was

beautiful, she was smart, she was social, and she

filled us all with such absolute joy. Just her entering the

room brought a smile to all our faces and none of us

could get enough of her. How can it have been 14 years??

I feel so blessed to have been a part of her young life.

How I wish that I were NOW more of a part of her life.

To this day I cherish every moment I have with her.

She is always the perfect companion. She is an

old soul with a heart of gold who has put others

before herself since she was a little tiny girl.

She gives everyone the benefit of the doubt and

chooses to believe the best in others.

She was meant to be the big sister and the first born

and she came with all these amazing qualities.

None of us feel like we get to enjoy her

enough but we all are so excited to see

what her future holds. She is special in

so many ways. I know from experience that these

next few years will literally fly by and before we know

it she will fly as well.

I have seven granddaughters and I love them all so dearly,

but this little sweetheart will always hold a very special

place in my heart.

I LOVE YOU, MIRA BELLE!!

HOPE YOUR BIRTHDAY WAS MAGICAL...

XOXOXOXO