Thursday, January 15, 2015

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS AND 2015


When Mama and Daddy lived in South America they didn't have a Christmas tree so this is what they used.
The first week of December was spent preparing for Christmas.  We love this time of year and the wonderful reminder of the gift of a tiny babe in a manger and His atonement, so that we can return to Him and our Father in Heaven.
Milt has returned to the hospital so we visited him.  He is doing a well as can be expected
We had our ward Christmas dinner on the 5th.  They had to set up more tables there were so many who came.  Dad and I were one of the couples to do the Newly Wed kind of game.  The questions were all about Christmas and the game was enjoyed by all.
On the 6th we went to a wedding reception of one of Dad's Timpview boys.  When we got to his most beautiful home his family greeted us with such warmth.  When we got to the bride and groom, the groom threw his arms around Dad and said, "You above anyone else was the person I wanted to come."  This is what makes 40 years in education rewarding.  We love the students we have worked with.
On Wed the 10th we got up and went to Deer Creek to fish.  It was in the 30's when we got there but warmed up to the 40's before we left.  Didn't catch a thing but had a very peaceful and fun morning.  We got home in time for Dad to meet Brad and go golfing.  I made bread and cinnamon rings.  It was a great day.  Of course I didn't take pictures.
Thursday we got a load of manure for our garden.  When we got home and looked at the bed of the truck we wondered why.  

We unloaded it by ourselves and were darn proud of how fast and well we did it.  Our bodies thought otherwise.  At 6 we went to Orem high to watch Ava dance.  She was the half time of a high school game.  It turned out to be Timpview and Richland, Wash.  Timpview won.  

Ava danced to "It's a Hard Luck Life"  The costuming was incredible but her dancing was the best.
opening pose

She amazes us on how she knows exactly what to do and when.  I guess that's the Scott in her.  Hummmm!  Maybe Beth!


We felt bad because after her performance, we left.  We were exhausted from all the shoveling.  We usually stay to see her after the dancing.  We'll do better next time.
Friday we ran errands and started a 1500 piece puzzle Margaret Tabor, gave us.  What were we thinking.  Scott called to let us know Nixon pulled his stocking off Carey's mantel, the holder hit his head and he now has 2 staples in his head. 
The green tape is holding the pain killer on.
 We're sure the Elf on the Shelf had something to do with it.
We love that Tiffani's member, Burt, in Maine sends us a fresh wreath from Maine every Christmas.  
You have to move your computer back to see it really wwell.
We love him and his thoughtfulness.  We send him Utah fresh honey.  This year it was with a honey pot.
Erik and Shanelle and boys came to Ava's Christmas recital.  We love it when family comes.  

She knows how to strut her stuff.  We didn't know Erik's family was there and was such a fun surprise to see them after.
The 14th Blake Piggott spoke in Sacrament meeting Sunday.  She was amazing.   She has been home from her mission for a month now.  She was in Corb's mission, Spanish speaking.  I remember when she was tiny and would leave the house in a tutu one day and soccer cleats the next.
I made Grerman pancakes but forgot the flour.  It ended up scrambled eggs and not very filling.  I had added pepperoni and olives but forgot the essential.
I have now lost another pair of trifocals.  Two pair in two weeks.  That's got to be a record.  Both were lost at church, I think.
We went to Nixon's last soccer game Monday.  We laughed from beginning to end.  They got a trophy when it was over.
During this week we went to see Meet the Mormons.  What a great movie to show real life stories about members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was absolutely amazing.  We suggest all see it.
Milt finally got his prosthesis.  It will take some time for him to really be a pro at using it but he says everything is so different from 6 feet up.  
He is so enjoying it and being able to be more mobile.  He would still have his leg if it weren’t for the V.A.
We went to the boys’ school Christmas sing.  All 3 did such a wonderful job.  We love going to these programs.



Dec. 17th Erik’s family came over again to watch the BYU Womens’ volleyball team win the NCAA semi finals.  Great game.
Friday was the reception for Dan and Shanna Wheeler’s son’s wedding reception in Saratoga Springs.  It was so good to see those good people.  They were so surprised and happy to see us.  He was Dad’s counselor in Blanding and then became bishop when we moved.

Saturday the 20th we went to the boy’s piano recital.  They played fun Christmas music and did very well.  After the recital they took us to Texas Reds for dinner.  Wow! but those boys can eat.  It was so fun. 
After, we went home to watch the BYU final volleyball game.  They lost but played well.
 That evening, Santa came in person, to our home.  What a wonderful surprise.
Sunday I read my favorite books for my YW lesson.  The girls loved it.  Our choir sang in church.  We both sing in the choir and it was still good.  That evening the home teachers came and many ward members to give us gifts.  We live In such a remarkable ward.  We love these good people.
Monday we learned that David did not get the job in Cedar.  We were all so sad but we know the Lord is mindful of them and will watch over them.  We just wanted them closer.  Time will tell.
A good Christmas present was that Milt got his prosthesis and is doing well with it.
Milt with Benji's kids
Erik’s family came over to watch the BYU/Miami Bowl game, Tuesday.  It’s always fun to have family.  
Wrong pictures but who cares?  This was a game after the girls got here

After they left I put a can of root beer in the freezer as there was no ice in the freezer.  I meant to leave it for just a few minutes but forgot.  When I opened it the can went crazy and I spent the next long while mopping up the ceiling, cupboards and floors in the kitchen and dining room.  When will I ever learn?
Christmas Eve we spent getting ready to go to Erik’s for our family dinner.  They worked so hard and served up a feast.  Erik’s turkey and pecan pie was the best ever.  His yams were done very differently and so good too.  Everything was just so yummy.  They had string beans in a great sauce and tasty potatoes from our garden.  Everyone provided salads and desserts or whatever they wanted.  The kids ate at one table and the adults another.  Clint and Deb and family also came.  It wouldn’t be Christmas dinner without them.  After dinner, Shanelle had some hilarious game for all to play.  We laughed until we couldn’t. 


Clark winner of candy cane game
 Erik
 Molly
 Parker
 Rollin' the dice game
Hailey took a bit of a nap
We love being with our family.  It’s our Father’s plan.  We missed Scott’s, Kristin’s and Tiff’s families but will get with them over New Years.  Our grandchildren are best friends which is so rewarding.  They love each other and love being together.  When we got home we finished that forever puzzle.
Christmas we woke up to several inches of snow on the ground,  We love snow for Christmas.  The mountains are so beautiful. 
 Christmas balls on front tree

back yard
 We started the day with prayer and then opened our presents.  We don’t do much in that we don’t need much.  We then headed to Scott’s to see their morning.  The kids were so excited over their Christmas and so fun. 



 Dad does the 12 days of Christmas every year and I bought him a boat this fall so I only got him 3 church books as gifts.  Scott had an auger sled for ice fishing hidden at his house so he was really surprised when he saw it. After eating cinnamon rolls and drinking caramel hot chocolate, we headed for Erik’s.
I didn’t take pictures at Erik’s because I plum forgot and had taken so many the day before.  They had such a good Christmas too.  They are always fun to be around.  Our children are such better parents that we were.  We love watching them teach our grandchildren the restored gospel and good behavior.  After watching them play and show us their treasures we ate caramel monkey bread and a delicious egg , cheese and sausage dish, along with egg nog.
We were worried about going to Clark’s because of the snow but Clark called and said their roads were bare.  They live in the mountains above Park City so we were very happy it was that way.  We spent another few hours in their home.  They had 4 missionaries there, which was great.  They had a breakfast of shredded potatoes, sausage, eggs, peppers, and whatever Di wanted.  It was so good.  We love the Spirit we feel in every home.  Nothing could make parents happier.  We are so blessed. We headed home around 3 o’clock so full and so grateful for the day.  We love our Savior, Jesus Christ and the great gift of the atonement that he freely gave each one of us.
On our way home Scott called to invite us to dinner.  Of course we accepted.  We hadn’t been fed all day.  Our day could not have been better.  Both girls called and so we had good contact with all of the family.  How we love them all.  We love how our Savior is the main figure in their homes.
Erik and his family came over the next day to return some things but there was a football game on so they stayed and we ate a lot of junk food.  It was great.




Christmas shoes
December 29th was Shanelle's  birthday.  What a wonderful addition to our  family.  She has brought a beautiful testimony of our Savior and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which she continuously examples to her sons and us.   When she decides to do something, she gives it her all and doesn't quit.  She workouts early in the morning and loves to run and ride on her bike.  She goes far.  She loves our son and those 4 boys so much and finds such happiness in their doings.  We love her and are so glad Erik found her.
Erik took her for the day and we tended the boys.  What a fun day for us.  They were so good and we thoroughly enjoyed them. They spent most of the day watching football and playing in the snow, which we had plenty of.  



snow angel Asher
We made bread and each one made his own creation.  
Camden, Santa: Kolton, cinnamon bread: Asher, snowman: Parker, bread
more butter than bread
We used the leftover dough to make cinnamon rolls and a loaf of bread.  The house surely did smell good.  The tasting was the best part.  We took them to dinner at In-N-Out and then home where Parker took over.  It was just a great day.
Tiff was supposed to come with her family  today but the snow is so bad they are going to come in the morning.  They feel better driving in daylight even though it will be snowing the whole way, rather than at night.  We will be glad when they get here.
Dec. 31st Kristin and  Tiff both arrived with their families.  David could not come because he stayed home to study.  They arrived a few hours apart, Tiff driving and Kristin by air.  It was so fun to be together.


At 5:30 we all left for Scott's and the party.  Boy did we ever celebrate.  Scott gave everyone  as many rides as they wanted behind his 4 wheeler. 



New Years came in at 10:00, just as we had planned, loud and boisterous with lots to eat.



  We even had a chocolate fountain.  


Royalty

It was great to be together with family.
I am all mixed up on when we did what so I'll just throw some things in.
 buddies
 cousins


 Kolton and Nixon
ipad
watching


The sleep-over


Loved riding behind Uncle Scott's 4 wheeler
 Who's next
 Bethany's turn to drive.  Wild rides, dumped many.




The  Utah Valley kids went sledding around the corner from our home on the first.

Nixon would only go down with Parker

Asher and Jalen
Baylie getting air
 the train
Ava waiting


 Return to the top

the line

We topped it off with all children and spouses going to Porter's Place for dinner.  It is a place we loved going when the kids were young. 
Porter's

 It was just fun to be together and talk about old times.  The grands all stayed with babysitters.  After dinner we went to Smart Cookies for treats and then back home for us and Kamas for Clark and Di.
These holidays have been a great reminder of just how blessed we are to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  We are so blessed to be sealed by the priesthood as families and to have this blessing for eternity.  We love our families so very much and pray for them individually daily.  How wonderful this knowledge is to know we have a Heavenly Father who hears our prayers and loves us.  The gospel is so true.









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