Taylor Turns Seven

It must be April! The Pansies are in full bloom.... The Dogwood tree has blossomed....

And it's Taylor's Birthday!!!!


My Sweet Taylor,

It seems like it was only yesterday I flew to Utah to see you right after you were born. I couldn't wait to get to the hospital to hold you and to look at you. You were absolutely perfect! I spent a week with you before I had to go back home to California, and I cried when I had to leave. That was such a special time!

Soon you moved to California where I got to see you a lot more. I was pretty excited about that, and knew I'd better take advantage of the time we had because somehow I knew it wouldn't last forever. I never grew tired of that beautiful drive from Placentia to San Diego.

You even lived close enough that I got to babysit you. Your parents were pretty new at this parenting thing, and it was pretty funny watching them fuss over you. One time when I got to babysit you, your mom left me with detailed instructions for your meal times:

Meal Time

Morning (7:30 a.m.)

Bottle with rice cereal when she wakes up.

1 hour to 2 hours later give snack (i.e., fruit, muffin bar, yogurt)

Afternoon (1-2:30 p.m., after nap)

for lunch she likes hot dogs, mac & cheese, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, string cheese, fruit, yogurt.

Dinner (4:30-5p.m.)

She will eat any of the same as above.

7:30: Breakfast

9:00-10:00 Snack

11:00 nap with bottle

1:00-2:00 lunch (if grouchy, give bottle for snack)

5:00 dinner

8:00-8:30 bedtime (unless tired earlier)

This was just part of the instructions I was given. The best ones were what your Dad wrote:

Getting Taylor to Bed (8:30-9:00)

1. Get a bath drawn.
2. Get house a little darker
3. No loud TV, softer voices, no romper room play!!
4. Take Taylor into dark bedroom
5. Sit down in rocking chair (put rocking chair in bedroom beforehand).
6. Rock Taylor while you feed her bottle (she likes being sung to).
7. When she finishes bottle, lay her down in her bed.
8. Say "Go night night Taylor, close your eyes".
9. Cover her with her blanket.
10. Then leave and close the door.
11. Listen for 5 to 8 minutes to see if she cries out loud.
12. If she cries out loud, go back in, don't say a word, rock her until she goes back to sleep.
13. Once asleep put her back in crib.
14. If she wakes up, repeat the rocking....DON'T TALK TO HER!

If she doesn't go to bed!!!

1. 1. Take her for a drive
   2. Go on the 57 Freeway to Pathfinder Road and back. That will probably work.
   3. You WANT to get on the Freeway!!! (Evidently it was best to be on the freeway where I wouldn't hit any stop lights.)
   4. Put her straight into bed...close door.
   5. If that doesn't work, you have a LONG night ahead of you!!

Amazingly enough we survived!!!! I think they were surprised to come home and find out that you did great. We didn't even have to make that drive on the 57 freeway.

You are such a beautiful little girl and have brought so much love into our family! We love you so much! Have a happy happy birthday!!!

Love,

Grandma Nannu

Goin' home, Meeting Anne, Conference, and a Birthday

The weather changed and allowed us to make our flight on Friday morning getting us to Salt Lake City by 11:00 a.m. Of course, to get there by that time meant we had to leave our house at 4:00 a.m. to leave Nashville at 6:00 a.m. If you EVER travel with us, you can rest assured you will NEVER be late! You will also we awakened in plenty of time to get your "tired ol' @**" out of bed and your A.I.S. (a term now used in our household frequently meaning your blank, blank, blank, in your seat in time to get you to where you are going plenty early....thanks Steve, or should I say....thanks Everyone Loves Raymond). Being late, or just on time, is NOT an option! You'd think he'd run into long security lines a time or two or something.

Nashville to Colorado...Colorado to Salt Lake City. What's up with the snow? It's April right? We landed in a snowstorm! Note to self....listen to your son when he says you should bring your winter coat. Since you did not listen this time, you'll just have to think warm thoughts while you are standing in the freezing cold snow.

Next stop Robyn's house. From this point, the weekend is a blur! We just hit the ground running...literally! So if any of our family is wondering what exactly it is that we do to keep us so busy while we're in Utah, here's a brief synopsis...

Goal....meet future daughter in law! Hope she's not disappointed! Be fresh, beautiful, alert, witty, and fun!

• Arrive at Salt Lake International.
• Baggage claim.
• Rental car.
• Drive as fast as we can to Parker and Avery's house, glad Robyn and Joe are there too.
• Feel bad that we don't have that horse that Parker told his mommy grandpa was bringing to him.
• Stop at Del Taco for a combo burrito.
• Arrive for hugs and kisses and see how much the kids have grown.
• Take kids to see "Monsters vs Aliens"
• Meet up with Michael and Anne at Red Robyn.
• Meet our future daughter in law in person!
• Crash in bed.
• Up early to take TRAX to downtown Salt Lake City to go to conference with Michael, Anne, and Robyn. (Thanks to Joe for watching the kids.)
• Wait in the freezing snow in the longest security line ever because I didn't leave my purse behind.
• Be glad that we had to wait in the freezing snow when we see friends (Elder Dalton and Louise) from California!!!
• Shed a few happy tears!
• Enjoy conference!
• Anxiously await arrival of Luke, Taylor, and Blake....glad Kimberly and Devon came with them.
• Enjoy a girls night together while the guys attend the Priesthood session of conference.
• Eat pizza and learn the Cleveland Shuffle (thanks Kimberly)
• Have my makeup done by the expert...Kimberly!
• Crash in bed.
• Awake early to drive downtown (forget TRAX) for early session of conference with Kimberly.
• Meet up with California friends (Randy and Linda).
• Shed a few happy tears!
• Home for steak dinner prepared by our sweet Robyn who is such a good sport to have all of us in her home.
• Surprise Happy Birthday to Me!
• Eat Anne's delicious chocolate strawberry shortcake!!!
• Later more surprises.
• My family shows up to say happy birthday!!
• Mom brings delicious chocolate cake.
• No worries though birthday cake calories don't count!
• No candles (thank goodness).
• Laugh over improvised matches on birthday cake!
• Shed a few happy tears!
• Say tearful goodbye to daughter #1 and her family.
• Visit and laugh with family.
• Get things together.
• Crash in bed.
• Awake at the crack of dawn to have my A.I.S. to get to the airport in plenty of time.
• Take off.
• Arrive home.
• Unpack.
• Crash in bed!

Salt Lake City to Chicago.....Chicago to Nashville. What's up with the cold weather. Doesn't anyone know it's April for crying out loud?!

Goal achieved...met future daughter in law in a loud restaurant with popcorn between my teeth, baby banana fingers on my sweater, sticky kisses on my cheeks, straight hair from the wet snow, bags under my eyes from having to get up at O-dark thirty and have my A.I.S. early enough to be at the airport before on time, and smeared mascara from happy tears shed. She, on the other hand, was absolutely gorgeous! I think she liked us anyway! All in all, a perfect weekend! Not "picture perfect",but perfect just the same!

My Next Career....Storm Chaser!

What happens in the South in the springtime when the air is warm and a storm is in the forecast?

TORNADOES!!

For the second time this week, we've had to seek shelter. The first time was last Saturday when Penni and Rick were here. We took Bob's brother Rick to the airport on Saturday morning and then headed to downtown Nashville for a fun-filled day. We toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, walked to Demos' for lunch, and then headed back home. The weather had been GREAT all day. It was a bit windy, but other than that it was a perfect day to be downtown.

When we got home, Penni and I decided to go to town and rent a movie. As we were driving down our street, I heard something. I thought maybe it was the radio, so I turned it up. It wasn't the radio. Just then, my cell phone rang and it was Bob telling us we may want to turn around and come home because we were under a tornado warning. It was then I cracked the window of the car and heard the eerie sound of the tornado sirens in the air. It was sunny outside and looked like we might get some rain, but didn't look that serious. Then I looked to the West and saw this big black cloud moving our direction. Needless to say, we headed home.

We turned the television on and watched them tracking the storm as it was moving our way. We thought that was pretty interesting, but not nearly as interesting as watching the clouds converge from the vantage point of the front porch. Isn't that what you're suppose to do when the sirens are blaring and the clouds are mixing it up in the sky? I mean, how can you take your eyes off of it? Seriously, I think Penni and I could be storm chasers! We finally relented and went downstairs to our "safe place", and did so only after Rick told us it wasn't some little spouts we were looking for, it was THE WHOLE SKY! So off to the basement we went. Thankfully, we had enough light (thanks to the other Rick) and a ping pong table to keep us occupied for the short time we stayed down there. Penni and Rick were able to get the full Nashville experience....country music, barbecue, and tornado warnings!

The second time we had to seek cover was today. Our flight was scheduled to leave Nashville at 5:15. We left home, drove through torrential rain and lightening, parked the car, checked our luggage, and stood in line to go through security. As we were standing there, they suddenly closed everything down, had everyone stand against a wall. Then they led us all to a secure hallway away from any windows. You know the door that says no unauthorized personnel? That one! We were under another tornado warning! We stood there for about 15 minutes before we were allowed to go through security and to our gates. When we got to our gate, we found the flight had been delayed until 6:40. That would have been fine, but we would definitely miss our connection in Chicago. Only problem....no seats on ANY OTHER FLIGHTS! Even if we got there tonight and put ourselves up in a hotel (they don't pay for anything if it's weather related) there were no seats on any flights to Salt Lake City on ANY airlines leaving Chicago in the morning.

You know you've got a real dilemma when the girl at the desk has that "deer in the headlights" kind of look and looks at you and asks..."What do you want me to do?" Uh.....GET US ON ANYTHING THAT WILL TAKE US TO OUR DESTINATION!!! I think she wanted us to say "Oh, that's OK, we'll just go some other time...have a nice day!" We have learned from experience that it is better to just keep cool and keep trying ANYTHING! This, unlike the guy next to us trying to do the same thing. I guess while I was gone and waiting in line at the Southwest counter to see if they had anything at all available to get us to Salt Lake, he started losing his cool, left the counter, and left "cool-hand-Luke" (Bob) with the flustered girl at the counter who finally exhausted all efforts and found the only two seats available for 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. If you're ever in this situation and see Mr. Cool standing next to you....DO NOT LEAVE THE COUNTER! This is the guy that can get you first class seats when you miss your connecting flight and sweet talk the girl on the other end of the phone when everyone else is yelling at her.

When Bob called me and told me to come back because the girl had found something for us, I didn't know about this other guy and how upset he was with this girl for giving US the seats. It must have really rubbed salt in the wound when I returned and told the girl she was a miracle worker and thanked her over and over. I didn't even notice this guy seething next to us. Hmmmmm, I wonder if he's going to conference too. I'd sure hate to ruin his entire weekend for him by saying hello and reminding him where he has seen me before! Guess he'd better work on that little attitude of his now shouldn't he!

We're Wired!

Bob's brother flew in last Thursday night to help us get the electrical work done in our basement. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I mean, how many brothers would fly clear across the country to work? Even more than that...how many wives would allow their husbands to do this on their anniversary? Thanks Connie! We owe you big time!

The two of them worked feverishly for a day and a half to complete the job. Now we have plenty of lights, plenty of outlets, and plenty of switches to turn everything on and off. We're even wired for surround sound for that much needed fourth big screen TV.

If you'll remember, Bob (the builder) LOVES projects...especially when it involves a trip to Home Depot. And...although no wood was involved in this project, the rush of adrenaline produced by electrical wiring tools and supplies delivered the same effect. The difference this time was that he had his brother guiding him through, thus eliminating the overwhelming impulse to buy all the tools and extra items that seem so all-fired important when you are under the influence of the "smell" inside the Depot. Of course, they are brothers....maybe it's genetic!

Thanks Rick!

Meet Michael's Lucky Charm

Meet Anne!

She's the girl who has swept our Michael off his feet, and said YES when he proposed to her on St. Patrick's Day! He will tell you that it was definitely the luckiest day in his life!

She loves to have fun!

She's talented!



She's determined, smart, and strong!



She's beautiful!



We can't wait to meet her! We love her already! She'll always be our lucky charm!

Happy Birthday My 24 Year Old Baby Boy

Dear Michael,


Twenty four years ago you made your much anticipated entrance into this world. The announcement of your upcoming arrival was a neighborhood event. When one of our neighbors found out you were on the way, she adorned our front yard with five Styrofoam snowmen...a mom, a dad, two children, and a baby. It didn't take long for word to spread. Everyone was excited with us. We had waited a long time for you!

My doctor wanted to make sure you were a boy and said if I took the blue prenatal vitamins he prescribed that you would be. They worked! We drove home with a bundle wrapped in blue, and soon afterward our home was transformed from having everything pink and frilly to having an equal amount of everything "boy".

You have always been very determined and have long been making your own decisions. I always knew if you decided to do something, it would get done. The trick was getting you to think something was your idea.

Honestly though, I think you knew how to do this to me better than I did to you. I mean, what mother in her right mind would share her ATM card with her teenage son? Oh, and also her Chevron card. I remember you saying to me that I might as well give it to you and save myself a trip to the ATM for that twenty bucks you'd need again in a few days! It was much easier for you to go to the ATM than it was for me to leave work to go there. Makes sense no? As a matter of fact....where is my Chevron card?

Trust. It's a simple word, but such an important one. I knew I could trust you. Evidently others felt the same way. I remember one of the mom's in high school saying she was always comfortable and never worried when her daughter was out with you. I knew I didn't have to worry either. You made the teenage boy years pretty fun. That's probably the reason you got off so lightly when you drove the Civic into the ground playing Michael Andretti on Skyline Drive in Fullerton. Seriously, new brakes after only 8,000 miles? Did you really think we'd believe your innocent eyes and cockamamie story about Keaton and the emergency brake? Well, maybe me, but Dad? Seriously!

Speaking of fun...I remember getting in your car and moving some hats so I could put my feet on the floor and then opening the glove compartment and finding a bunch of my old sunglasses. I think there were some old Blue blockers and some big 80's style sunglasses in there. When I asked you what you were doing with all these in your car, you told me that whoever rode in your passenger seat had to wear the hat and glasses that went best with the music choice for the day. I can still picture in my mind poor Whitney having to wear sunglasses and a straw hat on her way to early morning seminary.

It's no wonder you have so many friends. You truly care about people. You demonstrated this quality at a very young age. I received a phone call from a mother one afternoon asking if you could come over and play with her son. She then began to express to me how thankful she was for you because you had been so nice to her son who had been struggling at school. Other kids made fun of him, but you were nice to him. You were his friend.

You love all people. I remember waking up in the hotel room in Honduras and you opened the curtains wide and exclaimed, "Don't you love my city?" Then as we drove to the distant places you had lived and served, I could see how much you really cared. You were hesitant to leave them and continued to worry about their well being long after you left.

You've managed to put a lot of life into your short 24 years. Thank you for the happy times!

I thank my Heavenly Father every day for letting me be your mom. Happy Birthday to you my 24 year old baby boy! I love you!



Mom

Happy Birthday Bobby

Nothing you could say

Could tear me away from my guy (my guy)

Nothing you could do'cause I'm stuck like glue to my guy

I'm sticking to my guy like a stamp to a letter

Like birds of a feather

We stick together

I'm telling you from the start

I can't be torn apart from my guy

A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back to you when you forget the words. I know you'll always be there to remember if I ever forget! Happy Happy Birthday!

Luke Turns Five!

Here it is March 1 and our cute, handsome, adorable, and lovable Luke is having his 5th birthday today. Where have these 5 years gone? As grandparents we think of what Jacob from the Book of Mormon taught when he said: ". . . by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream . . ." (Jacob 7:26). Luke's 5 years have gone by so quickly it seems like it has been a dream. This young man has touched our lives in so many ways, we just can't imagine life without him in it! What a joy it has been to watch him grow up! We're sure glad his mom has a blog so we can see pictures and hear about all the fun things he is doing. So what are some of the things we know about Luke?

We know he loves his family. Luke always worries about Taylor, Blake, and his parents. He has very tender and kind feelings for everyone, and yet, he also knows how to teach his younger brother the fine art of wrestling, and playing bad guys. Yes, recently we found out this is a favorite game the boys like playing together. He's all boy, but has a very soft spot for his big sister Taylor. He'd probably do just about anything for her.

We know Luke is passionate about the things he likes. When he was in preschool in San Diego, the teachers had to ban Transformers from school because they became a distraction. (I can just imagine.) In an act of solidarity, Luke and his little 3 year old rebel friends congregated on the playground in a circle to sing the transformer song together. They would stomp their right feet and sing "Transformers....more than meets the eye!" I'm sure they really felt like they were getting away with something. He still loves Transformers, but lately he's had to balance his love for Transformers with his love for music. High School Musical music that is. Yes, he can sing along with High School Musical with the best of them.

We also know that Luke is very inquisitive. He asks lots of questions. He'll ask a question and then answer it with a "right Grandpa?" or "right mom?" or "right (fill in the name of whoever he is asking the question of)?"

Whatever you are doing, Luke wants to be in the thick of it. He wants to be grown up so he can play the games his mom and dad play with their friends.

A funny saying we remember is when Luke was in preschool in California. He had a new friend and they were playing a game of sorts. Luke told his new friend that girls can't play with them because, "it's for boy's only, right?".

Luke is kind and respectful of any adult he meets. He greets them with friendship and kindness. It's no wonder all his teachers love him. Who can resist those amazing blue eyes, beautiful blond hair, and sweet smile? He was certainly born in the right state. He looks like a beach boy! He's definitely stolen my heart!

Luke is Bob's mini me, and is right by his side when they are together. He loves when his Grandpa J. twists him around and throws him over his shoulder.

Luke and Grandpa have a game they always play. Grandpa didn't know it had a name until Luke came up to him and said, "Grandpa, let's play you can't go." Grandpa had to think about it for a few moments before he realized what the game was. This is a game that Grandpa has played with Luke since he was little. Grandpa will sit on the couch and Luke will stand in front of him. Luke starts to walk away and Grandpa grabs him and says you can't go. It's pretty hard to tell who is having the most fun.

Most importantly, we know Luke is our friend who we love, we miss, and we pray every day for. We are grateful Luke is a part of our family.

Happy birthday big guy.

We love you and miss you.

We wish we could spend this special day with you.

Nanu and Grandpa

32 Years and Counting

Guest Blogger

32 years ago today, we were in the Salt Lake Temple creating an eternal family unit, another kingdom so to speak. Little did I know how great those 32 years would turn out. Neither you nor I knew at that moment in time we would be blessed with three beautiful children. 32 years ago we weren’t thinking about three children and especially about the five beautiful, loveable, adorable, incredible, wonderful grandchildren that would come into our lives and prick our hearts with a love we never thought we would experience or even realize existed. We’ve learned in those years how to forgive, forget, and how to love even more than we did when we first met. You have shown me how to be a better person. You’ve taught me about service and devotion to family. You’ve shown me how to love at all times. You’ve truly shown me how to love as the Savior loves. Your Christ like demeanor continues drawing me and others to you. Your love for our children is greater than any love I have ever witnessed.

Neither you nor I knew we would have opportunities to move around the country and see areas outside of our comfort zone that caused us to stretch. Here we are in good old Tennessee with new friends, new church callings, new opportunities to grow in ways we never thought possible. We’re now at a stage in life where we wished our children were closer to us or we were closer to them. We continue going forward, striving from a distance to build up a family whom we love, miss, and are grateful for blogs and cell phones so we always know what is going on.

Where have we come in 32 years? Our first daughter was born 9-months after we married. OK, so no one told me it was that easy. 3 ½ years after our wedding day, our second daughter was born. 8 years from day one, we had number three who became our number one son. We’ve sent two of those children on missions to the far reaches of the world. Two of three have graduated from college, with the third close to completing his undergrad degree. Two out of three married in the Los Angeles Temple causing them to feel closeness to the Lord’s house in California. All three have returned to their roots in Utah. Number one daughter has three children, and daughter number two has two children. Oh what a blessing these all are to us. There really is nothing better than watching your children grow, develop, raise children, and most importantly, have a testimony of the Savior.

For 32 years you have stood by my side, watched my struggles in life, and encouraged me to better myself. You have shown me how to love others more than myself. You’ve taught me kindness by example. You continue quietly serving and loving and leading in so many ways. You have blessed my life beyond measure. You truly are the key to my happiness. When you are gone, my life is empty. When we are together, our lives are full. I will always be grateful for the day when you and I married for the eternities. I will always be grateful for your love and kindness. I will always be grateful for the person I call my best friend. You truly are my best friend forever. Thank you honey for 32 wonderful years. I love you so much (ILYSM).

Bob

Our Baby Avery's First Birthday

Avery's first year has been full of lots of smiles,lots of kisses,

lots of good times,

and lots and lots of sweet memories!

We've only known you a year, and just can't imagine life without you in it. We Love You!

Happy Birthday Baby Avery!