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.