MY LITTLE DANCING DIVAS

A few weekends ago we went to St. George for a dance competition; the girls were both so excited. We stayed at my Grandma Bonnie and Em’s house. What awesome hosts they both were, we all had such a great time and felt so at home. We got to St. George at about 3:00 in the afternoon on Friday. Our first stop was grandmas of course, then shopping! We went to the store Shoe Carnival between the 4 of us we bought 7 pair of shoes for a great price. Then we went to Kohls which was right next door. I was able to buy 3 new church dresses, I have been looking for some dresses for awhile now, seems all that I have are skirts and blouses, but not anymore! Then we ventured back to Grandmas for dinner. My grandma is such a great cook, she made us chicken enchiladas, one of my favorites. We stayed up visiting for awhile, but retired early knowing tomorrow was going to be a long day. When the girls and I woke up my Grandma had breakfast ready—pancakes and eggs. We ate and got ready, snapped a few pictures then headed for Dixie High School. Jauncee danced first, she looked so cute and is such a great dancer. She really feels the music and has fun doing it. Her little group took 2nd Place and got Best Costume Overall. Jeslyn had to perform twice. She also did really well. Her group took 2nd in the Jazz routine and 1st in the Hip Hop. They both got a trophy and were excited about that. Once they were both done dancing we went back to grandmas and took the girls swimming. What better way to get off all that makeup and hairspray than the swimming pool! After an hour of fun in the pool we lounged around the house for the remainder of the evening. Sunday morning soon arrived, Jeslyn and I (Jauncee was with her dad) decided to stay and go to church with Grandma and Em. They go to a branch, not a ward. Their branch doesn’t have a primary or a young men/young woman. Sacrament was first, Jeslyn and I were definitely out of place. I don’t think I had ever been in a room with that many gray-haired old people all at the same time! I also don’t think I have ever seen so many walkers parked in a row at the same time! Jeslyn was probably the youngest by 60 years and me by 40. It was an experience but a good one. Everyone made it through the meeting alive and well, so that was good. After Sacrament Meeting, Jes, My Grandma and I walked home and changed clothes and did a little Sunday shopping at Costco. I think we got full on all the samples they give out in the isles, and of course me being a sucker bought quite a few of them. At the check-out the cashier almost wouldn’t let me pay using my Grandmas membership card, she went on and on lecturing about how Costco makes their money on the memberships and not on the groceries, so after promising not to do it again, she allowed us this one time. Wonder what went wrong in her day, I mean really how many of us have all done that? Once we got back to my Grandmas the funniest thing happened, the door was open and we could hear the TV on, but their car wasn’t there. I knew that I had shut and locked the door, so who could be in their house we thought. We walk in and there is Em sitting on the couch watching basketball, my grandma asks him where the car is, and apparently he walked home, he forgot he drove, I thought it was funny and cute at the same time. At least he has an excuse to do something like that but that was a typical Marnie move! Too funny! Before leaving we shared one last meal enjoying their company. Jeslyn was sad to leave, but she assured me that she would be back to her usual self by tomorrow. Once we got home, it was so cute she came up to me and asked if it was okay if she had a new favorite grandma! I feel so blessed that my girls are able to spend time with my grandmas they both are amazing women! I love them so much and value their wisdom and friendship! I only hope that I can be half the women that they are. I love you guys!

EASTER FUN

The celebration of Easter began the week before with a beautiful afternoon spent at the dunes. What a fun adventure it was; it brought back a lot of memories when all of us siblings & cousins would get together for the holiday. All of the kids really enjoyed being in the largest dirt pile ever, running and jumping down the hills, making trails for their colored eggs and everybody racing to see whose trail was the fastest and the best. Along with good food and great company, my favorite was basking in the sun!

School got out early on Wednesday, Jeslyn could hardly wait; she knew her Daddy was on his way home. She spent most of the holiday with him and her cousins here from Idaho, luckily she wasn’t a stranger she did call and visit some. She got an early Easter gift, 2 of them! The male is white and his name is Peter, the female is brown and her name is Cinnamon. Jeslyn loves animals so much she would have one of every kind imaginable if you would let her. Some how the rabbits both figured out how to get out of their cage, so they are now living amongst the wood pile & bushes in Meadow. I am not sure, but I haven’t seen Cinnamon for a few, we won’t tell Jeslyn that though.

Jauncee spent the weekend with me mostly; however she did spend some time with Colby too. Jauncee loves Colby and he loves her so it works out great! She spent one evening at the Gillins’ where they ate and took the kids to the pool diving for eggs. They all had a good time. Thanks Colby for being so great and always including Jauncee – she loves you for it!

Saturday it rained all day long, we hung out at the house and colored Easter Eggs.

Sunday, was a beautiful sunny day. The Easter Bunny had come. The girls had fun going through their baskets and finding eggs. They both love Easter so much. After church we went to Grandma and Papas in Holden and enjoyed a few more hours at the sand hills. (Jauncee didn’t get to go the week before) the kids loved it, and it was rather relaxing. We ended the evening with a delicious dinner that Grandma Jill had prepared.

It was a tough day for Jeslyn; she had to say good-bye to so many loved ones. Her dad had to go back to Reno, all of her cousins headed home to Idaho, and her favorite Aunt Gigi and Max were leaving the next morning for their new home in PA.

All in all we had a great Easter with a lot of memories made.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!

Last Tuesday, Grandpa Richard celebrated his birthday. The family all gathered for a party in his honor. My mother out did herself once again on the food; we had yummy Chile Verde, home made salsa and the infamous (can food be infamous) record cake with almonds. The kids had a fun time jumping on the trampoline and later wrestling Uncle Judd! Just want to tell you Dad how much I love you and I hope your birthday was a good one!

God Made the Cowboy By William Guthrie The boots may be dusty and the heels all run down, but that's just 'cause he ain't had time to run into town. His hat's all grimey from sweat but he'll tell you it's the best one he's had yet. That creaky old saddle fits his backside just right and the riata he uses holds a dally real tight. Speakin' of ropin' and ridin,' aw, that's just tricks of the trade, and he'll tell you no time's much better than when roundup's been made. Bein' a cowboy ... well, it's not just a craze, you can't find his spirit in a thick, barroom haze. It comes from the heart, from the body and soul and it cannot be lost by just growin' old! The spirit of the cowboy flies on freedoms wings, it dances on rain clouds, drinks from fresh springs. Why, he'll dance the two-step with a big, toothy smile, but, he'll ride for six hours to keep from walkin' a mile. Cowboys all over, got just one thing to say: "just leave us alone, let us go our own way. But if you need some help defendin' your land, just give up a holler we'll come lend a hand!" Yep. God made the cowboy, not Gucci blue jeans. He made the wild bull rider, not buckin' machines. He made sunsets and clover, the stars up above, ladies and hawses, wide open spaces ... for a cowboy to love.

Last weekend my girls and I helped Papa brand 1/3 of his calves – what a fun time we all had, especially Jeslyn. Jauncee was kind of scared at first, but it didn’t last too long! The crew consisted of: Papa, Grandma, Judd, Jake, Braxton, Jordan, myself and my girls! What great help everybody was.

Papa ear marks all of his cows so of course he had to cut a bit of the calves ears off, Jauncee thought that was cruel, but Jeslyn was excited because now she had souvenirs to collect and give to her dad when she sees him. (I sure wish I could have seen his reaction when she told him she had a surprise for him – a brown ear and a black ear, but there not bloody dad, she said!) She is too cute, needless to say I found them in my house on the table – let’s just hope that she or he doesn’t ask for them!

I just want to tell you thank you daddy for all that you do for me and my girls. I am so glad that we have the opportunity to enjoy the farm and the ranch. All your hard work has truly paid off! I am so proud of you and admire everything about you. And mother dear – oh how I love and appreciate the sweet, caring person that you are! I hope my girls take a little more after you than I did! You definitely are the best of the best. – Much love to you both from us 3 girls!

PS – We can’t wait until next year!