whatever

-at rest Christmas room-

 

Photo by Sam

How I Became an Early Riser-

As a child I remember waking early to do chores, go to seminary or to catch an early bus to school, usually around 7-7:30.{so that meant being up by 6am} Rarely did I ever get to sleep in pass 7am.  As an adult- babies made sure I didn't sleep in... ....Then came the years of getting children off to early morning  Seminary.  Even on vacation I find it hard to sleep in- {yes, me and one other person are up running around .} 

Danny hates that I can't sleep in- I have tried to just lay in bed staring at the ceiling trying to not wake him- but I usually end up with a headache. So I get up.  I do force myself  to sleep in once in awhile-  Maybe I can make it to 8 am on the weekends. I really do wish I could sleep in on more occasions-   Here are a few "Positive" reasons for being an early riser-

·I Get a jump start on my day! I like to use that time to get a head start on exercising, cleaning, and on reading. By the time 7:30 rolls around, I've taken my walk, showered, usually two loads of laundry, checked my blog, and cleaned through the house . {when my children were little this was the only way to stay ahead of them- and still have a little time for me}

   I enjoy the break of dawn- I find I think clearer and I can sort though things better, plus its quite and peaceful. 

l like that, usually by 8-9am I'm done with all the "chore" part of running a home- and have free time to do as I please- (I've also found that on that rare occasion when I do get to sleep to 8-or 9....I'm playing catch up all day}  

 No one needs me early- No phone calls, no honey do....  it's like recess or free time.

 

Maybe being an early riser isn't that bad after all.

 

 

 

 

I

Joy

Sam, Heidi and kids came to spend a few days with us after Christmas- Pure Joy to have them around. 

 

 What we did......

• Girls won at Ticket to Ride with Heidi in first place, Teresa in second.
• movies
• Applebee's
• Treats
• eating
• walks
• boys did some "tree cutting"- Thanks guys

Preston

 

 

Carlee wanted to walk to the mountain- {the one behind her} she was a little disappointed when I told her it was too far away.

 

A lot of the weekend was spent playing with Tinker.

 

  

-A little Grandchildren labor-

 

 

-This says it all-

 

The New Year coming-

 

 I'm wanting to refresh,renew, and redo some things about my blog in the coming year. Please be patience with me....  I want to try some new thing, and find what matters most to me.

Happy New Year.....soon.

Christmas Day

Danny received a gift in the mail from Shannon and Scott that needed to be packed in Dry Ice; Denver couldn't let that goodness go to waste.

Hence....the Dry Ice "Popper" or should I say bomb!

- the boys

Tradition- Mission Christmas

The Gadgets-

Second Christmas-

Sam, Heidi and family came over later in the day {after they had Christmas at their home} so we had second Christmas.

 

Christmas was wonderful;

• played
• ate
• games till late
• gifts
• kids
• puppy
• family

Thanks to our kids for their wonderful gifts to us- we are enjoying them all- from good food, great scents, fun Wii game, and photo scrapbooks/memory books- we love them all.  Thanks

Christmas with Family

Last night John, Libby and the girls came over for a little Pre- Christmas get together-

On the menu-

• soups
• salad
• warm bread
• Appetizer - by Libby
•  & peppermint shakes

The activities-

•  Making peppermint marshmallow sticks
• Short Family Home Evening lesson
•   & visiting

 

Mix 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with just enough water to make a smooth runny paste-

Dip one end of a marshmallow in the powdered sugar- then roll the dipped end in crushed candy cane-

Set to dry; then stack on sticks-

Wrap  in bag until ready to use-

Add one or two to your next cup of Hot Chocolate-  YUM!

 

I enjoy spending time with my brother; I enjoy our conversations at mealtime, about school, church, work, and our families.

They have such a sweet family.  It was fun sharing a simple FHE with them. Talking of Christmas and it meaning- asking the children what they would like for Christmas- just sweet.

After they left I found myself with this question in my mind-
"If Christ were here with us today, what would I give Him?"

I happened to be reading from a book earlier today that had this poem in it from the poet Christina Rossetti:

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise Man, I would do my part. Yet, what can I give Him? Give my heart. 

 I believe Christmas is about Christ and giving. He gave us the precious gifts of immortality and the prospects of eternal life. Surely we owe our hearts and more to him in return for all that he has done for us.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Savior, but the real story of Christmas includes also his life, death, and resurrection.  He was born to give his life for us, to give us immortality and the opportunity for eternal life. I hope as I think about Christ this Christmas I remember the full story from Bethlehem to Calvary and the Garden tomb.

 I'm thankful for his gift- Christ's gift was his life. I pray that I can live my life in accordance with his gospel plan- so that my life will be a worthy gift to him.

                                    

At Sea

 

-Day 1 & Day 2-

We are back from our family vacation- So today I thought I would share  our little adventure-

• check in
• Captain's Welcome aboard reception
• rock climbing wall
• deep tissue massage
• safety drill
• tons of food
• Boogie wonderland- on stage
• karaoke superstar
• formal dress dinner
• hair appointment at spa
• relaxing on deck

     

   

 

On Formal night- our food was amazing- we ate way too much and Denver had "escargot " for the first time.

The deck was always pretty much quiet and we didn't have to stand in line to get a lounge chair  {in past cruises we never could find an empty lounge chair}

 

Day 3- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Mostly Sunny, 90 F

• Shopping ashore
• exploration of the shore line
•  rented jet skies - Denver and Mason- {they were sore for two days after- and had blister's on their knuckles for the rest of the trip.- but they had a blast.}
• Comedy Ventriloquist
• tons of food
• pirates {the good kind}

 

   

    

 

 

Day 4- Mazatlan, Mexico

December 17- 82 F

• shopping
• walking through old town
• relaxing on beach
• snorkeling
• sailing
• tons more food
• Kyle Knight Magic show

   

   

 

 

   

 

The sunset as we were leaving Mazatlan- that ship in the distance was the ship a friend was on.

Day 5- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

December 18-  forecast- 84 F

 

• Canopy Adventure
• Outdoor Challenge
• Comedy show
• Win a  Cruise royal Bingo
• Karaoke

   

On this day we slit up- the boys went on the outdoor adventure, which included-a fast boat ride, hiking, rappelling, zip lining,mule riding and hanging bridges; a little too adventures for Dan and I. 

We decided to go on the canopy adventure- which included- a series of thrilling zip lines through dense tropical vegetation 90 ft above the tropical forest.  All in all it was about 2 miles of zip line swinging from tree to tree kind of like "Tarzan."  At the end of the line we had to rappel to the  forest floor.

I have to say that it was pretty exciting- and I really enjoyed it!

   

   

 

This was at the end of the line- where the guide would grab you and spin you around and push you to the other side- pretty wild.

 

   

 

 

 

   

Our ride home was down this very dirty dusty road- in an open air "Unimog" a Mercedes truck.

We passed one of our churches on the way back to the boat. This is pretty much what the country side looked like - beautiful green hills.

 

We had a wonderful time, just what we needed.  The last two days were spent on the ship traveling home. 

We had another formal night- so that meant dressing up and a fabulous dinner and show.  It was so fun being with the boys and sharing this time with them- I feel very blessed to have been able to go on this trip with them.

 

O Christmas Tree...

 

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!

Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

For every year the Christmas tree,
Brings to us all both joy and glee.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!



 

This nativity was a gift to me from my sister- Pam, sent to me while she was living in Germany {many years ago} I have used it every Christmas since then.

On the top layer are the Angels- followed by the  Wise men and Shepherds - with Mary, Joesph and baby Jesus on the first layer.

Its one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

 

 

 

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!

Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas-

-Walnuts-

We are not big "Walnut" fans in our family. {yes, we are in the walnut business... & my guys don't like walnuts, go figure.} My boys refuse to eat anything with walnuts in it- They will eat them in salads & plain, but that's about it.

Oh, and they will eat them if they have been dipped in chocolate-

 

I love chocolate dipped Walnuts- super easy to do and makes for a simple Christmas gift-

   

Merry Christmas

a piece of Christmas...

Our Kids are all grown, either married or away at school or work.{and live far away}  So "Christmas" has been seeming a little strange to me this year.  I've done all the usual stuff-

• Decorated the Tree-
• baked goods
• sent gifts
• etc.

But still was wondering how not to feel that empty "kids" gone feeling.  I'll be fine, just learning to go with the flow- {plus we get to go to Sam and Heidi's Christmas day- fun}

When something wonderful happened-

An envelope with the letter "1" on it came in the mail from my daughter.  Interesting I thought.....then inside I read this sweet little note:

  "This Christmas season I thought that we would try to share with you our day to day happenings- to share a piece of our Christmas with you!"

Oh how totally fun! and just what I needed  "a piece of my Grandchildren's Christmas"

 

Each day we receive a cute little card- filled with... "a piece of Christmas."  Oh what Joy to see the day to day happenings and cute little things the kids have to say- Heaven-

 

 

Each day I look forward to the next "piece of Christmas".

 

 

This came in the mail yesterday, A project they worked on for Family Home Evening.

I can just image the fun they were having as they made these.

Yes, "a piece of Christmas"- is just what we needed.

Want to make someone you love Happy for Christmas? Give them .....

"A piece of your Christmas"

{Thanks Shannon, Scott, Conner, Payton and Anna- can't wait to see what is in the mail today}