Celebration Time, Come On

The Holiday Season

I love the holiday season, the sounds of music and laughter,  the the smell of turkey stuffing and pine, the sight of smiling faces and loving people, the feeling of gratitude for all of our material and spiritual blessings and the chance to be together and to reach out to others less fortunate.  I suppose, if we are in the proper frame of mind, everyday should be cause for celebration.  These are just a few of the moments captured on film (what's that?) that bring joy to our lives.  Believe me there are many, many more, but there is such a thing as too much,  Maybe I've already crossed that line.

Grandma Iris and our sweet little Tristan celebrating his very first Thanksgiving with the family. We are greatful for him and all the rest of our wonderful grandchildren and their families.

At Thanksgiving we were espcially thankful to Ammon and Alison for their gracious hosting of the whole clan. You'd have all been welcome at Grandma and Granpa's house, but it certainly would have been a lot more cozy/congested.

Alison and Ammon's home is laid out just right to accomodate a large crowd, and that we have become.  Thanks again to Ammon and Alison!!!!

It was good to see Kinsey Amanda too.  It's been a while since we have been around her much.  She is so involved in school and life in general.  One thing's for sure, she's getting more beautiful by the minute.

I am greatful for the bounties of life that are so plentiuly provided for us.  Not one of us has to ever go hungry as evidenced by the array of wondeful pies that were available to us on Thanksgiving, and to think that it is just a part of what was left after we had already gorged ourselves on Turkey and all the traditional delacacies of the season.

And then there is the simple joy of being together and knowing that we belong to an eternal family, we are not perfect by a long shot, but we are better people because we have each other.  It was also our last Thanksgiving with JT for a while, as he will be in Russia for the next two years.  We missed Stephen and his family, but are looking forward to their being here with us during the Christmas season.  It is difficult to get everyone together as we are all so busy and involved in things, not to mention scattered around a bit, though not bad.  As Rene'once commented:  "We may not have it all together, but together we've got it all."

My last post was of Ryan anfd me up Emigration Canyon following the age-old tradition of getting our own Christmas Tree from the mountains I love so much.  I love to be out in the mountains, when the air is crisp and clear and the snow has covered the pines and forests.  It is a bit of a task to select the perfect tree, but it never fails that the effort is rewarding in and of itself, and now just two days later, the fresh tree stands in our living room as a symbol of the Christmas season.  I always try to find underlying smbolic meanings in everything.  They are especially plentiful, as we get into the true Spirit of Christmas.

We hope all of  you are happy and healthy and that this Christmas season is filled with joy and gratitude for all that we are and have.