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

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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...

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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....

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love ya lots mom

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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