I have FIVE Fabulous Sisters!!

I have been scanning some of moms pictures, these are just a few of my favorites with the sisters. So Many memories.......

Growing up with 5 sisters there was always something exciting going on.

I REMEMBER.........

Our dog named Tina, helping pick cherries across the street to make a little extra money, going to the Sarah Theater for Saturday Matinees, playing Annie -I- Over for hours, Dad making sure we always went up and down the stairs like a lady, driving away from our home in Orem, moving to Salt Lake and seeing Mitze and Mark Andersen standing at their door with the mumps waving goodbye to us, tubing down the canal hoping the rats wouldn't get us, jumping on Hawkins tramp for hours at a time, Kathy's big jar of jaw breakers Phil gave her to eat while he was away

I REMEMBER..........

Driving the Green Volks Wagon down thru Holladay with Alice...after a few frantic honks from other cars, we turned around to see that our car was on fire!! Dad had just stretched the budget to buy this car for Alice and Debbie to have at BYU and as I remember it was not yet insured!

I REMEMBER..........

Borrowing each others clothes, laughing, arguing, the chore box, moping the slate and dusting the black circles, running from a certain sister's fists in the back (ha ha), Dad chasing away peeping toms, going on Family vacations in the camper and trips to Lake Powell. I am so lucky to have grown up with FIVE Amazing SISTERS.

Christmas 1965 (Below) All our outfits were sewn by mom...remember the white tree and all the tent dresses mom use to sew for us?

These were my favorite dresses mom made for us. I remember singing at several events......."Shake Me I Rattle" and "How Much is That Doggie In The Window"

I guess what brought this post about is that next week a few of the sisters are going to Kathy's condo in San Diego to spend a week. I look forward to this little get away each year, we have so much fun just hanging out!! We will miss you mom also Shelley and Cari. AHHHH.... looking so forward to the get away!! I am anxious to see the sunshine!!!

The best thing about having a sister is that I always have a friend.

February 14th 2009..... Grandma Monsen turns 85! A Valentine Babe. Lorna has been not feeling well lately, she has been in and out of doctor's offices the last month. We were very excited that she could make it to her Big 85th Birthday Party.




She is the proud Great-Grandmother of 14 Great Grandkids who thinks she's Great!!







Lorna is a real SWEETHEART! HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY We Love You!!

February 7th 2009....The adorable Samuel Wayne Collins turns ONE!!



I love this little boy soooo much! He is so sweet, happy and personable. Whenever I see him he does what I call the LEAN. Instead of holding out his arms to come to me he leans towards me with a great big smile so that I will hold him. I have to enjoy this LEANING now because as soon as he is big enough to go play with grandpa and the other little boys in the trophy room I will be history!! He will be in Grandpa's back pocket forever.



Sam is a mile a minute kid...always on the move...always smiling :)



HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sambo I love you!!

Girls Girls Girls

The High School Proms are in full swing! Sweethearts Dance was girl's choice so Megan and her friends planned a night filled with fun!! The girls all looked darling and were excited to take their dates. Dang..I wish I could of snapped a picture of Megan with her date but since it was girl's choice I was out of luck.

Megan is lucky and has it made! Katie did her nails and toes, Sara did her makeup and hair! Boy, that saves alot of moola!! These Proms are quite pricy!! Sara found us this cute dress at her store and we fixed it up changing just a few things. It turned out pretty cute, at least it was an original and she didn't see other girls in her same dress!! Megan's hair was very cute...you really had to see the back to get the full effect, I missed the photo...darn!





She is growing up too fast...where is the time going? I Love this GIRL!!!

TAKEN

TAKEN.....This show is one that you must see!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, its one of the best movies I have seen for awhile.

The whole idea that this really goes on sends shivers up my spine. Katie left for Italy today with her friend Kristy. I dropped them off at the airport bright and early. I watched as they crossed the street to go into the International Terminal carrying big backpacks loaded to capacity and a bag over their shoulder....GOSH they would be perfect targets. We all tried to get them to go see this movie before they left so they would not fall into the trap. There just was not time! Those Italian boys could be very persuasive and these girls are darling!! I tried to tell Katie not to share Taxi's, don't go to any wild parties and don't do this or that....DANG IT....how much can you tell your daughter that is 28. Katie and Kristy have traveled quite a lot and are very Street Smart. I really have no idea where they are staying and when, they just made their plans and reservations and were off!! I am sure that they will be fine and have a fabulous time but that won't stop me from worrying!! Isn't that what mothers do best?

I will be glad when they are back home safe and sound!!!

February 2, 2009

It's been 5 years since Dad has been gone. I realize how blessed I was to have such an Incredible Dad and I'm so grateful for all the Sacrifices he made for us!! He Worked so hard. I'm sure life wasn't always easy for him raising 6 Daughters. But I must say he gave all he had to us, he always made sure we had what we needed and then some. I can't imagine having to support 3 daughters in college at the same time. The expense of providing us cars, paying multiple insurance coverage, braces for several, a new outfit on a sudden whim (there may of been 3 or 4 whims at the same time), prom dresses & dates, crashed cars the list goes on. Dad provided a Great Life for us and taught us many of Life's Greatest Lessons as only a father can do.

In his younger days HE WAS A STUD...don't ya think?

I love these pictures they are some of my favorite!

Dad adored the grandkids



Dad would come along with us on our shopping trips and never complain. We shopped for hours, sometimes all day....he carried our packages, gave his opinion on our purchases and sometimes even slipped a little extra cash in our pocket. He was there to just be with his girls and we loved it!



Dad may not of had any boys but he has SIX son in laws that he claimed to be his own!



Serving a Mission in Australia...They were great "MATES"!



~"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."~

Sure Love You DAD!