Monday, December 21, 2015

Christmas card from the Boles family

I went shopping with Kim and Adam this morning.  Kim picked me up around 8:30 and then we picked up Adam and headed for the Chandler mall.  The first store we went in to was a favorite, Barnes & Noble.  Kim was looking for the book, "More Than the Tatooed Mormon."  I checked at the information desk for her.  They didn't have it, but their store at Dana Parkk has it.  They will hold it for 24 hours for Kim.  

After Barnes & Nobles I separated from Kim and Adam and went to Claire's to shop for Addy and Ruby.  I got each one of them a caboodle and filled it with earrings, etc.  I also went to the new toy store in the mall downstairs by the Apple store and Brookstone.  They have BB8, the new Star Wars robot in Brookstone.  I ask Kim if she saw it and she said: "Yes, but it cost too much.  I would love to have it though."  

I bought Adam lunch in the foodcourt and then the three of us went to Costco and Target.  Kim dropped Adam off at home and then she and I went to the Barnes & Noble at Dana Park.  It was packed!  This store has alot more than the store at the Chandler mall.  Kim got the book she came after, and I got a phone and keys for Lola to go in the little purse I bought her.  

When I got home I took a nap.  James and Terry worked at Lois's all day on her new shed.  

I went shopping at Sam's Club and bought some more blankets and a Ninja blender for Dawn.  

For dinner we got dinner at Elmer's with Cathi and Terry.

This evening Cathi and I wrapped gifts and watched a Christmas movie. 

 Indy and Colin

Christmas caroling at grandmother's

with Sheri, Kim, and Trina

Sunday, December 20, 2015

We attended the Galveston 3rd Ward today with the Trezise's

James forgot his white shirt so he had to borrow one from Terry.  
We enjoyed the Galveston 3rd Ward Christmas Program in Sacrament meeting today.  I especially enjoyed Brother Turvey's narration.  He is from England and I love his accent.

We sat with Cathi and Terry during Sunday School.  Cathi and I were both a little warm, and we were fanning ourselves with the fans that Cathi brought.  After all the men got up to go to priesthood Cathi said: "Whew! I am glad all those 'hot guys' left."  It was pretty funny!

Hillary Jiminez was teaching Relief Society and I was really enjoying her lesson when Sheri came in to get Cathi and I to go to Ben's ordination.  He is being ordained to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic priesthood.  James ordained Ben a priest and Terry and Bishop Wanlass were in the circle.  Ian was not able to be here today because he had to work.
After the blessing Evan told grandpa James that he gave a good blessing.  I agree Evan.  
Instead of going back to Relief Society and Priesthood Cathi, Terry, James and I went home.  I wanted to go back but I was out voted.

Sheri invited James and I to her house for lunch.  We had roast with veggies and rolls.  It was quite delicious.  

Back and Cathi and Terry's we watch a Christmas movie called, "The Heart of Christmas."  It's about a little boy dying of cancer so his family and friends celebrate Christmas with him at Halloween.  It is based on a true story.  He passed away before Christmas.  It was good, but very sad.

 

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Happy 18th Birthday Michael!

A picture of Michael (on the left) and Dallin a few years back.  Those were the days!

We spent the morning getting ready to go to the valley.  We had planned on leaving around noon but it was actually 1:30.  Our car looked something like this:

 Well, maybe it was more like this:

Is that Santa we saw on the way:

We've got a bigger load than he does!

When we get into Show Low we wash the car get gas, and stop at Circle K for sandwiches and drinks.  I ask James to go the Payson way, and he does!

There was alot of drama going on via text as we were driving into Mesa.  Sheri's family got to Organ Stop for Michael's birthday a little early and it was packed.  There was no where to sit.  They didn't want to wait around so they left.  Michael's cake took longer than Stacy thought so she kept changing the time, which was a little upsetting.  The party ended up starting around 7 instead of 5:30.  Seven is a better time anyway because alot of the blue hairs are gone.  

All of Michael's brothers were there, which was nice for him.  He really liked the case I made him for his track medals.

 I guess I didn't get a picture of it.

 Friends and family singing to Michael

After the party James and I did a little shopping at Walmart for tomorrow, and then we "moved in" to Terry and Cathi's.  They let us put all of our gifts in the office.  The doggies were very happy to see us!

Something exciting happened in El Paso today.  Anna's friend Amanda got baptized and Anna did an awesome job speaking at the baptism.

The elders, Anna and Amanda

Congratulations!

Friday, December 18, 2015

Salt Lake temple

I was tired this morning.  I got up to study scriptures and pray.  I ate some breakfast, took my pain pills, laid down to rest and felt better.  I got up and read my scriptures, read from Jesus the Christ, studied this week's Sunday School lesson, and read two conference talks.  

James tries to clean the car, but it is still pretty muddy from being stuck yesterday.  

We had a lunch at Wes and Teresa Smith's today.  Pam and Rick Giles were there also.  Teresa made a green chili casserole which was quite tasty.  We also had chips and salsa.  James and I brought some corn and some broccoli.  

After our lunch we went into town to Book Barn to get calendars for Christmas presents.  We had to take a detour coming home because of an overturned propane truck.  

Harold and Vickie came out this evening to help James with the satellite.  They brought us a Christmas present that Harold made, and we gave them a calendar and also sent one home for Dennis and Denise.

 Now all we have to do is add everyone's birthdays!

 Harold worked for over an hour but couldn't get the satellite to work.  He told James what he needed to do and said he would come back when James was ready.  Thanks, Harold.

Of course we watched a Christmas movie before we went to bed.

 

Thursday, December 17, 2015

A bald eagle in our tree

Today is the day I am fixing lunch for my visiting teaching companion and the sisters we visit teach.  I was up at six to get the potato soup started and the rolls.  I also got out my calico critters and my Disney tree.

Seven families of Calico Critters

I am very upset with myself.  I did not get a picture of the Disney tree, nor did I take a picture of any of my guests.  I must have been so busy getting everything ready that I forgot.  James helped me my decorating the Disney tree.  

I got a call from Elida Pope this morning saying she wouldn't be able to come because her car broke down.  When I told James, he said he would be happy to go get her.  She lives about 30 miles away over some pretty rough roads.  

My partner, Lorraine Tieman got here early and helped me set the table for the adults and one for Elida's three boys.   Hailey and her baby Hunter came next.  James and Elida, Ethan, Eli, and Edmund were a little late.  James helped finish the soup and helped me get everything on the table.  We have one sister that we visit, Jean Howard, who won't be here.  She is in the valley today.

 Even though I didn't get a picture of the Disney tree, I got plenty of this one.

For lunch we had potato soup, rolls, strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing, and homemade macaroni and cheese. To drink we had Shirley Temples.  I told them about having Christmas dinner at the Maxwell House and making Shirley Temples.

Edmund, who is two, said: "MMmmm" when he tasted the macaroni and cheese.  He had two servings.  

For dessert Lorraine made red velvet cupcakes and snickerdoodle cookies.  Lorraine also gave the lesson.  I had a handout to go with the lesson with a quote attached.

The lesson was on compassion and kindness.

Hailey had to leave at 2:20 to pick up her daughter Taylor at school in Show Low.  Lorraine left too and so did James and Elida and the boys.  James did most of the dishes before he left.  He was gone 2 1/2 hours because he got stuck and a good Samaritan had to come and pull him out.  

After finishing the kitchen I rested by the Christmas tree.  It is so beautiful I love looking at it.  I also had a roll with some of Lorraine's homemade raspberry jam.  It was delicious.  

Blain and Diana Curtis came by this evening and brought us a Christmas gift.  

Before going to bed we watched a Christmas movie.  I love the Hallmark channel.

 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Our friends Blain & Diana Curtis

Today we went to lunch with our dear friends Blain and Diana Curtis.  When Blain got in the car he said: "How are our best friends doing"?  What a nice thing to say.  We enjoy them so much!  I worked with Diana in Young Women's and really do miss working with her.  They are both great people!

We went to Licano's and while we were there we saw some more friends from our Vernon ward, Jim and Linda Diewald.  I went over to say hello and visited with them a few minutes.  I was Linda's visiting teacher and got to know them quite well.  They have two grandchildren on missions, a boy in Kentucky, and a girl in Uruaguay.  I am happy for them but it reminded me that we have four grandchildren old enough to serve mission and none of them have gone.  

We had a nice visit with the Curtis and we all said we should do it again soon.

Happy 16th Birthday Ben!

One of the nicest and most fun boys I know!

Ben has always been fun-loving! 

Instead of finishing my decorating, I watched Christmas movies with James.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Just a pretty picture I found

My weather app says it is 18 but feels like 5.  What does that even mean?  It is so confusing.

I had an epiphany as I was studying my ponderize scripture today.  I figured out what it meant by the evil gift.  I wrote about it in my gospel study journal.  

Today I read the chapter about the crucifixion in Jesus the Christ.  James and I read from Revelations in the New Testament and in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  

I am still decorating the house, but I am slow.  I stopped to watch a Christmas movie: "A Family for Christmas."  

James cleared off the ice and snow from the front porch and from the bedroom balconies.  He is still having troubles hooking up the satellite.  I tried to help, but we still couldn't figure it out.

Early this evening we started out for town.  We stopped at the post office and picked up our Star Shower lights.

Love these lights!

We liked the Star Shower lights so well that I ordered another two sets to really light up our house.  

As we are going down the 60 towards Show Low, the phone rings.  It's Chris Skousen.  He had made an appointment to visit us tonight and wondered where we were.  Luckily we hadn't gone too far so we turned around and went home to find Chris and Ed Miller waiting outside our door.  They brought us cookies and we had a nice visit with them.  Ed told us about living in Alaska when his two oldest children were young.  All I can say is, Debbie is a saint!

After our visit, we headed back for town.  Our first stop was at Sonic for burgers and then we headed for Walmart.  I bought some scented pinecones and some other items.  I ended up spending $99.  On the way home we got gas and a carwash.

When we returned home we put the things away that we had bought and went to bed.