2011 Harry Potter Farwell

I remember where I was the first time I read Pivot Drive #4.I was working for SkyWest Airlines and my friend who was into tech beamed me to my palm pilot the first book. I had a long business trip I was headed on and he said I would really enjoy it. He was right. I loved the books what a world she created and it was a great visit every time I step inside her world. I will miss that excitement for the new book and I have loved the movies also. Sure they left our some of my favorite story lines and added in some dumb things but I still have the books and the movies are a scrumptious frosting. I loved hearing that Jens little boy was depressed as he turned 11 and no letter came in the mail by owl. SO we went out in style. Steve talked me into a double feature so we could see part one and two back to back on opening night in Bountiful. Steve is great and I love his passion for life and he reminds me of someone I know... okay a few people I know. Plus he can't smell. I think he is mine. No I had bought tickets to see it the next day so none of us were going to be up late but the double feature sounded so cool. My cousins Andrew and his friend who came in costume AWESOME I wish I had done that Teri Kelly and I had so much fun. But wait there is more. Then I won tickets for the night it opened at 7pm from our new home builders!!! SO I invited Hilary and Matt since we use to watch them early on her teaching gig. We love them and they have Harry Potter Clue- very fun. They did not bring that cute baby but it was loud for tiny ears. Then we went with Anthony and Salina, Andy Kelly Teri and Steve for the third time. Some would say that is obsessive. But really it was just a series of fortunate events. My mom was here which was the down side as she does not like them at all and we kept leaving her saying we were not obsessed. I did finally accept that harry and Hermione are not going to end up together as anything more than in laws. Loved my long talks with Kelly and Steve about HP, Death Life and simpletons.  

2011 Uncle Denny

I am not sure where to even begin.I just can't quite do this yet. I will try again in a few months.

2011 Memory Lane photo scan

2011 July LOVE AMERICA

I love my cousins. I am very close to them. They are my friends. We enjoy being together. I think with all the crazy zanny fun in my family it is nice to be with people who understand that it is real and not a crazy made up life. As of 2011 I have one cousin living in CA that we go see in San Fran, two in Seattle which we never see Danny and Ashlyn- but we sure would like to see them. Everyone else has moved back home! It is awesome. For the 4th of July Scott is usually camping with his brother and nephews and dad but the snow kept them home:) We met up with my Aunt SUges kids as my uncle Denny's kids were in Jackson Hole. On Friday we saw the Centerville fireworks I feel like I live in small town America I thrill at it. It is Americana. Decore flags everywhere picnics fireworks parades. The parade comes right behind our home:) We spent a couple days at Jordanelle a local lake with our cousins. It was so fun. We play a game called nertz fast paced crazy. We went to the Dodo a family favorite for the smoked turkey sandwich with bbq sauce and peanut butter cream cheese pie. The kids call me Uncle Missy- a little joke. Fun to be with the Hills in from CA. Great to celebrate our freedom and this great nation.

Honk JR

I wish some things I could start at the end and work my way back. Honk JR was hard-- some of the kids were mean. Some were just unruly. Some were just teenagers and good at it. But after all was said and done I got to spend time helping these amazing young people grow more confidence and Make friends. I spent time with super cute Hilary and funny Melanie. We were in a brand new theater. I got to work with my Steve who was funny. It was hard to not have the scripts for 2 1/2 months. It was hard it was over the holidays and a big move. It was hard to do a musical with one rehearsal a week for 2 hours and also try to teach them along the way. It was difficult to lose Aunt Sue along the path. It was wonderful to laugh and see the potential they all had. It was amazing to get emails and cards along the way from the kids thanking me for helping them see their greatness. It was fun to get flowers and hugs. I loved getting to know some kids that taught me about compassion and humor. One of the girls is always helping everyone and took a downs boy with her to prom. One of the girls is a triple threat with acting dance and singing. All of the kids had strenghs and what a challenge to focus the energy and expand the possibilities.

2011 Puerto Vallarta

Back in 2004 we purchased a 20 week time share for a killer price in Cancun with Palace Resorts. The best part of it was the RCI membership which we pay a yearly fee for and use what is called extra vacations or last call all the time. You get a super nice upscale property for 7 night from around 99.00 to
400.00 total for all 7 nights. Another perk when we bought our 20 weeks was a free all inclusive week in Mexico which we have been shy to use. In 2004 Scott was deathly ill and required hospital stay with spinal taps on returning home and I wore diapers to Anthony s wedding form the Montezuma revenge. Then we went with the Riffles in 2007 to Puerto Penasco and Scott got really sick again so we have been hesitant to return to Mexico. After Aunt Sue died I was really sad and needed some time away. Aunt Sue loved the ocean in Mexico and California and spent time on the Baja with her friend Ginger. We decided to try out our free week at Peurto Vallarta. It was the Palace resort and everything was included from massages to swimming with dolphins. I drank sweet non alcohol drinks at the beach non stop. The weather was perfect they picked us up at the airport. We had free calls back to the USA. The spa was heavenly. Overlooking the ocean. Our room had a ocean view and I loved laying there reading and looking at the sea while the gentle wind blew in our room. We had a two person jacuzzi in our room. Room service was awesome and free. They took our photos on the beach. We went on a sunset cruise. The dolphin swim was amazing. They had nightly shows. The food yummy! Sushi, Italian, Chocolate fountains, crepes daily in the lobby, fruit, Brazilian steak house, you name it was yummy. The service was wonderful they just pamper you. We had so many choices of activities all included. We had a romantic surf and turf dinner by candlelight on the beach with live musicians. Each day I would watch the huge sun set and disappear int the ocean it is a beautiful sight. I would cry really hard about Aunt Sue. The sun seems to melt in the horizon I had never seen it look like that before almost like a movie unreal. There was a Japan disaster while we were there. A huge tsunami which made it sad to be so happy when so many were suffering. We had to evacuate the beach then the pool while it hit us less than 24 hours later. It did no damage just a 4 foot swell and ti hit at low tide which was fortunate. But it did make the water murky and it was a reminder about life being so fragile. Kelly and Teri flew in and stayed at a condo I got them from RCI about a half mile from our resort. They did not want people not staying at our place to be there as tot he loss in alcohol but none of us drink and Teri needed to call home so they came over a few times. Scott got Teri a day pass and we really had fun that day while Scott and Kelly went deep sea fishing. They had the federalies try to get $5,000 from them on a private boat to fish where there were fish. It is corrupt. Kelly speaks Spanish and that made it so cool to hear him talk with the locals. Teri and I totally relaxed and laughed and I had to keep making sure her drinks were virgin as she is not familiar with spirits. The waiter would tease us and say here is your virgin drink with tequila. They would laugh and think it was so funny. We always meet nice people from Europe and America and this trip we had people staying form Mexico. I did good with not getting burned only a tiny bit from the dolphin swim because I was not wet and my burn shirt only protect if wet I learned. The dolphins were our favorite. Pegusus and Nala were the ones we swam with the were playful and huge and strong. We did not go to town as we are a little wary of the drug lords and trouble. But Kelly and Teri did and they had a blast. One night we sat under the stars on the beach and talked till dawn Scott said his favorite is silence which is hard for the three of us to grasp as we like to talk.

2010 Jami turns 8

One fun thing for me living close to family is making cakes for birthdays or holidays. I am not a pro but I do enjoy it. Also I help make invites. and cards. I think if I would practice baking, decorating, photography you name it I would improve as I Love to create. It was fun to take the photos of Jami and to be together as a family for the baptism. How wonderful to have her loving Christ and knowing she is a daughter of God who has provided a way to repent and always stay clean. Jami likes to help me organize and decorate and I love to have the kids over around the holidays and talk about my memories with my Grandma Dixon who make Christmas alive for me.

Baby sitters

Lucky for me I have the best ever baby sitters. That's right I have to have a baby sitter for myself every time Scott has a business trip. The latest was over the Valentines week holiday and I got three of the cutest ever girls ever to come watch me. We had a wonderful time looking at treasure from my childhood, playing house, making Valentines, watching movies and talking. I love love love to hold little Sarah on my lap and then she falls asleep. We went to bed fairly early as Erin and Jami had school. Bella was a show off climbing anything she could but she loved sleeping with the girls all piled in my bed. It was neat to help Jami with spelling and see how different the girls are. Erin told me all about her life and goals and dreams and Jami kept us on schedule with brushing teeth and bed times. Anthony and Salina came up 2 nights later on and we all had a blast. The girls want to know when I Scott leaving next?

Cousins, friends, birthdays, Neighbors, and bright red

There is something awesome in the times where your family ends up being who you would choose to be with on purpose. We now live one mile from my cousin and his family and it makes things really fun. We went for Teri's birthday to a place called Sego Lily where they had the best french fries ever and I am not a fry person in general. It is a nice adult place. A little fancy feel in a historic old home. Teri makes life fun and Kelly and I love to talk about the gospel. We have gone to the Temple together and have the best time ever thinking and talking about our pondering. He thinks our minds work the same in many regards. It makes it feel not so lonely up there. Teri is always making me smile about life. Her kids crack me up and the girls are so sweet. Their oldest is part little Missy. Scott and Kelly enjoy the politics discussions. What a fun time we had. Then for Salina birthday we went to the Joesph Smith Memorial Building. It was beautiful we sat by a fountain and looked at the temple and beautiful greenery. We dressed up and then forgot the camera. The highlight was Scott doing a dance for Sailna in the parking garage. She was embarrassed beyond words. Her face looked like sheer terror. Scott is so funny becasue if you do not know him he is super shy but if he feels comfortable watch out. He was singing and dancing and then he went bright red in the face as he noticed we were not just the 6 of us in the parking garage and he was on a secruity camera! In all my years of loving this boy I have never seen him blush! Bright red I tell you. If you want proof just ask him to dance for you:)

Dixon Family Christmas 2009

My family use to have the most amazing parties when we were children. This year we went back in time and had a blast. Singing in minor chords, playing our Sorry to Passe, white elephants and good food from old recipes. This year Kelly even liked Yams and Apples and I even liked slush! When Teri asked Scott how he felt about hosting the family parties he said I feel like being gutted alive. Yup we have to work on him, he is having a hard time enjoying the new house because he is perfections bay and I love him for it. Poor little buddy he is going nuts. But hey nuts fits right in.

Christmas decorating 2009

This year I had Erin, Jami, and Sarah come to help me deck the halls. I had to laugh as I noticed that we have a little OCD in the next generation as Jami had to group similar items together. Big Bert by little Bert and so on. She did the same with her Halloween candy. Kelly and I did these same types of things as children and still do as adults.

Now that our 14 foot tree has some space I need to buy a tree topper. At Jefferson Place I could not place a topper as it hit the ceiling.

Erin did a great job setting up the village all by herself. The girls seemed in fast speed trying to see who could do the most. I tried to tell them that the joy is in taking your time and doing a good safe job, they did not buy it. We had some breakage as a result but I loved having them and it made it really fun to talk to them about family traditions.

My FAVORITE thing in the new house right now is the Nativity Lynda and Neal have been giving me for years. I looked forever for the perfect set. I have a dozen different Nativity's but I wanted a special main one. Now I finally have a place to put it where we do not have to hunt for baby Jesus as Mungo and Bella would drag him off. It is from Italy and Neal made the manger for me as well. Salina helped me put white lights behind it and it makes me feel peace during the stress of moving.

Scott is in full hunting season so we don't see him much between his long work hours and hunt hunt hunt.

I need to get photos of all the finished efforts. Scott hung the different size balls of different colors on the front porch. It looks very festive and I LOVE that every single last house on my street has up decorations! It iss like I moved to my own little heaven built for Missy.

2009 Unpacking Halloween

Scott could not find clean underwear but I had Halloween up at the new house. Yes my priorities were Holiday first at all costs. The very first box Hilary helped me unpack was Halloween. I could not find my costumes so I went as the light from inside a pumpkin! I had brand new glitter eye make up and I had a sparkly tee shirt that Kelsie talked me into buying last season for 3.00! Teri's kids loved playing under the stairs in the play area. Sarah was a kitty and Bella thought that was super cool. I had a sparkly headband which you can't see in any of the photos. We also had a great visit from Ilse ad Olaf my German cousins:) It was weird to not be at Kinikinis house as we were for so many years. It was fantastic to hand out candy and hang with my cousins and family. We watch a clear play edited movie called Hot Rod and Twilight 3 or 4 times. Kelly and I love to talk about it he never read the books but enjoyed the movie.

Conference Weekend in St. George

I LOVE my cousins! I am so very grateful that Kelly and Sean would be willing to drive me all the way to and from St. George so I could see my cute mom. She is one funny lady. We had the best time looking at old photos and listening to conference. We stayed int he house all most the whole time either playing cards or organizing, but we had fun together. I think we do best on a one on one basis. She seems to focus the best this way is does not get overwhelmed. Plus it is always nice to be with one person at a time. I could not get over how much little Sarah just adores her. She is not the best with young children- she is awesome with teens but little 3 year old Sarah thinks Aunt Mary is the bomb. She kept running to her lap and wanting kisses. It made me feel sad for my mom with now of her own grand kids since Anth and I are sort of childless. She totally loves my older siblings kids but I think it is different to have your very own and I felt sad for her. I have not been feeling sad for the last few weeks about not having a child. I think I may not be ready in this life for the adventure. That is really a blessing because it gets old to have a broken heart with children all around. For some reason I just not as into kids as I used to be. This alarms Marlene but I assure her I still love kids I just don't want any of my own anymore-- at least not in this life-- for now. Scott teased me and said "Really? because now I want to adopt"- he is a tease. Aunt Susan is looking great and it was fun to have her back to normal. Sean and I sang John Denver songs all the way home. Kelly and Teri and I had great gospel talks on the way down. Mom and I laughed and really enjoyed each other. I feel like I didn't get to really hear conference but I will just study the talks and re listen like always and I am sure it was awesome. I think for me it is best to be at home for conference with no distractions. The stand outs were the angel talk and being good in sacrament. I liked them all but they did not sin k in yet. I missed my cute honey who was keeping the home fires burning in my absence. He is in full hunting swing. He is my good buddy and I miss him in the fall:( I cried as I left St. George. I do not like going there because I think of my dad to much. His dream was to live there since he was a teenager. He came on a trip from New York as a teen to the area and decided he would one day live there. He spent his last years there and it just makes me think of him. Once my mom is gone I'm not sure I will be able to go anymore- it really hurts inside and makes me sad. I worry about my mom who has very poor health but I' not sure how to help. I pray but not sure what else to do, excpet try and bum rides to see her.

Our visit to San Fran

We are back from another trip. We miss everybody in the fall as we travel so often. It is the one really busy time for Arbonne as everyone LOVES the holiday line and Scott is busy with High Cotton. We spent the first few days with my cousin Allyson and her family. I have always looked up to her all my life. She was the cool older cousin that I wanted to be. I would follow her around and then when she would get annoyed we would wait for her to leave and then sneak in her room. Yup we would touch her stuff and jump on her bed and pretend to be her. It was awesome to be with her darling little boys and fun hubby. They have a neat house and I just loved every minute. One night they spoiled us with whole dungeness crabs! Ally is amazing at deco and creating a mood. It was beautiful in the backyard with little flames to melt the butter and Jason helping me when I was squeamish with the crab insides. We went to this Delicious ice cream place that made me want to move there. They have a fun train set. We even went to church with them and I got to see Ally teach! She has great faith and a love for the scriptures and prayer. One day we went to the top of a mountain and there were huge creepy crawlers- yuck. The view was great. I will post up more about the trip soon!