Saturday, December 22, 2012

James and I delivered banana bread this morning.  We went to Lorraine Vaught's, the Peeler's, and both Hunsaker brother's families.  I made it home in time to get ready to go to the temple with the youth. 
Kaeli Nicoll, the counselor over the Beehives, and Mary Swift, the Laurel class president drove with me.  The stake is doing a baptism day for all the youth in the stake.  The brother in charge said they had over 3,000 names ready to do and so far today they had done 993.  One of our youth, Jackson Allen, was baptized 140 times.  I think that must be some kind of a record. 
After the temple we stopped at El Cupido's for  burros.  It was four o'clock when I got home.  We are supposed to be at Aunt Gene's for her Cousins Christmas party at 5.  I called and said we would be a little late.  I made spanish rice, changed my clothes and James and I were on our way.  We had a fun evening with Aunt Gene, Rita and Bill Solomon, Arlee and Janet Tenney, Harold, Vickie, Dennis and Denise. 

Aunt Gene's beautiful centerpiece, Janet & Vickie.

Rita, Janet, Arlee, Vickie, Aunt Gene, Dennis, Denise, James.

 The crowns are part of our party favors.

Harold on the end.  

It was a fun evening with good friends and good food.  We had tamales, enchiladas, chili beans, rice, and cherry cheesecake for dessert.

When we got back to the cabin we watched a movie and I wrapped gifts.

Friday, December 21, 2012

I forgot to mention that yesterday the Sierra Propane truck came out to fill our tank and got stuck in one of James's trenches.  The same driver was out here in April and did the same thing.  A tow truck had to come and pull him out, then he proceeded to fill our tank.  I just watched it all from my bedroom window.  He left the bill on the door without speaking to me.  I think he was a little embarrassed.

I made a trip to town today.  I stopped in at the Book Barn and bought a video, Mr. Krueger's Christmas, and some Christmas music to use for my lesson on Sunday.  I also went to Walmart and picked up tamales and burros at LaCasita to take home.  When I got home I realized I needed speakers on my computer to amplify the audio of the movie and the music I was going to use,  So yes, I made another 55 mile round trip to Walmart.  This time I saw an accident that stopped traffic right in front of the Book Barn.

Three cars were involved in this smashup.

While I was in town I stopped at the church where I attended as a youth and took a picture.

 Many found memories in this building.

I had a tamale with red sauce for lunch.  I must say LaCasita's tamales are as good as their green chili burros.  When James got home he at a green chili burro and so did I.  He said he was saving his tamale for lunch tomorrow. 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

I finished wrapping all the young women's gifts today.  It took awhile.  I also made each of them a card.

My favorite part of the gift is a silver angel ornament that says either hope, love or blessed on it.

We have two little bunnies that live in our yard.  One lives in the front and one lives in the back.  I call them front bunny and back bunny.  It seems like they would stay warmer if they got together on the side of the house.  Then they could be the "side" bunnies.

Front Bunny.

Back Bunny.  He looks fatter.

Tonight was Michael's annual birthday party at Organ Stop Pizza.  I missed going of course, but James went and had a good time and took lots of pictures for me. 

Michael turned 15 yesterday.

Dallin having a good time.

The Organ man will play just about anything you request.

Alex and Michael.  The back of Adam's head.

They are a loud bunch. Joe, Michael, Max and Adam.

Max.

Stacy, Adam and Sheri in the background.

Paul and his sister Trish.

Brian with a full plate.

Adam with Ben and Sheri in the background.

Kim.

Sheri doing what she loves to do.

Ben having Fun!

Grandpa and Joshua.

Michael got bongo drums and a tamborine.  Just what he wanted!

Evan was at the party too, but grandpa didn't get him in a picture.

I stayed up until 1:30 am making banana nut bread for the families that James home teaches.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Today is Michael's 15th birthday.  Happy birthday Michael!  James gave him his birthday money card and took him to dinner at Pei Wei, Michael's choice.
Snow today.  Snow makes me happy.  I love it when the ground is covered with a glistening white coating and the trees look like they are frosted.
I had cinnamon bread and ham for breakfast.  Yummy!
This evening I went caroling with the youth in our ward.  We all climbed into the back of this trailer:

The trailer was totally empty inside.  Luckily there was a bar to hang onto or we would all have been rolling around like marbles inside.  Now I know how the illegal's who come across the border in those vans feel.
We drove around from house to house in 9 degree weather singing Christmas carols.  It was an experience to remember.  Afterwards we came back to the church for cookies and hot chocolate.

Tonight Addy and her dance team performed at the Suns game.  I am sorry I missed it.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

James left early this morning.  I stayed up and finished our Christmas cards.  I took over two hours and then I went to visit Linda Diewald, my last visiting teaching visit.  Afterwards I went to the post office and mailed George's package of sticks (he makes tea out of the bark), and our Christmas cards.

It was cold and windy today and is supposed to snow tomorrow.  The Crane's are such good neighbors.  They brought over a Christmas card and a loaf of the most delicious cinnamon bread I have ever eaten.  Just the thing to brighten my day.

I watched four Christmas movies today but my favorite was "An Old-Fashioned Christmas" set in the 1800's in Ireland.  I even wrote down some of the quotes: "The beginning of Atonement is the sense of its necessity." - Lord Byron.  "One's station in life does not define ones character." - Tilly.  "Don't let pride get in the way of true happiness." - Grandfather Bassett to Tilly.

Tonight I missed Ben's band concert.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Omni 1:26 - And now I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption.  Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

James had alot to do today so he missed going to town with me.  I went to Walgreen's to pick up prescriptions but only one of mine was ready.  I have to make an appointment with Dr. Wilson before I can get my blood pressure medicine.  I bought James some Christmas presents at Walmart so I'm glad he didn't go.  I completely finished my Christmas shopping!  I stopped at the post office and picked up 3 packages.  Most of them are being delivered to Chandler.  Now I just have to wrap everything.

As much as I love living here I do miss out.  Tonight was Dallin's school choir Christmas performance and Dallin had a solo.  He posted a picture of himself  on Facebook and it made me wish I could be there. 

For FHE James and I worked on our Christmas cards and watched a Christmas movie, "Eve's Christmas."

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Happy 13th Birthday to my grandson Ben!

I was up this morning at 4:30 to finish preparing my lesson on using time wisely.  I left for the church at 8am to help with "project cookies."  I took 3 dozen cookies to give to those in our ward who do not attend meetings.  Chairs were set up in the cultural hall with family names on them.  Each family was given a card from the bishopric and a plate of cookies.  During sacrament meeting the bishop asked for everyone to go back and pick a family to deliver cookies too.  This project was Natalie Soderquist's idea.  I think it was a wonderful idea.

James spoke in the Paloma ward today.  This is Bill and Rita Solomon's ward.  Rita wasn't there today but James had a nice visit with Bill. 

I enjoyed Brandon Garvin's talk in our sacrament meeting today.  Danny Brewer was the high councilman who spoke and he if from Pinedale.  He gave a good talk but Brother Garvin's was exceptional and touched my heart.

Trina sent me this picture today and said she missed these good times.  So do I.

Evan says he wants to live here.

I love these people.

Tonight we watched two good Christmas movies, one was a western starring Reba McIntire "Secret of Giving" and the second was called "Angel in the Family" starring Meredith Baxter.  I really liked both of them.