Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Merry Christmas from the Ray's:

Laurie, Brennan, Taylor, Kaylie,

Adam and Moose (Logan.)

I picked up Sheri from Erik's this morning and took her to work.  Erik is working on her car.  Afterwards I went to Sonic and got a drink for myself and Cathi.  

James did some work for Susan Jacobson this morning.  Terry and Cathi went grocery shopping.  I had an appointment at Dr. Allen's at 11.  I met with him and went over my lab results.  He upped my thyroid to 3 1/2 grains a day.  I got my hormone prescriptions renewed. 

 On the way home I went to Deseret Book and Target.  I ended up having to go back to Deseret Book because I forgot the calendars I was going to buy.  I also went to Walmart and found another Star Wars blanket.  Now I have one for Joshua, Evan, and Rowan.  

James had an In-N-Out burger for dinner.  I wasn't hungry.  I had a sandwich from Target earlier.  

Cathi and I wrap presents and watch Christmas movies.  James watches our movies with us.  Wrapping blankets is rather tiresome.

This evening I went with James to do a little work at the doctor's office he has been working on at Chandler Blvd. and McClintock.

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015

Lemmerman family Christmas card

This morning Cathi and I went shopping at the Chandler mall.  We went to Barnes & Noble, and the game store together.  I went to Brookstone to get BB8 for Brian & Kim for Christmas but they were out.  They put me on a waiting list.  I was very disappointed.  We both bought some things at the toy store and then I waited in the food court for Cathi while she went to buy pj's for her grandkids at Macy's.  

There were some fun things at the mall.  A human sling shot and some riding toys you could rent to drive around the mall.  Cathi and I thought they were for kids but she saw a grandma and a grandpa each driving one.  

Back at home I went to the bank and Sam's with James. He bought me a beautiful necklace for Christmas!
  It is snowing in Vernon!  (We checked our phones.)

Back at home I started making phone calls looking for BB8.  I called the Brookstone's in Scottsdale Fashion Square.  The woman on the phone said she had one left and she would hold it for me for an hour and a half.  Cathi and I jumped in Lexi and headed for Scottsdale.  Parking was insane, but we finally found a place. 
The mall was very crowded.  Thank goodness for directories.  Brookstone's was downstairs next to the food court.  We went in and I told the guy behind the counter what I wanted.  He found it and checked me out.  I got the carrying case too.  He said this was the hot item this year, kind of like "Tickle Me Elmo", and that I was lucky to find one.  I went home very happy and grateful to Cathi for going with me!
James and Terry fixed the shower in the bathroom we use today.  Thanks guys.  We are going to start calling you The Fixit Brothers.
We got Panda Express for dinner with Terry & Cathi.  Afterwards James and I went down to Sheri's for our family White Elephant gift exchange.  Here are some pictures I took.

Ruby, Addy, Amanda, Joe, Kaitlin, Ben, and Adam

 Lola and Sheri, Evan in the background

Amanda, Joe, and Kaitlin

Ruby, Joshua, Rowan, Addy, Max, Evan, Lola, 

Sheri, and Kim

Joshua making Ruby laugh, and there's

Brian!

The Three Musketeers, Joshua, Rowan, and Evan

Trina had to work and came late so Darrel

was Mr. Mom

Not sure who took this picture,

but I look huge!

I look better in this one but I like 

Darrel in the other one.

Lola and Ruby.

Ruby with the fur Kaitlin brought.

What do I do with this?

Sorry I missed getting a picture of James, Paul, and Stacy, and

Michael.  Darn!

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.