Winter Splendor?

As Christmas approaches we once again focus on how blessed we are with our family and by the Lord. From our house to yours - have a wonderful, save holiday. Merry Christmas!

Wally and I headed home from the beautiful, warm Arizona weather to spend the holidays in Montana. Its been below zero and when it warms up the slightest, it snows!! I'm not too sure about this winter stuff anymore.

Starr has been delighted to have Dakota to play with, they tear around the house usually chasing the poor cat who has tried to escape the cold. We're still awaiting our new granddaughter - she is due January 31st. We're excited but sure hope the weather warms up some while we wait.

It has been a complete joy to be around the kids and grandkids. The girls change so much every week. Madilyn is 2 going on 30; Niah has the most wonderful, sensitive and hilarious personality; MyKenzie is all grown up now at 5; and Brityn has such a peace and beauty that you just want to cuddle her all of the time.

I've launched my own candle distributorship and getting that rolling fills my days. I love the products and it was a tough decision for me since I'm just not terribly outgoing nor the salesperson type. Wish me luck and check out my website: http://www.bestofscents.com/

Madilyn Turns Two!!

The gang is all here to help open those presents I've been waiting for....

...I don't know mom, is this my color? Nice style!

Wow!! do I dare attack that cake? Someone get me a ladder....

Madilyn will be little red riding hood for Halloween. This is the costume that I made her. She looks so adorable!!

Autumn Splendor

Zion is so beautiful!!

We are taking in the sights around Southern Utah. Here are some of the pictures we took at Zion National Park, Quail Creek State Park, and Red Cliffs. Starr especially likes the adventures each day. The weather has been so wonderful.

Quail Creek is only about 5 minutes from where we are staying, a wonderful, peaceful atmosphere.

Summer Running Away

I am amazed each day at how fast summer is flying by. Madilyn (21 months) loves the pool, playing with her cousins and best of all having her own "pony" in the house - Dakota. Fortunately for Madilyn, Dakota adores Madilyn and tolerates her "love." Madilyn enjoys helping me around the house, especially when it comes to doing dishes!

My tiniest angel - Brityn is almost 4 months old now. She is the happiest baby and just seems to enjoy each day to the fullest. She discovered her jumper this week and loves it - indoors and out.

My princess, MyKenzie (5) will be starting kindergarten in about 1 week. I cannot believe how fast she has grown. It is a heartbreak for me!! Here the girls are playing so nicely together - the little ones Niah (2) and Madilyn (1 1/2) aren't even fighting over any toys. What a lovely peaceful memory. I guess you can all tell how happy grandma is to be home with her girls. I wish these days could last forever.

Everyone's Home

MyKenzie loves entertaining her lil sister.

July started out with the ENTIRE Richards' crew all in one place, at one time! This doesn't happen very often-twice in the past ten years or so I think. Margaret thoroughly enjoyed her nieces (Niah 2 on her lap, MyKenzie 5 & Madilyn 1 1/2 on MyKenzie's lap)

George is on the left visiting with his Uncle George (Wally's brother), Aunt Joan (George's wife), Aunt Darlene (Wally's sister) and dad (Wally).

Todd, Kori and Walt work on dinner for 18, no small task. Walt must have been the supervisor.

Chandra - smiling but really thinking - no way am I doing dishes for all these people!

Daddy's girl - Niah & George

Da brothers - just chillin, Walt, Todd & George.
Scot managed to miss all the pictures!


Our grandson Ethan 9-so great with the lil ones.

We've found a little place that helps us to forget the we're in the dry flatlands. It's called Palo Duro and its only a few miles from our campground. It is just beautiful there and reminds me a lot of the Grand Canyon area. It is also complete with Texas Longhorn cattle.

The Best Times - Children & Granchildren!!!

Our newest angel arrived on Sunday, April 20th - Brityn Alexis Richards. Proud parents are George & Chandra Richards, and adoring sisters MyKenzie (age 5) and Niah (2). No pictures yet but soon I hope. We also are blessed with granddaughter Madilyn-parents Walt & Kori Richards; grandsons Jeffrey (20) and Joshua (16)-proud father Scot Richards; and grandsons Ty (15) and Ethan (9)-proud parents Todd and Deanna Richards. Daddy's princess - Margaret - our only daughter is practicing law in Kansas City, Missouri. We're very thankful to have such great kids and grandkids. They fill our life with love and excitement. Its easy to forget how much fun it is to break all of your "children's" rules for their kids and spoil the babies!!!

Puppy Time

After 13 years together, we lost both of our dogs, Jake and Spook this past winter in Texas. When we lost Jake we were afraid Spook would be too loney without him so just after Christmas we got Spook a "new" puppy pal. Starr is a border collie about 1 year old and keeps us quite busy. Even though Spook did not make it through we are very happy to have Starr. We've started obedience school in the hopes that she won't flood the motorhome again. She's flooded our 1st one twice, so far so good with this one.

April 2008

We've been working in Hereford, Texas since October 2007 building a "green" ethanol plant. Its a very interesting project and the wind is a challenge daily. We've had to make some living adjustments and now call 37' on wheels "home". It takes a little adjustment but I call it my palace. There is my kitchen and dining room. At least there is a table to sit at! Above the bedroom and (hard to see) living room. At least I have a tub & a shower in the bathroom.