HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAKE!
 It's just hard to believe that Jake celebrated his 9th birthday yesterday.  

I remember the day he was born, and I think I left school (Liberty) around noon so I could get a peek at him. DadDad and Brama (?) were there as well as Sammi, Paul, and Lily. He has been a handsome heartbreaker from the start!

He celebrated the day ice skating with friends, milkshakes, and chocolate cake waffles made by his Dad.  

One of my favorite memories of Jake is the time Cory took him shopping at Sam's Club and suddenly he disappeared - only to be found in the 

refrigerated foods, with the cheese 😂
 

Our family would not be the same without him!!!

 Love you, Jake 💖

CONGRATULATIONS TO JONATHAN!

This week ended on a high note for Kate and Jonathan.  We all know that Jonathan has been teaching Trombone at the University of Iowa.  Last year the school decided to create a new tenure-track position and open it up to applicants nationwide.  So, in essence, Jonathan had to reapply, go through the interview process, perform, and a few other stress-causing requirements, and then wait to see if he still had a job next year.  Friday, they found out that Jonathan was hired for the position and they are so happy and very much relieved!  We are excited for them and know that Heavenly Father has helped them see this long process through to the end.  Ji-Chan and I are excited to see them next month as we will be going over for Sayre's 7th birthday, and of course, to get a new Hawkeye's hoodie. (and go to Aldi😀)

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE GOING TO RUN INTO!

 Our favorite United guy was in Houston this week and just happened to run into our favorite, Elder Uchtdorf, who just happened to be on his way to South America. 

 I love that Elder Uchtdorf always seems to be happy, and he is always smiling and he always has a great story to share.  He is the epitome of the joy that comes from the Gospel.  Way to go, Chris!

This reminds me a little of the time Kate and I missed our flight to Korea ( because we were in line behind a bazillion missionaries).  We were staying with Kim and Chris in Salt Lake and we walked down to the neighborhood market across the street from the Temple to get some drinks for lunch and we ran into Elder Faust.  Kate told him we were on our way to Korea and he wanted to know why in the world we wanted to go there.  Then we were behind him in the check-out line and he didn't have his wallet so we were going to pay for him, but the clerk just told him she would put it on his tab.  

THIS WEEK JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!

 We had a great start to our week as Adam and Cory both had work but the kids didn't have school until Wednesday, so we got Jake, Lily, Ben, and Hollie for two whole days!  We kept super busy, did some fun things, and the kids were so great! Kevin thought Jake needed a new hat so they went up to Scheels and found one that fit him perfectly.  Lily and I took Jake to Sky Zone, and he didn't stop jumping, sliding, and playing dodgeball and soccer for the whole 2 hours we were there.  We got home just as Hollie and Ben arrived so we fed Ben, and then we had a girls' trip to Barnes and Nobles.  Pizza for dinner and then everyone went to bed early!

 Tuesday, we went back to Sky Zone and this time Lily stayed home to read her new book, and Hollie went with me to help with Jake and Ben.  When their time was up we dropped them off at the house and had a girl's lunch out and we were just getting ready to head over to Goodwill when Adam called and said Paul had sprained his ankle and they needed to take him to urgent care - so Lily didn't make it to Goodwill with us and we were not able to get haircuts for Jake and Ben.  When we got home Hollie volunteered to cut Ben's hair so she set up a beauty salon in the kitchen and I provided the scissors.  She did a great job, though Ben was not 
happy about it.

WEDNESDAY, Spencer called us.  He is doing well, loves his job, and has a new friend, Sonia.  

  This photo is from one of their dates at Ulysses S. Grant Park in Chicago. Spencer has become interested in the arts, painting, etc.  I love it when the grandkids keep in touch and let us know how they are surviving this crazy world.

 

EARLIER in the week, Paul brought me 4 t-shirts he needed to have hemmed up.  I have never been very comfortable working on t-shirts so I called my friend Kathy has two sewing machines, an embroidery machine, a long-arm quilting machine, and a serger to see if she could give me a lesson.  I thought you needed a serger to make hems look good on t-shirts, but she showed me how to do it on my machine - I just needed a different type of needle.  Anyway, we pinned, cut, and hemmed all of the shirts in just a couple of hours, and I was so happy I learned something new.  

SUNDAY SELFIE

Kate, Jonathan, and Sayre win the Sunday Selfie award today 😁

 Kate said Sayre was grumpy this morning so they were trying to make him smile.

Also, has anyone else ever felt like this during Church?  You just want to snuggle up in your Dad's coat and take a little snooze. 😁

  Words can't describe how much we love each and every one of you.

I hope you have a wonderful week and know we are always here for you.

Last night when I crawled into bed I was looking for a talk by Elder Holland and came across this short video.  When you have a free minute it is a good reminder that Heavenly Father is always there for us too!

Elder Holland

   HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope you all have had a good start to the new year (minus the colds, flu, and pneumonia).  I am looking forward to a new school term, healthy eating, house repairs, new books to read, a new time for Church, visits from grandchildren (and children), and exciting adventures with Kevin.

  What I forgot to mention last week, was THANK YOU so much for the ice-maker!  We have used it multiple times daily and it is amazing!! 🍹 You are the most amazing kids ever (that includes Angella, Cory, Jonathan, and Chris - I think of you as my kids too).  

AND . . . Way to go BYU!  Smashed CU Boulder in the Alamo Bowl  36 - 14 

YAY!!!

This past week has been relatively quiet for us.  On New Year's Day, we went to Lily's indoor soccer game.  She does so great and it is always fun to watch her.

  Oh, and before the game, Kevin and I started the year off right with a hamburger at In-N-Out.  

We don't do it too often, but it really did just hit the spot 😊

Thursday we picked up some medicine for Emma who was deathly ill with Strep 

Okay, so that might have been a slight bit dramatic, but she was really ill and had no voice.   After two or three days of faithfully taking her medicine, chicken soup, and chocolate ice cream, her voice has returned, and she is feeling much better 💖

 Friday, Dad and I had our bagel date at Panera, a quick trip to Costco, and then went to the Commissary up at the Academy. It has been quite a while since we had been up there and I always forget what a beautiful place it is.  We've decided to go once a month to pick up some essentials that cost considerably less than Wal-mart or King Soopers, and it is the best place to get our good rice.

Yesterday, was our Temple day.  Dad had been coughing through the night Friday, and wasn't feeling to well when we got up, so he stayed home and I went with the Adams.  I LOVE being in the Temple.  On a side note, my Pathways missionaries, Brother and Sister Farmer, work in the Baptistry on Saturday mornings, so it is always fun to get hugs from them.  

Today our Church time changed to 12:00 which I haven't been looking forward to, but it actually wasn't that bad.  It was nice to have some quiet time this morning to finish up some things for my Primary class, and do some reading.  

NEW YEARS IN IOWA - Kate said they got their first big snowfall, and Sayre and Clementine loved it!

Kate said Sayre really wanted Ski Goggles like Jonathans for when they go on walks.

 and apparently also for the Sunday Selfie 😂

ALSO, Kate tried her hand at "milk bread' (shokupan) and look how amazing it turned out -

She said it tasted just like what you can buy at Mitsua.  YUM - that could be really dangerous!

NEW YEARS IN VIETNAM - Chris, Kim, Max, Grant, and Blythe had a wonderful time in Vietnam, but according to Chris, they are more than happy to be home (by way of Japan).  

You go, Chris!

Chris sent this and titled it, "family car".  

  

It looks like they made some good friends on their adventure.

Chris and Kim made friends with these Vietnamese ladies while waiting in line at the Ho Chi Minh museum.  He said they love Americans. 

  And, last but definitely not least, it looks like Kit-Kats are alive and well in Vietnam 😀

NEW YEARS IN COLORADO - One of my favorite photos this week came from Cory who snapped this shot of Milo and Adam.  

He is the best snuggler ever!

I took Sendai out for several walks this week in her new halter and leash.  One day we went up the hill by the dog park and caught this photo of Pikes Peak. 

 We had some great days for walking - sweater weather - and Sendai was in her element. 

We also saw this one day on the way home - she looked - but didn't bite 

FAMILY HISTORY - Last week when I posted the photo of my Mom's family, I also found a photo of her younger brother, Robert, that I had not seen before.  He died at age 14 in 1943.

So sad that she could lose a brother and sister, both at young ages. 😥. I wish I had asked her more about them when she was still with us. 

A new week, and a new year - let's make it great -  We know there will be challenges, frustrations, and disappointments. But those are the things that help us grow, that make us who we are, and help us become who the Savior knows we can be.  He is always there to cheer us on and support us through the hard times and over the rough spots.  I love you all so much!!!!!

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!