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