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!

Perry Would Be Proud!

This Just In:

KATE MADE LAW REVIEW!!!

Kate called last night with the good news - she is one of the elite few (top 1 per cent?) of her law school class.

Maybe they factored in the fact that Kate is so dedicated to the law that she missed a FREE trip to Hawaii to stay home and compete to get in to law review. Or maybe they needed a token vegetarian Mormon girl. . .

Or, just maybe, her great love to argue won the day??? Those many rousing debates at the Kelly kitchen table have paid off!!!!

Congrats, Kate - I'm sure those Wall Street law firms will be beating down your door to hire you!

'Aloha' times were had by all!!!

Surf's Up!!!

It was another fun adventure for the Kelly family record books. We had a fabulous time on Oahu - all the favorite Kelly activities - PCC - Hanama Bay snorkelling - Aloha Stadium Polynesian Swap Meet - Waikiki - Shrimp Shack lunches - body surfing at Sunset Beach - Pearl Harbor - BYU-H and the Temple - - -

We added a few new adventures: Amy and Chris went scuba-ing, Jake got to sky dive, and the fabulous stay at Ko'Olina resort. Free! Woooo Hoooo!!!!



Waimea Falls



Hiding from T-Rexes on the "Jurassic Park" set



Tahitians Gone Wild



Happy Birthday Cousin Nick!



"Here Fishy Fishy!!!" Koi Feeding at Dole Plantation




Kamehameha Matt - IZ has met his match!



Beach Blanket Bingo Queen and the Fit-Over King

JOIN US NEXT TIME, WON'T YOU?!?!?!

Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed

I have so many fond memories of Mother's Day Breakfasts, I decided to share my wisdom for all future generations on how to make breakfast once a year on Mom's Special Day! (A collaboration mostly by Anne - also posted on fabfrugalfood!)

Okay, kids, here’s how to make Mom the traditional breakfast-in-bed!

First let’s make some eggs. Take the carton out of the fridge. Mop up the ones that fell onto the floor with a dishtowel (make sure you leave the eggy dishtowel on the counter). Crack one egg into a frying pan, then turn the burner on, up as high as possible. Wait for it to stick like glue to the bottom of the pan. Scrape it out into the sink and start over, adding half a stick of butter this time. Success! Transfer the egg to a plate, being careful to preserve the jiggly whites surrounding the raw yolk (the burnt bottom should help). Don’t forget to season! About a tablespoon of salt should be enough. And, you know how much mom likes pepper - so unscrew the cap from the pepper shaker and pour on some pepper.

Next, let’s add some oatmeal. It’s like cereal, only hot, right? So take the canister out of the cupboard and pour some in a bowl, filling it up almost all the way, and then add some milk, just like cereal. Microwave it for 2 minutes. It’s still not soft, so try another 2 minutes. And another. Go ahead and do it for 10 minutes, then. Remove the bowl from the microwave and wipe out the microwave with that same dishtowel you used for the eggs, and try to get most of the boiled-over oats off the side of the bowl. There’s still about half the oats left in the bowl, so add some more milk to fill it the rest of the way. Top with enough pancake syrup to form a glaze over the top.

Toast is easy. Just keep pressing the lever back down when the bread pops up! Repeat until the smoke alarm goes off. If it looks too black, just pour lots of jam on top.

And, remember how mom likes us to eat healthy things? Add a few carrots - she’ll love that!

Finally, pile all your items on the tray, wrapping up a spoon and a fork and a steak knife in a paper napkin. Take the dandelions you picked yesterday out of your pocket and fill a jar with some water, and place the dandelions inside.

Be careful walking up the stairs with the tray! Always stop to pick up each item as you go - ’cause Mom hates to waste things! And make sure to tell Mom she doesn’t have to clean up the kitchen for a whole hour. It’s her special day!

Mom will be so happy that she will cry and give you lots of hugs and kisses, we promise!

–posted by Mom Donna and Daughter Anne

By Special Request: Silly Lily Turns 1 !

OK, all you impatient Silly Lily Club Members - here are my photos from The Big Day.

It was a very fun event - Lily was a trooper, as always, smiling and humoring us endlessly.

Anne probably has better shots, so please check her blog, too.

A Hoppy Easter it was

It was a Hoppy Easter, or "Wii-ster" as Bobby, Brandon and Lynn would call it, for us all!

The Hassan family celebrated Easter for the first time --- with us! I had fond flashbacks all day long of their very first American celebration: the Fourth of July at our house. I'm hoping that they don't think all Americans are INSANE, based on Jim Kelly a.k.a. "The D I GUY," bringing 1,000 presents out and then the resulting inevitable chaos and frenzy that that many crazy gifts brings. Also, Jake skipping around the yard dressed up in a giant white bunny costume added to the sur-reality of it all.

Kate and Neil joined us, too, which made the whole weekend very festive.

LOng Live the Kelly family and its love and insanity!!!