Little Eva Louise Rose Makes Her Arrival!

 So peaceful!

                                                                                                                                                           Not so peaceful!

Adoration!

Pretty in Pink!

Getting dressed - ummmmm, love that binky!

Contented!

Just looking at Mom!

Remember those beautiful lips from the ultrasound?

Aren't they both gorgeous?

Someone has rocked your world, Gavin! But you're going to love her!

Presenting our newest little granddaughter, Eva Louise Rose! We are so happy (and thankful, I might add) that mother and baby are doing well. Born on Halloween Eve, she was 8#'s and 20" long with dark hair. According to Matt, the doctors and nurses are saying she has the best set of lungs in the nursery! But that seems to be a Rose baby trait. We'll hope that she is a little more contented than Luke was for the first few months of his life. We are so anxious to hold and kiss her but that will have to wait for a month or two. For Sara's sake, that will be a good thing. We love you, baby girl! Welcome to the world! We're so glad you graced our family and we look forward to knowing all about you.

A fun little side note: Eva shares her birthday with Matt's cousin, Lisa Woodworth's little boy, Jack Brian Woodworth.  He was born just a few hours after Eva.  So fun... two little cousins with the same birthday. Won't they have fun at family gatherings?

Park City Paradise - Sisters Weekend (Mom Included!)

It's interesting how fast a very fun couple of days can go! I felt so privileged to be included in a sister's get-away weekend in Park City. I'm sure our daughters would have had a perfectly wonderful time--just the three of them--but thankfully they insisted I be a part of it (or maybe I insisted!) and I was so grateful! I cannot say how much I love these three daughters of mine who are now beautiful women and mothers! I learned so much from and about them. They look significantly different from each other and possess totally different personalities and gifts of the spirit. What they do have in common is an appreciation for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a profound love of their husbands and children. They exhibit that love and commitment in unique ways, but each reminds me of the following said by Elder M. Russell  Ballard:"Father, if You need a woman to rear children in righteousness, here am I, send me.
If You need  a woman who will shun vulgarity and dress modestly and speak with dignity 
and show the world how joyous it is to keep the commandments, here am I, send me.
If You need a woman who can resist the alluring temptations of the world by keeping her eyes fixed on eternity, here am I, send me.
If You need a woman of faithful steadiness, here am I, send me.
Between now and the day the Lord comes again,
He needs women in every family, in every ward, in every community, in every nation
who will step forward in righteousness and say by their words and their actions,
Here am I, send me."

Thursday morning, Cindy met me here at the house. We then drove to Pocatello where we met Lori and piled into her van! She volunteered to drive because she knew we would need a van for luggage and all the shopping bags we would be coming home with and, I might add, she was right! She was also the designated driver because she knows Park City! Julie met us at TaiPan Trading in Centerville...now we were complete!  We picked up a few things there...and no, we didn't buy the hats as seen above. Cute pic, however!  That place is a little overwhelming to me...I didn't know where to start or end! We then made our way to Pei Wei in Bountiful for fabulous Tai food! Oh, those lettuce wraps--I'm definitely hitting that place again!

On the road again, next stop being Burlington Coat Factory where we had very little luck but a great time looking...then on to Park City where Nancy had arranged for a lovely condo for us at Skier's Lodge which she manages. Thanks so much, Nancy. It was perfect and we had the best time! That night we settled in and  watched Jane Austin's "Emma"!  Love that movie! About midnight we settled into bed but ended up talking until about 1:00 p.m. I couldn't believe the girls were up ready to exercise at 5:00! What were they thinking?  Well, they exercised along to a Jillian Michaels DVD and holy cow--I did what I could but it was way beyond my abilities! I think I lost a few pounds just observing (I know, wishful thinking!) Lori and Cindy went running for awhile and Nancy came to visit shortly thereafter. It was so fun to catch up on her life and find out more of what she is responsible for in Park City! We all agree that woman is amazing! Love you, Nancy, and thanks again! 

An important  side note:  Nancy was on her way to the Ogden hospital where Mom Rose was undergoing an angiogram. We were so relieved to hear later in the day that she had no blockages and is probably a great candidate for a different pacemaker...one with a defibrillator that would shock her heart back into rhythm when it goes "haywire" (if I am understanding that correctly.) 

When we were all dressed and ready, we headed to the Tanger Outlets and spent about 8 hours shopping for kids clothing, gifts, husbands clothing, and clothes for ourselves thanks to the generosity of our good husbands! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN and found some great deals! The girls had their lists and proceeded to shop and check off the items! Personally, after enjoying shopping for the kids, I loved the DRESS BARN and had way too much fun in there! We stopped for lunch at a great sandwich and bagel shop...another great deal, thanks to Lori's coupons.  It was a perfect break and gave us our needed "second wind".

After returning to the condo, we went through all our sacks and surveyed the "booty" to see what we had and what we had forgotten!  We then watched "Emma Smith - My Story". Yes, it was the weekend of the Emma movies! We went to bed a little earlier and didn't get up until 7:45! I loved seeing the girls sleep in for awhile as I know with children that never happens.

One thing I really enjoyed was listening to my daughters talk to their kids from time to time! The kids were missed and so were the moms! I didn't get to see Lori and Cindy's reunions with their kids, but was there for Julie's, of course, and it was a joy for this Mom to witness! Usually I get big hugs and kisses from all of them, but I definitely was second fiddle this time...and very understandably! Oh, these precious little people that depend on their mom's for everything! What a responsibility we have been given! 

Saturday morning we just took our time getting ready, packed, and out of the condo. We then hit the Outlets one more time for a couple of hours to finish up what was still needed (or wanted!).

The weekend wouldn't have been complete without lunch at our favorite-- "Cafe Rio"! Yummy food and more fun conversation! It had been raining on and off that morning and we still had a long drive ahead of us. Again, we talked and laughed all the way to Julie's. We took her home as Stanton had dropped her off on Thursday on the way to the airport for a dental conference.  After a few minutes at the Allens, Lori, Cindy and I headed for home! Parting was sweet sorrow, but we all agreed this was just the right amount of time and one time a year is plenty! We think we will make it an annual event for this same weekend. We thank our good husbands/children for parting with us we we could have this wonderful time together!

I love you, my sweet daughters! Thanks again for a wonderful time "makin' memories!"

Back Home!

Snip is well-proportioned and very "cowey".  Really a beautiful buckskin.
Also, I always love to see Greg and Brent together. Truly best friends as well as brothers!

Nice head shot (of both!)

Look out, little calves...he's comin'!

Don't try this one at home!

Gotcha!

Snip needs a rest...some of the calves (born in June after spring branding) were huge!

The ground crew..."Come on guys, we're waiting!"

Greg, Tyler, Leo and Armando gettin' it done!

Love the scenery in this pic!

 There is something about a cowboy, isn't there?

Greg and Flint

Love this picture of Grandpa still riding at 80!

Darn blogger! Beautiful little Aubrey Rose!

Greg, Armando and Amy on the ground!

Shaylee on McDonald's Shetland! She was in heaven! And by the way, don't you love the little Rose sister's hats?

Darn blogger once again! Rotate this left and you'll see that Aubrey painstakingly lined up everyone's hats who came in for lunch!

 

Turn down a chance to go to Park Valley? Not if we can help it! Well, Brent called Thursday and invited Greg out to help with branding at Muddy. He didn't have to ask twice! I was happy to be able to go out and spend the day visiting with Mom Rose and also to finally have an opportunity to take some pictures of Greg on Snip. Last year Greg realized, sadly, that Baxter was not ever going to be a big and strong enough horse for him. We thought as he aged that his feet and legs would grow bigger, but they did not. It was a little hard to see him go, but Greg didn't want to ruin him. The fellow we bought him from took Baxter back and sold him to a woman, then traded us (with some extra cash, of course) for Snip, our beautiful buckskin! We have had him since May and he is turning out to be absolutely perfect for Greg. It makes me happy to see how calm he is, yet very, very smart and willing to learn! It makes me happy to see Greg ride him with confidence! He has gathered and worked cattle on him this spring and summer, but Saturday was the first day he actually roped off him. Snip was a gem! Above are a few of my favorite pictures of the day. (I am sure Greg will be embarrassed at my posting all these pics, but this is my journal and my call, right!)

Mom and I visited until 11:00 and then we drove out to watch the guys and gals at work and have lunch with them. It was so fun to visit with some of the Maxfield family, also Tyler, Amy and Flint as well as Rose family members. Janet and Natalie were helping Lisa get ready for the baby to come so were not there. We missed them but they were where they needed to be. It was great to see Bill and Amber and the girls again and we're so very happy that though Amber has been very sick, this pregnancy is going well. She is a wonderful woman! She and Amy had dinner prepared beforehand and then were right out there branding with the rest of them!

Mom and I helped clean up after lunch and then drove home and continued to visit the rest of the afternoon away! I love my mother-in-law so much and am so very thankful she still graces our lives. Her love and steadiness influence each of our children and grandchildrens' lives. I love her unwavering testimony of the gospel and how she lives what she knows to be true each day. Though her memory suffers,  she stays positive and interested in all we are doing. I also appreciate the great care that Dad takes of her. He is truly an example of the pure love of Christ.

Wow, Mom and I were so busy talking I completely forgot to take a picture of her! Now that upsets me!

Happy 86th Birthday, Mom!

Mom with Morgan

We were at General Conference on Mom's birthday so she and I spent a day together a little later in the week! Can I say how much I love her? For the last 5 years she has been trying to simplify and get rid of everything she doesn't need so we can't buy her gifts anymore! She is convinced she doesn't need a thing. So I took her to lunch and gave her my time...the things she loves the most. We had such fun looking through scrapbooks, pictures of the Pond's Lodge over the years, and pictures and cards she has received in the mail of my cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. What a wonderful and exemplary person she is in every way. She attends the temple every Tuesday taking several other ladies from her ward,  takes care of Relief Society at the nursing home on Wednesdays every 4 months, still cleans and maintains her condo as well as grows beautiful flowers on her patio and a small little garden as well. She visits the sick and faithfully does her visiting teaching every month without fail! She attends every function of the grandchildren that she can...particularly Cindy and DJ's kids because they live in Idaho Falls. She loves to go to birthday parties of our little ones whenever she can and drove over and back from Rupert this summer by herself to spend part of our family reunion with us. The list just goes on.  She truly is remarkable. Doing all this comes naturally for her, but it is also her way of coping with the loss of my dear Dad who passed away 6 years ago this coming December. Staying busy helps stave off the loneliness she feels for him. Though she has family and friends coming to stay frequently, no one fills that gap that Dad left when he passed on. I am thankful that my Aunt Gloria, Mom's older sister, lives across the street. They go to lunch every Thursday and visit frequently. All of these things are such a blessing. How was I so blessed to be born to such wonderful parents who made sure that I was nurtured in and taught the gospel. They were always so happy together and that helped me know what kind of a marriage I wanted! Thankfully I, too, am so blessed with a wonderful eternal companion. Thanks again, Mom, for your perfect example! Love you with all my heart!

Rose Sisters Crafting Extravaganza and Cousin Craziness!

Might I just interject here before beginning this post that I am going forward at this time in my blogging! But, I will be interjecting older posts as time allows, so check backwards periodically. I can't believe I let myself get this far behind. I'll be weeks playing catch-up!

I'm sad I did not have my camera for this two day activity, but I took plenty of pictures with Cindy's. As I know she will blog about it and post pics, I may steal a few of hers, but will let her post suffice for most of them. Just let me say that it was SO MUCH FUN! Lori drove to Cindy's from Rupert on Thursday afternoon as all of their kids were out of school for IEA. Seemed like perfect timing to get together. Julie came on Friday morning with her kids to join the party! I was there both Thursday afternoon and Friday helping with the kids, food etc. and just generally enjoying watching our girls join together in making skirts for their girls and hair clips  to match! Lori has really enjoyed sewing for Kate the past couple of months and Cindy really wanted Lor to teach her the "how-to's". My mom gave Cindy a sewing machine a few years ago and it just hasn't worked well. Lori and I worked on it, readjusting a few things, and got it working well. So when Julie arrived with her machine, we had three set up and running! With Lori's help and expertise, Julie was able to make skirts for her two girls and Cindy skirts for her 4 girls. They turned out so darling and ALL the girls were so excited! Wish we would have had time for a fashion show, but it was just not to be. Lori went home with just hair clips done for herself, but with a great deal of satisfaction, I am sure, knowing she gave the sewing bug to her two sisters! The fabrics today are so fabulous!  I heard a lady say that women don't sew today to save money (because frankly, you don't!), they sew to create! And that is important to women! (Remember Pres. Ucktdorf's talk on the subject?)  What I enjoyed as much as anything was watching my little granddaughters, Regan, Morgan, Jordyn, Kate, Chloe and Lily create amazing hair clips with plastic flowers, fabric, buttons, etc. Regan learned to use the machine and made some belts, and Morgan would push the pedal while Cindy sewed (and held Kami sometimes!) When they weren't sewing, all the girls were playing and having a ball! It was so fun to watch Kaleb, Jack, and Brigham play so well together really not requiring much supervision at all. Cannon, Porter and Kami just played upstairs and followed us around. And Todd,  bless his heart, occupied himself. His buddy Regan really wanted to sew so he just played with the younger boys and on his IPOD with nary a complaint (at least not to me.) 

I think this time together got the four of us very excited about Sister's Weekend in two weeks in Park City. Thanks to our husbands who are caring for kids and doing without their sweethearts for a couple of days.

Oct General Conference with Kate and Morgan

 Morgan's favorite piece of art in the Conference Center--

a bronze statue of the First Vision with the Father's arm

around the Son. So beautiful and moving. It is
located on the balcony level just as you enter the
 J section foyer. Morgan learned about it when
her family toured the Conference Center previously
and she couldn't wait to show it to us. This is how I envision
the Son being introduced by the Father. The photo does
not do it justice.  You have to look behind
the statue to get the full impact of this beautiful piece of
artwork.

A sister missionary took this picture of the three of us
               in front of the statue of Christ.               

 

           Just a breathtaking view from the 10th floor

 of the Joseph Smith Building. Such a great opportunity

to speak to our precious granddaughters of the joy of

      being sealed for time and eternity in the temple.

 The reflection of the Salt Lake Temple in the reflecting pool

is so beautiful! The light was just right to catch this shot.

Outside the Conference Center waiting to get into the 

Saturday morning session. We were there at 8:00 am

and you can't get in until 8:30. These little dolls turned

heads wherever we walked. So many people stopped

to talk to them and ask them if they were sisters. I think

they liked that!

             Our little jewels outside the  Conference Center

           Kate and Morgan in the Hall of the Prophets

      Yikes! Looking from the Balcony all the way down!

     The escalators are a definite favorite!

 Watching Conference from their own little bed in their 

                   own little room in the suite!

              Coloring mosaics at the Art Museum!

             Listening to Jericho Road at Deseret Book

  A picture at the Joseph Smith statue is a

                              must!

         Joseph Smith Building Mezzanine

 The flowers were still gorgeous. These were 

on the plaza and the girls loved them (and

            each other as you can see!)

 There is something about those "behind" shots!

 Getting acquainted with the sister missionaries!

 How Grandpa loves his girls (and vice versa!)

 Cutout view of the Salt Lake Temple which is
         located in the South Visitor's Center.

 

       They LOVED the revolving doors at the JSMB

 

             On the balcony in the Conference Center!  Oh, so 

             many people!

 Yes, we really were at General Conference! What a thrill!
And what wonderful girls Kate and Morgan are! They enjoyed listening
and taking notes...and especially loved watching the Prophet
walk in and signal everyone to sit down. You can hear a pin
drop when he walks in. How we love President Monson. He
certainly is the prophet for our time! I enjoyed his messages
so much as well as all of those who spoke. I am looking forward
to listening to all the talks again via the internet before the Ensign
comes out. It will be interesting to see if the impressions I wrote
in my notes are what I hear upon listening again.  My own over-all
impressions this time in a nutshell were:  FAMILY and FAITH! I
loved every minute of Conference; I loved being with my eternal
sweetheart and with these two precious little granddaughters
who are exceptional in all ways for their ages! They are being
raised in amazing homes with very dedicated and loving parents
who teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ on an hourly basis through
example and word! Thank you for allowing us this time with these two
precious little girls.