Isn't he cute?

Leigh is very agreeable to some of my Photo Requests. He ,being a horseman, helped


this time, I'm sure. We were about a block up from the fish market in Puerto Penasco


in front of a store labeled "muebles". I know what it means, just wondering if any of


you do. The time of day could not have been better for the outcome of the previous


post's shot. We were in Mexico over the New Year holiday.





New Year's Eve we watched. . . . "Ghost town" which I LOVED. The


humor cracked me up. Be advised in the opening scene the main character is talking on


the phone to his wife (a conversation you can listen to with no concern) however when he then calls his realtor you might want to mute it and just know he cancels his deal with the


realtor. Also, towards the end of the movie when the dentist has a heart to heart with his


business partner. . . .some phraseology is used that totally describes him but is not


something you would necessarily want said in your home (you can listen until he is led to the dentist chair and asked to sit down). He is told by his partner that he is a total jerk and self consumed and no wonder he has no friends. . pretty much. I watched it 3 times. Laughed everytime.

To make the NEW YEAR memorable Trudy Rawlings, Lacey Rawlings and Shanlee Finch all jumped into the unheated swimming pool at the place were were staying. Well, I got in too but a little more slowly. We FROZE. Gave me an appreciation for those folks on the jetliner who were stuck in the river waiting for rescue. I thank them for the chance to travel to that beautiful place.

Wordless Friday Who and Where?

Post gift chuckles. ... . .

I already shared with you Sammy's confiding in me about future Christmas present desires. . . .Probably won't influence me much as there is quite a lot of comfort in knowing EXACTLY what the grandkids will be getting. Not such a bad thing for me to deal with. For our own children this year I tole painted quilting frame stands. Okay, I admit this is not a "hot' item on most people's want list but personally I have come upon situations when I really needed a set. . . . .so. . . . in case any of them are up against that "need" in the future. . . . . waa laa. . . .they are set.

+ + + + + + + + + a few interesting conversations are listed below+ + + + + + + + +

Thomas: (the Sunday following Christmas) Mother, I forgot to thank you for the quilt stands.

Becky: Oh, my gosh, he can't keep his hands off of them. . . .he's finished 3 quilts already this week.

+ + + + + + + + +

Donovan: (To Katie as he is looking in the back of their new truck, after receiving the "gift") Hey, Katie, what's with the fence?

+ + + + + + + + +

Bryce: Mom? Remember last year when you bought me ammo for my guns for Christmas. . . . .and then this year you got us those quilt stands? Well . . . . . . . . . .I just really like stuff for my guns.

+ + + + + + + + +

Love you guys. . . I will try to think of gifts next year from your perspective. . . K?

Gramma?

Sam: (While playing with the dogs at our house Friday) You know, gramma, . . . . uhm. . . remember those pajamas you made for us at Christmas?

Me: Yes.

Sam: (Silence) (Silence) Uhm . . . . . I just REALLY like toys.

Our dreams came true! A WHITE Christmas!

Our niece, Sarah, visited us from Provo over the weekend. Monday night we got a good-sized storm through the area and Sarah's anticipated 6:00 A.M. departure time on Tuesday morning was pushed back until 9:00 A.M. We managed to get her stuck, the Subaru stuck. . . . .the Dodge Ram Dakota stuck. Thanks to Andrew and Tommy helping we also managed to get them all UNstuck. NOTE: She traveled safely to Provo only encountering snow when she reached University Street in Provo!!

We celebrated Eric's 37th birthday on Monday night. The grandchildren helped with the Nativity reenactment. Pretty chaotic with so many little ones but hopefully they will remember the story and remember paying honor to the birth of the Savior as a family.

Some of the children and grandchildren went Christmas Caroling with us following the dinner. It was a blustery snowy walk but we were able to sing for a family whose mother had unexpectedly passed away 1 1/2 weeks ago. What sweet feeling to try to bring a bit of the tender spirit of Christmas to a family who are so obviously grieving over their loss.

Nearly Wordless Wednesday, it left me speechless

Sammy: Is this YOU grandma?

Me: Yes.

Sammy: You look really good.

Me: Thank you.

Sammy: I didn't know you could look like that.

Me: It was taken a long time ago.

Sammy: Yeah, before you got old.

Finished!!

It was nearly 30 years ago when I finished my 1st nativity set. . . .This is my 8th. It is always a treat to coat them with the antiquing stain and wipe them down to a more subdued look. I was a little reluctant to decorate early this year but thanks to Leigh dragging all the boxes out last Friday, we got it done. I am not sure why I seem to fight these things but the help I am given by Leigh is immeasurable. Now, as I walk through the house and see all the festive spots of color and sparkle, I love it!!
Our Thanksgiving was very nice. A little chaotic, but wonderful, none the less. I mention chaos because, in addition to having 13 adults and 12 children, we had 3 labs and 2 shitzus. . . .(in and out of the house pretty regularly) we also had a cold wet snow/rain storm (enough for a snowman) that helped oodles in keeping the childrens' clothes and our floor . . . . . .interesting.
Leigh accepted the assignment of frying the turkey. It was really delicious but the house just missed that special aroma of turkey with dressing slowly baking throughout the day and my gravy; I wasn't thrilled with how it turned out. We had Caroline's traditional jello, which we all love, Justin handled the relish tray department, Katie brought the pumpkin roll and Becky the baked cabbage and corn dishes. . . .We were stuffed. . . .even though the turkey was not.
Now we are planning a quick trip to SLC and Provo areas. Our nephew is getting married and we are going to try our hand at attending the MTC Christmas concert. . .no. . . .we have no tickets but "Yes" we are going anyway and trying the whole standby process. I will report later.
We will have a quiet holiday, in contrast to last year when we had the Christmas Eve chimney fire episode. . .I am rather thinking quiet will be great. When we brought the decorations out this year there was still a lot of smokey smell in them. When I first noticed it I sort of freaked out. . . . .as we had started a fire earlier in the day. . . . and I was certain the smokey smell was emanating from the chimney again. . . . .I was very glad to be wrong.
We are having an Eric's B-day celebration/Christmas Caroling party on the 22nd; you know, because Eric LOVES that kind of thing. . . Well, maybe not him but I think the children and grandchildren will like it.