Life Changing Items!

So recently two items have changed my life in a positive way!! First two of my sisters-in-laws made me these great flower clips for my birthday. I love them. They make my straight, boring, flat hair fun and somewhat stylish.


The second item I found whil walking through Wal-Mart with my brother Chris. We stumbled across a snow cone machine. I rarely impulse buy, but I did along with five syrups and snow cone cups. It was the best purchase I've made in a long time. The kids love them. They can actually do it themselves. There is no mess and no clean up. Often Emery just wants plain ice. It's already hit 100 degrees this week, so this is such a fun and easy treat for the summer. I just had to share. Plus my machine is red!

Emery's Cute Bum

I couldn't resist posting some pictures of Emery's cute bum. The kids were celebrating a cousins birthday with a very cool bouncer water slide. It was in their grandparent's back yard. Emery was dying to wear a "Nanny" suit. Meaning a suit that just stays at her grandma's house. The suit was a snug fit, but she just looked so cute and squeezable!

My Sweet Grandmother Katie

My sweet grandmother Esther Catherine Hall Olson, aka "Katie" passed away this morning. She died just two months after my grandpa. She was 91 and lived a great and happy life. I am so happy for her that she didn't have to live much longer than my grandpa. They were married for over 60 years. I actually think closer to 70 years. Their love for each other was always such a great example to me. I grew-up swimming in their pool nearly every day in the summers. When I was married I would eat dinner with them every Wednesday night. They attended every chorus concert I ever had. I don't remember my grandma before she went blind. If you met her you would never know she was blind. She was a great example to me that through her trial of not being able to see she was always cheerful. She grew up in Utah and attended Brigham Young Academy before it became BYU. She told me how she would go to the movies and take a can of olives with her as her treat! My grandparents were such a great example of a loving couple who were devoted to each other throughout their long marriage. I always just assumed Sam and I would have a similar life, grow old and happy together. It's weird to think I have no more living grandparents.

More Easter Fun!

I have attended the annual Hawkins Easter Party for the last 10 years. This was the first time it was rainy for the Easter egg hunt. It turned out to be a great Easter party any way. The kids and dads headed off to Bounce U, while the moms stayed behind and "hid" the eggs and baskets throughout Nanny and Papa's house (Sam's parents). It turned out to be a great Easter. The rain let up long enough to get some family pictures in the back yard.This is all of Emmet and Emery's cousins. There are 23 grandkids with one on the way.
The kids lined up in the back yard according to age and when we gave the go ahead there was a mad dash into the house for the egg hunt. The house was decorated beautifully, but my favorite part this year was the cake. It even tasted yummy!Emery loved her bubbles the most!The kids also got as part of their Easter present a shirt that said their name and what number grandchild they are. Emmet is 11 and Emery is 16! It was a great Easter!!

Teensy Easter Tea Party

I love Easter! It's my favorite holiday. It's such a bright and happy holiday. There are several fun events that take place on and around Easter. We started off this year with the Teensy Easter Party. It was for all of the grandkids, 5 and under. Nanny does such a great job. She set up a table in the "secret garden". It was so whimsical. I wished I was young enough to sit and drink "tea"!
Emery and Emmet had a great time!! Emmet wasn't quite sure he wanted to sit and enjoy himself, but he got into it. Emery loved sitting there next to her girl cousins sampling the many delicious treats.


We ended the fun morning by jumping in the pool. The water was so cold, but the kids didn't care. They love swimming with their cousins.

Happy Engagement!!

10 Years ago today Sam proposed. He told me later he chose April First on purpose because if I said no he could just tell me it was an April Fools joke!! Poor guy, we already had the temple scheduled before he proposed, but he was still that nervous. It was such a fun night. Sam new me well enough that I didn't want him to get down on one knee, stuff like that makes me uncomfortable!! He surprised me with a beautiful Easter basket full of meaningful gifts and one of the gifts was my ring. I can not believe how quickly ten years has come and gone.