CONGRATS WHIT!!

We're so PROUD of Whitney- she graduated from her program in massage therapy AND got her first job!! It's been neat watching her become so knowlegeable about muscles, techniques, and assorted business plans. We had a fun night at her graduation- she received numerous awards that didn't surprise us at all- we think she's pretty great, but we were shocked when she got an award for attendence- in high school she almost flunked choir because she refused to get up in the morning and go!! Her dad has loved her being able to give him foot massages (is that daughterly love, or what?) to help him with his sore feet and she does a pretty mean neck massage. She'll start working at a spa in Orange in January after she passes her state and city licensing tests. I can't tell you all how much we love having her and Ryan close- being around the two of them makes Lynn and I smile because we know they're happy, love each other lots and are good to each other and their families- what more can you ask as a parent? So she's off to Utah for a few days of fun with her sisters and the world's most amazing nieces- love you Whit and way to go!!


Whitney with the MacLauren's and us!

Junie B Jones Grows Up and Goes to College

Lindsey decided to go private on her blog for many reasons (actually it's because she only wants family and close family friends to read about her trouble with the law and other various misadventures) and wanted me to put a post on my blog with her email. So if you would like to be able to read her further adventures in Provo you can just contact her! So here it is: lindseykershaw@yahoo.com

Chelsea's Pregnant & Halloween Fun!

So I realized today that I hadn't told everyone that Chels is pregnant and due in late May. Her and Dan came to California for the weekend so she could eat at her favorite Japanese restaurant which is the only thing she's been hungry for. We're all so excited to have another little addition to the family- I guess it's serious business to have THREE grandchildren!!

I snagged some pictures from both Mandy's and Lizzy's blogs- both of them have gone private and these pictures were just too cute not to share. I don't know where to begin to explain Liz's- let's just say that the law was involved and no, she didn't spend anytime in jail...yet! This was part of the story- you'll have to try and read the rest on her blog:

















"I thought I'd press my luck and ask to get handcuffed...I mean, that would have been a classic picture. He didn't even look up when I asked, he just said no way. As he was writing me up for my ticket he said that it was actually breaking his heart to give it to me...he said, and I quote, "in all my years on the force you're actually the nicest person I've ever ticketed...not to mention you are the only little ballerina I've given a ticket to, I'll enjoy sharing this story"...I asked if he'd enjoy sharing the story more if he didn't give me a ticket...apparently not, because he still gave it to me"

And yes, Jon is dressed as the Green Giant- tights and all!!

So next year, I am NOT missing Halloween with my THREE grandchildren, jailbird daughter, and jolly son-in-law!!

Much to My AMAZEMENT!

Did you know- you probably all knew- that when you change your template it erases your side bars!!! So I'm loving the new background, just not loving having to put everything back! I'm finally back to blogging- wait, I said that last month, but I really do mean it this time! Whit and Liz made me feel guilty cause even they finally updated their blogs so now it's my turn- pictures next!

Brick Walls are There for a Reason-

They let us prove how badly we want something.

The other day I read a touching article in the WSJ about a professor at Carnegie Mellon and the lecture he gave. I have been thinking about it over and over ever since and thought I would share it with you. I have tried and tried to link it, but sorry- it just won't work- hopefully you can just cut and paste!

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB119024238402033039-lMyQjAxMDE3OTIwMDIyNDAyWj.html

I love how this sweet man has taken this tragic event in his life and made it into a positive event- something I think I always struggle with doing. Lately (maybe it's my age or the fact no children are living at home) I wonder have I accomplished the things that I should have- the things that I maybe thought there were too many obstacles in my path to achieve. The dreams that I think about all the time accomplishing that I haven't made a priority in my life and that I let all the little things going on in my life get me off track.

It made me think about the people I know who went out and achieved a dream against some pretty tough obstacles- my husband who has worked hard every day since he was eleven to earn a living and has created an awesome business on his own by never giving up. My sister Debbie who went back to college with three children, not much support and graduated and has become a great third grade teacher. My daughter Mandy who tried, tried, tried, and finally on the fourth try became a cheerleader in highschool. My sil Diane who rose above some unbelievable challenges to raise her daughters with much grace. My nephew Matt who never gave up his dream of being a fireman and just got his job! Our friend Courtney who never lets her CF stop her. Those moms I watch at church every Sunday deal with all their little kids while their husbands aren't there with them. And all those others of you out there who make me smile with your ability to keep going!

So, this week I'll be praying for Professor Pausch and his family and be grateful that I got the chance to read about him- I only wish I could have been there to hear him give his lecture.

Cinderella in St. George

The second weekend in August we met in St. George to see a friend of ours daughter in "Cinderella". We picked Grandma up in Boulder City and everyone else drove down from Provo and Salt Lake. It is such a beautiful setting there- the theatre sits down in a red rock canyon. It was Emma's first play and she did great- even though it was two and a half hours and SO HOT!! She told us after that her favorite part was when the Prince kissed Cinderella!

Dinner with the Browns

In June our friends the Browns from our old neighborhood in Utah rented a beach house and we got the chance to have them over for a bbq. It was great seeing all their kids, spouses, and their children. They were such great neighbors and I consider it one of the best blessings in my life to have had the freindship of Gaye. It was so nice at Education Week I meet with her and my old next door neighbor Pat for dinner one night. I have such fun memories of our old neighborhood- water fights with hoses brought into the house, kids playing night games till late, parties, walks around the block. Gaye has always been an example to me of what we should be striving to be. She has dealt with the loss of a sweet daughter, teenagers, sickness, and the such that comes our way with a grace that astounds me. Gaye never failed to show my girls boundless fun and lots of love. The last several years she has been involved with an organization called "Reach the Children" which helps out in Africa- she now has a grant to develop a program dealing with AIDS there- wow! When I think of Elder Bednar's talk about "tender mercies" it makes me think of her in my life!

Ode to my GIRLS!

For the longest time it has been a dream of mine to go to Education Week with all of my daughters- I used to go when they were younger and see moms with their grown-up children and think how much fun it would be to share that as a family. So by some miracle it worked out this time!! Since three of the girls are now in Utah it of course made it much easier. I flew up Monday night, Whit flew in Wednesday, and we spent Thursday and Friday enjoying classes all together and did a little bit of shopping on Saturday before we flew home. What a blessing it was to have this time- a big thanks to Lynn who sacrificed not only being alone in the office but dealing with a sick Trixie and having to give her medicine! He never once said it would be hard to deal with everything, but just how happy he was that we could go- he is absolutely the best! We learned lots of great things in lots of great classes, but the most important thing we learned more about was each other and how fun it is to be together. I of course got lots of Emma and Sopie kisses too!! So thanks girls for being willing to join me this last week- it was awesome!

I LOVE BLOGGING!!

Okay, I know I haven't been the best at keeping caught up with my blog, but I love being able to check up with everyone! I think about how great it is- if Mandy hadn't started all this I wouldn't have been able to:

1. See pictures of my sweet grandbabies
2. Hear about the funny, sad, frustrating, sweet, inspiring stories from everyone
3. Keep in touch with friends I love who've moved far, far away
4. See what mischief my children and others children are up too
5. Watch pregnant bellies grow
6. Watch children grow in pictures when I wouldn't have the chance to see them
7. Share pictures and stories from my family
8. Reconnect with lost family members I've always loved
9. Feel lots of love from others and know people care
10. Read about the adventures of Grandma Hand

So, thanks to those of you I love for sharing your lives- you're an inspiration to me!! I'm off to Arizona tonight to help Chelsea pack her house for the move to Utah- didn't we just move her in??!! Love to you all- Susie

CHAPTER FOUR: The Day Before!

Okay, I have been a total and complete slacker about blogging- to my defense in the four weeks since the wedding I've had a bbq for 23, 3 days at girls camp, helped Whit and Ryan get settled, a trip to San Francisco, and the 4th of July! Oh, and I read the 6th Harry Potter book! So back to the wedding. Chelsea and Lindsey felt bad that they didn't have a chance to do a shower for Whit so they arranged a little party for the day before. Chels made dozens of trips to Old Navy and got shirts for everyone then had them printed with a cute saying. We all (17) went to our favorite nail place and had "ManiPedi's" (as Aunt Debbie calls them) then lunch afterwards at the house. It was a really fun day to spend with sisters, aunts, bridesmaids, cousins, and friends. Emma totally loved having her nails done- she is such a girl! Whit's bridesmaids Sydney and Kat had sweatsuits made up for them too- I think it was a great way to spend the day before. So thanks Chelsea and Liz for the great time!! So finally next- THE WEDDING!!

CHAPTER THREE: Whitney Goes to the Temple

It was such a special day when Whitney went through the temple for the first time. It was the Wednesday before the wedding and everyone in both immediate families were there except for Ryan's brother and sister-in-law who were in Atlanta. It was great being there with everyone (except Liz of course) and so nice to share it with the MacLaurin's. They are an awesome family and we're so happy to have them to share Whitney and Ryan with! It was so funny when we walked out after the session and I looked at Karen and we were wearing almost identical outfits: white linen skirts, white shirts, and orange vest or jacket! Afterwards we went to Tommy Bahama's for dinner and just enjoyed the calm before the storm!


























We're off to San Francisco tomorrow for the weekend with everyone- except Emma who'll be staying with Aunt Marcia- to fulfill a life long dream of Lynn's- visit Alcatraz!! So it will be a few days until CHAPTER FOUR: The Day Before!! Until then, love to all!

CHAPTER TWO: Parties, parties, parties!

The Bridal Shower: So what would an engagement be without some showers?? This is Whit and all the bridesmaids. Some sweet ladies in our ward gave Whit a bridal shower where she received lots of fun things. All the girls but Chels could be there and we missed her lots! This is the game where everytime she got an answer wrong that Ryan had said she had to put a piece of gum in her mouth- she didn't do very well!!

The Bachelorette Party: The week before the wedding Whitney's friends Sydney and Kat planned a last evening out. Her high school friends and her sisters had a limo pick them up and they went out for dinner and then to Dave and Busters. I think her sisters had the most fun just makeing fun of themselves- notice their name tags on the pic below!














So tomorrow...Chapter Three- Whit goes to the temple.

AT LAST!!!

So I have finally decided I cannot slack off any longer- it is time to start blogging again. Who knew a wedding could take so much time and emotional energy, you would think with this being the third one I've had to deal with I would have been prepared, but not me. I think I've really just wanted to enjoy remembering how special the time was without having to look at pictures and write about it all!! So, I'll start at the beginning.....

CHAPTER ONE: The Beach Bonfire for Whit's 20th Bday

I feel like the wedding parties started on May 19th when we had a bonfire at the beach for Whit's birthday. It was so cold, but the guys got a blazing inferno going which warmed us all quite well. Everyone was home and the Penney family joined in as well as Sydney. You just can't go wrong on a great California evening with a party at the beach!









The cute birthday girl and Ryan, all the cousins together

Aunt Marcia and Emma









Dan- the master marshmellow toaster, others trying to imitate him!
Miss Sophie at her first bonfire.

I had every intention to write a 10 great things list for Whit on her birthday, but time got away from me and now here it is a month later! So I'll end Chapter One of the Wedding Saga with

The Top Ten Reasons we Love our Twitter Bug:
10. She finished our family not with a whimper, but with a roar!
9. She can truly burp louder than anyone I've ever heard and still look cute!
8. She is stubborn and strong-willed which used to be tough when she was little, but is great now!
7. She is the absolute best auntie in the world and is always willing to play!
6. She married Ryan and made him a part of our family!
5. She loves her dad to pieces and is always willing to spend time with him!
4. She is a loyal and loving sister!
3. She has a great sense of humor and makes the best comments on life!
2. She still looks like our little 12 year old we thought would always stay our baby!
1. She makes life fun for us all!

So, stay tuned, Chapter Two next- The Shower, the Temple, and dinner!

I Think my Husband has Lost It!!!

So....those of you who knows us very well know that my husband Lynn has issues with motercycles and ATVs. Why just last year he about killed himself by rolling- yes rolling- a very large ATV over himself while trying to ride up the side of the Y mountain in Provo. This was just the last in a series (I can say series because there were more than three incidents) of accidents he has had while riding motorized vehicles too fast and recklessly. We had a long talk after the accident last year and he agreed that he probably shouldn't ride them because he likes to go fast, very fast. Imagine my surprise when I got into the office on Tuesday after being gone for over a week to find a brochure for Vespas on my desk. I thought maybe Marcia had been looking at them, but when I asked her she told me that no, Lynn was looking at them. So I asked him and he told me he had stopped at the dealership and had looked but not much else. Even more to my surprise I found out Thursday that he and Lindsey were going to the dealership to pick out colors. So, today at 6PM the doorbell rang and when I answered it there was a nice man with a big grin on his face saying "Here are your Vespas!" The kids are thrilled and even with the many rules- no riding out of our development, always wear a helmet, no riding at night, no speeding and so on. They are pretty fun to ride and I somehow feel very European zipping around the block on it!!

Presenting Dr. Jon C. Fairbanks

Just a few quick pictures before we leave Louisville. We had a great day yesterday- graduation was awesome and watching all the big smiles on the faces of the new doctors and their families was so sweet. Heading out in a few hours back to California with Emma, Sophie (who is a great baby, by the way), Mandy, Lynn and I. Jon and his dad are leaving on Tuesday with the truck. So on to the wedding!!!

It's the Big Guy's Birthday!

So yes, today Lynn turns 52- and he doesn't seem a day over 40!! Tonight we went out to his favorite restaurant, Ruth's Chris, and all pigged out on steaks, fish, and dessert. It's been an awful, awful week for him- one of our superintendents was diagnosed with liver cancer and his phone has not stopped ringing, but he just carries on. So to honor him-

The Top Ten List of Why We Love the Big Guy:
10. He remains unfazed even when mass chaos is erupting all around him- and can I tell you how often that happens!
9. He never ever asks me what I've spent on something for the house or how much a wedding is costing him.
8. He will wear pastel gingham shirts, while still remaining masculine- need I say more?
7. He is incredibly sentimental when it comes to his children and grandchildren and loves them with every fiber of his being- how many men do you know that will tell a young man who has just asked to marry his daughter that as far as he was concerned that young man "completed her"?
7A. He loves his sons-in-law and respects them and loves to take them fishing.
6. He respects women and truly believes that they are the greatest thing the Lord created and that he is truly blessed to have so many in his life. It puzzles him when people ask him if he's sad he doesn't have a son and he just smiles and says no.
6A. He loves the dogs almost as much as his children- and even tolerates the cat.
5. When his fourth daughter was born he said "Thank God, it's another little girl" to which everyone teared up and laughed at the same time.
4. He is dedicated to his business and takes great pride in doing his best. He is not only ethical in his dealings but generous to his employees.
3. He looks smoking hot when he drives his new car with his sunglasses on and his cool goatee (sorry girls)!
3A. He has started working out and is dedicated to having a strong, healthy body.
2. He arranged so that every Thursday fresh flowers are delivered to our house. He tries hard to be a loving and romantic husband.
1. He is true to his beliefs and never wavers from his testimony of our Savior and sets a great example of the Priesthood.