Way to go!!!

The big news this week is that John did it! He finished his 4 year degree and is now officially a college graduate. We are so proud of him. We will have to have a party soon or at least when he does the graduation processional in April. Laura took pity on dad and I last night and cut and colored my hair and gave dad a much needed hair cut. And, they both helped with my Primary project so thank you very much. We are expecting Km and Daniel and family to arrive tonight. We are so excited to have them come. At least we had a break in the snow storms so the roads should be clear. They are going to freeze while they are here! I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope it is a very special day in each of your homes and that we are all filled with a sense of gratitude for this miraculous birth and the sacred mission of our Savior. We love you!

And yet another birthday and other cool happenings

Happy Birthday Darren! Today is your day. He had a pretty rude surprise though. I am sure Christie will write about it (if we can ever get her to blog again!), but something got into his chicken coup last night and killed 6 of his chickens. Whatever it was, it was big. So that didn't start his day very well. Hopefully the rest of the day will be better. They had their primary program today and that was great. I was sitting by Zack before they went up after the Sacrament and he was so proud to show me his little hymn book with his name on it. He put the page marker in before we sang the songs. But the thing that touched me was that he followed the words and sang all the songs in a clear sweet voice. I just love that. It seems so hard for kids to start and keep singing when they are little and in their teenage years (maybe it was just mine that were stubborn) but that made me happy for him to sing. Friday night we had the fantastic experience of going to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. One of the ladies I work with happened to get a couple of extra tickets and offered them to me. Being the homebody I am lately, I hesitated but knew I would regret it if we didn't go. Then I again wondered if I had made the right decision because traffic was so bad and dad was very impatient and drove like--well you all know. We had left at 5:40 and had to be in our seats by 7:00, so I thought we were in good shape, but traffic is a race to dad. So after many silent prayers we made it and found the parking lot and had a rapid walk to the conference center. Dad did so well, he kept up with me and you all know I walk fast, especially when I am cold. We got to our seats and saw the beautiful stage and I was so glad we were there. Then, this fantastic orchestra, and the fantastic choir--well it was so awesome. They also had a guest---Brian Stokes Mitchell--I hadn't ever heard of him, but his voice was so good and he was so gracious, that it was pretty much a perfect evening. When the choir started the Hallelujah chorus, everyone just rose to their feet, and then the closing number--Gloria--it was very moving. I wish you all could have been there. I love music! Dad said that was the most Christmas thing we have done all year. The Lamoreaux Christmas party was on Saturday and it was so good to visit with everyone. Not to mention the great food. Margo had hosted the work Christmas party on Thursday and everyone was amazed at all she did and the delicious spread she put on, then she turned around and did Saturday for us. It was sad that not many of our family could come this year. Only Darren and Christie came. Dad went and got some of the kids because their van is broken. We had to laugh at Lucy though. She was walking behind dad then started to mimic his walk. Grandpa looked at her and said, "Lucy, I don't walk like that" to which she replied, "Grandpa, you don't walk, you waddle!" He got good laugh--especially with all the gait training they have been trying to do with him. I knew you would all love seeing pictures. Jane and Russell came with Jackie and their 3, Josh's 2 and Susette's 3 girls. (Susette's twins are doing great by the way. The little boy--Gabrielle, I think is almost 8 lbs now) Carolyn and Drake are brand new grandparents. Kevin and Erin had a baby boy last week. Allyson, Neil and Gennie--Allyson has only one more semester of school before she graduates Tom had to come by himself this year Pam and Rick's family. Pam always puts me to shame in the grandma department--she had her annual sleepover for the grand kids on Friday. We ran into each other at Macey's earlier in the day and her shopping cart was filled with food for them. We missed Jason & Sarinah and their oldest, Jeff & Penny, and Travis. (If you haven't seen their family picture, check it out on Amanda's blog--it is so fun) Megan and Dave and cute Tyler I didn't catch up to Jim and Margo together--they were so busy entertaining and doing what they do best so I got them and the girls separate. Phillip didn't make it either. Isn't Margo a cute grandma? The girls are so cute! Christie had the best time visiting with them during dinner. They told her about their dates, etc (not Corry of course!) Jim and Margo had to spend a lot of their time on the floor fixing the train. The kids loved it. Especially JD. He had to tell Jim all about it. It was such a nice evening. Wish you all could have been there. We so appreciate Jim and Margo for doing this every year. Otherwise we may not see each other. John is in his final week of school! Yeah! Kim and Daniel are coming the end of the week I think. Kristy has been really sick with a bad sore throat, fever and everything that goes with that, so hope she is better soon. Hope everyone else is doing great! Have a great week! Much love!

Birthdays!!!!

This is a full week of birthdays! Happy Birthday Sidney! Happy Birthday Taylor! They had a their birthday Monday and then got to celebrate it again yesterday with a fun princess party. Saturday was Jenna's special 8th birthday! She also had a party yesterday and got another special present. Notice the ears. There is a reason she is wearing a ponytail on her birthday Today we celebrate Allison's birthday and Kim's. This is the last year Kim can truthfully say she is 29 and not one more time. I had to search for pictures for these two--you can tell they are really dated. Are you two really that camera shy or have I neglected you both? I have decided I don't have my camera out enough for the adults. Hope you two have a fantabulous birthday. I just know your husbands and kids will outdo themselves this year! Hope everyone is well into the season as it is coming and going so quickly. I have a goal to get through all my Christmas CD's at least once this year. Christie and Darren and Tom and Kristy had their Christmas party last night in SL. Christie reserved me to tend first (she had the inside scoop on when it was) so Kristy reserved a babysitter from the ward. She had confirmed with her and her mom a few days before and told them she would call with the time. However when she tried to call on Saturday there was no answer. She left messages, sent Isaac over (all in between the birthday party stuff) and started to panic around 4:00. They were supposed to leave at 4:30. So they got on the phone and called everyone they knew--even Jim and Margo's girls but no one was available. I really didn't want them to miss so I volunteered me contingent upon Christie's approval, so we tended all 10 last night. Well, I wasn't the only one--unfortunately the computer was on a lot for the boys. And, dad--well sometimes he helped. The girls played pretty well for most of the time. They were so funny at supper cause they were singing "Kiss the girl" from Little Mermaid and it truely was hilarious. Averie is doing the "kiss" but you can imagine all these little voices singing at the top of their lungs! The kids looked so nice for their "dates". Notice how buff Tom got after eating that big meal! I did get to stop by Laura's work for a few minutes yesterday. It is such a cute shop--I felt like I could be on a sight seeing tour just to see cute and unusual baby things. She was so nice to pose for me--even though it started to get pretty busy just as I was leaving. Got to see Liz at her Dr's appointment this week. The babies heartbeat sounds great. I love having family and friends come into work! We did get the renters in the house. We feel so very blessed to have this happen. Thank you, thank you again for your prayers on our behalf. We hope everyone is having a great day. Much love!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and enjoyed being with all that came. We missed those of you that are away. I am finding that it is easier, the older I get, to justify being lazy.I had thought for a minute that I would just do paper plates, cups, etc but decided better and got the china out. Grandpa had given me the gold silverware that he and grandma had and I hadn't ever used it so I brought it out as well and set a very nice table. (The pictures don't do it justice) It was so strange to me that during dinner I just kept having memories and flashbacks of when we had had dinner with my parents. Funny how dishes can bring back that tie so strong. Anyway, it was good. We had a late night since we didn't eat until 6:00, so how about next year we call the early schedule? I think 2:00 sounds great! Here are some pictures. We set some on the bar... borrowed the little table again for the girls... and set the adults around the table. (Jer loves to pose!) Reed and Allyson and family didn't join us for dinner but came after for pie. I am proud of myself for not taking the easy road out again--I did make that Lemon Meringue and Mince meat for dad--although he still hasn't touched the mincemeat, he was very excited that I did it for him. We had tons of food left over-- You all didn't take enough home with you.--so that has been our meals for the last couple of nights. John has been stopping by and helping eat some so it has been good to see him. Did you all know I love Thanksgiving! I spent Friday and some of Saturday getting Christmas up. John thinks it looks crazy in here and dad says it looks like a boutique. I however love it. There is a ton of stuff and I do have way too much but most everything has a memory attached and has been given by those who are dear so I can't not put it up. And, when you add the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas, it just gets you in the mood. We had a great blessing--miracles actually of having our mortgage reduced for the next year, which in turn lets us rent our house at a cheaper price. So after dad got off the phone with the mortgage dude yesterday, we called both Christie and Kristy to tell them to reduce the rental price and we got more calls. One family is ready to sign and wants to take it over on the 10th of the month. They have 3 children. It looks like this one will happen so that is a huge, huge blessing. This whole rental thing is new to us, but pray all will work out for both families. We hope you all have a great week. Thanks for the many prayers on our behalf. You are great! Much love.

Thanksgiving

I am so happy that John got my blog figured out, although several of you said you like emails better. It took him a little longer than he wanted to figure it out because unbeknown to us, Kim was also on trying to figure it out, so they were canceling each other out. Anyway, thank you so much! We've had a great week and were fortunate to see most of the family--together on Sunday and then as individual families throughout the week. Last Sunday was our two precious granddaughters birthday. I am still amazed that things worked out that they came the same day. Happy 2nd birthday Gracie and Alyssa! (I wish I had a close up of Gracie) This two year old birthday was too eventful for Alyssa, having broken her arm on Friday night. Thank goodness children heal fast. She was doing so well that they decided not to postpone their trip to Disneyland. Trav said they had a great time. I can't wait to see the pictures. We were going to have a birthday party here for Gracie on Sunday, but Sydney came down with an eye infection, so they stayed home. We missed our birthday girl. The kids had a great time here Sunday. We had some mattresses downstairs so they used them as forts. Most of them went throughout the house several times doing the chugga chagga choo-choo train as well. Averie and Nicole were princesses waiting for their princes. Addie's haircut looks so cute on her. And JD was just happy to be here. I didn't get a picture of John and Laura but they came over on Tuesday I think it was. It was good to have them here. Laura has been working many late hours. They made her a manager of the new baby boutique called LaDeDa. She said it is so cute! I can't wait to get over there and see it. John said his work is going good as well, so they feel blessed. Laura's sister had her baby and everything went well. Laura's family are all getting together here in Utah for Thanksgiving. Reed and family came by on Thursday night while Allyson was finishing preparations for book club which was going to be at their house. Allyson sent homemade bread and taco soup, which was a huge blessing after a long day at work. (Every single picture I took, 2 posed and 2 hid!) Darren stopped by on Friday and when the kids asked if I had any cookies, I felt like old mother Hubbard. So we made lunch instead and they were okay with that. On Saturday I got to tend T&K's family while Tom was at work. Kristy got to go see Twilight (as did Kim in AZ) and she had a great time. The kids were cute as always. Uncle Max called last Sunday to check on dad and he said my grandchildren (aka Kylie and Tyler) had done awesome in the Primary program. He said Kylie gave her part so well that he couldn't believe the difference that a year had made for her. I wish I could have seen them. Jer is in denial today after BYU suffered such a disappointing loss. I think he was thinking it would happen though. So that is what is happening. We have a family who is telling us they are going to lease our home. We have met with them a couple of times and Christie helped us tremendously on Friday night--staying late at work--drawing up paper work. I don't know if it will happen or not, cause some things are still quite odd, but we are sure hoping it will. We appreciate so much all your prayers. I am so thankful for the many, many blessings of my life. I have been keeping a gratitude journal since Elder Eyring asked us too a little over a year ago and it doesn't take more than a minute or two of re-reading to remind me of all the blessings we have received. It is remarkable that almost everyone I know or meet--like the sweet elderly patient we had last week--has had an entry in my journal of blessings--so many things I would have forgotten if I hadn't written them down. Taking those few minutes every night to record what the Lord has done for me and my family has been a huge blessing. I love you all, I love my Savior, I love this gospel. Have a happy, wonderful, grateful Thanksgiving!

Does it work?

John got my blog working! Yeah, I can put pictures on again. These are from the sleepover. You can tell Jer was excited to pose for my pictures. At least he humors me. This is the last picture I have of Charli. Happy 4th Birthday!

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