March Madness

2011-03-24T00:27:00.005-07:00

It looks like it has definitely been way too long since I have written on the blog. Mainly it's because everyone is on facebook and it's easier to just put a blip on there. I guess not all of the family isn't on there though, right DAN? I do miss you popping in and sitting down for a conversation Dan. Heck I miss seeing all of you come in and out and at least getting to say Hi to you.

Grandma REALLY misses you all. Occasionally she'll hear from some of you, but it would do a would of good for her if she would get a phone call or note just to say hi from you, or if she mails a card to one of your kids, send her a thank you note, or remembers your birthday, send her a note. I know what your thinking, "Marie, I don't have time. I don't have a stamp. Grandma talks too long on the phone. I don't want to here about her health problems." But you know guys, she is always thinking of you! She always makes sure I take the mail to the post office if she hasn't gotten it out to the mailbox out front before the mailperson comes. She sits up in her room watching old movies on AMC or TCM. It means so much to her when she does hear from her grandkids or great grandkids. Right now her computer is down so she doesn't get emails so you have to send it regular mail or call. HER number is 480-320-9241. You can call my cell and I can let her talk on that. It is 435-760-6435. Our address is 80 Thomas Ct. Logan, UT 84321.

The first of the month we celebrated Alan's birthday. We went over to our friends, the Browns, where Spencer fixed Jalapeno Chicken. He made a mild batch without the Jalapeno's for grandma. Two days later Becca and I took off for AZ. Spent a week there. It was great to see the kids. We got back and celebrated my birthday at the Brown's again only this time some of our friends from AZ came up and surprised me. That was a lot of fun. On this coming sunday it will be Alan and my 29th Wedding Anniversary. My how time flies.

I am so excited to have spring come so I can plant my garden. I have loved the snow, don't get me wrong. I was sad to see it melt. Andy and Megan came up and it was disappointing that it was warm that week and it had melted, but I am ready to plant some veggies.

Anyone comes up this way, COME SEE US!!!!!

Happy November!!!

2009-11-09T07:15:00.002-07:00

I can't believe it's already here! It's actually already here and almost half over. By the end of this week it will be Mary's 22nd birthday. That's right, on Friday the 13th, which happened to be the actual day she was born on, she will be 22. Wow, how time flies.

Well, we are hear in Utah, we have some boxes unpacked, the computers set up (which is the most important thing), other than the tv. It's going to take a while to go through the rest of it and see what I really need out right now. I know I brought my pressure cookers which I can't live without and if I can't find them, it is NOT going to be pretty.

We were welcomed by a snow storm our first couple of days here, I am sure that the locals would laugh and say, "That ain't no snow storm, just wait, we'll show you a snow storm!" But it was cool. I loved waking up and seeing the snow on the ground and watching the flakes fall from the sky. Taylee wanted to go play in it and I told her she had to wait till Becca had a coat to take her out in it. (Becca still doesn't have a coat.) I noticed Old Navy has them 50% off this week though. I don't mind the "cold" it's the wind chill that I do NOT like. It can really cut right through you.

I did think I was making progress the other day though because we actually made it up to Idaho. I haven't ever been up that far! It was a sad excuse though. We have banked at Bank of America for years! We had to physically make a deposit on Friday. Do you think there is ONE BofA in all of UTAH! NO! I couldn't believe it! The only ATM's were the kinds that you can make withdraws out of, not deposits. So, Becca was watching Taylee, & Jaxx the whole weekend while her parents got some much needed time away, and Tylie, while her parents worked friday. We just packed up the van, carseats, kids and Grandma and took off for Pocatello, Idaho. Called Dale and said, "here we come." Grandma Cari was thrilled to see the Grandbabies, as I would be to see mine. We didn't spend much time there, but it was a nice visit and made back here before midnight. The kids were great little travelers, and so was Grandma.

Well family, this is quite an adventure. I miss my kids in AZ. I talk to you all the time, but it's not the same as seeing you. There are so many fun things I see up here that find myself wanting to point out, but then remember, oh yeah, you aren't here. I am enjoying getting to know the family up here. The cable company can't even begin to compare to Cox. They suck next to Cox!!! (Sorry Jeremy if they read this and turn off our cable now.) They are slower, plus on the tv channels if you want to tvo something for the next day you can't because all the programs say, "to be announced."

Sorry I rambled on and on. Till next time...... There is joy joy joy joy down in my heart for you!!! Ask Dale about that one.

Wagons Ho!!!!

2009-10-12T11:40:00.003-07:00

It's here. We've talked about it for years and now the anticipated moment has arrived. The great expedition to Utah is about to begin. Scheduled for the 24th of October but the dated has moved up to the 20th. Due to the company Alan worked for deciding to lay him off. After 30 years of working in Arizona this is the first time he has gotten laid off. So, to get a quicker start on the job searching we have decided to get going sooner up to the cold country. We will be leaving next tuesday, the 20th up to West Jordan.

Probably the hardest thing about this move is leaving four out of my five children behind and my two grandsons. I have gotten quite attached to these two little boys. I babysit Maverick three or four times a week so this will be extremely difficult. Things must be this way though, at least for a while.

Dale said don't even bother bringing my capri pants or summer clothes. I don't know if I have that many (what you guys would consider) winter clothes. I don't think Becca OWNS a coat.

So when you see a few desert rats pull up into town, please don't step on us. We're just trying to escape the heat.

Make Em Laugh

2009-07-14T17:32:00.003-07:00

Leno_Jaywalking.wmv

I hope this will work. I am not exactly sure how to do this. My mother - in - law sent this to me and I opened it at the perfect time. It was at a time when I really needed to laugh above everything else. It's sad that people are this naive in this country.

Enjoy!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY MAX

2009-05-28T10:59:00.009-07:00

Max's 1st birthday

Max was not sure what this was all about. He didn't understand why we wouldn't let him touch that pretty thing in the middle.

Right after "he" blew the candle out, he grabbed where the candle had been. Notice I am holding a cup of water with ice. We kept putting his fingers in it.

Once he got the hang of it, and realized we would LET him mess in it he figured it was fun.

Mary and Max - Max really likes grandma's homemade Nemo cake.

He got a stuffed Nemo and Squirt from Finding Nemo. It's his favorite thing to watch!!

When he opened Squirt he found a new friend.

King of Grandma's toybox!!

Maverick was just happy with the paper bag. He's a pretty laid back kid.

Max & Mav playing and sharing one of Max's birthday toys.

OUCH!!!

2009-05-06T12:06:00.004-07:00

NO I Didn't Hit Her

So yesterday Grandma had her surgery to have her "nose job" as she puts it. Actually she had some cancer removed from the bridge of her nose. This is proof to all of us Dunlaps that we really need to remember to use Sunblock!!! Especially with the warmer weather coming on. Grandma was not of those people that spent a lot of time in the sun. Yes she did time in the garden, but it wasn't like Grandpa that spent all day long outside in the sun. Especially remember to put them on your young fair skin babies.

This was Her this morning.

Strawberry Fields Forever.... in the freezer

2009-04-17T16:45:00.003-07:00

We ordered Strawberries from a local singing group. They arrived VERY ripe.

They say when you get lemons make Lemonade.

So.... we got ripe fruit, so Mary, Sarah and I made Freezer Jam. I have made regular Jam, but this was my first attempt to make Freezer Jam. It is so easy and delicious. I want to live somewhere where fresh fruit is more accessible so I can do this on a regular basis. This was the best idea we had and it felt like such an accomplishment.

Who do you think??????

2009-04-06T13:34:00.003-07:00

Last night I watched the country music awards. I am a HUGE George Strait fan. He is a REAL Country Music singer. No rock, just real country music. He IS THE MAN!!! I think he has earned the title of Entertainer of the Year. If you have been to one of his concerts you KNOW all he has to do is just stand there and sing and that is entertainment enough. So last night I voted with all the computers in the house for George. The people that have only been singing for a year or so, don't need to win. They still have plenty of time.

I like Carrie Underwood, don't get me wrong. She is really good and can do awesome things with her voice. She has really proved herself coming up from American Idol. I voted for her everytime on American Idol. But I think she needs to be a little more seasoned before she wins EOTY. (And what's up with the guys that won song of the year? "In Color" by Jamey Johnson. That was so lame!!! Even George had a look on his face like WHAT!?)

So, my point is this. There is no one like, THE MAN, George Strait. HE should have won and in my mind is the Entertainer of the Year!!!

Don't You Wish You Were Here?

2009-03-25T13:47:00.004-07:00

Yes. By looking at this picture you guessed it.

Mary's Melt in Your Mouth Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!!

Don't you wish you had a bowl of this in you refrigerator!

This is all we had left..

SUCKAS!!!!!!!

Darwin's Theory

2009-03-04T12:28:00.003-07:00

My 9th Grade teacher in High School (Mr. Plumber) always would give me a bad time about the theory of evolution. He knew I was Mormon and knew my beliefs. He purposely did this just to get a rise out of me. We would go around and around on this subject. Unfortunately I had to take this class from him twice (Biology). The first time was 7th hour, last class of the the day. We called it the Zoo hour, because no one in that class could pay attention and listen. I wasn't the only one who had to repeat the class. Anyway, the second I took it I got straight A's.

The point I am trying to make is, looking at my grandson, Maverick and all of these contortions he can move his body into, it would almost make sense that we did come from apes. He looks like such a little monkey when he can put his legs up able his head, and eat his toes and all of those cute things. Of course we have seen proof that Becca can do that too. If only we as adults could do those things. Unfortunately when arthritis sets in and all that old age stuff starts getting to us its over. Did Darwin's Theory include arthritis?

Not that I am bragging......but......!

2009-02-22T18:18:00.008-07:00

I have been able to really enjoy both grandsons this week. Megan went to get both of them matching outfits so their professional photographer grandfather could take some pictures. I decided it was as good of time asany to take pictures. It is a difficult task to get both to cooperate.

"Who Me? I didn't do anything!"

"Ok, we're both smiling, what do you expect?"

"My finger tastes pretty good, but, got any cookies?"

"Are we done yet"

"How much longer do we have to sit here with eachother?"

"I'M not putting up with this anymore! My diaper is FULL!"

Thank you for enduring me. I just couldn't help myself. I have so much fun with these little guys. I call them my little "M" men.

My Grandboys

2009-02-16T17:57:00.006-07:00

I got to babysit Max two days straight and these are some good times we had!

Shhhhh.......... He is finally asleep!

Not an easy task

I SCREAM YOU SCREAM WE ALL SCREAM!

2009-01-30T12:46:00.009-07:00

What do we have here!!! THRIFTY ICE CREAM!!??

YUM!!! To bad Jeremy you didn't stay to have some!!

And Amy isn't here.

We all ate this bad boy in one sitting!!

You just have to have the right connection and know the right people!

I got this for free!!

The Women With The Worlds Biggest Boobs

2008-12-18T16:45:00.004-07:00

Ouch!!

2008-12-12T02:06:00.003-07:00

So, it's that time of year again. You're rushing around trying to get everything done and just plain enjoy the holiday. Sit and watch a different holiday movie every night. I do hate the way that LIFE channel chops up White Christmas. I have the DVD, but if it happens to be on and I am channel surfing, I will stop and watch it. The kids will even sit there with their mouths hanging open and say, "they cut out the part that........"

For the most part, all of the decorations are up. I haven't done my shopping, there won't be much of that, but I will do some baking.

But we have been hit here with the flu. Colds mostly. Yuck!!! We didn't get the flu shot soon enough. Grandma did. Last week Hannah started with a sore throat, sneezing and fever. I took her to the doctor today. He put her on antibiotics, gave ME and ALAN flu shots, me a chortizone shot in my sholder (I honestly thought I was going to have to tell him to get Alan smelling salts when Alan saw the needle.) Next week I will take Hannah and Bec in for their flu shots. In the mean time, tonight, Becca and I started sneezing and getting all stuffed up. Today ALONE, the three of us have gone through 3 boxes of kleenex. It's off to Costco tomorrow for 8 more boxes of kleenex.

Next year, I will get my flu shot in October as usual!!!

2008-10-24T15:38:00.002-07:00

I have really taken my time in posting this blog because I knew it would be extemely difficult. I just wanted to share a few thoughts of my brother Jim, Uncle Jim to many of you.

Jim in the past few years I didn't see a lot of Jim, but when I did get to see him, it really meant a lot to me.

Jim loved his music. His favorite groups were Eagles, ELO, America, Doobie Brothers. Even as I read his old mission letter he would sign them Eagles Forever.

I will miss him desperately on this earth life. I will always wonder what happened, why it happened.

Jim, you're the best. I love and miss you

Love, Ree

Mini Mary

2008-09-19T14:30:00.002-07:00

So I got a new picture of Max today. It is off of Andy's phone but it isn't too bad. He is all smiles and looks just like Mary did as a baby, even the shape of his head. It's funny. I have never seen a baby smile as much as he does.

The Latest Picture I Have

2008-07-25T00:39:00.002-07:00

This is the latest picture I have of Mary's baby Max. It was taken when he was a week old so the first week of June.

Ok, I give

2008-07-24T13:36:00.002-07:00

Dale is probably the only one who could name them all. Since he doesn't have internet I will help.

Grandpa, John, Maryann, (John's 2nd wife) MaryEllen (Johns stepdaughter), Kenny (John's stepson), Me, Grandma, Jim, O ki (Ed's 1st wife), Paul hiding behind O ki), Ed, Terry, Doug, Dale, Cari, Amy (being held by Cari.

Kids in front : Bill, Corina, Brian, Heidi, Jeremy, & Dan

Where were Richie and Sandi?

Taylee's Love

2008-07-24T12:03:00.004-07:00

So over the past couple of weeks Becca and Hannah have convinced Taylee that Chistian Bale is a Hottie. So this week when he was arrested because his mother called his wife a few names and asked for a $200,000 loan and he cursed at her, Taylee's reaction was, "No, not my Love." Jeremy just about died. Just wait Jeremy. It's only the beginning.

I am enclosing some picutures of the adorable little ones.

2008-07-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Like my picture? This really explains AUNT ME

Weddings in the HEAT

2008-07-22T12:22:00.002-07:00

So, last weekend we shot a wedding at 9:15 outside the temple. It was Jeremy's first experience of this outside. Usually we do a temple-round before (which we did) on Monday. We just didn't have as much time because the couple were late so we ended up taking more pictures the day of the wedding in the morning which is a pain because it gets HOT!!!! Plus, the last thing the couple wants to do on their wedding day is pose for pictures.....they would rather be doing other things, you know? We all did bake our brains though, but Jeremy did do pretty good job of keeping up with the rest of us. I felt bad though because he had shaved his head earlier in the week and forgot his hat, so now his head kind of looks like a maricino cherry.

This is why I have FORBID any of my children to get married in the months of June - October. It is dangerous. We have even seen grandparents and bridesmaids pass out on the steps of the temple. It's just not worth the risk here in the heat.

We did see Dark Knight last weekend. The girls loved it. It was hard to keep Becca from drueling. She really likes Christian Bale. Her and Hannah have Taylee saying the he is a "Hottie". It's sad.

Well, that's about it for now. Miss and love you all.

Aunt Me

2008-07-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

Aunt Me

2008-07-06T13:13:00.000-07:00