Christmas Is Over!

Yes, Christmas is over and what a wonderful time it was. It was great to have my children all together under one roof, with the exception of missionary Jacob. We look forward to having him home next year. We are all so proud of him and the work he is doing. His mission is such a great blessing in all our lives and it has been such a joy to have another missionary in the field. Christmas morning was the best. J.R. and Shyann made the experience so enjoyable. They were both so cute and excited to see what Santa had brought to them. Santa was very generouse with those two, for sure. It was also so great to be surrounded by all my children and to remember how special each one of them are to me. Each is special in their own way and appreciate each one so much. The house is chaotic and crazy but I truly look forward to these times.

I received my fall semester grades and I am very happy with them. I received three A's and one A-. Not bad for an old gal with her first semester at the U of U. I was so happy to receive the A- in political analysis because I was anticipating my first B since I returned back to school. I am both relieved and disappointed because I thought if I finally received a B I would quit getting so stressed but now I will continue to try and get all A's. We will see how that goal goes, but if a B does come I now know that it is not the end of world. I can handle it. But everyone who knows me knows that I will work my hardest to do my best in all my classes. I am an overachiever and I know it, I even had a professor call me that. I just laugh because it is too true. I love school.

We had a special experience happen on the thirteenth of this month. Amy graduated from Utah State University. We had to travel in a wicked snow storm to watch her walk but they would have had to close the canyon to keep us from being there. She is a good example and I sure love her and having her as part of our family. So...

10 Things I Love About You...Amy!

1. I love that we can call you midge and you don't care.
2. I love that you are such a happy, joking girl.
3. I love that fit into our family so well, without the crudeness that can be exhibited by other females in the family who will remain nameless.
4. I love that we have the same education goals although you have completed yours.
5. I love that when I have question about school I can talk to you about it.
6. I love spending Sunday nights with you.
7. I love the "barf" you make. It is a desert people, so don't get sicked out.
8. I love how kind you are towards other people and always have nice things to say.
9. I love how you take such good care of my most treasured son.
10. I love that really good things truly do come in small packages!

Time To Catch Up!

It has been awhile since I have lasted posted on my blog. I have been extremely busy with my school courses. I got a bit behind with my studies because I was used to my courses with Salt Lake Community College. The University of Utah is very different. There is no time for procrastination. I finally got caught up and I am even a little ahead of schedule. That will not last long, finals are in about three weeks.

Since I last wrote we celebrated Josie's 15th birthday. She wanted to go the Melting Pot Restraunt. It is a great place to celebrate. It was just Scott, Josie, Grandma Orgill, and myself. We ate until we were stuffed. It was great fun!
Happy Birthday Jo!

Then came babysitting with the granchildren. Shauntel and Ryan went on a cruise and I was off for fall break so I kept the kids for about eight days. It was great fun. Brad and Amy came over alot to play with the kids which was a great help keeping them from getting home sick for the parental units. Josie played with them too, but she mostly tormented Jar Jar, which sad to say was funny at times and we gave him permission to pinch and slug her, what else could he do? She would not leave him alone. I loved having a baby girl in the house again, but I was so out of practice with the hair. It was fun trying to do it though. By the time Shauntel and Ryan got home I was ready. I was very tired. No wonder you have the children when you are young.
We babysat pig too!
Josie's idea of babysitting
See what I mean about the hair!
Brad playing with the kids Part 1
Aftermath


I made it through another testing cycle and received A's on all four of my tests. That was a nice surprise. I only have finals left and I look forward to the end of the semester. I will do better on the next one and will not get so frazzled. Whew!

We received a new Bishop and counselors on November 9. It was exciting. We had a great Bishop (Rich Fergusen) and counselors (Chris Yate and Craig Kellersberger) for the past five years but we also received a great new one, Chris Soutas. He chose Chris Adams and Lance Orr as his counselors. We also received a new primary presidency. I will certainly miss the old (Julie Moore - President, Ruth Merriman and Rhonda Angeletti - Counselors, and Robyn Ferneilus - Secretary), but I am very excited with the new one as well. Good luck Lori Shepard, Jennifer Larson, Heather Norman, and Lisa Henderson.

Finally, Shauntel, Ryan, and the kids came home this past weekend. Shauntel, Amy, Whitney, Josie and the Dad went to the New Kids On The Block concert November 15. Shauntel, Shyann and I went and did some shopping earlier in the day. I bought Thanksgiving dishes for Shauntel for an early Christmas present. Shauntel bought some gift items for family and friends. It was a great day and I got to spend time with my grandchildren again. Poor Ryan was stuck at home with me Saturday night during the concert but he did go to David's (his favorite chinese restraunt) and brought back dinner for he, Brad and me. It was delicious. We had the whole familiy home on Sunday for dinner. It was such a treat and I love them all.
Shopping with my Girl!
Didn't want to get off the ride

I also want to get back to 10 Things I love about you so here is the next installment:

10 Things I Love About You, Brad!


1. I love having lunch with you at my desk.
2. I love complaining about my most hated class ever and you understand because you have a most hated class too.
3. I love that you are a techno geek, you haved helped us out many a technogical mess.
4. I love that you love the grandchildren so much.
5. I love watching you play, make tents, and watch Thomas with the grandchildren.
6. I love that you come for dinner every Sunday.
7. I love how patient you are with your sisters.
8. I love how respectful you are to people.
9. I love that you are such a great husband, like your dad. right Amy?
10. I love that you are so good to dad and me and always show us respect and love. You are the best!

Lunch Dates

Last Thursday (September 11) Whitney and I went to the Grand Opening of the Noodles and Company in South Jordan. This is one of Whits and my favorites spots to eat. So why blog about it, you ask? Well, my lunch dates with Whit are one of my favorite memories that I will cherish. Last year Whit would come to Salt Lake every Thursday for her research job at LDS Hospital. Before she would go to work, she and I would go to lunch. It was a great time just to spend with each other and become great friends. We would also have an occasional visitor come with us. Scott would come when his schedule allowed. Grandma Orgill, Shauntel and the kids, Brad and Amy, and Addison (my nephew) were also on the guests list. She is now trying to work out her schedule so that we can lunch together again this year. I hope she does it. I sure do love my kids, they truly are a joy in my life.

Who Knew?

Who knew that going to Costco could be fun. Well it is if you have people there with you that you love. Brad and Amy needed to go to Costco to get their kitchen stocked up. They do not have a membership so they asked if we could go with them. Scott and I joined them for a day of shopping, grazing, and polish dogs at the refreshment stand. Grazing is, of course, when you go around and try all the samples they have. That can be a fun experience by itself. When shopping was finished, we stopped by for polish dogs. I don't like polish dogs so I had a hot dog. Amy had a berry sundae and Josie had a berry slushie. Where else in the world can you go and feed five people for $8.49? No where, that's where. We were going to add Brad and Amy to our membership but Scott and I are thinking maybe we won't because then we will have to go with them. What a dilemma, getting them on so we don't have to go or not getting them on so we can spend time with them. We sure do love them and it was a good way to start off the Labor Day weekend.

Sunday, Brad, Amy, and Whitney came for dinner. We had delicious halibut, fruit, fresh corn on the cob, and bread that we purchased from Costco. We love it when the kids come for dinner and since Brad and Amy are back in Salt Lake, they have been able to come several times for Sunday dinner. Scott and I hope that we will have them and Whitney come often. Whitney starts class tomorrow and her life gets hectic but I bet she can find time for Sunday dinner. Shauntel, Ryan and the kids came home Sunday night, also. I had invited them for Labor Day Breakfast but I did not think they would come because Shauntel was just here and we are going to Price on Friday. Scott knew they would come, and he was right. Shauntel needs to come home when all the family are getting together. She loves her family and we love her too. Yes Ryan we love you as well.

Monday was the breakfast. Scott does a Dutch oven breakfast that I love. I made homemade orange rolls that everyone seems to love as well. It was cold and rainy so we had to stay inside but still fun. Later that day Ryan cooked us all a delicious dinner. He makes homemade marinara sauce with meatballs served over rigatoni pasta. It was so good and we all over ate. I just love spending time with my children and grandchildren. Shauntel asked why do we have Labor Day, and think it is so I can spend time with all my children and my husband. I truly am blessed to have such great kids, grandkids, and husband. We miss Jacob but we are all happy with his decision to serve a mission for our church. There will be plenty of time to make some more memories with him when he gets home.

Waiting for Breakfast



Breakfast Chef


Jo Jo is Not a Morning Person!


Random Breakfast Pics



Shyann's Delicious Breakfast of Cold Cereal and Juice


After Breakfast Crash



Dinner Chef


Sous Chef Shauntel

Oh What a Week?

What a great week it has been. It started last week on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. We decided that it would be fun to have one last summer fling so we went boating up at Deer Creek Reservoir. When we first got there it was windy, as usual. It was hard for the girls to wake board at first because if was so choppy. It was only physically hard because the girls are all really good at the sport, it just beat them up a little. Brad and Amy couldn't come because they were trying to get the internet at their apartment because the company messed their installation order up and it took longer than expected. We missed them. When the wind died down it was great. The lake was practically abandoned so we were able to have a lot of fun. And then the boats came. It just goes to show, all good things must come to an end but it is very important to enjoy them while they're there. It was a great day with Scott, Shauntel, Whitney, Josie, and the grandchildren (J.R. and Shyanne).

Friday, August 22, 2008, was decorating day. Whitney is moving into a new apartment and she wanted to make it more homey so Shauntel, Whitney and I went shopping for some accessories to spruce up the apartment. Josie was an angel and babysat the kids while we were shopping so that made it much easier. When we finished shopping, it was time to go pick up the kids and head for Provo to decorate the apartment. We spent a couple of hours decorating and arranging the apartment. By this time it was 5:00 in the afternoon and we were hungry. We went to the Brick Oven Restraunt in Provo. It is a great Italian place with great pizza and pasta. It has been around forever. In fact, I worked at the now closed West Valley Brick Oven while I was in high school. That gives you an idea how long it has been around. We had a great day and a great dinner. After dinner it was time to say goodbye to Shauntel and the kids, they needed to go home. Ryan misses them when they come but I am so grateful for his patience and understanding when he lets them come and visit. We love them all so much and I get really grandma sick when I don't get to see my babies. Thank you Ryan, you are the best!

Saturaday, August 23, 2008, was another fun day. Scott, Brad and Amy started the day going to the auction. They have not been to it for such a long time and Amy has never been. Later that afternoon we all (Scott, me, Brad, Amy, Whitney, and Josie) went up to Snowbird for Oktoberfest. We had traditional German food, which was the reason to go. Food is always the reason. We walked around a bit and saw a yo yo champion. I don't know what that has to do with Oktoberfest but it was fun. Everyone decided to ride down the zip line. I stayed at the bottom of the mountain to take pictures. Amy even rode the zip line and didn't even cry from terror. Amy can be a bit timid when it come to fast adventure type rides but she did it and had fun. We went for an icecream treat at Sonic after we came down the mountain. We just sat an enjoyed the treat and each others company and then back home we went. It was nice to spend the evening with everyone. We sat outside and just visited with each other until the bugs began biting and drove everyone to their homes and us inside the house. I love my children!

Monday, August 25, 2008, was Josie and my first day back to school. Josie was so excited to start she went to bed the night before at 8:00 pm. That is unheard of for her. She was up and getting ready to go when I had to leave for my classes. Josie went back to South Jordan Middle School after attending Elkridge Middle the last semester of eighth grade. I am finally up to the University of Utah. I never thought I would make it. It seemed to take forever. It was a great day. I just love school so much and I think I am going to enjoy my classes this semester. I will be very busy and will need to stay organized and on top of things, but I can do it. I went back to a full-time schedule which I have not done for awhile and I am very excited. My goal is to graduate in 2 years. I will keep my fingers crossed.

I mentioned Ryan above and it is that time again to do my 10 Things so here it is:

Ten Things I Love About You...Ryan!

1. I love that you remind me of my father. He truly would have loved to have you in our family, you are so much alike.
2. I love that you love to cook. I can't wait until you come again so that you can make us dinner, only if you want.
3. I love your sense of humor. You think I don't get you but I do.
4. I love how hard you work for your family.
5. I love how you adopted Jacob like a brother. He needs men like you in his life.
6. I love how respectful and thoughtful you are toward Scott and me.
7. I love that you are patient with Josie and kid around with her. She also needs you in her life.
8. I love that you are such a great father to my grandchildren. I can see how much they love you.
9. I love that you are such a great husband to my daughter. I can see how much she loves you. Thank you for sharing her with us.
10. I love that you are such an important part of our family. You are the best son-in-law a mother could have!

Short and Sweet...

I am talking about my blog entry and not my daugther-in-law, although she is both. Yesterday, August 16, we went to the State Capital to view an original copy of the Declaration of Independence. We had to wait in line for three and a half hours. Boy was my back sore but we wanted to view one of remaining original copies. Thanks to Norman Lear for sharing his treasure with the rest of the United States. It is hard to believe but this was my first time inside the State Capital. I have been on the outside several times but have never had an opportunity to go inside, so I never have. It was exciting to spend the day with my husband and kids but also to see our state house. What a fun day!

The Big Apple!

Oh what a great week. I spent August 6-10, 2008, in New York with Shauntel and Whitney. It was a blast. We left Wednesday morning without much incident. I thought our flight was at 8:30am but it turns out I read the wrong time somewhere because it wasn't until 9:55am. This could have been a bad thing, but when I got to the airport, I realized that I had forgotten the Wicked tickets at home. I immediately called Scott, and he went back home, retrieved the tickets, and brought them to us at the airport. See what I mean about what a great guy he is. When we arrived in New York and got settled in our hotel. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Time Square. It was a nice place and the staff was so friendly and always so helpful. After we got settled we went out to find dinner. Our hotel was just one block away from Broadway so we walked over there and ate at TGIF’s. Can you believe it, all that way and we eat there? After walking around a bit, we went back to the hotel for the night. We were all getting pretty tired of the day of travel and taxi rides.

Thursday we purchased the hop on hop off tour. This is a great way to travel when you want to hear about the city. We purchased a two day pass but that was a mistake. You only need one day and then it is much quicker to use the subway to get around. Oh well, you live you learn. We went to the Empire State Building because Shauntel and Whitney wanted to go to the top. It was very crowded and stinky but you can get a great view of Manhattan. We now know it is cheaper, less crowded, and a great view if you go to the “Top of the Rock” which is Rockefeller Center. But you have to go the Empire State Building at least once for the experience. We then got back on the bus and decided to see some more sights. Whitney wanted to see an exhibit called “Bodies.” It is an exhibit with real human bodies and body parts. It is an educational exhibit to show you every aspect of the human body. We kept telling her no no no because Shauntel and I did not want to view bodies and parts. Wouldn’t you know it but the tour took us right by the exhibit so Shauntel and I gave in and we went. Whitney loved it but Shauntel and I ditched out early because I was getting queasy. This is not a good thing for me because I am suffering from IBS and a queasy stomach is a bad thing for someone with IBS. Consequently, I was miserable on the way back to the hotel because of the stress related to it. If you love biology and/or anatomy this is a great exhibit. I know Whitney is truly meant to be a doctor as I watched her examine everything that is until we ditched and went to the lobby. It was time to go back to the hotel and get ready for the play, Wicked. It was a great play and such a fun night. We found a local restaurant, Thalia, and had a nice dinner after the play. It made us all feel so cosmopolitan and uptown.

Friday we went to the Statue of Liberty first. Then we decided to go to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. I guess because we saw real bodies one day we should see wax bodies the next. This was a lot of fun. Then off to the Hello Deli so that Shauntel could meet Rupert G. We talked with him and ordered some lunch and took it to Central Park to enjoy it. It was great but do not feed the birds. Once you start you get a whole bunch, off all species, coming around to eat. We wanted to go to another play at night so we were off to find discount tickets. We decided to go to a nonmusical play this time so we picked 39 Steps. It is an Alfred Hitchcock spoof. After we found the tickets we went shopping for a new dress to wear to the play. That is not an easy thing to do in Manhattan. All the dresses were too short or no sleeves. That does not work for two temple endowed females so Shauntel and I had to forfeit the dress but I did find a blouse that was cute. Whitney was able to find on however. We were happy for her. Then it was time to go back to the hotel and get ready for the play. The play was funny and creative. Whitney and I laughed throughout the play. Shauntel did not. She thought it was stupid. Come to find out, Shauntel does not many Alfred Hitchcock movies so she missed most of the humor. She was wondering why everyone kept laughing. She thought we were all just being considerate to the performers. By the way, there are only four actors in the play. After the play it was off to find dinner. We went to a pizza shop so that Shauntel could tell her husband, Ryan, that she ate New York pizza. It was delicious. You buy it by the slice and the slices are huge. By this time it was late and so back to the hotel and bed, but before bed we ate brownies that Shauntel had bought. They were very rich and we couldn’t eat a whole brownie but they were delicious. Brownies at night were becoming a nightly tradition because after dinner at Thalia’s, we also stopped and bought a brownie for a midnight snack.

Saturday we decided to go upstate to Palmyra, New York, to see the church sights. We had to wait for the rental car and did not get to leave until noon. It is a five hour drive but we did not have a GPS so we made a few mistakes and it took us a little longer. We got Hill Cumorah visitors center. They gave us the best plan so that we could see all the sights before they closed. We went to the Print Shop were the first 5,000 Book of Mormon’s were printed. We learned all about the struggles and sacrifices it took to get it published. We then went to the Joseph Smith Farm and Sacred Grove. It is so great to see where the prophet received his first vision in the grove and to learn more about his and his families lives. We stopped at the Palmyra Temple but it was locked up for the day. We finished at the Hill Cumorah and spent some time there talking with two missionary couples. They were very nice and fun to talk with but it was a long drive back so we had to get back on the road. We drove forever and got back to the hotel at about 1:45 am. I was so proud of myself because I drove in Manhattan and didn’t even panic. One thing I learned is that you pay tolls all over New York State but you also have to pay an $8.00 toll just to go through the Lincoln Tunnel. What a rip off. It was a long day but full of fun and adventure.

Sunday was the day to come home. We packed, took back the car, and did our last minute souvenir shopping. Then we headed to the subway to take us to the airport. It is a lot less money and a little less time. We get to the airport, get our luggage checked in and find some lunch. Then off to the plane. We got boarded and thought everything was fine. When we pushed away from the gate and got out on the tarmac we were informed that the runway was closed indefinitely. We sat there for almost three hours. Two of the passengers wanted to go back to the gate and so we had to get out of line, we were the fifth plane in line for take off when the runway opened. They could not take us back to the gate so they brought a people mover to the plane and took the two people off. They decided that they wanted to refuel and bring on supplies. The fueling I could understand but I do not know what supplies they needed because they would not give us anything but warm water to drink. So they still had all the supplies on the plane. I was so confused. We sat in this spot for over two hours. All in all we sat on the tarmac for almost seven hours. I was never so happy to take off in all my life. The flight was four and a half hours long so we got home just after 2:00am. Needless to say this was harrowing experience and the Delta employees, from the gates to flight crew, were all so incredibly rude. I am not sure why you would not do all you could for your customers to help make them comfortable, but they did not want to do anything to help ease the stress and tension. This is by far my worst flying experience. The airlines are getting worse and worse. They need to do something about customer service. It is getting to the point that people will quit traveling for entertainment if some changes are not made.

All in all the vacation was so much fun and I loved spending time with my girls.