Easter Egg Hunt, Darling Grandchildren..Family..I am a Blessed Woman

What a wonderful Easter!  And so fun to celebrate Jim's birthday on this special day.  Nothing better than to have these cute kids over for the annual Easter Egg hunt.  Just wish we could have the other half..Well later on in the summer.

We watched the kids hunt for eggs, play and have fun.  We can't get enough of our new little addition.  We are so grateful for all of these precious grandchildren.

And of course it wouldn't be a summer gathering without a little baseball.  Hey, PA Gang, we need a little coaching here.  

What a lovely Day.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines to the people who make my world a happy place to be in. 

 I love you all!  

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.

Thanksgiving

From the time I was small, I always loved Thanksgiving.  We spent our holiday at my grandmother's or in our home, where the table was set with lovely china and the aroma of turkey came from the kitchen. 

I loved setting the table, I loved the gleam of the silverware. I loved being with the family, having everyone sit down together.  I loved that my grandmothers and my mother, strived to make things nice for their families.  I especially am grateful for the way these people lived their lives.  They were all hardworking, loving people.  They loved their families and they loved the gospel.  They set an example for those that would follow. 

When our kids were little, we split our time between Jim's family and mine.  Each was equally nice.  I learned from Maude how to make Yams (the right way).  We were all having kids at the same time, so where ever we went for Thanksgiving it was crazy, with lots of noise, but lots of fun as the cousins grew up together.  I am grateful for parents and in-laws who loved us so.  Nothing made them happier than gathering their families together, and as I get older I understand the joy they felt when they got to have everybody together. 

As our children got older, I have had Thanksgiving in our home, most of the time.  We've done different things a few years, yet I still enjoy making the meal, setting the table and gathering everyone together.   

 

We are grateful to be having Thanksgiving with Ty and Melanie this year.  Just have to show up with a few dishes and enjoy the day.  Loving the day as always, remembering those that are gone, and enjoying those who surround me.
Happy Thanksgiving..Where ever you may be.

The DeSpain Gang's Halloween Party

We invited some kids over for a Halloween Party. 

Before we knew it there was a Ninja, Superman, Dash and a little Indian in our pumpkin Patch! 

 They were all looking for just the right pumpkin to carve!

It was the perfect evening to sit around a fire and roast hotdogs.

Then onto carving our pumpkins! 

What a great evening...

wish the eastern gang could have found some brooms to fly out and be with us! 

 Missed you all.

Lone Peak Liberty Days

Our small neighborhood parade is growing.  Grandkids come back with their parents to the place where they grew up. 

We gather together to celebrate our nation's birth..and this place we call home. 

We honor our veterans and celebrate our "Liberty Lovelies"  These beautiful women who have gracefully taught us how to live our lives.

 

And of course there are the spectators..

Cheering us on!

We love getting together on this special day.  We love seeing kids that have grown up here who come and bring their families.  We love celebrating our heritage, our freedom and this beautiful part of the world that is our home. 

Memorial Day

As I sat outside this evening, enjoying the beautiful night I started thinking. 

 I am so grateful for a few days to reflect on my heritage. 

To be able to think about those who came before and sacrificed so much that I am able to live in such comfortable circumstances. 

 I love history, love learning about ancestors and their lives. 

 I have thought a lot about those people who came across the plains as pioneers and others who crossed the ocean because they believed in the gospel and wanted a better life. 

I am so grateful for parents and grandparents who loved and taught me by their example.

I remember and pay tribute to all these loving family members this day. 

 My life has been blessed because of them.

Each time I go into my garden I think of Maude. 

She loved peonies, lilacs, snowballs..and anything else that grew. 

 My mom and both my grandmothers loved gardening and so I guess I have the dirt under my fingernails naturally. 

What a gift this is, because being outside with my plants gives me a great sense of peace.

Love the tradition of going to the cemetery to honor those who have gone on before. 

 What a beautiful and peaceful day it was yesterday to sit and remember those loved ones. 

To teach the little ones the importance of honoring those who have died for our freedom. 

"On this day for one brief moment, hear the silence fill the air

Think of those who walked beside us, now no longer there,

Then don't cry but hear their laughter, for their spirit lives inside

Let that mystic stream of memory fill our hearts with pride!

 

Make us humble, make us knowing, and accepting what is done

On this day for now, forever, make this nation one..

On this day for all the fallen, make this nation one."

 

~Charles Strouse

Happy Easter

Years ago when our kids were little, the Easter Egg Tradition began. 

Aunt Marie and Grama Bagley were the one's to gather everybody over for the hunt. 

The tradition continues in Grama Polly's backyard (or livingroom depending on the weather). 

 This year we had a beautiful day. 

The little kid's had a fun time finding all the eggs spread throughout the yard. 

 Wren even liked banging her eggs together and hearing the noice inside. 

 Poor Dylan didn't feel very well, but he rallied long enough to fill his basket. 

At times like these I certainly miss the other half of our family. 

 Hopefully they are enjoying the weekend on the other side of the country.

Grama with a few of her kids. 

 It was a lovely day.

 

 

Happy Valentines Day

Just a few of those that have and continue to bring me joy. 

To my family, loved ones and friends...

Happy Valentines Day.

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. 

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

Grama, You will just cry...

Today after I picked Jake up from school, he started singing a song he was learning for his Christmas Program. 

 He said, "Grama, you just have to come to my program!  It will be so cute...you will just cry!"  I said, "why will it make me cry, will I be sad?"  "Oh no," said Jake, " you will cry tears of happiness!" 

 Where does he come up with this stuff?

Thanksgiving Day

The table set ready for another  Thanksgiving.  So grateful for our family who joined us this year, for the delicious food prepared, for a beautiful day.  Grateful for, but missing those family members who weren't here.  Hoping their day was lovely as well.

After dinner, Grampa, Abby, Whitney and Jason taught Jake how to play chinese checkers on Jim's old set.  The set is almost 60 years old and it still has all its marbles!  (I can't say that about another almost 60 year old walking around in the same house.)

 

 

 

Wren, enjoying her first Thanksgiving looks content in her Dad's arms. 

 I am a blessed woman, surrounded by those I love, enjoying all that I have been given.