Haappy Newww Year!!!!

May your new year be filled with many

happy memories!

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Dear Sweet Taylor!

So beautiful and funny!

My baby, my joy!

Thirteen today!

When did it happen?

Where did time go?

WHY?

I love my girl!

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Merry Christmas

Wishing all my family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a

Wonderful New Year!

I have mixed emotions this year.

We have all our children home for Christmas, but we are missing Jake!

He will have to be here next year to celebrate with our LOUD, Abnoxious,

OUT OF CONTROL family!

I miss my Arizona and Texas family! ALOT! You guys are the best family a gal could have!

I miss my friend Lisa! Come back Lisa!
But most of all I am regreting my desicion to invite all the eastern family here to our house for Christmas instead of going to Nancy and Peter's house like we usually do every year.

NOW I HAVE TO CLEAN! UGHH!
I love my quick thinking...lets have everyone here!

smart Lor real smart!

Back to the real Message!

I hope Santa brings you everything you want!

I hope your house cleans itself!

I hope you enjoy the holidays!

I hope you'll come visit soon...just don't bet that I will have a clean house!

But you can bet it will be fun, loud, there will be tons of food AND lots of games!

Holiday Hustle

I know Christmas will be here every December 25th. It never changes, same day every year!

But I cannot for the life of me be prepared!

This year we got our tree up the week after Thanksgiving.

Rick decorated outside.

We listened to Christmas music all day.

Then time stood still!

We did not shop, bake or mail cards.

It was even 70 degrees outside, how could it be Christmas?

We now have less than a week till Christmas.

Will I be ready?

Usually every year we are out shopping Christmas Eve, we grab a guick bite to eat at the mall and hang out with all the crowds.

We are just never ready before then.

This year I wanted to be ready, to have it all done by now.

I wanted to have a wonderful dinner on Christmas Eve.

Something nice, with pretty dishes and maybe candles.

The kids are old enough now.

My dear friend Lisa does. One year we enjoyed the festivities with their family.

I want that.

We will see.

Oh the weather outside is FRIGHTFUL!

Yes it is cold!

Yes they are outside!

Yes they are having fun!

Cutest snowman and snowgirls EVER!

But inside it's so delightful

YES I am INSIDE where it is warm!!

Thanks Tay for being an awesome almost 13 year old!

David's Surgery

Last Tuesday David called and told me he wasn't feeling good. I assured him it was the stomach bug we had just gotten over! Bad call mom, it wasn't! We found ourselves at the hospital all night, and I feeling so guilty couldnt sleep. Come to find out he had had an appendix attack! Early the next morning he was taken in for surgery and spent the night again in the hospital. Funny thing is they put this 6'5" 21 year old in the pediactric wing. Whats up with that?

He is doing well, but is sore and not moving as quickly as he used to!
It was quite the adventure! Thank Heavens he is well!

Our family loves hard boiled eggs! We love them deviled, in egg salad and just plain with salt and pepper. Any way you peel it, eggs are so yummy! (I couldn't resist the pun!)

One too many times in the past 22 years of marriage I have either under cooked or burned eggs I have been trying to hard boil. The smell of a burned 'boiled' egg is nasty and takes forever to get out of your house!

Fortunatly for me I found a really easy way to make the eggs so I don't have to babysit them while they are cooking.

• Fill the bottom of your pot with eggs, only put one layer otherwise they will crack.
• Cover with cold water.
• Put on high heat and bring to a rapid boil. Some recipes call for salt in the water, I have done it both ways and it doesn't seem to matter.
• Once water boils cover pot and remove from heat.
• In ten to twelve minutes you will have the perfect hard boiled eggs and they will not have that greenish gray ring around the yolk!

Little Arli

Arli 8 years old at her baptism, Feb 1997

Arli has had many milestones in her life. First, her birth, then her baptism, entrance into Young Womens, becoming a teenager, her first date, her first boyfriend, turning 18, leaving for college, becoming engaged, and voting for president.

Little Arli had another first last night.

She had her first wedding shower .

There are others planned, but last night was her first. It makes it special, and I am glad she enjoyed it so much!

She has had many other firsts and some seconds and thirds. Some were happy, some sad. She will have many more firsts in her life, I wish I could be there to share in all of them!

I am happy she had a wonderful time!

Thanks to all of Jake's family for being there feeding her and showing her a good time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a lot to be thankful for!
I always have a lot to be grateful for, but during these especially stressful times I forget.
Today I am writing them down so I will have a place to remind me during my whinny times!

1. My FAMILY! husband, kids, brothers, sisters, parents, in-laws, (or out laws...::snicker::) nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. How can you not be thankful for that? I am thankful for FOREVER FAMILIES!
   
2. My Home! It isn't new or fancy and not always in order, but it is mine.
3. My college degree! It was a dream of mine as a small child. I am proud of myself for accomplishing this great task!
4. Technology. The GPS (although I still trust myself more), Atari (oops I mean WII), cell phones, and of course computers. I love, maybe too much, the Internet. Catching up on friends and family. Typing papers on programs that can catch a spelling error is amazing. Remember typewriters...UGGGH! Googling is a fun past time...agreed?
5. Reality T.V., need I say more? (hey, this is my list!)
6. Friends. They have been my family while I live a country away!
7. The Church. How thankful I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know my Father in Heaven loves me and takes care of me and my family.
   
8. Food. You cannot forget to add this one to the list on Thanksgiving! It is not just a source of nourishment to my body but nourishment to my memories, through smells, sounds and sights. A beautiful turkey, creamy potatoes, brilliant red cranberry sauce all add to the day.
   
9. Books! I love to read. I am in love with a great mystery. A fun children's book interests me as much as a love story. As always a great cookbook!!! I read them like regular books, if you have never tried it you should. You learn all kinds of interesting things.
10. Service. Given to me and sometimes by me. I am grateful for the kindness of strangers, family and friends. I am grateful to see kindness given to others. A simple gesture goes a long way. 'Blessed are those who give without remembering and receive without forgetting.'

Thank you Father for all I have been given and all I will be given. I know all things come from you, through others for me and my loved ones.

THANK YOU to all those who bless our lives! In case you didn't know I am Grateful!

Yummy 7 Layer Bean Dip!!

We love this dip! I received a recipe book

"The Mormon Family Cookbook"

22 1/2 years ago for our wedding. Funny how something can be a family favorite for so long. I am often asked to bring this to parties, family dinners etc.

It is very simple and easy to double, which I do as a rule! You can never have too much!

This is the doubled recipe.

• 2-cans (16 oz) refried beans (add 1/2 tsp Adobo or garlic powder)
• 1-16 oz tub sour cream
• 1-package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
• 3-large ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and mashed
• 1-tsp lemon juice
• 1-tsp Crystal hot sauce (Tabasco works also)
• -pepper and salt to taste
• 2-cups shredded Cheddar or Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
• 1-can (2.25 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained (1/2 cup)
• 1-medium tomato, diced (3/4 cup)
• 4-green onions sliced
• Tortilla chips

1. Mix refried beans and adobo (or garlic powder). Spread on platter.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together sour cream and taco seasoning. Carefully spread over bean mixture, stopping 1" from edges.
3. Add lemon juice, Crystal hot sauce and salt and pepper to avocados, mix.
4. Carefully spread over sour cream mixture, leaving 1" from sides.
5. Layer cheese, tomatoes, olives and green onions.
6. Serve with tortilla chips

Hangin' Up

Not too long ago, while the girls were at Young Womens Rick and I decided to hang some pictures. In fact, the last time I had rearranged pictures was quite a while ago. We were going to sell our house and Stephanie Nielson still lived here. I loved her style so she came to lend a helping hand! (no comments from the peanut gallery...I know that has been forever ago!)

Lucky for us, our home didnt sell. See, I didn't want to sell, I liked being settled! And like it or not it was our little home!

Rick and I always had fun hanging pictures in our new homes.

We moved a lot, so it is weird we have lived here, in the same house for 10 years. Now instead of hanging pictures when we move we rehang them when we are tired of the look!

I love this...you can see it when you walk in our front door. It is a wonderful reminder of where our hearts and minds should be.

Living room. We now call it the Thorne wall. It has some favorites from when we were first married and a new addition from Lisa for my birthday! Thank Lisa for the Giant T!

Of course I have to have my Shrine! It is devoted to my mother. She loved Angels, and the picture of her and me and my sister is one of my favorites!

Quite often my house is a mess, and I can't blame it on the kids, darn! We are getting better but mostly I love that it is cozy and warm! I want people who visit to feel welcomed and at home!

The Cherished Coffee Set!

Grandma Jesse's Coffee set.

I had BEGGED my mom for this set for years! I love the daisies, and the colors are beautiful!
Christmas 2000 my mom and dad came out to visit us and spend Christmas with us in New Jersey.
I was so excited about having my parents with us for the holidays!
A few days into the visit and just before Christmas I happened to think about the cherished coffee set. I asked my dear sweet mother about it again, and when I might be able to 'inherit' it. My mother blew my mind when she told me she gave them away to one of my other sisters. I really can't remember which sister it was, but boy was I upset. I asked her WHY she would give it to someone else when she knew I wanted it so badly. (now you have to know that I was being nice...no yelling or screaming although I really, really wanted to) She said she didn't remember I had wanted them and she was SO sorry! Now being the great and beautiful daughter that I am said it was OK and held in the tears I so dearly wanted to shed at that very moment.

Now I know I sound amazingly selfish and snotty, and part of me is sorry I was so upset. But you have to know how much that meant to me.
We got busy with Christmas preparations. Wrapping, school plays, shopping trips in the newly fallen snow. Rick worried so much about my mom not having a coat (she hated them, she was from Arizona for heaven sakes! he INSISTED on her wearing his grandmothers fur coat! If you know my mom that isn't her and she only wore it in the car and then promptly took it off before we entered the mall.
Finally, Christmas day came. WE were all so excited to be together and enjoy our morning. As we opened the presents each one seemed to be special and fun in its own way.
Mom had me open a HUGE box. Now I know what your thinking "yeah, Lorri got the Coffee Set! What a great mom she has!"
Surprise! I had a beautiful new quilt my mom had carefully worked on for me! In fact she made one for each of her children from an old quilt my grandma Jesse had made. As children we often fought over who was going to get the quilt when the time came! Each of us had a good reason for wanting it. My mother played King Solomon that year and cut the quilt up in several pieces and added them to her own creation so we could each have part of Grandma Jesse's quilt!
Imagine my surprise! I loved it and tears filled my eyes!
More presents, more laughter, more surprises!
My mother pulled out another box.
"OPEN IT!" Yelled the kids!
I unwrapped the package...
looked inside, and carefully pulled back the padding inside.
THE CHERISHED COFFEE SET!
I Shouted with joy, jumped up and hugged my dear sweet mother!
"thank you, thank you thank you!" I yelled and

" you stink, you totally got me!"

Thanks again mom! I love it!

What The Heck?

100 Points!

100 points to anyone who can tell me what is wrong with this picture!

Maybe BYU should require drawing a duck to determine if you should get accepted or not!

New Job!

Look at me! I am a babysitter!
So this is my New Job.
I am babysitting Whitney Rockwell's 4 (YES I SAID 4) kids! They are all 5 and under!
It really doesn't feel like a job!
I like to be home and run errands or go out when I need to, I like to be able to get on the computer...
(when the kids are sleeping of course!)
Plus, being home gives me more time to work on the wedding!

I only work 1/2 a day on Wed. so I head into John's office and work there. I think there are two reasons I stay with John,

1. I still owe him for my car (only $850 left YEAH FOR ME!) so each week my 'pay' goes straight to my car payment.

2. He can't do it without me! No really! This is the biggest reason I stay. He calls a couple times a week to find out how to do this or where is that? When I come in I get quite a bit done in the short time I am there. We have a lot of fun... believe it or not! Lol!

I have had 4 kids before. They are still ALIVE, so I can do this part time no problem (I hope!).

OK, on to the best part

And the LUCKY kids are...

Ashleigh

Ash is in Kindergarten so I don't see her until noon, but what a doll! One girl surrounded by 3 brothers, but she LOVES it! She said she likes it because then she gets all the attention...lol

Matthew Matty is almost 4.
He was born on Taylor's Birthday! He is a happy little boy, and full of spunk!
(who by the way just woke up his baby brother Garrett so we could go and get a treat. I told him earlier we would have to wait until the baby woke up to go and so he helped things along by waking him. Obviously we are not running out to get a treat, I put the baby down again where Matt can't get him! Your little scheme didn't work Sir Matty!)

Ben
Ben is 2. Need I say more?
He is a funny little guy who is discovering his language every day! Sometimes I am lowi, sometimes I am Arli, sometimes I am Taylor and sometimes (ok only once) I was mommy **After he said it he looked at me and realized I wasn't mommy, sorry Ben!**

Garrett


Garrett is 7 weeks old! He is a sweet baby and I really enjoy him! He isn't difficult at this stage.
Now if I can keep the boys from attacking him all the time, it is a constant battle. "he needs his Binky" "he wants a toy" (yeah sure he does) "he wants to go and get a treat"
(Really, is that right?)
The best one is when Ben wants to stick his finger in poor Garrett's eye or up his nose or in his mouth!

So...I begin my adventure! I know now why women have children at a younger age. I don't know if I could have children at this age! Holy cow! It is so easy to leave with my girls, everyone can buckle their own seat belts. The bottles, binkys and diapers stay home. Best of all, my girls come when I call (just kidding, I am trying to fool ya, did it work?)

My Deepest Apologies...?

I have to admit I was WRONG?

I can hear you now...Lorri was Wrong? How did that happen, Lorri is NEVER wrong! But I was and I owe my Hubby an apology!

So the wires to my camera were NOT at his office...I searched!

Sorry Rick!

see post Bubble Blowin' Gal

(write this one down...it may not happen again!)

I Voted!

I am proud! I voted!

Now this isn't anything new for me, each year, at each election I vote.

It makes me happy to know I did something to contribute to this Great Country.

I can...so I do!

How exciting...

I have always taken my children to "help"

and now 2 of my 4 vote!

I am proud! WE voted!

Bubble Blowin' Gal

As luck would have it I left the cord to my camera at Rick's office...and downloading pictures is IMPOSIBLE without it, so my CUTE pictures of Six Flags and Halloween will have to wait. ( I did ask Rick to check for it and bring it home...HE ASSURED ME it was attached to our home computer! It is not here. I will gladly apologize for being grumpy about it if he can produce it here! UGH!)

Miss Taylor Loves Pictures of Herself!

Each time I get on the computer I find new pictures of Taylor.

They are all cute...

However, these really tickled my fancy! Yep, fancy words for I loved them!



Remember the joy of a big bubble?

Remember hoping it wouldn't get in your hair when it went....

POP?

(Wish it had popped...it would have been priceless! sigh)

My Beautiful Talented Niece!

We had our Annual Autumn, Halloween, Trunk or Treat and Chili Cook off, this past Saturday night. It was a blast as always, but I was a little sad about going because my kids are really too OLD to have that same excitement and twinkle in their eyes like when they were little ones.
I am so proud of my girls because it doesn't matter why we go they will always find a way they can help. It could be to help run the games, or take a little one trunk or treating, or just hold a baby (yeah like thats punishment) so the mom could get a break! they are so sweet...even if no one asks they find a spot where needed and pitch in! Great girls! Besides they like to eat chili, get candy and hang out with their friends!

This year I invited Ricks brother Chris, his wife Chrissy and of course my niece Brianne. Chrissy brought her friend Stacy and her little boy Zach.

The kids had a good time as well as the adults. Who wouldnt? Food, cosutmes, Food, candy, cute kids, friends, and Brianne, dont forget Zach!

From the moment Brianne walked in she insisted she needed to be on the stage. Of course she is attached to uncle Rick and he would do anything for her...

This was the result of uncle Ricks love...and the Highlight of EVERYONE'S night! Listen carefully to the cheers!

How can you NOT love that?!!!

Least Favorite Job?

What do you think your least favorite JOB would be? I have many thoughts, plumbers, garbage man, butcher, baker, candlestick maker and even the dreaded pedicurist.

MY ABSOLUTE LEAST FAVORITE JOB WOULD BE...

the cart boy/girl at any of your neighborhood mega stores!

It is NEVER ending!

Why just today I saw a poor guy pushing like 50 carts back into the near cartless store.

I walked my cart to the empty corral where I am sure he just picked all those carts up.

I really did feel bad, and part of me even wanted to run it into the store for him...

JUST PART.

I left it for his next trip

turned and walked back to my car

and away I drove

At least I returned it!

Yes, a lot of times it gets left by my car (that is his job right?) Dont make me feel guilty!

I hate that walk, even though I know I can use it!

What would be the job you would HATE the most?

Anyone For A Game?

I am a game loving FREAK!

I got Monopoly for us on our first Christmas.

Rick and I played that night, and played and played and played.

Finally I was ready to stop, I was winning!

Rick wasnt, but he was having a ball!

I fell asleep on the floor, he kept playing for BOTH of us!

I STILL WON!

Rick wrote the score on the lid of the box...I had all the money!

At least he is honest, and we STILL have the box with the winning score! I dont know why he isnt embarrassed?!

Apples to Apples is the Best! I love it cuz you can make any card work any way you want...you gotta be fast talking and smooth (that is SO me!)

We played with my in-laws and all the family and we all loved it, that doesnt happen very often, too often someone doesnt enjoy the game! Not this one

My family in AZ really likes Rummikub!

I dont know why...it is just fun! Maybe cuz only 4 people can play so we have a quieter group, (oh wait that is a lie, we are never quiet besides we always add more people anyway, sometimes there are 10) or maybe cuz you have to think and count.

Maybe just cuz its fun!

I reallly enjoy Trivial Pursuit!

I dont always win but I like to think I am good at this game, makes me feel SMART!

Dont you feel smart when you answer a question?

They have a new version out with three levels of difficulty!

Maybe that will be my Christmas game this year.

(mofia game)

(mofia)(cops)

Last but not least we played Mofia this summer when Jake came out.

It doesnt have a board, (wierd) or dice or cards or little people to move about.

You have to be clever, but mostly just a good actor...

Sometimes your the good guy, sometimes the bad!

Mostly you laugh and laugh and laugh!

I played something simular in high school, but this was better.

I guess no matter what

I am a game loving FREAK!

My Baby Boy! How I Love Him!!

First let me say...I am not a ONE picture kinda gal...so if your not into pictures I am sure you will be bored, but I love pictures! They say more than I can! So read and LOOK on!

My son David is adorable!

I remember the day he was born like it was YESTERDAY! Sadly it was 21 years and 5 months ago today! ( so we will call this his un-birthday...I just want to boast)

MY oldest and only boy!
He loves sports, always has...any type. He can tell you anything you wanna know about them- scores, odds, player rosters, and anything about the March Madness basketball stuff, you know all the stuff I dont!

HE is 6'5" he should know about all this stuff!

He has played baseball, football, soccer, etc.

He played basketball in high school and loved it...we were so proud!

Still ARE!

He has lived at home, away from home, clear across the country and just an hour or so near by. I like the hour or so near by, we can still visit!

YEAH! Visiting is fun!
He lives in Queens, NYC in a really cool apartment!
I MEAN REALLY COOL! I wish I had it!!

It is amazing when your children are young how you love them so much. . .but some how in your mind figure once they grow up you wont have to worry or fret about them 'as much'. . .hmmmmmmmm
If I could repent about those thoughts at all...I would have to say I was wrong, I think you Worry MORE!

when they are young you can pick them up and carry them safely from the danger, or cuddle with them if they are scared. Usually, a five year old will tell you all their thoughts and feelings. Trust me I hear so few details from my 21 year old. His communication skills are more advanced since he was 5, but his desire to communicate his secrets is not a strong...

I love my boy! He has grown into a fine young man!

He works hard!

He has good political ideas! (we taught him well. . .although Grammy doesn't think

so. . . he he! GO McCain/Palin)

He is a wonderful older brother to his 3 sisters!
they truly love him!

Thank you Heavenly Father for the blessing of being Baby Davey's Mommy!

I love him!

My Daddy!

This is my daddy! He is my HERO!

He rode a Motoguzzi. . . a really cool motorcycle!

He was in the NAVY!

What a stud!

He traveled A LOT! Florida and Spain are two I remember...of course he spent a lot of time under the ocean in a submarine! Crazy huh?

He is so CUTE! I love his laugh!

Daddy didnt have grey hair until he married mom. . .

Awww!

and US! Arent we a delight?

He has always taken great care of US!

Thanks Daddy!

I love you! xoxoxo