Christmas: Magical, Memories and More

The anticipation of the Christmas season starts the minute Thanksgiving dinner has been consumed and the dishes are done and put away. We check out the sale ads and make preparations for the crazy early morning extravaganza. Except for the first time in 30 years, I decided not to go that route. Yup, I slept in and it was great. Then later read the news to find out the craziness that went on throughout the U.S. in the different stores. It is so sad to think, that this is what Christmas has come to. Greed, selfishness, worldliness and in some cases pure evil. I for one am going to Keep Christ in my Christmas and Family close to my heart.

On a more upbeat note, I do have to say I love the decorations, and the smiles of Joy on the kids faces as they see them for the first time. Their eyes light up, and their smiles radiate the excitement they experience.

I was so excited to hear that Crystal was coming a month before Christmas. Especially, so she could put my decorations up for me. My girls all have the knack at decorating anything. I am so blessed to have such talented children. Too bad my mom couldn't say the same thing about me. Seriously, I am a train wreck when it comes to decorating my house, At Christmas or any other time.

Here are some pictures of the decorating Crystal did for me. She climbed above the stairs...scaaaarrrry, and did such an awesome job. I did it once and got stuck, and another time I fell off of the ladder. I should have been named Grace!

I have wanted a nine foot tree for a few years, so went out and got one half off after Christmas. I love it. Again, Crystal decorated it. I tried, but all the decorations ended up on the same branch. How do people do it, it is so stressful!!!! Melissa called and said she had the prettiest tree ever...I beg to differ sister.

Kendra's favorite decoration.....a lit up snowglobe with a ferris wheel.

When my girls were little they would go to Roberts and buy ceramic Chrismas village houses to paint. I thought I should give them each the ones they painted, but I couldn't. They are so special to me and have priceless memories that I am not ready to give up. Sorry Girls!! When the decorations have all been put up, and messes cleaned up---when it is time to turn all the lights on, it is truly magical and reminds us all what Christmas is all about. That light of Christ that illuminates our homes, our neighborhoods and our hearts. The joy of bringing our families together to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

The magic of Christmas is not in the presents, but in HIS presence.

Wishing all you bloggers out there the Merriest Christmas ever!!

A Perfect Sunday!

Lynette and Dustin had to speak in their new Ward today, so I went over to listen. Between the Whittakers and myself we stayed quite busy just taking care of little Jaxon. He is so busy. He would see his parents and yell Ma. Too cute. What a treat that was. Jase gave the cutest little poem about being thankful and then sang I am a Child of God. It was precious. Here is a video of him singing Mister Golden Sun for Grandma. I had to bribe him to do it. But hey, what's a few quarters. Money well spent.

I am soooo in Love!!!

Yup, that's right. I am so in love with all of my little grandkids. They are each so special and different. And to a Grandma their love is the best kind. Innocent, spontaneous and perfect. What more could I ask for. Nothing I say!!! We have had opportunities to go to see our new little Grand daughter Brylen, right after she was born and then for a week a little later. What a lot of fun that was. We also got to see Emma and Gauge. My only regret is that they all don't live right here in Milford. We miss our Little Lance and Luke, and Kendra. Wish we could see them more. Thank goodness, they will be here for Christmas. I am so grateful for my Children and the parents that they are to our little ones. Keep em' coming.....You can never have too many grandchildren.

Deer hunt-Vol. 3

I know, I took a lot of pics. Bear with me here. I could have wrote a novel about the deer hunt, but you know what they say.....a picture is worth a thousand words!

Deer Camp or Deer Hunt!

Russell Sr. always hated it when we would get more excited about camping than hunting. He had to help get the trailer and stuff ready, which took away from the hunting part of it all. WHAAA!
Anyway, Lynette and Dustin and Rodney and Mary Jo took their trailers out,while some family members camped and others drove out each day to partake of the festivities....you know food, treats, games, more food etc..... A great time was had by everyone. But really, the food was the best!!! Here is a bunch of pics for Crystal. She would rather go camping than celebrate Christmas. We really missed her this year, and hope she will be able to come next year.

More Deer Hunt!

I can always count on my sweetheart to go out and bring home the bacon, or venison in this case. He didn't want to kill one this year, but I talked him into it so we could bottle the whole thing. You know...my food storage fetish. Anyway, so he killed for me. Thanks honey!!!What some guys won't do for their wives.

I Pledge Allegiance.......

Emma and little Gauge came for the weekend so daddy could hunt. We have had such a good time. Emma informed us that she could recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Just wanted to share that with you. It is stinkin' cute!!! More deer hunting blogs to come.

~Weekend Family Reunion~

Shanda, Kenny (her boyfriend) and the girls came to visit. It was a blast. The girls have grown up so much and are a lot of fun. Grandma Ann had scrapbooks made for each one of them to work on, with lots of pictures of them to add. We had a yummy dinner at Grandma's house and then came out to our house for some Farkle and cookies, junk food and laughs. It was a lot of fun. We hated to see them go home. Hopefully, they will be able to visit more often, but for now We Luv you guys!! Here is a movie of Leticia, Bianca, and Elina.........They are Karaoke Krazy!!!

Better late than never!!!

About three weeks ago, we went to Price to see Russell and Steph and the kids, and Melissa and Neeley. Brian was still in Texas saving mankind. We had a lot of fun just seeing the kids. We took Melissa to Provo. She wanted to go to Cosco before little Brylen was born. So we did just that. Later, we went to the discovery park with Melissa, Steph, Nils and the kids. It was a lot of fun. Emma had a little friend who just happened to be there. She took me by the hand and told the little girl, "meet my grandma". It was so cute. Neeley and Gauge just played. It was freezing and they didn't want to leave.

The next morning we all went to Breakfast at the Balance Rock Cafe. The best food in Eastern Utah. Seriously, the best. And enough food on one plate to feed three people. It is in an old building, kind of like the ones on Milford's main street. They sell all kinds of antiques and have live bands every once in a while. Anyway, lots of fun and never enough time to spend with the grandkids.

Snow Already?

We've been told it was going to snow, and now it's really here. It really sucks. I love the hot sun, and cool falls and even rainy days, but snow just isn't in my personality. It's probably because I am so HOT!!! And we all know hot and cold don't mix.

Mary Jo and I were in the gym working out, and when we came out, it was a whiteout. The car had two or three inches on it. And we were in the gym for about 70 minutes. It was so beautiful under the lights. But nontheless, Cold. Summer is officially over girls, so get out those winter clothes and hot chocolate mugs, because if anything else it is an excuse to just stay inside at night and enjoy family time together

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!!!

Old Mother Hubbard went to her cupboard to get her poor hubby some soup

But when she got there, the shelves were all bare so she panicked and went to buy every sale she could lay her hands on.

Honestly, I am a little worried about where our economy is heading so I thought I better get a grip and do what we have been told to do for decades. I know we get tired of hearing it sometimes, but I worry that it is going to get worse before it gets better. Anyway I have been having fun filling the shelves. Especially the bottom one. If ever there was a time to be prepared it is now. And if you don't have a stockpile of chocolate, what's the point?

Anyone know who's Booty this is?

We found this picture and can't figure out who it is. Any ideas? Wish it was mine!!!

For me?

We went to the Neeley family reunion. (Russell's mom was a Neeley) in Bailey Creek Idaho. And as we went through a little town called Soda Springs about five miles away, we spotted this sign. I wonder how they knew I was coming and what are they proud of me for?

I know how to dwive Gwandpa!!!

I'm back.......FINALLY! You would think with no kids, except the 51 yr. old, I would have more time on my hands. Not true. I stay plenty busy, I just don't know how.

Anyway, the week of Mallory's wedding came and went. Stephanee and the kids came for it. It was awesome. Gauge and Emma are as adorable as ever. Anyway after the wedding we snuck (is that even a word?) home and took the kids and Steph for a Jeep ride. The kids were having a ball, when Jase tells Grandpa that he wants to drive. My wise, all knowing, too trusting and daredevil at heart husband jumps out of the Jeep and tells Jase to jump in his seat. Jase drives all by himself, at a snails pace of course. He really was pretty good to stay on the road. This was serious business you know. Steph and I were still having fits, but the kids did pretty well. Emma then took over the prestigious chore of getting us all home safe. I don't know if she ever looked at the road but she had a blast. Then Gauge wanted a turn. No way Russell, he can ride on your lap. Anyway memories were made and the kiddies had a blast. Little Jaxon was just happy to be there. He didn't last very long and he fell asleep. We made it home safe and sound with a story for the kids to tell everyone. Russell is taking the pictures as he walks along the side of and behind the Jeep.

Just Peachy!!!!

Where did summer go? With kids and grandkids coming and going, new babies being born and Russell's projects taking over, it seems like it just sort of passed by. I haven't even had time to blog. So here goes. It seems like the only time I get to myself is midnight or later. I know its my own fault. What happened to that lady that used to be so organized?

Anyway, Susan Netto brought peaches up from St. George so I bought three boxes and canned them all. well almost all of them. We ate a lot of them as we canned them. They were so sweet and juicy. Anyway, I spent the whole day canning them, and I really enjoyed doing them. There is a lot of self satisfaction in preserving your own food and building your food storage. Mine has really suffered and it's time to get back on track. Anyway I bought two more boxes and am going to make some Jam. (Requested by Lynette). Then I am going to make some raspberry jam. When I went downstairs to get the peaches I found little holes in all the ones by the handle holes in the boxes. I couldn't figure out where those holes came from, until I saw Lance putting his fingers in the holes while they were on the counter when I brought the peaches upstairs. We found the culprit. What a busy little guy.