Ropelato Christmas Party

I was in charge of the Family Christmas Party this year and must say that it was fun once again.  Larry and I decided to have it at the Church this year and I am glad we did.  I didn't stress about my house being cleaned and didn't have to stress later about cleaning it again.  The church was a great idea.  we pulled a few curtains to make the room where we met smaller and cozier....it worked great!

I was stressing thinking about organizing everything and was reminded by a cute niece that I have plenty of help.  My mind hadn't switched gears yet or had switched back & was somewhere else or something but once she reminded me of that and I made some assignments everything fell into place and went well.  I didn't stress much at all today.  Julie and Kevin organized the story of the Nativity and the others helped and it turned out cute.  As I watched this year my mind reflected back to when my kids & nephews & nieces were the kids in the play and now it is their kids.  Couldn't help but smile!  So glad for memories and family traditions.

I tried taking pictures of everyone so that those that couldn't make it and live out of town could see.  I know Shari enjoys seeing what's going on.  I got counting later of all those missing and we had 27 that weren't here.  I thought the majority was here but that's still a lot missing.  I guess at this point....with the families so big we are not going to always have everyone.  So, we will enjoy those that we do have....and we did!

I have always loved the Ropelato family and have felt totally loved and accepted by everyone.  It's a great family to belong to.  Everyone cares about each other and would do anything to help another out.  I just really like them all.  I love seeing it grow and the next generation is just as great.

I love getting together and having my kids interact and know their cousins, aunts, and uncles too.  Family has always been so much to me and I wanted it to be the same way for my kids.  Larry's mom and dad should be proud of what they started.  (I know they are)

It's funny that years ago I gave dad a recipe for Lasagna and he is now the Lasagna Specialist.  He has improved the recipe a few times and so he gets to make it every year for everyone.  He said he doesn't mind and I am glad because when he stops doing it I think it will fall back on me.....and I know it won't be as good.  He's got it down perfection......yummy perfection!

I love watching my nieces and nephews as parents.  It's so fun seeing a part of them in each of their kids....again my memory goes back in time and enjoys itself.

It's so fun just visiting and being together since that doesn't happen often with the growing families.  Time flies....you know that right?  I remember not long ago I was the new bride and mom. Grandma & Grandpa Lowe (Larry's mom's parents) were the ones responsible and enjoying their posterity.  I am glad that they got this started......

So really at our party we eat.  We eat Lasagna....because we're Italian.  We visit and enjoy one another.  The kids run and play and make memories.  Then we have the kids act out the nativity.  It's important to our family for the children to know why we have Christmas.  So.....we do this every year.

I think the "littles" enjoy dressing up and being a part of the play.  Sometimes we have lots of angels.  Our wise men are girls as well as our shepherds and it never matters.  It use to be that the boys out numbered the girls but that is not the case with the younger ones.....we have lots more girls.....who make nice looking shepherds, inn keepers, and wise men.

Then when we can....which is most of the time we invite Santa to visit us.  I like having Santa be a part of our parties too because he is a great symbol of Christmas....and fun!  Most of the kids  thought he was great this year.  I think there was only one that cried and she was little.  My grands liked him.

Santa brings the kids socks......the kids seem to like it.  Parker even went back and showed Santa the socks he just brought him....he was hoping for a bow but maybe on Christmas day he will get that.

Kimi and Jared aren't as crazy about Santa but do like getting a gift so they play along.  

I love Santa.....I have always loved Santa.  My first memory of Santa is when I was just little.....probably around 3 and someone knocked on our door and when I went to open it Santa Claus came in.  I asked Santa for a baby doll....and I didn't care what kind as long as I got a baby.  That year I got a cute Pebbles doll from the Flintstones Cartoon.  I loved that cute baby doll.  Tonya and I were talking at Thanksgiving and she remembers that doll too.  I kept my dolls and played with them for years.  Santa just makes me smile!

Kevin was my helper in finding Santa this year.....I think he did good.  Santa had a good time and I believe we will see this "helper" again in the years to come.

After Santa made his appearance we visited more and anyone that wanted to played the M&M game.  It was only the kids playing the M M game.  To play the game you roll a die and when it rolls on the number that you selected you get to suck up M&M's through a straw and drop them in your bowl until someone else rolls that number. (we pick 2 numbers)  The kids had a good time and everyone had plenty of M&M's to eat.  I think Haylie won or came in 2nd to Jared and so I gave her a big "sucker" for sucking the most M&M's.

 After a few blinks we'll be doing this again.

Cheers to Friendship

Carla hosted a Christmas Luncheon for the sista's and it was so much fun.  Her house was decked out for Christmas and very beautiful.  I love these women.  Today I can't remember for sure the things that came out of my mouth but I was referred to as blond a few times.  Pretty sure that wasn't a compliment (wink) but funny nonetheless.

I'm amazed at these women and all that they do.  Lisa is like Martha Stewart.....always doing something cute and creative.  She even got credit for bringing the pot luck dish that I brought.  (palm trees out of fruit which I copied from Loretta)  She did however bring some cute little crystal mugs with white chocolate melted around the rim topped with smashed up candy canes and filled with hot chocolate.  Those are the mugs we "toasted" with. Such a cute idea ..... Lisa is just that kind of gal.  She even makes her own lovely caramel apples that look and taste wonderful.  Three lucky ladies got those today....I wasn't one of them.

 Instead of White Elephants we each brought three gifts. The gifts were things that we really like.  It helps the others learn a little more about us.  It was fun seeing what the others thought of and it took quite a bit of time because we all commented after each gift was opened.  Lisa had a caramel apple in each of her gifts that she gave along with other fun stuff.  All the gifts I gave included something with chocolate and the one's I received did too.  It was a blast.

I love these crazy ladies.  They enrich and brighten my life.  I am so thankful for them and so thankful for the internet and Face Book since that is how I became involved with them.  Each and everyone of these ladies inspire me to be better! (all my friends everywhere do and for that I am thankful)

God Knows.....

Satan has been working on me lately and I'm pretty sick of it.  I have had a little war going on inside of me....so many questions.  I don't understand why at this point in my life I even let him influence me but I do feel myself being pulled at times and honestly it ticks me off.  The other day I had a few "messages" hit me smack in the face.  One was this scripture: "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say but when ye do not what I say you have no promise."  I know that but it came at me like a bundle of bricks.

I love having the Spirit of the Lord with me.....it's my favorite feeling and pure happiness to my soul.  So why the distractions?  Then someone posted a picture with the Devil and an Angel.....(not this one, the other was scary & harsh).  That's when it all made sense to me.  Satan knows whats ahead for me and doesn't want me to have it...he wants me to be unworthy of Gods blessings.  I love knowing when Satan is behind something because it makes me stronger and I will fight and I will win!  (I hate him....I know that is harsh and I have been taught not to hate but I do hate him!)  He's mean, cunning, a liar, deceiving, and heartless.  He doesn't care about anyone and wants to see us all miserable like him....he's the biggest jerk of all time.  So, knowing and realizing that I feel much better.  I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for me.  Usually when I recognize Satan is behind something I know what's in store.....a temple marriage, and new baby...etc. This time I don't know and it doesn't matter......I will NOT let the big jerk win!  Oh and then I saw this quote today: "The Devil only has power when we give it to him!  James 4:7-8..."Resist the Devil and he will flee from you, draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." 

My favorite place to go when I am struggling is the Temple.  I love going there and feeling GOD's unconditional love for me. (I love Him drawing nigh to me) Today Larry and I went in the morning and did some initiatory and the very first  booth I was consumed with the Spirit and felt HIS love!  I love hearing the words: "and your sins are forgiven...."  I shed a few tears of joy.  I am so thankful for a loving Father in Heaven and for Jesus for loving me and being with me.  I am thankful for the Atonement.  The Atonement is for everything....even our dumb mistakes.  I feel bad for making dumb mistakes but I know that it is just part of this lives experience. (dang it)

Riding home I was just looking out towards the mountain but for some reason (I don't think it was a coincident) I turned my head and looked up just as we came to an overpass with red cups spelling out "Dawn Rocks".  It wasn't big but there it was.  I told Larry that was for me......again I shed a few silent tears.  I know the message wasn't put there for me by anyone that I know but I believe with all my heart that I was suppose to see it.  I thank God for His tender mercies!  I love HIM with all my heart.  I want to be like Jesus and over come Satan's temptations.  I know I can do it too because there are many Angels with me all the time.  I feel them and for that alone I am thankful for my struggles.  I use to believe that they would leave if you weren't perfect and doing everything right.  That is not the truth.....they are there during the hardest of times and probably even call on more help when needed. (when we feel unworthy)  I know I have been carried and protected many times the last little while.  I appreciate all the Angels watching over me. (both in Heaven and on Earth)

I know God knows us and He loves us and He will always be with us!

Boy Grands

I love having the grand babies come play.  Today was Zaden's day to come play.  It was also suppose to be  Piano for Kimleighel but I got a text from Natalie saying her and Mya were sick.  I told her that I would come and get Parker if she wanted and she took me up on the offer.  It was so much fun having both grandson's here together.  They play so well together and just really like each other.

Having them today brought back memories of my own little boys playing.  I loved having their cute faces smile at me throughout the day.  Oh....my heart smiled!

I worked on some Christmas gifts while they played.  It was a good day to get the gifts done.  Jaydan also enjoyed these two little cuties.  He is so good with the grands and they absolutely love him to pieces.

They even took turns controlling the Choo Choo Train that runs under our tree.  There wasn't any fighting at all today.  Zaden and Parker are buddies.  They are so good to each other.  I thought of the saying in my hall....."Grandma's is where cousins go to become friends".  So true and I am glad for that!  We even got to enjoy Ivy for awhile after her school.  Boy was that nice.....we hardly see Miss Ivy since she is in school.

It was an enjoyable day and I was tired when the kids left.  I rested for a bit and then went in and made cookies.  I love days like today!  I love my grands!

Didn't we just do this?

It's that time of year again to decorate Gingerbread House and when Larry heard us talking about it he said: "didn't we just do this?"  Ummmm.....yes dear like a year ago.  This year really has gone by fast.....a little too fast for all of us I guess.  I'm  not sure if the kids really even enjoy this anymore but they seem to have a good time and I know that the grands like it.

Kevin and Julie brought their "Plantation" to decorate.  Kevin had built it around Thanksgiving but they hadn't got around to decorating it.  The thing was huge and even kept Kamryn busy!

I had to laugh when I pulled out the camera.  All the older girls said that they left their make up on and wore clothes other than pj's because they knew I would be taking pictures.  Yep....they got that right!

I like taking pictures.  I like looking back in my books and looking at the pictures from previous years.  I am glad they just go along with me and let me do it.  I have great kids!

The parents of my grands are good about letting their little ones help.  The house are creative and the little's are so proud.  I am proud of them!

It's another time I like watching my kids interact and work together.  I love watching these people I helped create.  They are all pretty darn cool!

 The finished Houses were great!  The grands were so proud of each of their houses.  I bought pre-assembled  houses this year and it was much faster and easier and well worth the extra money.

 I think building and decorating Gingerbread Houses is a fun tradition.  I like it.....I like it a lot!