Snicker Trains

Part of the joy of Christmas is the magic that children find in the season. When we were making the list of the activities we wanted to do to celebrate snicker trains were definitely on the list. But, we knew it would be more fun if we had some little people around to make them with. Kelly asked John if we could borrow their kids and they were delighted to share them. So we had John, Stephanie, Cameron and Rachel over for dinner and we showed them the delight in making snicker trains! It was a wonderful--so much fun. We laughed and ate till we were sick! It is so fun to see everyone's creativity come out. It is amazing what beautiful creations you can make with candy. Not to mention the smiles.

Winterhaven

We got our decorations up! I love to have the house decorated inside and out! We took our annual trip to Winterhaven to walk along the streets enjoying the lights and fun conversation with family.

Love really spelled T-I-M-E

Choose Faith

Reading in Mormon today made me a little sad. To read of Mormon's description of just how far the Nephites "fell" They were once taught and blessed by Jesus. He was in their midst and there was not a happier people found, then they became a miserable people, doomed to destruction. I couldn't help but wonder if they were lost forever? They willfully rebelled and passed up so many opportunities to repent, but will they get that chance after death? Will I be more sorrowful after I die to find they were some of my friends in the premortal world?

I thought about my own life and the struggles I have, the struggles those around me have and once again realized how important the teaching is 'to watch and pray always". Satan will never give up trying to bring us down. You are never "safe" enough to let your guard down, your testimony and relationship with Heavenly Father need constant nourishment. I couldn't help but think of Avon and how bizarre the things are in her life right now. We are never too old to be tempted.

So much depends on our action-our desire, our work, our choices. We can't just be idle, we have to seek and knock, experiment and choose. Bishop Edgley urges us to choose faith, a choice of peace and protection. We are promised that we will move mountains-mountains of despair, sin, and pain. Faith is the bridge between the unknown and the known.

I don't know all that lies in store, the struggles or even the blessings that lie hidden ahead. I do know that clinging to my faith, nurturing  it continually, will keep me from following the wrong path.

Christmas Begins

We got December off to a great start with our ward party celebrating Christmas. It was simple, just dinner and the nativity, but it set a great tone for how our holidays should be. Simple and focused on the Savior! It was fun to see the primary kids participating as cast members and in song. I love Christmas music. The youth also shared their varied talents during dinner by performing more musical numbers.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2010 Part 2

We worked hard and played hard this weekend. Friday morning we got up and worked on our patio extensions. We really wanted to get some pavers laid, but there was still a lot of prep work to be done. We were hard at work when the Green's called to ask if we wanted to go shooting. Of course we wanted to, but we knew this was our only day to really get work done. So we told them of our dilemma and they offered to come and help! Our heroes! They helped us so much--in just a few hours we actually laid some brick!Then we went shooting!  The girls really had a fun time. And they are pretty good shots!

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Here is a fun shot of Noah. I think it is perfect depiction of boys will be boys! And then a fun shot I took of the shadows we were casting. On Saturday, the girls went to "Beauty and the Beast" while Kelly and I attended two baptisms. It truly was a great weekend.

I am thankful for health and strength-for me and my family. We have worked hard and played hard this holiday weekend and none of it would have been possible without the blessing of health.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

The very best part of our holiday was having everyone together!

Our thanksgiving holiday really isn't just a day, it is a weekend. It has been that way for a long time now. This year that stayed the same, but we did have a pretty big change. We spent Thanksgiving day here at home--without other family around. There has been so much stress in the familial relationships, I just couldn't see adding the holiday stress that always occurs to the pile of "complaints". So we chose to stay home. And it worked out well for us. I didn't spend days with regrets and hurt feelings. It was nice!

We invited the Alegrezza's over to share our turkey dinner, with all of our favorite trimmings. They brought some of their traditional food too. Norma has her two grandson's Marcus and Owen living with her right now, her husband is in Afghanistan and their family is under a lot of stress with the circumstances. Our invitation helped them have a good day and it definitely helped us! Valerie and Steve came as well.

After dinner, Kelly talked them into a game of Acquire--so even that tradition was in place! We had fun preparing the food and the table. It felt so good to share our blessings with others and help them feel of the holiday spirit. They wanted to be here, they were excited to come and that felt wonderful.

I should have taken some pictures of our feast! But here is a picture of the table and the cornucopia's we made.

And then here is a picture of Kelsey getting some left over's later that night. YUM!

She is a goof!