The Book of Mormon

I am so excited that this year we are back to the Book of Mormon as our study in Gospel Doctrine.  I love reading this fantastic book and the testimony of the Savior's life and ministry on the earth.  The Book of Mormon brings comfort and peace because, in its pages, we discover who we were, who we are, where we are going, and why we press forward in life, especially when it's hard and overwhelming.

And we gain a greater insight into the Savior's remarkable ministry of compassion, healing, and love during His visit to the American continent.  I share my profound love for this book with all my children and grandchildren.  I hope that we all can enjoy its transformative power and commit ourselves to it.  Inspired by Nephi's example, I would encouraged my posterity to Go and Do and follow the Lord even when it's difficult, and to dedicate our lives to learning more about the Savior.

All these thoughts were going through my head as I was busy making chocolate chip cookies on a snowy Sunday afternoon.  What could possible taste better than a hot chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven.

Neal shoveling a path to the lawn for Sprout to do his business.

All baked and ready to eat.  You see, we can fill our tummies as well as our souls!  

Fun Times

 Emmi wanted to go down to BYU and walk around campus, browse around the BYU Bookstore and then go have pizza for lunch.  I thought it would be fun to have Taylor join us but she had to work that afternoon and couldn't come.  Emmi and Andrew picked me up at 11:30 and we headed to Provo.  We were supposed to meet Mallory at the bookstore at 12:30.  We wandered around the bookstore and bought a few things and then went out and walked around campus.  Amazing how there is always some construction going on somewhere on campus.  Emmi got to see where she used to work and where most of her classes were.  Mallory showed us the building where she works and where most of her classes are.  I just enjoyed the ambience and thought back on the fun memories that I had while attending BYU.  It was fun to be with the two granddaughters who love BYU as much as I do.  

We headed over to the Brick Oven for a delicious lunch.  Stayed there for a while and just visited.  Emmi would be heading home to Hawaii the next day so we all had to soak in as much of her as we could before we had to say our goodbyes.  

Just me being silly!

The four of us at the Brick Oven.  The food there is always delicious.

Had to grab a picture of these two before we all said goodbye.

Happy and sad moment all rolled into one picture.  Remember the old song, "Sisters"?  That is what I thought of when I took this picture.  "There were never such devoted sisters!"  

It was such a fun day and I'm so happy that they included me in the adventure and being able to spend a little more time with Emmi before she headed back to Hawaii.  I'm so thankful to have such thoughtful and  caring children.  

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.