Our Trip to Southern California

Liz, Emma, and Devan after 1 exciting day!

I know I am late on posting this, but I thought I would share some highlights from the trip we made to Southern California earlier this month. I was invited to sign my cookbooks at the Grand Opening of Sam's Club in El Monte, CA on May 16th. Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs sponsored most of the trip, so we took a few extra days to enjoy it. On the 13th, we drove to Carlsbad, stopping in Yuma to see a tank monument in the middle of no where. Ivan had discovered it on a business trip he had made there and wanted the rest of us to see it.

The kids enjoyed seeing all the tanks outside Yuma, AZ.

We stayed at the Inns of America Suites in Carlsbad. It was a beautiful hotel close to the ocean and with a shuttle to Legoland! Raytheon offers amazing discounts for their employees. We were able to get a 2 day pass for $49. It's normally $60+ per day. Our kids love Legoland. They'd rather go there than to Disneyland. It's a great place for families with kids under the age of 12. We picked a great 2 days to go. The lines were minimal. We had been in the summer when it was busy, so we were grateful to have small wait times on this trip. We loved seeing all the amazing things and the mini USA made out of Legos!

Test Track was Liz's favorite ride. We must have gone on this roller coaster at least 10 times in the 2 days we were there.

Emma loved all the one on one time with Dad!

We loved driving the boats over and over again.
The kids had fun bumping into Ivan and I along the way.

On Thursday night, we picked up pizza and headed to the beach for dinner and a sunset. The kids loved playing in the water and running along the beach. Spencer just glowed! He loves the ocean. He has since he was little. Just seeing the joy in his face made my day!

It can't get much better than this!

Devan and Liz race the waves.

On Friday, we spent another fun filled day at Legoland riding our favorite rides. The boys were excited to get some Legos to take home as their souvenoir! That night we drove up to Anaheim and stayed at the Hot Pepper Tree Suites. The whole hotel was decorated in SW Mission style making us feel like we were back in Tucson but without the heat!

Bidding farewell after our 2nd day at Legoland!

On Saturday, Ivan and the kids headed to Knott's Berry Farm while I went to sign my newest cookbook, 101 Things To Do With Meatballs, at the Sam's Club in El Monte. What a gorgeous store! I had lots of fun signing books and visiting with customers. Thanks, Casa Di Bertacchi, for making this trip a reality! They also paid for my ingredient cost for writing this great cookbook. With such an amazing frozen meatball, I couldn't go wrong!


After the signing, I headed to meet up with Ivan, the kids, and my roommate from my freshman year, Jenny Bruner! We went to Knott's on the wrong day! Every school group you could imagine was there and the lines for the rides were at least an hour and 1/2 long. It gave me lots of time to catch up with Jenny. Ivan and the kids loved the shows that they were able to see. The kids were so miserable by 4 p.m. that Ivan took the boys and Emma back to the hotel leaving Liz and I to ride the rides with Jenny. Lizzie wanted to ride the fastest and scariest rides in the park. Jenny and I were a little relieved that she was about an inch too short to go on the 3 scariest. Liz was so disappointed. She really wanted to go on the ride that drops you 6 stories!!


We were heading to ride a roller coaster that spins you as you are riding when my phone rang. It was my mom calling me to let me know my grandma had just passed away. I stood in line looking at the ride thinking how my grandma would have loved this one. She loved any ride that would spin you crazy. She could out ride me at any amusement park until she was 75! Some of my favorite memories with her are from trips we made to amusement parks in Indiana.

Emma touching the San Diego Temple.

On Sunday, we headed to the San Diego Temple before heading back to Tucson. We wanted to give our kids the chance to touch the temple. President Monson said,

"As we touch the temple,

the temple will touch us."

We want that for our kids. The San Diego Temple is probably my favorite temple inside and out. The older missionary serving at the temple said that President Hinckley refered to the Salt Lake Temple as the King of all temples and to the San Diego Temple as the Queen. I completely agree.

Families Are Forever

How grateful I am that my grandma and grandpa had been sealed in the temple to my mom whom I am sealed to. Death does not separate us. We can be together forever through these sacred ordinances performed in the Lord's house. What a great comfort that truth is in my life!

Lauren Johnson gets her mission call!

Another one of my stellar young women just received her mission call! When I was 25, I was called to serve as young woman's president to 25 pretty amazing girls in Provo! I remember feeling so inadequate being that young and with so much responsibility on my shoulders, but these girls were so amazing that my time with them became such a blessing to me in my life. I stand back in awe at what so many of them have accomplished and the good that they are doing in their families, the church, and in their communities.

Lauren has always been one of my favorites. She lights up the room whenever she walks in. She always livened every activity with her energy. I love her enthusiasm for life. It is truly contagious! She will be a marvelous missionary!

Curious where she'll be going? Click here to see!

Truman Madsen Passes Away

I just learned that Truman Madsen passed away yesterday. Truman Madsen was a masterful teacher. He loved the Savior and loved teaching about his life, ministry, and atonement. Hearing him talk of the Savior helped me to truly understand the sacrifices that Jesus truly made for us when he suffered for our sins and made it possible for us to overcome the 2 great obstacles of sin and death.

I don't know that I ever was able to actually thank him in person but I sat in classes he taught and have CDs and tapes of him teaching about the Prophet Joseph Smith and the other prophets of our dispensation. He had a talent of helping you feel as if you had the privilege of peeking in to the personal life of each of these great men. I will be forever thankful for the ministry of our brother Truman Madsen and the spirit that I felt as he taught witnessing to me that the simple truths of the gospel were true!

This morning I read the most moving and tender tribute written by one of his acquaintances, Scott Procter. Click here to read the tribute! Be prepared to cry!

Top 101 Children's Picture Books

The School Library Journal just released the results for the 2009 Poll for the best Children's Picture Books! I have a few of these books memorized especially Goodnight Moon. We just checked out #13 yesterday while we were at the library. You can request these books online and they will send them to your local library and email you when they arrive! #66 is probably one of my all time favorites!

#1: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963)
#2: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (1947)
#3: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1979)
#4: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
#5: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems (2003)
#6: Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1941)
#7: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (1955)
#8: Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939)
#9: Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag (1928)
#10: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems (2004)
#11: The Story of Ferdinand by Monroe Leaf, ill. Robert Lawson (1936)
#12: Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann (1994)
#13: Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (1948)
#14: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, ill. Lane Smith(1989)
#15: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes (1996)
#16: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (1987)
#17: Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (1947)
#18: In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak (1970)
#19: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (1982)
#20: George and Martha by James Marshall (1972)
#21: Bark, George by Jules Feiffer (1999)
#22: The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone, ill. by Mike Smollin (1971)
#23: Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban (1964)
#24: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, ill. Lois Ehlert (1989)
#25: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1942)
#26: Corduroy by Donald Freeman (1976)
#27: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (1902)
#28: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, ill. Ray Cruz(1972)
#29: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (1969)
#30: Brown, Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? by Bill Martin Jr., ill. Eric Carle (1967)
#31: No, David by David Shannon (1998)
#32: Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, ill. by Betsy Lewin (2000)
#33: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi and Ron Barrett (1978)
#34: Olivia by Ian Falconer (2000)
#35: Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel, ill. Blair Lent (1968)
#36: Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, ill. Lane Smith (1992)
#37: Eloise by Kay Thompson, ill. Hilary Knight (1955)
#38: Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, ill. by Margaret Bloy Graham (1956)
#39: The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood (1984)
#40: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton (1939)
#41: The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, ill. Stephen Gammell (1985)
#42: Curious George by H.A. Rey (1941)
#43: Tuesday by David Wiesner (1991)
#44: Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola (1975)
#45: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (1985)
#46: Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (2006)
#47: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff (1985)
#48: The Big Orange Splot, by Daniel Pinkwater (1977)
#49: King Bidgood is in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood, ill. Don Wood (1985)
#50: Black and White by David Macaulay (1990)
#51: Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg (1981)
#52: Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard, ill. James Marshall (1977)
#53: The Snowman by Raymond Briggs (1978)
#54: The Three Pigs by David Wiesner (2001)
#55: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, ill. George & Doris Hauman (1961)
#56: Frederick by Leo Lionni (1967)
#57: Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, ill. Harry Bliss (2003)
#58: Flotsam by David Wiesner (2006)
#59: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears (1975) by Verna Aardema, ill.Leo and Diane Dillon (1975)
#60: Chicken Soup With Rice: A Book of Months by Maurice Sendak (1962)
#61: Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers (2005)
#62: The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack (1933)
#63: Traction Man is Here!, by Mini Grey (2005)
#64: “I Can't,” Said the Ant: A Second Book of Nonsense by Polly Cameron (1961)
#65: Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner (2003)
#66: Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann (1995)
#67: Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni (1959)
#68: The Arrival by Shaun Tan (2006)
#69: We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, ill. Helen Oxenbury (1989)
#70: Miss Fanshawe and the Great Dragon Adventure by Sue Scullard (1986)
#71: The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, ill by Michael Martchenko (1980)
#72: The Little Brute Family by Russell Hoban, ill. Lilian Hoban (1966)
#73: The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant (1933) by Jean de Brunhoff
#74: Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown (1942)
#75: Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (1940)
#76: Zoom at Sea by Tim Wynne-Jones, ill. Eric Beddows (1983)
#77: The Library by Sarah Stewart, ill. David Small (1995)
#78: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
#79: Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm, by Alice and Martin Provensen (1974)
#80: The Jolly Postman: or, Other People's Letters by Janet Ahlberg (1986)
#81: Possum Magic by Mem Fox, ill. Julie Vivas (1983)
#82: Who Needs Donuts? by Mark Alan Stamaty (1973)
#83: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (1971)
#84: Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes (1988)
#85: Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats (1964)
#86: Yoko by Rosemary Wells (1998)
#87: Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (2004)
#88: Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (1993)
#89: A Hole is to Dig: A First Book of First Definitions by Ruth Krauss, ill. Maurice Sendak (1952)
#90: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (2006)
#91: Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures With the Family Lazardo by William Joyce (1988)
#92: Swimmy by Leo Lionni (1963)
#93: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (1964)
#94: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey and Don Wood (1984)
#95: The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, ill. David Small (1997)
#96: The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle (1990)
#97: Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox, ill. Judy Horacek (2004)
#98: Anatole by Eve Titus (1956)
#99: Little Pea by Amy Krause Rosenthal, ill. by Jen Corace (2005)
#100: Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley (1992)
#101: More, More, More Said the Baby: Three Love Stories by Vera B. Williams

My Grandma- My Example

I had the opportunity to speak at the funeral of my grandma, Margery Woertz, yesterday. It was a great celebration of the wonderful 91 years that she lived. I spoke on my grandma's example.

My Grandma Was An Example to Me in the following ways:

1. She was an example of activity! She was such a hard worker. She would play baseball with the kids and grandkids. She could outride me on any ammusement park ride until she was 75! She was always on the go!

2. She was an example of always having an attitude of gratitude. She was happy with and grateful for what she had. She was always the first to say thank you. Even her last couple days when she wasn't sure who my mom or sister-in-law Camille were, she would thank them for taking care of her and would tell them that she loved them.

3. Grandma never complained or spoke ill of others. Even when she was so sick, she didn't complain. She was continually looking for the positive in those around her.

4. Grandma had a deep love of family. Her marriage and family were always a top priority in her life. When she spoke to you, she made you feel as if you were the most important person at that moment.

5. Grandma set a tremendous example of service. Grandma truly loved her neighbor. When she was asked to make 2 pies for the church, she would bake 10. She was always helping with dishes at every family event and she helped me when I had my babies. When Emma was born 2 years ago, grandma came and refused to let me touch the dishes the entire month she visited. She was such a huge help. I cried everytime that she would leave!

6. Grandma was an example of forgiveness. As the Savior hung dying on the cross, he said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Grandma followed the Savior in not holding grudges and forgiving and forgetting.

7. Grandma was a true example of humility and living a prayerful life. Grandma faithfully prayed even for the pigs. Once grandpa was sick and in the hospital when their kids were young, Grandma kept praying that the pigs would stay healthy until grandpa got home. The pigs remained healthy, but shortly after grandpa got home the pigs started dying off one by one. Grandma told grandpa that it was her fault. She had prayed too small!

8. Grandma loved going to church to worship the Savior and she loved the scriptures. She attended the Methodist church where her funeral was held for 65 years. She loved the people there, the bible study classes, and Wesley Weekends. In 1999, two sister missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knocked on her door- one reminded her of my sister who was serving a mission in Hungary and the other reminded her of me who had served a mission in Chile. She felt like she needed to listen. The missionaries invited her to read The Book of Mormon and to ask Heavenly Father if it was true. Grandma read the Book of Mormon and recognized it as an additional witness of the Savior. Grandma prayed and received an answer that it was indeed true.

How easy it would have been for her to just stay on the path she had been on. She had lots of opposition and was so worried about hurting anyone's feelings. When she told me she was going to get baptized, she told me "I know it's true. God knows I know it is true. I know he'll hold me accountable." She knew in a matter of years she would see her Savior again, and she wanted to be able to say that she had been obedient and followed what she knew to be true. She was baptized at the age of 82! She would drive 30 minutes to get to church for the next several years instead of the 7-10 minutes it had taken her before.

A year after her baptism we were able to see her sealed to my grandpa in the temple for not just time but for all eternity. Grandma told me that she felt like skipping out of the temple afterwards because she was just so happy! There is true joy that comes from knowing that death can not separate us!

Grandma loved the temple and spent her last few years going there often while she lived with my mom in Utah. The temple brought grandma such peace and purpose.

8. Grandma was an example of loving the Lord her God with all her heart, might, mind, and strength. She loved her Heavenly Father and spent her life following his Son Jesus Christ in both word and in deed. Grandma was not perfect, but she understood the atonement. She knew that Jesus had paid the price for her sins and that if she continued to repent and tried to live her life a little better each day that He would make up the difference! She understood the Resurrection and that through the Savior's sacrifice that each of us will someday receive this precious gift!

The Church's New Online Radio Station

At the end of April, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints launched a wonderful online radio station! They even have programs for kids!

Here is the information from the site:

"The Mormon Channel is the official radio station of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The channel originates from Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah and broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Content for the station comes from the vast archives of the Church, along with several new series created specifically for this station. The Mormon Channel also features great programming from various partner organizations, including Deseret Book, Bonneville, the Deseret News, LDS Business College, and the campuses of Brigham Young University.

You can listen to the Mormon Channel live online anytime at radio.lds.org. There are also downloads and podcasts of content available at the same address."

Click here to visit radio.lds.org!

A Tribute to My Grandma Woertz Who Passed Away Yesterday

Have you ever met a true "Super Woman"? I was blessed to have one as my grandmother. My grandma, Margery Woertz, passed away last night after a short fight with cancer. She was 91, and we prayed that she wouldn't have to suffer. Our prayers were answered and she passed away in her sleep about a month after she was diagnosed.

My grandma was truly amazing. As a child and teenager, I could barely keep up with her. She was always busy doing good whenever and wherever she could. She did everything from driving the tracker, to handling the cows, to canning their home grown produce and to serving others in whatever way she was able. She raised 4 pretty amazing kids, one of which was my mother.

My grandma and me in her farmhouse kitchen that I adored!

My grandma loved amusement parks. She could out ride me on all the rides until she was about 75. She especially loved the spinning rides. I'd be ready to lose my lunch, and she'd say, "Let's go again!!!" It's kind of ironic that I was at the Knotts Berry Farm amusement park when I got the call letting me know she had passed away. We were going to ride a spinning roller coaster and I had been thinking how much she would have loved this ride!

My grandma was an amazing cook! She loved to make food for others and in her later years she loved to feed the missionaries. It wasn't uncommon to hear that she had 8-10 missionaries out to her house for dinner. She loved the missionaries! She also loved having the family at her home for dinners for holiday and regular occasions! We all loved her Pudding Lush which will be published in my soon to be released 101 Things To Do With Pudding.


My grandma loved the Lord. She was a Methodist for 65 years, going to church every Sunday and even teaching Sunday School. One day, two sister missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stopped by her home. She said one reminded her of me and the other reminded her of my sister who at that time was serving a mission in Budapest, Hungary. She knew she needed to listen. Grandma FINALLY read the Book of Mormon and felt the sweet truth and power that comes from its pages. She had lots of opposition in joining the church. She worried about her kids reaction. When she called me to tell me that she was getting baptized, she said "I know it's true. God knows I know it is true. I know he'll hold me accountable." She knew in a matter of years she would see her Savior again, and she wanted to be able to say that she had been obedient and followed what she knew to be true. She was baptized at the age of 82!

My mom, my grandma, Devan, and I at my Grandma's Baptism
in Peoria, Illinois.

Grandma was so funny after she was baptized. She wanted so much to share what she had found with others! She couldn't understand how everyone couldn't see how true the gospel was. She thought if everyone would just read the Book of Mormon that they all would be baptized! I'd have to remind her how long it took her to find out for herself that it was true and to just be patient.

A year after her baptism we made a special trip to the Chicago temple with my grandma. She was able to receive her endowment and was able to be sealed to my grandpa and to my mom for not just time but for all eternity! She practically skipped out of the temple. She was so happy and so excited! That binding ordinance has me bound to her as well for all eternity as long as I can keep the commandments and the covenants that I have made with my Heavenly Father! How blessed am I!

This picture was taken the day my parents were sealed and I was sealed
to my parents in 1974 in the Oakland California temple.
I will be eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by my grandma and my parents!