Christmas Joy

Christmas Eve is my favorite part of Christmas. It is a time of family gathering and the sharing love and food and of course, the Christmas story from Luke 2. The table was set, the house looked festive and all was ready for the family to arrive. We began with a wonderful dinner contributed by all the Nielson women. They are all such good cooks. The children were excited and happy. After dinner we convened in the family room where the children and those they drafted into action retold the Christmas Story. It was funny and got a bit wild so we had to calm everyone down with the video of Luke 2 and everyone was reverent. They surprised me at how quiet they were.John and Chris D. were very good sports as you can see.Christmas morning Chris and David and I went to Brett and Claudia's. They had been up early and had opened their gifts and were in their cute jammies when we arrived. Claudia had some fresh out of the oven cinnamon rolls that we all loved. We brought two big boxes for them to open. When they picked them up Matthew indicated that they had enough board games. As the wrappers came off, the screaming and the gleefully dancing and jumping exceeded all our expectations. I wish I had made a movie of it but if you want to experience it for yourself you'll have to call Chris who recorded it on his camera.

I don't think we'll ever top that one. Below is the calm after the storm of happiness.

We left the Nielson household to go to the next Nielson household. Here we opened presents with John, Alison, Abby, Chris and Chris and Lindsay. Dad got the fixins for the famous Cincinnati 5 way Chili! Earlier Alison had made us a delicious lunch which we enthusiastically enjoyed. This family got a Wii system so everybody was happy playing games all afternoon. It was a wonderful day with wonderful people that we love so much. Thanks everyone for being so great. We love you all.

Christmas at the Care Center

Family Home Evening at the Care Center was lovely. David had asked Brett and family to present a Christmas program. They came with all their loveliness and talent. We had a big turn out with many non members enjoying the evening. Brett was the master of ceremonies and did a great job and he sang with Sarah as well. Analisa played the piano for everything including a duet with her friend and she played viola too. Sarah sang and played the Cello, Matthew played the piano and the violin and Katherine played the violin and spread her special magic to all. Every offering brought a wonderful spirit. They played and sang with heart and feeling so beautifully.

After the program I took Sarah and Katherine to see my 95 year old friend who was not able to come. We took a little program to her. When she saw Katherine's violin she asked to play it. She loved the girls. Sarah sang Silent Night and Katherine played Away in a Manger. After they played for her she gave them the good advice to always keep playing and singing and to always have a good teacher. I later took Matthew and Joseph to sing for her and others. She gave Matthew and Joseph the advice to always be good and to do good. "Goodness is greatness" she said.

All the children spread their special kind of love to the residents. We will certainly ask for an encore as all the residents were delighted and very complimentary to them all. Thank you Brett, Claudia and family, for sharing yourselves so wonderfully with us all. Merry Christmas to all.

BYU Las Vegas Bowl

We joined John, Alison and Abby in Las Vegas to go to the BYU Bowl game. I had not looked forward to going to a freezing football game but to make a memory with them was what it was all about for me. Las Vegas had just had 4 inches of snow. The first snowfall in 30 years! It was cold. By the time we arrived in LV it had pretty much melted. Yea. On Saturday we put on our warmest clothes and headed for the game. It started at 5pm and we went there at about 3pm so we could see the pep rally
and leisurely go to the game. Abby and I decided to get our faces painted! Aren't we just the true fans? Actually, John is the best, most enthusiastic fan. He was so happy until the sad, pathetic ending and the endless commercials and special presentations that delayed the game endlessly.

We're pretty bundled up so we didn't get cold. A little hot chocolate helped to warm us and people kept handing us food that they were too full to finish. That was a plus.This darling little cougar sat right in front of us. She was great entertainment. So cute I had to take a picture. She's wearing a helmet under that hat. It reminded me of Eliza Jane. Ross and Jean hosted us in their lovely home again. It was great to have some time with them too. How beautiful was the weather during the day! Surprise. How lovely their home.John, Thanks for the memories. We had a great time! (:

Christopher's Big Birthday Bash

It was a great family gathering for Chris' birthday Sunday. I had such a great time partly because all the food was prepared the day before so I could enjoy the day. We had 20 people for dinner and it came off great! In the midst of getting everything on the table I had the inspiration to have Sarah be my photographer! It was a great idea. Chris had helpers to open his presents and he also authorized them as the official thank you huggers. He knows how to make a party happen! Abby had memorized the entire poem of THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. We gathered in the family room and Claudia sat beside her for reassurance but she gave it all from memory. It was great.

After Forty Five Years

After forty five years of married life and several more dating years, I can say that I did it right. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US TODAY!

A Day of Thanks

The daybefore Thanksgiving found me happily baking in my kitchen. There were pies to be made; pumpkin, pecan and apple. I have sort of been out of practice so this was fun getting into the groove again. The next day it was orange rolls. All of it turned out well.

David, Chris and I went to John and Alison's for Thanksgiving this year. Lindsay went to her boyfriend's family and Brett and Claudia et al went to Moni's. This left an opening for Alison to have us at her house along with her father and William. There were eight of us at the table. Abby set the table and made place cards for us all then selected the seating arrangements. The food was fabulous. They did a great job. After dinner we cleaned up the kitchen and left for a movie. What fun. We arrived at home about an hour before Brett and family and Lindsay and her Chris came for a visit. We love it when they descend upon us. Lindsay and Chris took Analisa and Kathering to Chris' for a Rock Band party and the rest of us watched the Polar Express. What a lovely story. Here are some pics of our happy day.

Abby looked so adorable and you can see the love she has for Uncle Chris. Her toothy smile is the best!

The Latest Project

It seems that I am drawn to the computer for many reasons. The first being that I love getting emails and blog notifications from my friends. Secondly, I have just purchased a new program which manages my pictures and I am learning about how it works. Thirdly, I have been working on my personal history sporadically for several months. (I am being obedient to my blessing.)I am calling this my latest project.

Writing one's personal history is not an easy thing. I don't want to bore anyone who might be interested in reading it but I want to remember to put in writing the significant parts of my life. I also want my readers, if there be any, to learn something that might be of help to them so I am rolling along with it. Some things are difficult to remember like the details of some family events many years ago, and some are difficult to write about such as the heartache and joy of caring for my father during his final weeks almost two years ago. Those recent, memories flood back bringing with them the torrents as well as the still waters. I haven't faced this one yet. Writing of my childhood, my romance, marriage and the birth of each child has been a pleasure. It takes me back to those busy days and helps me realize what precious times they were. Life rushes by and before you know it, you're a grandma sitting at your computer remembering. Couldn't it slow down a minute? I still feel like a young woman!

Here's a word to the wise: If you take pictures be sure to label them with dates and circumstances and if you really want to remember your life 40 years from now, write about it now.

IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS

Some Things for which I’m Grateful

Sunshine… Western skies… Cumulus clouds… Mountains… Valleys… Rocks… Lakes and streams… Wildflowers… Western dirt

Good Friends… Fireplaces…Photographs… a Warm house in winter… Hot chocolate in Christmas mugs with marshmallows … Music

Mom…Dad… Brent.. Laurel.. Grandparents… the Gospel

Family stories… Family albums… Family dances… Family Gatherings… Home movies… Traditions… David

Birds at the feeder…. Water fountains… Flower Gardens… Autumn leaves… Big, gently falling snowflakes… Moonlight… Christmas lights…. Christmas carols…. Temple Square… Stars

Brett.. John.. Carrie.. Lindsay.. Christopher.. Randy.. Claudia.. Alison

Birthday parties… 4th of July… Fireworks… Rodeos… Horses… The American flag… Small silver cap guns… Cowboy boots… Patriotic music… Thanksgiving…Christmas

Fresh air…Smells of dinner cooking… Hearty warm bread… Real butter… Homemade jam… Motherhood… Food in the pantry… Pretty dishes… Chocolate

Candles… Books… Bifocals… Comfortable chairs... comfortable sofas… Reading lights…Poetry that tells a story… Nativity sets

Children who call me grandma… Spencer.. Sarah.. Analisa.. Gabrielle.. Katherine.. Ansley.. Christiana.. Matthew...Eliza...Joseph...Abby...Samuel

Snuggly little ones leaning against my shoulders… Small Jammies with feet… Baby shoes… Bath time… Bedtime stories

Movies… Motorcycle trips… Ice cream… Red Licorice…Freedom… Saturday mornings… The United States of America

Writing instruments… Colored paper… white paper… Book stores… Home stores… Greeting cards… New anything

Fresh cotton sheets… Hot water… Bubble baths… Thick cotton Towels… Scented soaps… Toenail polish… Shampoo that smells like coconut

Dogs leaning out car windows… Cats purring… Birds that talk… Cows grazing on the landscape

Telephones…Television… Airplanes… Automobiles… Airmail...My Computer

Hard times… Challenges… Illness… Loneliness… Anxiety… Questioning… Losing… Mourning… Overcoming… Growing

Primary children… Primary songs… People with Wisdom… Scriptures… Inspirational speakers… Gospel art… Testimony… Sharing… Peace

Temple worship…Initiatory blessings… Priesthood Blessings…Baby Blessings…Baptismal blessings… Sealings… Ordinations… Symbolic white… Quiet

Seeing… Hearing… Smelling…Tasting…Touching… Feeling… Moving… Stretching… Resting… Learning

Heavenly Father… Jesus Christ… The Plan…

Birth… Breath… Resurrection

Happy Thanksgiving Days

Party! Party!

In celebration of two new babies who have come to our family, there was a gathering at Tom and Susan's on Sunday. It was great to mix and mingle with our loved ones. Here are some photos. Sorry I didn't get good ones of the babies; William (Leslie's baby on John's left arm) and Jenna (Matthew's baby on his right arm). John loved holding them both. As things died down and just a few of us were left, we had a concert from everyone who wanted to participate. What a talented family. Participants were, Christian, Leslie, Maren, Joseph, Matthew, Analisa and Sarah. There was music all around!