Book Club Christmas Party

I look forward to my Book Club Christmas Party every year.  We always have the best time and laughs.  The food is always super delicious.  We have some great cooks in this group.  I thought everything looked very festive.  Susan volunteered to have it at her house because she is going to sell it and is building another one east of here. (smaller with less property)  I told her she will need to have our Party at her house again next year since it will be a New House....she had told her siblings the same thing after having them over last week.  We had enough food for a dozen more people...we're not so good at figuring out how much to bring.

 The "White Elephant" gift exchange always makes me laugh.  This year I was laughing before anyone even had a gift.  We couldn't decide how to choose and when we thought we had it figured out we realized a few of us were on different pages...communicating wasn't happening.  We ended up drawing a number between 1 and 5.  We lined the presents up and called them 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.  Number one took 1 and so forth.  We opened them as we picked them.  We went around the group again after opening and number one could trade her gift for any of the others. Shanna loved the cookie jar she got and threatened us not to steal it.  I was number 4 and so far no one had traded.  Suzie was holding a Elvis Presley mug and I knew Susan (who had number 5) wanted to trade it.  If she did Suzie would end up with the gift she brought and so I traded Suzie.  I gave her the cute "kotex slippers" I had got for the Elvis mug.  Susan then traded me for the mug and I got a video "Grandma got ran over by a Reindeer" and a cute reindeer candy thing that Suzie had brought.  Kathy got the Santa Apron and cook book I brought and Shanna did get to keep the cookie jar that Kathy had brought.  I always enjoy seeing what others come up with for their gifts.  We exchanged friend gifts with each other too.  I gave everyone ear muffs and gloves because I know it's going to get cold. (we are enjoying temps over 50 right now...unheard of...in fact Susan's son went boating this week and her grands wake boarded...crazy!) Susan gave us cute salt and pepper shakers.  Shanna gave us all a book.  Suzie had scarfs for each of us and a shower gel.  Kathy had a cute little book that you scratched to discover an activity to do during the Holidays and she also gave us a cute Nativity ornament.  We all laughed because the price tag covered the back of the ornament and was still on each one. ☺

This is a favorite tradition of mine.  We missed Loretta who is serving a mission but we didn't forget her....she was remembered in our conversations.  I love this group of ladies...we're all so different but mesh together rather well.

Weekly Tidbits

Connor knew that we needed him to come help us with our tree.  He likes coming over to our house and I enjoy having him here.  Connor gave me a hug and then told us that he could feel his heart pumping. ☺  Larry thought that was so funny.  I asked Connor why he thought that was and he said: "Because I love you and Larry and Jared."  We love Connor too!  We love having him over and he was a great help....I need to finish it. (wink)

Justin and Parker came over to cut out Parker and Mya's pinewood derby cars.  I got a text later Friday night saying that Parker beat everyone and was one proud little boy.  He painted his car black because it was a batman car and he put the wheels on his self.  He only got help with cutting it out.  What a great daddy Justin is to let Parker do most of the work.  I'm happy his car was the fastest.  It looked really good too.  He showed me on Wednesday at Jared's piano lessons.

I got up early on Tuesday and went to the Temple with Kelsi.  Our Bishop challenged us to all go to the Temple until it was a sacrifice.  I need to go more and so I took him up on it.  I was going to go on Wednesday but when Kelsi said she had Tuesday off and was going to go I decided I would go then too.  I love the Temple...it shouldn't be a sacrifice!

My dad's birthday was Wednesday.  I made his favorite pie (Rocky Road) and took it to my mom's.  My sister came too and so we all enjoyed daddy's favorite treat.  We shed a few tears remembering in past years we took him pie but he was the one that ate it.  I could feel him close by....I sure do miss his presence.  I often think I can't wait to get to Heaven but when I do I will probably miss those that are still here.  I guess missing someone is a quality of the Love we share.

Kimleighel had her dance recital. Our ward had it's Christmas Gathering. (we missed it because of Kimleighel's dance)  

Jared went to Connor's. Connor is talking about having Jared and Larry baptize him.  He's a little afraid of sinking and so he wants more than one in the font with him.  I think it will be great.  Once Connor is baptized I can take him to the Temple with us.  Connor Loves Jared!  Connor is a Favorite of ours!

On Thursday for SNAP Virginia gave a really good lesson.  She talked about the symbols of Christmas.  She had the meanings posted and taped to the walls.  She also had the pictures on the wall and the girls had to match them up.  The girls enjoyed it.  She read this cute, simple book.  I loved it so much I ordered one for my kids.  We played Christmas Bingo the rest of the time...it was a wonderful night!

Friday Night the Stake Presidency had a social for the leaders.  The Tenney's hosted it and it was fun.  We had a great dinner and then played a few games.  Larry and I were over the games but I told Larry that since I was making a dessert for the party he could do the games.  We were both a little shocked that we were asked since Larry has been known to give President Tenney and his cute wife whipping cream a time or two. (you know...for their dessert)  Larry googled "clean" adult games and came up with a few.  We had everyone get in 5 different groups so they could work together.  The first game we had five different kinds of baby food and the teams had to try them and guess exactly what they were.  It was fun watching and listening to the teams.  The best team got 3 out of the five.  (squash, carrots, green beans, applesauce, apple/strawberry/banana)  The next game each team was given 3-4 rolls of toilet paper and some masking tape and they had to dress up a team member into an animal or whatever they thought the other teams could guess.  I thought they were all very clever and did a great job.  Everyone had a great time!  The games turned out to be pretty fun and easy! It was a fun night.

We have a new tradition....helping my mom make Christmas Cards.  Shelli got a kit for her last year and it was so fun that my mom asked Shelli to get another kit for this year.  It really is pretty fun working together and creating cute cards without thinking too much.  Kimi and Jared came too but didn't help with the cards.  I'm glad they did though just to make memories of being at my mom's.

Mal and Glen have made it 30 years together.  Their kids threw them a surprise party to celebrate.  It was fun seeing all the kids and being there among the Toomer friends and family.  I love Mal and Glen and their family...they are like family to me.

Sista Party

This year Carla hosted our Sista's Christmas Party.  She is a great hostess and has everything perfect.  I love this crazy group of ladies...they make me smile!  I love being silly with them and I think most of them love being silly with the rest of us.  I of course brought a few props to make the pictures sillier.  I have so many I might as well use them when I remember right?  Today was also the "Angelversary" for Tyson..Jodi's son.  It hit me hard this year and I was really glad that Jodi came to the party to be with us all.  Jodi is such a remarkable lady...I admire the crud out of her!  Life goes on even when we are not whole...we can smile when we want to cry...we can laugh even though we're sad...we can enjoy although we are broken...we are so much more than we sometimes realize!

Carla made yummy chicken and rice with gravy.  I think she must also of been the one who made the relish tray.  She asked the rest of us to bring treats to share with everyone.  We had plenty of good eats.  

We got silly and every now and then we decided to just be cute. ☺  I always enjoy looking at our pictures because they make me smile all over again.

We had a gift exchange and Carla decided since she was the Hostess she should hand out the gifts.  It is always fun to see what others bring.  It is always fun to go home with something else.  I thought the gift Patty brought was clever....a BIG Peppermint Patty from Patty.  I thought the gift Jolene brought was the most thoughtful and it was given to Jodi which I thought was perfect.  It was a darling Nativity picture with a poem that Jolene wrote...very fitting today.  The other gifts were wonderful, yummy and cute!

 I played around with some Christmas Frames and a few of my favorite pictures.  Friends must certainly be a "symbol" of Christmas because they add so much to this wonderful season.

 I'm glad that when we said be silly I wasn't the only one being silly.  They all crack me up!

a few more just because...

I love love love this time of the year!  It really is the most wonderful!

Celebrating Susan

I wanted to take Susan to lunch for her birthday this year and so we went a day early since she works in the Temple on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  I was happy that she agreed and that Kathy was able to join us.  We have so many fun memories together.  I have learned so much from these two and I love them to pieces.  They are both so talented.

While we were eating I got a text from Kimleighel saying that Fremont High was on Lock-down because there was a gunman at the school.  There was a 16 year old with a gun and they weren't sure if there were more.  The swat team and police had the place covered...there were even snipers on the roof.  Every student had to be patted down and my kids though that was strange.  It all turned out okay but sure changed the mood of our lunch.  Maybe we didn't laugh as much as usual but we still enjoyed each other and celebrated Susan!

Christmas Card and letter

WOW….another Year is coming to an end…I feel like it went fast.  It was hectic, fun and wonderful.  We experienced a lot and were extremely blessed.

January- started off with a "POP" that is Larry's Achilles  popped and needed to be reattached. (OUCH)   TJ had a birthday and Macie Marie was born to Justin and Natalie. Mya turned 6 and is in first grade.  Natalie also had a birthday!

February -was a great month.  Jaydan turned 23 and Kamryn was legally adopted by Kevin and is officially a Ropelato.

March- we celebrated Kimleighel's  (18) and Kelsi's birthdays.  Kimi is a senior this year and ready to be done with High School.

April- Macie had surgery to repair her cleft lip.  She has truly been blessed and many prayers in her behalf have been answered. We celebrated the births of Braxton (25), Kamryn (6) and Justin. (31) Kamryn is in first grade in a Spanish emersion program.

May-Braxton and Kelsi were Married & Sealed in the Bountiful Temple.  Trichelle graduated from the U of U. Woo Hoo on both those events. We celebrated the birth of Parker (4).  Larry and I went on a cruise to Alaska which was beautiful and much needed.

June- Ivy turned 9 and is in 4th grade. (she speaks fluent Spanish) Our Stake split and Larry was called to serve on the High Council. It took him awhile to adjust since he wasn't quite ready to be released from his 11 year old primary class. I'm still serving in the Special Needs Mutual and loving it!

July-Baby Jordyn Jo was born to Kevin and Julie.  Larry had a kidney stone that ended up being surgically removed.  We learned that even when you think you have reached your deductible there will always be more that you owe. (insurance is not a happy subject at our house) I celebrated my birthday as much as I could.  The last picture of my parents and siblings was taken.

August-we camped a few times and celebrated the births of Kevin (27) and Trichelle. (33)

September-Jared (16) Woo Hoo, and Julie both had birthdays.  We found out the doctors couldn't help my daddy anymore. (his heart and kidney's were failing)

October-I was able to serve my daddy as he prepared to pass from this life.  My brothers were both here and so our little family was together for a few weeks which was really nice.  I was by my daddy's side when he left this world.  His entire family was with him that day along with Jaydan and Braxton. Everyone (grandchildren and family) had a chance to say their "See Ya Laters" . It seems so strange to have him gone.  No matter how prepared you might be to say good-bye it's never enough. My mom is doing as well as anyone could.  She's truly an inspiration.

November- Zaden turned 6 and is in kindergarten.  Larry and I celebrated our 34th Anniversary. Macie had her second surgery where her soft palate was repaired, tubes put in her ears and another appliance put in the top of her mouth.  Again it was obvious the power of prayer!  Macie has truly been blessed and exceeds the doctors' expectations.  Each surgery she has come home the very next day instead of staying in the Hospital for 2-3.  She's an Angel…surrounded by Angels!

December-We celebrate the Birth of our Savior.  I love this time of year and the "Magic" that fills the air!  We close the year by celebrating Larry's birthday.

Our family is truly blessed!  We enjoy spending time together and carrying on family traditions.

Life is busy and fun and we are living and loving it!

We hope that every one of our extended family and friends will be blessed this upcoming year!  We pray for you all!

Happiness is a Choice….Choose to be Happy and recognize all that we do have!  We are all very blessed!

Love, the Ropelato Family

Weekly Tidbits

*Monday and Tuesday I actually was able to get some things done at home.  I did pick Ivy up from school Monday but didn't have to leave until 2:00.  Some times it is nice to be home and get things done.

Monday Night we invited Connor over to watch Elf with us.  I might or might not be able to steer a wheel chair.  Getting Connor over the little ridge by his door I thought fast would be good and nearly flung poor Connor out.  The next try I popped a wheelie and that was the correct approach to getting over a ledge.  Connor was really excited to hang out with us.  I spoiled him with his favorite treats. (butterfingers and pop)  We had lots of treats and had fun watching Elf.  (Elf is my favorite...oh wait...Smiling is My Favorite) ☺  I think Connor might invite Jared over to his house so they can hang out and he thinks Kimleighel is "hot".  The kid makes me smile!

Jared got his permit.  I was leaving it up to Larry to help with the last two kids and it wasn't working out too well.  Jared is already 16 and he might be 18 if I wait for Larry.  Larry is a great dad but he isn't in a hurry to have these last two grow up I guess.  (really he doesn't want to pay for their insurance)  There are some perks to being the last and some down falls.....the fall was long enough. The smile on his face made me so happy!  It's funny how a mom can feel the joys and pains of her kids...we are so connected always.

Every year for Thanksgiving the Day Care that my grands go to have a special Thanksgiving Lunch and the parents and grandparents are invited to share it with them. (our's was Wednesday)  It's always yummy and fun to go be with them.  This year Gramps came too but I guess I didn't get a picture with him.  I got to sit with Zaden and watch him eat his rolls.  He ate his, mine and two more after that.  That was all. (Kevin ate the other food for him)  He did get a piece of pumpkin pie and had a little of the whip cream.  The kid makes me laugh.  He's always been picky and will only try something when he is ready.

Baby Jordyn tried mashed potatoes and was so funny.  She doesn't quite open her mouth and kept sticking out her tongue to taste them.  She is such a cute baby.  I love being invited to the grands things....Grands are such a blessing and I am so thankful for each of mine!

Larry and the kids cleaned the yard on Saturday and I cleaned up the Thanksgiving Decorations and got out the Christmas ones.  I didn't get the tree up yet so I'm hoping to get that up on Monday.  I still have some big things under the stairs I need to get out too.  It's okay...I feel good about what I got done.  It's beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.....and I'm Lovin It!

Fun with the Coy Family

Sherwood Hills can be sold but our tradition of getting together with the Coy Family continues. Instead of going out for Breakfast I volunteered to have it at our house.  Breakfast is cheap and easy to make and I like the idea of visiting with each other and it's more likely to happen at my house.  I was right....we did a lot of visiting and the kids did a lot of playing.  (it was even nice outside and so they ran around and played on the playground...aka Ropelato Park)

We had french toast, sausage and breakfast burrito's and Natalie surprised us with yummy cinnamon rolls.  So the breakfast was good too but the company and visiting was better.  I think it's funny how my grands and Tonya's grands take a minute to remember each other from year to year.  We really need to start another tradition in the summer.  I'm thinking around Father's Day.

Tonya reserved her Church and we went there for Nerf Gun Wars!  My family got Nerf Guns a few years ago for Christmas and Tonya liked the idea so much that she got her family Nerf Guns last year.

 We played "Capture the Flag" a few times and went all around the church.  The Missionaries stopped by the church to have a meeting and ended up joining our fun.  It was fun having them.  I saw one Elder slide a few times and thought he might put a hole in his slacks but I think they survived.  We shot each other for a few hours.  I played the first round of Capture the Flag but retired since I can't stop myself from cheating.  If you get hit you are suppose to go to a room until someone free's you.  I would go to the room and free people and forget to stay there.  The rules were that no little's under the age of 8 could get shot except by the other little's under 8.  Well....my grand shot me and without thinking I shot him back....at gun level which was his face.  He didn't cry or act like it hurt him which I was glad about but I figured the only shooting I'd better do was with my camera.  Zaden told his mom after the games that Gramma was a "Cheater Cheater, Pumpkin Eater". ☺

After a few games of Capture the Flag we went into the gym and had another war.  This time if you got shot you were out and the winner was the last guy standing.  I think I could have handled that game a little better but still just shot others with my camera.

We didn't end up bowling this year.  Instead we went to the movies.  In years past we would go to the movie on Saturday on our way home. It was a fun filled day!  I'm so thankful for my family and for the Coy Family.  It was so much fun seeing everyone enjoy themselves.  I love traditions even if they have to be "tweaked" every now and then.