Saying Goodbye

 Abby and Antonio were able to come for a short visit, but included in that short visit was Hayley's wedding and Christmas Day.  I know the three days they were here their family filled the time up with fun activities.  I think they even went sledding on day.  

Neal and I were invited out to play games and visit with them while they were here.  They had to fly back Christmas night.  It is always such a hard time saying 'goodbye'.  Tears were shed and lots of hugs given.

We LOVE you two and hope to see you at our 80 birthday celebration in July!!

Derek's China Christmas

 Derek and Fiah sent us some fun pictures of their decorations and Christmas.  We miss them, love them and wish they could be here in Utah to celebrate with us.

Granddaughter Recipe Books

 I had an idea that I thought it would be fun to give each granddaughter a recipe book of favorite recipes from their mother, aunts and me.  I threw the idea out to Lynda Ann and she was willing to help me get started on the project.  We settled on the size we wanted the books to be and what the recipe pages would look like.  I contacted each of my girls and asked me to send me their girls favorite recipes.  They were told to keep things quiet.  I believe I started this project in February and it took me until November to complete the last of 9 books.  Annie and I talked about making one book and then just copying all the recipes instead of my writing every recipe 9 times.  But I felt it would be much more personable if I spent the time writing them for each granddaughter.  After all the recipes were written, Annie helped me stuffing them in protector sleeves, putting them in the books and then she made the saying that went on the front.  She also helped me with the section dividers.  

I was excited to give them to my granddaughters and hope that they will be a memory as well as a very useful item in their college dorms and apartments.  

Cute picture of my California girls holding their recipe books.  Peyton is also holding the Christmas book that we gave to each family for 2023.  Neal wrote a message on the front page. 

"Merry Christmas 2023!  This book records the lives of children and families during times of war and hatred.  It is also filled with love and good works to save lives.  Please read it as a family and have faith in Heavenly Father and in mankind.  we love each of you, our family!  May you have peace in your hearts and trust in Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.!  They live!  Love, Gam and Pa"

At the front of each book I put a picture of me and the granddaughter and wrote each one of them a personal message.  

Hayley and Alex Wedding

Hayley and Alex tied the knot yesterday, December 22, 2023.  Having a wedding just a few days before Christmas isn't the best time but, Hayley wanted her sister to be there and that timing worked for Emmi to come from Hawaii and Abby and Antonio to come from California.  Lynda Ann did a beautiful job of creating the bookcases and the trellis that went across the top of the book cases.  Hayley wanted all her flowers out of book pages so Lynda Ann made over 100 flowers!!  The decorations were beautiful and the wedding was a grand affair.  They were married at 3:30 in the afternoon.  After we had a catered dinner from Costa Vida.  The reception began at 6:00 and ended around 7:30 or 8:00.  The weather cooperated so people didn't have to drive in the snow.  (We woke up this morning to snow on the ground and it is still coming down.  Here are some pictures of the gala affair.  

Some pictures taken at the house just before going over to the Country Club House.

At the reception

Sign in sheet.  So very clever!

If you look closely at the flowers, you will see they are all made out of book pages.

Close friends of Jeff and Lynda Ann.  Jenny and JC

The wedding was beautiful and I would think, everything that Hayley and Alex could have wished for.  
  

Family Christmas Party

 Our annual Christmas gathering took place on Sunday this year.  I have to plan around Maren and Lynda Ann's working schedule because they both work at hospitals and hospitals never close.  Plus they work graveyard shifts, so it kind get a bit tricky sometimes.  We had a smaller group than usual.  Lynda Ann and her family - minus Abby and Antonio.  Maren and her family.  Mindy's family had a conflict and Lyndsy was working.  Spencer, Derek and Tucker all out of the state.  We had a nice dinner.  Maren brought the salad and Lynda Ann brought the funeral potatoes and I filled in with the rest.  We did the usual.  Dinner, then gifts and then those who wanted to hang out and visit and play games stayed.  I love those kind of evenings where there really isn't any particular agenda, just being together.  We play the Left, Right, Center dice game and then the card game called Screw Your Neighbor.  Lots of laughs.  I love my family and love gathering around the table for good food and games.  

Lots of fun pictures of the family.  So good to have Emmi home for a couple weeks!

Emmi got a special gift from Ron and Judy.  They are so interested in her Navy Career and what she is doing.  They bought her this Christmas ornament.

Getting a hug from my granddaughter!

It was such a fun gathering and certainly helped bring the spirit of Christmas into our home.  I forgot to take a picture of the special gift I gave to each granddaughter and the book we gave each family this year.  I'll post that later.  Merry Christmas everyone!