PSI Christmas '08

These are pictures of my work family. We had our Annual Office Christmas party this year catered by Red Lobster and exchanged gifts. These are some pictures of us at our party. They are some of my favorite people. Merry Christmas to them and to all of my family out there that I love so much!!

Tis, the season to think more and more about one of my best friends, which was my dad who passed away during these holiday seasons. I'm certain that many miss him as much and some like my mom extremely more then me, but since he is on my mind so much more and more each day I thought that I would put a blog about him that I could look at and read, and maybe that would help me feel some comfort. There are few people who live up to the legacy of who this was was. He was beyond amazing and there for so many people. for me personally, he was there for me when I was diagnosed with my Lupus and comforted me on so many days that followed. He cried many tears with me, as did my mom on the days that followed, but at the same encouraged me to be strong for those around me who needed me. I know that my brothers spent so much more time with him snowmobiling, but I always knew that he was there for me, and I spoke to him several times per week. He was such a wonderful example of a father and a husband. He treated my mom so sweetly and she in turn just as sweetly and respectfuly. They had a wonderful relationship.

In my mind sixty-nine years old is too early for us to lose this wonderful man, even though we know he is in a better place. But I know he is doing a far better work up there then he could be doing here. I guess that I just wanted to put down that I miss him and think about him everyday and love him beyond measure. And that is what I would tell him if I could.

Tyler is being made an Elder this Sunday is Stake Conference. He has been working so hard towards this and is so excited. He has been attending a Book of Mormon Institute Class and a Missionary Institute Class at SLCC and thoroughly enjoying them. I think that he has more side notes in his scriptures then scriptures. A couple of weekends ago he attended what our Stake puts on, which is called a PMA or Priest Missionary Duty. It was fabulous. They invite all the priests from all of the wards in the Stake meet with with all of us parents, the Stake Presidency, Bishoprics, and many other people. So, we went and bought Ty a suit for his mission ahead. The Stake President called them up one by one and gave them their Missionary badge and then they assigned them their missionary companion. When the Stake President called Tyler's name he said, "Wow Elder Rains, Looking Good!" And he did look good in his new fitted missionary suit. (he better anyway it wasn't cheap) We then went into an assigned room where they gave them each of them special blessing with the strength and intuition to be able to find those who might need be looking for them these special weekend, among other special blessings. Then they were assigned a host family to live with for the weekend who would help and guide and provide them for their needs, and then assigned them a Zone Leader. It was amazing. They also were asked to fast after a meal together on Saturday night until they broke the fast together on Sunday night, which is when we all met to pick them up. When we did it was so cute because Ty saw me and ran toward me through the crowd and picked me up and twirled me around (he's 6'3) and said there's my mommy. Two of the other mom's said why don't you do that with me, to their sons, who just shook their heads. Anyway we had a testimony meeting that was incredible. Many tears were shed about the lives they touched the experiences they had and about the people who were waiting for them to come. In the end Tyler and his companion taught 26 discussions of their testimonies of the Book of Mormon and how it has changed their lives and how Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, as is Thomas S. Monson today, among other true teaching of our church. Ty came home with a strong testimony, then the one that left, and that was only a weekend of doing nothing but serving our Heavenly Father. We're excited to see what two years of service will do.

Flashback: Sarah's Halloween Crime Spree

ONE: She obtains the murder weapon; while carving pumpkins, she pockets the carving knife.

TWO: She buries the victim along with the murder weapon in a pile of leaves.

THREE: She dresses up in her Halloween costume hoping to flea the crime scene along with all of the other trick-or-treaters.

FOUR: Cleopatra sees through her disguise and captures her in the end and shows her the error of her ways.

What a darling Datwyler family with their new addition Linus! He is SOO Beautiful!! And as you can tell, Claire is pretty excited about the Idea as well. Tannie and Richard are such awesome parents. While I was up there for a week, they never skipped a beat of going to the hospital every three hours to go over and feed and take care of their precious little one. Although I didn't get to spend the time with Linus that I wanted to since he didn't get to come home until the day before I left, it gave Claire and I a great opportunity to have tons of fun playing togeher and having lots of fun together. I love her to pieces, and I can't wait to get to know our new little man. Linus.

Linus R. Datwyler entered this world us prematurely October 10/10/08

IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THEN THIS!!! ASK GRANDPA, SHOWN ABOVE!!!!

My turn. finally after being up there for a week, I finally got to see and hold Baby Linus for a few hours before I have to go home and it was all worth it. He is the more beautiful baby. He is seriously gorgeous. He also has Aunt Sarah was wrapped around his finger the first 1 1/2 seconds that she saw and held him. It's absolutely hard not to be. He is absolutley so beautiful! Tannie and Richard have been such awesome parents. Claire and I have watched them run around like crazy hile Linus was in he hospital. They have been so devoted and I am indeed in awe of them, and Claire and I have become such best buds hanging out doing all kinds of things. I can't wait to play with her again soon.

Me and My Baby Girl Claire

Ooooh!! Scarey toenails! Claire and I decided to paint our toenails twinner orange and then purple and then orange and then purple, you get the drift. We had lot of fun doing it. Just one of the many things we did during our week of fun filled activities.

Claire loved putting on my make-up while I was up spending the week with her after Linus was born. I think that we had far more fun then a Grandma and Granddaughter should be allowed to have to. I did her frenchbraids in her hair and she did our make-up. Quite the trade-off don't you think? I just love her and miss her this week so much. I hope that she misses me this week too, since we spent every waking moment together. She's my girl!

My Halloween Craft Project with Claire October 5th

Tannie, Richard and Claire came down for My nephew Janson's wedding reception over the weekend and stayed for conference. While they were here I absolutely loved my time with my beautiful angel Granddaughter Claire. This is one of the craft projects that we worked on while she was here. She is my sugar and spice and everything WONDERFUL and I love her to pieces.

Sarah's Bath Adventure

Sunday night Sarah took a bath in my jetted tub. She is a little scared of my jets thinking that they might suck her in, but we convinced her that though she was thin, she wasn't quite THAT skinny-- she'd be fine, just turn them on. Well after a little while, she yelled "Mom! Come here, it's eating me!!!" I laughed and told her it wasn't. "Not the tub, the BUBBLES!" When I went in, she was trying to poke her little nose above all the growing, overflowing bubbles. We had to scramble to shut off the jets. This picture was taken AFTER the jets were off and the bubbles settled a little. Next time Sari, "One capfull fills a tub full!" HAHA

Claire's 1st Haircut

I was so excited to do Claire's First Haircut after her Birthday Party. She was so good the whole time and never impatient. Claire's Grandpa and Grandma Datwyler stayed and watched as well and that was fun, so it was definitely Claire's special day.

I just did a trim but it made such a big difference and thickened it up. She's adorable and I love her to pieces!

Me & My Grandbaby Girl

It just doesn't get any better than this. I'm holding an angel in my arms, and loving every minute of it. I guess you can tell by the big smile. This was at Claire's 2 yr old Birthday Party and it was lots of fun. She is so beautiful, just like her mama. I love you, Claire.

Janeene's Shower

Janeene pregnant- isn't she cute? And of course the always beautiful Stephanie. They are "my hood". Every Monday we laugh so hard and tell the best stories and eat the best food. I am excited for Janeene who is due any day with a beautiful red-haired little girl of which I'm told I will be "Auntie LoRene" to. The shower was tons of fun.

SLACKER

I am the "Worlds Biggest Slacker" right now on my Blog. I am so far behind, but I have been so busy. I have several pictures that I need to post, but haven't. Hopefully tomorrow (September 20th) when I go to my beautiful Granddaughter's Birthday Party, I will have lots of wonderful pictures to post. She will be 2 years already. WOW! I wish that I had more time to publish, but unfortunately I am going into my really busy time of year at work so it will probably get worse before it gets better.

Mud Pies

Camille and Tyler play in the mud at Yuba Lake... SWAMP THING! Actually everyone, including the Papa was at one time buried in the mud. We have had so much family fun with our Wave Runners this year, but it is also funny to see them parked and see the siblings have just as much fun on the rafts and tackling each other in the mud or sand. We have been to so many Lakes and Reservoirs this summer including Yuba, Bear Lake, Gunnison Reservoir, Utah Lake, etc. and some several times.

Family Reunion 2008

Zip Line Fun!

Each year at our family reunion, my son-in-law, Richard is kind enough to put up a zip line for everyone's enjoyment. This has been a family tradition that EVERYONE looks forward to. We decided to take a video of us using it because it has become legend among our friends. It is SOO much fun! We really should take a video of him climbing the trees to set it up because he really has talent. It almost looks like he's wearing anti-gravity shoes. Go Go gadget!!

Dad - The Outlaw

Both you and your machine! Glad you and your boys can share in the fun.

Check out all this AIR

Ty! The picture cut off your head... luckily you came home with it still attached. Thankfully, as much as you love this sport, your injuries have been minimal. We look forward to more awesome pictures to come.

DAREDEVIL BEEFY!!!!!!!

This Kid feels better up in the air than on the ground. Thank goodness he came home safe. If he's got more than one wheel on the ground, he just ain't happy!

We May not Have it All Together

But Together We Have it All

Michael Rippin' up the Slopes

Michael riding the rail at Brighton this year. This kid is FEARLESS! I am glad I only get to see him in pictures, otherwise.....

Look Ma! My Hair Matches my Eyes

Russell had to dye his hair for 'Miser', the school play. Thank Goodness it falls a month after his prom which this is a picture of with Shay.

Look at my cute boys! Prom 2008 West Jordan "Beautiful as You".

What a Stud!

Michael poses for a business card. This boy simply cannot take a bad picture. This week he is in Arizona finishing up school. When he 'walks' he'll have their equivalent of a financial and business degree. WAY TO GO!

Poor Beefy's Big Broken Owie

Just in time for motorcycle riding season (Ethan's first favorite passion), Ethan decided to break his ankle playing basketball (Ethan's second favorite passion). So now he gets to wear this super sylish boot to school every day for three weeks. He swears there's no way it's going to hold him back from riding his motorcycle. We'll see.

My baby girl sledding. What a blast! On a swimming pool floaty, but Who Knew!