New Years Bash

I'm not much of a party person but if the party comes to me I can be a willing participant. This year Patty and her family came to spend the evening even the night. My local children and grandchildren added to the festivities. Don't let the serenity of the picture fool you - it was loud and somewhat chaotic but is was wonderful bringing in the New Year with those I love. When the family gets together there must always be lots of food. Patty made her wonderful egg rolls, Abby added a cake and pot stickers, Vero showed up with a scrumptious turtle cheesecake, and I filled in the gaps with the help of Panda Express.

Joshua as seen through the eyes of his sister

Thirty years later and looking forward to eternity.

Thirty years ago today, Lyle picked me up very early in the morning and we drove together to the temple. It was still dark and the first flakes of snow were just beginning to fall as Lyle's car made its way north on State Street. On that day we had a very heavy snowfall - one very much like the snow fall that we had today.
Sometimes it is hard to believe that thirty years really have passed - thirty years, five babies, schooling, church callings, vacations, date nights, camping trips,... all of the stuff life is made up of - all of the good times, all of the hard, growing times - all just memories now.
As we were approaching our 25th year together Lyle was diagnosed with a deadly cancer. I was angry. I remember saying, "You can't die! I didn't sign on for just the 25 year plan!" He looked at me and shook his head then wisely said, "No, you signed on for a lot longer than that. You signed on for eternity."
That pivotal decision, that decision to marry the right person in the temple of our God was probably the most important decision that I ever made. Knowing that ours can be an eternal union gives me the hope that I need to just keep on keeping on.
LYLE, I STILL LOVE YOU. THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT BEING WITH YOU AGAIN.

Week-end at Grandma's

As I post the Saturday and Sunday evening photos of the grand kids, I count and find one missing. Where is Josh? For anyone who knows him that really isn't a big mystery - 9 times out of 10 he will be found on the computer. He is quite the 2 1/2 year old computer bug. The others came close enough to have grandma snap a quick pictures.
Hunter and Lyla get the top spot. Hunter is closing in on 6 months and Lyla is about the same distance from 2 months of age. Please realize that Lyla is in the foreground and that makes her look bigger than Hunter. Actually he still has at least 5 lbs on her. Both of these little ones seem to have been born to eat and grow. I think Jenn said that Hunter was 17 lbs. at his last appointment (nearly a month ago) and Lyla weighed in at 11 lbs 14 oz just a few days ago.
It looks like Grant has given mom a few quiet moments to relax and get a little hand work done. Grant has a 2 year old birthday coming up soon.
Belen loves that little sister. Belen at five is quite a good help to her mom. She loves being the big sister.

Christmas Lights!

Don't tell Jacob that he is in my blog. He hates that. In fact, I can only get photos from his back side. As soon as he discovers that the camera is pointed at him he gets all huffy. I am grateful however, for all of the ways he helps me. If it were left to me no lights would get up.

Decorating the tree.

Belen and Joshua help to decorate Grandma's tree.

A Great Week-end!

As I mentioned in my last update, I spent nearly a week with Chris, Kara, and the kids. We had a great time! Audrey and Kate were so excited when I arrived on Tuesday night before Thanksgiving. We colored (a lot), watched movies together (including a trip to the movie theater to see Madagascar II), took a walk to Audrey's school, had impromptu dance concerts, shopped, decorated the Christmas tree, made a gingerbread house, played computer games on Kara and Chris's new computer, ate Thanksgiving Dinner (of course!), and just sat back and relaxed. Chris, Kara, and I got a little scrabble in. This morning I caught a very early flight home. I got home in time to go to work. I wouldn't want to make that commute every morning!