NOT EVERYONE LOVES THE HO HO HO MAN...

Guess the photo needs no more explanation....

Tis the Season...The first of our Christmas decorations... Our Family Christmas Trees. This weekend will be spent finishing up the decorating. I LOVE CHRISTMAS

(my sweet husband actually put our Christmas lights on the house the day after Thanksgiving, Thank you babe :-)
Cristin: Here is the table runner...

I have some Christmas decorations I leave out all year... Really

A few years ago I painted this lamp, during the year the snowman shows and at Christmas I turn it around and Santa is there...

Here is another Santa lamp I made out of a pail and a spool... I painted it several years ago when I taught painting classes in California. This too is out all year.

+ ONE ...Tyler, Lindsey, Bailey, and Kennedy have an announcement... They will be adding 1 more Finch to the nest. ??? Baby Finch is due May 30, 2008. Congratulations
We Love You,
Papa and Grandma

Happy Thanksgiving to all our FAMILY and FRIENDS... We love you

November 2nd

Happy Anniversary Babe!!!!!

(I'm a bit late but only because we were off together celebrating our 5th anniversary)

Regan is my own special blessing from a very loving Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for this loving, compassionate, handsome, romantic man. How could I be anything but grateful to my Father in Heaven for bringing this man into my life... HE COMPLETES ME!

We left home on Thursday Nov 1st with our trailer in tow. We headed to So. California to make a boat interior delivery (for work) and then we turned right around and went back to Las Vegas to celebrate our 5th anniversary. We got to the Oasis RV Resort around 9pm on (our anniversary) Nov.2nd. We celebrated with dinner, homemade taco's and salsa (yummy).

We were very fortunate that while we were in Vegas, Cameron (18) was playing in the Las Vegas Invitational (marching band competition), so we were able to watch the Mountain Crest Marching Band perform in competition. There were bands from Nevada, California, & Montana... Mountain Crest went to the finals, 12 bands competed and in fact Utah bands won the top 5 awards... Mountain Crest won 5th place... Congrats

While in Vegas we also celebrated by going to see "The Phantom of the Opera"... WOW!!!! That was amazing. We really enjoyed the show and the time together. We were so lucky, we had 3rd row seats and it was spectacular! We also had lunch before the show at an (Authentic)Italian restaurant in the Venetian. It was surprisingly tasty(I am so Americanized...) Great idea babe, Thanks

We also went to "New York, New York" and road the Roller Coaster... I laughed the whole time... I love roller coasters!

Oh and we had a late dinner at "Toby Keith's, "I Love That Bar and Grill"... Really good food, lots of it and probably the loudest restaurant I have ever been in, It got louder when the live band started to play. We loved it!!!! (We really are not big gamblers, but we did hit the big 5cent slots, Regan left $13 ahead! You go Babe!)

Thank you Regan for an amazing 5 years... I LOVE YOU

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Dear Cristin,

Happy Birthday to you...

We love you

The Harvest

It has finally started...Tomorrow these beauties will be SALSA! So excited... I don't like my zucchini to get very big, but... I lifted a leaf and surprise...ONE HUGE ZUCCHINI! any way, a few onions, and jalapenos(oh and I put shredded zuchini in my salsa as a filler, YUMMY) and Abracadabra.. SALSA

Party our house! Bring some chips and well supply the salsa. : )

(hopefully we will get another harvest of tomatoes about the same size, still lots of green tomatoes left on the plants)

Garden Update

September....

Well our gardens days are numbered... The final harvest is just around the corner. The pumpkin leaves (one of my favorite parts of the garden) are starting to die back. And the pumpkins are turning a beautiful orange. (this is actually 1 of 2 pumpkins that have not turned orange). We have about 10 to 12 pumpkins in our patch...

The tomatoes are scaring me, there are more green tomatoes than red ones, I hope we get our years storage of salsa! We would miss our salsa...

Our corn is a bit starchy but the important part is the corn stalks will make AWESOME fall decorations. Can't hardly wait for fall... My favorite time of year.

Our peppers are doing awesome. I have been sharing jalapenos like crazy, and still have lots to harvest. This year we tried a new pepper, Tabasco pepper... Really a pretty plant.

We also planted 2 Birdhouse gourd plants, HOLY COW they have taken over the neighborhood. They will be harvested soon, then we will hang them to dry, and then we will be making birdhouses... How fun, custom painted birdhouses, any requests????Well the garden has been fun this year, we have enjoyed squash, zucchini and yellow. We have had bell peppers, green, red and yellow. We have shared lots of cucumbers. We grew cantaloupe, about 12, 1 was really tasty, 1 really nasty and the other ripened way to fast (while we were at Bear Lake over Labor Day weekend)... Better luck next time : ) Our hot peppers are HOT! Corn starchy, tomatoes have made some tasty fresh salsa, (small but yummy batches). We planted a tee pee of green beans (scarlet runner) really fun and pretty, NO BEANS. We planted a trellis of Blue Lake green beans, BEAUTIFUL green, full leaves, NO BEANS... GO figure, again better luck next year. All and all it has been fun, I'm getting a bit tired of watering and I'm ready for the Harvest.

MY 4's...

Oops... don't press enter after you title... it sends the post....

Here we go again...
My 4's... (Elisa's challenge, from awhile ago... sorry)

4 Jobs:
*Jack in the Box (when you ordered from a actual Jack in the Box)
* Sav-on Drug Store
Brake working to be my kids MOM!!!!
*Jones Paint and Glass (Credit Manager)
*ARKO Upholstery (present, working with my cute Dad, I love it!)

4 Movies I can watch over and over:
*Ever After
*Return to Me
*Shrek or Shrek 2
*Christmas Vacation

4 Places I have Lived:
* Agoura, CA
*Provo, UT
*Meadow Vista, CA
*Springville, UT

4 Guilty Pleasures:
*Nails Done twice a month
*Collecting Longaberger Baskets
*Material (way way to much)
*SHOES

4 TV Shows I watch:
* 24
* Law and Order-SVU
*HGTV - Decorating shows
*News

4 Places I Have Been on Vacation:
*Jackson Hole
*Yellowstone
* Mt Rushmore
* Dresden, OH (Home of Longaberger Baskets :)

4 Websites I Visit:
* Blogspot.com
*Ikea.com
*KOA.com
*HGTV.com

4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
*RV Camping with Regan (anywhere)
*Somewhere with my whole FAMILY
*Taking my husband back to Italy
*Visiting No. California

4 Favorite Foods:
*BBQ
*Steaks off the Grill
*Shrimp
*Desserts

4 Books I Love:
*Scriptures
*Work and Glory's
*Harry Potter's
*Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse

4 Things I Would Like to Know How to Do:
*Stained Glass
*Learn how to sell stuff on e-bay
*Be and Keep Organized
*How to stretch 24 for hrs so I can get everything I want to do done! (and still be able to sleep)

4 Things I Worry About:
*My Children and Grandchildren
*My weight
*My Husband when he's at work
*Putting people out, or upsetting them

4 Things I Want to Accomplish This Year: (I better hurry)
*Finish our Office
*Put a patio and grass in our backyard
*Clean the garage so the car fits for the winter
*Decorate for the HOLIDAYS! (and put the decorations away in a timely manner)

My 4's....

Garden Update

End of July Garden Update...

Wow, we have tons of green goin on!!!! The birdhouse gourd vines have busted out of their garden box, in fact they are creeping across our next door neighbors grass (they said they don't mind : )but that's about it green... no gourds yet... Our corn is getting taller, our squash is squashing, lots of yellow squash and zucchini, our cucumbers are a plenty, we have about 16 cantaloupe babies, green bean vines everywhere, no green beans though. Our tomatoes are finally starting to grow fruit, its just been way to hot... Some said it would not happen but... WE GREW ARTICHOKES : )

Cantaloupe in the front, growing wild and into the tomatoes and herb garden... green beans growing up the trellis, corn and tomatoes...

Birdnest gourds, they have a really soft minky leaf... the neighbor kids love to rub it, so do I...

The Pumpkin Patch... The rock wall you see was built with rocks from Dad Ray's house, thank you, I love having pieces of my family around me : )

Sorry, I guess I forgot to take pics of the Artichokes, I will post a pic tomorrow...

WHAT A WONDERFUL FAMILY!!!

Last week we were so blessed to attend "The Ray Reunion".

We had the family reunion at a very special place this year. Our VERY SWEET sister Lisa and her VERY SWEET husband Craig, hosted our Reunion at there home in Zion's Ponderosa.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOUR HOME IS AMAZING

Regan and I took our trailer with us to help with sleeping quarters. Our little home away from home. Regan, Vanessa, Lindsey, Tyler, Bailey and Kennedy slept in the trailer. Danielle wanted to sleep in the house with her cousins, and so she did : )

We had such a good time... It is so sad that we don't all live close, but how wonderful that most could attend... All the Byron and Cheryl Ray children and their spouses were there. Regan and Vanessa, Lisa and Craig, Cristin and Pete, Shauna and James, and Darin and Elisa. All families had all their children there as well, with the exception of US... Regan and Vanessa were missing 3 of their children, I guess that's what happens when they grow up!!!! Cameron(18) made different plans (EFY), Jessica (27)had no more vacation time left and could not get off work :( and Amanda(23) also had to work... We missed you!!!!!

Wish our whole family could have been in the pic!

THANK YOU AGAIN CRAIG AND LISA FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! WE LOVE YOU

Garden Shappin UP...

End of June Garden update... Things are growing, Bell Peppers of all colors, Peas, Birdhouse Gourds, Indian corn,cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, pumpkins, HOT peppers 3 kinds, tomatoes, sweet corn, green beans, cantaloupe and artichokes(I'm not sure if they will produce but they are fun)... then also our herb garden, thanks Dad Ray for the transplants, they have all lived so far...

We are hoping to have our grass in by September, Maybe the patio will be in also, and maybe it will have to wait til next year... The BBQ I bought Regan for Fathers Day is waiting for the patio to be done... (I have to admit Fathers Day was the excuse, I wanted the BBQ :) he he he

Happy 4th of July everyone... Were goin to the RODEO & FIREWORKS ;)

Last Minute Trip to Lake Havasu, Arizona

Regan and I made a Upholstery Run to Lake Havasu, we didn't stay to long though... At 9:00 pm Sunday night we went for a walk by the London Bridge and the temp was 108 degrees... Way to HOT. We delivered the Boat Seats at 6:00 am and the temp was 99 degrees, they expect the temp to be 125 degrees on July 4th... HOW DOES ANYONE LIVE IN THAT???

London Bridge

On our way home we went to Hoover Damn, We were thinking maybe a Ray Reunion 2009 here at Lake Mead, We can ride over the suspension bridge they are building over the damn... HOLY COW, hopefully you will be able to see the pilings they have started... Look at the little skinny sticks that are going to hold this bridge up... Check it out at: www.hooverdambypass.org/ most amazing that we can do things like this. We walked around the Damn it was only 114 degrees there... Crazy Hot, but Regan and I got to spend 2 full days together just us, that doesn't happen to often and I cherish all the time we spend together, even if it was hotter than you can even believe !!!!

AMERICANA...

I love America... I thought this would be easy, but I looked around my house and I have a ton of Red, White, Blue but is it AMERICANA????

My husband loves anything cowboy, I gave him this bronze statue for Christmas one year. Cowboys are Americana, I think... I have several Americana baskets, stars and all... But is it Americana???Sorry about the flash, This is a picture that says Americana, but is it Americana???

This is am Amish piece quilt that was given to me by my very dear friend in California, Frankie Lawrence. She went to Pennsylvania where her husband grew up, she knew I was fascinated by the Amish, She was going to get me a quilt for my bed until she found out she would have to take out a second mortgage on her home to buy it... I love my quilt, but is it Americana???I have a lot of antiques here and there but I'm not sure if they are Americana...

This has got to be as Americana as it gets! I love the American flag, I fly it all the time, I love this country and I love being an AMERICAN... Yeah I think its all Americana, through and through...

Home Sweet Home away from Home...

Here is our lovely Home away from home.... Not quite the same as the Jane's but we are having a blast, we can't wait to share at the family reunion...(please excuse the BB stand, in high wind it crashes over and we have had storms the last few days).

Memorial Day weekend we took off with my parents and went to Yellowstone. We had a blast!My cute little Mom and Dad

Buffalo... Lots of Buffalo, up close and personal... It was a happy trip, My Dad LOVES Buffalo.

Old Faithful doing its thing...

Just outside of the Park in West Yellowstone, there is a place called Bear Country, its like a zoo... It was fun to see the bears, they were very playful while we were there... They are pretty cute and so is...

Regan :) Love you babe... Oh and look at the couch they had at Bear Country...This couch is huge, that's a door on the left!!!!

Mom and Me at the North entrance to the park... We had a great time, I love spending time with my parents, I love you Mom and Dad!!! Thank you for being the greatest parents, and for you amazing love!!! OXOXOXOXO's

My favorite Color(s)???

Friday June 8,2007 (I need to be better on my posting dates... Late again!)

My favorite color I would have to say is Country Red... Regan added Red Shutters to our house last summer... I love them. This year I believe I will paint the door the same Red.
However in looking around my home I have a ton of Green as well, including a huge part of my home... The Carpet
Most of the accents are Red and Green... I must say its pretty country around here!
So add 1 more for Green!!!

I'm a little slow this week... ok I'm slow every week!!!!

How lucky can a person be!!! I got a new purse and wallet at the Fossil outlet in Las Vegas an few weeks ago and my purse is actually clean... Well kindaI buy really little purses cuz I fill whatever size I have!!!

My wallet only has the main necessities... Utah Drivers License, Debit Cards, and COSTCO (I love Costco...) I don't go to often cuz I spend way to much money, I usually send Regan he doesn't spend as much as I do and he sticks to the list!...

My little purse has a zipper pouch on the back with a little organizer in it... Pen has a place, pictures, (the one showing is my hot husband and me), Zoo pass, National Park pass, and other important things...

The contents of the purse itself are, how boring is this... Wallet, weekly to do list (I'm behind), lemon butter cuticle cream (yum it smells wonderful), lip gloss-spearmint, and in my case the very important TIDE PEN...

BOY AM I GLAD IT WAS CLEAN!!!!

Lots of Fun

Tuesday May 8,2007

Last Tuesday my mom and I left after work to go pick up Lindsey, Bailey and Kennedy in Cedar City... Then off to meet my sisters in Las Vegas. Tamara has a time share and was kind enough to share it with all us girls. Jessica flew in to meet us on Wed. afternoon, Amanda got there Wed night. We had a really nice time. Tamara spent lots of hours in the pool with ALL the kiddos... 6 kids under 5. Shes a trooper.

We really didn't do anything but veg... It was great


We went to the Outlets shopping, We shopped and shopped til we completely dropped (Kidding, NOT SO MUCH)


There is a carousel at the Outlets, yeah the kids rode it about 20x's each, when it stopped some of them started to cry.


And like the camera person I am (not 1 photo taken) my camera never got un-packed.


We were there til Friday afternoon.


My mom went home with Jennifer Thursday night (late) when Jenny's 4 month old came down with a fever that ended up being an ear infection and strep throat. (POOR LITTLE GUY)


On our way home we were able to stop and see Amanda's new townhouse, She closed escrow a week ago and is moving in this next weekend. She is really excited.


Jessica got to come home with me and spend Friday, Saturday and Mama's Day with us. Sat we got to go do a bit of shopping (what were we thinking????) Regan, Jess and I went to the Zoo to see the White Alligator. (I remembered my camera) This gator is the coolest thing! It looks like it's been painted with "GLOW-IN-THE-DARK" paint. They are not albino, they are a genetic misfit, there are only 10 in the world.
Most Amazing!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL MY FAVORITE MOTHERS, I LOVE YOU ALLand LOVE TO THOSE SWEET KIDDOS THAT CALLME MOM! ,