Neener, neener...

...Laura just posted about being jealous of Lisa's new log bed, so I thought I would brag on my husband a bit and post a picture of the log bed he made for Sam (one of three he made this fall).

You're right-- he IS amazing.

PS: Mom made the quilt as a wedding gift--isn't it lovely? Sam & Kris scored!

Holiday, Schmoliday

I am making some seasonal scrapbooks, looking up Christmas quotes, and I found this gem:

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'

~Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

I LOVE IT!!! Too bad I didn't find it in time for my rant last month....

BACKTRACK: December 29th

I have decided that each day I will backtrack and record days or moments from our trip since I didn't blog as I went. Today we remember Thursday, December 29th, spent with the Holm Family in East Mesa. The previous day we arrived at their house around 1pm and they greeted us so warmly! It was so good to see them again! Their Mesa house is beautiful (like their Livingston House was) and spacious and it was such a comfortable place to stay. When we arrived, Debbie and her kids had planned an afternoon picnic and playtime at the park for our kids while we slept off our all-night drive. So we visited a bit, then ate a delicious pasta lunch Debbie made us, then showered and hit the hay around 3pm. When we woke up at 6pm, our kids were being bathed and we all got dressed and went to a receptionin Chandler for Emily & Ilene Parry (another post for another day). We returned to the Holm's in East Mesa around 9:30pm and put the tired girls to bed. Rich soon joined them, but I stayed up so Debbie could teach me how to bead bracelets. Of course we got to talking and we couldn't believe when we looked at the clock and it was 3:21 am! Yes, we are crazy, but as Debbie said, we had 18 months of chat to catch up on!

Needless to say, we slept in on Thursday morning, but when I got up at 10am , our girls were beggin to swim n theHolm's VERY INVITING pool. Although it was around 70 degrees outside, it had been cold and the pool was only about 58 degrees, but the girls insisted so we let them put their feet in. SILLIES!

Addie & Heidi enjoy the sunshine out by the pool...

MISSING MONTANA--NOT!!

After hanging out for a while and making evening plans with my sister, Lisa, we decided to take the Holms up on their offer to take us to a fun play place (think jungle-themed Chuck E. Cheese, but less annoying) for lunch. We had a great time there, then headed over to my sister's house to deliver her Christmas gift--a custom log bed--and eat dinner and enjoy family. We spent one last night with the Holm family and said goodbye Friday morning as we headed to Sam's wedding at the Mesa Temple. We appreciated their hospitality so much--and Deb, it's been years since I had such a fun "Slumber party"--you are such a great girlfriend!

Makutu's Island, Tempe AZ

Even though Addie is crying in this picture (she was alredy getting really tired from traveling), we all had a great time at Makutu's Island on Thursday afternoon with the Holms. Haylee loves this place and couldn't wait to take Addie there, so after getting a late start, we went there to play on the enormous climbing equipment shaped like a big jungle tree, and all the slides, zip lines, and pizza, too! Again, Debbie treated us to a wonderful time and we sure appreciate it!Tired Addie and Haylee Holm

Fish Faces

Addie shows us her fish face...
Heidi & Addie loved the aquarium at Makutu's
Heidi couldn't tear herself away! Here she is looking with Daddy
...and here she is showing me what fishies say.

Addie & Haylee cross a very high bridge
Heidi crawls through a very dark tunnel
Heidi & Addie do a Makutu's Island Dance while Debbie looks on...it was sweltering in that place, but maybe that was for the authentic jungle atmosphere!

Back Home

Happy New Year!

We arrived home in Montana, safe and sound, about 1:30am. We spent Thursday driving from Tucson to SLC, UT (with a little 2-hour lunch at Ikea Tempe). We stayed at my brother Will's in Herriman UT and hung out with his family and my sister Jill's in Sandy, UT on Friday & Saturday. We even had a short visit with Cousin Brent and Amanda over at Jill's, too. We finally left town at 6pm and our girls crashed shortly thereafter. They slept the rest of the way home and it was a sweet trip. I watched "A Mighty Wind" on the mini DVD player and took a nap, then drove home from Whitehall, MT to Livingston. It was a nice ending to an awesome trip, and we were so happy to sleep in our own bed! Although...it sure was nice visiting our AZ family and we'll gladly sleep on the airbed anytime if it means some quality Elrey / Mayberry time!

Enjoy this fine photo of my sweet grandpa (Papa Bill to my girls) rocking Heidi to sleep. They (Papa & Heidi) had a fun time together and started a little game of making faces at eachother--it was really super cute and I could kick myself for not video taping them (and for taking so few pictures! We were really l"iving in the moment" down there and we forgot about the future family history aspect of the visit!). Thanks to everyone who made our trip so nice---the Holm Family, My sister Lisa, Sam & Kris for getting married, and Kristin's parents, Jim & Susan, for the wonderful celebration, Gram & Gramp for the bed & breakfast & company & oranges, Mom & Mark for the Christmas gifts and fun agenda, Mayberrys for hosting New Years Eve, Elreys for hosting Family Night (complete with deep fried turkey and raspberry chipotle dip, and a little sore throat homeopathy), My old and dear friend Susan for a fun kid-filled day, and to my other sibs for making the trip and hosting us on the way home. It was a busy trip but so much fun and I feel so grateful for everything and everyone we got to enjoy.

More pictures coming soon--I am trying not to get sick, so I need to rest!

Feliz Ano Nuevo!

What a happy start we have had to this new year! Seeing my brother Sam happily wed ito lovely Kristen in the Mesa Temple last Friday already made my year. We drove straight through from Livingston to Mesa, leaving Tuesday at 5pm adn arriving in Mesa at noon. The girls were good and it was a nice trip. Of course, hanging out with my grandparents and mom and stepdad in Tucson has been fun and we loooooved visiting the Holm Family in Mesa. Their house is our new favorite resort vacation! I said in a recent e-mail:

The wedding yesterday was beautiful. My former Stake Pres. performed the ceremony and Kristen looked so pretty that I cried when she walked into the sealing room--seriously, she looked like a gorgeous, glowing little angel! They were both just so sweet and tender all day long, my heart was happy to see my special brother finally sealed and happy. The reception last night at Reflections at the Buttes (near El Conquistador in Tucson) was gorgeous--one of the nicest I have attended--and there was dancing for 3 hours. People were totally getting down and celebrating and it was so fun. There were several kids under 10 years old who just danced all night and it was the cutest thing I have ever seen. I wish you had been with us! Rich took some beautiful pictures we will have to post. Part of me wants to fly Rich home and just stay here for a few weeks til winter goes away! I wasn't homesick until we drove across Tucson in Sunrise Road last night and I got a lump in my throat. I love it here, and I love my family so much! I am so grateful for growing up here and all the good people who helped me and loved me. The desert is so beautiful to me--I forgot how much I love it! But like you, my heart is firmly in two places now and the land and people in Livingston mean the world to me, too.

It has been a wonderful vacation and no one has gotten deathly ill, which is an accomplishment! We rang in the new year at my Aunt's house in Sierra Vista, AZ with a family party of games and yummy Mexican food and the best company (my new cousin in law Lacy ROCKS!). It was great. We will be home this coming weekend and I will resume posting. I plan to write a little more family and personal history here on this blog--it's kind of a resolution--so be prepared for that kind of stuff, along with my regular whining and venting and journaling. Enjoy the pictures of my cute bro and pretty new sister--they are beautiful people inside and out and I hope they are having fun in Scotland!

Again, Happy New Year to all y'all!

Congratulations, Sam & Kristen!

Mr & Mrs. Samuel Christopher Layton

December 30, 2005
Exiting the Mesa Temple Friday Morning

Spencer, Emily, Liam, Miriam, Addie, & Jacob--little cousins dance the night away at the reception.
Sam in his kilt at the reception-- Kristen didn't want him to wear it, but mom had to get a picture of it. If only he had played his pipes!

Kris & her bridemaids at the reception

Tired Mommy & Heidi at the luncheon...Heidi loves chips!

Addie & Liam at the luncheon

Sam + Kristen Forever

Sam's Family: back-Amie Post, Matt Post, Jake Post, Audrey Post, Willy, Post, Stepdad mark Drews, Stepdad Jim Post, Grandpa Elrey, Grandma Elrey, Heidi Melin, Dad Jim Layton; front-Rich Melin, Jamie Melin with Addie Melin, Kristen the bride, Sam the groom, Marshall & Abby Drews (my youngest siblings), Mom Lyndo Drews, and paternal Grandma Muriel Layton.