What excitement fills the air! On November 20, 2009,

Abbie and Brady got engaged!

Look how cute this picture is he had done,

Abbie was surprised to find Brady on bended

knee when the artist was done. They are so cute together--

We are so happy for them!

AIDEN LORENZO IS BORN!

I am so very grateful for miracles! There is nothing more

miraculous than watching a new baby enter into this world!

To go through it myself or to watch one of my daughters

go through it is an emotional experience.

I am amazed over and over again. God is good. He surely

loves us and blesses us. At these moments I feel close to

Him, and so grateful for all that He has done.

Little Aiden entered into this beautiful world on

November 16, 2009. He is beautiful and healthy and strong.

I am so happy he is finally here.

newest grandchildren #5, 6 and 7 coming!

Stacey is due in one week--on November 16th she is scheduled to go in. We were so pleasantly surprised when Rachel and Zak came over on November 1st to announce they were having a baby---we got the Martinellis' out and had a family toast. About 30 minutes later, Bradley and Jammie came over to announce they are having a baby also! Wow!!! We are so happy for us- and for all three mommies-to-be!

Oak Glen- 2009

What a beautiful day in Oak Glen! I love going there with my

family! We usually have a picnic--- relaxing, enjoying each others

company, then we go and get our cider-- a few candied apples and

caramel apples, then we go to the candy store and call it a day.

Such beauty to enjoy there---so much fun!

October 2009---A few tricks but mainly treats!

Happy birthday to Mom!!! I am indeed very grateful for this wonderful woman in my life! She teases how she picked me for Scott, which may have some truth---but I remember my mom warning me to make sure I loved Scott as much as I loved his family. I loved them from the start. She is wise as they come. I can call her (and do often) anytime to ask for advice on any issue I might have. I love her "spirit"--- she is always positive and so faithful! She is spiritual, humorous, loving, warm, generous, beautiful, talented, patient ---I love that she makes me feel so loved! She has blessed my life tremendously. I am eternally grateful to her and love her so much!

CRUISIN'

Fun at the fair-09-07-09

bread anyone?

ok. so I decided I "Kneaded" some dough and I would start to teach bread baking lessons. All I had to do was have a nice little picture of my bread and put some words on it to e-mail out to friends.
Can you believe what my friend (and master of creativity and photography) Lori did for me when I asked if she could make my bread look good? She is amazing! I am looking forward to classes---I think it will so much fun!

What is a family?
A group of people brought together in love that share the journey of everyday life together--
We are part of the plan....our mother and father give us life, they give us love. We share experiences that we came to this earth to have-
Joy, love, pain, sorrow....
What is a family without my mom?
Sad....lonely...sometimes I feel an empty feeling...
Happy---because I know that she is out of pain. She is healthy.
She is with loved ones in a happy place.
I love this old family picture!
When I look at it, I am reminded of
how beautiful my mom is, and how talented, and how loving.
When I look at this picture, I noticed she is in the center---
how fitting!
She was, and still is the center of my life.
She gave birth to me and nurtured me,
taught me and loved me. She made me feel special.
She was not only my mother, but my friend. When I would feel down, I would call her up---
just to hear her voice would make things better. We could talk for hours and hours.
She was always interested in everything in my life.
She taught me about homemaking and mothering. She taught me that lifes' challenges come...
but we must endure---she endured so patiently and cheerfully.
I am motivated to become a better person, wife, mother, daughter- because of her example.
I have a mom who believes in me and I don't have the heart to let her down...

Abbie graduates from seminary!

May 31, 2009 was seminary graduation

No more being on Abbie's case for being late almost every

morning!!! Abbie had a wonderful year!

She loved her teacher Bro Anderson---he was so great!

She has enjoyed her 4 years and she has a

powerful testimony of the Gospel.

We are proud of you Abbie!!!

A little April, a little May... 2009

April and May have past. So many things happening ---

Here are a few:

Conference---We love that family tradition

Mormon Prom---Abbie went with Luke

Sisters weekend with the Hamptons--we love being together!

We watched Stacey as she struggled with being so sick--

making a habit of going to the ER

Abbie and Karren were in King Lear---Shakespeare play

Abbie Mae turned 18!!! When did my beauty grow up???

Re-united with 2 old friends ---I loved seeing them!!!

Chrissy momma turned 25!!!

A new member to our family---our beagle named Bailey

Memorial day---everyone was there but Bradley and Jammie

and girls---we played at the church field--had so much fun!

March 24, 2009--Rya Kayleen is born!

Rya is finally here! She was born at 8:30 a.m. on March 24, 2009. Stacey , Abbie and I had the privilege of being there for her birth. Chrissy was so amazing--she did such a great job, and Gregg was right there by her side every minute, helping her so sweetly. We experienced so many emotions--It was stressful, thrilling, tiring, amazing, beautiful!---I have to say that I am overcome with tears of joy as I write this. To have had the privilege of watching Rya, Ashton, Coral and Kayla come into this world has been so amazing! It truly is a spiritual experience for me to watch such a miracle. To watch as their moms have gone through so much physically to get them here. It is a sacrifice, it is hard---to carry a baby for 9 months and to know that at the end you must labor and go through pain you have never imagined --to be able to hold that baby in your arms. It is an experience that brings you closer to God---He knows all things. How he blesses us. Of course I too have gone through these times myself, and I know what these beautiful moms go through. Why are we willing to have these near-death experiences? When each of my babies was placed in my arms I fell in love! over and over and over again. Love doesn't divide itself-it multiplies. My heart is so full of joy and love and gratitude to be a mother of such beautiful children, and a grandma to such adorable little ones. How they bless my life!

the many faces of Jenna...

My little miracle girl has turned 8! wow! She has certainly changed our lives. As I browse some of her pictures, I notice how they capture her spirit--she is full of spirit--and knows how to be happy--it is simple--Just love everybody! She can be a rascal and has a cute sense of humor (she has a bit of her Great-Grandma Whitney) She is quick to forgive- and knows unconditional love. She is a miracle. We have been blessed to have her in our family. Someone once told me that Heavenly Father must really love us to send us such a blessing---I feel it is true. Happy birthday Jenna! I love you so much!

Wedding Bliss

I just have to say how beautiful and wonderful Rachel and Zaks' wedding day was. The Temple sealing was so wonderful and sweet. The temple grounds were beautiful. Having so many loved ones there was so special. These are the moments that bring the kind of joy that nothing else in this world can bring. My heart is full of gratitude for such a blessing. Zak is an amazing
young man---perfect for my Rachel! The reception was a great celebration---the newlywed Elcocks are off to a great start!

My best friend---another hero

My Dad---my hero

Friday, March 6, 2009--- What an amazing event! A sweet, wonderful, beautiful bride, a good, wonderful, handsome groom, a beautiful sealing, beautiful family to witness it, beautiful blue skies, beautiful temple---it was one of those truly joyful moments that I treasure in life. Joy and Happiness!

This is a picture of Rachel's bouquet. I just love it!
There are several reasons why.
1. I love all flowers, but roses and daisies are my favorites!
2. The colors are so beautiful together, so fresh and pretty,
feminine---they remind me so much of Rachel.
3. My sweet and talented niece Shannon who put them together for us
helps make our weddings beautiful.
4. Zaks' family was so generous to help make all the flowers possible
and how grateful I am for how they raised such a wonderful young man---
5. Heavenly Fathers' beautiful creations make me so happy!
6. The bouquet is a culmination of feelings that I have about the wedding itself--
Rachel marrying the right man, at the right time, in the right place,
and how the whole occasion was so beautiful--to my eyes and to my heart.

February---2009

The month of love is coming to a close. I want tell of a few highlights. Some of us Hamptons got to go to Oak Glen one Saturday. We had a picnic and walked around in that beautiful countryside. Fresh air, beautiful skies, apple cider, and carmel apples!What could be better?
We had our monthly 1st Monday-group family night. It was led by Bradley---on Heavenly Fathers' creations. We loved it! thank you Bradley! On a sad note, my wonderful Aunt Joyce (my dad's sister) passed away. She was such a sweetheart---I want to be like her when I grow up. Dad and Vicky and I drove to Vegas to meet up with Kevin and fly to Utah for the funeral. It was a great to reconnect with family--it was really a precious time for me, I was so glad I was able to go. Rachel had her bridal shower. So many kind friends and family came to support her. We had a grand party with a crepe bar, a fun game--name that love song, we had a sweet video (thanks Gregg) of Zak telling "their" story and expressing so sweetly how he feels about her. She was so happy and grateful--- me too. I always have so much to be grateful for... the other wonderful event was our annual valentines' lunch. All of us Hampton women get together and have lunch and bring gifts to each other. We love being together. This year Rachel and Lauren and Jammie got to come for their first time. It was so great to be together! next month wedding news....coming soon...very soon..l..

My beautiful baby turns 22!

My Rachel Ann turned 22! I just have to say that she is a wonderful young woman----Strong, sweet, kind, gentle, loving, compassionate---beautiful on the inside and out! I am so excited
for her to go to the temple soon to receive her endowments and to be sealed to her wonderful
Zak. I have loved seeing her in love...confident and sure of her choice and her future---You should see her in her beautiful wedding dress! I am looking forward to seeing her and Zak kneeling at the altar---in my favorite place and being with my family in the temple to celebrate
their union...happening soon...

I am still in shock that 2008 is over---

but alas, it is a new year. Many good things happening

already. Chrissy and Gregg are privileged to have

moved into the Sanders backhouse. It is so adorable!

They are getting ready for baby Rya to come

into the world soon. We celebrated with a shower for

Rya and had a grand time! New years Eve brought

beloved guests to our home. My cousin and family---

Kelly and Connie Dumont and family (Ryan, tifanny,

Zane and Courtney) came to help ring in the new year.

Almost all of my children were there also.(except Rachel and Zak)

I am hoping for a wonderful new year for all--

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! We started December with our first f.h.e. all together (I love that tradition) we had dinner and went to see the Christmas lights. I loved this Christmas season---the music, the foods, the traditions, the decorations, being together with my loved ones. I usually get bogged down with the worldy side of it---but I really loved shopping and wrapping and hunting for the right gifts for everyone. I found myself singing and humming Christmas songs wherever I went. Some people get really bugged by the Christmas music that starts the day after thanksgiving and plays for the month----but I love it! My favorite night of the whole year is Christmas Eve. We share it together with all of the Hamptons. (about 40 of us this year) It is magical to me!---family, love, excitement, yummy food, and a wonderful Christmas program which brings to us the true spirit of the season. It doesn't matter whose house it is at, or if the program changes a bit, we all love being together for this very special night. Christmas morning was sweet and wonderful. One tradition I love is that we begin by kneeling down in prayer before we open our gifts and I think it brings such a sweet spirit---and I feel so blessed! I so enjoyed having time with all of my children, and grandchildren on Christmas day. It was a beautiful season---and my heart is filled with gratitude for my Savior and all that he has done for me! "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." charles dickens