Last week my Bff, Julie and I went to the
Women's Conference here in Lake Charles.
They have it every year and every year they invite
an amazing woman to come and speak.
This year they invited Vicki Lawrence from the Carol Burnett show.
The conference lasted all day and they had
classes and booths and luncheon with the celebrity.
So Julie and I decided we had to go to the luncheon
and see Vicki Lawrence even if that was all we did!!
Vicki was amazing and really funny.
I always loved her as Mama on the show.

While we were there we went around and looked at
some of the booths and collected all of the free
stuff that they gave out.
One of the businesses had a photo booth. So
we dressed up and got some free shots....

We had a blast!!!

A birthday...100 years in the making!!!

While on vacation, our whole family went
to see my Dad to celebrate his 100th birthday!!!
He lives with my sister and her family in Washington!!!
And it just so happens that Jennifer and Tyson
just moved to Oregon, so they are only
about 3 hours away!!!
So after spending some time with Jennifer we
piled into the car....
(all 8 of us with equal amounts of luggage)
and drove to Washington.

My Dad was thrilled to see us all
because we have never all been together with my sister's
family at the same time.
We spent about 4 days with him and it was a blast!!!
On Saturday we had a party with fantastic
barbecued hamburgers
and of course cake....

He blew out the candles...

And opened presents...

He was very excited that Mary Jane and I had made
him a quilt. Mary copied the pictures onto
the fabric for me and I did the rest.

We had everyone's picture on the quilt
including my Mom....
Which made Dad kind of teary eyed....

The twins had a great time getting to know their
new cousins.
This is Tessa...

This is Alex giving Dad this giant card he and his sister,
Rory, had made for him, along with the
cap which had a bottle opener attached to the brim!!!!

We had a great time and can't wait to go back again...

Here are some close ups of the quilt...

Stay tuned for pictures from the rest of our vacation....

Hawaiian Plumarias

For those of you who like plants on your back porch
but have a hard time remembering to take care of them...
this plant is for you!!!

This is a Plumaria. I have had this plant for
almost 20 years!!!
It grew so big that I had to put in into a bigger pot
because it kept blowing over in the wind.
When It continued to grow I decided it needed to be
cut back. I knew that if I placed the trimmed branches in water
they would root and I could replant them and have two plants!!!

What I didn't expect was for the original trunk to
continue to grow if I left it in the pot.
(Which I did because at the time I couldn't get it out)

So now instead of just having 2 fairly big Plumarias...

I have 3!!!

I also only water this plant about once a week
(or when I think about it)
And during the winter I put them in the garage,
the leaves fall off but they always come back to life
when I bring them outside in the spring!!!

This is only the second year they have flowered
but maybe cutting them back was the trick!!!

Gotta love hardy plants that can withstand our
hundred degree summers!!!!

My newest project...

Last month was Wayne's mom's birthday.
So for a combined Birthday and Mother's Day gift
I decided to make her a table runner.

But while I was deciding on a design, I
found this round table cover and new that she
would love the little chickens
running around the edges.

She really loves roosters which we have given
her many over the years.

It was a bit of a challenge but a lot of fun to do.
I was hoping that it would brighten up her
kitchen and make her smile!!!

I think she likes it!!!

Back home from Southern California....

I loved being with the family but after
2 1/2 weeks I guess it was about time to
get back home.

We had a fabulous time!!!


One of my favorite spots is Yogurtland!!!
They have at least 12 flavors of frozen yogurt
to choose from and of course you can mix the flavors
and then add your favorite toppings.

My new favorite flavor is guava pineapple with
chunks of pineapple added in. But a close second is
Red Velvet cake dough.....heavenly.

Did I mention that we went back 3 times?

One of the reasons we went back so often was because
we had dollar off coupons...but who could
resist these sweet, happy faces eating
sweet, yummy yogurt?

And of course I can't go to California
without visiting Mickey Mouse!!!
(with thousands of other people)

We decided to spent two days and get a park
hopper pass so we could also go to
California Adventure.
This was the first time I had been to this
park and it was super fun!!!!
My favorite ride was Toy Story...

We needed 3D glasses!

I think Berkleigh looks like a rock star!!!

We stayed until the park closed on the first night
and watched the "World of Color." It was amazing!!
They showed different Disney movie shots on the
fountains of water.
Next time I will probably believe the sign that reads
"WET ZONE..You will get wet!!!"

A couple of days later we went back to see the
few things we missed the first day...
Like feeding the ducks.

...and Winnie the Pooh!!!

And the kids rides in storybook land...
like the Merry-go-Round!!!
So fun.....and more sweet smiles!!!!

On the last day of my visit, Jennifer reminded me
that we hadn't eaten at "In-and-Out" burger!!!
They make the best burgers, fries and shakes...
how could I have left without eating at my favorite
burger joint!!!

So we went for lunch and had a picnic at the park!!!
I think Merrick was tired of getting his picture taken!!!

But we did have fun!!!

A few other activities....

2 days at the beach
2 movies
at least 2 shopping days
a favorites party turned shower for Jennifer
flying airplanes with Tyson
bike ride to the beach and eating breakfast on the pier
kite flying
strawberry picking
and having a lot of fun hanging out and playing
with the gang...

Which is what I will miss the most!!!
Love you guys and thanks for
letting me stay forever!!!!

I am excited to be visiting Jennifer, Tyson
and the munchkins tomorrow!!!!

See ya later..........Louisiana!!!!
:) :) :)

A time to plant.....

While Matthew was home from school I decided
to have him help me put in a garden.
I am very excited because I have wanted to
have a garden for some time
but we kept putting it off....

So here it is....

We had a bunch of bricks that we removed
last year from our front yard.
We were trying to decide what to do with them,
when I had a brainstorm and decided to make a path
down the middle of the garden so it will
be easier to water.

We have 6 tomato plants...

2 peppers...

and a zucchini squash!!!

I am thinking that I have room for another pepper
but I know the zucchini will take up a lot of room.

So excited for the results!!!

YW Campout

Our Young women went camping this weekend to
a Ward member's back yard which was incredible.....

They even have a pond on their ten acre
"park".
It was a beautiful day for a camp out...
not a cloud in the sky and
last night the moon was almost full!!!

We almost didn't even need flashlights!!!

This morning the guys took us shooting...

Alayna is already a pro and doesn't need any instruction...

...and Vicki knows a thing or two about guns and can
blow those clay pigeons into dust.

But it was Sarah Beth who surprised us all with her
talents!!! We can't wait for her to show up
her older brothers...good luck boys!!!

The rest of us are still learning...
(I must add)
...from the best!!!

Here is Jessica...

...and Haley with the Bishop.

Eva....

and Lindsay!!!!

Emma.....

...and Ashley.

Our Young Women's President, Lisa,
looks like a pro...

and me...
I didn't hit the clay pigeon with this shot,
but I did with the next.

Then I was done...two shots...I am happy to say
that I have shot a rifle!!!

Then I went back to shooting my 18 mm.
ha!ha!

We had a really great time and the girls did a
really great job.