Grandma and Me....Magical Memories

The unforgetable moments with Grandma all come flooding back to me with her passing. I had so much fun with my Grandma Baker and learned so much form her. I'll never forget that time at Grandmas house with my cousins Lisa, Diana, Hannah, and my sister Kaite when Grandma seeing that we needed something to do handed us the keys to her car, not realizing our young age. We happily concented but before we could get away my wonderful mother stepped in and ruined all our fun. Although we could not drive Grandma insistened that we go to the park, and decided to drive us herself. Upon arrival however we found the gate locked. None of us expected the angry reaction from Grandma. "SHIT!" She exclamied. We all busted a gut and Grandma soon joined in. It was one moment I'll share forever with my Grandma and just us girls.
Grandma was never one to waist time. When she wanted something done she didn't wait around for help, she began the task herself. She was always cleaning out her sheds, getting wood in, and tending to her yard. She loved having her yard nice. She taught me the importance of appearence. Not only with property but with yourself as well. We were having a ward party once in witch the younger people were invited to wear pajamas. Well Grandma happened to be here at that time and she refused to let me go in mine. My Dad agreed with her of course, but he was surpirsed to get the same result when he tried to wear a baggy pair of shorts and a big shirt to take her home once. Grandma could not beleive that he was honestly going dressed like that. She just kept shaking her head and looking away. Dad and I just laughed.
I could always count on Grandma to make me laugh, and I appreciate her cousel now even if I didn't at the time she gave it to me. She told me not to cut my hair once. I did it anyway. Shoulda listened. I came back and she laughed and laughed and when she could get a breath she told me how terrible it looked and how sorry she felt for me. I didn't appriciate that peice of advice but now I look back at it with a smile.
Grandma had a lot of spunk and was very sure about herself. She told me once that she had some SEXY legs when she was my age, and long beautiful eyelashes that she cut off once hopeing they would grow back longer. "Don't try it". She'd said. I will always miss looking at Grandma's short little eyelashes and fighting back a smile.
It was always a treat going to Grandma's house because she always had candy and she had T.V. I loved watching the cowboy shows with her or just any show with her. It never mattered what you were watching with Grandma, she was never quiet during a t.v. show she'd oooo and ahhh and oh gahh and then she'd just laugh at the most unfunny things which would get us laughing too. One time we were all staying at Grandma's but some of us weren't there yet. So when we walked in we all sat down to the most grusome, most graphic horror movie I've ever seen in my life. I couldn't believe that my dear sweet Grandma was watching such a thing. Not only was she intently watching she was laughing histaricly at all the bloody goory parts. While Grandma laughed I sat in the corrner with a blanket over my eyes trying not to burst into tears, and then I had nightmares it was terrible but it showed me how brave and tuff Grandma really was. If I was living alone and watching that stuff at her age I'd have a hernia!
I'll miss spending time with Grandmas. Making memories with her. I'll miss going to Grandma's house each year to set up her Christmas lights, I'll miss getting her Christmas Tree and watching her inspect it. I'll miss her stories. I'll miss her blunt opinions. I'll miss hearing her tell me how much I've grown up with two gapping eyes staring right at my chest. I'll miss hearing Grandma's voice, her never satisfied tone, her light happy laugh. I'll miss it all. I'll miss you Grandma and I'll never forget the time we spent together. It's times like these that make me wish I was the oldest just so I could have more time with the ones I love, but the time I have had had has been the most amazing anyone could ask for. Thanks Grandma! I love you!
-Sarah-

My Wonderful Grandma

To try to summarize the wonderful life my Grandma lived makes me feel like I've failed before I've even started. There are so many amazing things she did that it is impossible to find words for everything. Her love for life and her family was something you can only understand if you knew her. The sound of her contagious laugh and bright smile are some of the things I will always remember, and miss the most whenever I think of her. With Grandma, there was never a dull moment. She could liven up a lethargic group of senior citizens or have the whole house laughing with her bright sense of humor and witty personality. Whether she was telling about earlier times when she left her fiancee and eloped with Grandpa, or about the time she painted the neighbors garage because the reflection of the sun hurt her eyes, she lived life to the fullest.

Grandma would be the first to speak her mind, and the last to stop working to take a break. She taught us the value of hard work and dedication, and the importance of a good laugh when times were tough. Spring will never be the same without going to Grandma's to cut and stack firewood and burn all the weeds from her yard-- plus all the neighbors. There was never a flower out of place or a weed on the lot. I remember as a young kid having a snowball fight with the blossoms on her snowball bush. Needless to say, I don't think I've ever been more scared of Grandma in my life. After a good lickin' and a long lecture, we had to pick up ever flower from that bush off the ground and throw them away. Her love of the outdoors and a nice yard is something I see everyday in the life of my family members, and especially my dad and brothers and I'm so grateful that every time I look at them, I will see part of her.

I will always miss seeing her right after a bad haircut to hear her say how horrible I looked, having her compare all of our chest sizes to see who would benefit the most from using the squishy ball as stuffing for our bras, making us give the smallest piece of pie to Jonny, and always sharing stories and a good laugh with her.

I Love You Grandma!! Thanks for your great example and the love you’ve shared with all of us. Life won’t be the same without you, but because of you, we're all a little stronger and a little better.

coolest mom on the block

I might be the coolest mom on the block but I don't think that I qualify as Addie's favorite Grandma. We went to the park this morning and played on the swings and slides until she decided that her feet were cold so we came home.
She wanted cereal and I thought that she should have some real food for lunch. She cried and cried and told her mom on the phone that I didn't let her have any cereal all day (she had some for breakfast.) Lisa Orme and Grant(WE saw them at the park) came over and had lunch with us so that cheered her up a bit and she did eat some real food.
I also left her with Katie while I ran to the post office to mail a letter. She "combed" her hair with the sissors this morning and has been absolutely fasinated with the sissors and her hair. Last night she found them and I felt like this was just a disaster waiting to happen. I put them away but she found them again this morning. She said that if she combs her hair with the sissors it gets all the snarles out. I put them away again but apparently I should have hidden them.
--You guessed it....while I was at the post office she gave herself a lovely hair cut. She was soooo right It got all the snarles out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry Trina, There just must be something in the air today!
Heidi had her baby last Wed. He is a cute little thing and both mom and baby are doing better now.
Brett is doing well, but a bit disappointed because all his teaching pool kind of decided they weren't ready to listen to missionaries.
Jon and Ruth's house is coming along. The sheetrock is up and passed the inspection.
So far everyone still have their jobs --we are really thankful for that and for everyone's health.
Katie and Sarah stayed with Helen and Steve Breckenridge while I was in Cedar with the new mom and baby--we really appreciate their love and help, they have been wonderful to us.
Grandma Baker had a rough day on Monday and wasn't able to go to her radiation treatment because she was so sick but yesterday when I talked to Diann she was doing a lot better.
Camron has spring break next week so he will probably come down tonight.
Trina and Jon are doing well, Read her blog--it tells all!!! Leighna is a pretty cute girl and in her own words "I busy" love ya -mom

The Love Bug... (got smashed)

Well, considering the only people that look at this are me and Trina, I know we are both fully aware of the fact that Mandy is leaving us (well pretty much me and Sarah cuz we're the only other ones not married yet) and getting married to Sir Kevin G. in only a few short days. Wow. I don't know whether I should be happy or sad right now. Its kind of a mix. One eye is shedding tears of joy while the other tastes of the bitter tears of loneliness and abandonment. Maybe someday I'll have the joy of getting married as well, and if not I really better learn to like cats, because ALL old maids have cats. It must be one of those unspoken rules that you have to have one if you're over 30 and not married. Sigh. I think I'll get a turtle instead. But anyway, it's really been an adventure having a sister that looks just like you, especially now that she is getting married because everywhere I go I get comments like, "I got your announcement today!!" "I'm so happy for the both of you!" "When is the big day?" "Can I see the ring?" or my personal favorite, "Aren't you just like, totally happy now??" I can't even stand in the isle at the grocery store left alone deep in thought considering the pro's and con's of Western Family Corn Flakes compared to the infamous Kellog's Frosted Flakes without being interupted by bystanders trying to get me to blow off my non-existant fience for some hunk of a guy a friend of their friend knows who would make the perfect match for me (well Mandy really). After I kindly inform them that MANDY is already very happy with Kevey Pooh, they quickly walk away. That's when I nearly go into a little thing I like to call the lonely coma, induced when I hear too many comments by people who are wishing their brother or nephew or second cousin would have fell in love with my wonderful sister before it was too late. Don't they realize I'm still single? Still in the viscious cycle of (non-existant)love? I think I'm totally dateable but apparently I'm missing something... Something big. You'd think that will 17 Billion people on this planet there would be at least one guy out there for me!! Maybe mine was left on Mars.

We All Have Daddy's Nose! ....Even the new guy!

Always wear eye protection!

Baby shower

Hello Everyone!
I just wanted to say thank you for all the gifts and help that you have giving to Jason and I. We are so excited for our new addition to our family and can't wait to share him with all of you. We have a great family! As of right now, no baby! However, I was given the option of getting started on Tuesday, which is still in question. Hopefully he will come before that. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for everything.
Heidi

What to do...

Hey everyone- I've been sitting home alone for the last four hours and am completely bored to tears so I thought I would drop in a little note. This week has been quite the adventure. I killed 2 cars, neither were my fault, and one of them is like the un-dead monkey on Pirates of the Caribbean. It only dies when I'm in front of the school, in the middle of an intersection, or when my friends are with me. (well... I guess not, it only doesn't die if you pray your little heart out before you leave, but then sometimes it still dies) But then it usually starts again, just to die just before you get to your destination. So, here I sit. Stranded. Alone. Bored. What a life. Its a beautiful day outside, but there really isn't too much that is very appealing to do by yourself, you can only be entertained for so long playing catch with the fence. I need a CFMF (cute friendly male 'friend') to come sweep me off my feet.... There's nothing wrong with dreaming.
-Kate

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

So far we have had a pretty fun day. Adelah and Leighna were excited about their Valentine's gifts, some coloring books with crayons and watercolors, a movie, and most of all, a singing card! As Adelah was opening the card, she said, "oh, yeah, a Valentine card, I hope it's a singing one. I've always wanted a singin' one!" She wasn't disappointed! But as a mother, I am just wondering how long the batteries in that thing will last!! Jon and I bought each other a new picture of the Manti Temple! It's beautiful, I think you all should come and visit me just so you can see it! I love it! Grandma and Grandpa Allred watched the kids this morning and we went and did some sealings in the Temple. We couldn't think of any better way to celebrate Valentine's Day, and I am so glad we went. We were proxy for one couple that was married in 1597. That was 411 years ago!! I can't imagine being without my sweetheart for that long. So I hope that we gave them a happy valentine's day as well! Hope you all have a Great Day!

Heidi's Baby Shower

This weekend was Heidi's baby shower for her and Baby Wyatt. Heidi's expected to deliver in about two weeks, she and Jason are very excited. The shower was a lot of fun, we played some silly shower games, one of which was the sweet diaper game. Thanks Bonnie and Julie for being such good sports and being hilarious! Diana you are a brave soul, thanks for taste testing! It was fun, thanks everyone for your love and support.