Wednesday, December 10, 2014

 I had breakfast with Darrel this morning.  He gets to go home today when his shift ends at 3:30.  We had more fog today.  Darrel says it takes him a good 15 minutes longer to get into work when it is foggy.

I went into town this afternoon to get something to give Shelly and Kelly for babysitting last night at the Relief Society activity.  I want them and the other girls to know how much we appreciate their willingness to serve.  I also picked up my order of Nerf guns from Walmart.  

James got home from the valley this evening just as I was leaving for Mutual.  Tonight we had our Christmas party for the girls.  We had a white elephant gift exchange and gave each of the girls a Christmas gift from their leaders.  It was a fun evening but I wish I would have made some cookies.  We did have soda's to drink for refreshments but cookies would have been nice too.
Those girls who attended: Kyah, Alice, Hope, Heaven, Maddie, Kilee, LeeAnn, Kelly, Trenda, Coty, Shelly, and Jordyn.  The best turnout we have had all year!

Kelly, Heaven, Shelly, and Trenda

Our fearless leader

LeeAnn, Rosie, Ruth, and Trenda

Coty

 Maddie, Kyah, Analee, Alice, Hope, Stefani

Kilee looks like she fell asleep picking out her present.

Maddie

Stefani, and Jordyn

Diana and Kelly

Diana, Kelly, Heaven, Shelly

Maddie, Kilee, and LeeAnn enjoying their

Crush sodas.

Stefani's reindeer shirt

Back at home in Chandler Max had a band concert.  

I watched two Christmas movies today: "A Christmas Secret", and "Silver Bells."

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

"We all enjoy giving and receiving presents.  But there is a difference between presents and gifts.  The true gifts may be part of ourselves - giving of the riches of the heart and mind - and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store."

-James E. Faust

Lots of gospel study and I try to finish the Old Testament, keep up on my Book of Mormon reading and journal, conference talks, and church magazines.  I also did four blog posts.  

Stacy has a new job.   Her friend Penny Dolata who works at Chandler Eye needs someone to help with her mother -in-law.  Her main responsibility will be to take her on errands.  She called and told me about her first experience.  I guess she took her to the doctor and then Mrs. Dolata wanted to go to Walmart for just a few minutes.  Stacy said she spent 2 1/2 hours wandering around every aisle in Walmart and the woman ended up buying frosting and grape soda.  It was quite an experience.  

I went into town to pick up Nerf guns I ordered at Walmart but they weren't ready for pickup.  I picked up lunch at Aliberto's, by the way their bean burros can't even compare to Burger House's, and washed my car.  Came home and watched Christmas movies while doing work at my desk and computer.

This evening I attended the Relief Society activity at the church. Teresa Smith taught us line danceing.  It was fun.  The theme was Angels and sisters shared stories about times they were helped by the "angel" visiting teachers.  We had angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream for dessert.  I visited with Joel Miller and Amy Reynolds.  Kelly and Shelly babysat and I definitely think they deserve an award.

Joyce Malone made these boxes for everyone.

Inside was candy and a small angel ornament.

Robert came by tonight and fixed the truck.  Darrel was here again tonight.

 

Monday, December 8, 2014

"He was born, a long time ago - nearly Two Thousand years ago - at a place called Bethlehem. ...And then the Angel told the Shepherds to go to that Stable, and look at that little child in the Manger. Which they did; and they kneeled down by it in its lseep, and said 'God bless this child!'"

-Charles Dickens

Sunrise

Darrel left for work around 7.  James and I left shortly after to go to Hatch's so James could rent a car. We saw two nice bull elk just standing by the side of the road.   I dropped James off and drove through the fog to Walmart. The fog went from Show Low to the church in Vernon and from there to our house it was clear.  

I got home and put groceries away and took a couple of aspirin.  I worked on General Conference "catchup" most of the day and watched Christmas movies.  I also fixed a chicken pot pie for dinner using a recipe I found in one of my "Food Nanny" cookbooks.  

Jared texted today and said he is going to have to rent a van or truck to come for Christmas.  I immediately got a card with some money in it and sent it to him.  

Robert did not show up to fix the truck today.  I am beginning to think we can't believe anything he says.  He certainly is dragging his feet.  

James had to fix a broken water line under the asphalt at work.  He acted like it was no big deal.  He never ceases to amaze me.

Sheri is worried about her boys and frankly, so am I.

Max is a tough kid.  He plays football with the big boys and comes out looking like this:

 

 

Sunday, December 7, 2014

 

"The message of this season that is applicable throughout the year lies not in the receiving of earthly presents and treasures but in the forsaking of selfishness and greed and in going forward, seeking and enjoying the gifts of the Spirit, which Paul said are 'love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law' (Gal. 5:22-23)

-James E. Faust

 Happy Birthday to our son-in-law Paul who has been a part of our family for 25 years.

 

Ruby rode with us to and from church.  James let her "drive" home.  No wonder she likes to come with us.  

Today was our fast and testimony meeting.  We had five youth who bore their testimonies.  It was a good meeting.  I am fasting for the Fab Five: Joseph, Michael, Alex, Ben and James.  I am fasting that they will prepare themselves to serve missions.  

Trina, Lola and I learn about how to be good shepherds in Brother Wilhelm's Sunday School class.  James attended another class since part of his calling is to work with the Sunday School.

Ruth Wilhelm gave the lesson in Young Women's on building the kingdom of God.  Winna Ulmer is back in the hospital, this time for gall bladder surgery.  Alice, Trenda, LeeAnn, Maddie, Shelly, Jordyn, and Kyah attended.  

To break out fast we had roast with carrots, potatoes, and celery.  Afterwards I beat Addy and Trina in a game of Five Crowns.  

The kids watched the Christmas Dragon while Ed and Debbie Miller came to fix our heater.  The heater now works and we had a nice visit with Debbie and Ed.

James attended titihing settlement without me.  The Miller's were in my closet working on the heater so I couldn't change clothes.   

Trina and the kids left for home this afternoon.

Trina and the gang 

This evening we watched the First Presidency Devotional and then "Christmas at Cartwright's".

Robert came to work on the truck after dark but didn't stay long because a clip is missing.  He said he would get one and come back tomorrow.

Darrel stayed here again tonight.

  

 

 

Saturday, December 6, 2014

"Let us commit to give a most meaningful gift to the Lord.  Let us give Him our lives, our sacrifices.  Those who do so will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

We slept in today because we were pretty tired from our trip.  James got up to work on the fireplace.  He had to make a trip into town because they gave him the wrong size trim.  Finally they agree to give him a refund.  He brings me back a drink and I didn't even ask!

Trina and Lola go into town to shop at Walmart and to take lunch to Darrel at CVS.  

Back at the cabin the kids and I watched "Nightmare Before Christmas".  I had never watched it all the way through before.  Weird is all I can say.

Ruby helping grandpa work on the fireplace.

Rowan went in the bedroom to watch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince while Addy watched "Elf" in the family room.

Ruby also worked at her "desk".  Actually my desk.  She had postie

notes sticking everywhere with words and names on them.

James went on the house this afternoon using a ladder to do something for the fireplace and Ruby told him they needed to talk.  She took him upstairs in his office while she sat in his big chair and he sat across from her.  She gave him some Post It's and told him to take notes on the things she told him:

1.)  Be more careful.

2.) Get some help next time.

3.) Use a rope so he won't fall.

4.) Don't slide off because it's dangerous.

5.) Stay away from ladders.  Don't climb in the house or onto the roof.  Such good advice from one so young!

This afternoon Trina made cookies and the kids cut them out and decorated them.

Frosting them was the most fun.

Of course Lola is right there trying to get in on all the fun.

Addy and I tried to do a Christmas puzzle but we didn't finish.

Lola is the life of every party!

Ruby doesn't like to hear the balloon pop!

After cookies, games, and dinner.  We all settled down

to watch "The Christmas Dragon".

 Christmas caroling!

Friday, December 5, 2014

Our last breakfast at Embassy Suites South Anaheim.  My last delivered breakfast to my room.  We were ready to go and left 8:30 California time which is 9:30am Arizona time.  

We get to Diamond Bar and Addy began frantically searching for her Ipod and stuffed owl Hedwig. She couldn't find it so Max and I searched too.  A few tears were shed when we discovered they were no where to be found.  I called housekeeping at ES and left a message.  They never called back so by the third call I asked to speak to the manager and I was connected with someone in housekeeping who said both items were found.  I had her send them to our house and she said they should arrive on Wednesday.  Addy was so happy!

James had to stop at the Auto Nation on Bell Rd in west Phoenix and we went the rest of the way home in rush hour traffic.  We got to Chandler around 5.  James dropped me off at Walgreen's to get a gift and card for Paul's birthday.  He came back and got me and we went back to the house to drop the card off for Paul  waiting for her so she can leave for the cabin.  The road is blocked off by the airport so we have to go down to Queen Creek and across.  Why is there always problems when you are in a hurry.  When we finally get to Trina's I realize we forgot to get Darrel's contacts.  Trina was going to go to Sheri's to get them but we went instead and told her to go ahead and leave for Payson and we would catch up with her, which we did.  We all have dinner at the Wendy's in Payson.  Ruby doesn't like the chicken nuggets because they are too chewy so she spits hers out in the trash.  James tried one and said they were gross.  

When we get to Vernon there is a car ahead of us.  It is Darrel so he leads the parade as we all arrive at the cabin around 11pm.

The house is cold.  The breaker goes off because we have two space heaters going upstairs.  We have got to have Brother Miller come and fix our heater!

  

Thursday, December 4, 2014

California Adventure

 The clouds drifted away and we had sunshine and a bigger

crowd today.

The first thing we did when we went inside was go straight to Carsland.   We passed a very long line for Carsland fast passes.  We had  to wait a few minutes for the opening of Carsland but we weren't in line more than 15 minutes before we were in our car, and it was purple.  It was a great ride!  Also, we won our race.

 Addy and Max went on the swinging ferris wheel, Mickey's Fun Wheel while James and I waited.  Also, Max went on California Screaming by himself.  One advantage was that he got to go in a quicker line because he was by himself.  It turned out to be his favorite ride although we all agreed that we liked Disneyland better than California Adventure.  

Addy had a hotdog for lunch, I had a lousy burrito, and James and Max had corndogs again.  While everyone else went on Grizzly Rapids I sat and visited with a little Filipino lady who now lives in Stockton.

The longest line we had to wait in is my favorite ride in this park, Soaring over California.  After the ride James and Max were going to go on Tower of Terror and Addy and I went to Clarabelle's Ice Cream Parlor.  Max and James were back in about ten minutes.  They decided not to go on Tower of Terror because the ticket was too long.  

Max and Addy went on the Fun Wheel and swings again and then we did a little shopping before going home.  Max found a Star Wars action figure set for his souvenir but when he opened them up he was disappointed they weren't bendable.  

We went to Red Lobster for dinner and after dinner when we got back to the hotel Max and Addy went swimming.

My feet hurt so bad tonight I went directly to bed.

 I am not sure what's going on here.

Boy I look old!