Goodbyes

Today was Emmi's last day here.  She is headed back to Florida as I type this.  She is a beautiful woman and we are so proud of her.  Today, we all met at Rio Grande for lunch and to visit before saying our teary goodbyes.  I don't know all of the activities the Gertsons did while Emmi was here.  I do know that she had an agenda for activities and foods that she loves.  One of the things she wanted to do was go to the Provo Temple.  Jeff, Annie, Mallory and Emmi drove to Provo to the City Center Temple and did a session together.  It makes a grandmother very happy to know that her granddaughter is well grounded in the gospel and would spend one of her days on leave to attend the temple.

Here is a picture of all of us outside the Rio Grande just before saying goodbye to our darling granddaughter.  Love you so much, Emmi!!!

Actually, a very cute picture!!

Christmas Eve

This year we had our Christmas celebration the morning of Christmas Eve.  Emmi came into town at 2 a.m. Christmas Eve morning, so it worked out for her to be at the family party.  We had a delicious breakfast and a very fun morning.  One new thing that I introduced was the saran wrap game.  I wrapped a bunch of prizes in a ball of saran wrap.  One person would put on snow gloves and try and peel off layer by layer of the Saran Wrap.  Any prize that fell out while peeling the saran wrap was theirs to keep.  However, the person next to them would be shaking dice and if they shook doubles then you had to pass the ball of prizes along with the gloves to the next person and that person would pass the dice to the person next to them.  The game got quite noisy and very competitive.  Some felt it was too competitive and others felt it was totally worth the fun.  Not sure I will do it again next year.

After the game, we gathered around and read our Christmas book "Leffy's Christmas Gift".  Then presents were exchanged, lots of visiting and then slowly people headed to their homes to get ready for Christmas Eve and traditions with their individual families.

Neal and I cleaned things up, packed and headed for St. George.  We weren't going to go until Christmas Day afternoon but the weather forecast changed our minds and we decided to go before the storm was predicted to hit on Christmas Day.

I don't have a lot of pictures because they haven't been sent to me yet, but I will post the few I have and when I get more I can post more as they come in.  Mindy was my photographer this year and I so appreciated her going around taking lots of fun pictures.  I also need to get some from Neal's phone.

I think everyone had a nice Christmas and hopefully were happy with their gifts.

 The Gertson girls enjoying being together.  So fun to have Emmi here for the holidays!

 Andrew man just chilling.

 Neal and the Cutlers.  We were happy when Taylor was able to get off work and join us.

 This is Leffy the elf.  Cutest elf ever.  Had to buy him to go with the book.

 Annie and Andrew putting the wagon together.

 This picture was one that Tucker sent me of the girls with their Christmas slippers and their Target Gift Card.  Cute picture of all the girls.

 He also sent me this picture of him reading the Christmas book with Leffy sitting on his shoulder.  Such a great picture and I'm glad that they actually read the book.  I hope all of my children are saving their books.  You should actually have quite a collection that you can bring out each year with a special note written in each book from Pa.

A very Merry Christmas to all my children and grandchildren and hopefully a very, very happy and good New Year.  Love you all very much!!!!

Annie's Quilting Projects

I just had to blog these pictures because I'm amazed at how creative and confident Lynda Ann is when she sets her mind to a project.  This year she made a quilt for each child that told a story.

This first quilt is obviously a book case full of books.  Of course, this one is for Hayley who always has a book with her and is reading every chance she gets.  It is hard to look at this quilt and not think it is an actual book case.  Every book is a different piece of material and to top it all she even put a cat on the top shelf.  So clever and amazing.

 This quilt was for Abby.  She created spaces so as Abby trains more guide dogs they can add the names of the dogs and where they were assigned.  The dog in the center is a material that is soft and fluffy.  What an incredible quilt.

Obviously this one is for Emmi.  I couldn't believe what Lynda Ann was able to create on this one.  Absolutely amazing.  The Navy logo in the corner.  In the bottom corner of the quilt Annie put Snoopy from the Peanuts Characters.  

She also made a quilt for Andrew that I didn't get a picture of and she made a quilt for Mallory that she had not quite finished.  Of course it is the Tennessee Flag in the middle of the quilt.  When she gets it finished, I'll take a picture of it and put it on the blog.  Lynda Ann, you are amazing!  

The Book of Mormon

My goal this past year was to read the Book of Mormon and takes notes as I read it.  Little did I know that I would be teaching Gospel Doctrine in 2020 and the Book of Mormon is the study for the year.

Last week, just before Christmas I completed my goal and finished the book.  I was teary as I read the last chapter because "I know the scriptures are true", to quote a primary song, "the Spirit told me so".  It is always a peaceful and yet overwhelming experience.

The Book of Mormon is something we all need in our lives and we should be reading it every single day.  We need the light it brings to our hearts.  We need the truth it teaches.  We need the power and the goodness.  It teaches us balance and perspective for our lives.  It will help us feel steady and mindful.  But most of all it will strengthen our testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ and his love for us and the plan of salvation.

I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  How grateful I am for Joseph Smith who lived a life worth to be the prophet in these latter days to bring this book to all of us.

Mother / Freda / Grandma Ross

Today I was thinking about mother and Jeffrey.  Not emotionally thinking about them, just thinking about them and all the memories I have.  Christmas always bring some moments of remember what mother created for us at Christmas.  We were a poor family but I never knew we were.  Mother had a way of making Christmas seem like we were the riches people in the world.  There were always home made presents under the tree and lots of them.  My favorite time was Christmas Eve when mother read "The Other Wiseman" and we would sit up and watch the Catholic Mass on TV.  Seriously, why we did that I do not know but it seemed to be a tradition.

She was an incredible strong person and a great mother who provided everything for me that a child could possibly want - security, and unconditional love.  Merry Christmas mom and Jeffrey.  Love you both.

This is a picture of mother's grave in Midway.  Becky went up to the cemetery today and decorated her grave.

Christmas Choir Program

It was the Christmas Choir program this morning.  This is the 4th program I've had to put together and I keep thinking every year that it might be my last but so far that hasn't happened.  This program when about as perfect as it could and I was happy when the Amen was said.  Now I can concentrate on getting the finals things done around here for our Christmas party on Tuesday morning.

Annie came through for me again and made these incredibly fun thank you to give my choir people after the program.  They were festive and a great way to say Merry Christmas to each one of them and let them know how much I appreciate what they have done and supported me through the year and for this program.  Thank you Lynda Ann, for creating these for me to give.
 

Here is a quote from Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Seventy:

"As a child, I thought Christmas came just one day a year.  As an adult, I now realize it is Christmas every day.  Because of the benevolence of a loving Heavenly Father and a beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, we are the recipients of a continuous flow of heavenly gifts - every day.  Heavenly gifts too numerous to mention."

As I read this quote, I thought about the text that Annie has sent me today.  She said she cried the entire sacrament meeting.  Emmi send her a message that the missionaries were giving her a ride to the airport.  Annie's heart was overflowing with gratitude for all the people that have watched over Emmi while she has been away.

Annie also said that she had a strong impression to check on her neighbor Kay.  Annie text her and this is the text back and forth:

Annie:  "Are you at church this morning?"

Kay:  "No, I have had sinus infection and still don't feel well."

Annie:  "I'm so sorry!!!  Can I do anything for you?  The kids could take your dogs for a walk?  Bring you some dinner?

Kay:  "Walking the dogs would be great.  I'm so blessed to have the Gertsons' for neighbors.  I asked God if he might be able to make a house call and He sent you."

Annie:  "I'm sitting in church and couldn't stop thinking about you."

Kay:  "Thank you"

Annie went on to say to me that it is another lesson in knowing Heavenly Father knows each one of us, answers prayers, and speaks to us.  And a reminder to ALWAYS listen to promptings.

Another quote from Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that kind of sums up just what Annie experienced today.

"Christmas is a time of generosity.   Inspired by that spirit, we sometimes spend hours looking for the perfect gift to give our friends and families.  We are prompted to spend a little more time with those we love.  We become more aware of those in need, and often we extend ourselves more generously to aid them.  All of this is our imperfect but heartfelt echo of the generosity of our Savior, whose birth we seek to honor."

My Christmas find

I was with the friends from work and we were running a couple errands at lunch time.  Neither one of them had been in Orson Gygis and I wanted to stop there.  We all ended up buying something.  It is just the kind of store that you can always find something you just have to have.  Well, for me it was no exception.  As we were getting ready to leave I spotted this salt and pepper set that I absolutely fell in love with.  Talk about a great find.  Don't ask me what my obsession is with salt and pepper shakers but I've got quite a collection of them that I'm sure will end up at DI when I've left the world.  Well, maybe some of my children or grandchildren will want a set or two in remembrance of me.  Whatever the case, I'm having fun watching for unique sets.  Here is my great Christmas find.

The top of the car and the underside of the tree have a magnet on them and that is what hold the two together.  How clever is that!  OH, I just love them!

CJ and Justin come to visit!

So excited to get a call from Mindy that CJ and Justin were in town for a few days.  Mindy had the Gertsons and Neal and I out for soup and dessert and to visit with the boys.  It was such a fun evening and so exciting to see them and visit with them.  They both looked great!  CJ is still in school and working part time.  He is happily married and doing well.  Justin is in business with his Food Truck and doing very well.  He has also gone in with a partner and is in the process of opening up a brick and mortar.  He wants a restaurant where people can come in and eat along with his food truck that will serve the same foods through the city.  I'm so proud of both the boys and what they are accomplishing and the good men they are.  Love them both! Great picture of the grandchildren.  Mindy and Robert also took a picture of all of us.  I will post it when Robert and Mindy get it tweaked the way they want and send the final to me.

Thanks Mindy for hosting a fun evening for CJ and Justin and for the family!

Puzzles

Neal and I both love to do puzzles but when we put one on it seems to take over our lives and so we limit puzzles to certain times of the year.  Mostly, it is during the holiday season when Neal has finished in classes, posted his grades and we actually have some time to spend together.  So far in the past two weeks we have put together 3 puzzles and are working on the 4th one.  The 4th one is a really hard one and I will be happy to pass it on to Jeff with my blessing.  I'll will post a picture of it when we actually get it done.  Neal is working on it right now, but I needed to get caught up on my blog so opted out of working on it for a while.  If I take long enough, he may have it mostly done by the time I get back to it.  We are probably about a little more that 3/4 the way done with it so hopefully we can finish the miserable thing tonight!  It's been fun to put on the old stand by Christmas shows while working on the puzzles.  Love this time of year!

 This nativity puzzle is a Dowdle puzzle.  It was beautiful when put together.

 Another Dowdle puzzle of the garden of Eden.

Woodbadge

Neal completed his second training for the Woodbadge award in scouting.  He LOVES scouting and I think he would do anything scouting every day of his life if it were available to him.  Since the LDS church has decided to create their own program for the young boys and have bowed out of the scouting scene, Neal has been working fast and furious with all of the boys in our stake who are near getting their eagle.  It has been amazing how many he has contacted, encouraged and taking their final papers to the scout headquarters for the approval.  I don't know how important Spencer and Derek feel the scouting program helped them but Neal feels strongly that the scouting program helps young men to just be all around better people.  Hoorah for Neal and his positive attitude.

The Festival of Trees

Annie, Hayley, Mallory, Abby and I were going to the Festival of Trees.  I invited myself along.  We had a fun time wandering through all the trees created.  Most of them made for people who has past away.  Annie teared up many times and I a couple of times.  I get more sad when I see pictures of a baby or little people.  They also had BYU trees, Utah trees and Navy trees.  It was a fun evening wandering up and down all the isles and then checking out the gingerbread houses and wreaths and even going in the little craft center.  I bought a few items to help with the Primary Children's Hospital donation.  On our way home we stopped at Hobby Lobby to pick up a few craft items.

 As we were leaving, we found a kind person who said she would take a picture of our group.  What a fun evening.

Winter Scenes

Annie was leaving work early one morning last week and as she looked over the valley from the Primary Children's Hospital she saw a beautiful scene.  She said it was one of the most gorgeous things she had seen that nature created.  We experience the inversion in the valley every year and this year is no different.  These are the pictures that Annie took.  She said there were a lot of people taking pictures.

Absolutely amazing!!!

Emmi at the Temple

One of the things that Emmi requested was to have her picture on the temple grounds in her navy uniform.  The last day she was here they came in a bit early and took some pictures at the Salt Lake Temple.  Mallory and I drove to Mo Bettahs where we met them for lunch and to say goodbye.  We had a delicious lunch and then hugs and I love you's and Emmi was on her way to the airport for her flight back to Florida.  She will be in Florida until the end of December and then on her way to Agusta, Georgia where she will be stationed for three years.

Great pictures and great choice of place to have them taken.  Love you Emmi Girl!!

Neal is 76!!!

He just past 3/4 of  century.  He has had a good life and a busy one.  He is healthy except for his knees which seem to give him some pain going up and down stairs.  He will probably need to have surgery on one or both of them at some time in the future.

With Thanksgiving so close to his birthday this year, I didn't really plan anything extra.  Annie called us on Saturday and asked if we wanted to come out to her home to see Emmi before she left the next day so we accepted the invitation and spent his birthday (which landed on Sunday) out at Lynda Ann's.  She made  delicious dinner of roast beef, potatoes and gravy.  After dinner we played a couple games and then headed home.  Neal already had his birthday and Christmas presents from me.  His new wall TV in the bedroom and two new curved monitors for his computer.

Here are some fun pictures we took. I wanted a picture of Neal with the Gertson grandchildren.  Great picture!

 I also wanted a picture of Neal and I.  This one Abby jumped in and we had a good laugh.

 This one, we weren't ready and I honestly can't remember just what happened but something funny was said and that is the next picture.

 I actually love this picture.  Typical of me laughing at Neal and not being able to catch my breath!

 Finally a somewhat normal picture of Neal and I.  I love this man and wish him many years ahead of happiness and fun.

Happy 76 years and many more ahead!!!

Annie's family pictures

Apparently Abby was determined to get her family organized to have some family pictures taken while Emmi was in town.  Apparently, everyone was dragging their feet but Abby wasn't going to give in so she finally got everyone up, dressed and out the door for pictures.  These are the two that Annie share with me.  Everyone was really happy with them and were glad that Abby insisted on having some pictures taken.

Great looking family and great pictures.

Friday morning following Thanksgiving

Friday morning was a busy morning for Tucker and Jamie.  I'm sorry to say it was because of projects from Neal and I.  Tucker, bless his heart, always seems to have projects (technology centered) that need to be done when he comes to Utah.  This trip was no different.  Friday morning Tucker, Jamie, Neal and I hoped in the car and headed to Xfinity to get needed items for our new internet, then to Best Buy to get a new DVD Player and a cable long enough to be threaded through the wall.  From there we went to the frame shop to get two of Jamie's counted cross stitch projects framed.  One for her mother and one for her.  By the time we got back, Tucker and Jamie had just enough time to get everything hooked up and working, the car packed and on their way to the airport.  The weather got increasingly worse as the storm began laying down layers of snow.  We were worried about them getting to the airport safely and their plane being able to take off on time and not be delayed because of the storm.  All went well and they were on time as was the plane and they arrived safely home in California.  We LOVED having them here and enjoyed every moment of their time with us.

 Here we are at the Framing place.  That is Patty on the left behind the counter.  She is the only one I would trust with my framing.  She is amazing.

 This is Jamie's Dandelion counted cross that we are having framed.  Dandelions symbolize strength and perseverance through all hare moments in life.  They are universal symbols of happiness and joy and optimism.

This is a song that Jamie's mother always sang to the three girls.  "I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."  I thought it would be fun for the girls to give this to their grandmother, Pam, for Christmas.

 This is a picture of Jordyn Lyn paitently working with Pa on his computer.

 Thankfully, everything got done that we needed.  Xfinity set up, Neal's computer working, Alexa reset and working.  Lamps going on and off as scheduled, Christmas music playing when asked, TVs and DVD players set up and working upstairs and down, new passwords set and cell phones working!!  Thanks Maxfields for getting your parents up to date and current on technology!  We love you!

A day of good food and games

Jamie, Annie and I arrived at the house first and began preparations for dinner.  Potatoes, carrots and corn turned on and the turkey checked.  Tables had been set the night before by Neal and Tucker and the house was festive and full of excitement and love.

 Even Maggie found a comfortable and very Christmas place to sleep!!!

 Winding down :-)

 Building Gingerbread Houses.

 Tucker trying on Emmi's Navy hat.  Hummm.  I think it looks better on Emmi.  Sorry Tucker.  You just don't fit the navy type.

Most of my Thanksgivings were observed family style in a house on 325 S 3rd W in Provo, Utah.  Every year our home would be filled to overflowing with family gathered together to honor a most special holiday.  Mother would have the Christmas Tree up and the windows would shine with Christmas lights.  The aroma of a huge, plump turkey seasoned with onion and dressing filled the air, mingled with the delicious scent of apple, cherry and pumpkin pies.  The house seem to reverberate from top to bottom with the familiar sounds of another Thanksgiving - family style!

Mother always seemed to be happy as she called on Max to say the blessing on our Thanksgiving feast.  I will forever remember and forever be thankful for Thanksgiving memories of a kitchen table extended almost the full length of the kitchen and a family surrounding it.

I can only hope that my children will look back on their Thanksgivings as days of fun memories surrounding a family style table filled with good food, family and love.