Another Year to Live and Enjoy!

This Year I'm going to "LOOK UP"!  I plan on Focusing on the "Good Things", Working through and learning from the "Hard Things".  I'm going to BE Happy and Kind to Others!  I'm going to CELEBRATE LIFE!

New Years Eve

 I Love Our New Years Eve Tradition!

 I love going bowling with our cute family and the Jones cute family.  It's so fun to see how much Vicky's grands have grown.  They are all so cute.  It's so fun spending time with this wonderful family.  Dave's presence is deeply missed.  I can only imagine how hard it is for the Jones family.  Our family misses Dave like crazy.  I'm sure Dave was with us but oh how we all miss him!  Dave made everyone feel so loved and so important....a quality I'm gonna work on.

It's fun to see our kids with their own kids.  I love watching Vicky's kids as parents.  They are all wonderful parents...I also love watching my kids with their own kids.  We have great families.

After bowling we went to Vicky's for dinner.  She served Fajita's.  Wonderful as always.  We played Tenzie with dice and had a good time.  Instead of playing more games we visited.  I enjoyed visiting and the kids enjoyed playing.  The house didn't seem full or crowded.  It was comfortable and nice.  It was a wonderful way to spend the last day of 2014.

Vicky had some cool lanterns that we sent up into the sky to celebrate the New Year and say Good Bye to 2014.  The neighbors were lighting fireworks and we quietly did our thing.  It was nice!

Vicky acted like she needed to.... she keeps going and tries to be happy but we could tell she was having a hard time. Before we even left our home Larry felt impressed that Vicky needed a blessing.  He put it off until after we celebrated the New Year.  Then we all gathered together and all the boys with the Priesthood laid their hands on her head and Larry gave her a blessing.  I felt like the blessing was Dave's way of letting Vicky and her family know that he was close by.  That he was very aware of each of them and doing what he could from the other side.  One thing that was said was how Dave's love for Vicky was far beyond what he had ever felt while living on this earth.  We all had tears rolling down our cheeks as we sniffed and wiped our tears away.  Not the usual cheering and noise that happens on most of the New Years....humbling and spiritual instead.  I liked it!

Birthday Dinner for Larry and Lynette

Twice a year Kevin and Julie take us all out for our Birthdays.  Lynette and Larry's birthdays are just a few weeks apart and Rich and mine are too.  It's so nice of them to do and they told me it's because we are always doing for them and as a thank-you that wanted to take us out.  I know that this is a sacrifice for them and they save to do it.  It's such a kind thing to do and we really appreciate Kevin and Julie for doing this.  We love visiting with Lynette and Rich too and have become great friends with them and their family.  I have felt this way about all the families my kids have married into.  I love them all.

Larry's Birthday

It's this wonderful guys birthday.  I am so thankful for him and the wonderful life he has given to me and our children.  I posted this picture on Facebook and it got around 150 likes and many comments wishing my sweetie a Happy Birthday!  The wishes made him smile ☺

I love how we celebrate Larry's birthday day. A few years back he decided that instead of going out with a few friends who share the same birthday as him he would rather have a nice dinner at home with his family.  I love that we do this.  It's so much more personal and we get to focus on him and all be together.

Larry had Jared drive him to Granato's on Saturday to get some funky pasta, bread, oils,cheese, vinegar's, sauces and drinks.  He came home all smiles and excited to make everyone dinner the next day.  I know....I know....I should have been making the dinner and would have but he really wanted to, so I let him.  It was yummy and wonderful.  

 It was a bonus to have all the kids over since this week was an off week for a few of the kids.  We ate a little later so that Trichelle could pick up her darlings and come too.  I love having everyone together and they do too.

 Larry even invited the Sister Missionaries to join us. (I was not surprised...he'd adopt them if he could)  After everyone was filled up we went into the other room for our Family Home Evening.  The little ones always love having FHE together.  Larry had text everyone (except me) to be prepared to tell of a way that Jesus has affected their life or a quality that Jesus has.  Everyone was very prepared and added to the conversation.  We all shared different things and it was really good.  He had the Sisters bare their testimonies and it was cute to see the grands get cozy in front of them to pay close attention.  It was a great night and I know that Larry enjoyed HIS day!

I invited the grands to spend the night since we don't get the chance too often.  We were going to have Trichelle's kids on Monday anyway since she had to work and TJ is in St. George.  Larry agreed that it would be okay.  Justin ended up going home and getting his kids their things because they are kind of attached to a few things.  He stopped at Trichelle's and got Ivy and Zaden's things too.  It's nice that we live so close so we can do that if needed.  Kam wore a shirt of Jaydan's and was fine with that.  The kids have so much fun together and love spending as much time together as possible.  The grands are pretty easy to have over now.  They can all dress themselves and brush their own teeth and understand instructions.  I really enjoy this time.  It snowed while they were sleeping and was beautiful outside in the morning.

I adore these precious souls!

Weekly Tidbits

*Monday Larry had the widows from our ward and the sister missionaries over.  I had my camera out and ready and then before I knew it some of the ladies left without getting a group picture.  My visiting teachers Ruth and Janean came and Susan H and Sharon B also came.  The ones in the picture are Lorell and Bette who got a ride from us.  Sister Hansen didn't come today because she had just found out that her cousin had been killed and she wasn't feeling up to it.  That's why there are three sisters. Sister Frazier didn't want to miss and so she invited the Sisters from the other Stake.  The sister in front (Sister Calder) is leaving next week to go home and Trichelle thought that Jaydan should meet her.  She is coming back to BYU for school...I think they should meet too.  The sister standing up is  her companion.  They are going to spend Christmas with Trichelle and TJ since Trichelle's kids will be gone and they will all be a little lonely.  I'm glad they were able to come with Sister Frazier.  They all have great spirits and it was fun hearing a little about them.  We also talked about our Prophets and some things we like about each of them.  Larry bought 4 pies and Bette brought one too so we ate pie...as much as we wanted.  It was a fun little gathering. The widows are so appreciative and absolutely love Larry...I'm pretty sure they like me too.

*Tuesday I was up early so I could go to the temple.  I was thinking that I might not go but then I knew I would feel guilty and so I got up and went.  I have decided that this year along with my having fun and making fun happen...I would attend the temple more often and help those on the other side.  I know I am being watched over by many of them and now is a good time for me to help them.  I got thinking about Marathons that are so popular right now.  I'm going to plan a few marathons of my own by going to the Temple and doing a few ordinances and spending more than just a few hours there.  I know that wasn't my thought....it's inspiration.  A few times this coming year I will be at the Temple all day.  I'm excited to do that.  I'm glad that thought came to me!  I love the Temple!

*Friday the kids and I went to the Movies with Kevin and Julie and some of her family....Larry stayed home and cleaned. (the guy truly makes me wonder what's up)  He even had me stop and get another vacuum and then he used it! ☺
*Saturday Larry got up and continued to clean.  He got us all involved and his truck is full of garbage and the extra room upstairs is clean again. Yahoo!

*We were suppose to go to dinner with Kevin, Julie and her parents but Rich didn't feel good and so Larry and I went out anyway.  Larry chose Red Robin.  It was nice getting away with him.

Christmas

This Christmas was wonderful.  We woke up to snow which made it a White Christmas.  The snow was perfect....on the ground but not much on the roads.  It was beautiful.  I took a picture of the little snow we got and noticed we had a visitor.  I always see "orbs/angels" in our pictures but this was much different.  I think it looks like someone is kneeling with their arms folded and head bowed.  I would like to believe it was my daddy. 

 I couldn't go back to sleep after waking on Christmas Eve.  My thoughts were of my daddy...I was really missing him.  I prayed and asked for him to visit me in a dream but I don't remember dreaming at all once I did fall asleep.  Before I went to sleep I pulled up the video that was made last year of my daddy singing.  I am so glad that we have that.

I think everyone was happy with the gifts they received.  This year I felt inspired to give out Temple pictures since the Ogden Temple was recently remodeled and rededicated.  I think it's a good reminder that sometimes we need to rededicate ourselves to the Lord.  I wanted all my kids to have their own picture to remind them.  I also gave out Temple pictures to my neighbors and friends.  This year was better because Larry got involved and added some cool things.  Everything's better when Larry gets involved.

Kevin and Julie started a tradition of having their parents and siblings over for breakfast.  It was a great way to get the day going.  We went to their house first before making the rounds to the other grands.  It's fun seeing what Santa brought everyone.  It's fun seeing the kids happy and excited. 

From Kevin's we went to Trichelle's since her little's needed to go to their dads.  I am proud of these two this year.  They gave up $$$ that would have been spent on them so that others could have a Christmas.  They were thinking of others this year and that makes me happy.  I know all my kids families have always been involved in helping make other families Christmas better and that just thrills this momma and gramma.  I adore my kids and grands!

Last we went to Justin and Natalie's.  It was fun hearing about mister Parker boy.  He is at such a funny age...pure innocence.   He opened a gift and immediately said "that's not what I asked Santa for".  He was reminded to be grateful anyway and he was.  He was so grateful that when he opened the gift from Mya that was put in  a Saltine Cracker box he just thanked her before realizing their was something else besides crackers in the box. ☺  

Oh the little's are all so sweet and kind and thankful for whatever they get.  They are such good kids and they sure make me happier than I could have imagined.  They make Christmas so fun!

We all met up at my mom's around 3:00 to open the gifts she had for everyone.  My mom gets things all year and always makes it so fun.  She was upbeat and happy and is doing so good.  I admire her so much.  My sister and one of her grands came too. (Braxton and Kelsi were in Jerome being spoiled)  It was fun and I love being at my mom's with everyone.

It's gets a little noisy but it's happy noise.  My dad didn't enjoy the noise but I don't think it bothered him as much on Christmas. Maybe that's why he was always "tootled", so he could relax and just enjoy.  His presence was missed but felt.  He would have been the one setting things up for a group picture but instead it was me this year.  I used his tripod...I was thinking of him.  I'm grateful for my parents and all their hard work and sacrifice to make life safe and enjoyable for me and my family.  They did a great job in parenting.  They have taught me many important lessons.  One that I am really thankful for is to only get whatever you have the money for...never go in debt.  Larry must have learned the same thing because that's how we have lived.  They also taught me that "things" don't make us happy...family does.

Before we left Shellie and her cute family stopped by.  I have always loved this niece of mine.  She's so thoughtful and kind.

This Christmas Season was enjoyable.  I enjoyed time with friends and family.  I did what needed done.  I was able to attend the Temple every week and one week I made it there twice.  I thought of my Savior and tried to be worthy of His spirit.  I felt good and like every year hated to see December 25th end.  I really do enjoy this wonderful time of the year! It was a fabulous Christmas...One of the Best!

Christmas Eve

We decided to spend a little time with the family that we have home.  Our Christmas Eve traditions have changed over the years and we really don't have any at this time.  So, New Years Eve we went to eat and then we went to a movie.  We saw "The Good Lie" and were not disappointed.  It's based on a true story about the "lost boys" from Sudan.  It was intense at times and I shed a few tears throughout the movie for different reasons.  I am so thankful that we live in the United States and that we have the freedoms that we do.  Not all countries have what we do and I think often times we take so much for granted.  I know it's because we don't know better.  This show portrays very well what happens in other countries.

We enjoyed ourselves and each other.  I love that we still have kids at home and that they like hanging out with us and each other.  We have a good time together.  We came home and played "Five Crowns".  Then Jaydan and Jared went to assist Kevin with Christmas.  Larry and I had fell asleep but I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep.  I thought a lot about my daddy and wished so bad that I could dream about him.  Finally I pulled up a video that Haley took last year at Christmas time of him singing.  I enjoyed hearing him sing "You"re My Little Girl", "Honolulu Baby", and "Shoo Fly Pie".  I cried as I remembered....as I watched his expressions....as I missed him.  I think I finally went to sleep early Christmas morning.