Miscelaneous PICS of the Christmas Gatherings

quirkle   a new game we learned to play on Christmas with Joe and Hayley (we also played it on Chrstimas eve with them too) it was a gift from the Kirks to the Jacogs

just hangin' around enjoying each other..doesn't this little megan look especially cute in her dress that she got to wear to Church just before Christmas

rk

dad and I took a drive in the mountains and walked for a bit on the beautiful Christmas Morning Dec 25-2012

dad and I both used to have link sausages for Christmas breakfast growing up--we added eggs and pancakes to the mix this morning along with OJ

the calm before the storrm  I always like to have alittle something unwrapped on the 'wrapped package' for the kids to see when they first get to the House for Christmas eve FHE

I love it that the kids are still willing to share songs, and dances and do things to entertain us and also latter in the evening to dress up like those of days of old in bethlemhem...I love hearing bryan Sr read the Christmas story of Christ  and his birth, both here and the account in the Book of Mormon of the believers in America

lets all help

game time

all i want for Christmas is my two front teeth

second Christmas together...

mom's rendition of Oh Holy night on the accordian

towels (with names) anyone??? just a little something for the 'trip through the year..(as I think of it)

as one little girl so eloquently put it  (she was in the primary class Hayley and Joe were substituting in) she said

: and I paraphrase: We give gifts because Heavenly Father gave His son to us and he gives us many blessings and it is repectful that we give gifts to each other. "  I like how that is put --(out of the mouth of babes")

Hunter sang and played the drums and sang a little sone he made up about baby Jesus and the wise men and shepherds and mary and Joseph and about the stars and it was very tender and gentle.  and dear

Mayley plays a song she made up--on the piano  all listened intently and applauded with vigor  I love that the audience is the family members and they are so positive with the kids...it makes my heart sing.

fun times--holding pieces of the nativity set so the aunts could all say some of the poem to the children called the nativity..

Temple squares

meeting at the Joseph Smith Building Lobby

cousins of the call family Unite

Nicole , Chloe  and the brilliance of the temple

Adrianna & Grandma strike a pose

getting those last hugs in--before she's off to college

hum....we were there together--too bad grandma's camera settings are off--or maybe grandma is wiggly??? hum

went to temple square with Randall family and our family and Keith's family. 

happy New year all..

Happy New Year Everyone

Christmas Break =Holiday Sleep over 2012

sleep over included..banana toss _into a hole in some cardboard, banana bread, coconut money face, and monkey bread, and some banana splits with ice cream and of course plain ole tacos and some popcorn for the movie and some nutty buddy treat from the treasure hunt.. and some dance and music from the group the monkee's

.

made sock puppets--kids enjoy the simple things in life

it was a monkey party

Add caption

eya

grandpa has a captive audience as they vote on the movie

We had such a good time on Christmas Eve and Christmas this past week--what a joy we find in being together with thos we love....The Holiday--ususally include a grand kids sleep over--this year our theme was monkey 

The Holidays have been wonderful

Dec 2012--Bear with me--this post is a totally LONG LONG 2012 Re-cap for Family History sake (:
its been an eventful Holiday and an eventful year
Lots to be thankful for and lots of experiences to be glad are behind us and not in front of us.

Here I sit reflecting of many things that transpired over the past year...I am going to list some of them that are in my mind.  I know I will forget many--and since you (my family_) hopefully read this post more than anyone would you edit it and help me with corrections--(tell me or just go in and make adjustments ) by adding to or taking away any things that are not correct...K/ ?  so here goes..my best shot.


I have a spread sheet that I feel out—each year—on various catagories—on bryan and I and our kids and their families. I thought you might like to share in some of our recap—

places we visited/trips traveled to or lived in=: collectively:    Mexico, Arizona, Ut. Alaska, Purturico.  CA. Montana. 


serving in the church and where:Sunday school teachers, YW leaders, RS teachers, Primary leaders,

Stake Ymens Presidency, High council Secretary, High council, ward mission leaders, Councilor in the Stake Presidency.    Home teachers , visiting teachers. 
(all eligiable are current recommend holders)




home improvements: Painted , tiled , and put new cabinets in three bathrooms, painted the deck

what are some of the 2012 stuff:
 Stephen took his last med. Boards and passed.started his Practice..growing at a good pace
 Bryan Sr reached 30 years working with the state Gov. ,
Bryan working for RC Willey
Brad Working for Achorage School  District
Mom working for Murray School District
Hayley working for Highland Cove--assisted living
Brianne, Nancy and Kerri--Full time mothers
Joe completes second year as resident–began third year residency
Joe Working at the hospital primarily U Of U in residency (3rd)
Nancy and Stephen got their home built. Brianne and Bryan were able to sell their home in Tooele. Hayley and Joe were Able to move to a better apt. Brad and Kerri were able to  get a good deal on a house in Alaska pursues buying it, move into a home that has the potential to be bought in the new year..mom and dad still live in their Murray home and will hit their 25 year mark in our home this spring




2012 other various things to note

:Brianne and Bryan do well running their first 5 k in wonderful time

Lynda runs her first 5K

hayley runs 10 mile race, and her own personal half marathon
,

Stephen does well in the ragnar race and is the captain

Nancy runs the ragnar gets no 'kills” no one passes many . also ran a 5 K at Thanksgiving point to honor Jacob Wetzel
Kaci runs the zoo race, with friend brenna,

Hunter and Mayley run in their alpine fourth of July days—both did fab

Abbie and Adrianna run in school Hershrey track meet and run 100 meter00both do fab

Abbie qualified & goes on to run in the stake hershrey track meet-her relay team takes second in state
Brad Kerri and kids--bike, ice skate and cross country ski,  also Kaci goes on long nature walks with her class at school and Kerri goes with sometimes

Abbie and Adrianna ran the Turkey trot at school, both took second in their grades combination of us (Kerri Lynda and kids) took long long walk in the canyon as part of a celebration Little family outing we shared in:2012--It was so fun having Brad, Kerri and kids here this past summer that -spurred on a lot more outings and we loved having you live close by  thanks..for helping us have an excuse for even more memories *Bryan Sr , Hayley, Brad, Kerri, Brianne & Bryan Hike the narrows in Zions park, *weall went Jet skiing for an evening and a day at Jordanell Res. *Weall went CAMPING AT Payson Lake, *combination us went to silver Lake together, *combination of us went to Hogal Zoo together, * Some of us went to the Great Salt Lake to Swim, combination *combination of us went to Seven Peaks swimming resort together. *Combination us went up various canyons of Mill creek, big and little cotton wood together, too hike or snow shoe or picnic *combinations of us went up to Joe and Hayley's cabin (Joe's family cabin * the mom's and kids watched lots of olympics (summer olympics together) *we also dressed up the kids and ate food and watched a dvd about pioneers and had pioneer party       *    a combination of us went to the Pay family reunion *combinations of us went to the Park in Sugar city for their celebration *combinations of us on Bryan & Brianne's water /bounce slide –back yard *combinations of us swimming at the Murray indoor Pool Cominations of us watching fireworks and picnics and homemade Ice cream *combinations of us eating a dinner on the first Sunday of the month years all the kids are in school: 2012 Abbie-4th Adrianna 3rd Megan, Kaci, and Hunter: all Kindergarten Kyle pre school Mayley 1st                                random  activities: *Brianne taught piano to many students including Mayley and had a piano recital (Oct) and Mayley , Abbie and Adrianna participated : Lots of tender Mercies, lots of second chances. Stephen didn't get hurt on the four wheeler that flipped, Mom didn't wreck the car. (even though she got 'cut off' a few times) nancy got a warning but not ticket, tender mercies that we all had jobs and that the moms could stay home to be moms. That we were all able to keep our spirits high in spite of disappointment and set backs                           points to  make note of  regarding --health and lack of health or accidents :  bryan sr sprained his ankle, share of colds and flu, Lynda broke her toe nancy had trigger finger, stephen hurt his ankle (sprained), asthma gave greif to brad, kerri , Kaci, SMA visits to primary, for Kyle and Megan, Hayley and Kerri Morning sickness, Hogan visits primary for breathing treatments, Mayley , Abbie and Adrianna participated *Adrianna and Abbie took dance twice a week . Ballet and Jazz and performed in the Mountain West Company nutcracker in Nov 2012 *Kaci and Forrest, did cross country skiing with their parents *Brad, dad, Bryan, Hayley, Joe, Bryan & Lynda all did some mountain biking and (Brad)_ road biking *Bryan Scott played basket ball with his ward mom exercised by : "stretching the truth,"--Ha jumping to conclusions  and "flying off the handle" j/k just seeing if you are really reading this LONG LONG re-cap           *Bryan Sr. played basketball with men from the stake *Lynda took some sewing classes *Brianne and Nancy. did some zumba and exercised other work out ways* *Hayley had a friend she exercised with and also went to a u of u rec center—and then the mountains too. *all the grandKids took swimming lessons from their parents –and went swimming a lot—“little fishies they are”. *Megan learns a new song each week *Mayley, Abbie Adrianna—and hunter  kaci and Forrest and Kyle and Hogan- often found doing cart wheels and sommersaults-- that talent lives on *Hunter can bust out some serious dance moves if you put on jazzy music for him--Christmas eve he spun on his head-- *Mom likes to try her hand at cooking up new dishes, *mom and dad visited the rec center frequently church ordainances of that year:Adrianna Grace Kirk was baptised Sat September _________ 2012

wonder what next year will hold??

We really enjoyed ourselves these Holidays but as I put the decorations away I often think to myself what in the world will the next year hold in store ????????????/what joys will we share or experience before I pull these decorations from these boxes again...I in the past have always been happily surprised...
   the lyrics to a song come to mind...'EVERYTHING I WISHED FOR ....EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR
COULDN'T HOLD A CANDLE...TO WHAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN;:"

some of the decorations --before we took down the tree...

just a new deco I tried...I learned it from Anne H.  cranberries in water and float a candle

/in short the Lord has always given us --more than we deserved or even knew to ask for...we are grateful

Thanksgiving Dinner of 2012-a good time was had by all

"I crack myself up!"

Mayley strikes a pose--hayley's in there somewhere behind dad..we never did get a great pic of everyone at the same time but it was a really fun fun day and we had favors at the places (compliments of brianne--really cute cans with beans and straws with pictures on them that the kids had colored of Thanksgiving pics) * We had yams and potatoes and toll house cookie pie made by Brianne,* we had yummy "grandma Gertsch style" Chocolate pie made by Hayley, we had a few other banana and pumkin  pie, made by mom...then the usual,,,turkey  (normal this year) mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, raspberry jam,  slush , and lots of Turkey Gravey --a good time was had by ALL

I never posted about our Thanksgiving day at our home this year--some of the pics from another post were about Thanks weekend--(visitors coming to play and eat and play accordian and decorate houses and make bratzlies and play games and watch tv)

so here are some pics of Thanksgiving day at our home 2012

We're Thankful for.......



Notice Bryan is getting out done with his 'cheeser smile' by the next generation -Hunter

carolyn was down for the Thanksgiving day and gave me this cute table runner

I'm Dreaming of a white Christmas

This picture is from early on this year 2012

I forgot what day...but now its all melted and I'm longing for a White Christmas--(I told Kaci she was so lucky cause they will have a white Christmas)

I May get my wish yet--a storm is brewing for Christmas Eve.. the only thing is that I want to have our family home evening and then get the Bryan Call family back to Alpine --before that white Christmas takes hold--particular  --aren't I?  ha

Energy in the home at this season

the beginnings of the Christmas stocking Hayley was making,  we also heard that Kaci was making burlap Christmas stocking in Alaska--we saw it on I pod and hers was very darling too

Carolyn Bratt just played Oh Holy Night--so beautifully

 Brianne serenarded us with Christmas Carols

 Brianne listening to Carolyn play accordian

 kristi lund came by the house to decorate her gingerbread house

 abbie and megan paint Mary and the Baby Jesus

 Hayley (and I) making Christmas stockings for her, Joe and the baby

 decorating houses out of gingerbread and candy (more details other posts)

 grandkids doing sommersaults

 mixing up just the right shade of yellow for the star (Adrianna)

Fovorite Christmas Poem --

This is an especially favorite Christmas poem of mine by Carolyn Pearson entitled

 "THE NATIVITY.. (while reading this imagine a mom and a child at the nativity scene
"Touch the tiny Jesus Gently now, lay hm in the bed.  No I don't know why the wise men wear a turban on their heads.  That's jus the way they did things then.  ...The cous it's just pretend, but did you hear the one one grandpa's farm?  The star, oh yes the star , this one doesn't shine, but do you remember when we wished upon the stars high abote the clouds?  Those were real
   The Lamb, oh its only clay, but did you hear the lamb leating through the night, of the snow fill farm? 
    the BABY JESUS  oh that's clay too.  Dear put down the lamb, I've a promise to tell you.  A PROMISE our Heavenly Father will keep. 
*As you've seen the cow and heard the lamb and wished upon the stars,....ONE DAY YOU WILL HEAR AND KNOW AND SEE THE sAVIOR OF THE WORLD IN REALITY.