Addiesms

"I'm gonna tell Bubby a secret. It's the secretiest secret ever."

"Be careful on this ice, Heidi. It's the slickiest ice of the winter."

Consistent favorites:
"You're ruining my life"
"When I grow up, I'm putting YOU in time out" (yeah you are--it's called "assisted living," honey, and I say BRING IT ON!)...

There are more...I'll add them when I have time to think...by the way, her arm is healing great and she doesn't have to wear the sling anymore; She just can't wrestle or play on the monkey bars for another month. Her X-Ray showed this cool band of bone (the doctor called it a "Bone band aid, like a scab") around the fracture. Our bodies are so cool.

Are You KIDDING Me?

Abbreviated (due to my lack of time) Oscar Thoughts:

-Helen Mirren looked stunning...LOVED the dress, and she NAILED Queen Elizabeth



-Here's an inconvenient truth: Al Gore shouldn't host or present ANYTHING, ever again! I watched "An Inconvenient Truth," because I like to hear all sides of an argument, even those I don't a gree with. And I certainly appreciate an argument that is well-supported with charismatic and passionate delivery, even when I don't agree (por ejemplo, my addiction to "All Things Considered" and "The Daily Show"). So my hatred for "An Inconvenient Truth" stems not from my conservativism and love of big business, but from Al Gore's stunning BORINGNESS!!!! I have seen the same data on a Discovery Channel show, delivered with much less bias and political posturing, and much more personality (and that was from a SCIENTIST on the DISCOVERY CHANNEL, y'all--how Gore made it in politics with the personality of a soggy sponge, I surely will never know). But good for him for finding something (besides donuts) he's passionate about and for doing us all a favor and NOT running for President in 2008. I just don't think this was the best documentary of 2006--not by a LONG shot (I was thinking maybe "Iraq in Fragments," though I have yet to see it).



-How sweet was Ennio Morricone? I felt so happy for him and his darling Maria. The soundtracks to "The Mission" and "Cinema Paradiso" contain some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard...he deserves lots of kudos for his beautiful composing.



Also, this weekend we FINALLY bought a small rocker recliner from LA-Z-BOY (so we can be lazy boys)...


...and I realized that I am too old for deep fried foods when I ate a Monte Cristo sandwich. Shucks. I'll be back soon with new pix from my cool new camera (and I will try to figure out how to post wee movies, too), AFTER I am finished creating The Liahona and a wedding video for Cousin Bill.

One Last Belated Valentine

This one is for Sam."You said that it would,

Now everything should

be all right."

Love, Maj

A Sad Story

Q: Know what these are?

Yesterday when Heidi went down for a nap, I told Addie I had to finish something on the computer before I could play puzzles with her. So she was dinkin' around and a few minutes later, she came in the office holding these two mega blocks, upside down, each half-full of water.

"Mom," she said with a sniffle, "do you know what these are?" [fake SOB]...

"Ummm...mega blocks with water in them...why are you playing in the water?"

"You're WRONG! These are all the tears I cried because you said it's not puzzle time yet."

A: Tear Vessels

Dear Nana...

You asked for an email, but mom needs to blog, too, so here's your letter! It sure was fun to talk to you today and we're so glad that you made it back to Utah safe! Only one more week til you're back in Missouri! It's been nice having you out west, even if we didn't see you all that much. Here's how we're doing today: This morning Daddy took Addie to school and went to work while Mommy took Heidi and James to our co-op pre-school and then a WIC weigh in. Heidi weighs 38 pounds and is 39 inches tall, and James weighs 19-14 and is 27 inches tall--BIG KIDS!

After WIC, we made our two-week menu and grocery list (so we don't have to do it Saturday) and stopped by the office to see if Daddy wanted to come on his lunch hour.

When we got there, he had just received mommy's cool new Canon camera in the mail, so we took this cute picture with it (it does fun movies, too). He came and helped Mommy and James and Heidi do the grocery shopping for the next 2 weeks (most of it, anyway). Then we picked up Addie and went home. Miraculously, for the first time EVER, all three Melin kids took naps from about 2pm-4pm (probably because they were emotionally drained from the fish funeral we had this morning--Dory, our 14-month-old Beta, bit the dust cuz we neglected her while traveling; but shhhh--the kids just think it's cuz she's old)! Mommy got lots done, including some of Cousin Bill's wedding video, Baby Shower invited for a girl she visit teaches, and some Segullah stuff. Later, when everyone woke up, we read stories and started dinner (that's when we talked to you). Here's Addie reading to James (this was taken while you were on the phone).

And here is a picture of Addie and Heidi playing NICELY (!) in their room! Cute sisters!
And here is a picture of James and his bright eyes

(all blurry because mom forgot to change the camera speed!)

And now we have eaten our spaghetti and salad and we are getting ready for bed. The girls are having a "play bath" with lots of bubbles and mommy is getting ready to watch the "American Idol" she tivoed while she was doing Young Women's New Beginnings last night.
Aren't they silly?! Bubble Monsters! Anyway, Nana, we love you and we wish you lived closer. Life is sweet in Montana and it's sweet being a family! Have good dreams and stay healthy! XOXOXOXOX...Love, The Melins

PS: Just to make you Montana-sick...

But I still love you, Reagan...

My Dad Layton sent me this quiz, on which I scored a 29. That places me somewhere on their conservative scale between Jack Kemp and Bush I. I can live with that.

What was YOUR score?

On This Date in History...

...just last year, "Little Sam" Post was born to my brother Matt & his wife, Amie. Happy First Birthday, Sammy!
(that's Sam with his Daddy on leave last month--1/19/07)

The coolest thing about Sam's birthday is that he shares it with his Grandpa...

Papa Post!

(that's Grandpa with Heidi in 2004)

Feliz Cumpleanos, Dad!

Click On Over...

Grandma Muriel and Aunt Maxine in 1940

...to Framanisco to read about the life and times of my darling Grandma Layton.

Belated Valentine

Overheard at my house the day after Rich explained to Addie who Cupid is and why he's on Valentines.

Addie (to Cousin Danny) : That's Cupid.

Danny: Why?

Addie: He shoots people in the heart. Know what? My dad went to a party a long time ago when he was a little boy and he saw my mom there and Cupid shot him and he fell!

Danny: Where did he fall?

Addie: In love with my mom!
***

In honor of Valentines Day, I present to you the best kiss from my favorite, most hilarious and romantic movie EVER (even as I fear that I am casting my pearls before swine, so to speak). I have the soundtrack and when I listen to it on rainy Sundays, I can almost smell Florence ("Inhale! A truly Florentine smell..."). Oh, George...what you did to my teenage heart! And then I happily married your opposite! Happy Valentine's Day from me, my dear husband, Lucy Honeychurch and George Emerson. Enjoy your sweetheart today! (A Room With A View, 1986)

More Arizona Photos

Central Arizona Mountains
Grandma's beautiful flowers--pink & purple never looked so pretty!

Dad and Me
(me looking buck-toothed--what is that tooth doing catching the light like that?)

Aunt Gwen's grave
My Mom (right) and her sister, Aunt Marti--so cute!
A Gang of Laytons

backrow- Erin, Dad holding Kennady Layton, Becky, Sam, Jake, Dasha, Ross Canaday, Willy Post; front row-Tyler Oslin holding Willy's Maeby, Cody Oslin, Kristen, Me holding James, Aunt Maxine Canaday (Dad's sister), Kliss Crosser, Audrey Post, Spencer, Melanie, & Liam Post

Great-Grandpa Elrey got to bless Maeby Lynn before the family dinner
Sam at Grandma's House-

the last inhabited house on Church street, where the Laytons lived for 67 years.
Willy with Maeby, and Kristen at the house.

Unco Hamma and Aunt Dizzen

This is Sam's & Kristen's Home in north Phoenix. It's really quite lovely, and that's where I stayed on Friday & Saturday nights.
This is my brother Willy with his family and my brother Sam on the far left. Sam is holding Spencer, Willy's 3rd child. Spencer used to be a grumpy mama's boy, but he has come out of his shell and his personality is HILARIOUS. He has a funny speech pattern where he pauses between each. and. every.word, and drops or substitutes initial consonants or consonant blends. He also adds a subtle "uh" to the end of certain words. For instance, he calls his baby sister "Maebyuh," he said "I. love. you. too-uh!" when I left, and he calls Uncle Sam "Unco Hamma" and Aunt Kristen "Aunt Dizzen." It's so adorable! On Sunday as we were getting ready to leave, Kristen said to Sam, "Let's get out the video camera! We're never gonna see him like this again. He won't talk like that next time we see him." So they filmed him being so cute and funny.
Here's Sam teasing Liam at a Phoenix fountain. Poor Liam.

I spent a mellow Saturday with Sam& Kristen and the Posties. I will publicly chastise Lisa for not coming and hanging out with us...Lisa, FOR SHAME! What could possibly be FUNNER (yes, I know that's not a word) that hanging out with your far-flung siblings, huh? Anyway, Saturday began with a delicious breakfast cooked by our hosts, then we hung out looking at pix and videos while mom got up and got packed. Then Will & Sam took mom to the airport while we ladies stopped for beverages and took the kids over to a playground and visited. It was nice to be with my sisters-in-law. They are good women and my brothers SCORED. I

t was so fun to play with my niece and nephew and not have to worry about what my own kids were doing--sometimes I really miss being fun single auntie. Liam (who also has some speech issues, which make everything he says sound SOOO cute) tried to convince to me to come ward off the bees so he could pick flowers; Spencer wanted to slide with me, but got side tracked by laying face down on the top level of the play place, looking down through the grate at his siblings below. He was so still and focused, I thought he was asleep there! The boys sent mom back to SLC on the plan and came back to join us at the playground. We went back to the house to freshen up at about 3pm, then headed over to In-N-Out Burger for lunch-dinner, then Old Navy so I could get some spring clothes and we could all shop some clearance sales. We headed back home and the boys went to the store and got us some ice cream. We put the kids to bed and watched "Waking Ned Devine" (one of mine and Sam's favorite movies ever), and ate ice cream and Dr. Pepper in memory of Grandma Muriel. We know she was with us in spirit, enjoying the treats and laughing at the crazy Irish folk on the movie.

The next morning we enjoyed some delicious french toast and we all got ready for our trips home. Will & Audrey loaded up their van and headed off to SLC; Sam & Kristen had to miss their Stake Conference to take me to the airport at 10:30am, but they caught an 11am Sacrament Meeting with Kristen's sister in Chandler. Things went smoothly for me on the way back home, and Rich met right at the curb in SLC. I hopped in and we headed straight up I-15 for home by 3pm. We got home safely by 11pm, dodging lots of blizzards and sleet, and slept soundly in our comfy house.

It's Tuesday night and I am still in my "post-trip funk." I am almost unpacked. I am tired and a bit unmotivated. My spring cleaning seems insurmountable. Did I tell you that our guest room still looks like Christmas threw up in there? I took down all the decorations and piled them up in there, and then piled up all the after Christmas sale stuff in there, too, with stuff for the gift closet, too. It's BAD. If anybody gets a wild hair and feels like cleaning and organizing, feel free to come and share you enthusiasm. Mine is at an all-time low, and I don't' know why, because I know that I will feel SOOOO good when it is all done. UGH! Maybe I need some light therapy or something.

In closing, I would like to welcome two of my best, dearest, most-missed friends to the blogosphere. Tom & Adriane, thanks for keeping in touch!!!