Family Home Evening at the Gertsons

Lynda Ann invited us all out to her house for dinner, games and a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving celebration.  She had delicious potato soup and rolls and then surprised Lexi with a chocolate birthday cake to celebrate her 12th birthday.  Happy Birthday Lexi.  We LOVE you!

You will notice another grandchild reaches the goal of being taller than their Gam!  

What a fun evening.  Thanks Annie for having us all out to your home.

Monday Shopping

The anticipated arrival of the Tucker Maxfield family was experienced Sunday evening at about 9:00 p.m.  There is always so much to catch up on so the usual late night, or early morning, talk took place.  The kids gave out about 11:00 but the four of us stayed up until after 2:00 catching up our lives.

Monday morning I went to work for a couple hours and then picked up Emmi at the Trax station about 10:00 a.m.  Emmi wanted to go shopping with Jamie and have her help pick out a pair of boots. We hung out at the house and about noon headed over to Woody's Drive In for some hamburgers.

Tucker was at work but we talked Neal into coming just for lunch.  While we were eating we ran into some of Nanette and Verns grandchildren.  Neal also recognized one of his former students from UVU.  We all just laughed at the fact that Neal never goes anywhere that he doesn't find someone that he knows or thinks he knows.  He certainly isn't afraid to walk up to any one and asked them who they are or who their parents are.

After lunch, Neal headed home and the rest of us headed toward Fort Union that I so fondly refer to as the Bermuda Triangle!  Jamie and Emmi were both successful finding some boots.  The three girls spent their time trying on all kinds of shoes.  Peyton found the high heel row and was in 7th Heaven.  It was such fun watching the personalities of my four granddaughters.

The store didn't have the boots Emmi wanted in her size but had one pair out at South Towne Mall area.  We piled in the Jeep and headed to the South part of the valley where we were able to get Emmi's boots and, of course, try on more shoes.  

Emmi still wanted to look for some Levis but Jamie had to be at Westminster College to hear a presentation by Karly.  Tucker came from his work, picked up Jamie and Peyton.  After they left, Emmi, Jordyn Lyn, Lexi and went to the mall and picked up a pair of Levis for Annie and then drove to Old Navy to look for some jeans for Emmi.  That was a successful find.  We made one more stop at Target to get an i-tunes card for Lexi for her birthday and then home.

It was a fun shopping day with the girls and I think everyone had a fun time.  I know I did.

A fun Saturday

I love it when Neal spends a whole day with me just running from here to there, catching up on 'stuff', and having lunch or breakfast together.  That was our Saturday yesterday.  Friday morning I woke up with a Hyphema.  If you don't know what that is, it is blood in the colored area of your eye.  My vision was blurry and you could plainly see the blood.  I called the eye doctor and got in to see him early that morning.  Because he was at the satellite office in Sandy, he didn't have the equipment he needed to really check and see what the problem was.  So he made an apt. for me to meet him at the Salt Lake Clinic the next morning (Saturday) at 9:00 where he would do an ultra sound.

Saturday morning Neal and I drove to the clinic and my eye checked.  The blood was completely gone, my vision was normal and when he did the ultra sound he could find absolutely nothing wrong nor could he see any evidence of where the Hyphema came from or what might has caused it.  The only thing we could come up with was maybe I had strained my eye a little while rowing at the gym.

The doctor was surprised that it was completely healed but I smiled and thought that it was because of the prayer that Neal had said Friday morning.  Believe what you want, but I will stand by that forever.  We should never doubt the power of prayer, EVER!!!!

After the doctors office we went to Target to get gift certificates for sub for Santa and some groceries for Thanksgiving.  From there to my favorite stitchery place for some lettering.  Then to Deseret Book for Christmas stuff, then to Costco for more Thanksgiving shopping and last to Habit's for lunch.  Neal had heard about his place from one of his students.  It was good, but I'm still a fan of In and Out.  I took a picture of Neal because he just can't leave one crumb of food!

After a delicious lunch we headed for home so that Neal could watch U of U lose (**tee hee**) and BYU trounce Fresno.  I actually had a few more errands to run so had to go back out for a couple more items for the arrival of Tucker, Jamie and the girls.  They are arriving tonight and I can hardly wait!!

The Herriman football team takes State!

Jaden plays for the Herriman football team and the team took state this year.  What a great accomplishment for his team, for Jaden's participation and for the great memories for Jaden.  Taylor marched at almost all of the home games and at the Rice Eccles Stadium during the playoffs.  This is a cute picture that Neal sent me of he and Maren and another of Taylor and Jaden.

I also got a picture of Taylor with her learners permit for driving.  Way to go Taylor.  Amazing Taylor and Jaden are old enough to be driving!  Wouldn't want to pay their car insurance!!

Helping each other!

Lynda Ann is certainly a product of me and I her Grandmother Ross.  She always has numerous projects that need to be done for Christmas.  I always have my own projects that I want to get done as well.  The problem with me is that most of my projects involve Lynda Ann.  I don't mean to involve her but she is the one who comes up with the "how" to do them, I manage to come up with the "what" I want to do.  This year is no exception.  I drove out to Lynda Ann's with all the materials needed for her to put together what I had in mind.  We spent the day measuring, cutting, gluing, framing and admiring our work.  After we had finished mine and everyone was in bed, we went downstairs to her new basement, turned on the fireplace with the lights out, sat on the couch and reminisced about time and events in our past.  We talked about children, the challenges that they have to face these days that she didn't have to worry about and subjects about church and what we believe.  We even discussed family problems and how sad that there even has to be problems.  We stayed up well past midnight just enjoying the ambiance the fire created and being with each other.  This really was my favorite part of the whole time I spent out there. I slept in Emmi's BYU bedroom and the next morning we were back on projects again, this time Annie's.  We were able to accomplish everything she had ready to do.  Mallory, Abby and Hayley had their Women In Excellence that evening so I stayed for that.  Mallory played the flute and gave a talk.  Both were excellent.

I took some fun pictures but am not allowed to post them for fear someone will get on my blog and then there would be no surprises for Christmas.  I just hope I remember to take some pictures on Christmas!

Thanks, Annie, for all your time and labor and many good laughs and talks we had together.  I so love and appreciate your expertise when it comes to crafts and your willingness to help me along :-)  

Utah basketball

Neal and Nalen bought season tickets to the U of U basket ball games again this year.  They buy them together and then split them in half.  I enjoy going to the games and I have to secretly admit that I am always cheering for the other team to win.  Of course I don't tell Neal or anyone around me but I do a lot of silent cheering during the game.  :-)  I hoping that while Tucker is here for Thanksgiving or Christmas he will be able to take my place and go with Neal to a game or two.  I'm sure he will enjoy them much more than I do and he will be cheering for the Uts!

Changing out the china cabinet

It is that time of year again to change out the china in the cabinet.  Neal is the one who does the arranging of the dishes in the china hutch.  I spend my time taking out one set and putting it away as I bring out the new set and put it on the table for Neal to then arrange in the cabinet.  It is quite a process but we have the system down to a science.  Nice that we have all the sets of china that we do. We have Annette's china that we display and use in the Spring, the Americana dishes that we display and use during the summer months and the Christmas china that we display and use during November and December.  The cabinet is all decked out and ready for Thanksgiving.  All we need now is help from the boys to get the Christmas tree up!  Yes, we were listening to Christmas music the whole time!  Tis the season!!

 Neal making sure that it is just how he wants it.  Believe me, Neal doesn't just put the dishes in the cabinet helter skelter.  Everything has to be pleasing to the eye and in perfect placement.  Tucker thinks I'm anal about the table setting.  He should be around when Neal is arranging the hutch.

Snuggled in bed!

One of my favorite things is to be snuggled in bed on a cold winter night with a good movie and my stitching project.  I always have a project going and on waiting to be done.  A couple years ago I mentioned to Annie that I would love a "bed jacket".  I don't think she had a clue what that was but as we discussed it and she did her own researched she came through for me at Christmas.  I just had to take a selfie of me with my darling and very snuggle warm bed jacket on.  I love it Annie and wear it almost every night!

The Two Leaves

This is a story my mother used to tell me.
 
The leaves were falling from the great oak at the meadow's edge.  They were falling from all the trees.  One branch of the oak reached high above the others and stretched far out over the meadow.  Two leaves clung to its very tip.
"It isn't the way it used to be," said one leaf to the other.
 "No," the other leaf answered, "So many of us have fallen off tonight, we're almost the only ones left on our branch."
 "You never know who is going to go next," said the first leaf.  "Even when it was warm and the sun shone, a storm or a cloudbursts would come sometimes, and many leaves were torn off, though they were still young.  You never know who's going to go next."
"The sun seldom shines now," sighed the second leaf, "and when it does it gives no warmth.  We must have warmth again."
"Can it be true," said the first leaf, "can it really be true, that others come to take our places when we're gone and after them still others, and more and more?"
"It is really true," whispered the second leaf.  "We can't even begin to imagine it .Its beyond our powers."
"It makes me very sad," added the first leaf.
They were silent for a while,  Then the first leaf said quietly to herself, "Why must we fall . . . ?"
The second leaf asked, "What happens to us when we have fallen?"
"We sink down . . . "
"What is under us?"
The first leaf answered, "I don't know, some say one thing some another, but nobody knows."
The second leaf asked, "Do we feel anything, do we know anything about ourselves when we're down there?"
The first leaf answered. "Who knows?  Not one of all those down there has ever come back to tell us about it."
They were silent again.  Then the first leaf said tenderly to the other, "Don't worry so much about it, you're trembling."
"That's nothing," the second leaf answered, "I tremble at the least thing now.  I don't feel so sure of my hold as I used to."
"Let's not talk any more about such things," said the first leaf.
The other replied, "No, we'll let be.  But, what else shall we talk about?"
She was silent and then went on after a little while, "Which of us shall go first?"
"There's still plenty of time to worry about that," the other leaf assured her.  "Let's remember how beautiful it was, how wonderful, when the sun came out and shone so warmly that we thought we'd burst with life.  Do you remember?  And the morning dew, and the mild and splendid nights . . "
"Now the nights are dreadful, said the second leaf, "and there is no end to them."
"We shouldn't complain," said the first leaf gently, "We've outlived many, many others."
"Have I changed much?" asked the second leaf shyly but determinedly.
"Not in the least," the first leaf assured her, "You only think so because I've got to be so yellow and ugly.  But its different in your case."
"You're fooling me", the second leaf said.
"No, really," the first leaf exclaimed eagerly, "believe me you're as lovely as the day you were born.  Here and there may be a little yellow spot but it's hardly noticeable and only makes you handsomer, believe me."
"Thanks," whispered the second leaf, quite touched,"I don't believe you, not altogether, but I thank you because you're so kind  You've always been so kind to me.  I'm just beginning to understand how kind you are."
"Hush," said the other leaf, and kept silent herself for she was too troubled to talk any more.
Then they were both silent.  Hours passed.  A moist wind blew, cold and hostile, through the tree tops.
"Ah, now," said the second leaf.  "I .  .  "
Then her voice broke off.  She was torn from her place and spun down.
Winter had come.                  

From Bambi

Time to prepare for winter!

Today, Annie, Jeff and Abby came in to Salt Lake.  Neal and Jeff went golfing in the 54 degree weather while Abby, Annie and Abby and I ran some errands.  We also picked up Emmi out in the South part of Salt Lake.  She was here for a class assignment field trip.  She decided to not go back with the class but stay at home for the weekend.  She will go home tomorrow evening.  Jeff and Annie had a date night for the movies and eating out so they left in the early afternoon.  Neal went out and started cleaning off the patio.  He stacked all the patio furniture and cut down all the flowers in the pots and hauled the numerous pots to be stored in the garage until next Spring.  It was sad to see everything being put away for this year in preparation for the winter months ahead.  I did go out and sweep off the patio and help Neal do the finishing touches. Notice how dark it is.  It was 5:30 when I took this picture and I had to turn on the patio lights.  I don't love these short days!

 The pots all stacked neatly in the garage.

Didn't know you now have to buy air at the gas stations!

Monday evening when we came out of Market Street, Tucker noticed that Neals right front tire was almost flat.  We hustled up the street to find a gas station to put some air in the tire until he could get it fixed the next day.  When he took it in he found that there was a nail in the tire.  I took this picture because I couldn't believe that you have to actually pay for air!!!  Oh my gosh.  It cost Neal $1.00 to fill his tire.  Tucker is jumping for joy in the background after using his credit card in the air machine. Who would have ever thought that there would come a time that you would have to buy air!

Tucker's last night in Salt Lake before heading home.

Tucker arranged with Annie to go out to her house Thursday evening.  His plane didn't leave until after 10:00 so he had some time to kill from 5:00 when he finished with his training.  Neal and I picked up Jeff from work and Tucker from the hotel (both about 3 blocks apart) and headed out to
Stansbury.  Annie had a delicious dinner waiting for us and then we played a couple games before it was time for us to get Tucker to the airport.  I also had Tucker's birthday presents to give him.  It was a fun evening and as always, sad to say goodbye.  Knowing that they are coming in two weeks for Thanksgiving made it a bit easier.  Tucker got a new Utah shirt and a miniature football helmet.

The traditional group selfie!

Hayley's birthday dinner

Sunday, November 1st was Hayley's 13th birthday.  Annie invited Neal and I out for dinner.  Neal had a meeting at the temple so I picked him up there at 5:30 and we headed out to Stansbury.  It was a nice evening.  Hayley requested fried chicken for dinner and Pizza cookie for her birthday cake.  Emmi came home from the Y for the festivities.  Happy birthday Hayley.

 Not sure what Annie is doing here but I think Andrew had some Lego pieces and wanted his mother to create something out of them that he had already figured out and took apart.  As I remember, she did create something but it wasn't what Andrew had in mind.  Andrew has become quite the Lego specialist.

Tucker comes to town for his new job training.

Tucker came into town on Sunday evening late.  He is staying at the Holiday Inn downtown.  We arranged to meet with him Monday night and have dinner.  We ended up at Market Street Oyster Bar and had a delicious dinner and a wonderful visit.  It was nice to hear how his training is going and how he feels about his new job.

 Tucker's new business cards.  Sorry they are sideways.  Still haven't figured out to turn things once they are on the blog.  Where are my computer wizards when I need them?

After dinner we went to Office Depot so Tucker could get a notebook and from there back to the hotel to drop Tucker off.  What a fun evening.  Love having Tucker in town.

More Halloween costumes

Here are a few more pictures that have come in to me from Halloween.  Jamie, Tucker and the girls.  My gosh!  Even in a wig Jamie takes a great picture.

Some pictures from the Culters

And one of Andrew.  Can you guess who Andrew is?

The New Church Museum

Neal and I went downtown to see the new church museum and it was an incredible experience.  If any of you have a chance to go through the museum, take advantage of it.  Be sure that you watch the 7 minute video of the First Vision.  Before you go in to the little theater there is a display of the 9 different writings for the First Vision.  Each one written a little different but all the basic facts of Joseph Smith's experience are in every one of them.  I totally understand how each one can be a little different.  So often I have heard something in General Conference and written down immediately what I heard, then when the talk comes out and I compare what I wrote to what was said, I find words left out and added.  Just in that short time of hearing it and then writing down from memory there are always a few changes of sentence and words.  I just have to say that if there were 25 different versions it doesn't made me question my total testimony and knowledge that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ and He did restore it through Joseph Smith.  The film of the first vision makes you feel like you are right there in the sacred grove.  It is amazing.

This is a plaque that I read that I thought was very interesting.  How proud I am to be a member of this the only True and worldwide church.

Halloween has come and gone for another year!

Here are some of the pictures of the Goss family in their costumes for Halloween. I didn't get any pictures from the rest of the kids to post.  If I get some, I will post them.

Dave's Barbecued Ribs

Neal and I were in such a hurry to get out to Jaden's game the other night that we didn't take time to eat.  His game started at 5:00 and that is right during the horrible rush hour traffic.  So after the game we decided to stop and get a bite to eat.  Neither one of us had ever eaten at Dave's but had heard a lot of positives about it.  The dinner was delicious.  We ordered a dinner for one and shared it.  How anyone could possible eat this by themselves is beyond me.  It was a lot of food for just one person. I would totally recommend it and would go back there again.

Fall is in the air.

I had to chuckle when I went out to the garage to put some garbage in the garbage can.  I noticed Neal's car and just had to take a picture.  He had just driven in from school and looking at his car you can tell that the leaves are falling from the trees and telling us that Winter is just around the corner.

Jaden made the news!

Last Friday night Neal and I drove out to Herriman High School to watch Jaden play football and to see Taylor perform at half time.  Both events were amazing and very exciting.  It is always fun to see your grandchildren perform and excel in what they are most interested in.  Taylor took this picture of the three of us.  She always comes up to the stands after she performs and then is off to hang out with her friends.  (Annie, do you recognize the coat that I have on?)

Just before half time, Jaden was on the field with the kick off team.  Herriman kicked the ball to Brighton, Brighton fumbled and Jaden saw the ball spurt out of the middle of the pile of Brighton and Herriman players.  He scooped up the football and ran it in for a touchdown.  A very exciting moment for parents and grandparents and the whole studentbody.  Here is a clip of the article written about the game and Jaden.  Our grandson is a celebrity!

My very favorite counted cross stitched framed and hanging in a place of honor.

This has to be one of the hardest projects I've done.  I was happy to take the last stitch in it, send it to the cleaners and then give it to Neal to have it framed.  He brought it home a few days ago and I nearly cried.  It is beautiful and I love it.  Thanks Neal for your expertise in picking out just the perfect matting and frame.  If you want to see it in full color and close up you will have to come to the house for a visit.  I'm so proud of this work of art.

Sunday Fall evening

I don't think there is anything that can make Neal's evening much better than a freshly baked batch of cookies.  I usually bake him chocolate chip cookies one night a week when he is teaching a night class.  I like to have him walk in the door at 10:00 p.m. and be greeted by the smell of freshly baked cookies, just warm and out of the oven.  He hasn't had a night class this semester and so I haven't made him any, plus, we have had some warm weather that the thoughts of turning on the oven and adding more heat to an already warm house just didn't sound appealing.  However, this particular Sunday weather had turned cold and very Fall feeling.  Neal was upstairs working on his school papers and so I decided to surprise him.  The cookies turned out delicious and I had a very happy husband!  It never hurts to pamper those you love!