Morris Moments

Wow!

2011-09-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

Obviously, I am terrible at this blog thing! Haven't written anything in almost a year. So much has happened during this past year that I hardly know where to start. I guess I'll start with David and work my way through the whole fam dam'ly...

David is now consulting for an owner running a plumbing company and two restoration companies. He really enjoys the training aspect most of all. He is still on the High Council and continually gets new assignments.

I am still working at Kravitz and have just recently changed to working 4 hours on Friday (8 hours each day Monday through Thursday) - the reason for this will be written about in a few more paragraphs. Life has not been dull this year.

Heather & Cody still live with us. Cody is going to school and working at In N Out. He should be done in another semester or so. Heather continues babysitting for a couple families as well as doing some bookkeeping for a construction company.

Derek and Naomi welcomed their fourth child, Callen Kenzo Morris, on January 19, 2011. Ethan just turned 6, Tai is 4, and Evey is 2. They are a busy little bunch. Ethan and I recently had another Grandma day where we went shopping for school clothes and supplies, just like last year. Tai can't wait for his turn next year!

Nathan is working hard at Pharmacy Board Shop. He has helped them open a couple of new shops in Hollywood and Las Vegas. He will be moving home for while until he figures out where he REALLY wants to live - really, what could be better than here? (Just ask Heather & Cody!)

Jesi and Shane welcomed their first bundle of joy in March - only 1 1/2 hours too late to be the perfect birthday present for Grandma (darn it!). Her name is Kenadie Brianne. She has come to this world with some health issues that we are saddened by but we are overjoyed that she is part of our family and we know that no matter what, she will be part of our family for eternity. I have the great pleasure of being with her every Friday after I am done at work.

And last, but not least, Holly... Yes, Miss Holly is getting married this year. We are excited that Scott will be joining the family on December 17th.

So much more to say, so many pictures to post, but alas, I must go. David and I are off to Salt Lake City tomorrow to attend General Conference - I am sooooo excited!

Challenges

2010-10-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

There is a line in a song I recently heard that says, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans." Since I plan ahead for almost everything, I'm pretty sure my life has kept the good Lord in stitches.

Our most recent challenge made me pause and take a step back. My typical reaction is to get upset, cry, scream, and "plan" what should come next. This time, however, after much prayer and thought, it came to me to just let it go. I know this feeling of peace is directly from Heavenly Father. Whatever happens, happens and this challenge will not change what is important to me - my purpose in this life and where I am headed after this life.

So as David likes to say, "Bring it on Buttercup!"

Ethan's Special Day

2010-08-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

My grandson Ethan will be turning 5 in September. This is important because that means he now attends kindergarten. But before school began, Ethan took Grandma for a little shopping. He wanted to be sure he was properly prepared for his first day. So off we went to the mall...

First, we needed fortification. A cheeseburger Happy Meal seemed to do the trick. Only problem was there was a TV with a cartoon on behind me so Ethan was a little distracted.

Isn't this the cutest face?

Next, we went to Build-a-Bear. Grandma forgot to get the camera out because she was so distracted by all the cute things. Ethan "built" a Wolf. He was fascinated when the lady told him to rub his wolf's "heart" on his muscles (so he would be strong), then on his own heart (so he would have love), then on his tummy, forehead, and nose (just because).

Our next stop was the shoe store. Everyone needs new shoes for the first day of school! Ethan decided on the Star Wars shoes, Iron Man socks, and an Iron Man backpack. Then off to Sears for some jeans and a Spiderman T-shirt. He had quite a conversation with the cashier about school and when we left, Ethan turned to me and said, "Grandma, she was a silly lady, wasn't she?" I couldn't help but laugh!

Then as we were leaving, we decided we needed a picture together and this is the "background" he chose. Isn't it just ducky?

After leaving the mall, we headed to Target for school supplies. I am fully aware that they don't need too much when beginning Kindergarten but it was such fun and he was so excited I couldn't help myself. We got some paper, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, a folder, some glue sticks, and some "safe" scissors. I explained to him that the glue and the scissors would have to be put up and used only when Mom or Dad say it's okay.

We ended our day at Berrystar Frozen Yogurt (one of Grandma's favorite places). Ethan's concoction was quite impressive - chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry frozen yogurt, with just a dollop of pistachio (because that's what Grandma had and he was SURE he loved it). Then some strawberries, one orange, some m&m's, rainbow sprinkles, and to top it off - graham cracker crumbs! Personally, I LOVE graham cracker crumbs on my frozen yogurt. The kids laugh at me because they think I have a little frozen yogurt with a lot of "dirt".

"Look Aunt Holly - a FIESTA!"

All in all, it was a super fun day. We took our packages home and Ethan told me "Thank you for your kindness Grandma." At every store, without fail, as Ethan took his package, he would tell the cashier, "Thank you." I was so proud of him - such a polite little fellow!

Thanks for taking me shopping! XOXOXOXOXOXO

My Dad

2010-06-20T09:14:00.001-07:00

Carvel B. Stephenson Jr
March 24, 1934 - February 24, 1993

For some reason, I am feeling particularly tender today about my dad, who returned home to our Heavenly Father more than 17 years ago. He was a great daddy. He did so much for us. Many, many evenings were spent at baseball parks and in basketball gymnasiums, coaching my brothers and playing. When I was older, we played tennis every Tuesday night. He loved sports of all kinds. I remember him playing softball in the "Over The Hill League" in his 50s. His team name was The Pacemakers.

Yes, he loved sports, but he truly loved his family above all (even golf :o]). He was taken from us much too soon at age 58. Jesi had a very special relationship with "Papa", as seen in the next picture.

Oh, how I miss him and wish I could talk to him. So on this Father's Day 2010, I will remember him with love, especially when I hear the primary songs in church today about Fathers.

I love you and miss you!

The Colors of Spring

2010-05-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

I must admit that Fall is my favorite season - the weather is getting cooler, the holidays are coming, baseball is winding down and football is beginning. But during a recent trip, we passed a hillside with some of the most amazing colors I have seen, all together in one place - purple, yellow, orange, green - it was beautiful (the picture does not do it justice). For some reason, for the rest of our trip, this made me take notice of all the wonderful colors Heavenly Father has blessed us with, especially during Springtime. I have no photography skills but decided to take pictures of things I saw that made me pause and thank Him.

What a wonderful world we live in, if only we'd stop and take the time to notice it.

Can it really be April already?

2010-04-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go? They say that as you get older, time seems to move faster - I must be 80 because time sure flies!

The year began with an eventful time celebrating Heather's birthday. Later in the month, we had Jesi's bridal shower with lots of fun and games.
For Christmas, Nathan gave David and me, along with my two brothers, Cary and Brian, tickets to a Laker game so off we went in early February.

Next, we celebrated Evey's and Tai's birthdays. Tai is 3 and Evey is 1.

Isn't that the greatest smile!!

Evey is sharing her cake with Uncle Nay-Nay - isn't she sweet?

On February 13th, Jesi and Shane took out their endowments in the Los Angeles Temple. It was a very special day. The feeling I had seeing my children in the Celestial room was amazing and brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

Then on February 20th, Jesi and Shane got married in the Redlands Temple. Another amazing day!

There is a very funny story behind this picture - you should ask Holly about it sometime! :o)

The girls...

The boys...

The month of March took us to Las Vegas - twice. The first time for a baptism, the second for a funeral. At the end of March, we went to the Hollywood Bowl with our good friends, Ron and Lori McFate, to see Paul McCartney perform. He sure puts on a great show!

David, Jill, Ron, Lori

Then on March 31st, David and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. He had the day planned and we had a great time. First, I received a dozen red roses at work. Next, we had lunch at Barone's (my favorite Italian place), then went shopping for several hours (poor David!), then for some ice cream, and then to the Marriott for a night all alone!

It has been quite a busy 3 months. We are so blessed with a wonderful family and great friends!

The Happy 101 Award

2010-03-19T05:56:00.000-07:00

I received the "Happy 101 Award" from Holly and being the happy, play-along kind of girl that I am, here are 10 things that make me happy (not necessarily in this order):

1. My family
2. Rain
3. Primary songs
4. The color red
5. A good book
6. Listening to my children and grandchildren laugh and tell funny stories
7. Clocks
8. Being in the Temple with my children
9. White cake with cherry frosting
10. David

The list could go on and on because there are so many things that make me happy but I'll stop there. And now I'll ask - what makes YOU happy?

And so the year begins

2010-01-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

To begin the new year, we celebrated Heather's birthday by going to Mulligan's Family Funland where you can play miniature golf, drive go-karts, rock climb, play laser tag, hit in the batting cages, and play in the arcade. It was a super day, filled with family, games, laughter and fun! We couldn't think of a more appropriate place to introduce "Heather version 3.0". Frankly, this version is not much different than version 2.9...

And finally, after a full day of fun and games...

Oh wait a minute...

And now it's time to go home. You know, version 3.0's and above need their rest...

The Year That Was 2009

2010-01-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a year! 2009 began with a newly engaged Jesica, followed on January 29th with the arrival of our third grandchild, Evey Kiyoko Morris, which was quickly followed on January 31st by the marriage of Heather and Cody. Thankfully, February and March were pretty calm.

Then came April. David and I began our "baseball journey". Because we enjoy baseball, we decided one of our long term goals is to attend a baseball game in every major league stadium across the U.S. So in April, we traveled to San Diego to watch the Dodgers play the Padres, followed the next day by a game in Anaheim to watch the Angels beat the Boston Red Sox. May was a relatively quiet month. Then in June, David's extended family gathered for a week at a beach house in Ventura. At one point, there were 67 of us in attendance. David and I also went to Solvang for a day. And we attended another baseball game, this time at Dodger stadium - 3 stadiums down, 27 more to go!

In July, Jesi attended her first business meeting. The only problem - it was in Minnesota and she hates to fly. But she made it and learned a lot. In August, David and I went to Las Vegas with my two brothers so they could participate in a "fantasy football draft" with his good friend Dave Reed and several others. He has been participating in this league for 15 years (or more) and has a great time following his "team" and talking smack with the boys. In September, we added some minor league baseball games to our repertoire - we went to Adelanto to watch the High Desert Mavericks then to Lake Elsinore to watch the Lake Elsinore Storm.

Mid-October saw my oldest brother turn 50 and yet another Dodger game. November was a great month. David and I went to Hawaii for 10 days and had a wonderful time. The kids have teased us mercilessly because we did not go in the water. We had something planned almost every day and saw so many things that we just didn't take the time to get in the water (something I can do here in California). And finally, December. We attended a Christmas party for the Stake High Council, then another for the Palmdale 5th Ward Council. My mother's birthday was celebrated at her favorite restaurant, The Smokehouse. A few days later, the Morris family cookie party, then family night at the mall. Christmas Eve was spent with our good friends Ron and Lori McFate having dinner and tying a quilt. And of course, Christmas day, celebrating the birth of the Savior.

I often think I lead a very boring life. But when I look back at the last year and think of the things to come in 2010, it looks pretty busy.

So as my post began, so shall it end - Wow, what a year!

Hawaii!!

2009-12-08T20:00:00.001-08:00

To celebrate our anniversary, David and I went to Hawaii for 10 days and stayed the entire time on Oahu. There is so much to see and do. The weather was perfect and we had a great time. Since we have been home, I have been asked what my favorite part was and I must say I liked SHOPPING the best - :o). Actually, at the Polynesian Cultural Center, you can go to the different "Polynesian countries" and get a demonstration of what their culture is like. I especially liked Samoa - their show was really entertaining and the young men giving the presentation were very funny. I also quite liked the Parade of Canoes, where each country presented their native dance and music. We went to Pearl Harbor, went shopping, took the Circle Island Tour, went on a lunch cruise, went shopping, went to the US Army museum, went shopping, saw the King's changing of the guard drill team, took the bus to the swap meet at the Aloha Stadium, and then we did a little more shopping. Here are a few pictures.

The view from our room

Yummy slushies in a real pineapple at the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center
The memorial wall on the USS Arizona
On the way back to the hotel after visiting Pearl Harbor

All of the above pictures were taken at various places on our trip around the island. We also stopped at the Dole Plantation and a macadamia nut farm.

Lunch cruise to see some dolphins - there really were quite a lot of them but I'm not a very good photographer and didn't capture them when they were jumping up out of the water. We also saw a couple of whales and a turtle poked his head up out of the water and spit at us.

Our last day in Hawaii (*heavy sigh*). We had a wonderful time but we were glad to be home, until it turned REALLY cold and windy here in Palmdale. Now I wish I was back in Hawaii, enjoying the sunshine and warmth. Oh well, until next time...

Stuff

2009-10-17T18:46:00.001-07:00

It's such a nice evening - the sun has gone down and there's a little breeze blowing. It has cooled off from earlier today. I was sitting outside and thinking about the craziness that comes with children and grandchildren.

Saturday, October 10th, we took Ethan and Tai to see Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D. They seemed to enjoy the movie, kept their 3D glasses on most of the time and sat pretty still. We met up with Heather and Cody who were babysitting 5 children for some friends. One of the kids was with her friends and didn't come to the movies. I must admit, I was a little nervous about having 6 children at the movies, age 12 and younger. But they were all really well-behaved. Even the youngest, Adam, was really good through both movies.

Lunch before the movies

Just got our tickets

After the movies, sporting our cool 3D glasses! (Left to right - Herschel, Cody, Shelby, Tai, David, Jill, Ethan, Adam, and Camden)

Then on Tuesday, October 13th, my oldest brother turned 50! I can't believe it! I still feel like we're kids. Anyway, Cary and I work in the same office, so I did a little decorating.

Here's Cary in front of my work of art. Everyone was asking, "Why black??" Some even thought it is because I am a Raiders fan (Cary is not). I kept telling them "It's because he's OLD, over-the-hill, catch-up eligible (a little retirement speak there), etc!"

Then we took the old guy out to dinner at Dr. Hogly Wogly's in Panorama City. This place has the best brisket and fresh bread anywhere! Dinner was delicious!

Cary, mom, David, Jill

On Wednesday, October 14th, Derek and Naomi dropped the kids off at David's office before going to the Temple. I sent the camera to work with David that day and here are the pictures he took....

Oh, that's right - he forgot the camera on his desk so no pictures of the kids at his office or mine. But everyone at both offices now knows what cute grandchildren we have because they've seen them in person!

Now on to Friday, October 16th. David, Nathan, and I went to the National League Division playoff game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. The first 7 1/2 innings were pretty uneventful. The Phillies scored early on a 1 run homer and then nothing happened until the bottom of the 8th. The Dodgers scored 2 runs and the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, October 17th, was our Stake Relief Society Temple Day and Heather and I went together. On the way home, we stopped to eat. There was a gentleman having quite a conversation with himself right behind us. I went to get a drink and when I returned, Heather was talking to him. He asked her if she liked the Old Testament or New Testament best. She said she likes the New Testament because it tells us so much about Jesus. He agreed but said he likes the whole Bible. She told him he should read the Book of Mormon and to find the missionaries. She also told him it shouldn't be too hard to find them because, "Mormons are everywhere." Someday, I want to be a good missionary, just like Heather! :o)

What will the next few weeks hold for us?

Saturday, October 3, 2009 - What a Day!!

2009-10-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

What a busy day... Up early to do some grocery shopping; set the DVR to record Conference; made up Conference Bingo cards; shopping with Jesi for wedding stuff; decorating the house for Halloween; sent the boys off to the General Priesthood meeting; girls off to have some fun!; grandkids over while Derek and Naomi went to dinner with friends; and finally, watching the Dodgers clinch the National League West title.

I love Halloween!

David, Shane, and Cody, all spiffed up and lookin' good!

Mmmmmmm, guacamole...

Before...

After...

The cutest grandchildren EVER!

Evey helping Grandma and Grandpa celebrate the Dodger victory!

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family - how did we ever get so lucky?

Napoleon Dynamite

2009-09-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for the following pictures for quite some time, wanting to put them on the computer. I had forgotten that we lost the memory card that they were on but then found them printed out in my picture drawer so scanned them in.

My mother grew up in Preston, Idaho, where the movie "Napoleon Dynamite" was filmed. In 2005, my mother's side of the family held the family reunion in Preston, as usual. While there, we got a map from the Chamber of Commerce and proceeded to take the "Napoleon Dynamite tour". The kids loved this movie and could quote several lines from it. Holly used to be able to do the Napoleon dance - maybe she still can :o). Here are some of the pictures we took.

Jesi & Holly under the Napoleon Dynamite Lane street sign

Napoleon's house

Pedro's house

Preston High School (my mother attended this school in the '50s)

The following pictures are from the family reunion. We had more, but these are the only ones I could find that were printed out. Don't know how Uncle Benson scored the van.

Guess how many tater tots are in the pocket

Uncle Rico's van

Only Jesi and Holly were able to join us that year. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them and laughing about the different parts of the movie as we took our tour. What great fun!

FHE... and the Dodgers

2009-08-21T19:41:00.000-07:00

Take me out to the ballgame...

David and I love our family. We also love the Dodgers. So for a recent family home evening, we went to a Dodger game. Since we have hungry boys, we decided the all-you-can-eat pavilion was a good choice. Here we are, enjoying being together and watching the Dodgers. The only disappointment of the evening was that the Dodgers lost - boo hoo :o(...

Nathan, David, Jill, Holly

Jesi, chocolate malt, Shane

Cody and Heather

Morris Minutia

2009-08-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

David & Jill met in 1999 on LDS Singles Online. Seven months later we were married. David is the Chief Financial Officer for a plumbing company in North Hollywood. He is also serving on the High Council in the Palmdale Stake. Jill is a Compliance Specialist for Kravitz, Inc. where she has worked for over twelve years. She is serving as Primary Secretary in the Palmdale 5th Ward. Sports is our passion, second only to our family. This year, we decided to begin a baseball journey. We are planning to attend a baseball game in every major league stadium. We have been to three stadiums this year - Petco Park in San Diego, Anaheim Stadium, and Dodger Stadium. This is only the beginning...

Heather & Cody were married on January 31, 2009. Heather nannies two or three days a week while seeking other employment. Cody works at In-N-Out and will also be attending school. He wants to be an Air Traffic Controller when he grows up :o). They are currently living with us. Both have been on the Activities Committee but word is there is another calling coming soon. Heather is very helpful around the house and is a much better cook than I am!

Derek & Naomi will celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary in November. Derek owns a Martial Arts studio where he teaches Martial Arts classes as well as Japanese language and culture classes. Naomi stays busy raising their three children - Ethan, who will be 4 in September, Tai who is 2 1/2, and Evey who is almost 7 months old. They recently moved into their first home and it is lovely.

Nathan works at Pharmacy Rideshop where he is a manager. He has also done "extra" work in movies, videos and TV. This is a picture of him with short hair and the beard is gone - isn't he cute? Those who know him, please encourage him to return to his unhairy self...

Jesi received her Associates degree in 2008. She is currently working as a Photography Manager for Lifetouch School Photography. She is engaged to Shane and is planning their wedding on February 20, 2010 in the Redlands, California Temple. She is serving as a Primary teacher and Shane just received a call to be a teacher in the Elders Quorum.

Holly will be returning in 10 days to BYU Provo for her sophomore year. She has been working this summer and has been without her car (hear the screams in the background?). She recently attended the YSA conference here in California and is helping out in the Nursery. We miss her when she's away but know she's studying hard (after procrastinating a bit) and is in a good school with like-minded individuals.

Nephi has been part of our family for six years. He is almost always somewhere close to David or me. When we read, watch TV, and even while we're sleeping, he is usually nearby. His only fault is the amount of fur he leaves on the carpet.

So there you have the Morris's in a nutshell. I will post more pictures of the grandkids, and yes, Shane, I'll even put one on here of you!

We are a crazy and busy bunch but WOW, I love these people!

I can't believe I'm finally blogging...

2009-08-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to set up a blog for quite a while. When Heather lived in Orange County, I followed her blog and saw she was doing well and was happy (okay, reasonably happy while waiting for Cody to return from his mission). It's fun to look at pictures and see what the family is up to. I finally joined Facebook, after resisting for a long time. I have found lots of extended family members and old friends and am quite addicted. So the next step was a blog. With OODLES of help from Heather, here we are.

This is just the start. More to follow when I'm more awake - it's been a long day!