Its a good month so far

It's a great month so far---
*The days are getting longer
*The snow is bright and white
*The Kids at school say funny things and make me laugh
*We have a warm place to live --on these cold , cold days
* there is hot chocolate in the cupboard
*I got to the temple the other day (SLC) and I recounted my blessings of being sealed to a great family
*I went for a night walk in the snow with my big snow boots last night on the way to a geneology class.  It was so fun to tromp around in the snow
*I got to read a book with Abbie, (part way_ ) I love to read --I love my grandkids to read to me
* We got to celebrate Bryan's birthday
* We had some apple I made into apple sauce (then I use them for my favorite best bites, cookies)
*I was to see the movie "Tangled " with Bryan (on TV) it is a cute show, I've never seen it all the way through (okay I would fast forward the creepy lady in a few parts)

Happy New Year

Glad for a new year, a new week , a new day
This year I hope to:
*Read a book
* Take a trip
* Organize
*enjoy Life
*Enjoy the people I love
*enjoy good health
* Give people the bennifit of the doubt
* Keep the commandments better
* attend the temple better
*smile and laugh more

Gatherings

I've always wanted a home where we could have 'gatherings'  I like it when people come together
everyone works so hard--I love it when people can relax from all that they have to do in life
    we had one of those gatherings on Christmas Eve.  We had just dad and I hanging around the house Fri night--but even with the two of us--that was a good gathering (and resting and visiting) after we got back from doing temple session (sealings) ---some time ago we had my Gertsch family gather here and now tonight we had some of the Call family gather here to enjoy anson and Carli's (coleman and her parents)  and keith and their kids and  nancy and stephen and Hayley--we all laughed and had a good visit..  and dinner and one game and opened bridal shower gifts.  then at the end those in attendance gave some advice. 
  some of the advice was:
*be kind, think before you just say what you say
*when you are with either side of the family--"be with" them in body and in spirit...'when in rome....: do as the romans do"
*map out the weeks comings and goings of each person and make sure to write in time for yourselves together..
*take everyone's advice (politely) then go and do what is best for the two of you
*make it your 'obsession' to make your spouse happy
*happy wife  happy life  (and vice versa)
*  no one likes to wake up to a dirty sink--keep your sinks cleaned out
*be positive and believe things will work out--they usually do.
:

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

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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