Thanksgiving!!!

We had an awesome Thanksgiving weekend.  Everyone was home, and it was great to all be together.  Adam even made it home in time for dinner on Thanksgiving day after driving nearly non-stop from New Orleans.  I am so thankful for my family, they make my life complete!

I was trying to take a picture of our tables all set up, and Matthew decided he needed to be in the middle of it!  

 We had 20 people for dinner this year, and it worked out great.  Dad, Scott, his kids, Kenzie and Jeremy, Rick, all of our family, and Cassidy's dad and Grandma were able to join us.  It was a full house, but we loved it!  Here is a small portion of the food we had.  We ended up with about 12 pies!!

 I had my camera out, and intended to take more pictures, but we were having so much fun, I forgot.  Later that night we played a mean game of Phase 10, and Ammon (who hates playing family games) killed us all. 

On Friday, we skipped all of the Black Friday madness, and all slept in.  Michael had to work, but the rest of us went up to the Living Planet Aquarium in Salt Lake.  It was really pretty fun, even the big kids liked it.

 Some of our favorites were watching the octopus feeding, river otters, penguins, and of course the touching pool.  They had starfish, sharks, sting rays, sea urchins and anenomes we could touch.  It was pretty cool!  As you can see, everyone got in on the act.  All in all, another pretty great day!  I sure love my family!

Halloween

Jordyn has been on a pirate kick lately, so she wanted to be a pirate for halloween of course.  Here she is at her school halloween parade.  She had lots of fun trick or treating with Dad, and got "tons" of candy!  

Ammon Football

Ammon had a great year playing football this year.  He worked really hard to get a spot on the varsity team, and even though he got stuck behind a couple of seniors, he played most of every varsity game.  He also played all of every JV game.  He got a lot of experience on the field this year, and the coaches were very pleased with his performance.  His team ended the season as co-region champs, but lost in their first state play-off game.  It was a pretty exciting season, and fun to watch him play.  We can't wait to see how much more fun next year will be.

Matthew Plays Football

I guess it's time to play catch-up, there are a lot of things I've missed, so here we go:

Matthew decided that he wanted to give football a try this year.  He has neve)r been interested in football, and has stuck with soccer while most of the boys moved on to football in about 3rd grade.  The coaches were drooling over his size, but weren't counting on his gentle giant personality.  He was one of the biggest kids on the team (we grow them small in Mapleton), so he ended up playing on the line which was probably not the best choice for him.  We aren't sure if he'll play again next year, but I'm sure proud of him for trying something new and uncomfortable for him.  I think he did have some fun, and I know he learned a lot about the game.

Tender Mercies and Small Miracles

Last night, Ammon brought home a puppy.  He has wanted one for a long time, but we just can't have a puppy.  We don't have a place for one, nor do we have the time for a dog, especially a puppy.  Ammon's friend found a mama dog and 9 puppies on his land, and my sweet, tender-hearted boy fell in love and brought one home.  She was very cute and sweet, but she was a baby!!  She cried all night, and Jennifer had to tend her all day.  Jordyn was heartbroken when we told her that we needed to find the puppy a new home.  She was nearly inconsolable, just sobbing when Ammon left to take her to her new owner.

Just as we were beginning to calm her down, the doorbell rang.  It was a group of neighborhood boys playing 'bigger or better'.  The item they wanted to trade was a stuffed puppy dog that looked very much like the one we had just given away.  They told me that the reason they came to our house was that they knew Jordyn would like the dog.  It's a small thing, but a huge reminder that we have a loving Heavenly Father who is mindful of a little girl crying over a dog.  I'm so grateful for that knowledge, and for mothers who teach their little boys to be open to the promptings of the spirit, and thoughtful enough to follow through.  Jordyn loves her new puppy, and so do I!!

The Best, Worst Vacation Ever!!!

I have been wanting to go to Disneyland ever since we got back from our last trip.  I can’t explain, I just love it there.  I really think I could live there and not get tired of it.  Tired of crowds, yes, tired of the park, not so much.  We had planned to take a family trip at Christmas time, and include Disneyland in the festivities.  Well, plans got changed, and we will be hunkered down for a good old fashioned, at home, family Christmas this year, while we celebrate the birth of our first grandchild.  I have jokingly told Jordyn that we should just take off one day and go.  Just the two of us.  She thought that was a great plan.  On Monday, Sept. 10, this was how I woke her up:  Ok, the video isn’t working, let’s just say she was underwhelmed. :)


We drove straight there that day, and arrived without incident.  That evening we went over to Downtown Disney, visited all the stores, played with Legos and ate beignets at Tiana’s Place.  Yummy!!

The next morning, we woke up early to use our Magic Morning, and were excited for the day.  Unfortunately, I had a stomach bug that wouldn’t let go.  I made a valiant effort, and after one trip back to the hotel to change clothes, we managed to last until about 5:30 that evening.  We were able to go on several rides, and fortunately it wasn’t crowded, so we didn’t have to wait in long lines.  We did have to make one very important purchase though.  Jordyn wanted a pirate hat so that everyone would stop calling her princess.  What happened to my little girl?  Haha on her though, they still called her princess!  Jordyn was rather disappointed that we couldn’t go on any of the “fun” rides though.  I was sick enough without complicating it with roller coasters or teacups.  She was able to go to Jedi Training though, and is quite pleased with her Padawan certificate.  She even defeated Darth Vader!  We went back to our room, and I collapsed with sweats and chills until morning.  

Wednesday morning, I woke up feeling better, and was able to actually eat a bagel for breakfast.  Ed and Kathleen were coming down to meet us that day, and we had plans!  Jordyn and I went over to California Adventure, and got our fast passes for World of Color.  Then we went on a couple of rides and met a couple of characters.  We wanted to see the new Cars Land, so we headed over there.  When we got there, I was suddenly sick again.  I felt so nauseated and dizzy, I threw up again, and felt like fainting every time I stood up.  Ed and Kathleen found us hovering in the restroom, and I still couldn’t stand up.  They suggested I get a scooter, and I agreed that it might help me get around better.  Aunt Kathy took Jordyn to go on the Cars ride, while Ed and I went to get me a scooter.  When we got back, we still had to wait awhile for them, so we found a shady spot, and I just tried to rest.  I did alright the rest of the day, and we had a good time.  At closing time, they went home, and Jordyn and I went to see World of Color.  I still had the scooter, so we sat in the handicapped area, and had a great view without getting there early or sitting on the ground.  The show was amazing!!  We used to go to the Disneyland Hotel to watch “dancing waters”, this is all that on mega steroids.  We loved it!

That night, Jordyn got sick and was throwing up all night.  I let her sleep in, and about 11:00 she was feeling like she wanted to go to the parks.  I was feeling ok, so I decided to get a stroller for her so she wouldn’t get worn out walking since she wasn’t feeling well.  We went on a couple of rides, and surprise!  I got sick again, same as the day before. We did our best to make it a fun day, but we had to take it slow and easy.  At one point, we tried to go on the Cars ride again.  I was super dizzy, and the line was about 75 minutes long, but what’s a mom to do?  We waited about half an hour or so, and during that whole time, I was leaning over on the rails, squatting down, and rubbing ice on my face to keep from passing out.  Finally I couldn’t do it anymore, I slid down the wall in a corner (still in line for the ride) , and sat there for I don’t know how long.  While we sat there, not one person asked if I was ok or needed help.  So appalling the lack of concern people have for each other.  Anyway, we made our way up and back out of the line.  I just couldn’t take any more.  We found a shady spot and sat people watching for about an hour.  Jordyn even took a nap!  We finished the evening by going on a couple more rides and watching the parade.  

I feel silly and rather petty to be complaining about a trip to Disneyland.  I mean, we were at DISNEYLAND!!  We still managed to have fun, and we got to see and do what we wanted since it wasn’t crowded, just not as MUCH as we wanted to.  Darn it, we’ll just have to go again!

Even More Projects!

I can't believe how much I am enjoying this!  Now that we know Jenn is having a boy, I can concentrate more on blue things.

Here are some mittens, a beanie, and two pair of booties.  I didn't really like the ones on the left, thus the second pair!

This is the newsies hat from before with mittens and "old man slippers" to go with it.

I love this set, and it was sooo easy!  

These are the ugg boots from before, I just added buttons and trim so they would match the bear beanie.

Soft and cuddly blanket

Jordyn keeps complaining about how much I am making for the baby, and nothing for her.  Poor thing, I need to get started on her blanket.  She wanted to know why I never made anything for her when she was a baby, and then asked if it was a "grandma" thing.  Then she wanted to know if grandma made things for her when she was a baby.  I assured her that she did, and reminded her which of her blankets came from grandma.  Times like this make me miss my mom so much.  It makes me sad that Jordyn doesn't have a grandma to spoil her the way the other kids have been spoiled, and the way that I plan to spoil my grandchildren.

Marlene Peterson

Today I said good-bye to a very dear friend, and realized it’s true what they say,   “Don’t put things off, because you never know when it will be too late.”

I haven’t seen Marlene for a year or so, and didn’t realize how much I missed her until today.  When we moved into our home in Spanish Fork, Richard and Marlene Peterson lived down the street from us.  T­he kids loved the Petersons because they could always get a rock from them.  The Petersons were rock hounds and loved to collect, polish, craft, display and share with their rocks.  They were also snow-birds and spend the winters in Arizona, but they always remembered us and sent Christmas cards.

Dennis was called to be their home teacher for several years, and for most of those years I accompanied him on his visits.  We loved sitting and visiting with Richard and Marlene, and our visits often ran longer than we expected because we had such a good time with them.  Marlene has had many health problems as long as we’ve known her, and was always in and out of hospitals and nursing homes.  It was hard to watch her struggle so much, but she was always upbeat, and we did our best to visit when we could.

Later, I was called as Relief Society President, and was given the opportunity to know Marlene even better, and to serve her in more intimate ways.  We became rather close at that time, and I will always cherish it.  When I was released, I promised myself that I would continue that friendship, and I did try, because I really did care.  However, life happens, and my visits got farther and farther apart.  Eventually Marlene had to be permanently placed in a nursing home, and our visits became even more scarce.  When we moved to Mapleton ( a whole 5 minutes away), I got more wrapped up in my own life and neglected my duties as a friend.  I am ashamed to admit that it’s been so long since I’ve visited.

Earlier this year, she suffered a stroke and a heart attack, and I knew that her health was declining.  I felt justified in not visiting, because her memory and speech were also declining, and I didn’t think she’d know who I was.  A couple of weeks ago, Marlene fell and broke her one remaining leg quite badly.  For some reason, she then lapsed into a coma.  One night, her sweet husband, Richard, gave her a blessing and told her it was ok if she wanted to go now.  Before he could finish the blessing, Marlene had passed on to the arms of loved ones on the other side.

I always thought I was serving her, I was vain enough to believe that I was benefiting her.  I realized today, that she served me.  My dear friend taught me so much, and I am so grateful to have had her in my life.  I was the one who was missing out by not visiting her more, I needed those visits.  Thank you Marlene, for teaching me compassion and positivity.  Thank you for helping me to see what true love and charity were.  I will always remember your sweet spirit and cherish our friendship.  Until we meet again….

More projects!!

Here are a few of my latest projects.  I've been having lots of fun in case you can't tell!

These cute little booties still need a snap and buttons, but I think they came out darling!

This blanket was a little bit harder because I used a thick chenille yarn, at one point it was shaped like a trapezoid and we joked that it could be a cape.  However, it is so soft and cuddly, everyone has been trying to steal it!  Jordyn is begging for one of her own.

This "Newsies" cap is super cute, but I think I will add a bit on to the bill since you can hardly see it.

This little cap was supposed to be newborn size, but even though I followed the directions very carefully, it ended up being Jordyn size.  She didn't complain too much, but I added the flower to make it more feminine.

After I made the baby booties, Jordyn wanted some of her own.  I used the same basic pattern and just adjusted it to fit Jordyn.  She loves her slippers!  Bonus: they slide really well on the wood and tile floors in our house!!

Michael's Homecoming

Well, it’s been two weeks, I guess I should write about Michael’s homecoming.  I was so excited for him to finally get here, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it!  It was wonderful to see him again, and get him home.  We met him at the airport with balloons and signs, and went straight to the Stake President’s office to get him released.  We spent the rest of the first night just relaxing and visiting.

Welcome home, and PS, you're an uncle!

 Jordyn had to get the first hug!

 Michael and his two 'little' brothers

 Proud Grandpa

On Friday,  Jayme and Cassidy came up.  We celebrated by visiting our favorite restaurant, Tucanos. Yum!!  After that, we came home and my dad, Scott, his family as well as my two nieces, Tara and Whitney came over.  The girls came down from school in Idaho for the homecoming, it was great that everyone could be here for Michael. 

Saturday was full of shopping, cooking and getting ready for Sunday.  We also played games and had lots of fun together.  Sunday morning Michael spoke at church, and then we all came back to the house for food, food, and more food.  What a great day and awesome weekend!!

 The whole fam-damily, gotta love 'em!

 Two mission companions, and one sister.