Monday, December 29, 2008

Rosy Cheeks and Smiling Faces

Below are just a few of the photos I took on Monday
at our family outing on Old Main Hill, tubing, sledding,
snowboarding, building snowmen and laughing a lot.
It was a great day on the hill and the soup etc. and
especially the great company just made everything
nearly perfect when we got to our place. We missed
the ones who couldn't make it and appreciate those who
came and made the day such wonderful time for everyone.



















Sorry I didn't get a picture of everyone, but I'm sure
somebody did. Please share your photos. I know some of
them were much better than mine.
Again, thanks for making the day a great Christmas time
memory for all of us.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Just a part of the specialness of the Christmas season


Christmas evening we went out to Justin and Chalisa's in
Hyrum. It's always fun to go out there. It was snowing
quite hard when we left and we drove home in a blizzard.
Yes, everyone had a White Christmas, but we were glad
we made it home safely and were off the slippery and
snowy highways.

We also visited Alison and Ammon and their family
on Christmas Day. They always make us feel welcome
and special. We had a good time there and were glad
to see them all having fun, enjoying each other and this
special season of the year.


Little girl cousins enjoying a few moments of play time
together at Aunt Alison's on Christmas Day.

Ada, Halle, Gabrielle, pausing their play for a Grandpa
Photograph.

The family Rock Star with her new Hannah Montana
guitar.


Ada and Halle, photo op in front of Ada's doll house.
Can you believe Chalisa's Dad made one of those for all
of our little grand-daughters. How nice can a man be.

We spent Christmas Eve at Ryan and Samantha's. They
had a wonderful meal prepared for us and shared the
Christmas story. We opened gifts and talked about the
most important gift of all, our Savior, and how each gift
we give or get should be a reminder of the greatest gift
of all. When we arrived at Ryan and Sam's house we were
in for a big surprise. After a couple of minutes there,
here came little Sophie into the living room. We had no
idea they were any where near. We just supposed Stephen
and his crew were at home in Colorado. What a JOY it was
to see them and then to have them with us for most of the
remainder of the holiday season. There would certainly
have been less fun around our house without them.
Here are some of the clan opening Christmas gifts at Ryan
and Samantha's Christmas Eve. Thank you so much Ryan
and Sam. It was a wonderful Christmas Eve together.

On Christmas Eve Day Jason and Rene and their
wonderful family stopped by for a while. We went
to Federico's for Pizza and salads, and of course lots of
laughs. Those kids can make you laugh 'til you cry,
which they did. Thanks for the visit and the fun times.


Grandma Iris and little Kate putting a puzzle together at
Justin and Chalisa's. Their kids were so fun to be with.

I spent some fun time with Ethan putting together
(what else) a dinosaur puzzle. He says, he's going
to be a paleontologist. I think is one already.


We had the opportunity during the season to attend one
JT's wresting meets. He did a wonderful job and was
really taking it to the other kid, when all of a sudden he
made a wrong move and pinned himself. Is there anyone
of us who has not done the same thing in some way or
another. We all live and learn, and if we get up every time
we fall down and try again, we are never losers. JT is no
loser in my book, but one of the greatest winners ever,
especially because he helps others become winners too.


We stopped off to see Philip and Megan. They are doing
well and still love each other, their kids and us, not to
mention everyone else. Love is what makes the world go
around.

We also got to see Tanner man in his swim meet at
Clearfield. The kid can flat out swim. Watch out Michael
Phelps, here comes Tanner Man. Tanner is in the
middle lane in this picture.

It's Christmas time and winter in the Cache Valley. The
Temple and the Church play a big part in our lives. In
this photo, taken from Old Main Hill at USU you can see
both our ward meeting house and the Logan Temple. It's
nice to be so close.

We went out to Justin's and Chalisa's one
day. Ethan went out to help me shovel the
driveway and play in the snow. Everything
was beautiful. When we went back inside
Ethan said to me: "This has been the
happiest day of my life." I'm not quite sure
that was true, but it does show that the
greatest joys are often found with someone
who loves you doing the simplest things.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Winter Wonderland December 26, 2008





Stephen and I went for a little walk up to Old Main Hill this
morning. It was beautiful after the snowfall of the previous
evening. Here are just a few of the views. We hope all of
you had a very Merry Christmas and remember that we
love you all and always.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Ada at Grandma's


I went to Grandma's and made donuts. It was fun!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Winter Wonderland


Winter has finally arrived in the Cache Valley, at least for
now. I love the winter season. Everything is so fresh and
the air so brisk. I'll admit that after about six months of
it, I'm ready for the daffodils, but can any one deny the
beauty of this photo.

Monday, December 1, 2008

It's That Time Of Year



I took River and we went to the mountains this morning
to find a Christmas tree. There was little snow to battle,
so finding one was relatively easy. I have always enjoyed
searching for that perfect tree. Unfortunately I've never
found it, but once they get all dressed up for Christmas
they are all beautiful. It's one of my favorite traditions of
the Christmas season. River was sure glad to get out in
the woods, which made me doubly happy. We put the
tree up this afternoon/evening and will add a few finishing
touches tomorrow. We hope the Christmas season is filled
with peace an joy for all of you and yours.