My Siblings Dec. 2011

Last Sunday we gathered together over at Kayleens place to visit and exchange a few things for Christmas. Larry had come down from Idaho to bring us a big box of Idaho Spuds. I love that he takes the time to do that for us. I'm so blessed to have my three sisters and my brother in my life. I know mom and dad would be proud of us that we remain close in spite of them not being here. I'm so thankful that Kayleen, Geri and Cyndee live so close by that we can get together and go to lunch often. I love my brother and sisters so much. I can't imagine my life without them. It's hard to see us all getting older and dealing with our own aches and pains but it's nice to know we're there for each other to make life easier.
Kayleen, Cyndee, Larry, Me and Geri.
What an awesome brother-inlaw Kay is. He's always there to help us when we're in need. He's spent many hours at the hospital waiting with me when Roger's had his surgeries.
My cute hubby enjoying the conversation with everyone.
Three very important women in my life. I"m so thankful for them. I pray we can all continue to grow old together and be there for one another.

Pre-Christmas Festivities

I love this picture of the Salt Lake Temple where Roger and I were sealed. We had a fun night right after Thanksgiving going and seeing the lights on Temple Square.
Addie and Colby were in California when we had our grand kids Christmas tree decorating party so they did their ornament contribution later. Each year I buy the grand kids a new ornament to put on our tree and they love it.
Addie is placing her ornament on the tree very carefully. I loved how most of my ornaments were on the lower half of our tree since that's where they can reach.
We took Makinely, Gentry, Easton and Presley to our ward Christmas party. They loved sitting on Santa's lap. It was quite funny because as soon as Makinley saw the Santa she said to me "That's not Santa, that's someone in your ward." I tried to tell her it was one of Santa's helpers but she wouldn't hear of it. Mr. and Mrs. Claus was played by our cute neighbors Chan and Jeanne Bates.
I loved this picture of Hadley and Makinley relaxing after they decorated Grandma's tree.
It's so funny trying to get a picture of all the grand kids together. Rarely do you get them all looking at the camera at the same time. But I loved this of Papa with his sweethearts.
Look how pretty our tree turned out!! I wish we could have had Adaline and Colby in this picture. My sweethearts are the cutest things alive. They make Christmas time so much fun.
They just finished our tree. They love getting to put their ornaments on that have their pictures from years past or their ornaments that are their initials. I've enjoyed having this tradition because I know how much fun the kids love decorating my tree. They make me smile seeing their cute little faces.

Happy 31st Birthday To My Beautiful Daughter

Dec. 21st 1980 our only daughter was born. We were so excited to have a baby girl born to our family. We named her Shana Lyn. Lyn is after her father's middle name. She weighed 6lbs 120z. There are several things I remember about Shana's birth. One in particular was it being so very foggy for days and days before her due date. She was due on Dec. 12th and the fog was like pea soup. You couldn't see inches in front of you. I was so worried I was going to go into labor during that awful time. The fog never lifted so when I started in labor we took off for the hospital knowing it would take us a little while to get there because of not being able to see well. But we made it and I ended up having to walk the halls for a while before they'd keep me. Another memory is having my mom being dishcharged from the hospital right before Shana was born. We knew it would probably be my moms last Christmas with us so she invited us to come to her home and spend Christmas morning with her. I'm so glad we did. Rogers mom had made a cute Christmas stocking for her and we took pictures of her in it. Shana always talked about wanting to start a family so I wasn't surprised that she got pregnant right away. She's a wonderful daughter, wife, mom, and sister. She is always serving others by babysitting friends kids, taking meals to families in her ward all the time, buying gifts for them, doing secret projects for people. She has taken up photography and now has a wonderful business that she's grown from the ground up. Everyone has fallen in love with her photos and her business has spread like wild fire just through word of mouth. I'm grateful Shana is my daughter and I'm grateful she continues to be an active member of the church and serves valiantly. She's supported her husband through cancer twice and is such a wonderful mom to her children.

This is how she dresses in the winter time when she has to take pictures in the freezing cold weather.

I met Shana and the girls in Salt Lake to shop for a while. We had lunch and really had a nice visit.

Happy Birthday Tween Bird!! I love you.

Happy 1st Birthday Hadley Lyn

This little stinker, our youngest grand-child turned 1 years old today. Dec. 22. We call Hadley our little miracle grand-child. Her daddy wasn't supposed to have anymore children because of his second bout with testicular cancer. But this sweet, adorable little girl somehow was meant to be here. Hadley is a mischevious little girl. Her mommy claims she's constantly into things and climbing the stairs. She can't take her eyes off of her because she's always getting into the toilet paper, dog food and water, etc. She's sure a joy to our family and we're so blessed to have her in our life. Happy 1st birthday sweetheart. Presley decided she wanted to feed Hadley some pudding. This is the result of that.

Look at this adorable girl. She's at grandma's place and she just scoots around everywhere. Yesterday, Shana sent us a video of her taking her first steps. She walked all the way to the other side of their living room. It's hard to believe a year has come and gone all ready but it has. We sure love her!

Christmas Feelings

I've really been feeling melancholy and trying to get the Christmas spirit and those good feelings we should have at this time of year. A few weeks ago I had begun praying to my Father In Heaven to be able to have my mom and dad close by me at this time. I want so much to feel them in all that I do, everywhere I go, things I see, parties I attend etc. One night I had a horrible dream about mom and it had sickened me quite bad. It's not something I want to remember so I won't go into it. But I was devastated that I would have that kind of a dream when I had been praying and asking for a comforting feeling.
That was 2 or 3 weeks ago but I had an experience the other day that I feel made up for my bad dream. It wasn't anything spectacular but I felt such a comforting feeling after I witnessed what I did. I was in the parking lot at Kohls, trying to find a parking spot and I see a couple of young women holding onto an elderly lady. Helping her walk and and treating her ever so gently. The elderly lady was beautiful but frail, she had gorgeous gray hair like I picture my mom would have had now. I was overcome with emotion as I witnessed that because I felt like that could have and should have been me and my beautiful mom. And at the same time I received a confirmation that mom was with me. That I was given that experience to know all is well and that she's with me in spirit. Simple but true. I know it was a sign that I had been wanting because I've thought of it over and over and I have such a good feeling now. I wanted to stop them right there in the road and thank them for being there right at that moment. It made me feel so good. I feel her love, her spirit. I see her making her Christmas cookies, candy and buying her gifts. I see her nut tree she made, I see her beautiful Christmas tree, her home always decorated so pretty, I see her making her cakes to take to her friends and ward members. Christmas was her holiday. I want so much to be like her. She was beautiful, giving, caring, sympathetic, had empathy, loving.
I'm thankful that my prayers were answered in a small, simple way.

My New Hobby

So almost 45 years later I've taken up tap dancing again. I'm having the time of my life. I love this group of girls. We laugh and have so much fun trying to learn the new steps. I'm so happy that Lora, my best friend, and Kristi, my adorable daughter-inlaw are taking with me. Karen is the other woman and she's a lot of fun.
Here I am at the Festival of Trees. Our first performance!! We danced to Rock Around The Christmas Tree.

Makinely and Gentry have been taking also. They did so well and I was so proud of them. They weren't nervous a bit to get on the huge stage.

Kayleen and Kay, Cyndee and Becka and Rog came to support me. I could hear them hootin and a hollerin in the audience. I appreciated them making the effort to come and watch.

I took tap lessons around the age of 9 or so. I can remember the song and even part of the dance. Last summer someone had placed a flyer on my doorstep about taking tap lessons. It instantly brought me back to that time in my life and I knew that I wanted to take again. So I signed up along with Lora and then I convinced Kristi to come and take with us. It's been so much fun every Thurs. to get together and learn all the new steps and trying to remember them. Mom would be so happy that her money spent on tap lessons when I was a little girl has finally paid off. ha ha.

Temple Square Christmas Lights 2011

I've been wanting to go see the lights at Temple Square for many years now and just haven't gotten around to it. So this year we decided to all go up. Troy's family is still in California so they weren't able to go darn it. But we really had a nice time. We had dinner at the Gateway Mall first then drove over to the lights. Of course, it being only the 2nd day, it was really, really crowded. I'm always in awe at how many lights there are and how much time it must take to put them up. I saw a show on it the other day and it said that they start putting them up in August and then it takes them until March to take them all down again.
This scene is on the water. Look at the reflection. It's so beautiful.
It doesn't get much prettier than this. I stand in awe at the beauty of the Temple.
Hadley and Jake enjoyed the evening.
Look at all the tiny lights on this tree. I took this picture looking straight up at the tree.

It was a chilly night but perfect to get you in the Christmas spirit.
These two little sweethearts were keeping warm. Presley and Hadley enjoying all the lights.
The Gardner Family
Kristi and Gentry
I love all the music and scenes they have playing.
Hadley and her mama
This beautiful temple is the one Roger and I were sealed in. It's always held a special place in my heart.
Easton's loving being on his daddy's shoulders. That way he can get a better view of everything.
Makinely. I sure love her toothless smile .
Brayden, Makinely and Grandma

The Jared Pyne family
The colors were spectacular. I"m so glad we went because it really gets you in the holiday spirit. It makes you remember the true meaning of this holiday and for that I'm very grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

This morning before I go to work and with it being Thanksgiving tomorrow I want to continue my tradition of writing down some of the things that I'm so grateful for. Tomorrow we'll be at Jared and Kristi's place along with Shana and Jake and kids. Troy and Kori will be in Calif. with her family. I wish we could all be together but when the kids get married that's what happens.

First and foremost is my family. Roger, Jared, Shana, Troy, Kristi, Jake, Kori, Brayden, Daxton, Presley, Hadley, Makinley, Gentry, Easton, Colby and Adaline. I'm in awe of them as I look at how well they're doing in raising their children. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father chose me to be their mother.

I'm grateful for my siblings. Geri, Larry, Kayleen, Cyndee and Jim.

I'm grateful for the gospel. The happiness it can bring in your life if you live the way you should.

I"m grateful for my friends. They've helped me through many, many things in my life.

I'm grateful for my parents who have since passed on many years ago. I've been praying that they would be with me this holiday season in spirit.

I'm grateful for my job. I'd love to be retired but I can't so I'm thankful I have insurance too.

I'm grateful for my home, our good health, a warm bed to sleep in at night. There are so many things I could list but don't have time.

I pray for those who don't have family or friends to gather with at this time.

Happy Thanksgiving...

Halloween Bash 2011

This year Deb and I decided to have our Halloween bash together with our families. They've been our best friends for like 27 years and our kids are all best friends still so it was a "no brainer". We knew we'd have a great time. I really didn't know what I was going to dress up as clear up until like 3 days before our big party. I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I went through our Halloween costumes from years past and this is what I came up with. I just had to buy the wig and sword and eye patch. Roger bought the Cheech and Chong wig and mustache and headband. He's such a good sport to always dress up when I want him too. We used to always go dancing and dress up at Halloween time but haven't done that for a couple of years now. This picture was right before we took off for our party.Deb and I had planned so many fun things to do for everyone. I bought a pinata that was an ugly witch. The kids loved it and of course Brayden was the one to break it and all the kids scampered for the candy. Here's little Easton taking his turn at bat.
Debbie had ghost bowling for the little ones. They had to roll a pumpkin to knock down the rolls of toilet paper. Colby just took his turn. The other little ones looking on are JJ, Bentley, Bryghton, Gentry and Adaline.
I think Jared and Kristi make the cutest scarecrow and tin man.
Gentry and Dax. Gentry is Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz and Dax is a punk rockstar.
We had a pumpkin carving contest with all the men. Jared is taking his job very seriously.
Rog is getting into his pumpkin (literally)
Kori and Heather are going to do the eating the doughnut off of the string contest.
Troy is trying to be very creative with his pumpkin. There is a big prize for the winner.
Daxton, Presley, JJ and Gentry and trying to bite their doughnuts without using their hands. Daxtons ended up falling on the floor so he hit the floor on his knees to try and finish eating it.
Here are the finished pumpkins. They all did an awesome job.
Colby made the cutest Superman!! This costume was worn 30 years ago by Kori's brother when he was a little boy.
Deb, the tourist and me as Jack Sparrow
Hadley even got into dressing up. Shana and Hadley are Punk Rockstars. I was surprised Hadley would even come to me with my costume on but she did great.
Easton hated putting the head part of the lion on his head.
There's my little sweetheart. Her first Halloween party.
Presley wanted to be a doctor so Shana made her a Punk Doctor. She had so much fun dressing up.
The Gardner family as punk rock stars. Boy did they ever play the part well.
Troy and Kori are the Ghost Busters. Addie is a fairy princess and Colby is SupermanLook at these boys. They are awesome looking. I just hope they never want to dress like that in real life. lol
Isn't this the cutest? They're all from The Wizard of Oz. I love Makinley's face!! These are for the most part handmade costumes except for the lion. How creative!
Gentry made a beautiful Dorothy.
We had yummy soups for dinner with rolls and lots of goodies to eat.
Addie loved the goodies the most.
I love this kid!
Here are all of our grandchildren minus one of the newest grandbabies of Wilsons. It's so awesome to see all of our grandkids playing together and to see all of our offspring.
Here are all the adults. I love all of our costumes! Everyone was so creative. I'm so glad we have remained friends over all these years. I know our families will continue to enjoy so many more fun and happy times together.
Brayden is hitting the pinata.
The worlds best friends. Thank you Steve and Deb for giving Rog and I the funnest memories. We continue to laugh and laugh when we're all together. I love them so much.
Now that Halloween is over we'll have to start thinking of what we want to dress up as next year. Let the contests begin!!