White dress numero uno....

.....for little Lux and it was just a tad big so we set out to "downsize" it for this wee little person (she's a whopping 6 lbs.) and cute as a button. Even this little newborn (size 2xs) dress was just a little overwhelming so I took it apart and put it back together to fit perfectly for her blessing next week. It probably would have been just fine but I sure had a good time putting it back together today and it was especially fun to have her first fitting....and see how she has grown. My alterations are almost a little too drastic as she is growing so quickly. By next week, who knows, she may be grown out of it. She sure is a sweety and her proud parents, Nikki and Jarrett and her grandparents, Jay and Joyce are certainly enjoying watching her grow. Her actual due date was yesterday. She was born about a month early and is doing great. Here you have the before and after

....and her first fitting before I put on the sleeves. I'nt she a cutie?????

The perfect end to a day of sewing was to rock out to my favorite local band, the ROK DOX at Ancestor Square and I love that place. Perfect night, perfect setting for yet another "Stars Hollow" experience. There really is a whole lot of action in little ol' Saint Garge.......

TOMORROW....we remember my dear dad who left us 8 years ago for greener pastures in heaven. I sure miss my dad and he was such a good dad and grandpa. He's watching his posterity with great pleasure these days and smiling down on all of us saying...."and to think I caused all of this"....one of his favorite sayings when we would all gather in the family room at Christmas time. He was well pleased with his family and we all knew that he loved us.

.....and I can't forget to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear friend and neighbor, Cynthia Wintch. A few years ago she followed me home from church when I left early in tears....not sure what got in to me that day but she and Debbie pounded down my door and made me talk. She's been checking on me most every day and feeding me ever since. She's one of the smartest people I know and I'm better for knowing her. Thanks Cynthia...have a great day.

I'm pretty much "Crazy for You".....

......Tuacahn.... and it was my privilege once again to go tonight with my sis, my mom and a couple of friends to view the production "Crazy for You" and enjoy theater under the stars. The night was a bit on the warm side but a little air conditioning came on in the form of a light breeze about half-way through which made it an exquisite experience to say the least. The singing and dancing were quite sublime....the play a bit "cheesy" but I like cheese and I like being entertained and I was totally pleased with the production. There you have it....my review and I highly recommend it to anyone that has not seen it. Whenever I go out there my mind goes back to when Spencer took a job with an electric company that had contracted with the builders of the amphitheater but the Desert Tortoise had to be protected so they would go to the road that turns into where the theater was built and ride by horse and wagon all the way in...probably about a quarter or half mile every day to work. Crazy, huh? We all thought so but it got me to wondering about the fate of the royal turtle so I looked it up and we do still have a reserve here that protects them. Whew....I thought someone might have "dropped the ball" on that one but nope....still protected, still wandering around. If you want to know more, clickity click HERE...and if you know something I don't, do tell. Then I got to thinking about Mason's stint (wishing I had some pics) as the night watchman out there. Every night after the show, he would have to clean up everyone's trash.

After helping him a time or two, I don't think I've ever left any trash behind in any public place be it the movies, the sun bowl, the gymnasium....we human beings really are messy people and just assume that the trash automatically gets swooped into a trash can...but then there's the argument, "someone gets paid to pick it up, we might as well leave it". We all have fond memories of Mason's summer there and the crazy things he'd do to pass the night away. Tuacahn.....good times and good memories. I hope it stays around for a good long time. It's become a big part of my summer. Looking forward to conference and the marathon....check out Lauri's blog HERE.

A good Monday morning one and all...

.....and as I'm here trying to get my day going, I'm thinking again about a few random things. (I'm adding a few random pictures that have made me smile this past week). Mostly, I guess because it's Monday....and all that comes with Monday.....how can I make it a good Monday and a good new week. I found myself thinking about my mission and on the hard days I would try to remember the "good" things about that opportunity and I made a commitment to learn three new things each day. It wasn't hard because I was working with so many of the smartest people in the world, people that knew fifteen different languages, people that "ran" one of the largest organizations in the world and people that started each and every work day with a devotional consisting of thoughts of Jesus Christ and a prayer. I find myself today needing, once again, to become the student...humble enough to learn from those around me and humble enough to know I can't do things alone. Yesterday I was able to attend Maycee and McKay's Sacrament Meeting Program and I smiled through the whole thing remembering when I was in charge of those and how really cool they are. Maycee and McKay stood up there and did their parts perfectly and I was proud. I especially loved hearing the music...not many things make me happier than primary music. I was able to watch McKay play soccer on Saturday and make 3 goals in the 10 minutes I was able to be there and it made me happy when he looked over at me....it was just neat for me to see that. McKay wanted this U of U blanket that he saw at the fabric store so I got it for his birthday. JoEllen told him when he was through with it he could sell it to Kyle. Last night at Mom's, Matty was standing up by herself but refused to stand if we tried. She'll walk when she's good and ready but it made me smile. Saturday, I was sad to say good bye to a man that I totally admire and that I've learned so much from through the years, Cal Robison. His funeral was a huge tribute from his family and he was a happy man and brought a lot of joy to the people he met with his optimistic outlook on life and his sense of humor. Friday night I attended the "Movie on the Square" which was "Electric Horseman" with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. It was fun to reminisce the time it was filmed right here in St. George and Scott was even able to treat Jane Fonda's dog at his Veterinary Clinic. It's a "must see" if you haven't and if you have, it's fun to watch again. I tended Miller on Thursday morning and laughed when he wanted his Spiderman costume on and I turned my back for a few minutes and he had painted his feet and hands red with a (washable) magic marker and showed them to me and said "Spiderman". He also painted some blood on his forehead. Cute kid. The Women's Conference on Saturday reminded us all to be less judgemental and more accepting of one another and to find joy in the journey. There really are a lot of things that make me smile and I hope we can all find those things and make them a part of our lives....but I'm finding a need for improvement as well and hoping to get through "The Peace Giver" again and work on the "me" in a couple of struggling relationships and of course I'm always in need of tweaking my attitude of gratitude. My Mary Engelbreit thought of the day for September 27 is ..."Make a nest of pleasant thoughts." I will do that today.....and I will learn three new things today....and I'll probably watch the movie "Pollyanna" again real soon. Have a great week.....I'm talking to you and me!!!!

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Traci posted these pics of her kids on her blog and I hope she doesn't mind me sharing but I love the one below, the epitome of brotherly love. So cute and a new picture of Max.

Drew and Spencer got to go on a 4th Grade field trip to Pine Mountain for a week where they learn to live in nature. Laynee and Shana did it a couple of years ago and it's just a really neat fun adventure for them. I can't wait to hear more about it, Drewby. More pictures are posted on Shana's Facebook.

"Are...you...from Dixie...

.....I said from Dixie (are you clapping and singing along with me?)...where the fields of cotton beckon to me....It's good to see ya, and say "how be ya" and the friends we're longing to see...." and yes, I'm from Dixie and mighty proud of it. Joyce and I ventured over to the "Rebelette Reunion Open House" yesterday, part of the Centennial Celebration of Dixie College (and Dixie High School as they were all together in the beginning) and it was fun to see the memorabilia, some old scrap books and meet with a few "hometowners" that were also a part of this legacy we call "Dixie". It's amazing this institution has been around for 100 years and it's been fun reminiscing the last little while about how much a part of my life it has been. I love living here in this corner of the world.

There have been times that I have wanted to live other places and times that I actually have lived other places but I'm always homesick for "here"....my home. I hate the heat in the summer, but I love the mild winters and the coming and going of the seasons. I love the color, the sunsets, the blue in the sky, the red mountains and the fact that we're pretty centrally located to a lot of great scenery and "wonders of the world". I'm proud of the legacy of this community and I'm grateful for the support of the people I know and love that also call Dixie "home".

Dixie State College has been good to my family and good for my family as we have all started our educations here. I'm going to enjoy this centennial celebration and know that this really is my "Stars Hollow"...my sense of community as we all come together united to cheer Dixie State College on to whatever might be in her future.

I'm gonna tell ya.....

......what makes me happy. Earlier this week, Lauri had a post on her blog about "Things that have made her happy this week" (clickety click to see)...so I decided I would dedicate this post to pretty much the same theme only mine would just have to be "what makes me happy all the time" and I think the pictures tell the story.

It is my goal in this life to make sure that each one of these little people know that I love them. Right now, I can pretty much say that I know each one of them loves me (even Miller, he just doesn't show it too much right now. He'll come around). What more could this grandma ask?

Tomorrow is yet another one....

.....a birthday, that is, and it belongs proudly to McKay David Wells, 2nd child of Mason and Mandy and (let's see...I have to stop and count)...my 6th (I think) grand child and I love this kid. He's his dad through and through...(some days I could say "Sorry Mason") but most of the time a really, really good kid that's trying really hard to do good and be good. I know he loves Otter Pops and he loves coming to my house (if the cousins are here) but lately he's been really good about giving me big hugs when he sees me and always asks me if I'm coming to his "stuff" and his stuff includes soccer, t-ball, and last year he pumped out a pretty mean hip-hop routine. He's an active kid that keeps us on the ball and his teacher tells me he's doing really good in school. (She's one of my Relief Society Counselors so I'll be able to check up on him a lot). McKay is proud to be 6 and a really fun kid. I'm looking forward to lots of years watching him do his thing and I'm figuring he'll be pretty good at whatever it is he chooses to do. Happy Birthday, McKay. I love you and can't wait to give you my present!!!!!! (Hint...you picked it out).

I love this picture from my Crazy Grandma Camp. It was time for bed and the kids were staking out their places to sleep. McKay made a bed on the top shelf of the toy closet. Ya gotta love it.....

Isn't he a cutie??????

One year ago today....

.....this cute little lady was born into the Kyle and JoEllen Wells family, my 13th and a mellow little one she is. I had her for a few hours the other day and she just explored my house, crawled into my living room and stood up to my doll cabinet and just peered in for the longest time. She's the sweetest little huggable thing and her long hair makes her look mature beyond her year but she's happy to crawl...knows it's time to walk and wants to, but I'm sure it's going to be on her terms. Crawling gets her where she needs to go right now. Happy Birthday, Matty Cake....you're a cutie pattootie for sure.

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Speaking of pink, it was "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night at the rodeo last night and Jay and Joyce invited me to join them in some mighty fine seats to watch this event. I mentioned in an earlier blog how I hated the rodeo when I was a kid but decided it was time to give it another try and I loved it. The opening show was so exciting and patriotic and when all the riders came in at the grand entry, the memories flooded of how much I wanted to do that as a kid. Other memories took over when the calf roping began (it used to make me cry, I felt so sorry for the little calves) but I truly enjoyed the excitement and being there to enjoy a tradition that has been in this community that I love for a lot of years. The Lions Club does a lot of good for this community and it was great to be a part of it for an evening.

Most things change...

....but some things just don't....very much. I was at the Historic Dixie Sun Bowl the other night to listen to Eric Dodge as he and his band opened for "Western Underground" as the opening event of the Annual Lion's Dixie Round-up and as I sat there on the bleachers and took in the sights and sounds (mostly tons of people I didn't know and a lot of western music which I love) I realized that this old venue has been around for a lot of years and has really been a part of my childhood in more ways than one. First, as a family, we would always participate in the rodeo. Mom would always get us new clothes to wear and our cousins that we hardly ever got to see would come to town (from Cedar) and because we lived close to the Sunbowl, they'd hang out at our house between the parade and the rodeo. Oh, and mom would always take us to the parade. I hated the rodeo though...I liked parts of it, the opening ride in which I always wished I could be in, and the barrel racing which my good friend Shirlee used to do, but I hated the calf roping. It would always make me cry because I felt sorry for the poor little animals. I digress though; I spent a lot of my teenage years as we used to play our softball games at the sunbowl when I was in mutual (and we were pretty darn good) and then later, I would go over and watch Scott play with his ward boys softball team...good times. All of our high school football games were held there....and as Jetettes, we spent many a cold morning practicing for our half-time routines there...and....that's where I was kissed for the very first time by my very first "real love" who would later become my husband. Yep, it was one of those very early mornings where we had partied with our friends all night and met up and decided we liked each other and ventured over the fence into the "bowl" to have some "alone" time....(a little TMI there but what the heck). It's just amazing that one place can endure so many years and still be the center of our community and the star of the show every year at the Dixie Round-up. No tellin' how many young kids hooked up walking the perimeter of that place for the three nights that the cowboys and cowgirls were in town. Totally the gathering place for teens....I bet it's still the same. It's been years since I've been to the rodeo, usually try to hit a parade or two but as I sat there pondering the history of that place, I actually had an inkling that I might like to try going to the rodeo again. Who knows...maybe I will.

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In one of my past blogs, I talked about the joys of "doing nothing" but it's also good to get something accomplished. I've finished a couple of blankets which I really enjoy giving away and it's been good to sort through the old fabric drawer and pull some of these things out and actually get them done.

It was a really good day.....

.....9 years ago today after the really bad day as we welcomed Andrew Scott Wells into the world. Drew is my 3rd grandchild, son of Spencer and Shana and a mighty fine boy he is. He's a little guy with a huge heart....loves life and I know he loves me and it's always a joy to hang around him and soak up his enthusiasm for life. This is what his dad had to say about him in a recent e-mail that really sums up the essence of this boy: "Drew is in 4th grade this year....going back to school is no big deal to him because (in his mind) he's a big deal. He may be the youngest in his class, but he'll let you know that he's the best...at least he lets us know. He better not be letting others know. The kid loves to play and hang out with his friends. His appetite for life is insatiable. The earlier the kid can wake up - the better. The longer and later and harder he can play - the better. The stinkier and dirtier he gets...you got it - the better. Surprisingly, still no major injuries (knock on wood)." Drew is a good boy and an obedient boy and practices his piano diligently and does whatever he does conscientiously. Happy Birthday, Drewby...I love you and miss you so. Have a great day!!!!!

....not a good day 9 years ago but yesterday was a good day.....

.....to be a grandma and as I woke up on this Friday morning wondering what I felt like doing, I quickly realized that I have 7 little friends that I can always call on to put some "life" into my day and that's exactly what I was able to do. Mandy is off to a huge bike ride and Kyle was off to some power camp....so without hesitation, I invited them over for some fun and games grandma style to give their single parents a break. Lauri and I had shopped at a ceramics store in Provo a few weeks ago because the kids like to paint when they come to my house. We were able to do just that and they had a great time producing their masterpieces. McKay, at one point, asked me if his dad liked to do this when he was a kid to which I answered...."no way". If Mason couldn't ride it or throw it, he didn't want anything to do with it but McKay painted 3 dragons and did a mighty fine job but was anxious to get back out to the trampoline to work off some of that nervous energy.

Showing off their works of art.

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Emily came over after school this past week and asked me some questions because she had to write a story about someone she had interviewed. I didn't think much of it but she showed up yesterday with the finished story. It really put a smile on my face. I'm getting old enough that some of the things I did as a kid really are pretty strange and I'm sure kids now days don't really know (or care) what we did so when Emily asked me, I realized..."wow, I'm old and probably sound really strange to this little girl" (wait until I show them my manual typewriter one day). Anyway, it was fun to see what she came up with to write about her ancient grandma!!!!!

I love you too, Emily. More than you'll ever know.

The Pumpkin Spice is under the light....

.....the fall decorations are out and I'm ready for cooler temps so I can veg by my fire, read a good book and breath in some of that "fall feeling". I do love the seasons and tho' ours are quite mild, they do bring us the "change" we need especially from the heat of the summer. I love my Salt City Pumpkin Spice candle and it will briefly take the place of my Watermelon one and only be here a brief moment before I start heating the Evergreen or Christmas Tree....it's the smells, the sounds, the feelings that I love as this time of year comes around the corner. I actually opened my windows yesterday to some fresh breezes and a little bit of fall rain. I wish they could capture that smell in a candle.
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I'm ready to settle into some fall reading. I just found out that one of my favorite authors, Jamie Langston Turner ("Some Wildflower in my Heart") has a new book out that I'm anxious to get in to. I've just finished three of Elizabeth Gilbert's books, "Eat, Pray, Love", "Committed" (follow up to "Eat, Pray, Love") that I loved, and "The Last American Man" which I really enjoyed and I tried to read her first novel "Stern Men" which I didn't like. I'm always anxious to know what good books are out there so e-mail me if you have a good one or have an opinion on one that I have read. I love a good discussion about the books I read; wells@infowest.com. Book Club this month is doing "The Seven Miracles that Saved America", a very worthy read.

It was actually cold....

....when I got to Pine Valley this morning and it felt sooooo good. I love the feeling I get when I walk through that door and especially this time of year when the heat of summer has almost surrendered to the crispness of fall. I love Monday holidays and having a little leisurely mountain time to try to remind myself how to do nothing. I'm getting better at just enjoying my surroundings and I learned a bit from my new friend Lisetta whom I met while in North Carolina. She and her mother took me to a beautiful place where we spent about 4 hours just enjoying our surroundings and chatting and it was o.k. It was good to have family along today to help me do nothing. Kyle enjoyed a nap in the new hammock while Matty enjoyed the sunshine on a blanket on the lawn. Mom, Joyce and I enjoyed some "porch" time discussing the importance of learning to do nothing. Sometimes we just need to be content. Actually, I'm pretty good at the "art of doing nothing"....it's just the guilt that we must learn to do without. So on this Labor Day, it is my hope that we all spent at least part of it "not laboring" but enjoying family, friends and a little leisure. I did...it's been a great day.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig...

......but not without a delay or three; however, I made it....50 George Strait hits, 20 oldies and a sock later....I'm back to reality. I love flights, and usually I don't mind delays (I bring along plenty to keep me busy) but on this one I had one last shuttle to catch and it didn't look like I was gonna make it but Kyle and JoEllen showed up to be my personal chauffeurs home and I do appreciate them for doing that. It's been a great vacation.... good to get Max here safe and sound and leave Traci knowing she's gonna be great with "3". We got LocoPops just before I left, yum. I loved getting to know a little bit more about Traci's stomping grounds and I even ventured out myself one day. Lots of fun things to do and people to meet in NC.

I'm gonna miss these little guys......

Just remembering back a few years ago when we had 3 sons.....good times ahead, Traci.