Family

This last month has been so much fun! I have been able to spend time with my wonderful family as we celebrated Brock & Madison's wedding.

I have FOUR Wonderful Sister in laws! My brothers did good, didn't they?

Me and four of my wonderful nieces

The Barlow sisters and MOM (Rachel is in the MTC)

The family (Minus a few) but happy to celebrate with Brock & Madison

Miranda Lambert Concert

My BIL Zack had tickets to the Miranda Lambert concert at the Antelope Valley Fair. He gave them to Michelle to use and tonight Rachel and I went out to see the concert. We started the evening with a yummy dinner at BJ's Restaurant and then headed to the concert.

I don't know a lot of her songs, but had a good time. She has a little bit of rock n roll in her music and played the guitar like she was rocking out.



In addition we were able to see the animals...really they are my favorite part of the fair! Ty's friends have been raising sheep, pigs and a steer. They get auctioned off on Thursday and they are hoping for some big numbers.

Kayaking in Ventura Harbor

Corrine took the YW to the harbor to go kayaking. They had so much fun she decided it would be a great activity for us to do with our nieces and nephews. After all of my water problems I volunteered to watch the kids who were too young to go on the boats while the other adults got in the kayaks and paddle boats.

Michelle and Chelsea took turns with the three 4-year olds on the paddle boats. The kids had a great time and the hour-long adventure went by quickly! Rachel T, Chelsea and Corrine were brave and even did kayak exchanges in the middle of the ocean so the kids could take turns on the paddle boat.

I walked around with Brad, Reed and the twins. Michelle and Chelsea rotated baby duty with me. After our ocean fun Corrine treated everyone to a scoop of ice cream. It was a wonderful activity!

A NEW Car!

It is that time of year - my faithful 2007 Acura TL's lease is about to end and so the hunt for a new car began. I knew I wanted to go back to a mid-sized SUV and was pretty sure I wanted a Honda Pilot. In addition to the Pilot I also test drove the Mazda CX-9, the Ford Flex, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander. There were things I liked about each car, but not enough to convince me to move away from the Pilot.

The next phase was finding the best deal (I HATE doing this!). Brock was a huge trooper and went with me to all the dealerships and test drove cars with me. He sat through endless sales pitches, etc. I received several quotes but still didn't have the number where I wanted it to be. McKay asked me what my lowest number was and said he felt he could beat it. I told him to 'go for it'. He made a few calls and YES, he was able to hit the number I was looking for! Go McKay. He told me this was the BEST and BIGGEST birthday gift ever...I agree!

Unfortunately they didn't have the color I wanted so the waiting game began. I received a call on Thursday my car was ready to pick up. McKay finished the negotiations over the phone and Rachel and I drove to Cerritos to pick it up. The sales gal was WONDERFUL! She honored everything she said she was going to. There were no gimmicks once I got down there. It was a wonderful experience.

A BIG shout out to McKay and Brock for all of their help. A shout out to Garrett & Leanne who went on the first test drive with me and to Rachel who, after returning from camp spent eight hours with me picking the car up!



Rachel even took a picture of me 'signing' the paperwork!

Elder Andrew Okazaki

Yesterday at Sister Okazaki's funeral I found out her grandson, Andrew, is serving in the San Fernando CA Mission. That is the neighboring mission to me. In addition, I found out he is serving only 45 minutes from me. I took an extra program home with me and drove out to hand deliver the program and tell him about the funeral. I brought my brother, Brock, with me. We had a great time visiting on our drive out and back.

Andrew was surprised to see us, but was genuinely happy I was there to tell him about his Nana's funeral.

Mary Poppins

Michelle, Bryn and Lori invited the girls to join them in Costa Mesa at a showing of Mary Poppins on stage. The drive down (through LA and Orange County) was a nightmare! However, we had a great time together! Corrine and I took Hallie with us. The stage play differs some from the movie, but it was fun to sing along with the cast. THANKS to the Birds for inviting us to join you!

Happy Birthday in July

Today we celebrated the five of us with July birthdays (me, Zack, Leanne, Bryn & Mac). Thanks to everyone for making this a fun day!



Love this picture of Zack trying to blow at the candles and hold Reed at the same time.



Thanks to grandma, the kids had a yummy BIG STICK with the cake.

Happy Birthday Mac

My nephew Mac LOVES cars. When he is at my parents house is always plays with a car mat my aunt made McKay when he was a young boy. As Mac's birthday approached McKay mentioned that Mac would love his own for his birthday. I decided to take on the challenge. Hopefully he will be able to play with it with his children like McKay plays with his son on his car mat.

Happy Birthday Mac!

A Mother's Blessing!

In addition to Mother’s Day, we celebrated Ethan and Wyatt today. With grandma’s Santa Monica memorial service on Friday, Todd and Chelsea came down here so they decided to bless the twins with all of the family here. It was so much fun to have them here! These boys have stolen my heart!

A tribute to grandma

Today we all gathered to pay tribute to a wonderful woman...my grandma! The funeral service was beautiful with my mother and her sister giving a wonderful eulogy and each of her brother's sharing memories and testimony. Uncle Richard also played an organ medley. There were so many extended family members there and we had a wonderful time visiting and remembering grandma!

It was especially fun to be together with all of my siblings and their families. THANK YOU to Melinda and Kate for hosting us all! Friday night we all got together and had a wonderful Mexican style dinner with 14 nieces and nephews running around and having fun together! I love spending time with my family! That is what it is all about! My heart is smiling today!

Farewell to an Elect Lady

We said good-bye and Heaven said hello to an elect lady early this morning! It will be said of her, 'well done thou good and faithful servant'. She is now happy with Grandpa after a long separation! Until we meet again....



This is her obituary...it is hard to sum up almost 92 years in such a short space.

Edith Woolley Jex Clayton was born on June 22, 1919 in Duchesne Utah. She is the third of six children born to Mark Stringham and Kate Pyper Woolley. She passed away on Monday, April 18, 2011.

On July 3, 1939 she married Richard Thomas Jex in the Manti LDS Temple. They are the parents of five children – Richard (Lana), Gordon (Maryann), Marilyn (Chris) Bird, Lorraine (Dave) Barlow and Keith (Lianne). Mom provided us with a loving and comfortable home where she taught us the value of hard work and determination. She was an example of service to her extended family. Her life was spent in the service of loving and caring for her family, they always came first. She will be known for her selfless service to her family and to the Church.

In 1976, Mom lost her eternal companion. Over the next sixteen years she spent her time loving and serving others. After many years in Santa Monica, Mom moved to Orem Utah in 1981. She was active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and served a temple mission in the Provo Temple. In 1986 Mom served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Virginia Roanoke Mission. In 1992 she married Vaughn Miner Clayton and they enjoyed 15 years together traveling the world and visiting family. He passed away in 2007.

Above all Mom’s testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her Savior is her greatest legacy. She was active in the LDS Church her entire life and served faithfully in many callings. Her greatest desire was for her children, grandchildren and all her posterity to live and be guided by the teachings of our ancient and modern-day prophets.

Mom is survived by her five children & their spouses; 24 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren; her sister Kathryn (Clark) Wager; sister-in-law Louisa Jex Ahlgrim and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Vaughn’s three children, Will Day, John (Roberta), Keith (Connie) & Christine Springman and their grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husbands Richard & Vaughn; her grandson, Ryan Thomas Jex; her great-grandson Samuel Mark Keiser; her step-daughter Yvonne Clayton Day; her step-son-in-law Rob Springman; her parents; three brothers (Henry, Allen & Briant) and her youngest sister, Merle Griffin.

It's TWINS!

TWINS! Today I was blessed with two new nephews…twins Ethan & Wyatt were born today to Todd & Chelsea! Aren’t they adorable!

Making cards

Carly & Anna came over today and made cards with Corrine. Corrine’s supply of stamps, chalk, ink, etc is endless and they had so much fun with this Sunday afternoon activity. They are all well stocked now!

Carly

Carly had the lead in her school play today! She did such a great job! She knew all of her lines and you could hear her loud and clear! It is fun to b able to see these plays and watch her little personality develop.

Ty's a Deacon!

Today is a day Ty has been waiting for! He was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood by his father! He had grandparents, uncles and a good family friend there to stand in the circle with him! Ty has been so excited for this day and for the opportunity he now has to fulfill the duties of a Deacon! I am so proud of him and YES, he is taller than me now!

Happy February Birthday!

Today we celebrated the February birthdays. This one is a special one because tomorrow Ty is turning 12 years old. He can hardly wait to be ordained a Deacon and be able to pass the Sacrament.

Corrine, mom and Carly noticed they were all wearing green (Corrine's favorite color as Carly would tell you). They decided they needed a picture. Brad saw them taking it and decided he needed on too.

Happy Birthday to McKay, Michelle & Ty!

Corbin's wedding

Debbie’s son Corbin got married this past weekend. I wanted to be there to support her. Mom and I made a very quick trip to Utah. We were also able to see Grandma and Marilyn & Chris; attend Nathan Kirkby’s baptism and also see Kate, Melinda, Garrett, Leanne & Bradley.

We were exhausted coming home, but it was a lot of fun!

Finally a map for Garrett

After 5 years Garrett finally received his mission map from me! The rest of the family received a map that I had cross stitched. However, I just couldn’t get excited about doing the cross stitch and so it was very easy to put off! I have been successful for five years and Garrett has been patient.

I realized I could do a very fine job on the computer using Heritage Makers and surprise! I finished it in just a few hours! Since I made a quick trip to Utah I was able to give it personally to Garrett!

More sewing fun

This year started similar to last year. Anna and Carly have been asking Corrine and I to do pillow cases with their friends, Erin & Jenna Clinton. Today was the day!

We drove them out to Joann's Fabric where everyone was able to pick their own fabric. Mac picked fabric for Brad too. We got some yummy ice cream at McDonald's and then headed back to our house.

Corrine and I rotated cutting and serging each one...one at a time. While they were waiting their turn they were downstairs watching Kindergarten Cop.

We had a great time and Mac was even able to make one this year. He was so excited to take it to Brad. After the Clinton's left we drove them home and were able to give Brad his pillow case (he stayed home for a nap while we sewed). What a fun day we had!

Another trip to Tangled

Corrine was working and Rachel and her kids had her family in town the day we all went to see Tangled for Lori's birthday. So tonight we all went to see it. Chelsea and her kids were able to join us too. We left the dads behind as well as little Brad who Rachel didn't think would sit through the movie. I enjoyed it the second time around as well.