A Dozen Years, Already?!

Oh.my. This picture looks so old!! I am laughing and cringing at the same time. We had a horrible experience with wedding pictures. Spencer's brother took better pictures than our paid photographer. I only thought that one on them was really good. And I am pretty sure we don't have it anymore, at least I haven't come across it yet.


It really has been 12 years since Spencer and I were married. It was actually yesterday but, in true Roxann-fashion I HAVE to be a little late! Happy Anniversary. It is always a whirlwind around here at Christmas time. We have Christmas, Anniversary and Spencer's b-day. It has been one crazy ride and I have a feeling it isn't going to stop anytime soon.

BUSTED!!

I have all of my wrapping done. I have been wrapping as I go and it has been much less stressful this year. 2 days ago, I remembered some gifts my sister in law had left for the kids at Thanksgiving. She had asked if we would wrap them up for the kids. No problem. So while the kids are engrossed in yet another 'Holiday Special', I set up at the table to finish this up. I had just finished when Caitlyn wandered up and 'wanted to wrap something to'.

"Honey, these are the last things I have to wrap. I don't have anything else for you to help me with."

"Well, I REALLY want to help!"

"I don't have anything else to wrap."

"I want to wrap the ring daddy got for you."

"W-w-what?"

"The ring that daddy bought. It is in his trunk!"

"Honey! You are not supposed to tell mommy what she got for Christmas. It is supposed to be a surprise!"

"OH! Well, then, daddy DIDN'T get you a ring."

And she walked away.

Christmas Lesson #1
Always pick your gift accomplices over the age of 4!

In Loving Memory

Our goal with this family blog is to stay in touch with family and friends, as well as keep an online journal of all the things that happen in our lives. We are planning on making a book out of this blog. Sadly, Spencer and his family lost an Aunt and Sister. She will be missed.

MARILYN REED
Marilyn Olsen Reed 1945 ~ 2009 Marilyn Olsen Reed, devoted mother, grandmother and wife, passed away of a massive stroke on Friday, December 18, 2009. Marilyn was born February 10, 1945 to Lee Evan Olsen and Anna Carver at Hill Field, Utah. She graduated from Madison High in Rexburg, Idaho in 1963 and went on to receive her bachelor's degree from Utah State. She married the love of her life, Gary Edward Reed, on November 25, 1980 in the Salt Lake Temple. She then went on and completed a Master's Degree in Library Science at BYU in 1981. Marilyn made a difference in many students' lives. She was an English teacher and librarian at Kaysville Jr. High for 15 years and a librarian at Woods Cross High for 18 years, retiring in 2000. As a librarian, she never lost her love for reading. A member of the LDS Church, she was currently serving as Relief Society secretary. She had served in many callings, in the Primary presidency, as Young Women's president, and scouting leader, but her favorite was serving in the Bountiful Temple. She also served with her husband on a service mission in the Bountiful Central Stake. Marilyn loved traveling with her husband and family. She visited Australia, Europe, and throughout the United States. She had a love for family histories and recently traveled to England, Denmark, and Sweden, after which, she compiled a book detailing 14 generations of ancestral biographies. Her life was centered around people, at school, and especially at home with her family. She was organized and a loving caregiver to her children and grandchildren and took care of her ailing mother for years. She was a member and served as secretary of the South Davis Kiwanis Club. She is survived by her husband Gary; sons, Kyle E. (Julie) Reed, Curtis G. (Kelsey) Reed; daughter Cari Lyn (Jordan) Morrow; grandchildren, Kiylee, Sophia, and Mathias. Also survived by two brothers, Richard (Mickie) Olsen, Rodney (Annette) Olsen and sister LeAnn (Richard) Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Utah. The funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 11a.m. in the Oak Hills Ward Chapel. 455 S. 1200 E. Bountiful. Friends may call at Lindquist Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E., on Monday from 6-8p.m. and Tuesday, from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Oak Hills Chapel. Interment in the Bountiful City Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com

My Middle Name Is "Futility"

That's right...Roxann Futility Olsen.

So, we had guests for the Thanksgiving Weekend. I am not complaining, simply stating a fact, when you have guests you will experience an abundance of laundry. You have extra towels, sheets, and blankets. I spent my ENTIRE day on Monday running laundry. I am not joking that my poor washer and dryer did not stop all day. Well, it was worth it because I was down to 2 loads and had gotten all the bedding finished. Last night we went to tuck the kiddos in and lo and behold...Caitlyn had peed her bed. I do not know how since she hadn't napped that day. She must have just been sitting on her bed and decided the bathroom was too far away. Spencer is trying to get her bed stripped and I am trying to get the sheets into the wash, when Ben starts yelling that Caitlyn has smashed crackers all over his bed. "It's all slimy!!" It wasn't crackers and it wasn't Caitlyn. The cat had barfed ALL OVER Ben's bed. Today is Tuesday, all the Monkees are in school and the house is quite. Well, except the hum of the washer and the occasional buzzer of the dryer in the background. Why do I even try!!