Merry Christmas!!

What a great Christmas was had this year! We had a great time at the Larson Santa party the week before! The talents were amazing as usual, the food was good, and Santa arrived just in time! I loved watching my cousin Kim and uncle John play a duet...it reminded me so much of Grandma Ann and the good times we had with her. I am thankful that I have a very talented family and that we share our talents with each other! Aunt Ann was magical in her skills to keep the kids patient till Santa arrived! And the Baileys shared their GOURMET APPLE CIDER straight from Logan as a special Christmas treat! Oh I love it so!!!



Aunt Ann singing with the kids


Santa and Jake


Santa himself!

Christmas Eve we headed to get pedicures! I love pampering myself!! And I love the ladies that I go to....this is free hand! She does such a great job! It was fun to relax with my mom and all some of my sisters! Then we headed to Mom and Dad's for some fun! We planned a variety of games and ate yummy food! John taught us how to play Texas hold um and it was interesting....I think he was a little disappointed that we weren't all doing well! But it was fun to spend time together! We read the Luke 2 and enjoyed watching the little girls be crazy!! We opened new pajamas and then I spent the night there.



My awesome pedicure!


Dad and Lilly reading


Mom and the Malmstrom girls


Lilly wanted in on grandmas lap too!


Christmas morning was relaxing. We slept in and enjoyed a warm time by the fire that Dad built. It was nice to just enjoy the quiet. We had a wonderful breakfast of sausage fondue, cinnamon rolls, and apple cider! We had a fun time working on a puzzle, playing games, and enjoying time together till the rest of the kids showed up. We opened presents and ate a yummy dinner. The nieces and nephews were a riot to watch. I had given them hats and gloves and they were a hit! Lilly and Audrie wanted to wear them and no take them off and interest in unwrapping presents went way down. Jake also got his kindergarten quilt from Grandma. He loved it and it turned out great! My mom is awesome at quilting! All in all it was a nice relaxing and fun time spending time with those I love! I got a lot of nice things but most important made some new memories!



Our yummy breakfast


Jake and his quilt


The back of the quilt


Audrie and Lilly sporting their hats


Lilly wearing most of her Christmas....what a hoot!

Happy Birthday Grandma Ann & Audrie Maebh!!!

Happy Birthday to 2 of my angels!! Grandma Ann in heaven and Audrie Maebh here on earth!! These two gals are a huge blessing in my life and it is only fitting that they share their special day.


Happy Birthday Grandma!! I sure miss you and the times that we had together! The day that grandma died I lost a dear friend. Someone who cared deeply about me as a person and one who I could really have a heart to heart with. I am thankful for the friendship we shared, especially in the later years of her life.

Grandma Ann was the epitome of class!!! She was always dressed to the nines no matter where she was going. Her home was always presentable and she made sure that things were always nice, even if it was just a store bought cookie it was on a nice plate. I have so many fond memories of grandma. She loved music---she was a wonderful pianist and violinist. She could sing beautiful as well. Even in her advancing years she played the piano, most songs were memorized and she played with such feeling you knew her talents were being used to bless other peoples lives. I enjoyed hearing her play the violin when she did. And to this day when I hear any violin music it reminds me of her. I love the painting that I have in my home, a violin and rose. Grandpa painted it for Grandma but I was fortunate to get it. It reminds me of both of them and the love that they shared. And her love for music.

She was wonderful at remembering birthdays!! She sent a handwritten card to each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren for their birthdays. Even when it was difficult for her to write she did it. This showed her deep love for her family and those cards are some of my most prized possessions. I just wish I would have realized sooner in my life what they would mean to me and kept more than I did. She remembered names so well. I recall one Christmas that she was not doing well and I went to her place to help her organize the gifts for the family. She knew who belonged to who and what she had gotten for all of them. I felt honored to help her in her task and to learn from her vast knowledge of her large family.

She was always such a gracious hostess. Always had treats on hand and insisted that you have something, even if you were stuffed to the gills!! When she moved to the assisted living center this did not stop. She had treats stashed in her room and was always willing to treat you to lunch or dinner if you wanted to join her. She made friends so easily in her place and it was no surprise that when the other residents asked who you were visiting they all knew who she was.

I had the good fortune of working close by her homes most of my life. It was always a treat to stop by frequently and say hello on a lunch hour. I always came away feeling like I was worth a million bucks!! No matter the situation whenever I visited her she treated me special. And I knew I was loved! I recall one time I visited her in the hospital...she wasn't doing well at all. And the entire time she asked me about me and how I was doing. And apologized for her appearance and that she wasn't too gracious of a hostess!! She never disappointed in anything!! She taught me the importance of showing thanks for what you get. She always sent a thank you note for gifts she was given.

She was a regular writer to me on my mission. It was neat to have her share some of her own mission stories and give me advice and support while I served. While I was growing up I helped Grandpa in the yard but Grandma always had a nice lunch prepared for us and could come up with a job or two if our work was done outside. She made simple meals but they were yummy!! My favorite is her tuna on Great Harvest wheat bread. I still love it to this day!!!

Grandma was a woman of great Faith. I loved having a gospel discussion with her. She always put things in such a great perspective. Whenever things weren't going well for me I made sure that I visited grandma because she was the spiritual boost that I so often needed. She knew the plan and believed it!!! She served faithfully in her church callings till the end. What an example she was!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!! May you know of my love and appreciation for you and your continued influence on my life.





Happy Birthday Audrie Maebh!!! She has been a blessing in my life from day one!! She was born on one great grandmas birthday and named after the other. And thankfully she has traits of both of them!! Love and spitfire!!

I love being around Audrie and being her aunt. She has been a doll to me and I can feel of her love so often. If I could take her for my own I would!!! Many times all I need is a hug from her and life is so much better! She is constantly asking me if she can come to my house and play or spend the night. I love that she loves to come! And that she knows just where everything is....especially the treats! She knows just when I need her!! I have been blessed many times by her just giving me a hug or telling me she loves me! I love talking to her on the phone...she laughs and tells you like it is! I have enjoyed living close to her and being able to just stop by and see her when I need to.

She loves people so much. She is constantly giving her little sister loves, I know that at times this is frustrating for her mother but it just goes to show how much she really does love people!She will continue to be a great older sister! One of my favorite things is to hear her sing Happy Birthday! I keep her message on my phone and listen to it often just to be reminded of her. She loves music and sings to most any song. She remembers lyrics so well! Many times she sings a song that she has only heard once and she sings it better than someone who has heard it many times.

She says the cutest things all the time. Sometimes you wonder where she is getting it! She is super smart---she has done really well in learning her alphabet, she knows most all of her letters and can tell you things that start with all of those letters. She loves to read books as well. You can't get away with just reading one to her you have to read the whole stack!! She also loves to read the "Book of Morning" as she calls it and hauls her copy around the house with her.

I love her motherly nature. She cares about other kids and people around her, I have felt this in my own life! When we talk she expresses love for me! I also love hearing her say "I love you" it just makes my heart melt! She is a wonderful blessing in our family. She is supposed to be here in this family and I know that for a fact....she couldn't be anywhere else!

She makes friends easily, just like her grandpa. EVERYONE in her ward loves her and she cares about so many others. She just has a personality that people love! She tells her mom often that she should take someone something and that just continues to show her deep love for others!

Audrie I love you tons and am thankful that I have the chance to be your aunt and friend. And learn from you! Have a Happy Birthday!!! You deserve it!! May the coming year be filled with lots of fun, especially as you start preschool!!!

Tis the Season.....

This past week has been a crazy one but in the midst of it all I have had time to reflect on the good things as well. I volunteered at the Festival of Trees one night and then went to look at the trees another night. I am so thankful for the good that so many people do for children and families in need. I am always amazed and come away feeling so good to see charity in action. I know that we in our family have been blessed by the services that they offer there. Two of my nieces have been taken care of there and one of those two will still need services in the future. As well as countless extended family, friends, neighbors and associates who have been blessed by the good that they do there. As I worked and browsed I couldn't help but be filled with emotion at the good that was being done right before my eyes. And thankful that there are generous people in the world.

I also had a lovely reminder of what Christmas is all about with my darling niece Lilly. She had come along with my parents and I to festival and enjoyed seeing the sights. One of which was a nativity scene with Baby Jesus. I don't know the conversation that she and my mom had but I am sure they had a talk about who he was. Off and on that night we had been talking about how much we loved each other by showing with our arms. When we returned to their house we went into the living room where my parents have a statue of The Savior. She asked me who that was and I proceeded to tell her that it was The Savior, just like the one she had seen in the manger but this was grown up Jesus. She asked me how much He loved us and I proceeded to show her with my arms like we had done all night. I opened them as wide as I could and said this is how much He loves us. She looked at me with such a caring and deep look on her face and said "That is a whole bunch Rae Rae!" Boy is she right! It was so nice to have the reminder from a little child that the love that Our Savior has for us really is a WHOLE BUNCH!!! I am thankful for the little experiences like this one that remind me of His love for me. I know He loves each of us a lot more than we can ever imagine and he loves us no matter what!! And His love is what we should sharing all through the year not just when we celebrate His birth.

I love the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. But most important I enjoy the feelings of the season. May we all share those and keep them near in our hearts.

TOFW-SLC

This past weekend I was able to go with my sister Sarah to Time out for Women sponsored by Deseret Book. We really wanted to go because our favorite singer Hilary Weeks was the musical person on Sat!! And I wouldn't pass any opportunity to listen to her perform!!! Of course we weren't disappointed! It was overall a very good experience.....we liked most of the speakers and we loved Hilary. Many of the talks were just what I (we) needed to hear and gave me a much needed boost in my life and with the things that I am struggling with. Sometimes you just need to be away from the walks of life to hear what the Lord is trying to tell you!! I forget to do that sometimes and get SO caught up in things that distract me from hearing!!! One speaker truly was inspiring...Kris Belcher told her story about loosing her sight and eye....what a powerful story and makes you think twice about your trials! I saw a long time friend who I hadn't seen for many years and it was fun to catch up on her life! It was fun to spend sometime with Sarah without her 3 year old just like old times!! Thanks for going with me Sarah and John for taking Audrie so that she could have a break!

2 weekends ago Mandy and I took a day to pamper ourselves!!! It was so fun!! We started out with massages......AWESOME and much needed!!! Then we headed to get pedicures and well I decided that I need a manicure as well! It was so nice to be able to relax and just take sometime for ourselves and renew our friendship! We headed to lunch at our favorite place and had a most enjoyable visit over yummy bagel sandwiches! Thanks for needing a break Mandy and inviting me to come along! I have needed a massage for a long time and it has helped a lot in the weeks following! We need to do it again!!!

I love my sisters and mom and the things that we are able to share! I am so blessed to be able to have them as dear friends!!! I know that our family was designed this way for a purpose and I am thankful for their examples, love and support in my life! And their cute kids aren't too bad either! Thanks girls for being so great!! Whose next for a fun Saturday???

Halloween Fun!!!

My mom and I decided that we would make some cute witch pumpkins after Laura found us some warty pumpkins! Studio 5 had a segment on a pumpkin patch that grew warty pumpkins and it inspired us! After we made them we sent them in to show them what we had done and the next day they were spotlighted at the end of the show! Way to go us!! We are famous!!!



This Halloween was one filled with lots of fun activities! I had a few booked weeks doing lots of fun things and enjoyed them all! I attempted to make caramel apples with my sisters but they didn't turn out too hot at least in the looks department, but they sure tasted yummy!!!

Lilly and Audrie helping make the apples

Audrie in her first costume--Tinkerbell, she didn't like the wings so this only lasted for one party!

Darling Tessie!

Tessie and I at Sarah's ward party. It was fun to go with the girls and see all the creative costumes! I enjoyed being there and seeing my dear nieces and all the people that love them. Sarah lives in my grandparents old house so many of the people know Poppy and Nana. It is always fun to visit and enjoy the memories as they come flooding back! I had some neat reminders while I was there---making me realize what life is all about!

My pumpkin carving skills!! I got this idea from Studio 5--Super easy w/cookie cutters!

I also saw this on Studio 5. These were a fun treat to create. The first time I made them I didn't do the M&M eyes, but I like this much better! They were loved by all!

This is before Trick or Treating with the girls. It was a super fun night...we had dinner and then headed out to do some treating! The girls were hilarious!!! It was so fun to watch them in action! They would be in their own world many times as we went from one house to the other, we had to call for them many times cause after a door they would start walking the opposite direction that we were going. They fought over who got to knock on the door or ring the metal buzzer as Audrie called it! We had to take care of a couple fights but all in all they had a fun time. They were super anxious for the candy and a few times they really got into people's bowls and once someone even took some back cause they took too much! Thanks for letting me tag along Sisters!

Striking a pose---U of U Cheerleader and Cat

In Action!

My friend Wendy and I made the rounds for a few parties as well. We had a great time at all the parties that we attended.....but the most fun was our time at our first "old" people dance! It was fun to be able to interact and meet some new people in our age group! We wished that we had spent more time there! We had a fun time doing all our activities... even while we were pulled over at a police check point on the way to one party.....who would have thought??? I thought that was only in the movies!! We laughed, rocked out, sang, ate yummy food, danced, and even flirted a little bit! My costume was a hit at the dance, I was surprised by how many people complimented me on it! Who would have thought something that took little effort would warrant such great results! All in all this was a Halloween to remember! Thanks to all who invited me to have some fun!

Happy Birthday Jake!!!

Happy Birthday Jake!!! Today is my nephew Jake's birthday! First of all I can hardly believe that he is turning 6!!! And that he is in kindergarten!! My how time has flown! Jake is an absolute riot.....you NEVER know what is going to come out of his mouth!! He says and does the funniest things and acts like who me!! He is a spitting image of my dad...he acts just like Grandpa Dean....such the charmer and friend to everyone! I love to be around them when they are together cause they just keep you laughing.

I love being around Jake cause he makes you feel good about yourself! He is always saying nice things to me and is always ready to give a hug when you ask. He doesn't get angry very easily and has a heart of gold! I love watching Jake interact with the other grand kids cause he is such a good friend to all of them.....he shares and wants everyone to just get along!

I year or so ago I asked Jake to find me a boyfriend. He was determined to find me someone good......every time I would see him he would ask how about so and so and I would tell him why he couldn't be my boyfriend. He was so cute and determined to find me someone so that I could get married and have kids that he could play with. In the end he figured out that I needed someone who was like Jesus......boy was he right!!!

Jake makes a big difference in our family and boy am I glad that he is here! Have a very Happy Birthday.....love you lots kid!!!

Missing my Grandma.....

Almost daily on my way to work I pass the assisted living place that my Grandma Ann spent the last few years of her life. Today as I passed I missed Grandma terribly!!! Maybe it is because it is a Thurs and I usually saw her on Thurs cause it was my Mom's day to visit and I would meet them every couple weeks or so for lunch and a visit. Maybe it is because she was one of my BEST friends and she often told me how great I am and the influence that I had on her life--despite my feelings of inadequacy at times for not having a family of my own. Maybe it is because she truly listened to all the stories I had to tell and shared so many of her own that I have never heard! And offered such great advice for anything that may have been challenging me. Maybe it is cause I have gone through so many changes this year and not been able to share them with her and get her advice on what to do next in my life. Maybe it is because the Holidays are approaching and I tried to take her a little something for every holiday even the small ones.

But I think mostly it is simply because she was one AMAZING woman!!! She touched so many peoples lives and has brought so much joy to many. She wasn't know through out the world by millions but she touched the most important people.....her family! I am honored to be able to call her my grandma and friend! I hope that as I continue on my journey here that I can continue to make her proud of all that I do! Love you lots Grandma!!!

Happy Birthday Jarom!!!

Happy Birthday Jarom!!! (Just a day late!) My nephew Jarom is 4 today! I can hardly believe how the time has gone! He is a little spit fire! He adds humor to the mix of grand kids and always has something interesting to say---whether it is true or not is a different story!! He started preschool this year and it has been really neat to see how much he has grown up. He is talking a mile a minute and just wants to have fun in his life! He is always learning new things and trying to be the best kid that he can. He plays well with the other kids and LOVES to be in dirt! Just being outside for a few minutes warrants a big mess in the dirt.

He is the youngest in his family and is loved by all his older siblings. They get along well with him and he has been a blessing I know for them to have him in their family! He looks totally different from his siblings and we often wonder where he came from.....but his grandma assures us that he is just like his dad was as a kid and the pictures that we have compared really do prove it! Jarom has a great smile....and seeing it brings happiness into peoples lives!

It has been fun to watch him develop a personality of his own. In the last few years he has really become a unique individual. I am thankful to have Jarom in my life. I enjoy talking to him and spending time with him. Hope that you have a great day Jarom and that the coming year is filled with lots of fun!

International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009

Here are a few photos from my recent trip to New Mexico for the Fiesta!!! It was awesome!! The photos DO NOT do it justice and it was gorgerous! I had a great time visiting my cousin and his family and experiencing the Fiesta. We ate tons of yummy food, played lots, and shopped more! It was a much needed vacation and I was glad to get away! Thanks again for having me!!