Winter Days, Grandkids, Fun

Had an extra fun day with these kids. 

They went sleigh riding in our backyard...

then inside to decorate a gingerbread house,

run around and be crazy and have hot chocolate and toast.

Dreams of having a little nap! 

 Not happening with this bunch. 

 (I'll have one later..the minute they leave). 

 

A Quiet Moment by my Tree- Merry Christmas

After a fun day with Dylan I sat down and enjoyed a quiet moment by my tree.

  It's a lovely time of year.

  Merry Christmas.

Christmas Decorations, Parties and Sam's Birthday

It's only December 4th, and already the month is moving along with activities.

  Got the house decorated over the weekend.
 Jim got the lights up just before the big snow hit,
 which spread the holiday spirit..inside and out.

Got the trees decorated.  Love getting out all the old decorations. 

They remind me of Christmas's past. 

 Love our Golf Club, my crystals I purchased from Harrods when I visited with Nick in London. 

 The old sleds mom had painted for each of the kids,

 ornaments purchased from places we have visited

and my very special Bonnie Blue Butler, given to me and signed by the real Bonnie Blue!

  What treasures!

Put my beautiful Nativity on the Mantle.

  I love the simplicity of this nativity and love that my family gave it to me. 

All ready had a party. 

We had Jim's family over for dinner last night.  It was fun to get together with Tam, Kevin, Kathy and Lanny.  We visited and enjoyed great food.

  Love seeing family over the holidays.

But the most important day so far was yesterday!

  My little Sam turned four years old! 

 He couldn't wait until it was his birthday. 

He is the most fun child.  So expressive.  So determine, so ACTIVE!!! 

 I love his smile, the way he talks, his hugs. 

Today he asked me if I would stay even when his mom got home. 

 He put his little arms around my neck and had tears in his eyes and said please stay grama, please. 

 I almost did..almost. 

 I love you Sam.  Have a happy year. 

You are my sunshine!

love, grama

So goes the first week of December.

"A Bell is no Bell til you Ring it.."

 

 

I started decorating my house for Christmas this past weekend. 

 Boxes were brought up from the storage room.  Treasures were unpacked.

  Jim was given instructions and was so good to do his part. 

 He builds a wreath around the front door, puts the outdoor lights up and any heavy lifting needed. 

 

As I unpacked Christmas decorations and got to my collection of bells I found that they were badly tarnished. 

So I decided it would be a good idea to polish them up a bit. 

 As I rubbed the tarnish away, the dates engraved became clear. 

 

 My mom used to give us these beautiful silver bells for Christmas. 

 Each had our name and the date.  1977..1984..1986..and it goes on. 

I love those bells.  I love how they shine. 

 I love the memories they provide. 

 

Tonight I was reading, once again, my mom's lesson outlines from when she was a Relief Society Instructor. 

 I just happened upon the lesson that had a verse from a song from the

"Sound of Music."

It seemed fitting that I would find this particular lesson tonight.

"A bell is no bell til you ring it.

A song is no song til you sing it.

And love in your heart was not put there to stay,

Love isn't love til you give it away."

 

Thank you mom for the memories, the bells, and for always giving your love away.

Christmas - a day for remembering

What a beautiful day. Lovely snow. 

 Happy children.  Gifts from the heart. 

My photo album helps me to remember each precious moment of the season.
 

 

Nothing better than having everyone together..sharing the little one's joy. 

Seeing Wren on her first Christmas, eating Jim's omelets. 

Face-timing with the PA gang as we opened their gifts! 

 (love technology)..

 just being together.

 

 

"Christmas - That magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.  It may weave a spell of nostalgia.  Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved."

~Augusta E. Rundel

I hope your Christmas was as joyous as mine was.

A Gathering of Loved Ones

Just another group of my most precious loved ones.  A gathering last night for some of Aunt Polly's homemade chicken noodle soup, aunt Julie's pretzel jello, and other delights brought in by our gang!  Almost fifty crammed into our home.  And of course the original "name game" group stayed and played after everyone left. 

As I post these different pictures during this Christmas Season, each one could be our Christmas Card, for all these people are so dear to me. 

My family of course. 

Then the extended, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, who, I love so dearly and love seeing each one, and of course our dear neighbors and friends. 

What would I do without all these wonderful people in my life? 

 I am truly blessed. 

Christmas Bells are Ringing!

Early Saturday morning before Christmas the Choir always practices. 

Just to make sure we remember our songs for Church the next day.

It is so nice just to go and see my friends, who love music, love one another and love singing praises to our Savior. 

There's always something to laugh at, or some song that makes everybody cry...

 (either from the message or how badly we sing it!)

We have so many talented people. Several who play the flute, soloists.

 A bell choir, and Pat, who has kept the music in our ward alive for over thirty five years.

 She's amazing.

We hope the angels will sing with us tomorrow. 

 (They have on many occasions, you know.) 

Merry Christmas

Lovely Reminder

After a busy day with the little ones, it is nice to come home to my quiet house.  Tonight I was able to curl up with my little Wren while Whit and Jason went out for dinner.  She nestled so close and if I even tried to move, even an inch, she moved closer.  There is nothing like a sleeping baby to make you stop all the busyness that can come with the season.  Just forget all that needs to be done and feel their little arms and tiny hands.  What a lovely reminder of why and who we are celebrating. 

Simple Christmas Blessings

Last Saturday was our second annual cousins Christmas party! What a fun event, hosted by the second generation, with the mom's just invited to watch.  Yoga, with Whit as our instructor, delicious food and gifts for everyone.  The best party of the season spent with my favorite girls.

Nothing more beautiful than falling snow during the Christmas Season. 

Nothing nicer than neighbors who plow our sidewalks and driveway while Jim wasn't feeling well.  What a lovely place to live.

 

Jake's preschool program was the best.  He knew all the songs and so did Sam, as he sang along from his seat in the audience. 

 

So grateful to be so close to family and friends who are so caring and full of love. 

My daughters are presenting me with the 12 days of Christmas. 

 Every few days I recieve some lovely gift from them. 

They are so thoughtful and are truly spoiling me. 

 What a truly joyous time of year.

Christmas Memories

After this last week, I've been remembering Christmas's past.  About the second week of December my mother started decking the halls of our home.  Everything was beautiful, warm and welcoming.  My dad's day off was Thursday, and usually on the second Thursday of December I came down with some illness or another, knowing he would be home and usually spend part of the day shopping for my mother.   If I suddenly felt well enough he would take me with him.  I loved going shopping with him for mom. 

 He spoiled her so.

Classy outfits and coats were always on his list.  He loved to see her in red or orange.  I loved a particular store where there were models who were the size of the person being bought for.  They came out wearing this outfit or that, until the perfect one was decided upon.

Many years there was lovely jewelry or a luggage set. 

And always Estee Lauder. 

 Makeup and Fragrance gift baskets were also under the tree. 

When we girls were older we usually got a perfume or something special picked out especially for us by dad. 

With all these seemingly material gifts given, the thing I remember most is the love felt in our home.  My Mom and Dad loved each other and showed us, their children. They cared for us, loved us, made us feel secure and happy.  I am so blessed to have grown up in these circumstances and only hope to pass that great love on to my children and grandchildren.

"The Heart of Christmas which is Love..."

Yesterday it was my Grandmother's birthday.  Our family (cousins, aunts, uncles) celebrated, as we usually do, getting together at Christmas time, because of this woman.  She taught us the meaning of family, of Christmas and of love.  She was just a little woman, simple in her needs, but so powerful in her example and her legacy. 

She lived into her nineties, always with a sweet smile, and such a funny sense of humor.  Little notes left to illustrate that wit.  She was never too busy for a visit, to write a letter to a granddaughter, to tell a story or two. 

 

My grandparents and my parents taught me by example that family was something to be cherished. Not just at Christmas, but all year.  Their time was given freely regardless of what was going on. And at Christmas, magic was in the air, and the love felt was as if a warm quilt had been wrapped around us. 

How grateful I am to have the opportunity to be around little ones.  To feel their little arms around my neck.  Whenever I want during our days, I ask, and am given "loves".  They are as much for me as for these precious children.  The world is so fast today.  It is more important than ever to stop and remember the love given and then pass it on.

 

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;

The heart of Christmas which is love."

 

~Ada V. Hendricks

Why I celebrate Christmas

The cookies are baked, the silver polished,

 the gifts wrapped, the house decorated,

the tree's lights are twinkling.

The house has that warm beautiful glow that it does as Christmas approaches.

It's time to sit in my comfy chair

 and enjoy this beautiful season.

To take in my surroundings and be grateful.

It's time to think of that wondrous star that shone so bright.

To remember why I celebrate Christmas.

 I celebrate the gifts that were given to me that first Christmas.

The unconditional love and forgiveness that was sent along with the baby.

 The tidings of great joy that came from the angels.

The way the innkeeper kindly gave a warm place to the young couple.

The charity that Christ gave us and continues to give as He grew into a man.

The love and rejoicing from the shepherds and the wisemen.

I celebrate Christmas because I am reminded of the love and hope that is offered to me

and how I want to offer that same love to others.

Unconditional love, forgiveness, joy, kindness, rejoicing, hope.

What better gifts are there than these?