New Year's Resolutions-2010

Like the dew kissed blossoms of early Spring where new life is just beginning,
the New Year can provide us with the opportunity to make
Resolutions...To Begin Anew...To Make Change Within Our Lives.
The Choice Is Solely Ours.

May we all reflect on our lives and the course that we have chosen to set ourselves on.
Let 2010 be a time for self-improvement, self-mastery, or self-discipline.
A time to let go of all the clutter in our lives,
a time to get back to the basics of what is truly important in life!

In 2010...
-I Resolve To Loving My Husband More Fully
- I Resolve To Loving My Children & Grandchildren More
- I Resolve To Finishing My Book & Working Toward Publication
-I Resolve To Living Life With More Joy & Happiness

Inspirational Thought

"You women, be good women, be good mothers. Be kind and gracious and generous. Strengthen your children with your faith and your testimony. Lift them up. Help them to walk through the troubled ways of the world as they grow in this very difficult age. Support, sustain, uphold, and bless your husbands with your love and your encouragement; and the Lord will bless you. Even if they are not members of the Church, bless them with kindness and reach out to them every good way that you can. The chances are that they will become members of the Church before they reach the time they die. It may be a long time and you may have a lot to put up with, but if that happens, you will think it is all worth it." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign, Mar. 2006, 4)

The Man I Adore

Doug and I first met in the Autumn of 1976 but our journey together didn't really begin until late Summer of 1980. This man came into my life rather unexpectedly, but he has been my beacon of light from day one! True, it might be said of us that we are about as different as Night and Day! However, with the passing of time, I've come to see that our individuality provides me with an opportunity to view things from a different angle and constantly grow in the process. My Fairy Tale Dream of a Prince Charming riding in to sweep me off of my feet and produce a Happily Ever After has definitely changed a bit...but no man could have loved me with more patience, persistence or passion! Doug, you are my Prince Charming and I thank you for the adventure that you have given me these 28 1/2 years of marriage! I know our Happily Ever After is up to us...And I believe it is going to be the BEST!!!! I love you!!!!

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 was Magical! The above photos help me feel connected to those family members in tropical Hawaii, while the rest of us celebrated a white Christmas in Utah. Christmas Eve afternoon, Doug and I were joined by Geneal and Oliver for a visit to Grandma & Grandpa Luna's home. Our time together was filled with warmth and love. Then, we met up with Josh and Joseph in downtown Salt Lake City to watch Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart & Donna Reed...One of my all time favorites! Later, Doug, I and Oliver made a couple of Christmas deliveries before heading home for our traditional Christmas Eve festivities. On Christmas Day, we had the bulk of our children & grand-daughter, Ella, with us for a formal Christmas Dinner, movie excursion to see Sherlock Holmes, back to our house for gift exchange and dessert. All the gifts were wonderful, but how thrilled we were to receive a tiny package representing a special gift that was on back order from Nanny & Brian. This particular gift wasn't due to arrive until July 26, 2009...A new little grand-baby! We are over the moon about it! 2010 looks like it is shaping up to be a memorable year indeed! Our family will grow to include a new daughter in March, following Joseph & Emily's wedding and a new little grandchild in July! How very blessed we truly are!!! Happy New Year to friends & loved ones all over the world!

Family In Honolulu, Hawaii

Just prior and directly following our Hawaiian cruise, Doug and I were able to visit Honolulu and spend a number of days with Zach, Nicole, Boston and Marley. What a joyful reunion it was! This was Doug's first time meeting his 2nd grand-daughter, Marley, and it was so tender as he took her in his arms and she nestled her head right into his neck. My heart took a picture and I'll always treasure that moment. How much we adore each and everyone of our grandchildren! Hopefully, these few photos capture the essence of all that we felt. Thank You to Nicole for sharing her talent of photography! And a very BIG THANK YOU to Nicole and Zach for their wonderful hospitality! We tried to savor every minute, but I'm afraid this Granny is already longing for another visit! We miss and love Y'all!

Doug & Esther's Hawaiian Cruise To All The Islands

Trying to choose a few of my favorite photos of our trip is like choosing a favorite star in the Heavens...Impossible! Our trip was so FANTASTIC! Doug really wanted to have a get away and I must credit him for making all of it happen! He is amazing! We so enjoyed our time together and rediscovered just why we ever fell in love to begin with...Doug is my sweetheart and truly my best friend! Our days were filled with island explorations, seeing historical relics, relishing in some of the most beautiful tropical Rain Forests, waterfalls, canyons, coastal views, mountain vistas and volcanic wonders of the world! This time of year is typically rainy season, so we felt thrilled to have enjoyed the most beautiful weather! By night, we cruised in luxury. The food was delicious, pool and hot tubs were loads of fun, water aerobics and learning to hula dance was a blast for Esther, the shows were entertaining, the people we met were delightful and those romantic moonlit strolls on deck will forever be treasured! THANK YOU A THOUSAND TIMES OVER, MY DARLING DOUG!!!

Kickoff The Christmas Holiday

The first Friday of December marked the beginning of a new tradition for our family...though, it was one that originated with Doug's parents...We took our kids out to dinner at Pei Wei and then an evening of shopping at South Towne Mall with their Christmas money. Everyone had a great time and it was nice to simply be together as a family! Our Hawaiian children and grandchildren were very missed!

Big Weekend For Joseph

November 2o & 21, 2009, proved to be a BIG weekend for our Joseph. He became engaged to Emily Fitzgerald and his name was drawn for the Football Toss in between quarters at Rice-Eccles Stadium during a Utah UTE football game. Though his nerves were a bit jumbled, he successfully managed both and made it all look quite easy! Congrats to Joseph who won the heart of sweet Emily and $1,000.00 at the ballgame!

Hawaiian Memories

In 6 days, Doug and I will be off for our Hawaiian Get-Away...where we'll visit Nicole, Zach and two of our beautiful grandchildren, Boston & Marley! In addition, Doug and I will spend a week cruising to all the Islands for some very deserved "Alone Time." We are so excited!!! Nicole and I were talking tonight about some of the things we'd like to do with them during our visit. Following Joseph's Mission, we took all the family to Hawaii and I came across some photos that I thought our Hawaiian daughter might enjoy...so here's to you, Nicole! Can't wait to see y'all!

Cooking Inspiration

I finally made it to see the movie Julie & Julia... My thoughts on it... Wonderful!
Based on real people, including the cooking legend, Julia Child.
For many, Julia Child, was the ultimate!

As for me, Ina Garten, better known as Barefoot Contessa is the supreme Goddess of the kitchen!
My youngest son, Oliver, introduced me to Ina's show on the Food Network and I've been hooked ever since.
How I would love to have even one weekend cooking at her side!
If one woman could do it, so can I...

My Barefoot Contessa Cookbooks were gifts from my family.
My gift to them?
A resolve to trying out every one of Ina's recipes...
...Just One Recipe At A Time.

Sifting Through Old Photos

Some time ago, I created a blog entry about our Nanny girl's graduation from the University of Utah with a degree in Accounting...But failed to include actual photos of her in cap and gown. As I was sifting through photos and trying to organize them, I came across these two. They are very significant to me and worthy of recognition because they tell a story of our Nanny girl.

For those who may not know, the first photo is of Nanny and her cousin, Scottie. They began their academic journey together...in the same kindergarten class...Rarely apart. As a room mother, I can recall several times when their teacher would have to instruct Scottie to stop playing with his cousin's hair and listen to the story that was being told. Back then, they gave one another a sense of encouragement, support and love, I suppose. How exciting it was to see them accomplish this monumental occasion together, just as their journey had begun so many years prior.

The next photo is a reflection of a promise that our sweet Brian gave when he asked Doug for his blessing to marry our Nanny girl. Quite simply, Doug asked that Brian make certain that Nanny graduated from college so that she might be in a better position to support herself/family if it was ever required. It was a long and difficult road for Nanny and Brian. To say that so many sacrifices were made would be an understatement! But Brian kept that promise! Nanny girl worked so hard, giving her all right up to the very end. When discouragement would set in and Nanny would want to quit, it was Brian that would not accept anything but a determined spirit to finish...because he had made a promise to Doug. Together, they worked as a team and Nanny accomplished something, that even today, commands my respect and admiration! It was more than just acquiring an education. It was about setting a goal, sacrificing money/time from a husband and newborn baby and working tirelessly until it was finished!

These two parents, even now, feel immense pride and appreciation for this one particular goal becoming a reality!

Halloween Cuties!

Our adorable grand-daughter, Ella Mae Zern, as a Witch for Halloween Fun-2009! Here she is with her friend, Eva Mae, who is a cutie as well. Ella's Granny Zern made her fabulous Witch dress and my own Nanny girl made the darling Witch hat, spider web and spider included! Ella was the cutest little Witch from head to toe! Granny and Papa tried so hard to be scared but we couldn't help but laugh at the prettiest little Witch in the West! And oh how she loved the candy!!!

It was a really fun Halloween-2009! Puppy sitting Emily's cuddly little Terrier in the afternoon, a visit from our cute little Ella Bella and then the Blackout Utah UTES game at Rice Eccles Stadium against Wyoming. In the end, the UTES took the game and another victory! Fun day and celebration!

Halloween 2009 In Hawaii

Here are some of my favorite pics of my favorite Hawaiians - The Reich Family! Nicole and Zach had purchased these adorable costumes of Boston as a very scary Skeleton and Marley as an adorable Zebra. However, Boston led the family in a quick costume change that night...as none other than Utah UTE Fans! Papa was sure proud of Boston! Granny and Papa wished we could have had y'all here with us...It would have been fun to have all the grandchildren together! As always, we sure miss and love the Reich Family!

Miss Marley Kalia Reich

Okay...I'm a computer idiot and, after months of struggling, I finally asked Oliver for help. The explanation took all of a few seconds! How is it that my kids' generation innately knows all about electronics without having ever learned a thing about them? Thank You, Oliver!!!

Now...May I proudly present my most recent grandchild - She's now 4 1/2 months old

Miss Marley Kalia Reich
Born June 16, 2009
9:06 am.
6 lbs. 15 oz.
18 1/2 "

Granny and Marley met just a couple days after her arrival and I was able to visit for almost one month!
Thank You to Nicole and Zach for their patience in having a house guest for so long!
I'm crazy about my grandkids and I positively savored my time with Boston and Marley!

Granny and Papa are going on a romantic getaway to cruise the Hawaiian Islands in December 2009.
We're so excited to spend 4 days prior and 2 days following our week long cruise with
Boston, Marley, Zach and Nicole.
Can't wait to see Y'all!

Smith - Cahoon Wedding

We welcomed a new son into our family on Friday, May 29, 2009. It was such a beautiful day! Geneal and Josh were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, by Elder Lance B. Wickman, of the Seventy. The special event was shared by family and friends. Geneal looked like a Princess! She was radiant and soooooo happy! Thank you, Josh, for being so wonderful and loving our sweet Geneal! We love you both and wish you all the happiness...now and forever!

My Adorable Grandchildren!

I can't help it! I adore my grandchildren! Here is Miss Ella Mae Zern (She belongs to Nanny & Brian). Baby Marley and Boston Douglas Reich (Who belong to Zach & Nicole)...Taken in Downtown SLC - March 2009.

Friends & Sweethearts Forever - March 2009

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY IT HAS BEEN!
"GROW OLD WITH ME...THE BEST IS YET TO BE!"

Favorite Pics - March 2009

My pride and joy!...My Children and Grandchildren!

Big Surprise During Family Pics!

Soon To Be...Mr. & Mrs. Josh Smith

Well...Sometimes a picture says a thousand words...In this case, Josh Smith said about 4..."Will You Marry Me?" Our sweet Geneal was stunned and caught off guard! It was so fun to watch it all unfold and we are sure grateful that it just happened to be when Preston Rasmussen had his camera in hand! CONGRATULATIONS to Geneal and Josh on their Engagement! We love you both!!!