Groneman Family

Of my 6 tomato plants growing in random places around my front and back yard, I only have 1 that is actually growing and it even has a little golf-ball size tomato on it. I pointed it out to Kiera a few days ago (she loves to eat tomatoes) and told her "It is growing on the tomato plant right now. We have to wait until it turns red and then we can eat it". When we went outside today she asked me for her paints. I didn't know why she wanted to paint instead of be outside until she said "paint the tomato red. Eat it!!" Smart girl.

While your mother has been gone, I've had to take my morning walks by myself. I don't like doing that, but I've been dilligent none the less. Here's some facts about my/our morning walks: * Walking 20 minutes can add to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 miserable months in a nursing home at $7000 per month. * An example: My friend's grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60...now he's 97 years old...and they haven't a clue where the heck he is. * Marilyn & I have to walk real early in the morning before our brains have a chance to figure out what we're doing. * Our morning walks is one of the few chances I get these days to hear Marilyn heavy breathing again. * We have to do our morning walks because we once joined a health club, spent $400 and it didn't do a lick of good. Apparently you have to actually go there. * You know I have gotten heavier as I have grown older. That's because so mu...

Back in January, Christa said: " Brigham and I just got home from seeing Will Smith's " 7 Pounds " (you can get free tickets by signing up for a free trial of something on Fandango), and all I can say is that it's the best show we've seen in a long time. Definitely worth your time. " and now I see why. It's a very interesting movie and for the first half of it I was baffled...nothing made sense to me. At the end of the movie everything was brought together and though about half way through the movie I began to suspect the ending, it was still powerful.

Today (April 29) from 5-10 PM, Baskin Robbins is selling their ice cream for only 31 cents per scoop!! http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Spotlight/31CentScoopNight.aspx

You guys probably know this already, but in case you don't: If you get a phone call about the warranty on your car is about to expire, hang up. It's a scam. We get them ALL the time even though we're on the do not call list. Phone, mail, the auto warranty expiring thing is all a scam to get your money. The first thing they ask is the make/model of your car. Tell them they called you so they should know....then hang up.

So a couple of days before Mom got here, we were eating lunch one day, and out of the blue Benjamin said, "If I ate someone, I don't think I would like the fingernails and teeth." I was slightly concerned and asked, "Are you thinking about eating someone?" Benjamin answered, "No-- but if I did, I don't think the fingernails and teeth would taste very good." To all visitors: be warned. I'd stay on Benjamin's good side if I were you.

time for the Nelson weekly update: Yesterday there was a knock at the door and it was my next door neighbor(wife of an ER doc with 1 child in college). She had arms loaded with "easter gifts" for my girls. There was at least $250 worth of clothing toys, etc. Kiera was particularly excited about the red dress, matching hat, sunglasses, purse (complete with money, a brush and chapstick inside), 2 pair red shoes.... and the list goes on and on. I guess it pays off to be nice to your neighbors even if there dog who is 5 feet from your bedroom window barks at night. Lydia is officially scooting around on her tummy now...and getting into things. She enjoys unloading anything that she can get ahold of. She has get to figure out how to sit up from a laying position so there are many things she can't reach, but it is just a matter of time. Kiera was super excited about her new red attire. She loves red. Oh, something new that she has been doing is hiding steve's shoes ...

I can't think of any more apt punishment for making me wear a tux for your wedding than having your mother in law have to live at your house for a month (or more). HA! Take that!

Get into the Christmas mood by watching snow falling this morning on Grandmas Flowers in THIS VIDEO . Amazing how we went from snow to 85 degrees then back to snow. I love the diverse weather. I just wish the snow was during the weekdays and the warm was on the weekends. (FYI it's snowing harder out there since I've uploaded the video)

You all know about Jacobs great abilities to get around the problems of a child-proof doorknob. That is history. But in a great effort to overcome Jacob's ability to take off pants and a dirty diaper then used to fingerprint with...Christa has purchased an arsenal of bib overalls, pants and shorts varietys for summertime. Some of these weapons actually come with a loop sewed on the top of the shirt for the shoulderstraps to thread through, so it is impossible for him to get them off! Finally !!! Victory was in sight!!! I say WAS because, we are dealing with Jacob here. Yes, he managed to take his dirty diaper off yesterday while leaving the clothes completely on! He was in the shorts variety of weapon at the time, so he simply reached up inside the leg, unfastened the diaper, and pulled it out...and you already know the rest of the story! And then there is the story of "TY THE TERRIBLE!" Christa actually said she was telling him if he didn't learn to be good, s...

I can't believe these suers are coming out of the sewer. Here's yet ANOTHER family who is suing the police because her daughter was killed in a police chase. I've got an idea...let's tell the police to not chase criminals because there is NO WAY it is the person that was being chased fault. Stopping police from chasin criminals will do a lot to help our society by keeping it safer.

There are now two large bottles of crunchy peanut butter in the house. Everyone can relax.

Yesterday, Brett & Katie & Dad came over for dinner and some fun. Dad bought us Charlie Boy's BBQ (yummmm), and then we parted ways for a while. Dad and Emmy opted to stay home (since Emmy's bedtime was approaching), while the rest of us took some frisbees and played disc golf at a nearby course. I don't think we kept score, but Erica and Katie probably won. We played for about 90 minutes, and came back. Emmy had been put to bed just a few minutes before (which was her bedtime), so we talked for a few more minutes, and then all of us parted ways. Thanks Dad for watching Emmy and bringing dinner! It was fun to see everyone, and it was good to get out for a bit without worrying about Emmy being away from her crib.

Yesterday the police were chasing two known gang members, both with extensive crimial backgrounds and they had just committed a robbery. The chase was getting dangerous so the police called it off and a minute later the gang members ran a red light and killed a kid just waiting for his mission call and his roommate who was in college going into law inforcement. The parents of the kids killed say they don't blame anyone and forgive. The parents of BOTH the gang members are holding press conferences blaming the police for the death of the two boys. Here's the story. A couple of days before that a family in Santiquin called police because a family member had a shotgun and was shooting. Police came at their request and tried to talk to the man. He aimed the shotgun at them and they told him 6 times to put it down. He didn't. They shot him. Now the family blames the police for killing him. Here's the story . No wonder some of these folks are bad....their families do...

This video is REALLY worth watching...clear to the end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4uG2kSdd-4

Talk about a black raincloud! The unthinkable has happened. I dunno how, but it makes everyone else's problems pale in comparison. I went to the basement this morning and what did I find? I found that we were out of crunchy peanut butter! Horror of horrors! I broke out into a sweat. We did have one jar of creamy so it's not a total disaster but I just can't believe this happened to me today! I'm going to be nervous all day long until I can get over to Walmart this afternoon and remedy the situation. BTW, on an unrelated note, but a milestone of spring that shouldn't go by unnoticed, I left the windows in the house open all night and didn't even bother closing them this morning as it isn't even slightly cold in this house.

Emmy is so cute! SEE PICTURES HERE

It seems that for me, most of the time, life rolls along with things that you use working like they should, without any hitches or hangups. Then you roll into a spell where things seem to fall apart! Well, I am in the apart phase. I had a dental a few days before I came to Albuquerque, standard stuff. I had changed dentists because the one I have been using for likely the last 6 years doesn't hire a hygienist, and my teeth always still felt like they needed to be cleaned when he was done. Sloppy at best...reminded me of the pathetic British Dentist we went to 1 time and he had finished all our our 6 checkups in 15 minutes (seriously). Well, turns out that wasn't the only thing that dentist was sloppy on. I have 3 crowns, one of which had been in pain for over 5 years, that had to be replaced (I thought the pain was from a bad job done by 2 dentists ago, because it started shortly after getting my 2 new bridges). Anyway, the newest dentist, removed the old crowns, got rid of the...

· Since a lot of people die of natural causes should I be concerned about eating natural foods? · Everyone is dying. Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die and health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing. · Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder and/or a cell phone camera these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to? · Personally, whenever I feel blue, I just start breathing again which usually takes care of it. · All of us could take a lesson from the weather and I wished I would have learned this earlier in life. Weather pays no attention whatsoever to criticism. · In the 60s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal. · How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire? · I wonder who the first person was to look at a cow and say, 'I think I'll squeeze these dangly things and d...

I'm cooking dinner for Marilyn. Anyone in town and interested in joining us on Mother's Day ? Yea, I know married couples have two mothers to celebrate that day but you have to eat somewhere! - UPDATE: A few days ago there was a foot of snow on the ground. Today I mowed the lawn and turned on the sprinkler system. Ah....Springtime in Utah!

Knowing that today's not your un-birthday, we decided to offer you our support today. Have a fantastic day!

Just when you think we may have actually fallen off the planet, I prove otherwise. Without Mom here it may have been several more months before I felt that I had enough time for something like this, so thanks, Mom! Brigham: has just finished taking step 3 of the boards. Whew! Christa: feels a little more human, thanks to Mom. Is still struggling to get back into shape and her pre-pregnancy pants. Managed to break Brigham's big screen TV today while trying to save his life. Benjamin: finished off the soccer season last Saturday, taking pride in the fact that his team didn't loose all their games-- they did win one 3 weeks ago. Had his eyes checked for the first time today and is excited to wear the glasses that his parents were shocked to discover that he needs Jacob: is recovering from his nasty sickness. Is still determined to join a nudist colony and chew through all electrical cords in the house.! Ty: will be 3 months old on Friday! Is very cute and smiley, and has be...

To celebrate Brighams finishing the boards last Saturday, we celebrated by making and eating home made Pizza and watching a movie (Bedtime Stories-which was cute, even if the star of the movie is a guy that Kim and I don't like usually in movies)...and then we played a game of "Ticket to ride". The first probably 1/3 of the game, Brigham was just drawing cards because he was trying to get Ty to sleep at the same time, so when he put Ty down and got into the game, he said,"whoa, I am no threat in this game...this hand is a mess!" I responded that I was sure there was a way he would win it anyway, and he did! (Mother's are always right, ladies???). But I was a close second place. Brigham was like 138 to my 136 (not the right score, but I was only 2 points behind-which is a real thill for me!

I was invited out to dinner. Had some nice Italian chicken (funny, it looked the same as American chicken and didn't go down with an accent....), carrots/peas, garlic bread, and a fruit slush drink. I got to play with Emmy who was all smiles...what a cute kid! She went to bed and the three of us "adults" played Seafarers of Catan. Everyone thought Chad was gonna win, but I squeeked it out at the last minute by stealing longest road from Chad and winning. ALL HAIL WINNER DAD! It was really a nice evening. We're going to get together with the Gronemans and the Gronemans this Friday in Springville (so Emmy can sleep) and do frisbee golf.

Some of the aprons I made a while back (ok Kiera isn't quiet big enough...) Lydia eyeing her daddy's food Lydia demonstrating new standing skills next to Kiera's new "big girl bed" Kiera wanting me to come outside and watch her ride her tricycle Potty training fun (before I threw the little potty into the flowerbed)

Emmy's been eyeing the food we eat and smacking her lips, and chewing on anything she can get her hands on (Especially her fingers!). So, we decided to try her out on some cereal. The baby cereal box said for the first time to mix it such that it's really liquidy... you can't even tell it's cereal. Anyway, below is Emmy's first experience with Cereal. We apologize for the poor sound quality... sound deteriorated in the video conversion. (Video Removed)

I've surrounded our house with killer tomato plants. Two by the south outside stairs (early girl & big beef), one near the NorthWest corner of the house (early girl), one in the middle of the trampoline pit (early girl), and one near the north-back fence, by the pine tree (early girl). That should keep me safe until Marilyn gets home while I'm [sob] all alone [sob]. Well, that and the red jello I spread all over the floor. Imagine, a foot of snow, then two days later planting tomatoes in my shorts/T-shirt and turning on the sprinkling system.

Kiera is 100% in "tinkling" in her potty for 5 days now (except at night). I'd say potty training is done. I do have to say though that the transition from little potty to big potty was difficult (it didn’t help that Lydia was sick either). She would tinkle a tiny bit and then ask to go again 5-10 mins later all day long! Finally I was trying to make dinner and after being interrupted twice by her asking me to go (meanwhile my sick little Lydia cries hard when I leave the room with Kiera and if I bring her with she rolls around our nasty bathroom floor). So she came up and asked again “tinkles, mommy!” So I broke down and busted out the little potty and put her in front of the TV on it. I then picked up Lydia and nursed the poor little thing to sleep. Kiera tinkled quite and bit and was quite pleased with her self and pulled out the tray beneath the potty that holds the tinkles before I could stop her (I don’t run very fast when I’m holding a sleeping baby). Of cour...

I haven't posted on here for a lil' while now. I'm supposed to be writing a paper. My one assignment I have left for the nursing program... and I'm putting it off. Why? 'Cause I don't wanna homework! That's why! So Katie and I are in life transition mode right now in lots of ways. We're moving in less than a month, and are slowly packing up things and taking them home. It'll be a much more active project once school gets out and our trip to Oregon in May is over. We're flying away to Oregon for Wendy Young's wedding -- for those of you who remember Wendy. Katie's done with her student teaching, so she's looking for and applying for jobs teaching at the high schools around here, and at UVSCiversity. P.S., It's fun to brag about my wife to people -- like today, someone asked me at clinicals about her, and was very impressed that my wife was about to get her master's degree. And then I told them about how she's only...

Shortly after Ty was born, they discovered a large (orange size) cyst on one of Christa's ovaries. They said that sometimes the hormones from pregancy cause them so that they would watch it and in 3 months or so if it was still there, they would have to do surgery to remove it. Well, she went in during the last week and they checked for it, and it has shrunk down on it's own so they don't have to remove it. When Christa reported this news to Brigham, she expressed her disappointment that she won't need to have surgery after all! When he asked why, she said "Because I won't have all that recovery time to sleep!" So, Brigham has decided to schedule Christa for surgery after all! Not really, by she's going to get that recovery time she craves so much anyway! What a gallant husband!! (I don't get up with Ty in the night-time, CK does that. I just try to take over as much as I can do during the day). Currently, Brigham is taking the boards. 9...

Marilyn wanted me to post this video . I've seen this on the news, on the internet and many people are talking about it. It makes me sad that this has happened actually. If this woman was young and pretty, nobody would be talking about it. Yes, it was a great performance but there are many, many great performers out there that don't get this type of attention. Why? Because people took one look at her and set their expectations before hearing her. That's sad. Good for her though. Good for her.

Count your lucky stars that you are not all potty training a 2 year old right now. ARRRRGGGGG!!!!!!! I'm going to have to clean the carpets after this is all said and done.

I've been waiting for Brett to post this here, but he hasn't so I will. This is from the Daily Universe during conference. Brettsker posted this on facebook which is where I shamelessly stole it from, though I did see it later on the KSL website. If you haven't seen it before, read it carefully.

Almost 2 inches of rain in Cedar Hills before it started to snow...and it snowed all afternoon. (click on this picture) The pond by the city center has at least 10 feet of water in it. It's supposed to be colder tomorrow and snow all night tonight and tomorrow, ending Friday. It should be around 70 degrees by Monday. Gretchen Wilcox is out shoveling snow off her pool deck (??). Can I just say I miss my sweetheart? UPDATE: About a foot of new snow this morning and it's still snowing! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!!!!!! Hard to believe it's supposed to be in the 70's by next week.

When Brett was a baby, I decided that rather than sing him typical lullabys (which one has to wonder about anyway: "When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall and down will come cradle, baby and all...") . I decided that a better alternative song would be one that has good meaning, so I sang him, "I am a child of God" and "Families Can Be Together Forever". He could sing them both, perfectly by the time he was 2, even though he couldn't string more than 3 words together at a time if he was speaking. It was very cute. I have discovered that baby Ty likes to be sung to, and as we usually pace the floor bouncing to get him to sleep, it is a good time to sing a soothing song, so I have been singing Brett's baby songs, and a few other primary songs. It is SO cute! While drinking from his bottle, he will look up and smile a huge smile that just takes over his face, and he will often try to sing along with me while doing it (kind of a cooing sound that r...

You've probably heard in the news of a "conflicker" virus. Here's an **easy** test to make sure your computer isn't infected .

You will appreciate THIS more if you lived in England

Now THAT is the way to save hostages. (Saves on jail and legal fees too). The French could learn a lesson.

Easter was celebrated mostly on saturday since we have 9am church. Kiera liked the fishy crackers and fruit loops but wouldn't touch the candy other than the dum-dum(which she shared with Lydia). Kiera had to empty the contents of each egg before moving on to find the next. Kiera was especially excited to wear her "princess blankie dress" (it is pink satin just like her beloved blankie).

Most of you are probably aware of the Pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia for the past few years. A U.S. based cargo ship was recently attacked, and the captain is being held hostage. The U.S. Navy rushed to the scene, and Secretary of State Clinton called "for world action" against the Pirates. So presumably our Navy hasn't gone out for a coffee break or something, and they're still watching the pirates. Watching? Where are they when the hostage escapes but is re-captured by the pirates??? If the Navy is there when he escapes, and our government is calling for action, shouldn't our Navy be able to sink the pirate vessel, or at least place themselves between the pirates and the escaped hostage??? Meanwhile, the french (yes, the FRENCH) mount a rescue attempt against other Somali pirates that have captured a French yacht, and succeed in rescuing four people, including a child . One hostage died during the rescue... but still... the FRENCH? It's not ...

So usually Marilyn has some sort of treat or another around here for after dinner. An 8 year old summer sausage doesn't cut it so I decided to make myself a German Chocolate Cake last night. Read the instructions: Cake mix, water, & oil. How boring. I decided to make it Cake mix, yoghurt, and fresh strawberries instead. Highly recommended. Good, moist chocoberry cake...and I'll also have to give a thumbs up to Pillsbury coconut/pecan frosting. I'm freezing half of it. Come taste some. Mmmmmm.

Cute little Ty is so much fun to hold! And he gives the cutest little smiles that one can hardly beleive he is on a mission to keep his mother from sleeping! Afterall, he LOOKS so very innocent, that the casual onlooker would scarcely believe his deceiving behaviors! Christa got Ty to laugh for the first time. It is very cute! Poor Brigham is sick. He has a fever and had to miss work today...It is noon now, and I haven't heard of seen him...still catching up on much sleep deprivation I am sure. Who knows, with all the backlash of little sleep and being sick, he might just sleep through the day and night! And good for him...I am happy he is catching up. Christa is gone to a Dr appt, the boys are in school, so it is just the little Tiger and me hanging out! Most of the time, if you put him down for his nap, he will be awake and unhappy about it in 10 minutes, so I am doing a lot of reading while holding him...I brought my geneology to work on, so I am hoping to get one of those...

I'm proud today to be mostly of Danish ancestory. READ HERE about the device that will change the world...and to think, I've already got most of the needed equipment!

Weight: 15 lb. 7 oz (85.5%) Length: 26.3 in. (98.1%) Head Circumference: 16.8 in. (88.96%) No wonder she's wearing the 6-9 month clothes! :) She was a trooper getting her shots too. We love our little girl!

....to my wife down in Albuturkey. I miss you.....it's no fun bumping around the house alone and sleeping in that big bed by myself. I was SO relieved when you called to say you made it. I hate it when you make that drive by yourself. (And you've done it a lot) I'm glad I've got Walmart within walking distance to get me some good food to eat. Oh yea, Cambrie left a message on the phone about the dress. You pro'ly should give her a ring. Oh yea, and just so everyone knows. "Great Value" and "Western Family" lunch meat tastes close enough to Spam to be worthwhile.

To the 2-foot nasty brown snake in my backyard: Go away. You are ugly and not wanted. Just because we don't mow our grass often enough doesn't mean I want my back yard to be a snake habitat. To the cat who has been hunting/playing with the snake for the past month: Just kill the darn thing and stop playing with your food!

Buff left 5 little shampoo containers in our bathroom. Want me to ship them down there?

Just rummaging through the pantry for lunch and I came across a Summer Sausage. Expiration date June 2003 . So.....whaddaya think....should I eat it?

Yesterday, I had 3 crowns removed (mouth, people) and replaced with temporaries. The teeth all had cavities in them where the gums had receded below the crowns. It took nearly 2 hours to get it all done...and I had a very sore jaw for quite a while, but that isn't my point here. So this morning I woke up to something that felt just like one of those cotton rolls they put in your mouth to keep your flesh away from where they are working. I thought, "how strange that they left a roll in there without my noticing it all day yesterday!" But when I pulled it out, it was my earplug! I REALLY don't know just how that got in there...unless I was assisting the dentist in my dreams... Yesterday also, Kim took the Prius in to get it inspected and get the oil changed for my trip to New Mexico today. Problem was, they had a new person working on it that didn't know what he was doing, and he drained the antifreeze and they weren't even sure what it was....nor what t...

Click on it for a gorgeous view

Steve: Back in school, studying for boards. Busy busy busy. Me: Just finished a semester of school. Getting ready for my LAST SEMESTER of schooling before I graduate in July. I am just beginning my training for my half marathon I'm doing June 6th. I earned $200 this week by being a lab rat. I'm looking into participating in a study that pays $1500 (I hear it is painful though). Kiera: Potty training is failing. She knows whens he has to go but is afraid of going on the potty. Lydia: is developing quite the littler personality and boy is she opinionated and independent! She rolls around to get where she wants to go and she finds all sorts of things to investigate. She protests LOUDLY if you take something away. She likes to eat papers. She is very independent in her playing. She does not want to be picked up when she is busy playing with her stuff or exploring.

Emmy came to visit and we had fun. What a happy little girl today! Cuter'n a bug's ear. I got her to laugh a couple of times and smile a lot when I ate her cheeks. Erica skunked us royally in a game of Settlers! >:-| French Toast & sausage for breakfast, pizza for lunch and Gingis Kan for dinner (pop). Buff was here the whole time and Brett/Katie showed up for a little while. Benjamin, I played Wii with these folks for a while but they aren't nearly as good as you are. Snow and sunshine most of the day. I built a fire. ONLY 264 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Just curious if you can bring home another bottle of shampoo Buff. The 11 bottles already in your bathtub are feeling kind of lonely!

Talk about a whirlwind trip. Marilyn & Buff picked up the Dastrup family from the airport yesterday. We played with the boys while parents went to visit Dastrups (Brigham's Grandma's funeral for anyone that has been living under a rock). This morning they packed up and left to stay at the Dastrup house for the funeral and activities surrounding that. They fly back tomorrow morning. An EXCLUSIVE you won't hear on any other station: Marilyn will be traveling back to Albuturkey early next week to see if she can give any assistance while Ty is being a scoundrel. Dunno how long she'll be gone. I got my share of Wii last night & this AM. Olympics to be specific. Benjamin is good! Buff is still here to keep us old folks company and we'll just be hanging out tonight. She'll be getting her back scratched all through conference the next couple of days. Anyone up for Friday or Saturday afternoon/evening games and I'll splurge on the take out food?

http://www.brainbashers.com/common.asp 533 Breanna Groneman 1 1 1 1 6 5 1 1 1 1 636 Kim Groneman 1 1 3 2 1 6 2 1 3 2 1118 Brett Groneman 2 1 16 3 1 2 1 2 4 1 1511 Chad Groneman 1 1 16 2 1 1 1 UR 4 1 2507 Christa Dastrup 4 1 1 4 4 4 1 18 11 1 What a pathetic showing of the Groneman clan! If Christa has time to do it, so do YOU. Enter the April contest at the above link.

The Dastrups just called and announced that Brigham has already landed a contract at UVRMC when he is done with his residency!!! YAAAAAAYYYY! for us! And Cambrie has decided that with the rest of the family living in Utah Valley, that they will also move here when Steve is done! PARTY ON FAMILY!!! How many of you bought that??? APRIL FOOLS!! (Sorry honey!) But we have a moment for truth here: Brigham's Grandma Holdaway died (the one that buried her husband 3 weeks ago) and so they will be arriving here Thursday after noon, and flying back on Saturday at 5 pm. A bit of a rushed trip. I invited Christa to stay longer with the boys so I could give her some help and much needed sleep, but evidently, (if I am reading this itinery right) she wants to head on home....and so, if anyone wants to see them, sounds like the window of opportunity will be very narrow, beings that most of that time they will likely be with Dastrups, as they ARE coming for a funeral. BJ is here, and tonight ...