The Best Christmas Gift ever....

My mother just called to let me know that they had a

visit from the Stake President this morning.  He had received a letter from the Church Headquarters approving my mother for baptism!  She has waited over 18 months and has done everything that has been asked of her - including moving from their home in Pinesdale at the age of 84.  She will need to have an interview either in person or via teleconferencing with Elder C. Scott Grow of the Quorum of the Seventies before a date can be set.  She is already planning her program and what food to serve!  We are all thrilled - what a wonderful Christmas gift for the family!

We are so grateful.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Why does it take SOOOOO long to decorate the house for Christmas?  It just seems to go on for days and days!  We started after our trip to Lehi for Thanksgiving.  We debated as to whether or not we should put up the 'Christmas in the City' Village.  Since Ed is the one who does most of the work - I leave the decision to him - my only comment - "Why did we buy it if we don't put it out?" - no pressure.  Ed decided that Kiyoko was big enough to 'look and not touch' (sure she is...) this year and he spent several days making mountains and arranging the houses.  It looks great this year - as always! 

We waited to decorate the tree when the children were going to be with us.  It is much more fun watching their reaction as they open up each ornament and decide where to hang it on the tree.  I occasionally had to remind them the tree has MANY sides - all the ornaments were 'hung' on just one side!  The children each got a new ornament this year.  Brennan got a motocycle - Sariah a dancing ballerina - and Screech got a monkey hanging by the tail with a GRANDDAUGHTER banner.  They were all wrapped  up and they were fun to watch them open them.  They can tell you which ornaments are theirs and when they received them.

My nativity, the one I hand painted but never finished the 'Third' wiseman, was put in the opening where the TV used to be...Ed added an overhead light and placed small lights around the scene.  I don't want the kids to think that there are only two wisemen so they also have the Playschool Nativity set that they can rearrange and play with.

The living room is very crowded...I have visions of the house buldging at the seams - ready to explode.  We are going to have to do some serious housecleaning and get rid of a lot of STUFF after the holidays.  This year we put up a small tree in the family room and perhaps Santa will leave his gifts there this year because it is right by the fireplace.  We can open presents in both the living room and family room...just spread the mess around.

Patrick, Shyla, Diesel and Cali will be arriving Wednesday, December 23, late in the evening.  They are leaving SLC about 4:30pm and driving straight through.  We are all eagerly waiting their arrival.  Murphy is especially excited to see his two cousins - Diesel and Cali.  He hopes they notice his new 'Candy Cane' collar because it is pretty cute!

A Deseret Book Christmas...

Ed has been working part-time at our local Deseret Book - just for the Christmas season. It has been good to have a little extra money during this time of year. With the workers discount...we are going to be enjoying a Deseret Book Christmas!!!

Sunday before Christmas

I called Naomi to see if we could pick the children up a little early for church. It was the Sunday before Christmas and I had bought the children some new clothes. Imagine my pleasant suprise when they came out of Grandma Jacqui's house all dressed up and ready for church. They all looked so nice!

Brennan was assigned to give a talk in Primary today.  His topic was following Jesus and making right choices.  With a little help from Grandma Linda, a talk was prepared and he practiced it on the evenings the childrens were are our home.  He looked so grown up and didn't complain about his assignment.  He spoke up clearly and read the talk.  Ed and I were VERY proud of him - it was too bad that Britt didn't get the opportunity to watch him.

Our First SRFHC Staff Christmas Luncheon

Saturday, December 19th, was our first SRFHC Staff Christmas Luncheon. I think it has been a tradition that was started by the McDowell's two or three years ago. When Lynette first told me about it - I about died! We just finished the November Seminar - Thanksgiving - and Christmas. Where would be find the time or energy??? We thought about having it catered by someone in our ward - but I had mixed feeling about that since it is the center's money. As it turned out, the person we had in mind was going to be out of town for Christmas and not available. I thought it must be a sign that I the job was mine.

I called in all my favors -and then some - to help with the luncheon and entertainment. I didn't want people to just show up and eat and leave. I wanted it to be something more. Fortunately, Ed and I choose our friends well.... Scott Seamons has a beautiful voice and agreed to SERVE and SING!

Susan Seamons cooked all the hams and helped with the set-up and clean-up. Judy Sisco helped me make a frozen salad - cooked potatoes - raspberry sauce for the cheesecake - borrowed the tablecloths from the ward - helped with set-up and clean-up. Julie Rackley made all the favors. You are probably wondering what I did...just worried, shopped, and made the program.

We had about 75 people attend and it was a great afternoon. The food was excellent - even if I do say so myself - the entertainment was SPECTACULAR - and President Harrison gave a brief Christmas message and expressed a

heartfelt 'thank you' for the hours of service to the center. It was a good day - glad it is behind us - but it was appreciated by those in attendance. I think we did a great job!

Many who attended asked for the recipe for the Date Souffle Salad...so here it is!

8 oz.    Cream cheese - softened

1/2 C.     Maple Syrup

1 TBL.    Lemon juice

8 oz.    Crushed pineapple

1/2 C.    Chopped pecans

1/2 C.    Chopped dates

2 C.    Cool whip

Mix cream cheese and all ingredients together - EXCEPT the cool whip.  After ingredients are mixed - FOLD in the cool whip.  Put in lined muffin tins and FREEZE.  About 30 minutes before eating take the salad out of the freezer.  Makes 12-15 muffins tins.

DEAR SANTA...

Santa made a surprise appearance at this years

Ward's Christmas Party.

The kiddies each took a turn getting a little treat with Santa

and sharing with him a special Christmas wish.

Kiyoko showed 'no fear' sitting on Santa's lap - candy is a great motivator!

I didn't get a chance to visit with Santa - I just hope he knows what I want!!

Children add so much to the Spirit of Christmas. We are so grateful for the excitement they bring to this time of year. It would be lonely without them and not nearly as much fun!

A Time to Give Thanks!

This year we shared our Thanksgiving with Patrick and Shyla in Lehi, Utah. Britt took some time off work, arranged to take Brennan and Sariah and join us for part of the week. We got off to an exciting start - having not checked the weather - we were very surprized and just a little nervous to find snow over the pass. It has been along time since we (I should say Ed) drove on snow. It did keep us awake - although I covered my eyes a few times.... It took us about eleven hours to make the trip - a long day. We arrived in Lehi about 4:30pm and were pleasantly surprized to see my mom and Bob already at Pat and Shyla's. They were also invited for Thanksgiving. It has been many years since all of us were together for Thanksgiving.

Monday, Ed and I spent the day at the Salt Lake Family History Library. I could spend days there but our time was limited and I was grateful for the one day. I was able to do a little research for others and Ed is still pursuing the 'Lucky' line. We found a few things and that is always exciting! Mom and Bob joined us at Pat's and we had dinner and played games. Ed says he 'hates' games - but I have decided he just hates to 'loose' - if he is winning they are not so bad!

Tuesday we got up bright and early. We planned a trip to the Manti Temple. Ed and I had never been there before - and since it was Tuesday - it must be temple day. My Uncle Ray lives in Mt. Pleasant taking care of a home and animals while the family serves a mission in South America.

We dropped off Mom and Bob at Uncle Ray's and he brought them back on Thursday just in time for dinner. We all think Uncle Ray looks just like Santa with his long white beard, rosy cheeks, and the twinkle in his eye!

The Manti Temple was awesome. I think it is my new favorite. We had a very sweet time there and again wished we could stay longer. We enlisted the help of a patron to take this picture of us. I alway like the picture from the waist up - if you know what I mean - but beggars can't be choosers!

Thanksgiving Day was busy with preparations and visiting and eating! It was a wonderful day spent with people we love and care about most. It would have been perfect if Kiyoko could have joined us in Utah but she kept her mom company back in California.

Friday afternoon Ed and I went to visit my old friend (since Junior High School). Bonnie and Terry had recently moved into their new home in Herriman. We are so happy for them!

Friday night we went to Temple Square to see the lights. What better place to begin the Christmas season than Temple Square!

LET THE SEASON BEGIN!