Great News!!!

Well, it's me again (it's only been a year)

I have great news. I'm going to be a grandma again (x4)!!! Who you ask???

Kurt is engaged to a darling girl (Elicia). (Kim roomed with her in Cedar and introduced them) She has 4 children. Eva and Estelle (2), Eli (7), and EJ (9).

Wow, Kurt's acting like a real dad. They are planning a Dec. wedding (I will keep you posted, well maybe, you know how I blog)

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!

I know it's been ages since I last blogged but I just have to do some bragging. With five boys, three grandsons and one grandaughter it is about time to add another girl to the family.

Yea!!! We did!!! Kim and Cory had another girl Wednesday. Her name is

Preslie Jill Carroll.
You have to agree she is the cutiest thing on earth. She weighed 7 lbs 4 oz.

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE???

Wow, I finally got into the latest blogs from family and friends, looked at mine and realized it has been ages since I updated.
Tons of things have happened since my last blog. Our computer broke down (main reason), our camera broke (no pictures to share), and finally I'm a terrible procrastinator. I remember my Cavettes (drill team in high school) instructor told me I was always a day late and a dollar short. Obviously it traumatized me but didn't change me at all.

FUN THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE MY LAST BLOG
We went back to Oceanside, CA. That has to be my favorite place in the whole world.
Our first stop was Las Vagas, I love the Balgio, the inside gardens are to die for and the water fountain show is unbelievable, we sat and watched till Brett was sick of it and headed back to the motel. We had to wait and see if ROCK CONTEST PARTY ON was still one of the shows. The rock contest started when we were there years ago. We loved the music being played but couldn't understand the words. One of the great opera singers (I can't remember his name) was singing in french I think. Kurt said he was singing Rock Contest Party On and we've called it that ever since. (If you know who and what the song really says let me know) it really does sound like that. We decided to stay for one more show and Yea! they played it. Oh, I almost forgot, I talked LaMar and Brett to going to Phantom. Wow!!! says it all.
The ocean is so fun (especially to watch my boys, daughter-in-laws, and grand kids). It was a bit chilly and foggy at times but we decided to go anyway (Cory was scheduled for training in San Diego, which was cancelled, but we had made plans we couldn't change so we went anyway). Layne, who is living in Fresno, met up with us on the beach, it was so good to see him again. (I think he'll be moving back the end of Sept.) Yea!!!
We hit Disneyland again. I really wanted to ride the big kid rides this time. Poor LaMar, after only the first two rides, (space mountain and star tours) threw up in one of those covered garbage cans (I could have made a million on funniest home videos if I'd only had a picture). Bummer!!!











Just a quick update on the rest of the months.
Four-wheeling with Jerry & Ellen, and Terry& Lil. I really miss them. We met them years ago in Wyoming. It's tradition that we always spend new years with them, occasionally we'll vacation with them (Alaska cruise, Lake Powell, Park City) We miss not seeing more of them, but we all seem to be so busy with family and work that it just doesn't happen enough. (LOVE YOU GUYS)
A Saturday with Lynda and Dennis at the cabin, in Fairview canyon, finishing up some electrical (I even helped). It sure is beautiful up there, the wild flowers were gorgeous and the lakes were full of fishermen and fisherwomen, it surprised me how many women were fishing with no men around.


Fourth of July. Great fun at the parade, cloggers entertaining in the park, traditional navajo tacos in the park, wipeout in the back yard (also called a water party contest), and fire works at the rodeo grounds.
I've been working alot. We're all getting a bit older and forgetting alot and goofing up alot more. Michelle decided to start a Scarecrow Club, our motto is (IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN) to be repeated at the first of every club. The problem is we can't remember when we said we were going to start it. Two of my friends at Zions are going through some tough times. Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer and Julie broke her knee cap in half. I love you guys, get well soon!!!
Well, I guess I've told you all of my exciting times since the last post. Hopefully it won't take me quite as long to get on the stick this time. But don't forget, I'm always a day late and a dollar short.

I'm going to add a few more pix, but I can't find them on the new computer, so I decided to publish this anyway, otherwise I probably never would.








BIRTHDAYS SINCE MY LAST BLOG (wow, it really has been a long time)

KURT (April 23)





MARY (April 28)





DAD (May 29)

THE BEST DAD IN THE WHOLE WORLD. LOVE YOU DAD!!!

LAYNE (June 1)





BRODY (July 9)

Finally a NEW POST

My sister's been bugging me about not getting anything new on my blog, so here goes. I didn't realize that it has been since NewYears that I last posted anything, so I guess it's about time.

The family is all well, Mary cut her hair really short, it's cute, Justin is still working alot of extra hours, Cory and Kim can't hardly wait to get their boat out on the res. Where is spring anyway??? Kurt and Shay stay busy, Kurt loves to play baseball (even in the rain and snow). Layne is still in California working for his friend Dave, they're thinking about moving back to Utah, maybe St. George (it's just too far home for a quick trip). Brett is loving college, I think he finally found what he really wants to do (digital media). He can work with music, which is his favorite thing to do. A friend posted him playing on UTUBE. You should check it out. He's really talented on the guitar. Find him at (brett carroll guitar) search (worst guitar playing evar).

LaMar and I have been taking a few trips. We're really getting into four-wheeling, we have alot of friends (most of them I work with) and we have a lot of laughs with them. I'm posting a few pictures. We've been to Mesquite, got pulled over by a cop and told we were facing a 4500.00 fine and our 4-wheelers confiscated, we were on the side of a state highway. He finally loosen up and asked (don't any of you work?) He told us it was just lucky a state trooper didn't get us. He had us (well some of us) a little nervous. We were ready to turn around and go back but it would have been after dark when we got back to our trucks. The cop said it would be like swimming the English Channel 3/4 of the way and turning back. So he turned his lights on, stopped traffic and got us across the road, how embarrassing! But fun to tell the story! Oh, I won 350.00 on a slot machine. LaMar made me make the maximum bet on a quarter slot (I usually play nickel or penny slots, the money last longer) Ya Hoo!!!

Next trip was to Kanab, we had some really great weather till we headed home, all a little sunburned. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Linda took me to St George, we did alot of sewing and shopping and eating, it was great! Thanks Linda! She also let me stay in their condo when I went down for Clogging Competition. Yes, I'm still doing a little of it, just one team. And yes I'm too old to be doing it. The team took second place, they did really good (should have been first).

Well enjoy the pictures.

It's your turn Lynda!!!

WARRIOR'S WALK

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you had a great Christmas, we sure did. Brett, Layne, Kurt and Shay spent Christmas Eve with us and the rest of the family showed up Christmas day. We had a big Christmas dinner (including the traditional orange rolls). We played new Christmas games and put together the always popular Christmas Eve puzzle, played ping pong on the new table the kids gave us, and just totally enjoyed each others company.

JUSTIN, MARY, KAYDEN AND BRODY

BRODY LOVES HIS NEW TOOL SET

(SANTA DIDN'T BRING THEM TO HIM, LIGHTENING MCQUEEN DID)

WALKER WAS SO EXCITED, HE HAD A BIGGER PRESENT
THAN ANYONE ELSE AT GRANDMA JILL'S HOUSE

ISN'T IS STRANGE THAT WE GET TONS OF PICTURES OF THE LITTLE ONES AND DON'T SEEM TO GET ENOUGH OF THE BIG KIDS (SORRY, I'LL TAKE SOME MORE AND ADD THEM LATER)

WE GAVE MEG A FEW NEW BOWS (IMAGINE THAT)

We spent the day after Christmas doing a little 4-wheeling, sledding, pulling snowboarders behind the 4-wheeler, and skeet shooting. It sure was cold!!! I spent quite a bit of time keeping the truck warm.

KURT AND SHAY

BRETT (HE TRIED GOING OUT ON THE ICE,

IT WAS LUCKY HE DIDN'T GET WET, IT WAS CRACKING)

I WAS HAVING SO MUCH FUN WATCHING BRETT THAT I RAN INTO A BUSH

FACE PLANT

THAT REALLY IS BRETT UNDER THE SNOW

I made quite a few new year's resolutions and haven't kept even one yet. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

MY SECOND POST (October - November)

Well, not much has happened since my last post. Take that back! Layne's moved to California (Fresno) against my wishes. It's like sending a son on a mission again except I don't know if he'll ever come back. I sure don't hear much from him (hint, hint, Layne!) he must be having a good time. He moved there with four of his good friends and they rent a really cute house with a pool. He may never come home.
I'm back to driving the blue van, you didn't think it was still alive, did you? Actually, Layne didn't think it would make it to California, neither did we. Brett's car died right after Layne left and needs a new engine. So we're revamping the van and Brett has my car, something seems wrong with this picture. I don't think old blue will ever go away!!!
Brett's trying to get back into school, he wants to go into digital media, I think he may have found something he really has a passion for. His friend Jared (just back from his mission) is moving in with him, he's the drummer from their old band, (my friend Cindy's son). I'm sure they'll have some fun times together. They're already trying to find a place to set up the drums and electric guitars.
The other boys are doing great, Cory and Kim have a cute blog so I'm not posting many pictures of the grandkids, look on hers. They are in Denver right now (Cory had some schooling to go to and Kim went along, they got to go to the college football game). LaMar and I have been tending Walker and Meg. They're so fun.
Kurt & Shay just got back from a week at Disneyland with friends, he works at an accounting firm in SLC and Shay works for a dentist in Orem.
Justin works for a computer company (NYC based) at home with two cute cute boys (Kayden and Brody) Mary works part time at the hospital. We miss not seeing them more often. Justin really likes being home and able to spend so much time with them. The drive from Eagle Mtn. is sometimes almost impossible so he's really happy not to have to travel to work.
Hopefully, we'll soon have some more family pictures to post. We had some done for mom & dad's 60 wedding anniversary.
Your up to date on the Carroll Clan, it's sure fun finding family and friends blogging, keep it up.

Mom and Dad, don't they look great!!!

MY FIRST POST

Well, I'm new at this. I more or less want to keep a record of everything, well almost everything, well maybe just a few highlights in life of Jill, Grandma Jill, or my favorite name, mom. This year has been fun. With 5 boys, 3 daughter-in-laws, and 4 grandchildren, every outing with them is busy, active, sometimes stressful, but always great fun!!!

So far this year we took the best vacation ever, we rented a beachhouse, (right on the beach). We built sandcastles, visited Mickey, Seaworld, the Zoo, Lajolla with the seals, boggie boarded, surfed, body surfed, jumped waves, etc.etc.etc. SO MUCH FUN! We all almost cried when we had to leave. Here are a few highlights.

Home Sweet Home (for a week anyway)

Boogie-ing with Justin

Surf's up for Cory

At the Zoo (are they really looking at animals)

Layne has always loved making castles.

The nighttime view from our balcony!!!

LaMar, looking macho!

Some other, not quite so elaborate favorite things we did this year. Hunting deer, 4-wheeling with friends, easter at mom and dads, boating in Cory's new boat on the res, and July 4th in the back yard. And how could I forget a 21, yes 21, did I say 21, oh yes I did say 21 mile hike though Buckskin Gulch (a beautiful slot canyon). I made it!! Only fell down once!!!

Buckskin Gulch

(did I tell you I hiked 21 miles, actually you couldn't get out once you were in)

4 Wheeling with friends (THE GALS)

THE GUYS


THE RAIN WAS EVEN KINDA FUN!!!

THE LEAVES WERE BEAUTIFUL!!!