Happy New Year!

Another year gone--- where did it go??? This past year has FLOWN by! It is so true when they say the older you get the faster time flies. I had a great year for the most part. The highlights were Brynn being born, spending time in Disneyland with Ian's and Brooke's families and having Cami here in June and July. I have family and friends I wish I could see more often. My job has been good, I am lucky to work with great people!

So for 2009--- I look forward to Cami's wedding, seeing more of my grandchildren, traveling to Sweden, and hopefully other places. I am off to spend New Year's Eve with McKenzie and Brynn while Brooke and Evan go over to friends' house.
Happy New Year to you all!!!

Merry Christmas!!

This will be a short blog - just to update you all that I am still over at Brooke and Evan's. Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were beautiful!! Except that little Brynn is sick, which breaks our hearts. I was able to talk to Ian and his whole family. Reagan and Jenna had a fun Christmas and were so excited telling me about everything Santa brought them!! I also was able to talk to Cami and Klas. They are up at Klas's mom's house having a magical Swedish Christmas.

Here are a few Christmas Eve and Christmas Day pics. More to follow later---


There is an amazing neighborhood in San Carlos that decorates like crazy!


Enjoying the lights with McKenzie.



McKenzie's goodies and note she left for Santa!


Kenzie and Brynn in matching outfits!


Kenzie dressing up as a Princess!


Brynn loves her new baby doll.

Holiday Emotions

I am pretty melancholy this time of year. I want to be with all of my friends and family. Last Christmas I was able to be with Ian, his family, and Cami. This year I will be with Brooke and her family. I am so excited to get past the next 2 days so I can head over there. Cami and Klas will be coming out for a visit in January so I have that to look forward to also.

Last week I saw McKenzie and Brynn. Kenzie is so excited for Christmas. I am adding a cute video of her singing. She loves to sing for her sister.


Brynn is growing so fast. I love getting her to smile- which isn't hard to do!


This past weekend was a crazy busy clean-up, catch-up, Christmas shopping, movie going, church going, friend visiting weekend! My kind of weekend! While at the movies with Marcia and Diana I ran into friends Rick and Tracy. I ended up going to early dinner with them afterwards. It was great to catch up with them. Today after church I went to Bryan and Lisa's for an amazing dinner! They had friends from Texas staying with them, Adam and Meagan. Lisa made this fabulous dish that is actually a Macaroni Grill recipe- of Chicken, pasta, prosciutto, and capers which had a delicious rich sauce on it. I didn't even want to know the calorie count for it!! I love their family so much. It is always entertaining to watch their boys, Ayden and Logan! Lisa even sent me home with leftovers. Most people know I don't eat left overs--- but let's just say that this time I am definitely making an exception. I can't wait for dinner tomorrow night- I know what I am eating!


Ayden loves to draw!


Lisa cooking our wonderful dinner!!


Logan found something to do while his mom was cooking!


Meagan, Adam, Ayden, Bryan, Lisa and Logan.

It is really cold here in Sacramento- but after hearing from my sister in Seattle- they have been snowed in for 3 days! And of course, with Cami in Sweden, I guess I shouldn't complain too much. At least we have more than 2 hours of sunlight a day...
Have a great Christmas week everyone!

End of the year check-up

Every year at the end of the year I have an opportunity to meet with the Bishop of my ward at church. We go over church matters and then he asks how I am doing. He is truly interested in what is going on in my life. I think it is pretty amazing that I am at a point in my life when I can tell him everything is good! The things I feel a need to complain about all of a sudden seem trivial- so I don't. For the most part the things that are tough for me aren't really that tough. I wish I lived closer to my children, other family and friends, I wish I could retire, I wish had more money so I could retire..... but really................... I have my health, I have a good job, I talk to my children on a regular basis, I have wonderful friends, I have 4 precious granddaughters, I have my faith. It has only taken me 50+ years to feel like I am pretty grounded!!! Sure I have regrets but, for the most part, if I could go back I wouldn't. The saying"If I knew then what I know now" couldn't be more applicable!!! I do have to admit-- I told the Bishop I am ready for a new calling. Being Activities Chairperson has been a great challenge. But after a year of planning activities for the ward and for 3 years before that planning events for the Single Adults I feel I have had enough of event planning! However, I also know I should be careful what I wish for! So we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I am grateful for this past year. I am grateful for my blessings.

I'm Still Employed!

This past week has been a roller coaster week for me. I knew at the beginning of the week that there were announcements coming at work by the end of the week that would affect me. The big media announcement came on Thursday that AT&T would be laying off 12,000 people. I have mixed emotions since I want to retire soon and there would be additional money if they were to lay me off, but I want it to be my idea not the company's. I need to still work for financial reasons so if I were to retire from AT&T I would still be needing work of some kind. So I found out Friday that I am safe------FOR NOW! However, 7 of my friends are not. I am so sad that they received their notice. I am fortunate to be working with government accounts. I am a Sales Support Manager- which is like a project manager. Thank goodness not many do what I do so they still need me. We all have the feeling that eventually they will move our job to the mid-west though where it is less expensive, but for now I am grateful to still have a job. It couldn't have come any closer to me then it did without it hitting me. For those that did get the letter I am sorry. I am sad. I am mad. It comes down to the dollar- and at the customer's expense too. But corporate America isn't thinking about that. They are thinking of the shareholders. I will continue to work hard (probably harder) because the company has fewer and fewer resources that I use to provision the technology for State and Local government agencies. Oh yea- last week- the Governor's office lost their voice mail for 2 days! Something that could be fixed in a couple of hours took about 2 days to get them back up and running. But that isn't anything new- just an example of the issues we deal with on a regular basis! Picture the cartoon of the guy banging his head again and again on the brick wall ---- that is how I feel! I do still like my job. Just don't love it. I need to get ready to go to church- and unfortunately, afterwards, I need to go into the office for a few hours. But I am not really complaining- I am grateful to still be employed!!

The holidays are here!

Even though I didn't have my kids around I had a great Thanksgiving weekend. As usual, I was super busy! It gave me a chance to see friends and family I hadn't seen for awhile. I started the weekend off Wednesday night by going to see the movie Australia with Theresa. I loved that movie!!! It was beautiful.


The movie Australia received mixed reviews- I loved it!

After dealing with some things for church on Thanksgiving I drove to Sacramento. Kelly and the kids came along- since they had too many people for one car and we were all going to her mom and dad's house. It is fun that Kelly and her family live here in Sacramento. Sure made the drive more interesting! At Chris and Bill's we had a house full!! I have had many Thanksgivings with them so it was just like being with family. During the day I was able to talk with Ian, Brooke and Cami so I got my kid fix. Marcus's brother, Quillan, got the dribble glass so he was initiated into the family!! It is a Gum tradition- the new person gets the dribble glass-- we all do toasts with the water glasses... and we wait to see how the person with the dribble glass reacts when the glass they are drinking out of dribbles! Too funny.... He took it well! Bill deep fried the turkey- it was delicious!!


Bill did a great job frying the turkey.


Kelly with MJ and Bri with Ivy


Here we are feasting!!!


I got a turn at feeding and holding Ivy!


Nana Chrissie with MJ


Shannon and Jeff at dinner.

Friday was my crazy day. My sister, Susie, and her family were in the Bay Area with Pete's family for Thanksgiving. So we met for lunch in Pleasanton at a great restaurant, Stacy's. I always enjoy catching up with them. My nephews are wonderful guys. Drew is working now for Wells Fargo and Jack is getting ready to go to Italy for Study Abroad, through USC. We had a nice visit but all too short. Then I went to see Cami's friend, Monica. She has a 10 week old son- and is so precious! It was fun to be with them and see how well Moni is doing. Then I went over to the Hall's. I love Dan and Kathy's family so much. They had a house full too!!! There were 9 children and 11 adults there so it was a controlled (?) chaos!! Andre made a wonderful turkey soup that I enjoyed with them. So after a fun time at the Halls I went on back to Chris and Bill's.


Monica and Little Tony


Jack, Drew, Sue and Pete after lunch.


Kathy with her mom, Ione, and her granddaughter, Abby


Saturday I drove home and took Kelly's little boy, 18 month old MJ, home to his mom and dad in Sacramento. They had gone back home ahead to move into a new house. After getting home I went into to the office for few hours. Not really fun but necessary! And today was church... so much to catch up on! Visits on the phone--- and back to the grind tomorrow. But with the holidays upon us I don't mind!!

Vampires, baby shower, grandkids and church!

I started out my weekend with Edward and Bella!!!! It was so fun to go the first night of the release of Twilight. It followed the first book really well.... the chemistry between Edward and Bella was believable! Good music- and the cinematography was beautiful of the Northwest. They definitely set the scene for the next movie!

Saturday I went to the Bay Area for Sadie's baby shower. Sadie and her twin sister, Lucy, grew up with my kids on the same street. Now she lives in Japan with her Air Force pilot husband, Rick. Their baby is due in March... and Sadie was here visiting her family so there was a fun shower for her at Mimi's Cafe- one of my favorite places! It was fun to see the girls all together. Brooke brought Brynn so everyone got to see her. Kelly was there with her little guy, MJ, and Brianna was there with her baby girl, Ivy. It is so surreal to me to see all these young women together that have known each other for over 20 years! Sadie is having a girl and she got some really fun stuff.

Camera on the wrong setting but it's the only picture I got of Brooke with Sadie!


Sadie opening gifts.


Lucy loved playing with Brynn


One of Bri's friends holding Ivy.


When Brooke and I were shopping I found a mirror for Brynn to look at- she loved seeing "the baby"!!!

After the shower I followed Brooke and Brynn back to their house. I had a few short hours to play with Mckenzie before she had to go to bed. Then some play time this morning before I had to leave to get home for church. I had a meeting today so I had to come to my own ward! Time to get ready for the Ward Christmas party!!


Had to get one more picture of Kenzie before I left this morning!

Cami and Klas are engaged!

I am so excited, thrilled, and estatic- Klas proposed to Cami last Thursday night while they were in London! Needless to say, we are all very happy for them. No details yet. All we know is the wedding will probably be next summer. But I want you all to know I love Klas- He is a great man. He adores Cami. They are so cute together. I miss Cami so much but I know she is so happy. She is where she needs to be. So-- we are going to Sweden for a wedding!!!!

Another crazy weekend!!

Once again I have had a fun filled jam packed weekend! Friday night started off the weekend with Brooke, McKenzie, and Brynn staying the night with me! Brooke's friend,Sarah, and her little girl, Madison, came over for awhile too. McKenzie was in heaven having another little girl to squeal and laugh with! I loved having them here- it doesn't happen very often. Brooke doesn't like my cats--- and with the kids it is hard for them to be in the car for the 2 hr drive. So it is easier for me to go there usually.... But still - it was fun to have them here. Brynn loved the toys I had here. She is reaching for everything! Brooke even got a good run in by the American River- a running trail she used to run on 5 years ago.

Brooke and Sarah were roommates at UC Davis!

Saturday morning I headed off to San Francisco to attend a luncheon for Joanie's younger daughter, Kristen's, Alpha Gamma Delta Initiation Luncheon. Kristen goes to SFSU. Joanie couldn't make it up north to the luncheon so I had the honor of going in her place! Kristen is a beautiful young women. It was fun to meet her new sorority sisters. I remember when Kristen was 2 and 3 and used to walk everywhere on her tippy toes!!! Seeing her in her new college environment was a treat!!!


She loved the sweatshirt her mom sent up for her!


Kristen with her "Big Sis"

After the luncheon I drove back to Sacramento- made it just in time to get over to the church for our Chili Cook-Off. Never a dull moment... on the way to SF I was making calls only to find out that no one showed up to set up the tables and chairs. So I was dialing like a crazy lady to find someone to set up the tables. I am so grateful to have Tanja on the Activities Committee.. she solved the issue and got the place decorated too. The night was a huge success.... we had about 160 people. I didn't get to eat any of the chili, which is probably a good thing since I don't need the extra calories! We also had a dessert cook-off. So lots of food, people and fun!


Full house for the chili cook-off!


Cottage Park Ward had 15 chili entrants and 22 dessert entrants!

Then today after church I went over to Theresa's and she, Roni and I had another canning session!! This time we made apple butter!!!! We started with 42 lbs. of apples!!!! I could never do this on my own! But it was so fun with the three of us. So far we have made strawberry jam and apple butter. We plan to do Salsa or bread and butter pickles next! I am too tired to put my clean sheets on my bed tonight. That may not happen!!!!


Roni and Theresa getting ready to core the apples.



After 4 hours of coring, cutting, and cooking the apple butter I am now filling the jars.


We canned 62 jars!


Roni, Theresa and I are very proud of ourselves!!

M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E

What a great week I had!!! I got home tonight after being gone for 7 days. 4 of which were in Disneyland with Ian and Brooke's families! The other days were with friends, Joanie, Alan, Erika, Barb and Harland. I DON"T WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK!! I had so much fun. We couldn't have asked for better weather in Disneyland either! Hard to believe it was November. I was in Grandma Heaven!!! The little girls were all wonderful!!! It was so fun to see everything through their eyes. I was so happy to have almost everyone together. I was sad that Cami and Klas weren't there- maybe next time they will be able to join us. But as far as vacations go- this one rocked!


Brooke and McKenzie at the Disneyland Hotel


Ian, Anayansi , and Reagan at California Adventure


Jenna. Reagan, and McKenzie on the Monorail


All four of my beautiful granddaughters!!


On our way into Disneyland


Anayansi, Jenna, Ian, Reagan and Brooke went on the roller coaster in Toon Town.


Kenzie got her face painted.


Reagan got her face painted too!


Jenna dressed up as Ariel to meet the princesses!


Slumber party in Grandma's room!

Reagan and I went on the 3-D ride Toy Story!


Brynn was such a happy baby the whole time!


Reagan loved holding her cousin, Brynn!


Jenna and McKenzie loved playing Ring Around the Rosie while waiting for dinner one night!


Evan and McKenzie on the Autopia


After a long day!!!!

I also was so happy to see my friends before and after the family gathering. It was great to see Joanie and her family, and her animals!

Joanie and Snickers


The beautiful view from Joanie's in Laguna Beach.

After Disneyland I stayed with Barb and Har. It was great to see them!! I went to church with them and had a great family dinner.

Barb and Har at Old Town Mexican Cafe


Celebrating Harland's sister's birthday!

I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with my family and friends. I hate that my job interferes with my personal life!!!