Nicole's is FOURTEEN!!!!

She did it again! Nicole has been waiting for her first stake dance and the magic age of 14 forever...if you ask her?!? She is also excited about the prospects of Youth Conference. I know there are 4 young men that walk her home from the bus everyday and I have to teasingly 'GET RID OF'! Nicole has dance 4 days a week, mutual one and FHE the other. Weekends are always a group of young people at our home. We have a huge recreation room with a microwave, refrigerator and every gadget known to man. It has been fun to have a houseful again. The constant activities of Family make this home full of love and a spirit that I cherish. Nicole got to take 2 of her best friends to the David Archuleta's Christmas Concert for her B-day present. She got the album last month and had memorized every song. Let’s just say…SHE WAS EXCITED!!! Kim and I went to dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. It is where he proposed. When we went to pick up the girls the concert still had 90 minutes left so they just let Kim and I in. It was incredible!!! Next time I am going too!!! You will have to read Nicole’s comments on the concert…she is such a “crazy fan”! My prayers have been answered in this move and marriage. I have always been one who wants this to be orderly in my life...I have learned to embrace chaos and even enjoy it. Wild and Crazy me?!? I am thankful for all my ML Friends and hope you feel free to drop in on me anytime. You will never know how much your kind words, hugs and friendship meant when my heart was breaking. Life is Good...very very Good!

THANKSGIVING 2009

Life just gets busier and busier; but it is all GOOD! We had the traditional Thanksgiving Feast with lots of family. Then there were the traditional football games and crafts. The men cheer on the teams and the women retreat to making beautiful Christmas decorations. This year we did the glass blocks. I have always wanted to try it but couldn't resist when they sold the predrilled blocks here. It was fun to see the variety and happy faces upon completion. Nicole's has a zebra ribbon to match her room. We then proceeded with the Gingerbread houses. The trial of having the walls cave in, lives on. We laughed till we couldn't stand it anymore. Then it was the complete exhaustion and satisfaction that come with the end of Thanksgiving...only to realize the next day is NICOLE'S BIRTHDAY!!! What was I thinking having a baby during the holidays...oh, yea...there wasn't a whole lot of planning on that one! What a gift Nicole is in my life. Her young women's leader said that when she walks into the room...a light turns on. I love all my children but a loving Heavenly Father knew I couldn't endure without the light of that little girl. Life is Good!!!

ORTHODONTIST EXPERIENCE!!!

Nicole survived "spacers" and has to go through a jaw expansion process. Fun Times! Nicole often gets comments from guys on her incredibly white smile. She loves going to the dentist and never needs reminded to brush or floss. The orthodontist said she has beautiful teeth; however a small jaw and big teeth. Small jaw from her Dad and big teeth from her Mom. The best news was Kim's daughter Bethany works at the office we are going to so that she gets a 50% discount for us and Kim has dental insurance (I didn't have it before) so the bottom line was a fraction of the price in Spokane. Life does have it's rainbows!

Life in Utah

We took Nicole to Disney on Ice this week. It was her first time. She had her mouth open half of the time. It was nice to just drive a few miles, enjoy and then drive a few miles home. The skating was incredible but the scenery changes and lighting were fantastic. Okay, I probably had my mouth open a lot, too!!! We have season tickets to a series of top notch plays next year that I am really looking forward to. I think Kim enjoys how excited Nicole and I get about things here. Nicole's dentist is in the same ward as David Archeleta. She has had some really fun opportunities here. Thursday is a big "New Moon" opening here. Sara was able to get some hard to get tickets to take Nicole and Haley. Fun Times! Off to get Nicole to the FIRST ORTHODOTIST appointment. Isn't life fun?!?

OCTOBER MAGIC!

Okay, we are all a bit strange on Halloween. We had wonderful homemade chili recipes. We had Heidi's homemade donuts. We had my witches brew with dry ice that was out of this world. We had bobbing for apples and games for all. It was a fun time with lots of family. These grandkids are the BEST!!! We had tons of trick or treaters. Lots of parents came up and thanked us for making our home so fun for the neighborhood. Met lots of new people. Utah is a very friendly state. People keep thinking they know me from somewhere. One lady came up to me and asked if I remembered her...she said she was my neighbor in American Fork. I told her I had just moved here...she said I have a twin and she is one of her close friends. Weird, huh. I had one lady who got all excited and hugged me and then realized I wasn't her long lost friend. It has been fun and even Nicole doesn't want to leave now. We miss our Moses Lake friends but are adjusting. We love company if you are ever in town! Nicole is preparing for the upcoming Christmas Dance Performances. Life is still GOOD...very very GOOD!!!

HALLOWEEN PARTY IN DRAPER

HALLOWEEN PARTY IN DRAPER

We are having a Halloween Party...
Friday October 30 at 7:00 pm
Games, Chili and Rolls, Donuts, Hot Apple Cider
at: The Sanderson Home
RSVP PLEASE...

*Wear your Halloween Costume!

My B-day Present

This is Stacy's cute little car stuffed with stuff!!! Kim and I have 2 of everything. I talked Stacy into taking the informal dinning room set a little at a time. Today was the table and 2 chairs. It was amazing to see her pack. I taught her well. We McConkie women (talking about our roots) have the ability to pack!!! I know Janet, Lori and Peggy are remembering my suitcases at Disneyland...okay...we pack a lot of stuff!!!


My B-day was Friday. Yes, I blew out all my candles with one breath...I turned 57 but Kim had a theory of 5 candles representing the first 10 and 7 singles. So there were only 12, YES!!! My best present was coming home and finding Stacy and the girls in my living room. She just went home...sad...but she is coming back a week from Friday...YES!!! I miss seeing Tami and her family more but love having Heidi, David, Stacy and Michelle closer. Thankful Nicole is still in an upstairs bedroom. I know...I am spoiled. Stacy and I had so much fun together. I think we go till we drop. Tai Pan Trading is our new favorite hangout. The Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas displays are incredible. Their purses and home decor are fantastic. Too much fun!!! Yea, life is Good...very ver Good!!!

Nicole's 1st Emotion Dance Performance

Well this Saturday Nicole got to perform with Emotion-Dance Attack group. They are using last years performances for these early appearances...means a lot of quick learning for Nicole and borrowing of costumes. They have a big Christmas performance they are learning new dances for. She is now dancing on point and knows the pain of sore feet. It has been hard to adjust to the loss of her family "Todays Generation" and try and fit into established dance groups. Having Misty has helped a lot. Maybe someday we will at the same competition. I am impressed with how good this new company is. We saw some really bad ones this Saturday. It is a blessing to have found a good company...thanks for helping us with that Janet, Lori and Peggy. I will never get tired of seeing Nicole dance!

HOME AVAILABLE!

We are dropping the price on the Moses Lake Home this week. It appraised for $299,000 and now due to the slow sales and recession we are setting the new price at $249,000. With the upgrades and the $6,000 garden building, $8,000 vinyl fence and stainless steel appliances including a $3,500 refrigerator... it is a steal. It has 9' ceilings and upgrades throughout. It is only 2 years old and everything is upgraded and top of the line. If you know anyone who is in the market; this would be an incredible investment. If it doesn't sell soon we will probably rent it out. I really would love to see a good family in it. It will always be precious to me. If anyone is seriously interested...be sure and let me know before I relist it...we can bring the price down a bit more.

DECORATING!!!

Every year when I start decorating for the holidays, I think of Kacey Earl. When she was on the Junior Miss Court she came to my home often. One day she looked around at all the Christmas decorations and said "I love your decorations...you must have TOO MUCH TIME on your hands". Kacey was right that it did take some time but it is like magic in drawing in family and friends. We have lots of parties because we are READY! I wasn't sure how Kim would adapt to my style but he has been wonderful. He is a very tidy person. Nicole teases him about being MONK(from TV show) but he returns it back to her (she is also very tidy!). Okay, I am a bit picky too! But oh how I love the holidays!!! The bale of hay was probably his biggest adjustment besides living with ME!!! Oh, the joys of being newlyweds...you all remember those? Can't wait till Christmas. Halloween and Thanksgiving was only 20 boxes...Christmas is more like 60 plus!!! Life is GOOD!

What a Weekend!!!

Dawson's Baptism





David's youngest, Dawson turned 8 and was baptized. I love being a Grandma!!! This is Grandchild #6 to be baptized. How sweet it is!!! All of you young parents need to know that the best payback is watching your children raise righteous spirits who make wise choices. It is the BEST!!! Haley was the chorister and Nicole was the pianist. Kim gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and I gave the closing prayer. Yes, I did get to pick. Besides, Kim is much better at delivering talks. It was a wonderful event! Then we ate Pizza, cake and ice cream...Life is GOOD!

TRICK OR TREAT

This is Drew, my grandson who will turn 8 on Dec 20th and be our next baptism! He tells me he loves me about every 10 minutes. I love being a Grandma!!!



We ready for you! I have lots of CHOCOLATE! I have Halloween pretzels, fruit snacks, pretzels and gold fish. We are decorated and awaiting you visit!!! I love Halloween. We have carmel apples, popcorn balls and hot apple cider! So come on over and warm up by the fireplace cause we are READY FOR YOU!!!!
I have to admit it is killing me to miss Marion's Witch Party but I promise "to be a Witch" this year and for years to come. Once you have been a witch...who would want to be anything else?! If you look up at the moon on Halloween...you will see me fly by on my broom?!?

Choose This Day

Choose You This Day

I love this message from President Eyring. I have thought often about how really good Dad was. He would truely wear himself out daily in the service of others. He learned it from his parents. I love the way he talks about service. I know I always feel better when I am serving. Kim has talked about how important marriage is because it allows you to serve someone else and not turn inward. He has stated how much he loves doing things for Nicole and I. I know time is flying by and the only separation is the day and the night. I love the way he encourages asking the Lord how we can help him best, for that day, when we have our morning prayers and scripture study. I love the gospel. What a neat road map it is back to our loving Heavenly Father.


A new friend of mine, Jen (from Australia) compared the temple to the lighthouses in the world. I have always loved lighthouses and all that they stand for. She said the temples light our way back to Christ in a world full of distractions. In the worst of storms (had a few of those) it will bring you home safely. The temple has always been a refuge for my heart. The Draper Temple sits on a hill behind my home. It is framed a large window. I will never get tired of looking at it. The sun rises behind it and it sits high on the hill. I am so thankful for these beautiful lighthouses that bless our lives.