Another week to celebrate the Christmas Season!  We have tried to focus on Christmas each week and even though Dad was busy with Pathways and Institute training, and I had my hair on fire trying to finish up my final project, we still found some moments here and there to remember the Savior, and be thankful for family.

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA AND GRANDPA!  Last Sunday was Grandma's birthday and next week is Grandpa's.  We have the best memories of the many times we spent with them over the years.  Grandma was the best cook - everything she made was delicious.  She loved to tell stories about when Grandpa was away for two or three years during World War II.  Grandpa was probably known as the fix-it man on Harvard Ave. - he always had the right tools and was always willing to help anyone in need.

From KATE "I loved that Grandma didn't care about privacy at all.  I remember sitting in the bathroom with her all the time while she was going to the bathroom and just talking to her. Or, while she was in the bath  Looking back, it should have been weird but it never was.

I also remember those awful menthol chews she had in her purse and having them in church and they would glue my mouth shut". 😂

From KIM "Chris loves the stories about Grandma yelling at the basketball refs while watching the Jazz play, and I have the best memories of being in their double backyard and Grandpa's garden.  Also, snuggling with Grandma in the mornings since she liked to sleep-in.  And staying up late with her watching Magnum PI reruns at midnight". 😄

From ADAM "Grandpa went to the hospital to visit Grandma, and when he came out to go home he couldn't find the car so called Adam and told him the car had been stolen. By the time Adam got to the hospital Grandpa had the security officers out helping him look for the car, and had already called the Police to report a stolen car.  THREE WEEKS later, Adam received a phone call from the police department letting him know they had found Grandpa's car - across the street from the hospital where he had parked it". 😄

  Tuesday afternoon we met some friends and went to see, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  It was a fun family movie (directed by Dallas Jenkins from The Chosen) and the best part was Dad could hear everything! Yay, for new hearing aids!!

After the movie, we ran into Scheels and checked out the fishing department and the home section.  Love Scheels!

On Saturday, the Ellsworth family that lives in Utah joined together to remember Meredith, who passed away just one year ago.  While they were at the cemetery, Max found Grandma and Grandpa's burial site and snapped a photo for us. 

Thank you MAX!  What a wonderful way to honor those we love and miss. 

And I love the luminaries 💖

Wednesday I got the last of my boxes ready to mail and headed over to the Post Office, hoping that the lines wouldn't be too long. When I got there I opted for the shorter kiosk line. When it was finally my turn I was halfway through the transaction when my machine, literally, just turned off.  I asked the lady next in line if I could go in front of her because my machine died and just didn't seem too happy about that.  AND then I heard this wonderful voice saying, "Grammie, how are you doing today"?  EMMA had been close by and saw that I was at the Post Office so decided to drop by.  My machine magically turned on, Emma helped me get the boxes mailed, and we celebrated at Cafe Rio. (Emma was the first grandchild to take me up on my offer). THANKS, Emma!!!

 Iowa City was hit with an ice storm Saturday so Kate, Jonathan, and Sayre made the most of staying safe and warm at home by making Christmas cookies. 

 Funny story - I got this recipe in my 8th grade Homemaking class.  After all these years it is still my favorite - not too sweet, just buttery 

You can tell this recipe has lived through a lot of cookie-making by kids and grandkids 😁

 Adam, Cory, and kids had a great experience yesterday, donating their time at a local event called The Bob Telmosse' Foundation Christmas Giveaway.  I had heard of it before but didn't know too much about it. In 1983, the event began as a hoax when someone ran an ad in the Gazette saying Bob's business was giving away free food.  When people came to this business the next day, Bob explained the mistake and told them to come back the next day and then provided them with food from his own resources. The event has grown every year, and now through donations they provide food, toys, clothes, etc. for people who need extra help.  The volunteers are assigned to help people find appropriate gifts for their families.  Adam said Jake had the best time taking kids around and helping them find gifts for their parents and siblings.

HAD some fun visitors this week - Paul stopped by for lunch one afternoon, and then again the next day while waiting for a job interview.  AND Samantha came by with her friend, Tatum - also for lunch - and then to the theatre for a class movie.  

Did not get a visit from these handsome guys, but sure wish I had 😢 💖

 For the last couple of weeks, Dad has gone up to the Family History Center and scanned some photos for me.  This week I sent him with a newspaper article from 1955 that showed my Dad and a new house we were moving into. (It was a log house and pretty unique back then)  Dad came home wanting a subscription to Newpapers.com and then spent almost an hour perusing the Appeal Democrat and found some fun articles that mentioned my Mom and Dad.  We saw this ad and knew we had to share it on the blog - 

Loved it! 😂😂😂

  Enough of that . . . I'm closing today with words from Angella -

 "On the way home from Utah my car started making a funny noise.  When we got home a couple of men from my Ward came over and looked at it and thought I should take it in - that it could be a belt or something more serious.  I have been paying my tithing and this week all of a sudden the noise stopped. When we pay our tithing, Heavenly Father takes care of us."   Thank you Angella, this is so true!!!

I am so thankful we are family.  I couldn't imagine life without each and every one of you.  I hope you have a wonderful week and continue to light the world  

  One thing I was really hoping for this Christmas season was to have more quiet time to enjoy the music, decorations, lights, and Christmas events in the city and at Church.  What I learned is that it won't happen unless I walk away from my computer and the many other distractions I let fill my days and turn towards those things that feed my spirit.  

I recently read an article called "The Power of Quiet Moments" and wanted to share a couple of thoughts with you - 

God has designed the amazing human body, and just breathing deeply can have an immediate positive effect.  As we breathe in and out, the movement of our lungs and diaphragm helps our body stop secreting stress hormones. When we regularly invite quiet moments over time, our brains may actually change.  In one study, participants practiced a mindfulness exercise regularly for eight weeks.  Doctors found that the areas of the brain associated with fear and stress seemed to shrink in those particpants-perhaps meaning that they were less used.  Another study found that after regular mindfulness, the part of the brain associated with decision making seemed to grow thicker. 

It seems that quiet moments may help ususe our agency more wisely by creating a space between what is happening, how we feel, and how we choose to react.  The greater our awareness, the greater our ability to make choices instead of just doing what the natural man is programmed to do.

This past week was not quite so busy for us.  Monday we put our Christmas decorations up for our Family Home Evening group get-together and Wednesday we went to our Addiction Recovery meeting.  I had school assignments to work on and things to do around the house, but I made sure to take some quiet moments and enjoy the spirit of the season - for me that was listening to Christmas music, wrapping gifts, spending time with grandchildren (gelato with Paul, a Facetime call with Max, a chance to visit with Lily), and attending the Annual Creche event with Adam, Cory, Samantha, Jake, Paul and his good friend Maren, and yesterday at the Temple.  

I hope you all can enjoy some quiet moments this week to ponder on your blessings and feel of our Savior's love for you 💖

SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY LOVES SNOWMEN (and it's not a kid ) 

but it might be Angella 

And this isn't even all of them 😀

CHRIS made it home safe and sound from his work trip this week in Madrid.  How fun to go places you have never been before.  I'm thinking the East Coast sounds like fun - Williamsburg, Gettysburg, and other historical spots, or Yellowstone (I know that's not East Coast, but I have never been there 😁

LOVE our Fridays and Gelato with Paul!  Thanks for putting up with us 😁💖





IT IS FINALLY HERE!

It's finally here!  Cafe Rio has their grand opening this week and the best part is it is just down the street so it will be an easy stop on the way home from the Temple - I LOVE their salad. 

 

First child or grandchild to come visit - it's my treat! 😋

SUNDAY SELFIES ~

 Kim and Blythe with their special little friend Hank.  (I remember when Hank was a baby)

Kate sent this photo of Sayer - please notice the pens attached to his pocket - He said he needed them because they were going to be coloring in Primary today 😂

 

 

Thank you Kate and Jonathan for always sending such cute family photos. 

I know this week will be a busy one for so many of us - not only busy but a little stressful as well.  You are all always in our prayers.  Trust in Heavenly Father and remember to take those quiet moments and feel the peace that comes from our Savior.

Love You ~

Be Someone's Angel

I am always so happy this time of year when the "Light the World" signs pop up!  This year they have added an additional phrase - "Be Someone's Angel". There is so much good we can do and so many people who need it!  Find a way to Light the World this week 😀 ~

Thanksgiving 2024

Angella and her crew headed to Utah for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. Emma flew over for the weekend to join them. It is so nice to have "cousin" time. The baby in this photo belongs to Angella's youngest sister, Carrie. He is just one month old. (I love month-old babies).  Before they left, they were able to set up their Christmas tree - I was going to say it was so exciting for Ben, but then who doesn't get excited about the Christmas season.

Adam, Cory, and family traveled to Chicago for Thanksgiving. They were able to spend time with Cory's sisters, Kelly and Stacie, and lots of cousins. Cory's dad, Paul and his wife Cheryl, were also there.  On Tuesday, Adam took Samantha and Paul and they met Kim, Chris, Blythe, and Max at the Temple where the kids were able to do some baptisms. The kids also visited the Chirstkindle Market downtown, and it looks like Blythe and Cora kept Paul happy with "Freddy's".

Kate, Jonathan, and Sayre spent their Thanksgiving feasting on Steaks, Grandma's mashed potatoes, and Kate's special raspberry chocolate tart. I love that Sayre wanted to dress up like Jonathan 😊

On Friday they went to the Amana Colonies and enjoyed the Tannenbaum Forest, the new and improved toy store, and the candy store!

Kim, Chris, Blythe, Grant, and Max (Spencer had to work 😢) had a relatively low-key Thanksgiving, enjoying time with Max while he was home, and as always, good food. (I think Chris has lost all control in his family because the Christmas tree is up before December 15th!)

     

         Blythe and Cora also spent part of their Thanksgiving break making blankets for a service project.  Great Job, girls!  💖

Dad and I also had a really nice Thanksgiving with the Adams (Dave & Melanie) and the Jenkins (Steve & Terri).  We had great food and a delightful time reminiscing, and debating social issues.  I was hoping to play some games but time got away from us - maybe next time.  

Thanksgiving week seemed to fly by and now everyone is back to work, school, school assignments/projects, with a little time to get ready for Christmas.  Max flew from Chicago to California and met his good friend Devin and together they visited with friends from his mission.

They made it back to Provo yesterday and before you know it Christmas break/end of semester will be here. (For Eilis and Samantha, their next semester of high school will be their last 😢 (Sorry that makes me sad)

Milo and Sendai had a great time together this week.  They played, took naps, and made sure they had equal attention from Dad and I.  About 10 minutes before 5:00, Milo would come in the office and scoot his bowl around the floor - making sure we knew he was hungry.  We will miss him when he goes home tomorrow! 

while Eilis enjoyed some down time, Emma and Hollie made some furry friends in Utah.

Kate's decadent chocolate tort - 

and this is how Sayre feels about it 😁

 

Oh, and, Chris is on his way to Madrid (for work meetings) Happy Travels, Chris, be safe!

HAVE A WONDERFUL FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER!  DO SOMETHING KIND FOR SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A SMILE ON THEIR FACE.  LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.  LIGHT THE WORLD!

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!