We had visitors....

Dan, Lisa, and the children came to visit this morning on their way to the Tar-pits. We went over to our little play ground and had some fun before they left.

Our family always seems to find WATER...

Some drove, some rode bikes and scooters or just walked to enjoy a beautiful spring day at the park

We had a picnic lunch in the park
and Ashlyn really liked feeding her grandpa 'french fries' while Chelsea got a few for herself.
Then...playing in the sand, climbing the rocks, flying kites, playing tag...just lots of fun.
So to cool off, what does this family usually do???? you guessed it...WATER!

Easter Sunday

Angie, Marv and I started our Sunday by attending 2nd Ward then on to 1st Ward where John was speaking in Sacrament Meeting of which he did an great job. We then went back to spend some time with Lisa & Dan's family for a little brunch of homemade sweet rolls and fruit. We opened up the special eggs to see what reminded us of Jesus.

Carnell, Angie, Marv and I enjoyed a lovely dinner, afternoon, and evening with John & Marrianne's family. After dinner we opened their special eggs to see what they had put in them that would remind them of Jesus.
The girls really had fun with their cousin Angie
While grandpa played with Ashlyn and Christian on their swings
Then it was time for the Easter Egg Hunt
Ashlyn could not stop laughing at her Grandpa

St. Patricks Day

Heather got a great picture of their family celebrating with ALL green food, except for the cornbeef.

Chelsea started her day by climbing in our bed in the morning to read books, then after Mel woke up we had breakfast and played games, games, and more games! Later Carnell and I had fun visiting the dentist, yuk! Helped him around his home, taxes, bills, cleaning...and then enjoyed a Subway for lunch.When Spencer got home from school, Grandpa took them outside to play some baseball....even our little princess enjoyed trying to catch the ball. Later headed back to our apt, shopping, laundry, and prepare for another week.And our little Ashley and her parents spent the day on an airplane to visit family....sun & snow!

California March Birthdays

Sunday evening we met at John & Marrianne's house for a delicious "Mexican Feast", to celebrate the California March Birthdays: Carnell 88, Madison 9, and Ashlyn 2.

Madison got to choose the menu of taco/burrito bar. And for dessert we had Apricot Pie with ice cream....hmmmm delicious!
After dinner Madison, Brooke, and Melanie played "Princess U-no" with me. Very nice evening.

Do You Remember These.....

> > Subject: Burma Shave with the Statler Brothers THIS IS COOL,> TAKE YOUR TIME> > Burma Shave with the Statler Brothers> > You may need to watch it twice; once to watch the Burma shave signs> change and once to catch all the pictures plus listening to the music> of the Sattler Brothers. THIS IS REALLY GREAT.> For those of you too young to remember "too bad you missed it!"> > http://oldfortyfives.com/DYRT.htm

Date Night

We went with some of our friends here at the apartment, for dinner and a movie. We just wanted a clean, fun, crazy movie that would make us laugh...and this did. Lots of slap stick humor with a good moral and also brought back some memories of taken our own children to college. [Thanks Ben and Ruth for the AMC tickets]

Who is really man's best friend?

If you think you know who man's best friend is, try locking your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car; wait two hours - then open it. Guess who is happiest to see you.

ANNIKA...Our "Little Princess" Fish

"Grand Award" For Best Cake

For Nate's Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner, the boys were asked to make a cake with their Dads. The theme was "Chinese New Year" [the year of the dragon], so this was where they started. They also decided to make it a 3D cake. Great job Nate & Matt!

Day 3 With The Twins

Rachel is sound asleep and Jordyn is blowing kisses.
[From Matt] We'll we made it home. Rachal and Jordyn can't seem to get enough lovin' from their brother and sisters. Or maybe brother and sisters can't get enough lovin' from Rachel and Jordyn. Either way everyone is sitting in a circle, passing the girls around and getting lots of hugs and kisses.

Now what?????

Here's to 9 years

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADISON.....

SPEAKING OF MIRACLES.....

Rachel came out first about noon today but Little Jordyn didn't want to come out and play. The doctors weren't taking "later" as an option. So feet first she entered this world. She had her Mom and Dad praying like crazy. So here's the official stats. Rachel Lynn, 3/7/08 at 12:05 pm weighing in at 5 lbs. 12 oz.19 1/4 in. long. Jordyn Leigh, 3/7/08 at 1:15 pm weighing in at 6 lbs. 10 oz.19 3/4 in. Both are healthy, and so cute.
NATE...BIG BROTHER! One thing for sure...he won't have to worry about sharing his room, with four sisters.
Christa and Jenna have two real baby dolls to play with...just a little excited!
That makes a total of 23 grandchildren with two more on the way. Girls ahead, 15 to 8.

IF YOU LIKE SPLIT PEA SOUP, this is a must!

This is so easy...just put all ingredients into the crock pot in the morning and come home to a delicious meal. It is also good with the homemade bread the temple cafeteria is now selling....ymmmmm good!

Plit Pea Soup
1 pkg green split peas [2 cups][
2 quarts water
1 c grated or diced carrot
1 cup diced celery
1/8 tsp thyme
1 medium onion chopped [brown or white]
salt and pepper to taste
1 smoked sausage [1lb.] sliced or chopped
And I added two chicken bouilion cubes and 3 tsp corn starch

MIRACLES

Sunday the Counselor in Westwood 1st Ward Bishopric started the Fast & Testimony Meeting with a neat thought and the theme which continued throughout the meeting. He bore testimony of "Miracles" and how we are blessed with so many miracles today. We have the miracle of revelation from a living prophet on the earth today and we also have personal revelation, for ourselves and for our family, as we go to our Heavenly Father in prayer and read the scriptures.

Then Sister Eyre spoke of the miracle of Family History and the New Family Search program referring to Malachi 4:6, Doctrine & Covenants 2 and 62. A sweet sister by the name of Ann Wallace who works in the temple much like Anna in Luke 2:37, bore testimony about the miracle of family and being sealed in the temple for eternity. Another spoke about the miracle of missionary work and how the gospel of Jesus Christ is being spread throughout the world...and it is our responsiblity to serve. Brother Howard Anderson spoke about the miracle of the Savior and are relationship with the Savior.

The thought came to my mind....yes we do have so many miracles...just walk outside and see the hand of the Lord everywhere. Whenever we get down or discouraged, maybe we should make a list of the miracles and blessings in our lives...that alone would cheer us up. I am so grateful for the scriptures which contain testimony of so many through word and example...and also grateful for those today who have affected and continue to affect my own life and testimony. HAVE A GLORIOUS DAY and LOOK for the Miracles All Around You.

Rrrrrriiiiiiiiiigggggggg Hello - Hello, Grandma?

Whenever our land phone rings we are sure it is a sales call, but to our pleasant surprise there was a familiar voice......Hello, Grandma? Yes, Hi Ben-jamin, how are you? Good, is Grandpa there? Yes, just a minute....
He told grandpa all about his rubber snake he has in his bedroom, about his blanket that keeps him safe at night, how he loves donuts with sprinkles on them, about how he went with his daddy today to take Megan to school, on and on..... After a lengthy conversation he wanted to talk to Grandma. Hi grandma, I'm watching Princess show on TV. He then told me his favorite was Superman and Batman, singing songs about them. He told me how they keep people safe and kill the bad guys. Where are you grandma? I told him I was in California at the temple. My cousin, Christian, lives in Calfornia and when we are big we will come see you. He then told me about the top he was trying to spin, about his messy room his mommie was going to help him clean so he could find his superman toy. On and on....very fun to hear all his news.
A little later he said, Hey, Grandma, hang on. He then proceded to talk to his mom who had just come home from picking up school children. I'm talking to Grandma! When Heather came to the phone I told her we were babysitting Ben on the phone so Joe could get his work done. Thanks, Ben, for a fun afternoon!

March...What are the Grandkids are up to?

YOU MUST GO TO MEG'S BLOG to see her prom invite and her answer. Good to see they still have the creativity going...very cute!

Steven learning to climb stairs...way to go buddy!

Ashley learning to walk in the snow.....brrrrrr cold, but she loves the white stuff.

When Annika found out that they were going to see the BYU Folk Dancers Saturday, she HAD to wear her princess dress. After the show, many of the dancers came to see Annika and tell her how pretty she was. They saw her right away as she was sitting in the front row on daddy's lap. She was memorized the whole afternoon.
Christa received a special award at her school assembly this past week..."Communication" award. She told us it was because she likes to write and because she is nice to people.
Marrianne and Brooke cut their hair to donate it to Locks of Love. Brooke and Madison have done it twice and Marrianne's first time.

Miranda cut 9 inches of her hair off, also for the Locks of Love. She also called this afternoon to tell us she lost two more teeth...and she pulled them out all by herself...again.
Chelsea loves babies.....as does our Jenna.

Jenna is patiently waiting for her two REAL babies....twins any day now. If one is a boy, Nate wants to call him Jared so he an be the 'brother of Jared'. Christa likes the name "Rachel"

Spencer and Chelsea both love Mel's birthday gift....her very own LIVE dorf rabbit

Look for more 'grandkid' news in coming editions....

We got tagged....YOU'RE next

Since we have been tagged twice, we'd better answer the questions....
What is their full name Sharon Lee and Marvin Verdell
How long have you been married? 44 years in December
How long did you date? 4 years [2 years waiting while Marv on mission] married 3 months after returning.
How many dates before the first kiss? A few, but whenever I would flip his suspenders [yes, guys wore them back in those days] he would kiss me.
Who eats more sweets? About even on that one.
Who said I love you first? Marv, the night of our prom in the parking lot before we went into the Coconut Grove. Then he would squeeze my hand three times under the table...that started the "3" meaning I love you.
How old is he? 10 months older than me.
Who is taller? He is by about 2 inches
Who is smarter? He probably is, but with age you get lots wiser
Who sings better? He says I do....or use to.
Who does the laundry? Both. We run up and down the stairs to our apt laundry each week.
Where and when was your last date? Two last week: Wed out with friends for spanish food. And Saturday night out with friends to see BYU Young Ambassadors and dinner at Famous Dave's Barbeque
Who pays the bills? Marv
Who do you tag? Marrianne or Anyone who takes the time to read this????
That was fun... Thanks Ruth, Heather and Lisa!

Date Night

We went out with some of our OW friends to Long Beach to attend Young Ambassadors "The New American Songbook". It was great...what talent! After we went to "Famous Dave's" for dinner at the Pike. We definitely need to go down there during the day sometime...lots to do. Anyway, we had a very nice evening-date night.