Dear family well this it is a great week
hayley is making her final preparations for the mission and looking forward to the setting apart and entering the Provo MTC
I challenge each of you to write to her--(wouldn't it be fun if we even sent letters --right as she left or a day before so that she could have a note that first week) her address I will e-mail to you shortly). Thanks to all of you for the food prep and helping host her friends after her talk on Sunday--I think a good time was had by all--as we say --I appreciate you Hayley for the preparations you have made not just since the mission call--but throughout your life to prepare for this opportunity to serve our Heavenly Father
even though I feel at times you are slipping through my fingers as the song says--I know you are where you are supposed to be
we will pray for your feeling of well being and happiness as you learn the language and have these new experiences--you will have angels go before your face to help you. And you just need to be yourself and the Lord will be able to use you as an instrument in his work.

a few Pics of this years Christmas season

Christmas Eve 2008

Dec 2008
Dear family,
I felt close in spirit to each of you this Christmas Eve and On Christmas day--even though the miles separated Brad's family in Virginia, I got a little teary eyed after silent night--feeling close though the miles separated us. I had a wonderful evening on Christmas eve and again had wonderful feelings of love and appreciation for each of you again on Christmas day--I also felt so appreciative of our Savior--who's birth we comemorated- May each of you always remember as that the reading of the navity stories (Luke *and in Nephi) are the best part of the season for dad and I. May the Testimony we feel of our Savior always be reaffirmed in our posterity's hearts on Christmas Eve. Much love---

Christmas Season this year 2008

Dear family

I really enjoyed myself this year--I Hope everyone did too. Remember how, I told the grandkids to always remember of all the things we do together as a family or individually during the Season. Reading the Story of our Saviors birth (from Luke-as well as 3 Ne 1:10-...._) is my most favorite thing of all. I am so glad that We got a few snap shots before dad started the narration. I love how dad reads it. He has such a great voice and the spirit was so good during that time. I also love the songs that we sing. Music always gets to me. I got all teary; eyed when it came time for the closing prayer, after silent night, but you know that is just cause I love the Nativity story so very much and I love each of you so very much and thought of us gathered together and brad gathered in Virginia and I just felt close in spirit, even though the miles separated us.

"these are a few of my favorite things" (in this season)

some of my favorite things are :
1)having all the grandkids help me paint the sliding glass doors (mayley pictured here--sweet thing --anna and abbie and megan helped to but not pictured)
2)Getting letters and cards from folks around the country and from right here around me
3)making little crafts for Christmas--this year it was Christmas stockings...
4)and not pictured of course is baking and decorating
5)attending various performances/get togethers:
--such as
a)*wayne Burton singing (Festival of trees)
B)Kurt bestor (abravanel hall) c)Wasatch singers (Riverview Jr. high)--sort of comprable to what grandma Helen would have sung in called the choralettes --D) ward choir (at church yesterday)
E)watching the grandkids dance around (either in person in my front room-or on the blog for brad and kerri)--F)forgotten Christmas Carols --*(cottonwood high) and then attending the
G)party for The Stake Presidency and their wives--H)also last but not least the crowing get together will be when all of you gather around dad and on on Christmas eve to read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and from 3Ne 1--....And it came to pass
see ya soon!!! on WED. it will be here before you know...

Peace

Dear Family,

As I looked at a snow filled night, or the nativity or sit by the tree with the lights glowing I was reflected on the peaceful feeling that seem to come over me--in the still, quiet moments I was pondering about...

* the winter season is upon us (both physically and emotionally) --

and about * Christmas Eve draws near, and about the

*blessings of a loving Heavenly Father and bout

* the end of the year drawing near.

It gave me time to reflect on many thoughts.

another time I had to ponder was during some Christmas performances.

I have been impressed lately as I sat in choir performances that

1) the Lord loves us and is mindful of us.

2) As we feel united with one another--in purpose and love --and prayer for each other we'll feel a sense of peace.

One song that impressed me, lately in a performance that made me think of all of you, was

"Go ye now in Peace"

I don't know if you can find that on play list or you tube or pandora's list but I wish I could send it to each of you--the lyrics say Go ye now in peace, He that made you will never leave you..and how he will give you his peace when troubles come before you. He will will go before you. That is our wish for you in the coming year--that you go in Peace (into the new year). That you may have his peace.

lotsa love

sweet Megan

Dear family,
I am writing to let you know that Megan has been diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She has type II. It presents itself in a spectrum of severity meaning that not all kids are equally effective. It seems Megan is somewhere in the intermediate area. It is hard to predict exactly how aggressive Megan's case will be. Time will obviously tell. They are working with Dr. Swoboda who is a leading expert for this disorder and kids come from all over the country to see her. Type II is less severe than Type I but does create significant challenges. She faces a life in a wheel chair and future surgery (maybe not for 10 years) to deal with scoliosis among other issues. A detail plan is being devised to deal with exercise, nutrition, and everything esle. A good online resource if you want to learn more about the disease is http://medicine.utah.edu/neurology/research/swoboda/sma/.
This website deals with all types of SMA. Not everything you read about the disease will apply to Megan. . This will be a time to pull together to pray and to increase in testimony.
so far Nancy and Stephen found out--in classes some of the things they can start doing are to
Keep her healthy--keep in in her stander (physical stander-) for minium or two hours
she'll sleep with the braces on her legs alternating --so its just on one leg each night
she'll soon have a manual wheel chair. This disease will not affect her mind--so she will continue to be the smarty that she always has been--We love you so much Megan and pray that you will be so blessed through all of this--you were such a trooper with the many tests of the past weeks.

gingerbread house time

the more frosting & candy the better! ha

Hi family

I know you already posted some pics--but I wanted to too...loved that night--let's always try to do that as long as we can okay? love mom

Christmas Season

This picture is a memory of LastYear--remember how we started in the late of noon--we'd like to try to do that again--if your schedules allow--Hayley found out she can get off by 1 PM that day and bryan Scott mentioned trying to leave work a little early--dad said he may not be able to get home that quick--but the rest of us could play games and ralley around each other and make a Christmas craft of something--I was going to try to get that kit to make Christmas Plates

Dear family

you all know I am a big fan of hot chocolate--it was fun to sit down the other night and drink some as I sat in my PJ's and think about the warmth of the holiday season--

*I am so Thankful for our Savior his birth--his life's mission--his teachings and his atonement

* I reflected on the times of being together that the holiday season affords

*I love the traditions of the season, the anticipation of little children and grown ups for the traditional times

* dressing up and reading the Christmas story from Luke and also from 3 nephi are such a big part of my favorites--because of the miricle that takes place in my heart of remembering and imagining what it might have been like at that time of the Saviors birth.

* I made a list of other traditions we carry on from year to year--all with the hopes of bringing us closer together and making memories to reflect on when those times that we can't be together.

*I want to make this a memoriable year--as Hayley will be in the mission feild at this time next year.

* I love and appreciate you and my thoughts for your happiness have been with me with each gift I wrap for you and I wrote you all love letters --as that to me is the best gift of all and so know that while doing this you've been in my thoughts... lotsa love--mom

Thanksgiving 2008

These are some fun pics that I took at the calls thanksgiving this year!! The kids played with a kite and flew it around the trees outside for awhile. They had fun chasing each other!

Hunter loves this little tractor!

Then James and Megan Fuller came and spent time with us!! They are super fun cousins to have around. James was being funny and got into the wagon and Bryan had an idea to make a train out of it. All the kids followed behind!! We got a kick out of it!!

Some reasons I think -Thanksgiving is/ was so wonderful

Dear Family
Now I remember why I love the Holiday Thanksgiving. It's FUN
*eating (and eating some more) I love that my kids and family are so good to take the food assignments--and when we all sit down together --with everyone's contribution it just all comes together--without much stress
*relaxing
*being together
*this year warm weather and our version of the "macey day parade) out front on the sidewalk with grandkids , wagons --skateboards, scooters, the little green tractor...and so on...fun times
*I love all pies...I love the time spent playing games-I love playing this year a Thanksgiving trivia game--with questions relating to The Thaksgiving Holiday (thanks for making that Brianne) then later the adults played a rousing game of Apples to Apples
--reading books-(my new favorite Thanksgiving book for children --has some great adult humor too is called : the Best Thanksgiving ever)
-watching movies (we watched part of Pete's dragon together)
*I love wearing my slippers
* I love to reflect on the many things I have to be thankful for
and say them outloud to others--throughout the day on thanksgiving
* love setting the table and looking forward to when we all sit down and munch together and see where the convesations lead.
* I love cleaning up the house before everyone gets there. #1) it feels so cozy when it all clean and 2) when its all shiney --non -cluttery clean then ---there's plenty of space to set out the variety of pies...on the clean countertop--(:
* I just love the feeling in the air--- and the joy of the people being together to make that feeling.
* I love the phone calls on Thanksgiving morning from the family members who can't be there that day--(it made me feel close in spirit when Hayley and Brad -- talked with us that day-by phone)oh yeah kaci--said "hi" too--she has a sweet little voice..
* love (loved) the time Bryan and I can cook together in the kitchen before everyone gets there-- and Bryan carving the turkey and me--dishing up the last few things -as it gets close to eating
* I love the evening time of Thanksgiving when we all sit around and eat more left overs or in this case this year scrabbled eggs (just for a change up)
* I love getting out a few Boxed labeled Christmas and watching the grandkids carefully set out the nativity scene and gently set out baby Jesus --with the most loving care that only a child can do.
_______________________--so there are some of the many reasons I love Thanksgiving every year--and every year I feel it was the best Thanksgiving ever---hope you all felt that way too. Love mom

Dad is going strong

Hi there family

yeah that dad had (as you see in the picture above) a tiny bit of down time last summer cause between work and church and life and the day to day--living those days are mostly gone for dad

I was just thinking since I am going to make these blog post into a book someday I want to make a post about dad--

the Stake calling surely has kept him busy this past month. Last Sunday his meetings started as usuall somewhere around 6am then he helped call two new councilors to a bishopric being organized next week, and did some other matters of business. then went to the ward where a

brother Goddard was made bishop--this week and then he helped organize an Elder quorum in a ward and --this was only the tip of the ice berg of the various assignments that he was involved with. I just wanted to remind you all to keep praying for him to have the health and strenghth to do everything --that is put before him- remember that story I love about Pres Benson's family

they said "pray for dad"

till later mom

funny things to share

a little while ago --Brianne tagged me for sharing a few things about myself

we I don't have funny pics to go along with all of mine--but I'll try.....

*I admit--I get a little "too" excited some times--but really it makes life fun--but it is a quirk

take for instance the time --I went to Hawaii last time and stayed way long because I was so "excited" and because I figure it was my chance to ever --ever go there--so what can I say?

or how about when I used to wake up early on Christmas morning and wake you kids up--if you didn't wake up early on your own? Now that is being too excited...I admit--but I am okay with it

_______________________________________________________________

moving on I feel so deeply about things that some times I get emotional and wear my feeling on my "sleeve" .. but I need to Hold my stuff in...hum.....

that is why I love reading blogs though cause--people let their cherished feelings come out...

________________________________________________________

I love to get home from where ever I am --out and about and put on my slippers and

comfy clothes and --just be a sort of a "slob" if you will.... at home (I mean I clean and all just not fashionable--as you will note in the goofy pic above--with the purple shirt and levis--slippers not shown in picture above but just use your imagination..(: ________

______________________________________________________________

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last but not least--I am a bit unual that lots of my friends say that --being a grandma beats out anything--hum--even beats out the joy of being a mom--can't say that I would go that far--so in that way--I--but I loved (and still love) being a mom I love that no matter how old I get--once a mom always a mom (its not like a light switch you turn off) its--just always a part of you from the day of that first birth---in fact I like it sooooo much that I brag about each of you too much and you often would say "mom get over yourself" I was over myself - I just wasn't over the proud feelings I had for each of you---so okay maybe I'll settle down a little bit--but in the meantime I plan to keep spoiling you in every way in every chance I get--with my time my resources and my money--

and PS --hoping that spills over into the love for those sweethearts of my greatkids too---they are pretty super like their parents aren't they!? (must have come by it naturally)--xoxox

see pics above--I don't know how to load the pic to the blog post where I want it yet---hum....

__________________________________________________________________

love ya lots mom

_______________________________________________________________

if you read this--I tag Andrea Griggs--Angie Cahill, --and Cindy Pehrson...(: (only if you want to) its very theraputic ha (I don't even know if I had the right idea_)_ but I had fun listing some things about myself (:

life is beautiful

dear family-
life is beautiful for more reason than one---
but for instance isn't it wonderful that Hayley and Brad and Kerri and Kaci can betogether for Thanksgiving -again this year (referring to the fact they were all in Hawaii together last year at this time) and isn't it wonderful that the rest of us can gather together at the house this year.
(Stephen will be in our thoughts as he is at the hospital rotation) and we'll miss him lots..we'll also have the pleasure of Ellen and LaNae with us--so.I just wanted to share that--
I just think life is beautiful that we get to be gathering and enjoying each others good company--looking forward to it and feeling that holiday feeling already.

I just feel so THANKFUL --(note from me)---

Dear family
its Sunday night and I was sitting here thinking about the day and the many thing that I am thankful for:
*the Gospel of Jesus Christ
*the many conviences of like
*good health
*a loving family and friends
*a good neighborhood and community
*phone calls from each of you on Sunday
*enough food to eat
* a place to teach
*music
*pictures and histories and memories of yesdays
*a place to gather for Thanksgiing and other times
*I hope it is a wonderful time for each of you to reflect on the countless blessings our Father in Heaven has given us...HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EACH ONE OF YOU--I'm most thankful for the influence that you are & continue to be in my life--love mom

can it really be gingerbread house making time already??

Hi family -
it seems like yesterday we were sitting in a sunny --sun room in a house in Hawaii --decorating the gingerbread houses with palm tree leaves...and candy---we believe it or not--I'll be stirring up a batch or gingerbread with in the month and we'll give it ago to keep up the annual tradition.
don't know if they'll be as fancy--but as long as we get a lot of candy on them right-0?
I want to make a blurb book someday --so I wanted to post this post --to have it part of my memories ---how's about we shoot for the Evening of Dec 7th and see how it goes --just bring a bag of your favorite candy if you remember--and we'll see you then-----------and lets reflect back on the fun time we had --last year while we did it--to me that was still a miricle that we were all together --there. I had enough fun to last me a lifetime...miricles do happen--that trip was a testimony of that.

The October conference Ensign is out...&

Hi family -the conference Ensign came a few days ago--it reminded me of all the wonderful talks and of how dad and I and Hayley and her roommate (from Hawaii) Ashley --went to the Sunday morning session--here are a few pics from that morning--I challenge myself and all of you to read them and enjoy the council of the Prophet and the brethern again. It is what will get us through the next six months--and bring peace to our hearts--reading them and abiding their council I mean...


picture just outside the conference center on the raining Sunday morning--glad we didn't have to wait in line

this pic is just inside the confence center --by the window by the fountain

Oct ended good--Nov started good

Dear family
--what a great ending to a great month going with Hayley and dad on a session at the Manti temple we walked around and looked at the east doors which great grandpa paxman helped hang and we had just a great time..feeling of the spirit of the early saints and the sacrifices they must have made to build such a house to the Lord


the best part of the beginning of November --we got off on the right foot with a great day at the polls voting...I felt good to have added my vote to those cast-- (win or lopse)

I am Thankful

Dear family,
can't believe we have snow --Nov 5th but we did and oh wasn't it fun? for those who got it---
I loved how it looked when I went out in it today...(didn't care too much for the cold ) but the snow was great~ how quickly the seasons change seems like we've enjoyed such a great "Indian summer " as it is sometimes called meaning:(a long fall season with great temps) that it is a little hard to welcome the change/// but each season brings with it so much beauty........don't you agree:?

We had such a fun time with this idea of pizza in the shape of a pumkin (from papa murphey's) then we made another homemade one from scratch --and made it like a pumkin as well

I am thankful for so many things --including sunflowers and the other wonderful things that grew in our garden this year--when I enjoy that Thanksgiving dinner I will reflect both on 1 the pilgrims harves and 2 on the harvest of our own personal garden what a great month for reflecting on our MANY blessings ( besides feeling that I am the "luckiest" remember how I love that song by ben folds I surely do feel the most blessed

reflecting back one more memory of this past month dad and I sure enjoyed serving scones again this year on Halloween dad was so good to help me get all set up--we had to hurray as Hayley and dad and I had the dough made but spent lots of time in the Temple in Manti earlier in the day==but it all worked out great...

Dear Family ( part II) ha I am making one big 'ole post for Oct and Nov I guess -hum.......
loving the joys of Nov and being thankful and remembering my many blessings. Mostly it gives me the same warm feeling Dec does with the Holiday feeling in the air--
but with more simplicity...I am going to keep both holidays simple this year and reflect on the blessings and joy of the gospel and family I am thankful for so many things --including sunflowers and the other wonderful things that grew in our garden this year--when I enjoy that Thanksgiving dinner I will reflect both on 1 the pilgrims harves and 2 on the harvest of our own personal garden what a great month for reflecting on our MANY blessings ( besides feeling that I am the "luckiest" remember how I love that song by ben folds I surely do feel the most blessed

just know that--we are THANKFUL for each of you and how you make dad and my lives so very happy
hope this is a great month for each of you in all the things you are doing
Love mom & dad

Sister Call

Hayley opening the mission call letter
cookies we ate after she opened the call
dad and I sitting around Hayley right bfore she opened it--I was so excited --before and after
we all were--it was a great day

Hooray the mission call has come!!! So
Hayley opened her mission call on Friday afternoon --the anticipation and suspense was high--family gathered around her in person and by cell phone--on speaker-- drum roll...she opened it---and found out she has hereby been called to serve for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints as a full time missionary in the:


Portugal Porto Mission (In Europe) she leaves on Jan 7 and to enter the Provo MTC then probably after about 8 weeks depending on visa and such will leave for Portugal. Her Mission Pres and wife are James, and Lynda Henery originally from Colorado they look very sweet in the pic in her packet. When she gets to the mtc her P.O box will indicate the date of their departure date of the MTC ... and so for now we just have her address to the MTC (minus the PO box)





very happy for you Hayley and know that you will love this adventure like the many other advertures up to this point in your life--we also know that your sincere testimony will be shared with others and that you will hold up your standards and the light of the gospel. we pray for the members their to start to be prepared now --so that when you arrive they can be prepared to hear the good news of the gospel. The gospel truths are the most wonderful knowledge and we are proud that you have made yourself worthy to go about sharing them in the capcity of a full time Sister Missionary--we love you lots and will support you in any way to be successful in this endevor

Bryan's birthday this month Sept 26th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN THIS MONTH ON THE 26TH

we Remember well Sept 26th of 1981--we were so thrilled to have our first son and have him all well and healthy, it was an easy delivery (if that is possible) and he weighed in at 5lbs 8 oz. and 21 inches long he had dark hair and looked like dad we are so thankful that we got to be the parents of this fun loving, ambitious, hardworking, hardplaying, teaseing , smartie pants & ever a ,gentlemen. He has always been an adventerous boy--who has won over the hearts of many.

we are thankful for the things he has done in his 27 years and for the influence that he has been on each of us.

One Sat morning dad and I were sleeping in a little late--we hear someone getting into the sink in the kitchen and turning on the water.. it was Bryan he was like 3 at the time I think and he had gotten down the oatmeal and pan and salt and was adding some water to the oatmeal to start his own breakfast since no one was there to do it for him. Just an example of his self starter personality and independance; at even a young age-- we love you a bushal and a peck and much more and hope that this is the best year ever ---Happy birthday --Mom and Dad

the glaciers On top of Timpanogus

me in front of the lake and glacier
make note of the top of this mountain is where the sprain happened--the imagine waking and sliding down that far this walking an additional 6 hours on the ankle--back down to the base at aspen--it surely was a beautiful place though--used to be one of my favorites--now I think I shall value these pic of the area for they shall be my last--as I never want to hike to that top of that summit again--I think that was the 10th or 11th time I have done it since I was 16 years old--funny how it seemed more easy back then (:
hayley in front of the lake and glacier