Mom's 80th Birthday Celebration

"To laugh often and much; 

to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; 

to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. 

To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; 

to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. 

This is to have succeeded."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Birthday, Mom, Grandma and Super Grandma!

Mom and Dad ~ rock solid, salt of the earth people.

In celebration of Mom's 80th, we all put Memories and Family Photos in Photo book for Mom &
Dad and published it for them.  Then we all got together in Iona for a combined birthday party  and Christmas celebration on December 15th. Most of us were there, we were just missing a few sons.

Nathanial, Charlie, Ashton and 

 All the little ones loved all the mats and gym equipment up on the stage . . . it kept them happy!

AJ, Tony, Jon and Linda

 One of the best things about getting together is we get to visit and eat scrumptious food!  There are some pretty good cooks in this family!

Cory, MaCaleb, Arianne, Lori, Jayden

Reed and Maya - isn't she the cutest little elf!

Scott, Shellie, Ann, Stacey, Brook and Stephanie

Brooke, Stephanie, Holli and Jennifer

Shellie and Ann

Danielle and 

Cory, Tiffany, Brett. Nathanial, Ashton, James and Hunter

Lori and Jayden

Korrina, Josie, AJ, Lori, Tony

 Ann and Doug put together some fun photos from Mom's life

Clockwise: Shellie, Mom, Dad,  Danielle, Ann, Rod, Jarod

 Lori brought some fun Christmas games to play.

Cory and MaCaleb

Brianna, Braxton, Tahryn, Lori

Arianne

Festival of Trees 2012 ~ Judy Gets Her Wings

There's a feeling in the air

There's excitement everywhere!

 This is my favorite project every year ~ and when we arrive at the South Towne Expo Center to set up our tree, I feel giddy with excitement and anticipation. There is so much love in this building I am amazed the roof can stay on! As we visited with our neighbors and walked around looking at the amazing trees in various stages of creation, the artistry is amazing - but it is the love that is packed into each display that is so poignant.  Every story is touching and memorable. And every cent that is earned through the Festival of Trees goes to help children receive the medical care they so desperately need.

  "Judy Gets Her Wings." This beautiful tree is dedicated with love to our dear friend, Judy, who left us after a valiant fight against cancer.  She loved everyone and spent her time serving and helping others every day.  She was an angel and dear friend, who set a shining example of Christlike love and compassion.  ~ Judy has truly earned her wings.

Our Festival Crew ~  Ardis, Sandy, Kathy ~ in front
Paula (our amazing designer), Carolyn, Barbara and Lynn (our quilter)
Many others helped during the year as we made the decorations for the tree and others gave financial support.

 A few of the other things at the festival that I really liked

 There is always a little friendly rivalry going on . . . one family did two trees -  BYU & /UofU side by side and they both had these delightful signs, "In this house . . ."  I had to send this to Cori, our True Blue Through and Through, Died in the Wool, BYU fan

 Lots of fun trees, and many amazing displays.

 A  delightful advent calendar made out of an old window

 This was my very favorite ~ an almost life size nativity

This tree is crocheted ~ and this lovely lady spent over 800 hours doing it!  This is her third tree for the Festival and she had her own touching story to tell.  This is such an amazing event.  Last year over a million dollars was raised to help children get the medical help they need at Primary Children's Hospital.

 "We look for visions of heaven, 

and we never dream 

that all the time 

God is in the commonplace things 

and the people around us.” 

Oswald Chambers, quoted in These High Green Hills, Jan Karon,p 86

Hunter, Salyx, Talon, Ashton, Fisher, Eden and Grace playing tag

 The days couldn't have been more perfect during the Thanksgiving holiday - sunshine and blue skies.  Cori & Jesse, Grace, Grant & Eden drove up from Phoenix, Tiffany & Brett flew in from Phoenix, Arianne and her boys, Charlie, James and Nathanial  drove down from Salt Lake, Brittany and Cory, Ashton, Hunter and Macaleb are only a few blocks away and Ethan, Megan and Joshua joined us on Friday.  

Taking a cookie break, Fisher, Grant and Talon had to play a few games of Wii Sports

 When the Phoneix kids got up and looked outside, they were thrilled to see their little friends from Monticello playing next door.  They quickly got some games of tag going - and it made my heart glad to see them all out on the lawn . . . it took me back two decades ago when these kids' parents were out playing those same games together. It is delightful to see them all together again.

Fisher and Grant - Wii Baseball or maybe taht was golf . . .

Fisher and Talon look so much like their Dad!  

Grace and Grant, Hunter and Ashton getting a little air time

 The weather just begged us to be outdoors!  We got the leaves raked, a cord of wood piled and lots of air time on the trampoline.

Grant and Charlie, James and Nathanial on the slide with Arianne watching

 We had a lovely crowd of 22 for Thanksgiving ~ all of our family except D and D, (we missed you!) were here plus a few friends and neighbors. Normally, someone gets a photo shot of all of us at the very long table -but we didn't get even one this year! 

Jesse, Cori, Macaleb, Brett, Ray, Tiffany, Cory

After Thanksgiving dinner, the sports come on and newspaper ads are spread out and perused, shopping lists are made.  This living room was carpeted with newspaper.  After all of this, we get the game boards out and play Ticket to Ride, Corporation, Pinochle, Bobble, or Settlers nibbling away on treats and goodies until the wee hours of morning.

Ariaane, Jamisol, James, Jesse, Macaleb, Cori, Brett

 Here it is - the Technology Revolution ~ you've seen the ads and this is real!  Almost everyone is on their phone or computer!  

 Brittany made these cute tippie cupcakes for all the kids.

Eden and Tiffany ~ coloring

Like father, like son . . . how many times have we seen Cory take a photo of himself?  Hunter follows suit - only he took about 120 photos!

Macaleb

So grateful for these beautiful people Heavenly Father has blessed us with to call family ~ we love you all!