Susan's Birthday

Today a few of my cute neighbors went to breakfast to celebrate Susan's birth.  Her birthday is really tomorrow but we got her early.  It is fun having such good neighbors and friends.  These ladies all inspire me and teach me so much.  Susan was so happy and I know we made her day....she made ours as well.  We went to breakfast because she needed to go to the Temple.  She works there on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  In fact the first time I went to the Temple after it reopened when I walked out of the Celestial Room there was Susan. That was such a happy surprise...seeing her. I know she is there when Larry and I go but we never see her.  She has been training a lot of sisters and so our paths don't cross.

I noticed when I printed this picture that I didn't button my sweater right.  I wonder if the others noticed or not.  Maybe they even thought I had done it on purpose for a different look.  It is a different look but it wasn't on purpose.  That makes me remember back to when I first met Anne Marie in St George a few years ago.  I had wore a red ear ring and a blue ear ring when I met her.  I realized it when I went back to Jerry and Darinda's and text Anne Marie to see if she had noticed that. She said that she had but thought it was my style. haha  So this new way of buttoning my sweaters is also "style".  I pulled it off. (teeeheee)

Christmas Card and Letter

Merry Christmas Family and Friends
I love this time of year and one of the reasons is that we think of those that mean so much to us .  YOU are important to us.  Even though we may not see each other or interact much during the year you make a positive difference to our family.  Thanks for that!
This year has been filled with blessings.  Have you ever noticed that when you focus on your blessings you notice so much more good that often we take for granted?  (it's a good habit to get in to)
We have two new members in our family.  Little Sadie Lou was born to Braxton and Kelsi in February, and Behrenger Scott was born the day before Trichelle's birthday...Best Gifts Ever!!! These two are so loved and add to our happiness.  
One of our favorite traditions is having each grand over for a sleepover for their birthday.  Oh my heck...they light up our world.  Another one is taking our kids out to dinner to celebrate their birthdays. Any time that we have together with our kids and grands is such a blessing and we love it.
We've vacationed a little which is always good for the soul and relationships. (cruise, Hawaii, concert) Our family rented a house at Bear Lake this summer and had a blast.  I cherish our little vacations since they are so hard to make happen with so many schedules.  Making lasting memories is so worth it!
Everyone has been healthy and blessed.  Little Macie has done well with her surgeries and always recovers so much quicker than the doctors expect....she's a miracle of prayers being answered. (thanks for your prayers in her behalf)
God loves us all so much and is so aware of us and what's going on in our lives.  HE loves hearing from us and if we need something we have to ask.  (I understand that so much better now being a parent of older kids...)
Every day has so much happiness in it.  We all have so much to be thankful for.  Happiness and blessings are there if we just pay attention.  I like that wrinkles don't hurt...a little way to find the good in things that might not be a favorite.
I Love Love Love the Christmas Season.  I have had to adjust over the years to make it enjoyable .  Sometimes I have had added to what I do, and sometimes I have simplified. It seems we do that often in life huh? (adjust our flexibility)  Anyway I hope that You Enjoy this Season and Count All the Blessings in Your Life...Especially the Ultimate Gift...our Savior!
Merry Christmas to Your Family from Ours! Larry, Dawn and Family

Fun Weekend

I found out through Suzie that Tashina was speaking this Sunday.  I think Julie must have forgot about letting me know which I totally understand with all a mom has on her mind.  Suzie is in the same ward as Julie's dad and he mentioned it to her.  Suzie, Larry and I were at the Stake Offices getting our recommends signed when the conversation came up.  Larry didn't really want to go because we would have to hurry home after the meeting and so he suggested Suzie and I go together.  I'm so glad it worked out that way because the drive went fast and I don't see enough of Suzie these days.

We stayed in St George and went to the Live Nativity at the Tuachan on Saturday.  Anne Marie met us and went with us.  It was cold but really nice.  I liked starting this Wonderful Season with the Nativity.  I was happy that Anne Marie was able to meet us.  I met her from face book.  She sent me a friend request years ago and I accepted after checking out her page first.  She seemed like a good person. ☺  I am glad I accepted her request because she is a wonderful person and now a good friend of mine.  It was a delight spending a few hours with her.  I was a little embarrassed that she bought us all dinner at the Crepery afterwards.  She wanted to though and I tried to think how I would feel if the roles were reversed and so I accepted her generosity.

 

Julie's church didn't start until 1:00 which was really nice so that we didn't have to hurry. We got there in plenty of time.  We were even delayed by the "Spaghetti Bowl" which we really tried to avoid but didn't end up doing.  Julie saw us come in the door and came over with tears in her eyes.  She said she doesn't usually cry (which she doesn't) but seeing us made her.  I was so Happy that we Surprised her! I love surprises!

I love the Nelson family...every single one of them.  I know that they are fond of me as well because they are so good at showing it.  Kinndeli was so bubbly and cute and came over to us right off.  She even suggested selfies when we went to their house.  She is a beauty inside and out.  I think Tashina must have hugged me 3 or 4 times.  She kept saying: "come here...I need another hug".  Moving away from Hooper was a good thing for the Nelsons.  I know they were guided and led to Vegas.  It has been good for all of them.  They have been such leaders and blessings to so many and they have been extremely blessed.  I seriously love them all so much.

It was nice just visiting with them without feeling like we had to hurry and leave.  It was also nice just going back to St George when we did leave.  We missed all the congested traffic.  Coming and going we were blessed with good driving conditions.

I always feel so enlightened after being around Julie.  She is such an inspiration to me.  Spending those few days with Suzie was also inspiring.  I really am blessed with wonderful friends.

I put up my Christmas decorations on Friday before we left and as I do I think of so many friends.  I love having decorations that remind me of my friends.  I asked Larry if any of the decorations meant anything to him and of course they didn't.  I started pointing out who they were from and told him that is why I keep them.  It's kind of the same thing during the year...I have things around my house that remind me of my friends.  Julie had things around her house that I gave her and she keeps them for the same reason.  I laughed when I saw the paper eyes I made years ago when I went to visit her, sticking to her bedroom door.  It made me feel good.

On our way home we stopped by Darinda and Jerry's home to show Suzie.  (Darinda said I could any time) When we turned to go to their home we saw a group of Cowboys moving horses. It was fun watching them.  The drive home was good and I took pictures of all the temples and text them to Larry so that he would know where we were.  We are so blessed to have temples guiding us home.

I really enjoyed this weekend.  I'm glad that Kimleighel came with us.  She is fun to have around.  She had a great time too and I don't think she would mind moving to Vegas with the Nelson family...Logan might be a huge reason.  (I think arranged marriages would be good now that I am on the other side of the arrangements)

Food For Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! GO HEREJOIN IN!!! 

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FAST FEAST!!!

 (Because no one has time to think too hard this week!)

Breakfast ~ What is your favorite food (or two or three) served on Thanksgiving? I love it all....the turkey, potato's and gravy, stuffing, rolls..and pumpkin pie. (I like other pie too if there are more choices)  This year Suzie brought cut up apples and banana's with a yummy dip.

Lunch ~ Name a tradition you have for Thanksgiving. Football seems to be a tradition.  Our family use to spend the weekend at Sherwood Hills until two years ago when they sold out. (we went for over 20 years)  That was the funnest tradition.  We need to come up with something else now.

Dinner ~ Where did you eat your Thanksgiving feast this year and what dishes did you make? I had it at my house this year.  I think I will for years to come as well.  I cooked the Turkey in a Roaster and it was so juicy, moist and good.  We also had a smoked turkey that I heated up in the crock pot.  I made deviled eggs because I make yummy ones.  I also did the potatoes and gravy and yams.  Larry peeled and cut up the potato's and Ivy made the stuffing.

Midnight Snack ~ Do you go BLACK FRIDAY shopping? I have before but it isn't my favorite thing to do. Why or why not? I don't like competing for things.  I would rather wait.  I usually have my shopping done before anyway and am not influenced by adds. Plus, I like my sleep and don't enjoy long lines.

Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Be Thankful for Every Little Thing.  Look around and pay attention to all we have.

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Happy Thanksgiving

I learned today that Thanksgiving is Jared's favorite Holiday.  I like it too.  I like the memories I have of past Thanksgivings involving family, extended family, lots of food and love! I think for the next few years I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner.  For years Darinda and I switched off but since they got their home in St George we decided that  we would just celebrate with our own little families.  I don't mind that but to me Thanksgiving means extended family too.  The more the merrier in my opinion.

Earlier this week I felt like I was suppose to invite someone to our dinner.  I didn't know who but couldn't shake the feeling.  I was talking to Suzie Arave on the phone about this coming weekend and asked her what she was doing for Thanksgiving.  She said her and Duane were going to the movie later but didn't say anything about dinner.  I quickly invited her to our dinner.  One of her sons was going to his wife's family, the other was working and her baby is on a mission.  She wasn't planning on any kind of dinner for her and Duane.  I was so glad that they accepted my invite.  I also posted a message on face book hoping that if anyone else was in that predicament that they would also join us.  I think I was too late.  A friend of mine commented that she had done that same thing and had 8 others joining her group. I didn't get anyone else.  I found out later that my sister went to Chuck a Rama and didn't seem real thrilled about it in the text she sent.  I wish she would have called and joined us.  I just assume that her kids and my mom will have a dinner.

I stopped having Thanksgiving Dinner with my family many years ago.  It was easier to not be included.  After a few painful Thanksgivings I started the tradition of taking our family to Sherwood Hills after our Thanksgiving Dinner.  The Coys joined us the second year and the only reason we aren't doing it still is because Sherwood Hills is no longer a hotel. They sold out two years ago.  We have so many fun memories there.  It sure changed our Thanksgivings into something fun and wonderful.  I bet that's why it is Jared's favorite.

The Sister Missionaries stopped by and spent a few hours with us before going to another dinner.  It was fun having them over.  They are so cute.  They like to visit with Trichelle and her family.  Missionaries are pretty wonderful.  It's a joy having them over!

It was truly a blessed day.

Thanksgiving Lunch with a Few Cute Grands

Kevin and Julie are in Thailand this Thanksgiving along with Julie's brothers and Jaydan.  That didn't stop Gramps, Me and Julie's Parents from going to eat with our cute grands at their daycare.  Every year the daycare invited the parents and grandparents to a nice Thanksgiving Lunch.  It's always yummy but being with these cute girls is the best.  Gramps has been missing these cute faces since Jen (Julie's sister) has been watching them.  Jordyn seemed to be having a little separation anxiety and only wanted Jen. However, she did take turns going back and forth to each of us grandma's.  She kind of fussed at gramps....I wonder if she thinks he deserted her too.  It was nice spending a little time with these cuties and their other grandparents and cousins.  I must say...I sure do like the families my kids have married into.  They are all wonderful families that I love and respect

We took some food over to Larry and saw his new toy.  I really like it.  Larry has been looking for this style of truck for many years and finally found one that he wanted.  The one he actually found was in New Jersey and needed to be completely restored.  He was ready to drive back there but then TJ started looking around the internet some more which made Larry look around and he found this 1959 Chev in Casper, Wyoming.  He decided on this one since it was finished and close.  I think it is a great choice.  So this Blue Beauty is Larry's Christmas and Birthday present.  I'm excited for him to have this.  Larry is so kind and thoughtful of everyone else and deserves a little spoiling too.  Happy~Happy Day to My Cute Hubby!

Food for Thought Friday...Answered on Sunday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

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

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥  

Breakfast ~ What was the happiest thing that happened to you this week?  everyday plenty of happy things happened...I got to see and watch some of my cute grands this week and am thrilled when they squeal for me and run to hug me or lunge for me.  I am happy when I get a text from a child or two telling me they love me and that I am beautiful.  The texts from Larry also make me very happy.  Spending time with my friends always makes me happy and that has happened a few times this week.  Also getting pedicures makes me happy and I got one of those this week.  But, since I am answering this Sunday and just spent Friday and Saturday at Time Out For Women I am going to say that was my Happiest Thing this week.  For two days I felt the Spirit and Heard the Promptings of the Holy Ghost.  I heard wonderful talks, laughed a lot, and listened to some very inspiring music.  I was with beautiful women who call me their friend. My soul was filled with Happiness.  Saddest? Saturday Night, Braxton posted a picture of cute Sadie with a breathing mask on her little face.  She has croup and her face was flushed and it broke my heart.  I actually cried looking at the picture.  Another time was when I was watching Jordyn Wednesday.  When I changed her diaper her little bottom was bright red and it hurt while I got her cleaned her up.  That also broke my heart.

Lunch ~ Where in the world have you been that you thought was most like paradise? Probably Kauai.  I think that Island is so beautiful and peaceful.  When we vacation there we are able to relax and just enjoy the beauty around us.  It feels like paradise to me.

Dinner ~ What compliment do people give you the most? I get a lot of compliments about my smile which makes me happy.  I like smiling and try to smile a lot. (I smile so often that when I don't my lips wrinkle...I don't like wrinkly lips) I also get compliments about how Happy and Positive I am which inspires me to continue working on being Happy and Positive. (it does take some effort)  One more compliment that I get a lot is about how many friends I have.  I am truly blessed with wonderful friends and a lot of them.

Midnight Snack ~ What famous person you would have loved to be born as? There are many famous people I admire but I can't think of any right now that I would have loved to born as them.  I know I could have answered this better years ago because I struggled with my self esteem and thought most peoples lives were so much better than mine.  However now, I realize that for the most part we are all so similar.  Everyone has their struggles and challenges.  Some succeed and the world see that success.  I'm content where I'm at and also how I got here. I know I didn't really answer this question but skirted around it. ☺

Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Trust God and let Him direct Your Path.  His plan might not be our plan but it will make us the Happiest and be a Blessing to Us and Others.

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