PARIS through Tristen's eyes!!

Me and my dear daughter TRISTEN on top of the ARC

 THE D'ORSAY MUSEUM

The LOURVE and TRISTEN!!!!!!!

 We like THESE doors!!

 Truly, one of the best things I've ever eaten, a chocolate caramel filled macaroon from the CARETTE PATISSERIE!!  Only $10 a cookie.  No wonder the french are thin.

 Tristen thinks this statue is a beautiful work of art (which it is) and I think the girl standing in front of the statue is a  beautiful work of art.

 Daddy Daughter moment!

 Interesting blip in our journey--someone decided to jump in front of the train to make a quick exit into the next life.  Our conductor stopped the train, took us all off and lead us throughout the tracks of Paris to another station where we boarded another train to our destination.

 Tristen taking it all in.

 TRIOMPHE DE ARC- Adam's favorite PLACE!!  We climbed to the top and witnessed the beauty of the city of Paris.

Outside of the D'Orsay Museum

 How someone can carve lace out of marble is truly a remarkable talent!

The amazing castle of Versailles where Louis 14,15 and 16th resided.  (Pretend those numbers are roman numerals!)

Hall of Mirrors

Good thing Dennis, Adam and Tristen knew how to read subway maps??!!!

 Mother's Day on the Subway!!

 WE FOUND THE CHAPEL!  Not an easy task!

 Galleria Lafayette!!  TWO FRENCH LADIES!! OH LA LA!

This may be my favorite photo!!  I loved Tristen's intensity studying each painting and sculpture.  

 Moulin Rouge

 This was a darling married couple just serenading us "Lavien Rose" as we walked by--so cute!

 Inside the Lourve, the very first statue Tristen ran to was "Winged Victory".  I may have shed a tear or two watching Tristen shed a tear or two!!

The look on Tristen's face says it ALL!!!

 ADAM finding the inverted pyramids!  Check out the last scene from "DiVinci Code"

 Napoleon's Tomb

 On top of the Eiffel Tower

 I couldn't get over how they grow tomatoes in France!! Funky!

Chenonceau Castle

So love this man!!  He kept me laughing constantly!

Sacre Cour Cathedral

Pierre Auguste Rodin's "The Thinking Man" and my "Thinking Man"

Den and Kat--"Guys, I want a Castle."

If you can't tell, this ice cream cone was sculptured like a rose!!

 Adam and Tristen on Claude Monet's Bridge in Giverny, France

 Monet's Magical Garden.  Now I was in Heaven!!

 I would love someone to paint this picture of me and my daughter in Monet's garden!!

This is the area where our hotel was located.  

The Kiss!!


We had the most amazing time with Adam and Tristen in the romantic city of Paris.  I would have to say the highlight for me was watching Tristen's face light up as she saw the art work and walked in the homes of the artists she has so diligently studied and appreciates.  Dennis was a great tour guide, Adam was a terrific court jester, the food and PASTRIES were heavenly, the people were friendly, even the young girls that pick pocketed Dennis were kind enough to leave us his wallet with credit cards and drivers license in tack. I was so grateful NOT being on a tour bus, walking is so much better, only had one bad headache and staying the whole time in one hotel!   Dennis, Tristen and Adam were masters at the Subway system.
Obviously, these are only a fraction of the photos we took, and they are not all in order, but I hope you get the feel for the wonderful experience we were blessed to have with Adam and Tristen.  We love you both so much!!  Thanks for a memory of lifetime.

MOTHER'S DAY

 Kat with her boys, Treavor and Travis!!!

 Kat with her girls, Tristen, Tiffany, Sara, Kim and Tara!!

This year we celebrated Mother's Day a week early since Tristen and I were going to be out of the country on Mother's Day.  Tiffany hosted a great dinner and celebration!  All I need is to see my kids and grandkids to remember why I love being a MOM!  Telisa made the SWEET AND TENDER "102 Reasons ....." that all my kids contributed.  The photo of me and Telisa is when Tatum was born!!  I missed Telisa and family that day soooooooooooo much, but they are always in my heart!!  I want to tell all my children, including of course, my in-law children, how much I love love love you all!  You are my breath and soul, my purpose and my light!  Thank you for all you are!!

Easter Egg Hunt 2012

There was an unnatural peace that came over me this Easter season as I watched some of my grandkids run around the yard in search of as many plastic colored eggs filled with candy and surprises as they could find. My heart was heavy when I awoke Easter morning, just having buried my father, but surrounded by my loved ones reminded me of the blessings of the Plan of Happiness. In this life, there is suffering and there is peace. I have felt both this week in abundance!! I'm grateful to my family for their love and support during the difficult times, as well as, the joyful times!!

Treavor, Sara, Owen and Lewis
Telisa, Bodie, Tatum and Lincoln
Sara and Owen (aka Iron Man!)
Rylee Jo
Redd
Pyper
Luke
Lewis

Zach and

Cade under the Car!!

Grandpa Harold's Graveside

A message to Stephanie from her cousins!

Grandma Charlotte!! "You're just a MOM!"

Many of us mothers have heard that comment when asked, "What do you do?" "Oh, you're just a mom." Centered in the middle with the hand made blue lace dress is my Grandma Charlotte Amelia Hansen Stout. She is the mother of ten children, five boys and five girls all of which ended up towering over her. From what I have learned about her is that she pretty much raised them on her own due to the fact that her husband, Lewis was always ill. They lived in poverty which caused her to grow her own food, sew their clothes from scraps of fabric she could find, such as flour sacks etc., scrape and save every little crumb or gum wrapper she could find. I know that she use to go to the Flour Mill, sweep the floors, sift the dirt out of the flour and use that flour to make bread for her family. At times, the family was even homeless. However, the woman I knew to be my Grandma was always cheerful, loving, grateful and happy! Her hard work and sacrifice for her family made her a hero in my mind and heart. She loved her family with a passion! Always proud of them and proud to be a mother!!

I believe my daughters who have had careers and motherhood would agree %100 that there is not a harder job in this life than raising children. It's an honorable and fulfilling job and should be praised and admired. So Grandma Charlotte, you were one amazing MOM!!! You have almost all ten of your children back. WOW!! I can hear her laughing now!!!

IN HONOR OF MY DAD, I WOULD LIKE TO PAY A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO HIS MOM!!

My Dad!

My dear mom passed away on September 5, 2007. Since that day, my dad 's health has declined slowly and painfully. On March 30, 2012 a joyous reunion occurred when my mother and father were reunited! I can only imagine the commotion in heaven that day! My dad was not only met by his beautiful and healthy wife Joan, but his oldest son, Gary, his parents, Lewis and Charlotte Stout, his siblings, Woodruff, Inez, Naomi, Alta, Charlotte, Richard, Arza and LaRaine. The Stout clan was never known for their quiet nature! I'm certain someone had to calm them down a bit!! I'm grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Happiness. It gives me great comfort and peace at this time of my life. I'm thankful to my parents for giving me life and love!!!! Dad, at last.........

Grace turns eight!!!

It's mind boggling to witness another grandchild turn 8 years old!! Grace Nicole Sansom turned eight this month and has chosen to be baptized on March 3, 2012. As you can see from the photos Grace is all about celebrating life to the fullest! She is JOY in motion! We love you Gracie Lu!!