Some winter reflection

Everytime I take winter pictures like this, and I have hundreds, I think of the video daddy took out our front porch. "Beautiful, just beautiful" he would say over and over again as he scanned the front field and fences covered in snow and frost.

And, poor as this picture is I had to take it. It was getting dark but I have been trying to remember to take if for months! Everytime I pass this rusty old vehicle, still loaded on the trailer that brought it to the field out by Dots, I wonder why it's there. It's been there for months, maybe over a year and, I know, daddy would have known who owned it presently, who owned it in the past, what the plan was for it now, and how much it would cost him to take it off the owners hands. I sure do miss him. I know you do too. By the time I get home I have forgotten I was going to call one of the boys and ask about it. I've gone on to other memories and enjoy every one of them!

Promised pictures of Kim's piano recital

To the left, Kim and MaKayla. Below Hailey and Brynlee. Does that kid look like she has a Christmas secret to you?

Ashlynn playing "Frosty the Snowman" and Brynlee playing "Jolly Old St. Nicholas".

Brynlee's Christmas Program Dec 2008

This is Bryn "waving good-bye with her nose"! You had to be there, and maybe be a grandma but she was adorable!

And being the cutest kid in the program! You can't see it is this picture but she kept an eye on the whole line to make sure everyone was in sync.

If we could have a Christmas program everyday, in every town, starring our kids, the whole world would be at peace. So, so, cute

Some family news

First of all, Brynlee did a super job at her Christmas program. Grandma got lots of pictures and as soon as Jason figures out my computer for me I'll post them. And, ask about Lynsie and Allen's news, it is so fun! And, are we all getting excited for Christmas? YEA! I heard a lady on NPR this morning, I think it was the singer Julia Hussenbaeck but gotta confirm that name, who talked about growing up in a Jewish family with a Jewish mother who said "Christmas is too fun a holiday NOT to celebrate it. They had a Christmas tree with a Star of David on top and sang Christmas songs and gave presents to the neighbors and each other. She sang a beautiful Christmas song and I was so impressed! How bout we choose a holiday and celebrate the Chinese New Year or Hanukkah or something like that?

AND THE WALKERS HAD THEIR FAMILY PICTURES DONE AND ARE WONDERFUL! You can find them on Stephanie McBride's blog at http://www.stephaniemcbridephotography.blogspot.com/ My favorites are the BW of Misha and the one of the four kids conspiring against their parents! Love it. And, then their is ....they are ALL beautiful and what a photographer!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kim's piano recital

Tonight was Kim's very first (I think but I could be wrong) annual (I'm not even sure if that is the plan) piano recital! Counting my darling, and extremely talented grandchildren she had 16 kids in all, performing VERY well! I can't believe how well they did. Super, super job. She had each student play two songs apiece, fed them cookies and a drink, gave them all a special treat and had them all out of the church in just a tiny bit over an hour. WoW! Kim is a magician! Well, we already knew that. She keeps Jeff in line. But, really, it was a wonderful night and I love that each student did so well!
Also, I will post pictures as soon as I can figure out how to download them (is it upload? I can never figure out which it is) from the camera. I've always been able to get it done easily before but now it's speaking a strange language. Oh well. Stay tuned for some really, darling pictures.

One Week Closer to Christmas!

And, I'm so excited; aren't you?
Talk/lesson went fine. My lesson was a little disjointed but the sisters are all too sweet to say so. They participated well and it was fine.

Jax, tell mom to read Jessi's comment to you. Cute Jess.

Aunt Lola called and we visited for a long time. She and Donnie are going to Holland in 2010 and invited me to go. They are renting a houseboat! Sounds fun, but I told her I have a sister in Alaska I need to visit before going to Holland again. She says she will go with me as long as I go in the summer which is a given. Anyone want to join us? No, no date planned, just piggybank plans.

Breck and Jason has a hilarious time at the Ward Christmas Party. Make sure you get the story from Rebecca...I rolled but it wouldn't be funny in the typing of it.

Gee...with all the birthdays behind us and everyone on the mend there really isn't a bunch to share. Except that I love you, am SO proud of each one of you, and am so glad we are a family!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday to Jax! He is five years old today. His planned outing to the "arcade" in Huntington got scrapped because when they got there, little friend Conner in tow, the place had closed down! So, they bought ice cream and came to grandma's. Instead of meeting them over there they came here and the boys played, Jax loved his present to me (see picture on the side) and Meinkina loved playing with all the yet to be wrapped gifts that I hadn't hidden yet.
My gosh you kids are growing up SO fast!

A little thoughtful poetry - Don't ask!

I have no idea why I am reading little snipets of poetry when I have a RS lesson to prepare. Maybe knowing my Sacrament talk for Sunday is prepared has given me feelings of security. Afther all, I still have a day and a half to prepare the lesson! Yep, I'll be up all night Saturday night, BUT, I'm a night owl and probably would have been up anyway doing something not nearly as productive. And, I have studied and studied the lesson it just isn't firmed up yet. So, I'm sharing the treasures I found tonight.

AND - your prayers worked! Everyone who was sick is feeling better. Only trouble is, now Chase is puking! Jax came over today anyway for his birthday. See some pictures on the sidebar. He was adorable opening his gift and SO grateful! I love it when I score!

Now for the poetry - Jess still hasn't given me permission to post HER poetry! Jess?

The real voyage of discovery

consists of not in seeking

new landscapes

but in having

new eyes

Marcel Proust

And one of my favorites for a long time:

There are always flowers

for those

who want to see them

Henri Matisse

Prayer Alert!

Let's see...Brynlee has been sick but is feeling better, Jax threw up but only once, Cedar stayed home all one day from school puking, and now Greg is sick.
Steph has strep...AGAIN! Darn it! This is the second time in only...well, in not very long at all! I'm pretty sure she is genius enough, and has a mom nurturing enough that she is taking all her antibiotics SO...sounds to me like this family needs some extra Prayers!
Thanks, most wonderful family in the world!

I'm 63 years old!

I know most of you have been watching me for several years and can easily believe I have reached this more than ripe age but I am amazed! Life is WONDERFUL, if a little more creaky in the knees. The shopping is done, the cards are made out but still need to be stamped and shipped off. I need to mail a few packages but I can't remember when I have been this far ahead of the game with still 15 days left till Christmas. I am still in a wonder at how good it feels to do things every day with no pain in my face and no pain meds! I do think the pain meds covered a bunch of aches and pains because I suddenly have arthritis. Oh well, a more than welcome trade off. And, the whole reason for this post, I am so very blessed with the greatest kids, the very best grandkids, and the best life. I appreciate all you do to make my life happier, better, safer, and more comfortable. And, I thank you for your love. And, I want you to know how grateful I am to the Lord for this good life. I am so glad He is in control. I would have messed things up a long time ago, given my way. I really do love our Lord and I hope in 63 yrs I have let each of you know that. It, I think, Is the most important thing we ever do.
And, I love each of you too!

Sunday Update

We had a family Christmas party/Birthday Party on Saturday afternoon. The scheduling wasn't great; lots of really important people weren't able to make it BUT, it was the best we could do. I work next week end and the next one is so close to Christmas I didn't think that would work either, so we went with it. We began as soon as everyone gathered and the cousins all opened gifts. We took a little longer this year, reminding each child who was giving them the gift and giving thanks and hugs to the giver. Lots of cute pictures and I will try to share those on a side bar maybe tonight but soon for sure.
We had stuffed mushrooms, dutch cheese and crackers, punch made from an old family recipe which the little ones LOVE! Let's see, it's pineapple juice, sprite, and Hawaiian punch. Very difficult but I tried to dress it up with an ice ring of the H. punch, thanks to Angie's freezer. Umm.. we had chicken noodle soup, rolls, salad, cheese stuffed celery, and THEN birthday cake and ice cream after Happy Birthday was sung to McKenna who turned four today! It was a fun day but here are a few of my favorite highlights. Breanna loving on Aunt Melissa. She was clearly a favorite. Chase telling us, "I never thought I would ever get a "tamagotchi"! I've wanted one, and wanted one, but I never thought I would get one!" To say he was thilled is an understatement. Meinkina singing "I'm a rock star" over and over for us. Her little lisp and being so tiny makes the whole thing perfect. And, I know it is probably a grandma thing but her "adlibed" line "And, you're dumb." is so cute! McKenna after church today, receiving a b'd present from Angie saying "Thank you, guys!" over and over again. Steph telling us how her roommate is going to flip over her pink frying pan. And...I guess I could go on and on and on.
NOTE: Jessica organized a charity FHE for their ward for tomorrow, monday! Instead of neighbor gifts they all go to a party (hosted by one of the YW or YM) and donate to a charity. Sounds like a wonderful idea but a lot to take on! We are so proud of you, Jessi.
Brynlee is not feeling well. Has a high fever and her mom thinks it's a UTI.
Jen is singing a solo part in the Christmas choir this month.
And, grandma is teaching RS next week, speaking in Sacrament meeting, and teaching Gospel Doctrine on the 28th. WE COULD ALL USE YOUR PRAYERS!

I'm still learning this stuff!

I just looked at the list of those who could post on this blog and only Jess and Barbara were on the list. Hmmm. I hope inviting the rest of you to this blog party late hasn't hurt your feelings!

Can't wait to see all of you!

Christmas is ringing at the door! I have been decorating my tree...and then the house a little...and back to the tree. That evergreen is looking pretty good but the house is a mess! Boxes of ornaments and decorations all over the place!
I have an appt. for a root canal tomorrow with dr. McKell and THEN, if I feel good enough (I've never had a root canal before) I'm off to Provo for some last minute things. If I am feeling sorry for myself I will stay home and try to organize this place. I LOVE Christmas!
I've cut WAY back this year; nah..nah...nah Jason, you didn't think I could; BUT I am having a delightful time getting ready. I'm trying hard to get rid of old decorations and get them to DI in time for someone else to use them THIS year. Jen helped me drag everything out and she couldn't believe all the STUFF I have. Gotta get rid of part of it. Some I just unpack and pack again every year. Dumb.
What about Chicken Noodle Soup for Saturday? I can't wait to see all of you!
Love and Hugs and Prayers to you,
Pama/Mom