My Favorite Guy

This is my husband Jim. Isn't he cute?

Jim overlooking Mullaghmore Head, Ireland

Advice from a mother

There's a great web site called "jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com" where she posts some things she learned from her mother. I thought that many of them apply to me so I thought I'd share them with you. Also, I'd love to hear from you on what things stand out in your minds that you remember learning from our mother. Come on siblings, write me back with some!! I remember mom was always telling me to stand up straight! Good posture is very important!

1. Visiting with strangers in the grocery store

is important and smiled upon.

2. Visiting with anyone, anywhere

is important and smiled upon.

2. Keeping track of dear friends and family

("your roots" as she would say)

makes your life full and wonderful.

3. Getting the giggles at inopportune moments

during the prayer at church...

in the middle of a wedding...

any place where it should be quiet and all normal people are acting sophisticated....

is a curse....and a curse we carry with a chuckle in our hearts.

4. Laughter is the best medicine. You can take it anywhere and it's cheap, cheap, cheap. Laughing your guts out can really brighten up the day.

5. Show grace under pressure.

6. Be kind and good to everyone you meet.

7. Reading to your kids is a pleasure.

8. Reading a good book for yourself is a heavenly pleasure.

9. Cook up a meal every night for your family.

10. Let's just all LOVE EACH OTHER.

11. Stand by your man.

Birthday Bash

Lunch out with the gals - for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. (Another day of celebrating) I recently had a wonderful few days of birthday celebrations. After dinner out I came home to a surprise party that Jim had planned. It was so kind of my loving family to come and celebrate with me.
Thank you all - you are the best!

Canyon Party

Our family recently headed up American Fork Canyon to celebrate Jeila's birthday. We didn't have birthday candles but we did sing before eating cake. We enjoyed being together and watching the kiddos get dirty. Easton and Sydney played on this steep hill the whole time and along with Molly got totally covered with dirt. Most of their clothes had to be removed before they could even get in the car to go home. Trystan didn't care to get his hands dirty so he wasn't as much of a mess as the others. We had a great time and will have to go again.

New York to Ireland

We had an amazing trip. Started out in New York. We saw "Mary Poppins" on Broadway and loved it. Even the guys. I actually went to the top of the Empire State Building. We arrived in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day. We stayed at a beautiful place called Adare Manor.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT IN THE PAST YEAR I...

· Dropped down to a lower size.

· Exercised four times a week.

· Stopped shrinking in height.

· Cleaned my storage room.

· Decided on and bought a generator.

· Flossed at least five times a week.

Instead, I have to admit that in the last year I…

· Have become addicted to chocolate.

· Am still working at emptying my ironing basket.

· Have spent far too much time at the computer.

· Have spent too little time in the kitchen cooking because I’m at the computer.

· Still haven’t learned how to text.

However, in the past year I also…

· Increased my veggie intake substantially.

· Learned a new computer program.

· Have learned to accept my trials as the Lord’s will.

· Discovered blogging.

· Got more prepared for emergencies.

In 2009 I am hoping to…

· Cook more for my wonderful husband.

· Notice the needs of others moreand act on them.

· Decide on and purchase a generator.

· Travel to exciting places.

· Practice the organ more.

· Become a size smaller.

· Iron, Iron, Iron.

· Love, Love, Love

In the Klink!

Jim and I were asked to attend a training session and get ID's for the Utah State Prison. We went yesterday in our Sunday best and were there for about two hours. As we walked in a gate opened
to let us in and then closed behind us and then another gate opened to let us by and then it closed behind us. It's a little unnerving to be locked in that place. We stood in line for a while to get our pictures taken then were instructed on the RULES! Under no circumstances are we to break any rules - ever. Don't think I will. Jim and I may have an opportunity to speak there for a Sunday meeting. Others that were at the training will be volunteering to assist with family home evenings, family history, etc.

It was a good feeling to walk away. When the last set of doors closed behind me as I left, relief set in. I was glad to leave the fences and razor wire behind. I'm grateful that my time at the prison will be very limited. But I am glad that there are those there that do truly want to turn their lives around.

A McGuire Christmas 2008

Celebrations began with dinner and then we moved to the basement where we had the little ones re-enact the nativity. Easton didn't care what role he played as long as he got to hold the shephard's crook. Sydney took to baby Jesus, Molly loved holding the star, and Tristan wanted very little to do with the whole thing. (Todd made a great donkey.) Jim shared with us some thoughts from "Jesus the Christ" concerning his birth. Afterwards it was "new jammies" time!

On Christmas Day everyone came over in the afternoon for gifting. It was fun to see how thoughtful everyone was. We have all been so blessed this year in spite of trials. We are so grateful to have children that love the Lord and are grateful for Christ's humble birth and mission on this earth.

Christmas Bonanza 2008 at McGuires'

The Christmas Bonanza this year was a blast! The basement at McGuires' was filled with partiers of all ages. Some were mostly happy. One was not (see pic below). After delicious food, awesome videos from each family, singing Christmas Carols, etc. we welcomed Santa Varnell. He passed out terrific gifts and entertained us with his wit and wisdom. We are so glad he came and we are so glad all of you came, too.

Monkeys at Christmas

Grandchildren add that special touch to Christmas!!

THANKSGIVING+SALE+TURKEY.jpg (image)

THANKSGIVING+SALE+TURKEY.jpg (image)

Hi all, I got this great recipe from Jeanne Ulrich for rolls using Frozen Rhodes. You'll want to give this a try.

Parmesan Rolls

Frozen Rhodes Rolls - Let desired amount of rolls thaw and rise about 1/2 way.

Then dip in a bowl of:
1/2 C. Melted Butter

Then roll in the following combined mixture:
1 C. grated Parmesan Cheese
1 t. Onion Powder
1 T. Parsley Flakes
1 1/2 t. Garlic Powder

Continue letting them rise and bake following the package instructions.

Halloween Cousins! Can't help but lovin' 'em to pieces.

Molly - Kutest Ever Kitty

Sydney - Frighteningly cute Feline!

Easton - such a scary skeleton!

Tristan as precious pumpkin boy!