Oswald Family News: March 2011

See What's Been Happening...

* Be sure to look at "Older Posts" down at the bottom to see it all! :)

Saturday, I returned home from visiting my dying Grandma Nelson in AZ. She is such a pillar of strength to me. I have SO many wonderful memories of her; her legacy will live on in her children and grandchildren because of the example she has set. I'm grateful I got the chance to say goodbye and I'm grateful for the knowledge of an eternal family. Her passing, although sad, will be a reason to celebrate the life she lived and the knowledge that she is once again reunited with her sweetheart. I love you Grandma!

Since Grandma's birthday is in April and we don't know if either of us will be there for it, we decided to throw a birthday party for her and my mom (whose birthday is this month). My Grandma LOVES birthdays.. and LOVES parties (I think we all know who I take after!)... It was SO worth it to see her face light up, and although she couldn't say much (due to the stroke) her face and countenance said it all. She said: "The best day. So happy!" :)

Estin picked out crunchy Cheeto's (something that he and GG share often) and a happy balloon!

Party Animal! :)

The boys loved spending time at the park. I am SO grateful for nice weather!! It was hard being a "single" parent! I am grateful for help from my family...I don't think I could've managed 8 days without them!!

Now we know where Estin gets such a big smile!! :)

We got a chance to see my dad, his fiance; Virginia and my Grandma Frazier too! IT was SO great to see them!

Chillin' in the back seat...

Our last goodbye... Love you Grandma!!!

The Grand Canyon...

UTAH!!!

I SOMEHOW managed to get a suitcase, a large diaper bag, a purse, a 3 year old and a 1 year old through the airport, through security, and through a 1.5 hour flight ALONE!!! Whew! We made it!!! How grateful I am I went... how grateful I am to be home!!! (Justin is too!! :))

Accident...

Justin and I came home from our Valentine's date to find his car had been scratched. There was no note left but we had our suspicions that it was a friend of our neighbor who ALWAYS parks in our spot. After some investigating (she was parked across the parking lot), the police tracked her down and she admitted to it. It actually turned out really great... we got $911 from the insurance company and money to live off of for the next 3 months! Answered prayers and oddly, a DIRECT blessing for paying tithing/fast offerings.

Oswald Valentine's Party...

This is the party I look forward to the most each year. One, because it's related to Valentine's day, and two, it's ADULTS ONLY! :) Each year the men and women switch off planning and preparing the menu and decorating the table in some sort of theme. Usually the men or women come up with their own theme... but this year everyone decorated in a similar way...we had a little something up our sleeves :) (Justin created a sled dog picture with us. The saying says,"No better partner for the ride.")

Grandma Casper and Katlyn

We were each supposed to write ONE word on a slip of paper for pictionary. My sweet MIL misunderstood... Steve had to draw "a man searching for water in a desert" :)

The big surprise..... a cruise to Alaska to celebrate the 50 years my in laws have shared together... a gift from all of us. They deserve it!

Valentine's Day 2011...

I LOVE EVERYTHING about Valentine's day....always have...always will. I LOVE seeing the pink and red heart decorations, the candy boxes adorning the supermarket shelves and of course the cute little mailboxes brimming with Valentines. For FHE we had friends over and made our own...

For preschool, we played "musical hearts" :)

How can you NOT love this holiday!

Justin's, Mine, Estin and Eli's...

Estin was SO excited to get a train valentine from Mommy!

Of course... heart shape pancakes for breakfast

Justin and I decided to spend the day looking at a particular house in Honeyville. Since Ogden was on the way, we stopped at the Treehouse Museum for a fun family day!

The sword in the stone...

I love this man!

My lil' cowboys...

It's been awhile since I've milked a cow!

Of course they had TRAINS!

Our attempt at a family picture :)

This crazy HUGE (4000 sq. ft.) house for sale in Honeyville...a lot of potential...hmmm

Eli ended up needing to go into urgent care due to an ear infection, and the dinner I had in the crockpot was charcol by the time we got home. We ended up having candlelight pizza and watching a movie. A week later Justin and I got to go on a REAL date...dinner at Buca De Pepo and ice cream from Macey's :) Happy Valentine's Day!!!