EMME THE ENCHANTED

After spending the evening with Emme and Lila tonight, I just have to remark that EMME is one of my favorite little girls. She does EVERYTHING her big sister does only one beat behind. It is like watching instant replay. She is so strong. Since she was tiny, you could in no way take something away from her. She will hang on with a death grip. NO ONE could take something from her hand. And when she wants to show you something, she takes your hand and shows you whatever is on her mind. It is really mostly something sweet or powdered sugar. Her little mouth always has a ring around it from the sugar. It looks like she could do a milk commerical. My favorite thing about Emme is that when you are not looking, she is always on top of something high up, and then jumps for it. When she is in trouble she holds both side of her face and says, OH NO. She is really tough. I also likes that she goes right to bed without a fuss. Even my kids didn't do that.

I love it when she crinkles her nose and likes you to read her books. I think she looks a lot like her mama did at her age. Which makes her pretty beautiful. She is smart and could be the toughest grandkid. I love this little one and know she is a special little angel.

THE ONE AND ONLY NEIL

Anyone who knows our family well, knows Neil and his famous euphemisms or as he calls it "sugar coating it." He always has been one to speak his mind, but the last year or so, it seems that his opinion comes out more often, especially in front of our grandkids. Some of his most famous ones are: "If you're not the lead dog, get out of the pack," "kill them all and leave 6 for pallbearers," "No free rides," and if you are feeling down he will say, "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps," and terrorist groups are "godless pigs." But now when the grandkids are around he will say, "Curb your kid," or "If you cry, I'll cuff you." To which Lila will say, "What is cuff, grandpa." He doesn't say it to be mean, it just slips out of his amiable mouth. He also is fond of saying to the grandkids when they don't do what he asks immediately, "Do you have a hearing impediment?" Well, Jessica has used that one on a few people at church and school and has embarrassed Brittany, but yesterday Megan took Cus and Scout to visit grampa Vay. They knocked on his door, and then waited in his driveway thinking he was gone. When Megan started to drive away, Grampa Vay came out and asked them to stay. He said, "Sorry I didn't hear you knock." To which Atticus asked, "Grampa Vay, Do you have a hearing impediment?" He said, "As a matter of fact, I do." Megan was embarrassed but Vay took it well. Well, I guess they could pick up worse! Neil will definitely leave his mark.

As I was looking through some pictures it reminded me of when my kids were little. I took Aaron, Brandon and Natalie up to Logan to Aunt Floras. The kids played hard all day and when it was time to go to bed, we slept in her unfinished basement. Natalie in a crib, and Brandon, Aaron and I on a little bed. I guess it seemed a little spooky to Brandon, and sometime in the night he sneaked upstairs to Floras bed. He said "Grandma, can I sleep with you?" and she said "Sure." The next morning she said he held onto her nightgown all night. She was a sweetheart with children, even those who weren't her very own. I miss those days!

MY ARIZONA KIDS

Just a quick blog to tell Ben congrats on making the Deans List. That pretty cool at a school as big as Arizona State. We are proud of him.

Also, some pics of my cute grandkids, courtesy of Brittany. I miss them so much and want to kiss and squeeze them. What a cute family!

SOME MORE CUTE PICS OF BRYTON'S PARTY

We went to Bryton's house for cake and Ice Cream. It was so fun. Her other grandma, Joni, makes beautiful, home made cakes. Bryton played her Guitar Hero for us and Bobby went up to his room and got his guitar and strummed the strings. He was so serious, like he was playing us a grand song. I love these little children. They make my life so worth living.

TODAY'S QUOTES

I love my grandkids, they are so funny. Last night I was with Scout and Cus and he got up out of bed and came into me. I said, "Are you OK?" He said, "I'm fine. My hair just got in my eyes and maked them leak."

Jessie and Katrina were playing quietly in their room (when they were suppose to be cleaning it.) Brittany walks in and Jessica has a crown on her head and Katrina is covered with a sheet. Britt said, "What are you two doing?" Jessie said, "I am Joseph and Katrina is Mary and we are taking care of baby Jesus." I have the blessed life.

THINGS THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY

1.Keith Oberman: on any channel, at any time, on any subject. His head is bigger than his butt.
2.People who let their dogs run free at parks or school grounds, and don't pick up after them. Do I want my grand kids running through that?
3. Loud commercials especially "BILLY MAYS HERE!" Could he get a lighter dye for his hair and beard and lower his voice a few decibals?
4. Reality shows where they are abusive and rude to each other. Isn't there enough of that off TV?
5. People who say, "Tell me about it," after you have told them your dog was run over, etc.
6. Rappers who use the N word and say HOE which used to be used for weeding. If we said those words, we would be racist.
7. People in back of you at a movie who think they are still home and comment on every facet of the movie or ask for popcorn and drinks like they are calling someone that's in the kitchen.
8. Those who cough up a lung before handing you your food or change.
9. Interviewing the man on the street about something he has no idea about. Do I care what they think. They don't even know the Vice Presidents name. (What is it again.)
10. Dreams where I am always lost. I have enough trouble with that when I am awake.
Okay, I am on a diet, but these still drive me nuts....just a little more now than usual.

FAVORITE QUOTES TODAY

Bobby J sang "Happy Birthday to sissy" over and over and over. He really got it down. Cus got into my car and I said "Buckle up buddy" to which he responded, "I'm not really a big fan of seatbelts!" Where did he get that idea?

BOWLING WITH BRYTON ON HER 10TH BIRTHDAY

There are very few people I would rather be with than my Bryton, especially on her birthday. I treasure each one of her birthdays and consider them a gift from God. When she was 2 and had cancer I would sing to her the song: "One more day, one more time, one more sunset maybe I'll be satisfied, Until then, give me one more day with you." And we have had many. Bryton's name should be spelled Brighten because she brightens everyones day. She loves her mom and dad and brother so much. And Bobby J. misses his sissy when she is gone. She is fun and full of life and I love when she sleeps over. Neil and I love to have her. She is so appreciative of everything you do for her. She is always grateful, and I know she learns that from Bethany and Bob. When I asked if I could pay her to help me clean my cupboards, she said, "We don't pay family." My wish for Bryton and her little family is a long, long happy life full of many "one more days."

ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES OF THE WEEK-WALLICK SLEEPOVERS.

I have to tell you about one of my VERY FAVORITE times of the week. Since Neil has felt better, each weekend we are invited to Natalie's and Josh's house for dinner, a sleepover, and breakfast! Not to mention, being spoiled with the best dinner possible, watching the most darling girls Emme and Lila, and great movies and political bantering.

When we get there, Lila and Emme run to us and greet us like they haven't seen us in months. That is the best. Then they perform dances, songs and stories and say "Watch me" at least a hundred times! You never get the same song or dance twice, and it begins with primary songs and goes into country music videos that they sing and dance to. Of course, Lila knows evey word, and Emme jumps through it all (copying Lila's every move.) What beautiful, little blonde princesses who never wear out or wear down. It is delightful.

Then Josh makes the BEST trip tip on the continent and Natalie cooks all of our favorites. She waits on us hand and foot, and after the kids go to bed, we get to watch all their movies. I have my own bedroom that has clean bedding and my own heater and am awakened in the morning by my angels. Breakfast is made to Neil's orders....I don't know how they do it and why they put up with us so often. But it makes a big difference to our week and gives us smiles for days of memories.

(Example: "Grandma, do you know I have strep in my urine?) Emme takes a look at you after she wakes up and says DON'T. Emme getting your finger and taking you on a tour of the rooms, toilets, dollies etc. all the time saying "come on." Lila telling stories word for word what she was told days before. "Grandma, remember when...." or the story of the pioneers and the grasshoppers and bowing her head quickly for each prayer for help for the eagles (sp) who eat the locusts and bugs and throw them up." Who has a better life than me?

TAYLOR JADIS WALLICK (MY SMARTY PANTS)

This blog has to be spotlighting my darling grand daughter Taylor. I will give you so many reason why!

1. She is a straight A student in school.

2. She reads constantly rather than watching TV. And it isn't easy reading, it is educational reading..

3. She studies hard and tries her hardest in school.

4. She writes in a journal and is writing a book as we speak.

5. She writes and sings her own songs with her sister Payton.

6. She has artistic talents.

7. She is beautiful and looks like her grand mother. ( OK maybe I thinks she looks like me.)

8. She is affectionate and polite...and that is of utmost importance now.

9. She adores her parents and is always trying to please them!!

10. She is already planning to go to the University......and doesn't waver. What a good kid.

What more could you ask of an 11 year old special grand daughter. I adore her. She is the best!

MY MEGAN AND HER FINALS-YES HER STRAIGHT A'S.

I know it isn't cool to brag on your kids, but I've never been that cool anyway! So here it is: I am proud of Megan for acing her finals. I watched her type up her reports, saw her teachers comments on her oral reports, and have to admit that this isn't the same Megan that hid in high school and was afraid of speaking in front of people. That is quite a feat! I am excited to go to her graduation. I hope Scout and Cus get a great education also....these glasses are a start!

I've had a good time lately with my kids. I love having lunch with Natalie and it is amazing how much you can visit when no little ones are around. Brandon always makes us feel so wanted when we go out for dinner. I had two days with my Bryton...and enjoyed every minute. She is such a busy, beautiful grand daughter. Aaron is in Texas on business, but Neil has him looking for the best BBQ's to bring back and start Neil's own BBQ business. (Give me strength.) Brittany is enjoying 70's and 80's in Arizona and I am so jealous. All my grandchildren are well and happy and that is such a great blessing. I really believe that the love of a family is life's greatest blessing. And I believe nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.

And I am proud that we still have heroes in America. They really aren't the celebrities, or the politicians or the businessmen. They are people like the US Airways pilot, Mr. Sullenberger, who not only landed his damaged plane on the Hudson River, but walked the plane 2 times before disembarking the plane to make sure everyone was off and safe. Thank God for him and all the rescuers that helped. They are all REAL HEROES.

YEAH!!!! I HAVE WORDS AGAIN!!!!!

Thanks to my relentless computer guru's, Natalie and Jim, I can now write again. Wow! Am I blessed. This New Year is going to be great. Great Blessings, Great Health and Great Family and Friends.

Brittany and Ben and their little flock went back to Arizona. It was such an empty place without them. We had such a great time with them...the children are the best.

This week I have been thinking about my three youngest grand-daughters, all born in 2007 within about 4 months, brought to earth by three of my four daughters. They are each so lovingly eccentric in their own way, and bring me so many smiles: Belle (Brittany's), Emme(Natalie's) and Scout (Megan's).

Belle makes me smile because of her quirky, little personality and mischievous ways. She is always into something or getting something she shouldn't. (That's why I named her "Clepto." Many items have gone missing after Belle has been around. But she looks so innocent, it is hard to blame her. She climbs like a monkey, and has the best lips to kiss in the world.

Emme is the gymnast. I swear she should be Brandon's little girl. She is ALWAYS jumping off of something, no matter how high. She does dives from the arm of the couch, jumps from tall bar stools, and moves furniture to climb higher to jump. If she gets hurt, she shrugs it off, and does it again. She is so agile, she has never been seriously hurt. She gets thrown, knocked, pushed and plundered and comes back for more.

Scout is a completely different kind of little girl. She doesn't use climbing or jumping, she uses her voice. If Emme grabs her by the collar and says "come on" and pulls her, Scout lets out a yell that can be heard on the next planet. She tries to stand her ground, and won't fight back, but her voice does all the work. But when she is happy, her voice is melodious and sweet and she sings and even her talking voice sounds like little bells. (You could call her Jeckle and Hide, but I won't.) When these three get together it is just fun to listen and watch. I hope and pray they are always best buddies and they sure make my life more fun. Thanks for letting us be a part of their wonderful lives! xoxomom

NEW CHRISTMAS PICS! CAN'T WRITE TEXT! BUT STILL LOVE MY PICS!

Christmas was wonderful. We couldn't have asked for a better holiday season.