SURPRISES AND CELEBRATIONS....(middle)

We played 'GG JEPORDY". A game devised by Darren, Tara and Logan (w thanks to Mads for creating the board). This game first became a huge hit when played at Bill's 60th, albeit w different categories. (the player must understand that any relationship between the cards and the category is purely coincidental). These were the categories: WAYS OPRAH HAS AFFECTED MOM'S LIFE; THINGS WE'RE PRETTY SURE WE SHOULDN'T SAY (but will anyway); WAYS WE'VE LOOKED RICH; ANNIVERSARIES ONLY MOM REMEMBERS; FAVORITE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES................any relationship between these categories and myself are non-existent but absolutely lol funny! (Tara is our own personal Vanna).


* a side note to the public.......kudos to Darren for best use of a cord on an ancient mic---plugging it into his pants!

The dessert bru-haha began right after dinner. A fondue pot of chocolate w strawberries, pound cake, potato chips, etc. to dip; See's chocolates; artichoke/spinach dip w chips; cheesecake, brownie bites, and nuts---------------OH MY! We had a sweets break every half hour! Brilliant!

GIFTS ARE HAPPENIN'! TA DAA! This is a gift from Logan. It is Tommy Lee Jones Oscar program and nestled inside is a piece of the red carpet that Logan cut, yes cut for me right where it was alllll going down. This March Logan stood just off stage at the Academy Awards. When the winners left the stage they walked to Logan and he offered them mints and water. It was a lot of one on one time w the celebs. (I'm amassing my own museum).

I opened this cute gumball machine. It stands on a post. It is etched w the first initial of all 27 employees of Steele Graphics. (an heirloom)

DRUMROLL PLEASE! The Big Gift.........after trying to figure out how I could possibly want a pressure cooker as my 40th anniversary gift, it was revealed that a fabulous ruby ring was hidden inside. Bill and Tiffani picked it out and had a high degree of success!!! I finally figured out how to post my fav picture of my boy Bill and me loving this great ring he surprised me with.

I LOVE PRESENTS.....I forgot. (ok, I have things to learn about pictures and posting)...a less than great picture with my new ruby ring which matches my eyes while you take a peek up my nose. Bill is back in the game with some great surprises. YES!

The kids then told me about the last two gifts. One that they had all made a quilt patch and Tiff (the gifted quilt maker) was going to make me a (much desired) quilt for my very own. It took my breath away! WOW!

Lastly, they were all going to church w us the next morning @ 9 am. The kids had gotten people to take over their jobs and we went early Sunday morning so we could sit together. I was blown away. What some precious kids we have. The whole weekend was customized for me and they didn't miss a step.

*cont.next post

SURPRISE AND CELEBRATE---WAAHOO! (last)

JUST DON'T ASK QUESTIONS POR FAVOR! Here's two pictures of Lucy since I deleted her from her space in the line-up below.

(please don't start reading here since you're at the end---I'm making mucho mistakes and so I'm dividing this JOB up. It's days like this when Robin makes a lot of sense not having a blog)!

These are most of the precious quilt blocks my kids and gkids created. They got in a long line and then ran over to the couch where I was and gave them to me. They came fast and lovingly. Each with buckets of personality.

These are my peeps.............they all went to church w Bill and me on Sunday, April 13, 2008. It's one of the two best days of my life so far. I dumped the marriage date and the days the five cutie pies were born. The two list toppers are 1) the day we were in the Temple w all of our kids and 2) when all 27 of us were in church together today. These are pictures of every last cuter than cute one.

Darren and Tara's group.............

madison-14 (my very oldest).....
jackson-12 1/2 (my first deacon)............
truman-11
lincoln-6 3/4
reagan-3 1/2

Tiffani and Daren's kids in reverse birth order...

cooper-3 1/2
lexi-5 1/2
brookie mae-9 (birthday girl today)
parker-11
macy-13 (brand new teen)

This is lucy-7 months.... Kami and Erik's kido (hair is usually spiked)...

*****GREAT! I JUST LOST LUCY! I'M POSTING THIS NOW OR I'LL PROBABLY LOSE THE OTHERS......AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Here are Megan and Justin's kids...........

ty-11 (we are tired of picture taking)
saige-9 1/2
cade-7
sydney-5
rylie-2 3/4

my little 'doo rag' girl......

Here's the little darlin--Lucy-- on her half bday!

We're getting the head from all angles..........
TIME OUT! "I found the color red so I think I'll take a minute."
Her shirt is proclaiming that 'the future is Green'.
I love all 16 gkids a ton, but Lucy has a lot of photo shoots at my house.
priceless!!!!!!

all better.......and happy bday to my little sister

What a difference a week makes! In 2 1/2 weeks the 84 year old is almost back to normal. His 'get rid of the bruise' gene is working overtime. Yeah for our team. Hey you UT people, we are sending him back brand new... (cute little mom in background washing anything).

Marcia's funeral (for my sisters)

Pictures of the funeral, etc. Dad's eye has a lot of white to it now.

Nice shot of John and Bill.

One of their peeps.
Our son Darren and our other son Daren.

This is the flower card which makes no sense to me.

Loved the flowers.
After the funeral at Scott and Abby's home and backyard.
Mom eating the usual ginormous piece of cheese cake.

Their several hundred thousand back yard makeover. Fabulous................
Flowers at home on the piano. shade of roses.