It's over!

Just like every year, it seems Christmas comes and goes in such a hurry. We did have some fun times, to be sure! The Andrew Christmas Party in Utah was a blast. The kids always have so much fun hanging out and playing with their cousins (okay, first cousin's once removed, but who's keeping track?)

Cadie slaved over a hot stove all day to make an amazing fiesta dinner. I even enjoyed the elk meat in Ryan enchiladas! We had enough food to feed an army!! For dessert Cadie and I attempted to make Churros. That was an experience!

Mostly we played American idol on the Wii. It was a fun game. Here is a video of Ryan strutting his stuff. Now you know what the evening was like! :) Thanks guys!

Christmas morning was a lot of fun. The kids really got into it this year. Even Myra. She saw her doll and immediately began pushing her around in her new stroller. The kids even slept in until about 8am. Much better than the 3 or 4 am I heard some families had.

Dean came over about 10 am and opened his gifts and ate breakfast. We went over to the Torsaks for Christmas dinner/lunch around 3. We had the works, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pie. Yummy yummy! I was introduced to a new game called Blockus. It is way fun. We also played the Wii fit and out door sports. We had a good time. My house still looks like things exploded here. I hope your Christmas was full of fun, family and pie.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Let it Snow

Well, it looks like it will be snowing pretty much constatly for the next two days. I have to travel to West Valley tonight, and hope the weather cooperates for the drive. Darin left 2 hats and a shovel out side on saturday. I can hardly see them at all now. And as I look out the window, I see my neighbor faithfully shoveling/snow blowing his drive. I am not feeling that ambitious quite yet.

Darin has a nice 5 day weekend for Christmas and a 4 day weekend for New Years. It will be nice to have him home so much. I think it spoils me though and I get used to having him around so much. I love it! Myra seems to be back to normal after her horrid bout with croup. She almost got admitted to the hospital because she was retracting pretty severely and had stridor. I had to take her to the Dr. 3 times for meds. I had never before taken my kids in for croup. I could usually get it under control with the good old tricks. Unfortunately she got it bad. My brother used to also, so I don't know if that means she will always get it and may end up in the hospital like Josh. If she does, it gives her a much higher chance of having asthma. It was a pretty scary couple of days. But like I told the Dr, we've done scary before!

Happy Birthday!!!

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday today tot he best husband ever! I love you and hope that you have a great day. Darin is 32 and is taking the day off of work so he can play be with his family! Here are a couple of great pictures of Darin. He is such a good father. The kids love him so much. He likes to play with them and tease and tell stories. These pictures may be a little deceiving though because Darin is currently sporting a beard. It is still in the poky stage.

Happy Birthday! I love you!

This is the one

Darin's fvorite game. I don't know why he is really into word games right now, but he usually beats me at this one. Boggle is another story.

Babies

Myra gives kisses and it is the cutest thing ever. I love when new tricks are discovered. Ashton learned how to blow kisses and thinks that is so inventive! I don't have the heart to tell him he isn't the first! :D

I'm in Heaven!

Or, I would be if my mood was better. There are at least 6 radio stations that are playing 100% Christmas music. Now if I could simply get one to stick around for the entire year....

Balance

Ashton was standing on a step stool brushing his teeth. When he was finished he fell off somehow and bumped his face. He started to cry and I comforted him with things like, "I'm sorry you fell. Did you lose your balance? It's okay." Then he starts to cry even more saying, "I want my balance back!" He was more upset that he had lost something, than actually getting hurt! Darin and I got a good chuckle out of it! He still doesn't "get it". It tried to give it back...but he didn't buy it. Kids say the darnedest things!

Bless our Hearts

Finally, here is a picture of the cute tree that Becky and I did for the Festival of Trees this year. I hope that many of you were able to see it! I am still waiting for pictures from Aaron & from Becky. I stole this off another blog! Thanks guys!

I was bummed not to be doing a tree for Elaine this year, and was talking to Becky about it. We decided that since it was late notice (I think it was October!) we could try and do a small tree. I am thrilled with the results. It was low stress and came together great! A big thanks to Becky's mom for all of her great ideas and donations! Hurrah for the Festival of trees!

The tree was donated in honor of all the CHD members of Intermountain Healing Hearts. The picture didn't have everyone in it, but it worked. The theme was "Bless our Hearts" and everything was red and white. We had heart ornaments and candy canes glued together in heart shapes and Ty beanie baby bears that were red & white striped! So cute! Hope you are all enjoying your Christmas season.

We finally put up our Christmas tree. Usually I am all excited about it, but not this year. We got all the ornaments on today, although they are bound to get rearranged soon. Kids are such fun helpers!

Happy Birthday Joshua!

It is my baby brother's birthday today. He is 25!!! Happy Birthday BBC! I love you!!!!

Turkey Day

We had a good Thanksgiving, and hope you all did too. My favorite part was when Ashton interrupted volunteered to say the prayer on dinner. It was short and sweet. The kids all had such fun playing dress up and being crazy. Aunt Susan did a great job with dinner. It was so yummy, and Grandma made her wonderful pies. We had a nice visit with everyone. Then my parents came to our house for a couple of days. We hung out, shopped and played with the kids. We didn't have any snow (I'm not complaining, tryst me!) so the travelling was good. Thank you to everyone for making this a good, relaxing holiday! We hope you all have many things to be grateful for too!

Singing the Blues

Sorry for the lack of posts for the few of you that actually check my blog. I hate when crap happens and you have to deal with it because you have no other choice. Even though you just want to crawl in a hole and never come out. Don't stress, nothing too major, but I'm not quite feeling myself yet over the whole thing. Maybe one day........

I just feel like singing the old familiar song " no body likes me, everybody hates me, guess I'll just go eat worms.." You know, when you feel invisible and expendable.....that's me to a "T" apparently. *Groan* I feel like vegging out all day. Too bad I can't, but I am taking advantage as much as possible while contemplating my "inactivity" in a few nameless activities.

I will try and post something more chipper later, like maybe about my cute, darling kids, or the Festival of trees, or who knows. My mood has really put a damper on the whole Christmas spirit thing. Ugh! That's the worst. I don't even want to listen to Christmas Music. Lame!

Maybe I have the "mean reds"?

Family Picture Milestone

Well, it is finally official. We took family pictures with out Elaine. It has been 5 years since our last professional family picture. It was a very emotional experience for me. In those 5 years we have buried a daughter and added a son and another daughter. It was necessary, but still hard to do without one. How can you take a picture of a family, knowing not all are present? That was my big struggle. Yes, we try to remember Elaine and represent her in some small way, but it just doesn't seem like a "real" family picture.

I know that many others struggle with this as well. It came down to not being fair to my other children. I don't love Elaine more than them , I just miss her more (duh!). We needed more than just the occasional snapshot. This one is for the wall.

I have added a few more of the others. The kids weren't very cooperative, which was unfortunate because the colors were so very pretty. Thank you to Mary who put up with us and took the darling pictures! It was a hard and emotional day. A milestone that I am glad to be through, for now. I haven't posted until now because I was still in denial or something. It's been nearly a month since these were taken. Sorry I ahve dragged my feet about posting about this. I have a bunch of cute ones of Vi and Ashton that aren't on the computer yet. I'll share them sometime...

Since we are on the subject of Elaine, I have been pondering what to do this year for her Angel Day and Birthday. She would be turning 8 and getting baptized. It will be 5 years since her passing on. Any ideas what to do to mark the day? I'd love every one's input. Thanks so much!

Wedding Pictures

Du, Du dudu.....Du du dudu (Wedding theme).

I recently had our wedding negatives put onto CD so I thought that I would share them here since I haven't been able to post any, ever before now.

It was a lot of fun to look through and remember the big day. I was bummed to discover that one roll is missing. It is from the reception and has most of the brides maids/groomsmen and Andrew family pictures. The last family pictures take with Kim before he died. If anyone has any ideas on where to look, I'm game. Thanks! Enjoy!!

Darin & I on the roof of the Oakland Temple


Bob & Noni, Darin & Melissa, Joanne & Paul

The blushing Bride

These are my favorites, in front of the fountain.

The Andrew Clan

Our wedding cake was expertly crafted by my friends mom. Mae did so good, it looked so pretty. Thanks a ton!

Ahhhh, the bridesmaids. They are (left to right): yes there are 12:

Amy (my cousin on my Crook side who is only 2 days older than me), SueZann (BFF from like age 8 through high school. Went to church together. I even got to be in her wedding this past summer!), Charlene (good friend I met in jr. High. her mom made the cake. We had many great times and have a Charmel page to prove it), Becky (met in high school and enjoyed squirt and Newsies and road trips together. Also went to church together), Cazra (Good friend that I met in Jr high. We played softball together and had lots of fun with. Was able to see her baptized and sealed in the Temple to my good friend Ryan (who was actually my first official date.)), Kendra (my future sister in law - engaged to Dean- who I knew from growing up in the same Stake), ME!, Lisa (Good friend since grade school. We used to chase my brother out of my room with a naked Barbie hehe, lots of good times and memories), Jenny (My cousin on my Olsen side and Maid of Honor. She and I were good pen pals since we could write basically and were roommates our freshmen year at BYU. We had lots of fun together and were close), Serena ( we only briefly went to the same school, but were friends through church. We went to EFY together and really bonded. She's my swampwitch!), Michelle (basically the younger sister I never had. We became close in high school and when the ward changed. She is lovingly referred to as Harry ask her about that one!), Lauralee (also so very close to. We never went to school together, but had Young Women's. We did so many things together and enjoyed life. I think about her a lot and wonder how she is.) and last but not least, Liz (I also met her in Jr high and we were in the same ward when things changed. We went on double dates, worked on school projects and just had a lot of fun.)

That's a lot of Andrews!

I enjoy being a girl?

Boy howdy, do I have some great stuff to blog about today! Unfortunately. So, it was our ward temple night. I took me a few tries and cancellations to nail down a babysitter. Darin's nephew was able to come over after work. This meant we wouldn't be able to go at the same time as the rest of our ward, but could still make it to the temple before they closed.

The day had been a drag and a bummer. I hoped the temple would lift my spirits. When we got to the temple, I was excited to see 3 couple from our ward there and another couple from a neighboring ward. The sister is on my volleyball team. I thought we might get into a session with someone.....possibly.

Now, did I mention that it is Friday night? I think it may be a toss up between which is busier, Saturday mornings or Friday night. There were tons of patrons at the temple. Which is a good thing. After waiting about 20 minutes they call back the first session. I knew there was no way in heck we weren't making that one. One of our ward members left with that group. Wait 30 minutes. Time for the next group to go. A late couple (as in young, but just barely came into the chapel) were asked to be the witness couple. Why not ask someone already waiting? Whatever. The rest of the people we know leave for that session. The couple directly in front of us are the last ones admitted. Figures. Just my luck.

Yippee, we get to wait another 30 minutes (at this point I'm thinking was it really worth trying to get here earlier in the evening? Maybe next time we will just make sure that we are through the doors before they close). Finally after waiting through almost an entire session, it is our turn. As we are walking I start to feel light headed and weird. Nice. Typical! We get to the room and about half way through I start thinking, hmmmmm I think something is going on......

That's right, if you hadn't guessed by now, every girls worst nightmare. Happened to me (but I didn't know it at the time). I started my period. Full force. While dressed head to toe in WHITE. Well, sitting for two hours left me with a nice red stain the size of a dollar bill on the back of my dress. That's right, it was so heavy it soaked through to my dress. I hope the chairs are okay.

So, I didn't know for sure that it had leaked through. How could I? When it was my rows turn to go to the part at the end, there weren't enough workers, so there I am standing up in front of the rest of the session (with my back to them) waiting my turn. Still I have no idea how bad it is. I'm hoping it's light and maybe only to my slip. I sit down once I am through ( on a white couch YIKES!) and wait for Darin. He shows up after about 5 minutes. Sits for a minute and asks if I know there is something on the back of my dress. What! He said he noticed it earlier and thought I knew. Um Nope! We high tail it out of the C - Room, took the doors leading to the men's side of the dressing room, so I have to walk, alone with a huge red spot on my white dress to the woman's locker room.

Several other sessions just got out and I hurriedly squeeze in next to someone to take stuff off, thinking I can refold when I get home! At this point I'm praying that it's not too noticeable, because I haven't been able to see it. I go down my row and all the stalls (where the lockers are) are empty but one. As I get closer it is mine. Of all the dumb luck. I try to wait patiently (with my back against the wall) as she finishes getting dressed. I get in to change and someone had to move my bag. No biggie. Oh wait, I was left a snot rag on top. Many thanks for that, whoever you are. Nice touch to top it off! I see the damage and think about how many people must have been laughing at me embarrassed for me. I know I was.

Holy Crap! I cannot believe this just happened! We get out to the car and Darin notices the babysitter called. Oh yeah, Ashton got poop all over the place. Nice. It was while sitting in the car, silently, all the way home, I realize I am sooooooooooo glad that I wasn't in a session with people I knew (as far as I know). Hopefully I will just be a topic of comedic conversation ,"remember that one girl at the temple....I wouldn't want to be her!" Thank heaven for small miracles!

Aida

A couple of weekends ago we got to go to Hale Center theater and see their production of Aida. I must admit that before the show, all I knew was that the music was written by Tim Rice & Elton John and that it was a love story. I had heard some of the songs but didn't really know much about the plot.

I was surprised by the way the theater was set up. The stage in literally in the middle of the seats. You have to walk across the stage to get to some. "Off stage" was the hall way where we entered. We had to do a little rearranging of seats during intermission because Jess was uncomfortable due to the closeness of the seats. We got it figured out so she wasn't being tortured the entire time! :)

I was amazed at the amount the performers were able to do on such a tiny stage and tight quarters. Their choreography was well orchestrated. The songs were good, and well sung. I think the performers did a good job. I had a hard time not getting distracted by the audience members that were across the stage from me. Some of the plot did get sappy and predictable, but that's common. Darin had to hold in his laughter at some parts. It was a good show, but in the end we vote we enjoy Desert Star more. They are just completely different I shouldn't compare the two.

It was a good show! Thanks guys!

What did you do on Saturday?

I watched a lot of Young Women's Volley ball. Our ward took 2nd in our Stake and were invited to play in the Region Championship game. Our region is 6 stakes, mostly here in our town. Our first game was at 8:45am. Then we had a couple hours off and returned for the rest of our games. The girls did amazing!! They were undefeated and are now the region Champions. They were very proud of themselves and even have tee shirts now to show off their #1 status. Way to go girls!! We went out for ice cream after and didn't get back home until like 4pm. My kids were wondering if I still existed. Way to go girls!! I am not sure if they move on to Area tournaments at this point or not.

Tag, you're it!

Holy Moly! I am finally getting around to the tags. Here they are.



My 8 Obsessions right now... (Thanks for tagging me Sarah!)
1. Food Storage/ Emergency Preparedness
2. My calling
3. Volleyball (I'm on two City league teams plus we are still doing YW volleyball)
4. Reading books...
5. My Kids & family
6. Trying to get ready for the Holidays (Festival of Trees is coming up...we are working on a small tree)
7. Organizing/cleaning - a never ending endeavor
8. Keeping up with all the kids in the IHH support group

8 words or phrases that I use often
1. remember who you are
2. What is going on?
3. Stop fighting
4. For Sure
5. I love you
6. Take a deep breath
7. Like, whatever, Frickin, doh etc
8. Nice serve, Mine, I go, Help, swing, good hustle (yelled during volley ball)

8 things I want to do before I die...
1. Watch (most of)kids grow up
2. Travel
3. Be a temple worker
4. Continue my education
5. Visit as many temples as I can
6. Teach my children all they will need to know
7. Let the world know about CHD's and all they involve - make a difference
8. Enjoy lots of time with my spouse

8 things I want or need right now...
1. Debt to be paid off
2. My house clean! (ha ha)
3. Sleep!
4. Prepare an impromptu lesson for YW for Sunday
5. Need a new camera
6. to use the bathroom
7. construction projects done - and the moola to finish them
8. Peace of mind!

8 people I tag..
1. Amy L
2. Michelle Z
3. Brooke K
4. Jenny M
5. Melissa D
6. Valerie B
7. Aubrey R
8. Jess B


Ok, now on to the next one. This one took me a little more time... I wanted to think of my own things and not reuse things that have been said.

Tagged!
Here are the rules:1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same
5. Leave a comment to let them know.

Melissa D. tagged me. Thanks Melissa! (It's so funny knowing like 10 people with your same name!)

My Quirks
** I cannot stand my hair in my face. Hence the no bangs for me. I can't stand to be distracted by not being able to see anything. Ugh. What a pain.

** I have to have a clean microwave. I have used too many that are covered in filth old food. What a microwave is like that, whatever you put in there comes out smelling, and therefore tasting like old cheese and burnt crap. Gross. It makes me want to puke just thinking about it! This is about as far as my OCD goes I guess.

**I like to listen to Christmas music year round. It makes me at peace and happy. I love it!

** I have an uncanny ability to know within a few minutes, what time it is. My friend Nikki thinks it is funny to randomly ask me and try to catch me unawares. Maybe this stems from also liking to be able to see the clock at night when I wake up. If I cant see it, I get bugged.

** I think people in America should understand how to use the language. It is hard to take an adult seriously if they are saying things like "usetacould" "That is hims toy" "I borrowed that to my sister". Yikes! I know I still have a long ways to go until I fully grasp the language, but there are so many simple things that drive me batty. I think I am starting to slip.....

** If I am putting on shoes, my socks cannot be bunched up, or turned funny. It feels so uncomfortable. My shoes also have to be the same tightness. If one is way loose it makes me crazy and I have to fix it. My mom used to go insane when I was little and I would make her fix my shoes over and over. They just need to be equal!

I guess I could go on and on, but there you have it. Six weird things about me that you did or didn't know previously.

I Tag, Sarah, Emily, Cadie, Jen B, Ciria, & Brynn H. Good Luck!

@@@@Myra's new word was "tat" aka Cat.@@@@@

Halloween Highlights

It was a crazy day, but we had a lot of fun.

Woody, Tinkerbell & a butterfly.

A Knight & his Lady

Stick 'em up!

Feed me Candy!!

Vi says she was a fairy disguised as a butterfly. Her and her imagination.

Myra spend most of the day confined to a stroller and was good about it!

Kenny, showing off some leg! Ha ha!

We started the day by dressing Vi up for school. We had issues with the hair color (you can't tell int he pic's but it was sprayed orange) in the morning and I ended up at the store to purchase more. Then in the afternoon it was off to Provo to trick or treat at the stores on center street. I got Violets hair more orange. I think some of her scalp may still be that color! We added some glitter too. We had a brief respite at the Torsak's and then it was off for trick or treating at the mansion. Then we went to Mandy and Aaron's. We went around their neighborhood, headed back, took pics and ate yummy food. We stayed up late playing the Wii. Good times! HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT HALLOWEEN!

100 Things to Do

46 out of 100...Things I've done and Been to (Mine are in RED )
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (in the process of )
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted - I've had mine sketched, but not painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - does a non-profit count?
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (& Book of Mormon)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating eewww...
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Family Pictures

So we are getting family pictures done on Saturday. I am having issues because it will be our first official time since Elaine passed on. It is something we need to do, but sometimes I don't feel ready. How can it be a family picture if my entire family isn't in it? We have had our picture taken many times at different events, but never a real, sit down family picture. I know it's been 4 and a half years and that is too long to go without a new picture on my wall. Poor Ashton and Myra have only been in "snap shot" family pictures. I do feel bad a bout that. We have done a lot with the kids, but couldn't bring myself to do family ones.

Maybe I'm still not quite ready? I think I've been in denial or something. It's two days away and I don't know what we are wearing or where I want to go. We are having out door pics taken and need to pick a place. I don't know why I have so much anxiety about this.....UGH! I think due to popular choice, we will be including a Buzz Toy in our picture. When you see it, you'll know it's for Elaine. I need to go and clean my house so I can go vote in a little bit. My friend is watching my kids so I can do the early voting thing. I'm hoping to avoid lines. Ha Ha.

It's Hereditary

My Aunt Donna was in town last week for a work convention and we met up with her for dinner one evening. She gave us a few things from her convention (bag, pens, coupons) and one was a pad of paper. On it she had written down the name of the place we were eating for dinner. Fast forward a couple of days. The pad was sitting on my island. I glanced at it and thought, I don't remember writing that down. I got to thinking and realized that wasn't my handwriting, but my aunts.

I thought that it was mine! Supposedly handwriting is hereditary. I imagine if it had been more than one word, it would be easier to tell the difference. My mom doesn't believe me so I am going to mail her the paper, with my written word under it so she can compare. I know my aunt has much nicer handwriting than me, but for a moment in time, ours were identical!

Searches

It is interesting to me that people have been referred to my blog from some interesting search entries. Here are a few:

Religions that agree with organ donation
Beaver High School
Things that make me laugh
Scrabble quilt pattern
Funeral
Melissa disco
Melissa Joan heart (I get several a week for this one)
Horse and Carriage
Ruth Andrew florist
Darin Ward
Funeral Melissa
Diana Ross (seriously?)

None are too weird, but I thought it was entertaining.

Things that make me laugh

Ashton sat down at the table while I was making last minute preparations for dinner. He folded his arms and said, "let's say grace." HA! I laughed out loud and asked him where he heard that. He asked again and I said, "Yes, we will be having prayer on the food." Silly boy!

Deann was talking to one of her children the other day and actually said the word BAG correctly. She usually says it like Bague (as in rhymes with Vague) and I always giver her a hard time. Way to go Deann! You are losing you accent!

The kicker was tonight while we were playing games. Deann was laying on her stomach. She had her head down on the floor while she was talking. Darin then made fun of her for mumbling. She said something about that's what happened when you have a large chest and they smoosh up near your face when you lay on the floor. Then I told her not to suffocate her self. Then she said that is how Kenny (her husband FYI) would like to die....suffocated by her boobs. Then he pipes up and says that's why there is a snorkel in the bed room! LOL. We all got side aches from laughing our heads off. Deann was laughing so had I thought she would pee in her pants. It reminded me of that cranium game......That Kenny had some great one liners tonight!

Oh, and Dad, we had a card in Apples to Apples that had flying monkey on it. We made fun of you laughed at you because they scare you you don't like them because they are imaginary.

Where were you 19 years ago today?

Well, for most of the followers of this blog, 19 years ago today may hold no significance. But I was an 8 year old girl experiencing a 7.1 earthquake. The Loma Linda or Loma Prieta Earthquake. For only lasting 15 seconds, not counting after shocks, a lot of damage was done! I was at home with my dad and my brother. I was on my parents water bed (that was trippy!), and then tried to get off and go into the living room where my dad and brother were.

My dad and brother had been watching TV together in our recliner (which resides in my family room today). My brother was sitting with my dad o the chair. (Josh was sitting on my dad's lap...how cute :) ). I remember my dad tossing putting my brother down and running to catch his grandfather clock that was tipping precariously. It suffered no permanent damage. The same cannot be said for my brother who claimed for years ( and maybe still does?) that he felt loved less than a piece of furniture. What do you have to say about that Josh? Dad?
My mom was at a ward members home, working on something or other for Relief Society. My mom was bowing and couldn't strighten herself back up. She thought it was just her, until others began commenting about the quake. So, nothing too major or scary for us, but there were a lot of people who were injured or even killed. I remember the news for weeks and months afterwards, filled with stories of grief and death. Bridges collapsed on top of cars...buildings demolished...it was crazy. It was also the first quake to be broadcast on live TV since it occurred during the world series for the Oakland A's and the San Francisco Giants. My dad worked tons of overtime with PG&E reconnecting peoples power and repairing damaged power lines and polls. Crazy mess!
I have been in a few other quakes, but non of this magnitude. There are more great pictures and info here. So...where were you 19 years ago today?