Snowless Winter Wonderland

'Twas the night after Thanksgiving and all through the hogan

Peace was restored 'cause the grandkids had all gone.

We thought our vacation had finally begun,

When we noticed the decor yet to be hung.
Dang it.

Actually, we got must of the decorations set up, which was nice. Once the tree is up, it feels like Christmas. We finished decorating on the 2nd and 3rd of December (mostly Grandad).

We are loving our new lights - especially knowing that we never have to take them down or hang them up again! Best Christmas present ever!

Grandad got the lights all hooked up in the Christmas Village Baylie had set up. (It's really become more of a metropolis than a village at this point.)

Our very favorite decor is this placemat Kristin made for us decades ago. She is such an amazing seamstress.0

We had a lot of snow the end of November, but it didn't stick around. Fortunately, there is still some on the mountains. The ski resorts are suffering though.

We were able to see Clara in action on the grid iron. The girl's got game.

Perhaps she could have helped the Cougars since they lost the Big 12 Conference Championship to Texas Tech on the 6th.

Cameron came to dinner on the 7th (and the 14th, and the 28th, but not the 21st). It's fun having him close by.

On the 12th I found out that due to my fall in the temple, my arthritis has flared up in my hands and wrists. It's painful, but I'm used to it. I'm tough. We made our Christmas cards on the 13th. We have a personal designer that creates these masterpieces for us. 

We went to the temple a whole bunch of times so anytime we skip a date, just assume that's where we were. Also, throw in some iHop visits as well.

Riley's sweet wife Bailey had her birthday on the 19th. We love her and are so glad she's part of our family.

On December 16, Erik and Shanelle invited us to join them for dinner at a Thai restaurant and then to see A Christmas Carol at the DoTerra campus. Both were marvelous. What a wonderful evening with family.

Camden, Clark, Shanelle, Asher, me, Grandad, Kolton

Saturday, December 20, we took Scott to the Seamons' so he cold work on Ava's jeep. Max has all the toys tools. It was a group effort and took seven hours!

Scott (also under car), Grandad, Max

Tiff gave us a great idea for neighbor gifts so we delivered them soft soaps with inspirational messages.

Over the past month or so, we have been invaded by mice. They dig up the yard and leave holes everywhere. Mom is convinced it's an invasion that will end up in the destruction of life as we know it. Tyson Marble told us we can put out dishes of Coke, the mice will drink it and then explode. Lovely. Cinderella would be so disappointed in us.

We went to Scott's for dinner on the 24th. It was wonderful spending time with them. So wonderful we forgot to take any pictures.

We weren't able to make our usual Christmas morning rounds because Grandad was sick. Erik and Scott were able to come give him a blessing. We were grateful to see all the family Christmas pictures. even though we didn't get the in person visits.

Kristin, Tiff, and Erik's families had a Disney theme.

Baylie, Jalen, Kristin, and David

Clara, Cameron, and Clara - Tiffani, Cameron, Clara, Dave, and Lauryn

Erik, Shanelle, Camden, Kolton, Asher - Parker, pup & Jessa

Shepherd's dinner with Ashley's family
Will, Tyler, Ashley, Rosie, Bea, and Simon - Di and Clark

Clark, Hailey, and Di - Jayden and Molly - Bailey, pup & Riley

Hailey & puppies - I had to throw this one in because it's so cute.

Rowan, Scott, Nixon, Ava, and Beth

Dad gave me this sweetest ornament. It made me cry. (Shocker.)

I started feeling sick on the 26th. Both of us ended up sleeping a lot.

December 27th was the Pop-Tarts Bowl. What a nail-biter!! For two people with a-fib, this was not a recommended activity. Fortunately, the Cougars pulled off the last-second win. (Do any other teams take as many games down to the wire?)

Rowan's birthday was the 28th. She's such a bundle of energy and joy. She's the perfect caboose for our grandchildren.

Dec. 29 was Shanelle's birthday. She is such a great boy mom. She has raised men that are stalwart and strong. She is a devoted wife and mother. She also comes up with the funnest family games.

Dad went welding on Monday and is working on some butterflies. They're so cute.

Unpainted butterfly - or moth

Cameron has been with us for a few days. He thought he had to work so he left Vegas early only to find out he didn't have to work. Such a bummer. His roommates are still gone, so he's been hanging out with us. We're glad he has our home to come to.

Tiffani helped us with Christmas this year. After the holiday, she called Grandad to see if he had seen the case of grape soda she had sent. (I love grape soda and it's really hard to find. We even order it online!) I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. Miraculously, he found it in my closet. I'm blaming dementia...

Which brings us to New Year's Eve. We had planned to live it up in Vegas, but then remembered we might run into our grandchildren and they don't know about that side of us. So instead, we plan to fall asleep watching bowl games.

The year 2025 has been a good one for our family. We are grateful for our health and our blessings. We are grateful to be living in our own home, being able to go to the temple, and still go on some adventures. We look forward to 2026.

Missionary Updates

Lily

Lily is second from the right.

"Merry Christmas all you beautiful people! Ugh isn't Christmas just the best? I LOVE being a missionary during the Christmas season! People are so much happier, even more willing to talk about Jesus Christ, the music gets better, and there are twinkling lights everywhere you go! Whats not to love?? Plus, down here in the south we're ranging in the 60-70⁰ range, so there really isn't much to complain about. Too bad I've become an even bigger baby to the cold, so I still wear a sweater basically every day. 

I cannot say enough how miracles are all around us! And what an amazing time to think about and recognize all the miracles around us! Everything reguarding Jesus Christ is a miracle. Plain and simple. Because of the Christmas season, I have been especially focusing on the miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ. Just to list a few: how Mary got pregnant, Joseph not leaving Mary, them traveling safely to Bethlehem, Mary giving birth in a barn and everything going smoothly, the shepards finding the humble, little family, and SO MANY MORE!

We know from The Book of Mormon in Moroni 7:27, "have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?" Just because Jesus Christ isn't on the Earth physically anymore, doesn't mean there aren't miracles happening. Look for the miracles! They're EVERYWHERE!!"

Jonny

Jonny is second from left.

"GUYS IT IS SO CHRISTMAS!!!! WE DECORATED THE WHOLE APARTMENT WITH JESUS STUFF AND NOW OUR APARTMENT IS SO GOATED!!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Guys the spiritual thought is just focus on Jesus this Christmas! Whenever you think Christmas think only Jesus."