Emmi wanted to spend part of her last day with her Gam and doing some shopping for dresses. So Lynda Ann, Mallory, Emmi and myself drove down to American Fork to a dress shop that Mallory and I have discovered. Emmi and Mallory were both able to find new temple dresses and Emmi also found three nice dresses for Sunday. On the way back we stopped at the Traverse Mountain Outlets and wandered in Eddie Bauer and Columbia. On the way out we asked a gentleman to take a picture of us.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Emmi's Last Day in Utah
A Temple Outing
While Emmi was here we thought it would be nice to all go to the temple together. Mallory made appointments for Jeff, Annie, Neal, me, Emmi and Mallory to attend the new temple (I think it is called the Deseret Peak Temple) in Tooele. We went the Friday morning after Christmas. It was memorable for me to sit at the end of the row, look down the row and see my daughter and my two granddaughters and then glance across the isle to see Jeff and Neal. Could there possible be a more peaceful and happy place to be than in the temple? Easy answer.
After the session we went outside to take a couple pictures only to have the wind blowing like crazy. But we found someone who would snap a couple quick pictures. You can see we are all cold and fighting the wind. There is one more picture that I'm trying to locate of Mallory and Emmi. If I find it, I'll post it. Believe me, it is a classic!
I'm not sure that I've posted that I'm now an ordinance worker at the Jordan River Temple. I go every Tuesday morning. I leave home at 3:50 a.m. Prayer meeting is from 4:20 to 4:50 and then from 5:00 to 10:00 I am assisting where needed. I've only been doing it for a couple months but find that I'm loving it and totally understand the need for temple workers to help the patrons when the come. Every temple is constructed differently and without the assistance of temple workers it would make it so much harder to figure out what direction you need to go. We totally experienced that at the new temple in Tooele.
Lila Mae Smiles
I already wrote about our lunch with Susan and posted the pictures of lunch and the gorgeous rainbow that appeared in the winter sky in Heber. Mallory sent me this thought and I loved it and I totally believe what she said:
"I was just catching up on your blog and saw the pictures of the rainbow you took in Heber. I don't think it was just some coincidence that we got a winter rainbow just after visiting with Susan in Heber. I almost feel like Lila Mae was smiling down on us and happy that we all still get together."
What a beautiful thought. Thank you Mallory for sharing that with me. I do believe that Lila Mae was smiling down on us that day and every day!
Christmas Pictures Sent to Me
The California Maxfield Family
The Cutler Family
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Lunch with Susan
The Gertsons and Pa and I drove to Midway to have lunch with Susan and wish her a Merry Christmas. We met at the Junction and spent a couple hours eating and visiting. After lunch Neal and I headed home and the Gertsons went sleighing and then up to Evanston, Wyoming to shoot off fireworks in honor of Antonio's tradition for Christmas.
Love this boy!!
On the way home I got the surprise of my life when I looked up and there was a winter rainbow! Never seen on in the winter months and I love rainbows. I had to call the Gertsons and tell them to look up and see it!
Just absolutely made my day!!
Spoiled Once Again
Ear muffs from Annie
Beautiful picture from Maren and GregOur annual gift from Mindy and Roberts. So love this gift!
Flowers from Lyndsy
Lots of treats from Emmi bought in Hawaii!!
An apron from Lynda Ann with Gam's Jam on the front.
Coasters from Emmi
An ornament and a bubble blower from Abby and Antonio. Abby said the dogs love to try and catch bubbles.
This beautiful ornament from Maren. The saying that goes with it is beautiful.
This is an adult swaddle from Maren. Can't wait to wrap myself in it.
Some fun fragrances in soap and lotions from Maren.
Lynda Ann printed of my blog for 2021, 2022 and 2023. That was an enormous amount of work.
And the Gertsons gave me this Smart Bird Feeder camera. She and Emmi will get it set up for me. You can program it so that you can see the birds and squirrels eating and watch them from your phone!
A traveling pill box from Lynda Ann
A bag full of all sizes of Hawaiian pillows for Pa from Emmi. There is a story with the pillows. If you want to know you can check in with Emmi or I :-)
Greg made this sign from license plates. Very clever!
You can see that Neal and I were spoiled with all the love and gifts given to us. Thanks to all our children and grandchildren for their love and support. What an amazing family we have. Love you all!
Gifts Exchanged
After the games and dessert we exchanged presents. I was spoiled as always. We gave the couples a Tayama Stainless Steel Thermal Cooker, the men and grandsons a gift card to their favorite fast food place and the granddaughters a music box with their picture on the top. These are the examples of the pictures for each granddaughter.
Each one had a saying appropriate to them.