I'm Dreaming of a .....

It's all warm and cozy inside, but outside....

...it's beginng to look a whole lot like Christmas!!!

Christmas Memories

I think if we would have known this Christmas would be so different without our Osmond's, we may have tried to drag out Christmas 2008 a little longer.  We can do hard things, we can do hard things, we can do.......

IN WITH THE NEW!

We started a new decorating tradition this year - Christmas ornaments hung from the porch.  What do you think? 

These are a Few of My Favorite Things!

Rylee Anne Buntjer - 7 years old

Dawson Jacob Buntjer - 6 years old

Gabriel Jesse Buntjer - 5 years old

Lucy Faye Buntjer - 3 years old

Samantha May Osmond - 5 years old

Quin David Osmond - 3 years old

Tyson Stanford Osmond - 22 months old

The Osmond's at the Potomac

Here's a wonderful photo of our Osmond branch of the family.  Joe, Quin, Samantha, Julia, and Tyson.  I think you could safely say that living back East appears to be agreeing with all of them.  We just don't want them to get too use to it....BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAVE SO LONG BEFORE WE DEMAND THAT THEY RETURN TO UTAH!  We love you guys...see you in a month and a half (and a few days).

The Buntjer's 2009

Just had to post the newest photo of the Jesse Buntjer Family.  How can a Volkswagon and an old building be such an amazing backdrop?  Great job Jake Buntjer - you are an awesome photographer!  Mandy, Jesse, Rylee, Dawson, Gabriel & Lucy...we love you to the Moon!

Gayle & I

Isn't wonderful to have friends that you can be silly with...cry with...work with...and no matter what it is you're doing - IT"S FUN!?  The really good news is that when life has presented you with one of it's endless challenges...these friends can make life bearable.  Gayle and I have been laughing together since our "Beehive" years.  We have been up and down some tough roads. More to come, I'm sure.  But I know she'll be there for me, and I for her.  And the sun will always shine again.  Thanks Gayle.  Even though we look nothing alike - we're sisters!

First Snow of the Holiday Season!!!!

Today we had our first valley snow!  It started about 8am, right as I headed out the door for my morning walk with Karen.  We decided to make it once around the block and by the time I returned home I was semi-white and very wet.  The snow hung around most of the day, not really sticking but making it beautiful outside and giving us all just a hint of of the holidays to come.  I LOVE LIVING IN UTAH!

Golden Friends....

I have been friends with Kim & Tracy since we were all in the third grade.  We graduated from high school in Orangevale, California and yet somehow, we all managed to end up in Utah, with wonderful husbands, amazing children, and a friendship that has endured over 40 years.  It is so fun to get together and talk about the past, strengthen each other with our experiences and perspectives, and look forward to the next 40 years of growth and friendship!  I love you Kim & Trac...I am grateful for you both!

An Overnighter with Grammy & Papa

We had a wonderful Sleepover with our Buntjer grandchildren last night.  Why is it when you say "We're having a sleepover" that sleep isn't really involved as part of the plan?  We had leg pains, coughing jags, bathroom breaks, and even the inevitable "I'm thirsty!"  When the day was over, and these three cherished people were dropped of to their rightful abode, immediately, we felt lonely!  Rylee, Dawson & Lucy - we miss you already...but we'll be sleeping good tonight!

Dad is actually 71?????

Dad turned 71 on September 16th.  We celebrated this momentous occasion up at Mandy & Jesse's.  As you can see, Lucy was in her normal "party girl" form and seemed to add to Great Grandpa's delight with his day.  We missed having our Osmond's there with us...but we will allow them to make up for our sacrifice once they have returned to Zion!

Jesse barbequed with his usual expertise.  Between the London Broil, fresh corn on the cob, and fresh peach pie...well, we were all happily stuffed!

I suppose it's legal to brag about my grandson.  Check out this photo of Dawson.  My heart skips a beat when I look at him.  He doesn't like to pose at all, but when he's with his Papa, he is usually pretty darn happy!  And may I say that Papa ain't looking too bad himself?  He's a dang hottie!  Gabey enjoyed a little pre-dinner snack...his current favorite...a good old-fashioned popsicle.  Gabriel - you wear it well!

It's Autumn and We're Ready!

We're big lovers of Fall at our house!  There's so many great things about Autumn.  First of all, it signals a return to Standard Time.  This, of course means you gain an hour of sleep and life returns to the time nature intended it to be.  I won't open up that can of worms.  I have definite feelings about daylight savings time.  Secondly, the weather grows milder.  Yes, in Utah, that can mean potential snow, but usually it just means mellow daytime temperatures and cooler nights.  And oh, the beautiful leaves on the mountains!  We've taken one drive up Santaquin Canyon and it is already breathtaking.  We'll include photos of that before too long.  And let's not forget October Conference to look forward to.  And then the holidays!  Oh yes, there is much that is good about wonderful Autumn!

Sometimes you just have to leap into the spirit of Halloween with a couple of way cool t-shirts.  May I point out that these glow in the dark?  For $5 at our local WalMart - what could be better?  Yes, Dave Jr. has one to and he will wear it!

Aaaaeeeeiiiii!

Sparrow Hawk

We came upon this fine specimen traveling home from the temple this week.  He was fleeing, on foot, with an apparent wing injury across the road in front of our truck.  If you know Dave, you won't be surprised that he immediately stopped the truck, put on a pair of gloves, and walked cautiously toward the bird.  He pursued him down the embankment and captured him fairly easily.

He didn't seem to be in distress. We borrowed a cage, set it up in the spare bathroom, and found a couple of grasshoppers that it might find delectable. Yes, Dave hand fed it. Poor grasshoppers.  Can you see the look of adoration this bird is giving Dave?  He really is a Dr. Doolittle! 

 

We brought the bird the next day to the Dept. of Wildlife Resources.  They were pretty excited.  They have a women who comes in and rehabilitates these raptors who have been injured, and then releases them back into the area from which they came.  I was proud of Dave - and me!  I had to put up with a wild, smelly animal in my spare bathroom afterall. 

I LOVE TECHNOLOGY!

Please note the addition of music to this blog!  Thanks to my techno-savvy daughter, Mandy, who directed me to Playlist.com, I was able to choose some of my new and old favorite tunes.  It was like going to a record store and finding everything I wanted.  Well, there were a few that I couldn't think of....like Boz Skaggs!  Now I remember!  I'll add some of his music next.  I highly recommend this site for it's ease of finding your personal favorites, but also pasting them into whatever you want to.  If I can do it, anyone can!

Happy Birthday Mandy Faye!

Today Mandy celebrated her 30th Birthday. And in normal Mandy fashion - she was busy. She met with a friend from her Down Syndrome Organization, she took her youngest son (Gabriel) school shopping with her Grandma and I, and then she managed to get up to a campground so she could spend some time with Jesse's side of the family who were up camping. To end the evening she has a couple coming over to play games. I asked her if she thought this had been the ideal way to spend her 30th birthday and she just smiled and said "Maybe when I turn 40?" Happy Birthday dear Mandy - you aren't getting older, you're getting better!

David

David's left on his dream vacation today. Well, one of his dream vacations. He's off to watch his beloved Dodgers play in Los Angeles. He and two friends have booked rooms and bought tickets - and now are off on their grand adventure. He just got back from Maryland on Sunday - but he's off again. Ah yes, to be young and fancy free can be a very good thing.

Tyson

Tyson Stanford Osmond is our youngest grandson. He is Joe and Julie's youngest boy. He is 20 months old and full of personality. He has an uncanny ability to hold his own with his two older siblings (Samantha and Quin) and I think he may be a great sports star one day. He is very coordinated and when he takes a spill, he's tough! When he rides the "wiggle bikes" at our house and we take them out into the neighborhood, he has no trouble keeping up with the others. He's stocky and strong! Maybe he'll play for the 49ers! Or BYU! Yeah! One of his favorite sayings is "Go!" and then he takes off running! Go, Tyson, Go!!!!

My Love

I'm married to a great man. Life has given us some wonderful growing opportunities and at the end of each day, we are grateful. One day we will be old (I mean, really old!) and I look forward to the new things we will have learned by then. I cannot imagine life without him by my side and I think he kinda likes me too. We are blessed.

COUSIN SLEEPOVER

This was the first Cousin Sleepover with everyone (minus sweet Gabey) and it was significant because it was right before the Osmond family left for Maryland. Spa & movie night was enjoyed by all. Sleep did come eventually but a few held on to wakefulness for a while - hating to see the evening end. The next day we headed up to Gardner Village for Pony rides and lunch. The most fun was at the end when we all headed to the Buntjer's awesome backyard to get wet and play! Our dear Dawson had to get a dose of Benadryl because of his Pony allergy. Nighty night!

Sisters

I think there are few relationships in this world that are sweeter and more loyal than that of sisters. Women need women, pure and simple. As Marjorie Hinckley taught, it is a physical and emotional need and we are wise to invest our time and energy into making these relationships rich and fulfilling. I am grateful to call these two women my sisters!

Together, No Matter What!

So what happens if half of your clan decides to relocate 2100 miles away? I've decided it really doesn't change much - except maybe how often you can have Sunday Dinner all together. Your heart strings can stretch across the world and be just fine. And the bigger lesson is really: Can our family do hard things? The answer is "YES!" I know we can.

Grandchildren

No one really prepares you as your children grow up and marry for the intensity of emotion that comes attached to your grandchildren. I thought I was protective of my own children...the Mama Bear syndrome. Once Dave & I were blessed with grandchildren we found that that protectiveness & fierce love just increases.

Samantha's Upcoming Birthday!

Our Samantha May Osmond (Julie and Joe's oldest) is turning 5 this Wednesday. Wow! Where has the time gone? She will be celebrating with a birthday party at Grammy & Papa's house. She doesn't know it yet but we are having a "Tropical" theme. Complete with a palm tree pinata and all the other trimmings. Her activity of choice will be to play in the Spa with her cousins - who are being allowed to "cut" school for the momentous occasion. Thanks Aunt Mandy! You are so cool!!! Sammy will be entering Kindergarten in the Fall and is beyond excited. Some other cool bonuses for Sammy for turning 5 is that she is having her bedroom secretly remodeled - with paint, new vinyl lettering, and even a new dollhouse theme. Not that I'm biased, but this little one deserves THE MOON!