some of the pictures about include:

*being together--thinking of What Christmas is about and the reason for the season.
*just being together, and spending time, snuggling
*watching the cute faces he (the baby ) pulls
*All enjoying sweet Hogan-Her sweet smile in the picture tells it best
having Hogan --to hold this Christmas Eve made everyone feel more loving
Christmas Eve day, family around for celebrating the Birth of the Savior, --singing songs and reading the story of his birth and also eating and exchanging gifts of love like the wisemen of old
*some background we made a few years back
*and lo --It came to Pass--we all took turns Reading part of the scriptures--then Grandpa read some of the Parts in the Bible and --announced which songs we would sing--in connection with that scriputure
*family gathering together on Christmas Eve
sort of blury -00ps anticipating the reading and getting set with props and costumes
angels and shephers preparing for Grandpa to read the Christmas story
a real baby for the baby Jesus during the Christmas reading in Luke and in 3 nephi --of course having Hogan so tiny --made the reading all that more imaginable and added such a sweet spirit to the reflecting of our Saviors birth, and even though Brianne was not pictured here as she was playing the piano--She reminded me of sweet Mary--Bringing her sweet son into the Mortality and the love she has for her son reminds me of the love Mary must have had for her son.
kids gathering around each other-around the tree

So, when I was reading in Nephi this morning I came across a scripture in 3 ne 4:33 that said ..."And their hears were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies....and they had bee dlivered from an everlasting destruction." ---my heart also was so full on Christmas eve that when I gave the closing prayer at family night, it was hard to hold back the tears, because I knew that we all have been saved from everlasting destruction (spirtually) because of the birth, and mission and atonement of our Savior. their joy was so full, and this time of reflecting on the love of our Savior has made my joy so full. I felt this great joy as Brianne played the piano and we sang the songs of Away in a Manger, and Silent night and other songs and as we read, together in the Scriptures, of the events surrounding the Saviors Birth and of his birth.

Merry Christmas Everyone

As much as I like all the parts of the season Of Christmas I do mostly enjoy playing 'oh Holy Night" and have the little one hear it and my older ones too and having us all stop a moment and think of the music and word to that Song. Some of the 'excerpts from the song include phrases like:

"It is the night of our dear Savior's birth....he appreared and the soul felt his worth....The weariy world rejoices....yonder lies a new and glorious morn. ......fall on your knees ..and hear the angel's voices... oh night divine , oh night when Christ was born. Led ty the light of faith serenly beaming, with glowing hearts by his cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the wise men from Orietn Land. ....The KING OF KINGS lay in a lowly manger In all our trials born to be our friend. fall on your knees ,..oh hear the angels voices, oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born ...his life was love and his Gospel was PEACE." To that I add his gospel brings peace.

The following is what I wrote at the Bottom of the Christmas card I took out and mailed out.

it is the following testimony--that he lives and that he is King of Kings.:

" We find hope in the knowledge that Jesus Christ, is our brother, and friend. The Savior Jesus Christ lives and loves us. We find joy in this season to celebrate his birth, his mission in life, and his plan of salvation for us. We are ever grateful for his birth, his life, his teachings, and his resurrection. We have a loving Heavenly father, who blesses us at every turn. We find joy in his eternal promises. Love Bryan and Lynda Call."

Hoping that each of you who read this post know that I do share with you in believing these truths

Merry Christmas--May you fell of his peace and love

Lynda

another happy day

tender loving care

I'm 'pondering on all this attention

we're all hear for ya

I'm almost smiling thinking how I just left heaven

all colorful and bright--(brianne -you and hunters skirt go so good and bryan and the other two kids go good--was that all planned out) anyhow you are darling!!!!!! and the day was fun -fun fun

the proud grandparents (stand up straight next time grandma Lynda--) I put that note to myself--

dad and baby

mom and baby (brianne sorry I caught you candidn but couldn't resist posting cause hogan looks so "bright eyed" right there)

I love the movie --It's a wonderful life--(a movie about George Bailey) and how he comes to enjoy the simple joys of his family and being loved and the blessing of day to day things....one of my seasons favorite movies--well to me having another grandson blessed reminded me again that "it is a wonderful life" dad and I have an abundant life--with ordainary things and with ex-tra ordainary events of children and grandchildren--this was truly a happy day and bryan gave a wonderful blessing and Brianne bore a fervant testimony and we all ate and held the baby and it was Heavenly ---it reminded me of the joy we felt just a few months ago. How blessed can we get two baby blessings before years end... so now you can see write I titled this blog 'happy day"

It's beginning to feel a lot like winter...thankfully we have warm homes and cars

pic of snow in achorage in Oct at a glacier

picture of snow in Alaska

pic of bryan snowblowing at our home last year

pic of ten foot snowman , bryan and Hayley built the year after bryan's returned home from his mission

Hi family

well the song goes 'its beginning to look a lot like Christmas" (which it is) but sing that to the tune of its beginning to feel a lot like Winter" in a way its been warm as far as winters go but burrrrr..

I'm feeling the chill--so I wear warm coats and drink --hot cocoa, --we can't hold a candle to what kerri and brad are feeling, or Hayley walking around Boston and New York ( this weekend)

incidently though--one day last month slc was colder than achorage

(hum go figure) I need to get some skiing free after three at Alta or something to make the cold season go by faster.

well at least when it's cold outside and dark--we can at least feel 'all cozy' looking out from a comfy warm homes. How grateful I am for warm homes and warm cars with heaters. I remember my mom living in Idaho (and its cold there too) and driving in horse pulled sleighs

not just for the fun of it or a pleasure ride; for mom and her family, that was the mode of transportation. I remember her saying how her dad took her in the sleigh to get her to the bus/ or train (?), to come down to college in Provo. I also think of the pioneers when its cold --and I will ever respect them, facing the elements. Bottom line -the cold makes me count my blessings. Speaking of blessings If I share this next part then I won't get the blessing in Heaven. Yesterday I was driving to get to the library. Then I accidently pulled out of the parking lot a bit too far onto the sidewalk. a couple pushing a baby stroller had to walk around my car I rolled down the window and said sorry-about blocking them and then I had the feeling to offer them a ride( they looked cold So they accepted. We throw the stroller into the the trunk and go down to the storage sheds by tracks on sixty four south and they get some things from the shed and then I take them back home. It was great to make a new friend. Three friends counting their little baby.

So even though its beginning to look a lot like winter--if it wasn't winter I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet this kind family. just one more PS to the story, that blessed my life.

The best part of the story: Besides a small television and kitchenette toy for the baby and such;

One of the things they got out of the storage was a copy of a large Bible, and I thought to myself--yes, go home and read your scriptures, if they were walking that far to the shed to get their bible--it must be important to them. It reminded me how important it was to me too. Can't wait to read the Christmas story out of the Bible, before hand and on Christmas eve. I've valued my bible more since yesterday.

The Middle

Hello-family-
The Middle is a comical weekly show that has started up this year--the last episode was the most fun yet in my way of thinking--its about a family who decided to simplifiy the gift giving and hype of Christmas and then the grandpa and grandma come to stay and well lets just say they um...act like 'grandpa and grandma' and sort of over do (or spoil) but it's out of a good intentions and good heart...they used to be parents that gave an allowance of 12 cents a week and now have taken on the philosophy of 'ya can't take it with ya' sort of attitude. in a way I'm much like the grandma in the show--but then in a way I was at one time like the mom of the show--when I was a younger mother.
"bottom line:" --- I found it funny and wondered if anyone else did as well. Their are some funny lines in it though and it aired I think this past Wed--if anyone wanted to look on hulu.com and see it (Dec 8th) I think. I'll its something about the twelve days of Christmas--and see if you can't see me saying some of the things that the mother on the episode says : such as : -" treasuring the gift of the orange, as they did in the depression" --or " let's give each other home made gifts from the heart'. (incidently Brad -one gift from the heart the big brother gives the little brother is building him a snow cave--made me think of you building that last year )

So I can see both sides of the fence--but it made me laugh..Hope it does you too. the closing line of the show--no matter what is said in a family--hopefully good or bad--it is forgotten--because its all about families. (which the emphasised in bryan and brianne's stake conference) and as I told Bryan and Brianne--and I will tell you ALL--thank you thank-you , thank-you for indulging me in my annual family things --I love you all for it mom

The Christmas Season brings me JOY

The Christmas season brings me a lot of joy--

1- COURAGE- comes with the season...

yesterday--mostly because it was the Christmas season and my heart was full of joy--I got the courage up to briefly and simply explain to a co worker --how taking the sacrament, gives me strength for the week ahead. That because of the Atonement of Christ, all things will have a way of working out for the best, either in this life or the hereafter. I simply asked her to 'think' about those things. Because I have the faith that what I told her is true. the thing was that in telling my less active friend all these things --it also reminded me of the courage I can have in a world of turmoil, and disappointment. It gave me courage as well that things will all work out.

2- MUSIC- The Christmas season provides opportunity for me to sing in the stake Christmas program, I love even the practices. I love bing crosby singing Christmas songs and I love the primary singing for the ward services, and I love the songs that the grandkids play for their piano recitals and I love the music playing in the stores

3-FAMILY- it gives excuses for the grandkids to come around to help put out little decorations

and make goodies and trinkets, and gingerbread houses, and for all the family to read the nativity.

4- NEIGHBORS- I reflect with each Christmas card/letter I write--what joy each life that touches ours for good really means. so many people have done so much for me and influenced me

5-LOVE- I feel more love for my Savior and those around me. I have been reading and studying the New Testament again. The Savior gave courage and strength to those in the Old World, and I love him dearly for bouying me up and giving me strength, each and every day.

6. wearing bright colors (greens, reds etc) I love wearing Christmas colors and boots

7. FIRST PRESIDENCY DEVOTIONAL... always my favorite story come from the brethern that share at this devotional. I love our prophet and bear testimony that he is a living prophet today

Pres Monson has made such an impact and difference to my life and my behavior.

8. LIGHTS-- I feel cozy around lights, by my tree , on temple square, in the light of the candles as we eat our candle light dinner on Christmas eve.everything in the dark especially seem 'illuminated' and it reminds me that our Savior is the Light of the world and his light is in his creations --all year long, and the light of Christ is in people's eyes, all year long.

9. SCRIPTURES-AND WITNESSES= the accounts in Luke that tell of the circumstances leading up to Christ birth and then the birth, are so lovely to me--I love to read about this over and over, and I love to know that there were so many witnesses to this--how can we not believe

The scriptures also remind me to be ever looking and longing for his coming to the earth again.

snow shoeing is fun-- snow shoeing is exercise

watched a clip on good things utah about snow shoeing and said--that's it--I'm going so I head up little cottonwood and tried it out--after the last newly fallen snow--its fun and good exercise just like they had said on the show---later I saw brad and kerri--wore there's to find a tree--
so there you have it--snow shoes are the thing. At least I think so I'm a big fan. I only got pretty pictures of snow covered trees--(no permit ya know-for chopping one) but the pics will have to do. The river was pretty too. All in all a fun day--then hurried home as dad and I had to be somewhere that night, so I wasn't out long, but can't wait to go again.