My Favorite Things

Birthdays Backwards.

2011-11-09T18:04:00.001-08:00

November 5, 2011
Cory's birthday dinner at Woolgrowers-
He and Alison thought it was time they tried tongue...

They decided they probably wouldn't need to do that again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October

Jesus spent his birthday eating his mom's pot roast in Texas - while he was job hunting. We did have cake when he got home.

September
Sara and her roommate Sarah had a twin birthday bash in Salt Lake.
This is at Dewars when she came home the next day.

Ben and Janae's birthdays were in August - so maybe this counts for them too,
Caleb and Patrick turned 5 this year!

September, 17, 2011
Hannah's great all-day party in Success Valley.
There was fishing,

Actual catching fish. (For some.)

Playing. "You're coming in loud and clear good buddy."

Swing hanging. With surprisingly no injuries...

And presents.

Patrick's Spiderman Party.

A non-whacking pinata. Just yank the string.
So easy and less violent.

August - Elena celebrating at Rosemary's.

Wow!! It's not a car but I'm still excited!!

June 23. My birthday in Utah. Lunch with Patty.

And a yummy lemon cake with Sara.

May 25, Jer's birthday with Jesus and Alison.

The end.

WARNING! No pictures,

2011-08-07T21:06:00.000-07:00

Stephanie suggested I post this on my blog since I haven't done one for a while. It's just a Randall Family Update. Here goes:

Hey Family,

It's been awhile since I've done this and every time I talk to each of you I think 'I wonder if Ben knows this about Sara', or 'I need to tell Alison what Stephanie is doing to her house...' and so forth. So hopefully I can remember some of the family news to include.

At this moment Dad is riding his motor - cho cho through Colorado with the Rusty Rim Gang and some other friends from the East Coast. The first and the last days will be hot but in between they will have great

weather and scenery. He has sent me pictures. (The last night they will be staying at our house in St. George. I hope they take their boots off...) He'll be back on Wednesday in time to go to the Chrystal Palace dinner for the California Distinguished Young Women, and then to take care of his responsibilities as President of the Board. Miss San Diego - Sidiqa, and Miss Delano - Christine are staying with us this week. Christine is the winner I helped judge in March. She is a member of the church and came with me this morning before her rehearsal only to see her cousin - Stacy Nichols husband - who was here for Kyle Nichols mission talk. Small world. Sidiqa is a bubbly beach girl who plays the guitar and doesn't have a dishwasher! Crazy!

I went to St. George last week to pick up Grandpa's kitchen table that Alison wanted, and to look at the condo we bought for Wendy and to enjoy our house for a few days. Sara even decided to come down one night so we could go out to dinner. Long trip but worth it for me. Dad will be helping Wendy move from Texas to St. George in August. Hopefully she will love it there as much as we do. PS Her condo complex has a pool and tennis court... isn't that fun.
Ben and Janae bought boogie boards... finally! They decided that they should take advantage of living so close to the beach... it's about time. Maybe they'll be tying cameras to their kite ski someday like Janae's dad. Sara and I got to see some of his videos when we were there on Father's Day. We stayed with B and J that night on our way to Utah after hearing Ben shine in a concert in Newport Beach. (Thanks for the invite - it doesn't really make up for missing that Tabernacle thing but it will do for while.) Both Ben and I got parking tickets the next morning because we didn't move our cars out of the way of the street sweeper. I have an excuse but Ben should know better. Janae is tutoring this summer like she did last year. She seems to stay employed even in a time of unemployment... Good for her. She has skills that people need. They are starting the adoption process over again which is recommended after two years. It's mind boggling what they have to do. Too bad every parent can't be this prepared.
Cory has achieved a great milestone in his life... He subscribes to a newspaper!!! It seems that this has been a goal of his for years. Oh, AND maybe I should tell you this: (drum roll please) after years and months... and great anticipation, he has received his CPA Certificate! I'm not kidding. We think we need to have a celebration - we'll let you know about that. Good job Cory. Two accountants in the family are much better than one. Stephanie is doing great things to the house. Painting paneling, furniture refinishing and planting a garden that is taking over the yard. And maybe you've heard of the birds and the bees... well Cory and Steph have bats, bees, and buffalo.... That's right - there are bats living under the shutters around Caleb's bedroom window... a beehive in the tree in the front yard and when I went to see them this week, I went to a FHE potluck at some nice people's house and there was a buffalo in the pasture next door. I'm not kidding about that either. ps - Hannah is potty trained - we need to celebrate that too.
Alison and Jesus have a kitten - yep - when the duck disappeared a few weeks ago (did you know they had a duck?) they decided to get a kitten. Patrick and Elena love her (Cheddar) but she doesn't really love them yet. I'm sure she will when Elena stops twirling her around by one paw, and putting her in the oven of the play kitchen.... J and A leave for Girl's Camp this week. Jesus is cooking and Alison is doing the 3rd year hike. Raise your hand if you have great memories of Big Meadow. :) Alison is in training for Volkslav again - yay! and Jesus has been getting his exercise on the Kern River this summer. Patrick and Caleb start Kindergarten in August. Caleb will be going to the Little Red School House (seriously) just down the road from his house and Patrick will be at Eissler Elementary. Not kidding. Go Eagles!!
Sara (you remember Sara) is moving again and when I asked her if she wanted to come down and go to the beach that same week - she said she would rather: have octuplets in a covered wagon, in 14 degrees with ravenous wolves outside... than move. So why, you may ask, is she moving? Well the rent is cheaper! and she will be in a house with three fun girls, a back yard, movie nights on Tuesday... all that fun stuff.
It will be so worth it. She has decided to stay in Utah for awhile longer - maybe this will be the mildest winter in their history. She is singing in a choir in the Tabernacle for a Young Adult Conference sometime... maybe I should go up for that.
The real reason I started this email is to pick a date for a family vacation NEXT summer... (If we are still able to fit in a beach day this year we will.) Any suggestions? Anyway I'm thinking the second week of August 2012. We can decided on the 'where' later but if everyone puts that on their calendar now we can save it and do something fun. And if we have to adjust it we can. And I'm definitely not kidding about this.
I love you all. Thanks for the support after grandpa died. I feel so blessed to have been his daughter. I can't think of anything he didn't teach me. (That means I'll be perfect someday if I apply it all.) It was the best
time having you there with my family. Sorry Jesus and Janae missed it. It was a great party - and I am not kidding!
I'm going to bed now.
Love, mom

I Love My Banks!

2011-04-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago when we moved into our house we planted Banks Roses on this wall. Every Spring this is what we see happen for about two months.

Call me crazy...

2011-04-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

I have always loved Menorahs and Sara gave me one for Christmas.
I never got candles for it but found some Easter ones this week.

I hope this isn't sac-religious. Doesn't The Light of Christ apply at Easter time too?

Helping Stephanie out. Her camera has given up the ghost.

2011-03-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

Alison and Stephanie on our St. Patrick's Day visit to Cory and Steph's new house.

There are horses - therefore horseshoes.

Tractors!

I just can't seem to get this into reverse...

A pond with fish.

And best of all - fruit trees! All kinds! Right now the oranges are excellent.

After they moved in we went back.

Perfect for their dinning room table.

A belated birthday party for Caleb.
Cory, who is only 10 minutes from work came home to say hi.

Elena, or as we like to call her - Hair - and Hannah.

Feeding Mr. Brown carrots. He lives across the street.

And sipping a little homemade lemonade.. right off the trees.

Well Stephanie did pick them, squeeze them and add some sugar.
It was a great day.

First Annual Girl's Weekend

2011-03-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

I met Sara and my two nieces in St. George for a little R & R.
There should have been more 'girls' there but oh well - it's a start.

We had Breakfast at the Bear Claw!
We stayed up and chatted by the fire.

There was Solitaire - did you know you can actually play it with real cards!

And roasted tomato bisque (Sara) and grilled cheese sandwiches (Whitney).

We went to Zion - next time we'll actually go in and do some hiking.

And the girls went to Vegas to shop! Sara looks pretty excited - doesn't she?
Maybe she doesn't think Trix ( her new car) will be able to hold all their purchases...

The week I was there my brother called to tell me my Dad's Aunt Phyllis had passed away and would I represent the family and go to the viewing. This is my Dad's now only living aunt - Aunt Kay. My Grandma Ruby died when I was in High School and it was the neatest thing to see her sister and talk about my Grandma and their family of 13! Aunt Kay is 88 and still works in the Denver Temple.

Do they know how to have fun or what?!

2011-03-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

When Ben comes home...

2011-02-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

Ben and Janae finally came to Bakersfield to unwrap their Christmas presents.
Ben was so excited.

While we were all together... the girls got pedi's,

Sara showed us how cool she was,

we decorated Valentines cupcakes,

some of us jumped on Ben...

again,

and again.

We played Charades,

and tried some new make up tips.

We love it when Ben (and Janae) comes home.
Well most of us do...

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

2011-02-27T21:58:00.000-08:00

The boys and I took a little trip to Baskin Robbins...
The rainbow sherbet was yummy as well as colorful.
Two thumbs up!

We (they) tried the tire swing, and...

checked out the progress on the Super Wal-Mart.
"Man! We should have brought our hard hats! They're doing it all wrong!"

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT DECEMBER.

2011-02-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

You know what they say about weddings and funerals. It's true, sadly that those are usually the only times families get together. I am grateful for that blessing that goes with both those events. When my mom went into the hospital two days before Christmas our family started coming together and throughout the next two weeks we laughed and cried and remembered. Mom would have loved it all.

DECEMBER 2010 - CHRISTMAS AND STUFF

2011-01-09T20:01:00.000-08:00

These two people along with their parents were in Texas for Christmas ... not fun for Grandma.

Thankfully I still had these two...

Stephanie and Sara came with me to Ben and Janae's Christmas concert. It was fabulous.

Jerry and I built a house in St. George.. actually we had a builder do it - much easier.
Maybe we'll retire there someday.

I took Sara home to SLC and got to be there for the Orton Christmas Party. My mom died two and a half weeks later. I'm so glad I got to be there with them.

My brother made my mom 'bells' years ago and even though everyone over the age of 20 says they hate them - they really don't. Everyone gets one, with a nail and we play Christmas carols. We laugh a lot. Maybe if we did it more often we'd be good but mostly it is a comedy.

Sara, cousins and aunts.

Hannah decorating Grandpa.

Sara was in California more than she was in Utah for a couple of months - Hurray!!

She even got to go with Jerry and I for our annual San Fransisco trip. We've done it for several years during Christmas to shop and eat while Jerry goes to a CPA conference. Not so fun for him but great for us. We'd invite Alison but she got married and had children... And she was in Texas.
Sara wanted to try Oysters on the Half Shell... so we did. Yum :(

Here goes! Down the hatch. ( Blehhh. In my opinion.)

Isn't hotel life divine!

Christmas Day - Grandpa's biscuits and gravy. The best ever!

Presents!

Look! I just spelled my name in French! Dang I'm smart!

Merry Christmas 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

Ben and Janae were back to visit.

90% of the pictures we take of Ben don't look like this:

they look like this:

Silly Ben.

Halloween 2010 - carving time.
And costume time.

The boys.

The girls.

The others...

Don't leave Uncle Ben...

AND: Jerry and I went to Washington DC. I love it there. It's where our nation's history hits you like a powerful wave. I felt such emotion and great appreciation for other people who loved this country and made the greatest sacrifices - mostly for the benefit of those who would come after them.

I love this country.

We had an early Thanksgiving because we thought most of the family would be here this weekend... things turned a little sparse but it was OK. Now I can sleep in on Thursday and go to Del Taco...

Before.

During.
After.

...oh and the first thing she says - 'I got a knife...'

A pretty awesome cheesecake for someone who doesn't even like cheesecake...

My favorite things...

2010-11-20T21:31:00.000-08:00

having all my kids home!

...ice cream with my boys.

...being back at BYU (with Sara).

...a new house!!!

... this temple.

...shrimp truck shrimp.

BYUH Career Fairs (and the vacation that goes with it)!

Volkslauf - October 2, 2010

2010-10-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

HERE WE GO!!

Lori, do you ever stop smiling?

A testimony to teamwork.

My girls!

Nothing to it!

BUGS, BIRTHDAYS AND STUFF Aug - Sept 2010

2010-09-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

BIG NEWS!!!

Sometimes if you pass the CPA exam - you get a bag of Peanut M & M's!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes if you catch a bug, you bring it to grandma's house: One day Caleb came through the front door with a praying mantis in his bug catcher. He was so excited. 'Gwamma, isn't it great! It's your favorite bug!' He is right.
He let it ride in the train, have a bath in the doll house and crawl all over him.

Sometimes, if you're really good in Primary you get to go to Cold Stone with grandma. Caleb went the week before. This week they both get to go!! Hurray!

Sometimes we color Easter eggs in September....

Sometimes grandma takes two four-year-old's to the movies.

Sometimes we all climb in bed with Sara.

Sometimes, if we still fit in our wedding dress... we try it on!

Sometimes we play swords, sometimes we climb trees.

And sometimes we have a lot of birthday parties:
ELENA!!!

PATRICK!!!

HANNAH!!!

The real difference between men and women...

2010-08-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

PILLOWS!
Men just don't get it.
Jerry used to think there was something wrong with me because I wanted so many pillows on our bed. One day we went to see a friends gorgeous new house. When we got to their lovely bedroom, there were about 50 pillows on the bed...much more than we ever had. He finally decided it was something women did - he'd just better live with it. Since then he has been more supportive. Well, I recently got new bedding and he has been concerned that once in awhile when he makes the bed (last one out of it - most of the time that's me) he puts the pillows on right - so he will watch me to know how. Last week I came in our room to this:

Maybe it will take a few more lessons...
P.S. We have been married 36 years this weekend.
He still makes me laugh.

JUNE - JULY 2010

2010-08-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

My birthday at Mimi's... Elena really loved the gummi worm dirt/pudding cup thingy..
Cory did too!

The Fourth of July - God Bless America!!

Pick a hat... then pick a tomato. Eat it.

Utah. My brother playing catch with my dad. Not bad for 84.

At my nephew's reception. Me and Sara.

Zack, Andie and grandpa.

Dad and mom.

Sara and Uncle Doug.

Tyler and Ashley.

Cousins.

Me and my siblings.

Ben and Janae came to visit.

Cory trying to impress Elena with his tat... a lady bug I think.

Isn't she lovely...isn't she beautiful...

(Just don't come in the house.)

New Temple in Bakersfield...and other stuff.

2010-06-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

Sara came home for some sun (with Patrick and Elena). And to go to Ben and Janae's concert.

Alison came too.

It was fabulous! Lot's of great Patriotic music, a tribute to the Military -Jerry got to stand up, and Colin Ray - a country western singer who loves America!! - was the guest.
God Bless the U.S.A.!!!

Remember those pink shoes Sara was blogging about? Well she brought them this trip but didn't get to wear them so...she put them on before she left and laid on the island... Not sure why. Probably just delaying the long drive back to Salt Lake City.

This is the temple that Caleb built. Complete with the Angel Moroni on top (a Star Wars Guy). Behind him you can see all the toys (and I mean All the toys) he had to dump out so he would have the right amount of buckets and baskets to make it just right.

Every year I get something on my tomatoes to make me wonder if it's worth all the time and money to grow my own... (It's not.) This year it is tomato worms...

I think they have to be in the top three of God's most bizarre creations. (I can't think of what the other two are right now.)

Jesus threw them out in the field. Hopefully some bird had a great meal.

I had a birthday shout hurray!! Here we are lighting a candle in a Smith's cookie- better than cake.
I got some mini 'bee - noculars' that didn't need to be wrapped because Patrick told me what they were when they walked through the door... Paper, tape and ribbon saved!

Maybe you didn't know we have a ballerina in the family. Yes we do. Stephanie had her recital this week and it was amazing. She danced as a teenager and decided she wanted to do it again so she has been in classes since last fall.

That's not first position Cory.

Fun is:

2010-06-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

Fun is putting a puzzle together for three weeks and finding out it has two missing pieces... NOT!

Fun is the beach.

Fun is sitting in a box.

Fun is sitting in a wagon!

Fun is being at the cemetery! (Yes, we can have fun at the cemetery.) It would have been more fun without the red ants...

We had a cookies on a blanket and thoughts of family - how blessed we are, friends - ditto, and country - Thanks for great sacrifices.

Fun is being at the beach with Ben. Sara flew home for some sunshine.

Fun is working on the tan.

Fun is warming up.

Fun is getting sand in her shorts.

Fun is jammin'

Fun is having a ponytail!

Fun is playing kickball at the park.

And fun is going to the JB Mustache Party.

The end.

It's MAY! And you know what that means!

2010-05-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

We went to DISNEYLAND!!

But first: We went to Hart Park for FHE.
Oh Boy!It was fun as soon as we found a quiet spot away from the Pit Bull Convention.

Me and my favorite little people.

AND THEN: We went to DISNEYLAND!!
Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

We've done this in May the past three or four years. The weather was great
and there weren't 3 million people. Yay!

Patrick and Caleb making the most of time together.
This is the night before at Downtown Disney. Lots of fun music and entertainment to celebrate
Cinco de Mayo.

We went to both parks. Fun times in A bug's land.
Alison and Stephanie wouldn't get off Heimlich's Chew Chew Train!

Caleb let Cory drive the bumper cars even though he wasn't tall enough...

Sara, Hannah and the really big bear.

Patrick and I with the Car's car's. (I'm sure the punctuation is wrong on that)

Jesus trying to explain to Elena why he ran over her after she fell out of the stroller...
"It's ok dad"

The parade looked fun as we looked at it over the heads of the people while we walked to the main gate. Here is some of the pounds of confetti that fell on the streets at the end. Little tissue Mickey Mouse heads.! Aren't they adorable.

Janae and Ben got to join us after work. Once again Uncle Brandon comes through with free tickets!

Until next year.
Good times, noodle salad.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the Relay for Life:
Caleb watching someone get a pie in the face.

I've heard that this is the biggest event like it in the country. I'm so glad I went.

In the most random order ever... Part 2

2010-05-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

I took Caleb and Patrick to McDonalds to eat and play on the toys - which were being cleaned, so we went to the park - with no bathroom and of course they had to go...(And not just what they could do in the bushes...) Luckily Gail Gates lives across the street. Thank you Gail!

Hannah and Grandma's new toy!
Long story... The doll house came with a mom, dad and baby. Well the mom had her feet on backwards... which Jesus tried to fix but couldn't. So Fischer Price sent me a new family - another mom (with her feet on right), dad and baby. Now I have moms - one physically challenged, dads, babies (and I bought a grandma)... Thankfully enough for everyone to play with someone.
****************

EASTER 2010

Ben and Janae came to see us.

I like the yellow one... but the orange one is nice too.....

Let's make some music!

Stephanie is getting prepared:
"You want my finger prints?!......"

What if I don't want you to take my fingerprints?!!!!!

In the most random order ever... Part 1

2010-05-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

March 31, 2010
Ben's (and Janae's) OCMCO Concert. Cory was the lucky one who
got to go with me.
Once again a fabulous night.

Jerry and I went to Ketchican, Alaska in March. He was judging the State Junior Miss Competition. It was crazy to be in a place so remote - you can only get there by airplane or ferry. They don't have a Target so I could never live there, but the halibut was to die for! During the tourist season - when the cruise ships come - there are thousands of people. But it was very cold and quiet while we were there. (And we ate real reindeer sausage.)
**************************
St. Patrick's Day
March 2010

Hannah

The Randall's in Green

Do you want popcorn?

2010-03-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

Kissing cousins.

Do WE want popcorn?...We LOVE popcorn!!

Spill... We never spill!

Do we?...

Naa!

opps!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

We had an early St. Patrick's Day Party last week. Sara would have been happy. We're trying to carry on the party tradition without her and it went pretty well. Stephanie had crafts and a treat: sack puppets and green rice crispy-cornflake goo stuff. It looked weird but tasted good.
(We were all supposed to wear our Jimmy Hendrix shirts but Patrick was the only one who could find his.)

One two three - now everyone don't look at the camera.

So first you open the glue stick...

...then you hold your finger here for 20 minutes.

Uh...where does this piece go...?

No mom, put it right here. Good job.

January 28, 2010 Los Angeles Temple

2010-02-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

3 John 1:4
'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in Truth."

"What I did for my summer vacation..."

2010-01-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

FAMILY CAMPING AT MORRO BEACH STATE PARK
AUGUST 2009

Guess what? Elena loves the ocean.

Clam Chowder at Splash Cafe.

Keeping two 3-year olds out of the dirt for 10 minutes... A MIRACLE!

So, Dad, wasn't that fun last night in the tent when I never went to sleep?

But mom, I promise I'll stay clean if you let me get out.

Get busy girls - we're hungry!

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!! You know where the food is. Get your own stick!SEPTEMBER
Two birthday's in one party.
Patrick and Elena

This is the cake that Sara made.

Sara's brilliant idea of going to a Dodger Game for her birthday.
The Galyan's are hiding at the end of the row.

Hannah's birthday.

Sara and Kristina's birthday.

We put sparklers on the cake instead of candles! It was great!
Our 35th Anniversary ride (yes on a motorcycle) to Monterey.

Catching Up - Nov 09

2009-12-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

The Cabin

In the 1970's my dad bought some property in Provo Canyon above the Sundance Ski Resort. The first couple of years Mom and Dad put up a tent or backed their camper onto the lot and stayed there occasionally during the summer.
Then one year my dad bought a 'cabin kit' - kind of like Lincoln Logs - and he and my brothers put together a simple 3-room cabin with a small deck. It had lovely view of the north side of Timpanogos with one of it's waterfalls. My mom and dad used it for several years, taking friends and family there for fun weekends, dinners, game nights, and holiday get-togethers. Then they decided to sell it and buy a condo in St. George to use as their winter home and make more great family memories.
Well the new owner, a man of means, should I say, from back east, bought it and made a few changes.... and he offered it to our family when he wasn't using it and when it wasn't being rented out. I hadn't been there for years and neither had my dad, so in November Sara and I took grandpa back to see the 'cabin'. It was an amazing coincidence that the man who did the original remodeling, and a friend of our family, was there in the driveway working on something outside. He recognized my dad and invited us to walk through. It now has three stories, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, kitchen, dinning room, upper and lower deck, hot tub, family room, game room... Get the picture? Sara and I thought how great it would be if we still owned it. But selling it made other important things possible.

My dad was a humble printer from Southern Utah but he made a lot of great things happen for our family throughout his life because of his hard work, common sense and thriftiness. I don't know a greater man.

Three months in a flash>>>>>>>>>>

2009-08-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Memorial Weekend with Ben and Janae.
The awesome flag cake.

Playing video games like the old days.

Harvesting my basil and tomatoes! (The cilantro died. And the pumpkins Caleb helped me plant never came up but he still keeps asking where they are.)

Sara passes her big test. The last test. No more. Hurray!

Trip to Utah. The Oquirrah Mountain Temple open house.
After Moroni was struck by lightening and had to be reguilded.

Ben's concert in Orange County -

Getting back in the wedding dress!!

Father's Day

My birthday at Woolgrowers... don't ask.

Lucky me.

God bless America!!Fourth of July ride!

SWIMMING

Do these goggles make me look fat?

Sara not only went to Thailand - she also came home from Thailand!

Summer Family Picture
complete with Jesus' battle scars.

Ice cream at Dewars!

California State Junior Miss Girls

Thirty- fifth anniversary. Hard to believe.

Ben's birthday in Huntington Beach.

Thanks Alison for the new blog page.

Mother's Day

2009-05-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

This picture is all I wanted for Mother's Day. (Except all those other things...)
Thanks kids.

DISNEYLAND!

2009-05-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

DISNEYLAND - Ben and me at California Disney.
But first:

Sara and Alison were having a 'moment' last week and tried on their bridesmaids dresses... Aren't they lovely. I think Alison has plans for the purple one (Stephanie's, out of raw silk,
and Janae's.)

Sara and I went to Utah last month for my nephew Nick's wedding.
This is my sister-in-law and brother at the temple. I love them. They are great people. Doug will be released from his calling as Branch President at the MTC this month. He is the kind of man Heavenly Father has used for great things throughout his life. Not to leave out the rest of my family who are of the same caliber. I am very lucky.

Luckily the wedding, lunch and reception were the day AFTER the blizzard!
Provo, April 15, 2009

Nick and Emily

Sara and I- at the SLC Temple.

We went to Disneyland yesterday. Hurray! Cory has quit his job with CBIZ - his dad's CPA firm.. and took a week off before he starts his new job with A & P Growers (the Almond and Pistachio Co. - one of CBIZ's client's) So we took advantage and went to Disneyland.
Here are Cory, Caleb, Jesus and Patrick at the Hotel pool.

Higher daddy! Higher!

Bad catch Jesus. Guess Cory will have to do it...

"I'll race you to the other side with one foot behind my back."

Breakfast.
It ain't the Ritz - but it will do.

"Room Service!! - if you're not up here in 5 minutes with my extra pillow there will be trouble!"

"Ah, the hotel life. What time are our massages?"

"I promise if we sit right here Ariel will come by this very spot!"

"Gee dad, it's not that bad..."

With my girls.

And my boys.

It's the real BUZZ LIGHT YEAR!
Wouldn't it great if we all had masks with permanent smiles painted on them. He was so happy even though it was probably *110 inside his suit.

While everyone else went to Pirates and the Jungle Ride Ben talked me into going to California Disney - I'd never been there before - to ride Soaring over California. Let me just say that it was breathtaking! even emotional at times. I loved it. And on our way back to Disneyland I saw Mater and Lightening McQueen - so sad Caleb and Patrick weren't with us.
(See picture above that I accidentally deleted here.)

Janae's uncle owns a Hotel across the street and got three of us in for free! We love Uncle Brandon!

Doesn't Mickie look as young as the first day Disneyland opened. I wonder if he's had work done.

Disney was a smart man, right Sara.

Let there be blogging!

2009-04-07T21:53:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I came into the garage after Caleb went home one day and saw that he had parked his 'bike' in between Grandpa's 'bikes'. We have two for he and Patrick that look exactly they same but Caleb knows the difference and prefers 'his'.
Sara has been hanging out in the kitchen again. Her next project was a cheesecake.

She is an evil woman.

And more of Sara's creations.

Sara and I went to hear Ben and Janae's concert last month. We spent a glorious weekend with them and at Huntington Beach. The concert was fabulous. (The shopping was pretty good too.)
We had dinner at B. J.'s and finished off with a Chocolate on chocolate with chocolate Pazooki.

Janae's mom is in the choir too, and Ben is in the orchestra, of course.
ps Next pic: Sara licking the Pazooki pan...

"Hey everybody, it's my birthday and I'm THREE!"
Yes Caleb is three. And we had a party.

Amanda Pitts helped Stephanie make this darling Bob The Builder Cake.

I can't believe Caleb is three. Time does fly when you're having fun and grandkids are so much fun.

Yes these are cinnamon rolls. And they were horrible - each one of them that I ate.

Stop the madness!!!

Always a party when Sara is here.

2009-02-22T20:02:00.000-08:00

The day the diploma arrived!!

This is random I know but I found these stockings this week when I was cleaning out a closet and wanted to take a picture before I gave them to Goodwill. I made them for the Noriega House when we decorated it for Christmas with my good friends Audrey Horlacher, Heidi Pfeffer, Varlene Turner and Bettie Taylor. Anyway I loved the gorgeous lace I found to put on them and thought I should have a picture. (F & M's ladies)

I have two silly grandsons. They get so excited when they see each other at church or at their apartment or my house. I love it now that they can say 'oh hi gwama', tell me secrets (Patrick), or say 'doin grama, doin?' 'where Hannah is?' (Caleb) and I love to watch them when they don't know it. They are in such wonder of everything.

See.

And then I have the two sweetest granddaughters. I think it feeds me in some way to hold them and touch their soft warm faces. I hope I appreciated that with my own children but probably didn't think of it very often like most busy mothers.

The 'sling' babies.

So Sara - she has moved home for awhile and it has been so fun (for us). It probably won't last too long - as soon as she studies, takes and passes her test to be a certified lab tech she will be off to a job somewhere near the ocean.
But while she is here we have parties - and most of them involve cooking.
We found out one day that it was Chinese New Year so... she told Alison to make red a velvet cake, and she made spring rolls, lettuce wraps and other treats, and found a pattern for a paper sack dragon we helped the boys make.

Another day she made red cupcakes.

Then for Valentines she made red sugar cookies and spent half a day decorating them.
They were awesome!

Tonight she made homemade donuts.

I can't wait to see what comes next.

Christmas, New Years, Heaven

2009-01-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

These pictures are mixed up...so I'll just label them as they are.

Won't that be fun!

This is biscuits and gravy on Christmas morning. The Moreno's were in Utah so Alison got to make them for Jesus' family. She said they were almost as good as dad's.

I went to Utah to see my family and then help Sara move home. This is our four generation picture at the Orton Christmas Party.

New Year's Eve at the Petroleum Club - Sara and Stephanie share a dessert. They were just a little bit excited.

We got a babysitter for the boys which made it nice for the mom's and dad's. We love you Laura Mayberry!

Happy 2009! Ben and Janae got stranded on the Grapevine...so we didn't see them until the next morning.

Utah: playing the bells - an Orton Family Tradition. So fun to be there.
It snowed while we were there. . . Don't miss that very much.

Christmas morning. Cory and Caleb playing with the new train.

So, Heaven... We just got back from San Diego. Jerry had a conference and invited Sara and I. It was glorious. The weather, the food, the shopping, the view...

This is Sara sitting in the window sill picking out her condo when she gets a job here...

Jerry and I at the USS Midway where they built this statue of Bop Hope who entertained the troops through several wars. Thanks for the memories!

And last; Sara and I at the Hotel Coronado.The end.

Why do I always do this at midnight?

2008-12-14T22:46:00.000-08:00

I should be in bed but...I just gotta blog!

So ... in November my boys went golfing. Cory set up a weekend that Ben could come up and they hit the greens...and little white balls. I don't know their scores but I think they had a good time.
Sara came for Thanksgiving. She and Kristina put up my Christmas tree the day after - no the next day. (Sara and I went to the mall on Black Friday to help out the economy and it was pretty fun.) I don't know why I dread it so much. I just can't do it by myself and hate to ask anyone to lug it in and set it up. I had a busy week ahead and knew I wouldn't get to it so I am forever grateful to whoever will help. And it is gorgeous when it's up. Yes, I have thought about leaving it out all year...Last year I almost did. Jesus finally took it down in February - I think.

While Sara was here she made gingerbread cookies that we all got to decorate. It was grand fun. A big mess but grand fun.

We had everyone with us for Thanksgiving except Ben and Janae. (Ben was supposed to meet Janae's family at her grandmother's in Palm Springs after he got off work, but after sitting in traffic for an hour and a half- not moving! he turned around and went to Del Taco by himself. Isn't that a sad story.) We also invited the Marchesini's - Stephanie's family. It was great. Lots to be thankful for.

*************
Here is Jesus Edward Moreno - college graduate. He graduated on December 1st from Cal State. We are very proud of him.

Jerry and I went to Ben's Christmas concert with the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization this month. Janae and her mom sing in the choir now so it was fun to hear all of them. The music was fabulous.

In my new calling I got to help with the annual Celebration of the Nativity that the church hosts each year. I am not a fan of hard work... and this was one of the most strenuous things I can remember doing, ever! But now that it is over and I have almost forgotten the 'pain', I know what I will remember is the people who I got to spend that week with. The two amazing women who did far more than I did, and have busier lives to begin with, will always be my heroes and my friends. The others who came and put in so many hours and smiled about it are also the greatest examples to me (am I baring my testimony...?).

Jocelyn Delgado, Lori Gabbitas and I when we left the last day. Don't we look like we've run a marathon... I think we did.

Caleb and Patrick and I at the Nativity Celebration.

One of my responsibilities was arranging the musical numbers in the evening. Of course I had to recruit my own kids. And they did a great job.
Here is the transformed Cultural Hall.

And finally two of my favorite things!

Caleb

and Patrick

Why don't I have pictures of the babies? I'd better work on that.

The end.

Oh - ps. Thanks to Alison for my background page. Isn't it lovely.

Doesn't it just go by in a blink.

2008-11-10T19:22:00.000-08:00

BEST NEWS!

I'm back and catching up is not easy. Hopefully I've learned my lesson...
A lot has happened in 4 1/2 months but the most important event is two new granddaughters joined our family. Most of you know that we were blessed with a miracle when Elena Marie was born. I struggled between fear and faith that day, watching the doctors and nurses helping Alison and praying she would be all right. Thankfully Heavenly Father wanted what we wanted and she is here to be a mom to her little family. And then three weeks later Hannah Noelle was born to Cory and Stephanie. Safe and healthy. Sometimes when I'm home by myself I think 'I have four adorable grandchildren who live 5 minutes away...what am I doing here at home?! I'm glad I can see them so much.

Elena and Hannah were blessed on October 12. Sara came home and Ben and Janae were here too. What a great weekend!

Sara also came after the babies were born, and to go to the fair and eat a cinnamon roll with me, and to celebrate her birthday. She'll be done with her internship in St. George by Christmas. Then who knows what exciting things she will do.

Sara, Stephanie and Hannah

Elena in her new swimsuit.

Cinnamon rolls at the Fair! Jesus rented a wheelchair for Alison - she was still recovering from surgery but didn't want to miss the fair! Caleb and Patrick spent most of the time climbing on a cardboard box... They did like the animals too.

Happy Birthday Sara and Kristina!

I love my kids!

MAMMOTH!

These pictures are backwards...but nevertheless... In August we went to Mammoth and stayed in Uncle Tim's condo for a week. Crowding 10 people in a two bedroom condo may not sound like a good idea but we had the best time. This is us on the city trolley. We took a ride across town to have ice cream one afternoon. Caleb loved the ride - he was pretty sad when we had to get off.

Janae and the boys.

One day we took a picnic to one of the lakes nearby and rented a row boat. It was a gorgeous place. You can see a waterfall at the other end of the lake.

Another day we found a park where the boys could play. We had lunch and then had some serious relay races that everyone loved...

Ben and Janae stayed in a campground up the road for two nights. One of those nights we all went up and fixed hot dogs and smores for dinner with them. Cory and Sara took turns playing the guitar so we could sing around the campfire.

Hiking with Grandma.

The first day we all took a hike up to Devil's Post Pile, (look that one up on the internet) even the pregnant ladies and little boys. Cory, Sara and I went back up later and hiked to Rainbow Falls. Cory and Sara didn't have to carry me one time!

Ben and Sara with the Mammoth.

This summer Cory was called to serve in the Monica Ward Bishopric.
Here he is with the good men in our ward and stake who have been such great examples to him over the years, four of them were his bishops.

Grandpa decided to sell his old red pickup. A sad day for Caleb and Patrick. Good thing he bought this to replace it: and much more fun for grandma too!

RECRUITING TRIPS

Here's Jerry and Cliff Johnson at the BYU Idaho Career Fair. It wasn't snowing this time but it was 24 degrees one day and we decided that was too cold for us to consider it a place to retire.

A week later we were at BYU Hawaii... what can I say.
Jerry always has to do his job...(darn) but we are able to ejoy the shrimp truck, shaved ice, relaxing, scenery. ..Even just being on campus is one of my favorite things.

Here we are in the Lobby of Turtle Bay on Halloween - sorry we missed it in Bakersfield but we did see pictures!

I did get to go to the Pumpkin Patch with everyone.

Hannah and Grandma.

Patrick and Caleb

Popcorn on Sunday evenings. Sometimes I have little boys on my island and sometimes I have $100,000 in cash... I don't know which is more fun.

Yes I do.

Do I dare?

2008-06-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Alison is in Utah and Stephanie is busy at home so I am going to attempt to post a new blog all by myself... and catch up for two months! Here goes.
Sara graduated from BYU!! Hurray! Hurray! (Most of these pictures are on A & S's blogs, but just incase you missed them...) Yes Sara graduated and we (most of us) were there to celebrate with her. We rented a friends motorhome and went to Provo. It was such fun. We are so proud of her. She just moved to St. George and started her internship at the hospital there, working in the lab, until December. Then she wants to move somewhere that has a beach.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Caleb cools off in the sink on the way home. The boys were pretty good on the trip, watching videos and trying to hang on when Grandpa changed lanes. Patrick liked to sit up front and point out the moto-cho-cho's as they went by. (All 729 of them...)

My Mother's Day lei from my great kids. How did I get so lucky?

In May we went to the Strawberry Festival in Oxnard, took a trip through the Strawberry Shortcake Tent (I won't go into details but you can guess how glorious that was) and then spent the afternoon at the beach. We flew a kite and dug holes, chased waves and seagulls...you know the rest. It was a great day.

For some magical reason everyone was able to come home on Labor Day - also Jerry's birthday. That doesn't happen very often and we love it when it does. This is after breakfast at Lorene's, before Ben and Janae left and took Sara to the airport.

After school got out, (I quit my job after being an aide for BCSD for 11 years.) I went back to Provo for my mom's birthday and to see Sara participate in a Triathalon...which turned into a Biathalon because of the wet, rainy roads - no biking. A big disappointment for Sara who had worked so hard training for it. Here she is getting ready to go into Salem Pond (I actually played there when I was very young) just south of Provo. It was a cold wintery day (June 7....!!!) but she said the water was warmer than the air.

After the swim and run with her friend Elizabeth. (A couple of weeks later they both went back over and did the whole thing together in good weather... so now Sara can cross 'Triathalon' off of her Life List.) Yea!

After the 'biathalon' Sara and I met the Standifirds - my sister's famliy - in Park City. The men went golfing and we girls went shopping. Need I say more ladies... We stayed in an fabulous condo with them. Thank you so much! The celestial kingdom could be eating, shopping and laughing in Park City with the Standifirds (and anyone else who wants to come.) It is one of the most beautiful valleys I have ever seen.

Patty and I decided to take a road trip together. So she came back with me to California. Here we are after church getting ready to leave. (Not in this car - my midlife crisis car - which we just sold - haleluja!) I now have a more practical car - which every grandma needs. Bye bye convertible.On the way home we stopped in Las Vegas to see Ryan, Allyson and Lucy. ( And Ryan's golf course- he is a college graduate and is an assistant superintendent there) . I might see Patty a little bit more now that she has kids in Nevada. We got to see Lucy's new bed and go to breakfast with her and her mom.

While Patty was with me we went to Orange County to hear Ben perform in the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization Orchestra. It was started by two amazingly talented young men that Patty knows (of course - doesn't she know everyone) She is a great friend of their mother from back in her Idaho days. The concert was patriotic and inspiring. Ben was using his new horn. It was so fun to be there with him and Janae.

Patty helped clean my house for a RS activity, made salads, made me get in the swimming pool which I sometimes forget to do, bought my grandkids surprizes... I want to be just like her when I grow up.

******************************
Going out to dinner with two-year olds is always an adventure. This was for Aunt Wendy's birthday.

Then I had a birthday! Which we kind of celebrated all weekend - thanks to Jerry. Dinner out, then breakfast with my friends, then lunch with Cory, Stephanie and Caleb. Jewelry... and a coupon from my kids to have my mother-in-law's platform rocking chair recovered. Which I will need in September when my TWO granddaughters come! This is a picture of the darling birthday cake Glen and Ann Pitt's brought to me - made by their daughter-in-law.

Last of all. Jerry and I just got back from a conference in Las Vegas. This is the botanical garden at the Bellagio Hotel. Not great shopping there unless you have money to burn but it is a gorgeous, fancy place to stay - when CBIZ is paying for it. And the mall at Cesars Palace is right next door...

The end. If this works...and Alison sees it...I hope she doesn't go into early labor, she'll be so shocked. Hurray for me!

Oh the places I've been!

2008-04-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I feel like I've been gone more this year than I've been home. And now that I am an experienced blogger (Alison is sitting right here) I can blog it all!
In January Jerry and I went to Scottsdale Arizona for a conference. Thank you CBIZ. I got to go to the Mesa Temple and to Tuscon to see my niece Kristin and her cute family. In February we flew to Idaho Falls and then to Rexburg to the BYU Idaho Career Fair, and for recruiting interviews, again thank you CBIZ. I went to the new Rexburg Temple while Jerry was busy with the accounting students. We flew from there (5 degrees) to Hawaii (82 degrees) for the BYU Hawaii Career Fair and more interviews. I've decided I like the weather in Hawaii more than I do winter in Idaho...shocking I know. In March I went to Utah for my Spring Vacation. I played with Sara when she got home from school and visited my parents and brothers and sister. This month Jerry and I and another couple rode our motorcycles to Death Valley! Yes I'm a biker chick! But I'm on the back of a Honda Gold Wing - kind of like sitting in a recliner. Jerry and his buddies have gone there several times and he felt like I should see it! It was beautiful in a desert sort of way. I was surprised at how much color there was on the hills and mountains. Clear blue skies and amazing stars.The temperature was in the low 90's but they said by May 15 it would be 115. We stayed at a fun resort. (Open year 'round!) Lots of things to do for families. There's even a golf course at 215 feet below sea level. If you haven't been to Scotty's Castle you should look it up on the internet. It was a fun ride.

This month we went back to Hawaii - Jerry spoke to the Accounting students and taught in two classes. I went to the Laie Temple during that trip...I try and remember how lucky I am to go to this beautiful place so often.
And this past week we went to Disneyland (thank you so much CBIZ!) This is the second year they have payed for the tax people to go after tax season. Cory was ready for time with his family and a day off of work. Alison, Jesus and Patrick came too. Ben and Janae came to our hotel for pizza on Friday night and then had breakfast with us Saturday morning. Jerry had to work like he has the past few years. He says he is jinxed!

This week we go to Provo for Sara's graduation! Yea! I am so excited for her to have achieved such a great goal. I am so thankful she got to go to BYU - It has been a long challenging time, but I think she has loved most of what she has done there. And the fact that she made it to the end- well, I am a proud mother. She will be officially done in December when she finishes her internship at the St. George Hospital.
Sorry for the travel log - and now the pictures:

Rexburg Idaho Temple
in the snow. 2/21/08

Me on BYU Hawaii Campus: 2/25/08
Jerry and I at the Career Fair:

Sara with the cousins in Highland. Stand up comedians are not this funny! 3/16/08

Me and Sara on St. Patricks Day. Her favorite holiday. 'It's all about the outfit. You don't need a boyfriend and if you're poor it doesn't matter - you don't need to buy presents.'

Grandma and Grandpa with Doug's "new car."

Caleb's 2nd birthday party. 3/22/08

Our Death Valley Trip with Fred and Donna Cummings. 3/4/08

Shaved Ice at Motsumoto's on the North Shore. 4/12/08

Our view of Hawaii.

Disneyland. 4/18/08 After the Dumbo Ride. Caleb loved it. Patrick did not.Watching the Disney Parade. Alison said I could use this picture. She is just pulling her shirt down.

Breakfast with everyone after a long day at Disneyland. Caleb and Patrick had more fun with this luggage cart than anything else we did...
This is the end of my blog. Except one last picture of my adorable boys. If you have read the whole thing and looked at all the pictures I will send you $5.

2008-03-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

This is a test. This is just a test. To see if I can blog pictures... Yea! Hopefully I can do this after Alison goes home. This is Patrick (18 months), he knows grandpa's moto-choo-choo's are in this garage. Hopefully someone will come and open the door so he can get in.

Yes I have grandkids!

2008-03-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

I really think this is too stressful. I still need Alison to help me post pictures. Until that happens go to her blog and you can find out what we have been doing. Or Stephanie's. Will this be like writing in a journal?!!! I'm not too good at that either.
I went to Utah for my Spring break to check on my mom and dad, see Sara and the rest of my family. I have a great family. I do have pictures of that and if you can be patient I'll blog them soon.
Then this weekend Jerry and I went to Orange County to hear Ben perform in a new orchestra called the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization. He is principal Horn and they were unbelievable. Most of the songs were LDS hymns arranged by the young man who has put this group together - orchestra, adult choir, youth choir and primary chorus. They perform in the Orange County Performing Arts Center - new and gorgeous. This is their second performance. The first was a Christmas Concert in December. Next they will be doing a patriotic show in June. Anyway it was fun to hear Ben, who does this for fun in addition to school, work - helping to manage a golf course in Mission Veijo, and be EQP in his ward. He and Janae came and had breakfast with us at the hotel before we left Saturday.
We came back to Caleb's second birthday party and Easter at our house. I also had today off from school so the girls and I went to IHOP for breakfast. Stephanie said 'didn't we decide last time that when we did this again we would leave the boys at home...' We didn't and it was a circus. Thank goodness Stephanie brought the playdough!
I promise when I start posting pictures I won't write so much - just captions.

My first blog!!!!!!

2008-03-06T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hang on to your hats folks - I have entered the 21st century. I am officially a blogger - thanks to Alison and Stephanie. Now instead of cleaning my bathroom, folding laundry and doing dishes I can blog!!!!! I'm so excited, except for the pressure I feel to be cute and creative like all of you other bloggers. But maybe I won't - I'm not going to worry about it. One less thing.

My Favorite Things

Birthdays Backwards.

WARNING! No pictures,

I Love My Banks!

Call me crazy...

Helping Stephanie out. Her camera has given up the ghost.

**First Annual Girl's Weekend **

Do they know how to have fun or what?!

When Ben comes home...

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT DECEMBER.

DECEMBER 2010 - CHRISTMAS AND STUFF

Happy Thanksgiving!

My favorite things...

Volkslauf - October 2, 2010

BUGS, BIRTHDAYS AND STUFF Aug - Sept 2010

The real difference between men and women...

JUNE - JULY 2010

New Temple in Bakersfield...and other stuff.

Fun is:

It's MAY! And you know what that means!

In the most random order ever... Part 2

In the most random order ever... Part 1

Do you want popcorn?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

January 28, 2010 Los Angeles Temple

"What I did for my summer vacation..."

Catching Up - Nov 09

Three months in a flash>>>>>>>>>>

Mother's Day

DISNEYLAND!

Let there be blogging!

Always a party when Sara is here.

Christmas, New Years, Heaven

Why do I always do this at midnight?

Doesn't it just go by in a blink.

Do I dare?

Oh the places I've been!

Yes I have grandkids!

My first blog!!!!!!

First Annual Girl's Weekend