I Never Was Very Good At Tag

Well here goes six things you probably already know about me:

1. Because my last name was Maxwell growing up one of my favorite nicknames was Max. Maybe that's why I'm so happy to have a grandson named Max.

2. Once I was walking across main street in Show Low carrying all my school books when I fell in the middle of the street right in front of a semi-truck who honked his horn. All my friends were laughing so hard they couldn't come to help. I never pass that spot in Show Low without thinking of that most embarrassing day.

3. James and I are actually quite closely related. My grandpa and his Dad are first cousins. My Granma Maxwell was very upset when she heard we were planning on getting married. She was heard to say: "They can't get married, they'll have idiots for children." Luckily we proved her wrong.

4. I am a fan of Preacher Joel, Joel Osteen. I just find him very positive and uplifting.

5. I taught school and there were 83 kids in my classroom. There were two teachers and two aids. We had a team of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. It was one of the busiest years of my life but also one of the most enjoyable and rewarding.

6. When I was in college at ASU I lived in two of the older dorms, the Quad and Gammage. I don't think either one of them exists today. We had no beds in our room but all of us on the same floor slept together in a large room with lots of beds. Back in those days I could wake up without having to set my alarm. I would just think about what time I needed to get up before going to bed and I would automatically wake up at that time. As people began to realize I had this talent I was asked to wake them up so they would not have to set their alarms. I should have charged for this service. I could have made a little extra lunch money.

THANKSGIVING 2007

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I realize how truly blessed I really am. I am so grateful to have all my children and grandchildren close by so we can spend so many fun times together. Thanks to Jared and Tricia for hosting our "feast" day this year. The turkey was delicious and the weather perfect for an outdoor picnic. I asked each of the grandchildren to tell one thing they were thankful for and then one thing they wanted for Christmas from Grampa & Gramma. Here are the responses.

Thankful List:

Adam - Music & Books

Jared - I'm thankful for my friends

Dallin - I'm thankful for bandaids (Dallin cut his lip playing ball)

Joseph - I am thankful for my family, Disneyland, and lots of other things.

Michael - I'm thankful for freedom and football

Alexander - I am thankful for sports to give me some free time, and they keep me active.

Ben - Family

James Hayden - I am thankful for my family and play fol dogs and soft fre(furry) cats.

Anna - I am thankful for Gramma and Grampa

Max - I am thankful for a book. The Book of Mormon.

Adalyn - I am thankful for Rowan.

Emma Lee - I am thankful for my Mom & Dad, and baby Mickey Mouse.

Rowan - I am thankful for Addy.

Joshua - I am thankful for my brother, for Grover, and for music that I can dance to.

Evan - I am thankful for my mom and dad and brothers.

Now here's the Christmas List:

Adam - Uh, if obtainable, an X-Box 360. If not, then I don't really care. (I didn't anyways)

Jared - An Ipod video 160GB

Dallin - I don't know what I want yet.

Joe - I want stuff. Book, toys, stuff.

Michael - a Nintendo DS

Alexander - I want a Santana Moss for the Redskins jersey. (You can get it at the mall). He is not Randy Moss for the Patriots.

Ben - DS

James Hayden - Drum Set (I loved the picture he drew)

Anna - I want crafts

Max - For Christmas I want a Spiderman computer.

Addy - For Christmas I would like a camera.

Emma Lee - A Big Wheel or baby stroller

Rowan - I would like a book

Joshua - For Christmas I want my own room. (Come and live in Grampa & Gramma's guestroom.)

Evan - For Christmas I want a years supply of diapers. (Actually should be on Sheri's list)

THIS IS HALLOWEEN !!

Pictures of my grandchildren and the one group of trick or treaters we got that weren't grandchildren were the Jiminez girls from our ward.

Something is wrong with my computer. More pictures to come as soon as I take care of the problem. This is Joshua in his Winnie-the-Pooh costume. He watches "Pooh" everyday on T.V.

Michael

We have 15 wonderful grandchildren. Once in awhile we like to spend some one-on-one time with each one of them. This month it was Michael's turn for a Grampa & Gramma date. On Wednesday we decided to go goofy golfing. I love going on the freeway rather than the surface streets so we headed north on the 101 about 3:45 in the afternoon for Golfland in Mesa. James was driving. Just as we were approaching the Baseline exit James slows down, and it's a good thing. The pickup truck in front of us slammed on his brakes and they locked up on him. He spun around backwards and hit a light post by the side of the freeway. I looked up and saw the post falling and yelled "look out." James stopped the car just as the post fell in front of us. A close call for Lexy (my Lexus). We got out and tried to move the pole but it was too heavy. Not to worry, help was on the way. Four guys jumped out of an SUV and the pole was moved. It was blocking three lanes of traffic. The guy in the pickup was okay and was making a call on his cell phone so we continued on our way to Golfland, a little shook up but okay.

It was a great day for golfing. No waiting and beautiful weather. It was Michael's first time. His score was pretty good considering. He got a 72, I got a 65 and James impressed us with his 3 or 4 hole in ones and a final score of 44. And he says he doesn't like to golf.

We came back home and Michael ate dinner with us. We had BBQ country ribs which were very tender and delicious. Sheri and I got the "receipe" from Tiffany's friend Holly. Thanks Holly.

While I am on the subject of Michael, let me just say I was very proud of him yesterday. He bore his testimony during the Primary Children's Sacrament meeting and did a wonderful job. We love you Michael!

Eli's Family is Movng

Our friend's Eli and Sumar Housein are moving. We are really sad to see them go. They have been wonderful neighbors and friends. Eli does all the irrigating and mowing for our neighborhood. He and Sumar were two of the first ones at the hospital when James broke his back. Eli has been our mechanic for several years now. He is quick, fair, and does a good job. We love you Eli and Sumar and wish you all the very best at you new home in California.