Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

What a busy December we had at our house! Admist the chaos, we found time to be ginger bread house engineers-

Paul's "Great Wall of China" masterpiece.

Aaliyah's "secret agent house" (notice no doors or windows)

and Jon's "retirement chalet." Doesn't that look inviting!?

Then my brother got clearance to take his amazing wife through the temple, so we made an amazing trip to Vernal, making sure to take time to enjoy Temple Square.

The kids couldn't imagine why I made them take coats, hats, AND scarfs.
But, we stayed nice & warm!

When we made it to Grandma & Grandpa's house, there was LOTS of snow, and sledding, and games, and visiting and crafts & sewing... (and of course I forgot my camera charger, ugh.) Before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve & we raced home! We barely made it in time for the traditional Christmas lights drive & Santa.
Christmas morning, Diablo got his traditional "Jumbone,"

Paul got Thomas tracks, and race car tracks, and don't forget Hex Bugs galore.

I got a beautiful necklace, and an apron, and a few more of my favorite things.
Al got a car, and a dog, and a house, and her own animal clinic (for pet shops!).
(a car, a dog, a house, and a career. Nice. What were we thinking??)
And I love this pic of Jon! So animated! We FINALLY succeeded in surprising him which doesn't happen very often! He got a laptop desk & comfy reading pillows
& all the computer games he could imagine!
The rest of the day was spent playing, playing, and playing. Hope your house was as blessed as we were. What an amazing holiday season!

Missin' my Grandma

I love this amazing lady. Today is/was her birthday. She touched my life in so many ways. I want to be a lot like her. She never missed a birthday, or anniversary, or special occasion. Her cards were organized in a file so that she knew which cards needed to go out on which days to make it to the person on time. Her hands were always so soft. She swore by Witch Hazel Lotion: it would fix anything; misquito bites, dry skin, etc. Her laundry smelled heavenly- a smell that my mom (who now does a lot of Grandpa's laundry) can't duplicate, even when using all the same soaps. When I got married, Grandma gave me a set of pillowcases. I stashed them in a plastic baggie & refused to use them for years- just so that I could savor the smell. She had the most beautiful alto voice. My favorite hymns are ones that I can still hear her singing to. She was so giving. So thoughtful. So heartfelt. So not afraid of telling you when she didn't agree with something you'd done...tactfully. She set the example of how to truly love your spouse. She and Grandpa always sat next to each other, either holding hands or touching each other. She always had a stash of lifesavers in her purse and a beautiful white hankey. After she passed, we found she also had a stash of candy in her desk drawer in her office. :) She always had ice cream in the freezer ready for the grandkids, and always had a spot for us if we decided to spend the night (even though I lived across the street from her). She loved Shirley Temple movies and Lawrence Welk. Eating at her house was always wonderful. Breakfast usually consisted of cereal, toast, milk, Orange juice, and a banana. I always thought having two glasses was cool. She loved her family and attended every family event until age would no longer permit. She knew each grandchild (all 30-something of us) and our spouse and our kids (close to 100 great-grand kids when she passed) all by name and age. She kept an amazing calendar with all our info & knew what we'd been up to or what we'd be doing. She made memories that will last forever.
My list could go on and on.
I love you, Grandma. Happy Birthday to one of the most inspiring & amazing women I've ever met. I'm honored to be your grand daughter.