What a wonderful Christmas week this has been!  I have been mindful of our Savior and His love for us many times this week.  Enjoying time with family - lunches, trips to the Temple, Christmas lights, gifts, dinners, building gingerbread houses, phone calls, and facetime - helps me remember how blessed we are to have each other and to understand that Heavenly Father knows each one of us and is always there as we seek His help.

GINGERBREAD HOUSES!

Mike and Barbi arrived in Colorado Springs Monday evening and were immediately overwhelmed by big paws, lots of licking, and a dog who almost could not contain herself she was so excited.  Tuesday afternoon we went to Adam and Cory's for their annual gingerbread house-making contest.  Paul drew names and we were each assigned a partner and these are the final results.  Ji-Chan and Sammi built a barn and a corral with horse poop in the corral - but there were no horses. (Sammi said the marshmallows were not soft enough to make a horse so she made a worm instead😊).   

 Mike and Lily were partners and they began building and finally their structure got so large they decided to turn it into a Target store. 

Adam and Paul made a race track using marshmallows and graham crackers.  Then added small cars made from Hershey miniatures and using M&M's for wheels.    

 

Barbi and I used our graham crackers to build a church.  Barbi is so creative, she made stained glass windows by trimming the graham crackers, frosting them, and then covered with colored sprinkles. 

  Jake and Cory built a windmill and it was amazing - Sadly, though, it collapsed under pressure 😕. 

I think they are already planning for next year so watch out!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY 

   We had a lovely Christmas morning.  I felt my day was complete spending time with children and grandchildren - even if it was on a Facetime call.  

Josh stopped by for a few minutes and was able to see Mike and Barbi.  

Angella, Eilis, Hollie, Emma, and Ben came for lunch and it was so fun to see them, catch up on all the latest news, and watch them open their gifts.  

CHRISTMAS IN IOWA 

Christmas in Iowa took on a different look as Kate was diagnosed with pneumonia.  In spite of not feeling well, Kate and Jonathan did a great job of bringing the spirit of Christmas into their home.  Sayre got a teepee that they set up in his room so he has a place he can go to and enjoy his Harry Potter books and games.  

Sayre and Clementine waiting for Santa 🎅

 I talked to Kate yesterday and she still didn't sound too good though she said she was feeling better.  She said Jonathan was also on an antibiotic - Hope you all get some rest this week and can heal.  💖

CHRISTMAS IN VIETNAM

Kim, Chris, Blythe, Max, and Grant are in Vietnam for Christmas.  I am sure they will have some great stories to share when they get home -

SEALINGS IN THE TEMPLE

 Thursday morning, Mike, Barbi, and I drove up to Denver to attend an endowment and sealing session for my Uncle Frank and Aunt Evelyn.

Evelyn was my Mom's older sister.  She died at the age of 35 from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, leaving behind 4 small children.  Before her death, Mom spent time taking care of her and helping with the Children.  Her children are Marilyn (we went to her home in Oregon for a family reunion), Howard (who we knew in Spokane), Glen, and Clyde. 

A couple of months ago, when I was printing up names to take to the Temple, I was surprised to see Uncle Frank's name on a card for a sealing to Evelyn.  It was so special to be in the Temple this week and to be able to participate in this family sealing.  I'm sure Mom and Dad were close by 💕

 This is a photo of my Mom's siblings - Uncle Harold, Mom, Uncle Raymond, Grandpa Davis, Aunt Marjorie, and Evelyn.

How challenging life was for them - my grandmother passed away from Tuberculosis in 1942, my mother's 14-year-old brother, Robert, died from drowning in 1943, and Evelyn died in 1944.

IT'S A NEW YEAR!

 In just a few short days, three to be exact, we will welcome a new year.  If you are like me, I love fresh starts, purging the old - old habits (as well as old clothes).  I am so excited to study the Doctrine and Covenants this year, to dig deep into history and to learn more about the early Saints.  Mike was a great motivator to me this week as he is so well-versed in our family history,  as well as, Church History.  I am so thankful for kind and thoughtful children, amazing grandchildren, and loving siblings.  Families are really the most important thing we have so let's continue to take care of each other, be patient, and forgive.  You are the BEST!

 This month has gone by so fast for me.  It's hard to believe that this week we will celebrate Christmas 2024! 

 It has been such a busy time, and thankfully, we all made it through work and school and can look forward to a little vacation time.  Ours started on Thursday when we went to the Temple with Paul to do baptisms.  We had such a nice time and on the way home we stopped in Castle Rock for lunch at Kneaders. . . . "when what to my wandering eyes should appear, A BRAND NEW GELATO STORE, saying, "Come here"! 😁. 

(ok, I am done with the Night Before Christmas and poetry)

It was really good, but not quite like we got in Italy ~

Thursday was also the beginning of our DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 🎄

Max celebrated on Thursday in Provo with family and friends. His BYU term is over but he stayed a couple of extra days so he could attend the Temple marriage of Sydney (she belongs to Zack and Heather)

Blythe's birthday surprise on Saturday was Max getting home in time to go out to dinner with the family.  Besides going out to dinner, she celebrated with a manicure and a massage (the girl knows how to live) 🎉

I had a great birthday too, on Friday - because I got to see, and received texts and phone calls from my very favorite people in the World.  Thanks so much for making me feel loved!  And of course, it was really birthday week, so Saturday when we got home from the temple we walked into a "balloon fest".  (Thanks, Josh).

 

We got to take Milo to the beauty shop Friday morning and when we picked him up, he was so handsome!  All of the people in the check-out line made such a fuss over him. 

FROM MY PHONE CONVERSATIONS THIS WEEK - 

 Kate had what sounds like to me is bronchitis and a bad cough.  She felt well enough to go to Church this morning but didn't sound too good tonight.  Extra prayers for Kate that she can heal and enjoy Christmas with Sayre and Jonathan.

Spencer is enjoying his job, friends, and it looks like, baking with his Mom.  I am so hoping that we can talk him into a Colorado visit over the next couple of weeks.  We need a little Spencer in our lives ~

 Blythe helps out at a animal shelter and she told me on Friday that she was adopting, Schroeder. (I think Kim said no, so we will have to see who wins this battle😊

I got to see Hollie and Ben Friday morning and that was such a treat!  We have all been so busy and going in different directions that it has been awhile since we have been together. 

 

AND thank you to Eilis who was kind enough to stop by feed and play with Sendai Saturday afternoon before she went to work.

THANK YOU for other Sunday Selfies! 💖

The Ellsworths are off to Vietnam this week - BE SAFE!

We love you all so much and hope you are enjoying the spirit of this Christmas season.  Please send me photos and stories of your Holiday adventures!  

 

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