The Wild Wooly's

Maria, Maria, Maria

2009-11-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

We had an awesome experience to have our friend Maria Brando and two of her friends Pilar and Barbara, stay with us for a few days, it was a wonderful experience. I had to really use my brain to try and remember my rusty old Italian, but I wouldn't have missed this experience! We were able to visit a few of the Temples and we made a trip to Yellowstone, but I think the most fun was in the evenings when they took over my kitchen and cooked us some traditional Italian food and filled our house with the aromas that brought back so many memories of my mission. Maria was one of my first contacts in Italy and I am so thankful that Heavenly Father used me to help her find the Gospel. What a great blessing my mission was in my life, and it is so wonderful to see how seeds that are planted can grow and develop into a whole family enjoying the Gospel. I loved taking them to church and interpreting for them, A.J. Woolstenhulme helped me out and shared what was being said to Barbara, I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father that loves and embraces us all, we are all his children. I miss you Maria, thanks for coming to the house of Snow White and sharing your love and joy with us.

Welcome Autumn ( Winter????)

2009-10-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

We woke up to quite a surprise on Thursday morning, a winter wonderland. It seems like just the other day I was waiting for some green, and now we are headed back into the winter season. Although today is absolutely beautiful, cold but beautiful. Blue skies and all of the aspens are gold and the chokecherries are red and Autumn is holding on tenaciously!

Pete

2009-08-09T04:47:00.000-07:00

Well we have had a sad day here at the Wild and Wooly farm. Many of you have heard the stories of Royce's pet sheep "Pete" When I got home from girls camp, Royce told me how Pete had gone fishing with him down to duck pond. And how he (Pete) had enjoyed it so much, he even went into the water to play! Yesterday morning Royce couldn't find Pete anywhere, but he thought he would turn up, as the day progressed he decided he had better go looking, and finally headed off toward the creek. He found him but not before a mountain lion had. So a fair warning to anyone wanting to fish down at the creek, right now might not be the best time, since we have a mountain lion on the loose. Poor Pete, he really was Roycee's bud, and he will sure miss him.

Fisheeeeeeeeee

2009-07-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Royce and I decided to do a cheap date nite on Friday and walked down through the fields and down to the creek and started fishing. We were pretty sure we would have fun, but we didn't think we would catch any fish and first throw in Royce got a bite, we had a great time, we caught about 6 fish within a half hour, we threw the littler ones back and kept a couple of good size ones for supper. It has been a long time since we had gone fishing together out at the creek. Brutus even got brave and tried to retrieve a bone he found in the creek, he doesn't like the water and is usually a big baby, but he just had to have that bone. Afterward we came back up to the house and grilled the fish and I made some pasta and seasoned it with herbs from Crystals herb garden and it was absolutely delicious! What a fun date! I think we are going to go again soon! We are adjusting to the empty nest syndrome, although I miss all of my kids, I think it would be perfect if we could all live within walking distance of each other and see each other more often. But maybe having them all spread out helps me to realize how much I love each and every one of them. Anyhow, open invitation, fishing at our place, come on up and have a cookout, and enjoy this beautiful summer with us!

Tender Mercies

2009-06-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

I've been doing alot of deep thinking lately, wondering if I am living up to the expectations of family and my Heavenly Father. Of course in the down moments I am sure that I am failing, yet somehow the morning comes, the sun rises and I am given a new day. A chance to start again and try to get it just a little bit closer to being right!

Royce and I were talking the other day and I was wanting to put the bird feeder just a little closer to the window so that it would entertain Crystals cat Levi. Kind of cruel entertainment I guess if you think of it from the birds perspective! LOL! As I was sitting at the computer and looking out the window a tiny little bird started eating at the bird feeder, I hadn't seen this kind of bird before so I started to do some research on it, I searched the computer for this particular little bird, and when I found it I was thrilled, those of you that know me well, know that I love words, and this bird has a wonderful name, it just rolls off of your tongue. It is a Lazuli Bunting! How cool is that? So I started thinking about all of the beautiful creations of the world and how my Father in Heaven must love me alot, so that even when I am in my lowest moments, I can look out my window and see a Lazuli Bunting.

Yesterday Royce and I went with his nephew Jeremy and Taryn and their two cute kids Cadence and Coda, over to Trailcreek Pond to let the kids do some fishing. We had a wonderful time, and the kids were so delighted that they each had a chance to catch a fish, the joy in their eyes was so contagious. That is what life is about, the beautiful world, joyfilled eyes, a warm loving hand to hold, great friends, precious family and a loving Father in Heaven that accepts and blesses me just for being me. As we were getting ready to leave the fishing hole I took this picture of the sky, this picture is what inspired me to write this post. I'm not perfect..........yet, but I am truly loved.

Spring has Sprung, the last little bird has left the nest!!!

2009-06-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, Okay I know it is almost Summer time, but Spring in all of its' confusing glory has finally appeared in Teton Valley. Everything is gloriously green, every shade of green. I guess that is probably thanks to the interminable rain showers that seem to inundate us every single day! But the result is crazily delightful, I have daffodils blooming at the same time as columbines, and honeysuckle blooming in concert with lilacs, the only thing that has finished its' spring blooming is the dandelions and right now there are plenty of dandelion parachutes waiting to take off and grant a myriad of wishes!!!! So I decided to show you just a bit of the beautiful emerald green world I am living in! Another wonderfully sad and weird kind of crazy thing has also happened this week, we have officially become empty nesters, it has been so wonderful to have Crystal living here with us for the past year, we have become the three musketeers, and Royce and I can't believe how such a little person can leave such a big empty space in our home. But we are really excited for her as she moves out of "nanny" land and moves on to something new and challenging. Luckily my kids love Royce and I sooooo much they knew we couldn't be left totally without someone to care for so Seth left us Brutus and Crystal has left Levi here in our care, so we have officially become parents to pets, soon we will be dressing them in cute little outfits and taking them to see Santa Claus! LOL!!!

Adalyn Grace

2009-05-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

I guess one of the things I didn't realize until today is that along with the sunshine and blue skies we still need the rain to make everything beautiful. The last couple of days we have shed many tears, this has been a tough time for our family. Our beautiful little Adalyn Grace was born into the world May 29 at 9:30 A.M. she weighed 4.1 LBS. and was 17 inches long. All of our hopes of a long earth life association with this beautiful angel were taken away from us, but we were given the beautiful gift of eternal assurance that she will be part of our family forever. I was so proud of Elise, she handled this trial with true grace and conviction, she was so strong and brave. I love this new daughter that Josh has brought into our family. Josh bravely stood by her side and welcomed their new little eternal angel into their family, As Royce and I watched them embrace each other and their new little daughter, and then give her back to Heavenly Father we were so impressed with their faith and testimony. They are our heroes. We will miss you Adalyn, I was so thankful for the time I had with you, the chance I had to help the nurses dress you, the chance to be all alone with you and sing to you, I love you sweetie pie, I will see you again. I also want to thank my Heavenly Father for the chance we were given to be grandparents to this beautiful perfect angel, I know he will take good care of her until we can be with her again. There is a beautiful quote that my friend Leslie shared with me, it is " The best way to have Heaven in your home, is to have someone you love in Heaven." We love you Adalyn Grace.

Izzy, my favorite little dandelion

2009-05-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

for Izzys' birthday I wanted to try and see if I could make her a tutu, and had this yellow tulle left over from Serenitys' wedding. So when I saw her in the tutu I just couldn't wait until we had some dandelions in bloom, because I think she looks like an adorable dandelion. Seri and Katie had lunch together the other day and they took these pictures for me, and they make me smile and laugh and giggle. Don't you think she looks adorable? I just wish that I was that cute and then I would make me a big ole tutu and sit barefoot out on my lawn. spring has definitely arrived here in Teton Valley, there is green everywhere! And it is absolutely beautiful! I LOVE SPRING!!!!!!! I plan to take some time every day to go outside and inhale green, to lift my spirits and fill my soul!

April inTeton Valley

2009-04-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

So here is a Spring update for the Woolstenhulmes! The snow is just about gone, keep your fingers crossed, and everything is brown, the mud is brown, the lane is brown, even the cute little deer in the field are brown. But hold on the green is just waiting, beneath the surface, just waiting to burst forth and celebrate the beauty of this season, it will first start with the yellow green buds on the aspens, and then the lawns will green up and then the glorious dandelions will appear, much to my moms dismay and Maria Brando's delight, Maria will be sure I am going to make some delicious dandelion salad and my mom will want then to be gone from our funny lumpy green, pretend lawn, but I love them, with their bright sunshiney faces and I even love their little puffy, messy tops, great for making wishes, and defiant on the battlefront of all weeddom, determined to spread their sunshine in spite of the ongoing and eternal battle for their eradication. I love you all, I love spring, I love the new babies that are coming, and the changes of this beautiful season. We are going down to Provo this week for graduation, we are proud and excited to see the kids move forward in their lives. and I know as I come back home to the valley the greening will have begun! Bring it on! Let the greening commence!

Happy Birthday to my favorite Easter Bunny

2009-04-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

My sweet and wonderful and very manly Roycee is having his birthday on Easter this year! I just want him to know how much I love him, and that he is such a great example to me. I am so thankful he has worked hard and sacrificed so much and allowed me to stay home and raise my sweet little ragamuffins. Hopefully next year we can celebrate from the mission field!!! Wouldn't that be fun!! I am so thankful for Easter and the chance we have to remember the Savior and the great sacrifice He made on our behalf. How marvelous that we have the atonement to help us on this earthly journey. I am so grateful to know that He lives, that He is my Redeemer. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. " I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me; I tremble to know that for me He was crucified. That for me a sinner, He suffered; He bled and died. Oh, it is wonderful, that He should care for me, enough to die for me, oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

2009-04-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

Today I want to give tribute to the most wonderful Mom in the world. My Mom could rival Mrs. Santa Claus any day of the week. Her heart is full of giving, it always has been, from my first memories of catching sunshine to her constant desire to make sure even the smallest great grandchild has a special gift from Grandma and Grandpa. My Mom has always been there for me, making sure my life was wonderful, I always had beautiful dresses, hand sewn with lots of love and patience. Even my wedding dress was sewn by my Mom, without a pattern, because I had to have a dress made from three different pictures I found in an Italian Wedding Magazine. My Mom is always so beautiful, I remember as a little girl how she would make sure she always looked pretty for when Dad came home, she would put on something clean and put some red lipstick on and looked just like Doris Day, except for the brown hair! Now Mom always makes sure she is dressed just right, for each of my kids' weddings she has made sure she had something to match their colors so that she would match and make their weddings perfect.

My Mom can cook, she has always been amazing in the kitchen, from her chess pies to her butter cookies. I always knew that whatever she baked would be scrumptious. My Mom knows how to listen, she always has been and still is the one I turn to when my life is in upheaval, she loves me , and I know she will listen and then give me her wisdom. I guess what I really wanted to say is Thanks Mom, thank you for loving me and Royce, accepting us with all of our flaws, for loving each of our children. They each feel that they are your favorite, and I can ask for nothing more than that. You are my example, my best friend, my confidante.........My MOM! I love you, I hope you have the happiest Birthday ever! Love forever and ever, your oldest, Deanne

Changing and rearranging

2009-03-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

It seems like lately everything around me is changing. Most importantly is the disappearing snow, and almost green stuff! But my family keeps me on my toes, Josh and Elise have moved into a house, and Micah is just about ready to graduate and they will be making some big changes and decisions. Matt and Seri are in Utah getting some training so that they can move back to Idaho Falls and start Matt's new job. Ethan moved out to Idaho Falls , and is taking on responsibilities. Crystal has given her employer a quitting date and is ready for a new adventure. Seth has been given more responsibilities at work and has been doing a remodel and learning all kinds of new skills. Royce and I just keep getting older, but I keep feeling that I am being changed and rearranged from the inside out, I have kind of let the exercise and the diet slide since December, but the Spring weather outside is calling to me........it is time to move forward. So I guess that's what Spring is about, Spring ahead, put a spring in your step and change and rearrange all of the things that have become stagnant. Out with the old, in with the new, and maybe today I can start with a great attitude, be a little happier, a little springier! Hope Springs Eternal!

Tag, I was it and now you are!

2009-03-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by Julie to name six things that make me happy...........so here goes!

1.The gospel

2.kids, my kids, your kids, random cute kids in Walmart, especially Haddie dressed as a fairy!

3.My husband Roycee

4.when the family can all get together under one roof

5. music, all kinds

6.beautiful green, green grass, green trees, green stems on flowers, just not white! LOL

Okay so there is my list, so now it is your turn; I tag Kortnee,Elise, Marilee, Serenity, Adri, Beth, Kristina, Rebecca, Tia, Danalin, Noel, Katie, Mary, Hope and anyone else who wants to play!

I need some Spring and I need it now!!!

2009-02-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

I know this sounds kind of crazy for someone who lives in beautiful Teton Valley, because Spring is not going to happen soon, but all I'm asking for is a glimpse of a few blades of grass, maybe a little dandelion in the crack of a sidewalk. I guess I really am just asking for some hope! I love the snow, it is so beautiful when it first falls and covers everything, but I am looking for a change. Maybe that is my problem, I haven't learned to appreciate the here and now as much as I should. I heard a quote recently that sums up what I need to be feeling, "In between the disasters is where you find joy!" So I am going to challenge myself to try to live in the moment, to appreciate where I am now, to enjoy the rest of the winter, to learn to love myself as I am, to place my hand in the Saviors and allow him to direct my path, instead of trying to run ahead and see beyond the here and now. So heres to finding joy in the moment, to learning to love the hard stuff, to relishing the challenges. But in the meantime, I am still going to be looking for those blades of grass.

Hearts of Stone

2009-02-11T12:36:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentines Everybody! Royce and I have a tradition of finding a heart shaped rock if we are apart and bringing it home to let the other one know we missed them. So I put a few of our rocks on here to share. The big one is one of my favorites, it is one Royce brought home a couple of summers ago, that he found while he was at work, the inscription is his, and trust me this is a BIG rock. Also in the picture is our amaryllis that are blooming, they are beautiful, but we never seem to be able to get them to bloom at Christmas time, so they are my valentine flowers. So here is a challenge to all of you, to tell me what unique way you have to tell your sweetheart you love him/her. I love all of you and hope you have a terrific Valentines Day

HAPPY GROUNDHOGS DAY

2009-02-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

Yay!!!!!! One of my most favorite days of the year! 27 1/2 years ago, Royce and I met at Yellowstone, we had our first date in the latter part of January and on Groundhogs Day I came home from work and there in my mailbox was my first gift from Roycee, it was a Groundhogs day present! I was so thrilled, it was a placemat with a picture of the Tetons on it. But the thing that knocked my socks off was that it was a present for Groundhogs Day, now who does that? It was just one more thing in the list of things I was starting to find out about this guy that was making me fall head over heels for him. So every Groundhogs Day we celebrate our love, we try to do something special to let each other know how much we love each other. It's been really fun because we even have a special movie we can watch, "Groundhogs Day!" which helps remind us that we need to be true to who we are and to each other. So this is my gift to Royce today, I want to tell the world how much I love him. He is my hero, he has worked so hard during our marriage so that I could stay home and take care of our babies. He is always so patient and kind, and he puts up with my slight insanity. I don't know what I thought my fairytale life would entail, but he is truly my Prince Charming, he has stood by my side through some pretty tough times and he has helped me laugh through sorrow, and stand when I thought I didn't have any more strength. He is my home, my Eternal companion, and I love him more than I can say.

The other day we saw this beautiful Bull Elk out in our field, so I am going to use him for my groundhog, I think you can tell that he didn't see his shadow and there is plenty more winter for this housebound, cabin fevered crazy lady!

Keep on, keepin on

2009-01-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

Well we are half way into January, and it seems like all of the great goals and ideas are slip slidin away, so this is my halfway recommitment entry. I really want to be better, so I am going to do it! One day at a time! The snow is still here in beautiful Teton Valley, and I think it will be here for quite a bit longer, so I am just going to look at the beautiful blue sky and the amaryllis that are finally starting to bloom in my windowsill and think wonderful thoughts of Spring! LOL

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe we are done with 2008, what a year it has been, lots of growing and changing, we added Elise to our clan this year, what a blessing she is in our lives. She and Josh are doing great, they hosted our family Christmas party this year and it was so fun for all of us to stay in their home. We also added Matt to our wild and crazy group, he fits right in, we love him and enjoy his fun personality. He and Ethan work together at Subway, and moonlight as rock stars in the living room!! Aunt Sue finished up her chemo and her reconstruction, Uncle Leon became a miracle man, and Kerry got home from his mission. Katie gave birth to sweet lil' Izzy, Crystal lost her cat Stella, and got a replacement ( Eva) for Christmas. Seth moved several times and is now in a mountain man cabin up Fox Creek, he is becoming quite a cook, even cooked a turkey for his friends for Christmas, and he makes the best salsa there is! Micah and Mare are getting closer to the GRADUATION date, and Micah is finishing the last project on the remodel, the front hallway! Seri got a new camera, and insists on taking lots of pictures, which is great, except when they are of me (ugh) Royce is building a bigger and better greenhouse and is excited to get it finished so that he can try his hand at greenhouse grown corn this year, maybe it will be bigger than the minicorn we have had so far! Grandma Larsen had her cataracts removed and came through it all with flying colors! Aunt Sheri got to go to Hawaii, and Gma and Gpa survived Kirsten and Larissa and the fast paced life of teenagers! Aunt Sam, Uncle Dale and Uncle Brent just keep getting more and more grandbabies and I enjoy watching them all grow up through this blog world. Uncle Dave and Aunt Becky hosted a wonderful family Christmas party. Aunt Jan has become the Queen of redbubble, and has some wonderful pictures on that site. We painted a mural, and grew closer together, my life has been so wonderful this year, I love all of my kids, and my kids that aren't mine, I got to hold Kristina's little Kayla, what a miracle and a blessing, I get to watch Becca's and Tia's and Mary's babies grow up and every now and then some of my young women who are now married mommies show up with their kids and remind me how old I really am. Karen Egbert(Can't remember her married name) has a daughter in Miamaids!!! How crazy is that! I am so thankful to live in the most beautiful place in the world with the most wonderful husband and family and friends! I love you all! HAPPY NEW YEAR, to you all!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T23:16:00.000-08:00

So it's after Midnite, Santa has been here, the stockings are filled, Mom and Dad are tired and ready for bed. Merry Christmas everybody, I hope today is everything you could ever wish for. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. I love you all!

Ho Ho Ho Santa lives at my house

2008-12-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

This last Saturday, December 6th, Royce was a good boy and came to our ward YW fund raiser as Santa's Helper. He was so cute, he took extra time with each child and even with the adults, the fund raiser was a great success and it was fun to see how many people from the community were brave enough to come into the LDS Church. I am getting so excited for Christmas, I love this time of year, I love seeing the snow, it is beautiful here right now, of course it is always beautiful here in Victor. We are having our family Christmas party in Pocatello on the 19th and then to Grandma's for a party on the 20th and then back home just in time for Santa! Here are a few pictures from Santa to you.

Christmas Time Yee Haw

2008-12-01T10:33:00.000-08:00

Well, we are finally to my most favorite time of the year, it makes me crazy because I can never get enough, the time zooms by and every moment is filled to the brim, and we have to fight like crazy to get some moments of quiet reflection. So I thought I would start this month out thanking my Heavenly Father for my Savior. I love the Savior so much, what a wonderful gift he is in my life. The amount of love that he has for each one of us in incomprehensible to me, I think of him at this time of year and just wish I could be more like Him. I remember a time in my mission when I was so frustrated at my lack of scripture knowledge, and after praying about it I was told that the greatest mystery that I need to worry about is learning to love the way the Savior does. Christ like love, that is what I want for Christmas. I want to be able to show those around me that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I want to show my Heavenly Father that I want to be his hands, I want to have his image in my countenance. I know this sounds trite, but it is truly the desire of my heart. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, I am so thankful for the atonement and the chance I have been given here on earth to try to emulate him. I love this time of year for that reason, a chance to remember the greatest gift ever given to man. I love you all

Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T06:21:00.000-08:00

I've let a little time go by and I thought it was time to catch everybody back up on what was happening in our lives. We had our Thanksgiving early this year, we all got together on November 15th because it was when we could all be here, it was wonderful! Micah and Marilee came up from Provo, and Josh and Elise were here from Pocatello. Ethan brought his friend Amy and her son Seth. We had a fun time trying to get everyone to fit in this tiny house, but we managed. The boys had an air soft gun tournament and ended up with mud caked shoes, and some welts!!! We all got together Saturday nite at the church and Matt and Seri brought their Wii, and some other video games, and everyone played basketball, which was fun (except for Matt injuring his knee) and a fun board game called the Wrong game, it is a hoot! and then we all gathered around the table as soon as Seth got back from Elk hunting. It was so wonderful to look around the table and see all of my kids, and Sue and Leon and Katie and Adam and Izzy and Kerry! Royce and I are so thankful for our family, what a great blessing our Heavenly Father has given us, the chance to grow and become who we need to be with all of these wonderful people surrounding us to help us and challenge us to be the best that we can! Then on Sunday we celebrated Micah's 25th birthday, and then went to church together, what a truly blessed experience. Micah and Mare had a challenge on the way home, they were hit by a drunk driver, but other than some damage to their car, they were protected, and I am so thankful for that. Josh and Elise had a flat tire, and then their doughnut tire ended up with a bubble on it, but they were able to get a new tire at Walmart, so all in all, we were blessed and protected! I LOVE my family, I am so thankful for each one of them, Royce for his patience, Josh for his joyful spirit, Elise for her talented baking skills, Micah for his listening ear, Marilee for her guidance, Seth for his giving nature, Matt for his willingness to help, Seri for her sense of fun, Crystal for being my confidante, and my right arm and leg, and Ethan for his funny and quirky sense of humor. Royce and I are so blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa Larsen and lots of wonderful brothers and sisters and lots of nieces and nephews and wonderful friends, We could lose everything and still be so blessed as long as we have our family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

2008-11-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

Hey all my creative friends! Our Young Womens group is having a fund raiser, we are having breakfast with Santa, a rummage sale and a mini-bazaar. So here is your assignment, please let me know of any fun and creative gift ideas for our mini-bazaar, we are looking for cute gifts for friends, teachers, visiting teachers etc.. Thanks to Leslie I have a great recipe for a chocolate cake in a mug, but I would love any clever or cute ideas that would make our fund raiser a success! It is going to be on December 6th, and it should be a fun day, Matt and Serenity and Crystal are all in the production of Scrooge that the community is putting on, and that same day the city of Victor has their Light Parade! Hooray for the Holidays! I love them!

My Country "tis of thee

2008-11-04T05:24:00.000-08:00

Today is election day, I am so thankful that I live in a country where I am allowed to vote my conscience, I know this is an incredible responsibility. I am also glad to be at the end of this never ending political maelstrom, that we have all been bombarded with. Even with all of the doomsday predictions and the pie in the sky promises I feel secure, because I know that there is a power much more potent than that of the earthbound government that we deal with on a daily basis. That is the Celestial and Eternal Government of my Heavenly Father, and I know that His eye is on us all, and that all of His promises are kept, and that as long as I strive to keep my covenants I will be okay. That's the kind of "political" promises that I hold to, that I place my faith in. So make sure today that you go vote, that you place your mark on this pivotal day, and then remember that you are loved and cared for by an omnipotent Father, and with God, nothing is impossible!

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween, I don't know if it is the memories of childhood, or the chance to be a child again for just a day! It's not near as fun as when you have a house full of little kids, although that is stressful and crazy, I remember one year after getting six kids into their costumes, doing their makeup and baking my cake for the cake walk, I looked in the mirror and thought, "What am I going to be?" and then it dawned on me, I just printed up a sign that said "Old tired Mother" and went to the school carnival just the way I was, which was a mess! I hope you are all having a fun day! Every now and then we get an opportunity to make lasting memories and if we use it right, today could be that day! I love you all, Have a terrific day and a terrifying night!

How well do I know Royce

2008-10-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Serenity asked me to answer these questions on how well I know Royce, so here goes:

1.Where did you meet? We met for the first time at Taco Time in Rexburg, I was with a group of single adults on our way to Yellowstone, and we stopped and picked Royce up so that he could go with us.

2.How long did you date before you got married? We met in January, had our first date in February and we were married in June.

3.How long have you been married? 27 wonderful years

4.what is Royce's favorite feature? Well......he has great blue eyes, that only I get to see, because he hides them behind glasses, and he still has a cute behind. I can't believe I said that! LOL

5.What is Royce's favorite quality? He is nonjudgmental and very kind

6.Does he have any nicknames for you? Yes, SweetPea, Honey, Crazy woman

7.What is Royce's favorite food? Steak, Shrimp and Lamb

8.what is Royce's favorite sport? He loves to watch football and baseball, he loves to fish and hunt

9.When and where was your first kiss? It was on our first date out in front of my apartment, as he was getting into his truck he gave me a sweet little kiss that sent fireworks shooting and I walked on air back up to the apartment, totally blown away!

10.What is our favorite thing to do as a couple? Camping, traveling, grocery shopping

11.Do you have any children? Yup, 6 great kids I gave birth to, and 3 great kids that are now a part of our family.

12.does Royce have any hidden talents? yup, he can dance the mountain dew dance and he is very funny

13.How old is Royce? 53

14.Who said I love you first? I think he did, but I can't remember for sure

15.What is his favorite type of music? Old time country, like Sons of the Pioneers, Bar J wranglers, etc..

16.What do you admire most about him? He loves me and accepts me, he is a very loving and caring father

17. Do you think he will read this? yes, I sure do!

So there you have it! I would love if Mary and Brittany did this one! Love you all

Tag, you're it!

2008-10-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well what do you know, I guess I have been officially welcomed into the world of blogging! I have been tagged! Thanks Adri for including me! I am supposed to write and tell you about six of my quirks, well that is going to be a little bit challenging because I am just a great big quirk! But here goes:
1. I am a bit OCD, I have certain rituals that I don't like to change, I always want to shop at the same grocery store, and I have a certain pattern of shopping in that store, if I don't get to shop that way I get all crazy. I also have to clean my house in a certain pattern, I have divided it into sections, it is the only way I can stay on task and keep my ADD under control! LOL, lately I have been walking and at a certain point of my walk I have to touch the drinking fountain, this quirk amuses and irritates my family!
2. I love to read, anything, cereal boxes, hunting magazines, hobby farm, along with normal stuff, I will read just about anything, but my favorite place to read is in the bathtub,I have ruined many a book that way, my Ensign is always waterlogged, and Crystal has banned me from reading any of her books in the tub!
3.I love to watch reality TV shows, Top Design, Project Runway, Top Chef, The amazing race, The biggest loser, Jon and Kate plus 8, Little people Big world,Supernanny etc...and I like to watch them two at a time so I switch back and forth which drives the other TV watchers crazy.
4.I can't watch TV without doing something else, so I crochet, or read, or play a game on the computer, or play with clay, or doodle.
5.I love kids, anyones kids, I especially like little boys that are about 3-5, for some reason I am fascinated by them, I want to rub their heads and tease them, and buy them batman toys, Royce works hard at keeping me under control so that I don't get in trouble at Walmart.
6.I have always wanted to be Mrs. Santa Claus, okay so who am I kidding, I have always wanted to be Santa, I would love to wake up one morning with a full beard and a red suit, and elves and reindeers and everyone encouraging me to eat cookies! I would love to have a sleigh, but I would want it to be heated, and have heated seats, I am getting too old for the cold, I would like an unlimited amount of money to make everyones dreams come true! lol
okay so there you have it, and now I tag: Marilee, Elise, Anita, Shona, Katie, Stephanie and Jen and Noel! So TAG you're it!!!!!

I Love to see the Temple

2008-09-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

Last nite I was waiting up for Ethan to get home and turned on the BYU channel, and listened to two different talks, both of them talked about the Temple and how important it is to go to the Temple for ourselves. By this I mean for our own growth while we do work for others. It isn't that I didn't already know this, its just that it was an aha moment for me, that the Temple is where we need to go when our lives our chaotic and full of challenges, that it is in the Temple that we get our priorites straightened back around. In the Temple we can discover more about ourselves, our strengths and our weaknesses and how the Lord helps us grow through our challenges. I decided I needed to recommit myself to regular Temple visits, so that I can work on being a better wife, mother and a better Deanne!

Lions, and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

2008-09-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

All of you have heard our bear stories and the mountain lion from a few years ago, but we had another visitor last nite! Our outside dog Lucy ( the kids call her Mindy) started to bark like something was terribly wrong! Royce grabbed a flashlight and bravely went out onto the front porch, when he came back in his face was white and his eyes were as big as saucers, He said there was a big mountain lion out on the side yard by the trampoline. Yikes!!! It ran off and the dog barked for quite awhile, We called Crystal and told her when she got home from FHE she needed to call and let us know she was here so that Royce could walk her in from the car, we didn't want her to be a tasty tidbit. So there will be no more romantic moonlit walks, at least for awhile!

Garage mural

2008-09-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time in Utah while Grandma Larsen had some surgery. To pass the time we attempted to paint a mural on the side of the garage that faces the back yard, I didn't have a camera, but Shayle took a bunch of pictures and she has posted them on her blog www.James-Shayle.blogspot.com if you want to check out our "masterpiece"

Let's catch up

2008-09-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to catch everyone up on what is going on in our wonderfully wild family! Royce and I keep getting glimpses of empty nesting and we think we could survive it! LOL !! Right now we have Ethan and Crystal with us and we are loving every minute of it! They both add such fun and craziness to our home. Royce is still working at Trail Creek Nursery, and I love going with him on deliveries to Pinedale, we get time to talk and dream and solve the worlds problems. He is in the Sunday School Presidency in the ward and also is responsible for the Sacrament Meeting at Calderwood Care Center, which is a home for mentally handicapped men. He is so good with them, and we have all come to love these guys. I am back in Young Womens, I am the first counselor, so I get to play with the MiaMaids. We carry an activity bag to church filled with appropriate books and toys, just so that the kids in the ward will sit by us, it keeps us happy, I am not sure about the kids!! We still have 3 left over pets, Seths' dog Brutus still keeps strangers at bay and is Royces outdoor partner, Crystal and Marilee and Micah rescued a kitten a year ago, then a little stinky bag of bones, now a big black tom, which we thought was a girl, named her Stella, found out she was a he, changed the name to Stellar Fellar, but he is still called Stella by Crystal, if she is here, then Stella is draped around her neck purring away, and finally we have Hamper, a rabbit that Josh brought home two years ago at Easter, he lives in the laundry room in a cage and Royce loves him, he searches his garden for the tastiest treats for him, oh wait a minute, we also have Pete, our Sheep (dog) this is a little bum lamb Royce saved that is a huge big sheep that loves Royce and follows him like a dog, he has even been known to chase bikers up on the bike path! Pete, not Royce!
Josh and Elise were married in May and are living in Pocatello, they both work with the mentally handicapped, Elise was just promoted to supervisor at the house she works at. They teach a primary class together and have the cutest apartment in Pocatello, thanks to Elises sense of style and her hard work and her ability to keep Josh painting and doing his assigned projects. Elise is going to school at I.S.U. and Josh is hoping to start next semester. Elise is my blogger guru, she set the blog up for me, thanks Elisie!
Micah and Mare have been married for two years, they live in Provo and are going to BYU, Marilee is working on her Masters in social work, and Micah is finishing up his major in International relations. They bought an old home last summer and overhauled it so that it could be rented, it has three apartments, two they rent out and a penthouse suite that they live in, they have done such a good job and Royce and I are so proud of the work they have done. Marilee is in her second internship and Micah picked up an extra job at the school working in the Entrprenuer program. He also has a online business which does virtual landscaping, called Wolfstone Design. They teach the Gospel Doctrine class in their ward
Seth is living here in the valley, he works for a company called Volco Construction, he is the framer for the multimillion dollar houses that are taking over the Valley!! He loves his work and has learned alot. He is in a Golf league, and loves to spend time developing his talent in that area, he also plays community basketball. He spends every spare minute fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, camping, and soon will start hunting and then snowboarding and snowmobiling. He is a joy to have close and it is fun to see him and talk to him and live through his adventures!!
Serenity and Matt got married in August and we are so excited because they have moved into Victor, so Seri and I and Crystal get to go walking together every morning. Matt is managing the Subway and Seri is working at the Joshua D. Smith foundation working with the same guys that Royce takes his Sacrament program to. They are so happy and have turned the basement apartment into a really cute apartment. We love having them close, it is fun when they come up and play with us!!!!!! Serenity is my computer helper, I don't know what I would do without her!
Crystal moved home when Seri got married, I think living with the old people has been a bit of a challenge but I love having her here. She took the old bedroom downstairs and turned it into a darling room, she painted and cleaned her little heart out, and it looks great. She is working as a nanny and a physical therapy assistant. She works for a mom that has MS and Crystal is her right hand woman, she love this family and works hard for her money! She attends the singles branch and is the service chairman. She also loves to go country dancing at BYUI on Wednesdays. She is going with the family she nannys for to Florida at the end of the month, so that will be a fun adventure.
Ethan is home, probably not his favorite place to be, but necessary for now, money will do that to you! He is working at Subway with Matt, and has been told by a customer that his sandwiches are a work of art! He loves to find great music and share it with us, he is always looking for new artists with a new sound. He spends time on his computer with a game called Hackers, which looks like nonsense to me, but he likes it and says it challenges him. He is my sunshine and can make me laugh and not take myself so seriously, and gives me terrific hugs!
Well that is probably more than enough, hope it wasn't too long and made you late for your next blogger! LOL Love you all, Deanne

All about us!

2008-09-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Well I can hardly believe that I am about to enter the world of the bloggers! I have been blog stalking for awhile now, and have thoroughly enjoyed learning all the comings and goings of each of your families. So here goes, Royce was born here in Victor, Idaho. He was an RH factor baby and one of the first ones in the area to survive, he was given a complete blood transfusion shortly after birth. Thankfully it worked and we as a family are grateful for that miracle. He is the youngest of three, he loved working with his Dad on the farm and considered all of his Dads' friends to be his friends. It has been hard for Royce, losing his mom and dad and then having all of his elderly friends pass away. He attended Ricks College and graduated with an associates degree in Applied Sciences, dealing with Forestry and Agriculture. He went on a mission to New Zealand, and then attended BYU in Provo, Utah. His Dad got sick over the holidays and Royce went home to help on the farm and his sister convinced him to come on a Singles ward snomobile weekend to Yellowstone. The singles group was from Ogden, Utah, and it was on this trip that Royce and I met. We watched Old Faithful go off four times and talked continuously, it was as if we were trying to catch each other up on what had happened since we got to earth. (Cheesy I know, but true!) I was born in Ogden, Utah, the oldest of 7, went to High School at Weber High School, and went to Utah State University, where I studied Art, English Lit. and Elementary Ed. and then went home to Ogden and went to Cosmetololgy school, I worked as a hair dresser, until I went to the Catania, Italy mission, returned home, started going to the Singles ward and then here we are 27 years later, with 6 amazing children, and two terrific daughter-in-laws and a brand new son-in-law. Royce and I are looking forward to the near future when we can go on a mission together, and be the best companions either one of us has ever had!!!