HAPPY BIRTDAY SYDNEY

It was Sydney's 6th Birthday yesterday. Natalie and Jay had to be at Parent Teacher Conferences. They were feeling pretty bad. Papa John and I got to be the benefactors of it. We took Collin, Sydney, Dresden and Logan to McDonalds for dinner and Birthday cake. Aunt Shannon stopped by before she had to go to her community council meeting, as she is the rep for our area. Shannon and I traded kids, Tuesday night she watch all four so John and I could go to a play "Romeo and Juliet" (it was very good, by the way). And last night we had all four which turned out great because they thought it was a Birthday Party for Sydney. Her Party is really going to be this Saturday. Anyway they had fun and I took a minute to reflect on how much I love having my grandchildren in my life. Carlee is my grown-up granddaughter, she is actually in Young Women's now, I hope she will love being in Young Women's. Taylor was so cute the other day when I was getting ready to rock her in the chair for her nap. The blanket I use to wrap her in when I rock her was lying on the bed, she brought it over to me and in her cute little voice said "Here Go Gamma". She was ready for her nap! So cute! Then watching those four kids playing on the playground at McDonalds and getting along so well. And last, but not least my cute Cali Kids I miss them, but John and I are so blessed that our California family want us to come and stay more often. And we will, once Papa really is retired!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY LEIGH

CALIFORNIA VISIT

I am so glad I got to go to California to help out the kids. I had so much fun going to the hospital to see our new little Creed. He is such a beauty. Mike and Nikki are doing great and the kids were so good for me. I'm glad Mike got to spend a lot of time with Nicole, it was a pretty easy delivery especially compared to Cole's birth. The time went by so fast I can't believe how quickly those 7 days went. The weather was cool and rainy, but nothing like our Utah weather, I love California weather! They have made their house a warm and inviting home, I felt very loved and needed.

The kids and I visiting mom and baby 3 hours after Baby Creed's birth

Baby Creed's welcome home from Savannah and Cole

Savannah's Valentine cards and treats from school friends

Cole playing out front, one of the few minutes of sunshine

Cute coming home outfit! Beautiful Baby

Okay, you are probably wondering why I have a picture of Robert Wagner with my California kids. Well I got to see him at the Thousand Oaks Library Saturday night. It was a thrill, because he has always reminded me of my very good looking husband! His smile is just like Johns! (Okay I know I'm a little sappy). It was just by sheer coincidence that I got to see him. We went to the library to get some books for Savannah. He was speaking and autographing his latest book, I think it is called "Pieces of my Heart" I didn't stay to buy his book or get his autograph, now I kind of wish I would have, but it was still fun to see him in real life.

Robert Wagner

CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE

Jay and Natalie invited us to go with them on a Carnival Cruise We had so much fun with them. Hopefully we didn't drive them crazy as we acted like old folks at times. Our trip started out a little unusual, we thought we were going to be a little closer to the BX and eating places when we arrived at MacDill Air Force Base. The Taxi dropped us off at the Inn where we stayed the night before getting on the ship. We were a little stranded, too far away to walk to the BX and so we walked over to the bowling alley to have dinner and decided to bowl. Collin and Sydney had a blast! So did we watching them! I guess the cook at the bowling alley took pity on us, he gave us a free pizza to take to our rooms to cook in the morning so we wouldn't be hungry. What a nice man! The next day,on Sunday we taxied over to the ship and got on. I love the excitement of getting ready to ship off. The first full day, Monday was at sea, we layed out a little, but it was windy and a little cold. John and I found a quiet hot tub in the exercise room (sweet)! On Tuesday we arrived in Cozumel where John and I went to the mainland to visit the ruins in Tulum. Nat, Jay and kids went Island exploring with a rented car. They loved the southern side of the Island where they played on the bleach and in the water. On Wednesday we arrived in Belize, we all went Cave tubing, the kids did great! We all had fun! On Thursday, we arrived in Roatan, where we all went to the Gumalimba Park, we interacted with MacCaws and Monkeys and played in the Caribbean waters. On Friday, we arrived in Grand Cayman we all went on wave runners (well for the most part Syd and I spent our time in the boat, due to Nana's injury and Sydneys fright of the wave runners) we went to see Stingray City we touched and walked among stingrays (cool) and everyone but Syd and I snorkeled among the reefs. On Saturday we were out to sea again all day heading back to Tampa. I'm glad we layed out in the morning because by noon it turned cool and we stayed in out of the wind for the rest of the day. Collin and Sydney had so much fun at camp carnival. But I was happy to see that their mom and dad didn't just drop them off and go play the whole time, they really spent a lot of quality time with their kids. Way to go Nat and Jay! On Sunday we had all day before catching our flight so we visited the Florida Aquarium. It was well worth it!

Leaving Tampa Florida on our Fun Ship Carnival

Our first sun set on board the ship

Mayan ruins of Tulum

Book of Mormon history right before our eyes!

The beautiful Caribbean waters of Tulum

Gumbalimba Park

Beautiful Birds

The monkey really wanted Natalie's sun glasses

Rudel Family winners!

The first night on board, Natalie won the Ultimate Mind Game, (she gave the most correct answers) Another night, Collin was the head of the Red team, mom and dad, Syd and other members on board won this dance contest. The head of blue team gave Sydney her trophy. Then again on another night, mom, dad and kids (see picture above) won the best dressed/scavenger hunt contest so now they all have a trophy!

Instead of spending all day at the airport we went to the Aquarium

We are so glad we went on this trip!

RETIREMENT/BITTER-SWEET

37 Years

Well, John finally did it! But he is finding that retirement is bitter sweet.....sweet, because he retired, bitter because he accepted a job with a defense contractor. So he is still working 10 hours a day and is only 30 feet away from his old office. For thirty seven years he has worked hard to make our family warm and secure and he continues to do so. He is still a member of the Army National Guard attending weekend drills until this coming August (I am also very proud of him for the sacrifices he has made those many, many, many, many, weekends.)

He is my Hero!

General Tarbet congratulating John for his outstanding service

Major Fitzgerald honoring John with the "Minute Man" trophy

Colonel Norton congratulating John and wishing John good luck in his new job

Family members listening to all the great things that were said about John.
They also presented me with a beautiful bouquet of Flowers. Then we all went to lunch. It was a wonderful retirement program and we were very proud of John.

IT'S TIME FOR CAROLING

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

It's that time of year again. I love singing with this great group of people. They are so talented and we have so much fun at our practices. I really feel privileged to be a part of this group. Tonight is our first performance and I am really excited to get started. We have four concerts, tonight, tomorrow night, Sunday at the tabernacle on temple square and next Thursday we do a benefit for "The Road Home" we collected more than $6,000.00 last year for this charity. I really feel like our music brings out the best spirit of Christmas in so many ways.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I am grateful for:

John - Who has worked so hard all his life to make my life and his kids lives comfortable and safe. A man of few words, but his actions speaks volumes for his character. He makes my life complete.

Natalie -A Hard working school teacher who deserves a pat on the back, a talented pianist, wonderful mother and wife. Jay her great husband and great father has more creative ideas and knows how to put them to use than anyone I have ever seen.

Brandt - Man of the hour, landing a 7 million dollar job for his company this last week. A great father, husband and jokester all in one. His wife Soupie literally going to the ends of the earth to deliver Tayler Marie. A wonderful mother of two sweet girls.

Shannon - Ms. community representative, who will make her neighborhood a better place, a fantastic licensor for her company and fun mother to her two boys. Larry her talented husband has such a great imagination and gives his boys lots of opportunities to explore their own imaginations.

Michael - Mr. Police Officer, a man who deals with the "not so pleasant things in life," but still has strong convictions of making the world a better place. A great dad, a loving husband to a wife who keeps him grounded. Nicole the miracle worker on the internet knowing how to find good deals. A wonderful mom and an excited mommy to be with #3.

Grandpa & Grandma Strong - Who keep us young, I want to be that active when I am their age.

My Greatest Blessings Call Me Nana

Carlee, Collin, Dresden, Sydney, Logan, Savannah, Cole and Tayler

I love reading all the friends & family blogs, you are all so awsome!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the trimmings!

Our Young Women and Young Men went to the taping of the Young Women/Young Men celebration(actually our Young Men didn't make it because they were too late). The audience (us) got to be a part of the broad cast. It was long, but I think it was worth it. We almost didn't make it. The Jazz were playing and there were thousands of YW/YM so the streets were packed with cars. We waited for a red light twice without moving so I made the girls and YM president get out of the car and hike it to the conference center. I was really lucky to get a parking place in a parking lot southwest of the conference center, the guy was just letting everyone in, I think he gave up on who could park in the parking lot. I had a ticket to park three blocks away, but he just let me in anyway. I ran to the conference center. Thank Heavens for texting. I found the girls and made it just in time. I don't think we were taped because we were clear up on the left side of the balcony, but at least we can say we were there. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm of these kids.. They blew me away! I love our new theme for 2009. I am so excited to be with these young women, they are great girls everyone of them! I miss the primary kids, but I am loving these young ladies.