THANKSGIVING

We were so excited to go to the boy’s Primary Sunday program.  We figured that next Primary program we will have only 2 children in each family in Primary.  That doesn’t seem possible.  The boys did a wonderful job and the singing was incredible.  We enjoyed every minute.

Monday we went to Dianne’s, Grandma Peggy’s funeral.  What a grand lady she was and is.  The chapel was completely filled with family and the cultural hall was filled with friends. 

 We dress up for special people.

 We were so glad to be there and be filled with such a strong Spirit.  She was respected and loved by so many people.  She left a great legacy.

On the way home we stopped to see Nixon play soccer.  Not sure he knew what was going on.  We had a fun time.

Tuesday we had a wonderful phone call from Clark and Jan Wray.  

They were headed to their home in Arizona so we invited them to go to breakfast.  We had a wonderful time talking about family and old times.  Jan has been through a hard 2 years with her illness but has such a great attitude and is recovering better than expected.  It was just good to be together. 

When Ava and Nixon came we had fun making apple sauce, dried apples and bread. 

 peeling apples

 kneading bread

out of the oven

They each ate the little loaf they made.  We don’t know if they ate more bread or jam.  We do know Nixon ate more apples than he put in the pot.

Thursday we went to Milt’s again and finished everything but the art room.  Dad hung more paintings and even hung a wreath on the shed.

  Milt was not doing well so the neighbor, Don, took him to the VA again.  He is doing much better and is home again.  We don’t know what Milt would do without Don.

It was fun to have Tiff and kids with us this weekend.  She came for the Savannah game.  The twins went to Ava’s birthday party in the morning and Scott and Beth were supposed to bring them to the game when they came but the girls didn’t want to go to the game because of the rain so they just played with Ava.

The game was wet but not as predicted. 

 Cameron was so sure they would reach 60 points that he stood by the exit

Asher and Shanelle

 It rained hard the entire game at Scott’s but we didn’t get a bad rain until the end of it, we were so thrilled.  It wasn’t even cold.  We had plenty of padding and many blankets.

After the game everyone came to our home for pizza and a good time visiting.  We always love it when the family or parts of it are here. 

Sunday, Tiff and company left after church and dinner.  It is always an empty feeling when the kids leave but we get over it.  Our Sacrament meeting was so powerful.  The bishopric talked.  Bishop Hoopes bore such a strong testimony.  He’s a great bishop.
Monday morning we got up to watch Ava run over half a mile with her kindergarten class.  

It was 33 degrees and the wind was wild with a scattering of snow.  She finished all 3 laps.  We were frozen.  We left there to look for a new Christmas tree for 3 and a half hours.  We finally decided on one but didn't decide for sure until 4:00, on our way to Nixon's soccer game.  We don't know if it's a game or just some tiny kids running around a gym.

Tuesday was Ava's birthday.  She had already had her party so it could be on a Saturday.  Ava is a little girl full of life and fun.  She loves her family and likes to do anything to be with them.  She is full of adventure and climbs and jumps whenever possible.  She is growing up way too fast but we love the progress.  She loves to do everything she can with cousins.  She has plenty of them.  She loves her Nixon.

Scott and Beth treated Ava to a dinner at Brick Oven with us, Nixon, Cary and Annette in attendance.  We ate until we could eat no more.  It was a surprise party and Ava was certainly surprised.  It was a great treat for us.

opening presents

Erik and family are in Washington for Thanksgiving and we certainly do feel empty without them bopping in every now and then.  Erik was going to help Dad put up the outside light but Dad just didn't feel good so he never got to it.

We ran errands so we could get some packages mailed.  I don't know why we always wait 'till it's almost too late but we got it done.  It's fun to bustle around.  We spent the evening and I spent all Thursday preparing for our Thanksgiving dinner but Dad still wasn't feeling well so he slept most of the day.  Kinda lonely with all that food and no one to eat it.  (Sorry I ruined Thanksgiving. I hadn't planned on getting sick)

Still, we are so very grateful for our many blessings.  We love our family and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Scott and his family came over to help Dad decorate the outside the next day.  Dad had just been too ill to do it himself.  We missed Erik and his family.

After cleaning the church and listening to the BYU/California game, which BYU won, Scott called and invited us to go bowling and to dinner with them at the River Woods.  It was so much fun.  Scott really whipped the impresso on us with his 162.  Bethany did just fine also.  Dad came in second.  Ava and Nixon just cracked us up.  We all had a  really fun time.  We even found Santa and got a picture with him.

After going home and Home teaching we left for Salt Lake City and Hailey and Riley's choir concert at temple square. It was amazing and so fun to be with family.  Erik and family came even though they had been on the road and got in after midnight.

 Hailey and Riley

Don't know how to remove this picture.  I like the other one better.

 the family

 Scott, George and Erik

Erik's family

Temple Square

As we drove home we were so thrilled with the blessings we receive because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our Savior lives and loves each one of us.  Because of Him, we can live together for all eternity.  Christmas reminds us of His gift of the atonement and the beauty of repentance.