Merry Christmas Twinsee

Today Jodi and I met to enjoy a little one on one time!  Since Jodi always come my way I decided that I would go to her.  We met at Maddox and shared a yummy lunch.  Sharing is the way to go...it's the perfect amount.  I was filled but not stuffed.  We visited for quite some time.  The time seems to fly when we get talking...and talking we did.

This year we are both happier...not that we weren't happy last year....there was just a lot of changes and things happening last year.  I remember last year us pouring out our souls to each other...sharing so many feelings and concerns. This year it seems that we are content where we are.  We shared everyday life things. I especially loved hearing that Jodi doesn't feel like she needs to talk to her kids every day or week either...because that's how I am too.   I'm so thankful for Jodi and her example to me.  The girl accomplishes a ton and keeps on going.  She's one of those Wonder Women. (I wonder how she does it all)  I'm very thankful for our friendship and that we can share with each other and understand where the other is coming from.  Jodi is a wonderful Blessing to Me!

It's fun to exchange gifts.  Jodi had a chocolate theme for me this year.  Everything was darling and most of it involved chocolate.  I loved the cute mug that said You're My Favorite and the perfect little book with sayings all over it.  I think I will have to write about things that make me laugh out loud or make me happy.  All the gifts made me smile. ☺  I didn't have a theme this year but chocolate would have been appropriate for Jodi as well.  I gave her an Angel of Happiness that said Free to sing, laugh, dance and create!  Jodi is at a point in her life that she is free to do all those things if she wants.  She kind of hit the empty nest stage since her last son went on his mission.  Instead of being so sad I think it's important to focus on the good things that can now happen.  (Jodi is constantly doing good so is adjusting to this new stage pretty good.)  I also found a sign that said Cupcakes Make Me Happy and thought of Jodi.  I did of course need to give her some Chocolate too so she also got a large Hershey bar.  So fun!

We decided to take advantage of a cute photo opportunity at a Floral Shop in town.  The sun was shining in Jodi's eyes but we still had fun.  Two gals + camera = corny pictures that make us laugh out loud!  We don't care what others think so much these days and will be silly if we want to.

Oh how I love the Holiday Season and all the Fun things that are a part of it!  I drove the back roads home because I wasn't in a hurry  and wanted to savor the afternoon.  I am blessed beyond blessed!

Food For Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! Go HERE to JOIN IN!!! 

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HOLIDAY MEMORIES 

Breakfast ~ What is the best gift you ever received at Christmas? I have received many wonderful gifts and catch myself with teary eyes many times over the years.  One year Larry surprised me with a trip to Disneyland.  One year I woke up to money flying all around my room.  Larry had put money on the fan blades and when he turned the light on the money flew everywhere. (I love money and like to save (hoard) it!) Last year Larry surprised me with an IPhone and I cried because I was okay with my slide phone but secretly really wanted an IPhone.  Those are the ones that came right to my mind but I am sure if I really gave it some thought there would be more.
Lunch ~ Do you have a special Christmas memory from when you were a child? The year Santa came to our door.  I remember I was so excited to see him and that he was at our house.  I loved Santa and everything about him.  I also remember a Christmas when I asked Santa for black cowboy boots and blue jeans.  I got gold jeans and brown cowboy boots and was sad only because my neighbor across the street got the back boots and blue jeans.
Dinner ~ What is the best gift you have ever given at Christmas? I use to make dozens of gifts every year for friends and neighbors and I think those were good because they were a part of me.  I cherish the gifts my friends have made for me and when I look at my decorations I see my friends. One year Trichelle  came home on Christmas Eve and told Larry and I that her friend and his brother weren't having a Christmas.  It was too late to get anything from the store because they were closed.  We talked to our kids and Justin was more that willing to give up some of his gifts. (Justin has always been so giving) That year we had really done more for our kids than normal.  (I don't think that was a coincident) Anyway we opened our gifts on Christmas morning and the Justin said the boys could have his big gifts...the spirit of Christmas rubbed off on Kevin and he too gave up some of his gifts.  We wrapped the items back up and when those boys came over we gave them a nice Christmas.  Two years ago when little Macie was going to be born we had decided that the money we would spend on Christmas would instead go to Macie.  IT was one of My Favorite Christmas's.
Midnight Snack ~ Which Christmas has special meaning to you and why? I guess those ones I just talked about in the previous question. Oh and that same year we did that for Macie we had a few guests from Mexico staying with us.  We were able to come up with a few gifts for them to open too....not much but they were so appreciative.  I don't think I knew they would be here over Christmas and I don't think Braxton did either.  We were prepared enough though with some extra things....God knows!
Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?) Give More to Others!  The more you give the happier you will be.  I just read that happy people give gifts to others and when I read it I just smiled because I love giving gifts to others and I'm pretty darn happy! 

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Special Needs Christmas Party

Tonight we had our Christmas Party for the Special Needs.  The Tremonton 10th ward came and had a little carnival for us.  The participants decorated snowflakes, had fun with a bean bag toss, tried throwing ping pong balls in cups (Jason Owens was excellent at it), fished, and had stories read to them.  Oh, and every few minutes they were told to stand on a paper on the floor that had a number on it and they drew numbers for cupcakes.  It looked like everyone had a wonderful time.

It's easy to please these wonderful people.  They love and appreciate everything for the most part.  Sometimes a few of them might come across as grumpy but I know they really like it. I think Larry enjoyed a few of the kids tonight...or at least a few of the kids enjoyed Larry.

Before it ended we had our Jolly Ol Friend come and make a visit.  I love taking pictures of everyone so that I can hear what their wishes are.  Some of the wishes tonight were: to spend a fun day with my brother and sister, for my mom and dad to feel good, a candy cane, a Minnie Mouse stuffed toy, anything, a cd player, it doesn't matter, a girl friend, a vacation to Hawaii which was truly the only extravagant thing asked for.  I love their innocence and excitement.  There is a reason these people are called Special!  They make my heart smile!

I took pictures of everyone but only posted the ones of my girls.  I will print them all and give them to the participants in the new year. 

Ho Ho Ho......Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Mal and Kathy

I had a great day today.  I got the rest of my presents wrapped. Woot Woot!  I went to visit Linda since they just added her to my visiting teaching route.  When I saw I now had Linda I just had the strongest "feeling" that it's not coincident.  She's been praying and I was sent.  I know we will be a blessing to each others lives....I just feel it.

I met Mallory and Kathy for lunch today so we could exchange Christmas gifts.  Actually I went to help Mallory last week with a book she's making and so she gave me my gift then.  Kathy ordered gifts and they haven't arrived yet and so I gave them gifts.  This year I got them each a bingo game.  I love bingo and I think it's fun to play with family and so I thought they might like it as well.  They both do so much with their families.  Heck, Mallory's married kids are going to sleep over on Christmas Eve so they can all be together.  I think that is pretty neat.

Larry and I went around to some neighbors and friends and gave out the little treats we got this year.  I tied a bow on a box of Ho Ho's....with a little tag...Ho Ho Ho!  Simple but cute.  It feels good to have our running around done.  Now we can just enjoy the rest of the this wonderful time of the year!
Don't get me wrong....all the running around and the hustle and bustle is such a great part of this season.  It all adds excitement and fun in my opinion.  I love this time of year and every thing about it.  I love seeing my friends and thinking of them.  I love getting cards from friends I don't see as often.  I really just enjoy it all.

Merry Christmas Friends and Family!

Tuesdays with Larry

I like Tuesdays and that I get to spend the afternoon with my hubby.  Today Larry took off just a little bit earlier so that he could go to the Airport to get his mom.  Mom was visiting Shari and I told her that I would pick her up.  Even though it snowed a lot yesterday it wasn't too bad driving today.  Mom brought me back a big candy bar from the Hershey factory.  She knew I'd like it!

After taking mom home, Larry and I went to the Temple.  Today we did initiatory because we were out of names.  I like doing initiatory and I was the only one in my booth at the time.  When we go between 2:00 and 4:00 the Temple is slow.  We were in and out pretty quick.  We ran to my mom's so say Hi and check out her garage door.  My brother wants to get her a new electric one for Christmas and so we are making calls, measuring and trying to help him out.  I'm not sure it's going to happen though because those garages don't have a lot of room above the door.

We invited Carla and Roger over for pizza.  Carla was going to invite us but I told her she couldn't because they had us over last time.  We went over things for our upcoming cruise next month.  We also exchanged Christmas Gifts.  It was fun having them over...we sure do like them!

Fun Fun....Tuesday with Larry!

Ropelato Family Christmas Party

Tonight we had the Ropelato Family Christmas Party.  Jerry and Darinda let us have it at Jerry's new place, White Cloud 3D Printing.  It was a great place for a party.  There was plenty of room and lots of fun games to play.  The older kids interacted a lot because there was more to do.  It was so much fun for me to see everyone mingling and getting along.

After Darinda and I set a time and place I got things organized.  I asked each of my sister in laws to be over something and everyone was very willing to do whatever they could.  I ended up getting to make the food arrangements but it came together nicely.  I was able to text everyone their item to bring and everyone was quick to respond.  I liked knowing that they got my text and was willing to help.  I kept it easy.  We had lasagna, (3 and dad's big pan) salad, (4) rolls, (8 doz...4 people brought 2 each) and doughnuts. (same as rolls) We did have some left overs but I still think that was an okay amount of everything. (Darinda had peanut butter sandwiches for the littles if they wanted)  I ate a doughnut first while everyone was getting their food and I was holding Behr.  I usually say no to doughnuts but they looked really good and so I started off with one.

There was lots of chatting and visiting going on.  I love seeing everyone and visiting with them if I get a chance.  I really hope that we will continue to get together even as the families continue to grow.  I love our Christmas Party Tradition.

It's so fun seeing my grands interact with Darinda and Tami's grands.  I think its so important for them to all know each other.  I think family is so important.  I seriously enjoy watching them all grow.  It's fun for me and I usually take my own little trip down memory lane.

The Nativity is a big deal!  We have always done it and I think the kids look forward to it.  It's fun thinking back over the years remembering these kids parents being in the Nativity.  I am so thankful for memories and traditions.  Darinda is a champ for always heading up the Nativity.  She has a basket full of costumes so that everyone can be participate.  These little's make me smile and sometimes my eyes sweat.

Santa finishes off the fun.  This year our Santa was very interactive with the kids and I thought he was wonderful.  The little's that are about 1 1/2 weren't too sure about our Jolly Friend...but everyone else quite liked him.  Santa gives our kids socks and every year they get excited about them.  I just think it's the gift they like.  It's all very fun for me.

We had a lot of help cleaning up which was a good thing because there was a lot to do.  I'm glad that others pitch in and help...it sure does make it easier.  

The party was fun and I'm so happy that we took the time to get together.  The Ropelato Family is seriously one of the best!  I love being part of them!

Celebrating Carla

Today I took Carla to breakfast to celebrate her birthday that is really this Friday.  Carla will be going to Spokane on Wednesday to spend her birthday with her daughter and grands.  Both Carla and I have Family Christmas parties tonight and so that's why we decided to go early. I had heard that Warren's has a good breakfast and so we went there.  They had us sit at a table and a gal came and took our order so it was really like a little diner.  It was as good as I heard it was.  Carla and I both got french toast and it was really yummy.

Carla has also been going with me to the nursing home to help the Relief Society do a little program each Monday this month .  It's fun having her go with me and I think she is enjoying it as well.  Today we helped Lorraine back to her room and she told us that she has eight children and none of them come to visit her.  I am going to give her kids the benefit of doubt and a little credit for doing more than their mother says.  I bet they come but just not often enough.  Carla and I felt bad for her though and we were glad that we could help her a little.

We went back to Carla's and got some things ready for her Party.  We prepared the beans, rolls, and cheesy potatoes.  Then I left because Carla's daughter was coming to help and I needed to run to a friends to get some vinyl for some gifts.

Today it snowed and everything was a beautiful and white.  I loved it!

Linda Love made me vinyl pictures to put on my kids Yetti cups they are getting for Christmas.  She had me bring the cups and helped me put the vinyl on them.  They turned out cute and it was really fun visiting with Linda and spending a little time with her.