Little Miss Quincy Morgan Arrives!

Tiny Quincy Morgan surprised all by arriving a few weeks early - she is a beautiful newborn and a delight to be around!

I was lucky enough to go to Oregon to meet Little Miss Quincy last week and wanted to share her photos.


Baby Quincy!


Quincy and Grandma Hicks


Carol, Sadie, Grandma Hicks and Quincy!

And now, random photos from my visit to Forest Grove and one of my favorite places on earth - The Oregon Coast!



The Amazing Morgan Kids


Miss Sadie Lou - Surfer Girl


Drake and Chase eating a REAL sand-wich!


Donna and Sadie making Grandma Hicks' Famous White Enchiladas

Happy Mother's Day!

You're the B-E-S-T!!!

An Open Letter to President Obama

President Obama, if you're reading this blog, and I hope that you are, a guy in Florida has some brilliant suggestions for how to fix the economy. I am SERIOUS. These are BRILLIANT ideas. Really. (( Not the least of which is that I will receive $1 million!!!))

There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg Fl. Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: "How Would You Fix the Economy?"
I think this guy nailed it!
_____

Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan":


There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them each $1 million severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes...

Mr. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!

A Little Madness in the Spring . . .

. . . is healthy, even for the King.

Amen, Emily Dickinson! We at of the Kelly Klan are working to validate your words! Here are some favorite shots from St Pats and Easter!!

Happy Springtime Everyone!














Happy Springtime Everyone!

I am Woman,er uh- KATE; Hear Me Roar!!!

I have been too lazy for months now, not keeping up the family blog. As my excuse, fabfrugalfood and everydaysouthwest - my two cooking blogs - take up all my blogging time.

I hereby rededicate myself to happyvalleykellys with this post I stole from Kate.

OK, I know it's cheating. But it was too good to pass up!

Kate Kelly: Feminist Law Student / Theme Party Planner Extraordinaire!



Here are Kate's reasons she loves being a woman:

1. We are our conversations.
A conversation can be THE activity.
Said conversation can last, and last and last...
and if I'm with other women, no one tires of it.

2. We wear skirts. Skirts are really the best clothing item imaginable...
like wearable cupcake paper sleeves that leave your legs so free!

3. We dress up. Dressing up is part of my daily routine
and glitter is a socially acceptable accessory.

4. We cry. Tears communicate so many things. Sadness, joy, empathy.
Sometimes tears are the only adequate reaction,
and I love being able to cry.

5. We are expected to be compassionate.
{if only it were expected of all humans!}

6. We are curious. We learn and grow and do so many things
and are so many roles in one lifetime.

7. We are courageous. So women pursue their path with quiet dignity
willing to be, in the words of Susan B., "anything or nothing in the
estimate of the world..."

8. We sing harmonies. There is really just nothing like the sound
made by two ladies and a guitar.

9. We are divine. In the glorious words of Sojourner Truth,
"Where did your Christ come from?
Where did your Christ come from?
From God and a woman!
Man had nothing to do with Him."

Quit Facebook for GOOD!!

May I highly recommend quitting Facebook. It is EEEe-vil. A tool of the DEVIL!

j/k but, it's nice to be free!

Journalists in History

Jim and I happened upon two exhibits at the "Newseum," a museum in D.C. that is all about history of news. Two exhibits were of great interest because WE WERE A PART OF HISTORY WHEN IT WAS BEING MADE!

I was a part of the "Arizona Project." Journalists from all over the country came to Phoenix to investigate mob activity in Arizona after a Phoenix reporter, Don Bolles, was blown up in his car while he was investigating the mob. (That's me pictured in front of his blown-up car.) We scored a victory for free press! Much corruption was brought to light and there were many indictments and convictions after our investigation.

And, the Newseum has pieces of the Berlin Wall. Jim went there in 1989 when the Wall was being torn down. He went there with a team of journalists to help start the free press in East Germany. Before that time, they only had one government-run newspaper and no outside media was allowed in the country. Jim was there for 6 weeks, and I was at home with FOUR little Kelly kids. I also had to do laundry for the first time in our marriage. Needless to say, everyone got new underwear regularly during those 6 weeks! (That's Jim standing in front of actual pieces of the Berlin Wall.)

Thanksgiving festivities!

Favorite pic from the trip: Lily learning from all of us how to be a couch potato.More picts/details over at {my blog}. {where you will also find some sweet christmas tunes!}

Amy Kelly Welsh's First Quarter Centruy!!!

Wow! News flash: EVERYONE GETS OLD! Even Amy!

Happy Birthday, sweetie! It has been a joy to have you in our family.

Amy has always been a sweetie. One day when she was a preschooler, she came and sat next to her mom and was trying to think of a compliment to give me. She often did that.

She thought for awhile and then said: "Mom, you have such pretty purple designs on your legs!"

We are blessed to have you in our family. For time and for all eternity!

Best Halloween ev-a!

Cap'n Hook & Tink




Apple bobbing


The Funkes


Ninja duo


Dia de los Muertos couple


Halloween fun


Donut on a string game on steroids

NOTE: THE ABOVE PHOTO SELECTION WAS BY KATE. HERE IS DONNA'S COMMENTARY:
Whenever Kate comes to town, we have to brace ourselves for non-stop partying. This was no exception! We had 6 parties in four days. Birthday bash, all-you-can-eat sushi lunch, baby shower, Pumpkin Fest, Halloween party, Cranium Tournament. Seriously, we didn't get to bed until 2 am most nights. Quite a feat for oldsters like us!!!

I LOVE KATE'S BIRTHDAY SEASON! MAY YOU LIVE FOR 100 YEARS!

Good times were had by all!!

Hatty Birthday to KATE!

Mom and Dad dubbed her "Little Miss Binkerton" as a Toddler. Matt just calls her "Big Fat Kate." Whatever you call her, she has always been a delight to have in our family. I mean, seriously, who else would have a hat-themed birthday party?

Fave Kate quotes:

"Mom, I'm not going to eat this even if you spank me."

"We need to have some rules. The first rule is I'm the only one who gets to make the rules."

"It's not very much fun to be naughty!"

Happy Birthday, Kate, and may you live to have 100 more!

What Would Erma Do?

In Honor of Erma - a hero from my youth, and of Race for the Cure (for Breast Cancer) Month. Life wouldn't be bad if all lived life as Erma did. She took what life gave her and she made it enough.

This poem was written by Erma after she found out she was dying of cancer.

Amen, Erma. I look forward to meeting you someday and thanking you in person!


IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

I would have gone to bed when I was sick
instead of pretending the earth would go
into a holding pattern if I weren't
there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle
sculpted like a rose before it melted in
storage.

I would have talked less and listened
more.

I would have invited friends over to
dinner even if the carpet was stained,
or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the
'good' living room and worried much less
about the dirt when someone wanted to
light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to
my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the
responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car
windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had just been teased and
sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my
grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less
while watching television and more while
watching life.

I would never have bought anything just
because it was practical, wouldn't show
soil, or was guaranteed to last a
lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of
pregnancy, I'd have cherished every
moment and realized that the wonderment
growing inside me was the only chance in
life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I
would never have said, 'Later. Now go
get washed up for dinner.' There would
have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm
sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life,
I would seize every minute -look at it
and really see it - live it and never
give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL
STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you,
who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships
we have with those who do love us.

Farewell Miss Lily - until next time!!!

It has been a fabulous, FABULOUS visit with Anne and Lily here for the last two weeks.

She was a busy little toddler - she went and hung out with Brother Brigham at This Is The Place, she splashed at Orem's water park and did a LOT of cooking!!!

She is such a charmer - loves people, and especially babies and other small kids, whom she practically tackled every time she encountered such a creature.

We will miss her little jigs, her squats and her Hulk face.

What will we do here in Happy Valley without her? I guess just keep breathing until the next visit.

Workin' 9 to 5!

That's right. Last night Jake & I went to 9 to 5 the musical. It was pretty great. The only thing that could have made it more glorious was having the REAL Dolly in the show. Alas, it was not her. But, it was an excellent substitute.

So far today, Jake has already seen two more musicals. He went to Chicago this afternoon and just finished going to Hair tonight.

That kid is in music dance theatre heaven.

Sadie's Awesome Baptism

Jake is overjoyed that Sadie is Baptized!!!



The Whole Fam Damily



Grandma Hicks, Sadie and Carol


Thank you Sadie! --- for being baptized so that we could come and visit!!

We wouldn't have missed it for the world!!!!

"My Mom really loves your show!"

That's right. We saw Bobby on the street & chased him down for five blocks to get a pic. Then I said, "My mom really likes your show." I accidentally didn't even pretend that I was a fan. ;)

Tribute to you Mom!

Faces of the Fourth

Mikey - Prize winner of the Utah County Baby Contest!!


Donna and Amy - Camp Chair Cover Rain Bonnets


Matt to Sarah: "C'mon Sarah, you know you LOVE the Jonas Brothers."


Jim trades his Hawaiian Shirt for Patriotic Gear


Pete and Chrizelle - Her 1st Anniversary in the U S of A


"Hey - which way did the parade go?"



Jake is always up for a fabulous costume!

It was mayhem and revelry at the Kelly Compound, as usual, for a Fabulous Fourth! We had amazing seats for the fireworks - courtesy of Pete - right above the stadium. We could even hear and see the "Jo Bros" on the jumbotron!

And, the prize winning Cutest Baby in Utah County joined us (Pete's cousin's baby Mikey).

Fun Times were had by all!