Christmas 2009

We were so happy to have Amy and Jasper come for Christmas. Having a baby in the house just makes Christmas joyful. Jasper is at a fun age and we thoroughly enjoyed him. Fun to watch him eat, play, laugh, and sleep. Our pictures are pretty much all of him. He and Amy made our Christmas. Thanks for coming Amy. We love you and Jasper bunches.

To Bobbi, Amy, Adam, Courtney

I feel the need to let you know how much I love each one of you. I think about you every single day and pray for your safety and happiness. I haven't accomplished alot by the world's standards but look at the kids I've got. You are all amazing.

This has been a really difficult year for your dad and I. Probably the most difficult in all of our 37 years of marriage. We have tried to handle it and still be good examples to you. Your dad is an optimist and thank goodness for that. His attitude has been the saving grace all along. I have done my share of tears, and sometimes had a "kicking and screaming" attitude. Sometimes I've wondered why us? The answer that comes to me is that we are here to help show you the way. That was easy to understand when you were small, but now that you are all adults and smarter, and better than we are, it's funny that setting an example should still be important, but I guess it is. I wish we could be together more often but time and money don't allow for that right now. Please know that you are the joy of our lives and we delight in every phone call, blog, or email. The first thing your dad asks me when he comes home is if I've heard from any of the kids today. We then enjoy talking about that conversation. We love every mundane detail.

As Christmas gets closer I dream of being all together in some big mountain cabin with festive decorations all around, and music in the background. Since that is just a dream, please know that our greatest gift has been and still is you. We are hopeful and optimistic about the future and look forward to being able to travel to see you more this next year.

I love you,
Mom

Christmas Cards

I wasn't going to make any Christmas cards this year. I was planning on buying some at Michael's since they're now 75% off. This afternoon I was going through a box of craft stuff getting it organized and found some pretty little buttons. They looked so cute that I got out some stamps and got busy. They're not the most complicated or inventive cards, but I like how they look.

Lunch with my friends

Today was my friend Lusann's birthday, so we met at Brix for lunch. I had a delicious salad and brought a sweet chocolate goodie for each of my friends. We had a great time--just not long enough. I'm blessed to have nice friends.

It is c c c COLD outside!

We have a pond out in our front yard that is nearly frozen over. We keep the water circulating so it won't freeze completely. Hope this cold snap ends soon.

My Little Christmouse

I don't know if a picture really shows how cute these little guys are. Tonight is our Relief Society Christmas Party. We're all supposed to bring a dozen Christmas cookies. I couldn't decide what kind to bring until I remembered these that my good friend Jackie Thornock brought to me one time.

I'm a terrible photographer, but I can't resist posting these pictures because the kids are beautiful, inspite of the lack of skill on my part in taking their picture.

More random pictures just for fun

Thanksgiving

It was such a treat to have Aaron and Courtney with Hank and Max as well as Amy and Jasper come for Thanksgiving. We wish all of our family could have been here, but were grateful for the ones that were able to come. Thanks for making the holiday enjoyable. We love you all.

Thanksgiving

Hank and Max were excited to meet the dog.

Max at his highchair having breakfast.

Aaron with all three boys.

Amy taking a break from making a relish plate to get Jasper happy again.

The boys played.

Jasper got parked on the kitchen counter in a bumbo while we peeled, chopped, boiled, and baked.

Doesn't look like this should have taken hours of preparation but it did. Anyway I had the help of my daughters and we enjoyed the process. The food was yummy. Traditional Thanksgiving fare is always a treat.

Resting after eating.

A few years ago we started the tradition of making a craft after the Thanksgiving meal. They guys are watching football and the girls are being crafty. This year it was cute little half-pint jars of french pears sauce that we made and decorated for gift giving.

The finished product.

On Friday I took the girls to a Christmas Bazaar followed by lunch at a neat place we discovered in Umpqua called the Lighthouse Bakery. We had a good time and left the big boys at home.

Amy snapped pictures of the Grovers for a possible Christmas card photo.

Not an easy task to get a picture of three active little boys at the same time. They are in motion!

Successful Humanitarian Night

Last night the sisters of the Newton Creek Ward came out in full force to support our Humanitarian effort. It was great to have 37 sisters attend, and know they had a good time while being so productive. We completed 8 fleece quilts to benefit our community cancer center, with 8 more taken home to be finished and returned, 20 scarf kits also for ccc, 36 cakes in a jar for a hospice organization, 22 on of a kind birthday cards for hospice, and finally 35 Christmas cards will be sent to servicemen and women. We had fun and food too! I made my sugar cookies in the shape of leaves, chocolate zucchini bread, and the presidency brought various goodies too.

Utility Room Window

I made this valance yesterday for the window in the utility room. I didn't have a curtain rod for it, but was anxious to see what it would look like when it was all hung and done. I looked around for something--anything-- to thread the valance on temporarily. There was the broom. Perfect. I threaded the valance on the broom and I liked the broom as a rod!

The Office is Functioning

We have a little office located just off our entry that is very pleasant and useful... except that it wasn't organized. I've been working on it for the past few days and now it looks great. We sorted through old papers and shredded them and put items on the shelves and inside the closet. We found a nice little desk that just fits the space perfectly. Little by little we are getting moved in this house and finding a place for things. What we can't find a place for we sell on craig's list!

Pretty Window

I bought this fabric about ten years ago in Milwaukie on a clearance table not knowing when I would ever use it. I was going through a box the other day and discovered it and thought it would be perfect for this bedroom window valance. The furniture is the set I refinished this summer. It all turned out pretty good if I do say so myself!