My Christmas Joy!

 Oh I love these kiddos!  Love them from the top to the bottom!

Brandi and Doug's kiddos

 Ryan and Marci's kiddos

 Travis and Tenille's kiddos

and Tanner and Brooke's

Mary

I was looking through an old Christmas album I had put together when the kids were small and found a poem tucked in there that I thought I'd share.  It's simple but shows a mother's heart.


Mary,
When Jesus was a boy did he
Swing on the gates of Galilee,
Bring home foundling pups and kittens,
scuff his sandals, lose his mittens, 
Weight his pockets with a treasure
Adult eyes can never measure.
Scratch his hands and stub his toes
On rocky hills where cactus grows.
Set stones and quills and bits of thread
On the windowsill beside his bed
So that on waking he could see
All yesterday's bright prophecy?
Did he play tag with the boys next door,
Tease for sweets in the grocery store,
Whittle and smooth a spinning top
In his father's carpenter shop.
Run like wind to sail his kite,
Smile and sigh in his sleep at night.
Laugh with you in long-lost springs
About a thousand small, endearing things.
  Is he the one who said that you
Should always dye your dresses blue?
With eyes bright as cinnamon silk,
red lips ringed with a mist of milk.
Did he...lifting his earthen cup
Say: "Just wait until I grow up?"

    Mary O'Neill

Odds and Ends

Yes, I really am here.  Alive.  Enjoying a rather peaceful, uncomplicated Christmas season.  I love it.  I have had so many thoughts and experiences to share of my last month (for journaling sake, not that they matter to many others)- but you know how it is---you use it (or write it) or you lose it.  

David and I spent a wonderful week in St. George and Las Vegas at the first of the month.  It was just what we needed.  I love my husband.

The first 4 days we spent in St. George- our friends (and former next door neighbors) Penny and Tom were down there as well.  They had spent Thanksgiving with their family at Niki and Ross's amazing town home.  (remember Niki's "covet" decor....  
http://constantgrowingamazement.blogspot.com/2014/05/oh-beautiful.html )  We were in a use it or lose it timeshare.  We played with the Gwilliams for several days before they went home- lots of eating and game playing.  David was out at the track most mornings watching the race horses train. They really are beautiful.  And are pampered like no other.  I tease David that he's obviously joined the "horse of the month club" since he also got a new 3-year old quarter horse -Tonto- to train for a roping horse.  David and I were also able to go to the St. George temple.  I love this temple...it reminds me of a fairy tale.  

Then we headed to Las Vegas and met up with our friends, Laura and Lynn Barnson.  Several days at the convention center and Cowboy Christmas (where Laurie and I joke we've never seen so much decor made from barbed wire (lol)...or seen so much....cowboy STUFF.  I did have to send my high school friend Pam a picture of my spiffy boots with my too short pants (I should have listened to you, Pam.  If you're not walking on your jeans, they are too short for boots....)

We had 3 great days with the Barnsons, meeting up with friends/neighbors Cari and Nick for dinner one evening and great rodeo.  It actually goes for 9 days and David's (and Lynn's) dream to is go to 8.  (One is on Sunday and not our rodeo day).  Laurie and I could get some great shopping done in 8 days.  In fact, one evening we sent the guys off to the rodeo and we did some great Christmas shopping in Henderson and a nice dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  

All the way to St. George/Las Vegas (about 6 hours) and then halfway home, David and I listened to the book tape of Unbroken.....and we're only halfway done.  I feel like I've spent December living in World War 2.  Yesterday Mallorie and I went and finally saw Mockingjay.  I've seen and heard shooting up for the holidays.....I'm ready for a silent/ still,still.still Christmas.



Here's some odds and ends pictures-

~Some of my kiddos have chickens and gave me a great dozen of fresh eggs.  Look!  One was a twinner!  I don't know but it made me so happy.

 ~  have spent some fun time with various kiddos.  Watched my two little boys a couple of times.  You can tell when Annee visits because she has fun with my phone.  I love it all!

Made the most delicious cheeseburger soup.  I'm craving it again.  Really yum!  Recipe on the cooking blog.

~ I was talking to my son Ben, who lives up at Alta (on the mountain.)  He said, "Wow, the sunset is awesome."    I ran outside down here in the valley and it was so beautiful here as well.

I'm probably as excited as my Christmas gift to one of my grand doggies as anyone.....love Ben and Susie and their almost-like-a-kid doggy Bridger.

~Today in art class, somehow in a random conversation in class, I said I loved to put my hand under the air blower at the theater to dry my hands and see my skin jiggle all around.  Fellow painter, Betta, said "You always find joy in the simplest things."

I do.  Life is sweet.  I'll take it.

Mad Hatter Tea Party Mystery con't

I didn't have all my pictures of Gracie's Mad Hatter Mystery Tea Party.  Just wanted to include them here for the cute ideas that Brandi did.  It would be a fun theme for any party.

 Red Velvet cupcakes and a hot chocolate bar.

The following week Brandi did a party for Hallee Babe.  It was a movie theme and I didn't get one picture which was pretty funny since  I was part of the paparrazi at the beginning,.....several of us taking pictures as the girls entered.  Duh!  I'll tell you, my girl knows how to throw a party!

Tis the Season

Back from St. George and Las Vegas.  Had a great time but all the eating from these trips and the previous one has about put me over the edge.  But I don't think it is going to stop.....so, I guess I'll just enjoy.

I told myself I couldn't blog today since I don't have any Christmas up.  My goal today is the living room including the tree.  Bring it on!!!

Teeny Tiny Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was teeny tiny this year.  Just 8 pilgrims and no wild Indians.  I tried really, really hard to be mature.  Thankfully Aunt Pat and Cousin Casey and Cousin Carter (who HATES it when I make him put on his pilgrim hat...) and his partner, Amy and our boy Ben.  Susie was on ski patrol Thursday so she didn't get to come.....but their doggie Bridger came ` decked out in his tuxedo collar.  Love this dog!

Here's my favorite pilgrim.

Above, Bridger in a tux!

These are the garlands Aunt Pat and I made.  Tenillie came later in the day so she finished hers.  Love them!

And I made this new dessert for Thanksgiving.  Pioneer Women makes a delicious pumpkin sheetcake
(which I noticed on t.v. this week while recovering from the flu.)  I topped with with the praline topping I make for our pumpkin crepes.  It was a winner.

  I would post the recipe immediately on the cooking blog but my husband is choppin' at the bit to get on the road to St. George.  We are going there until Thursday, then headed to Las Vegas for the National Rodeo Finals.  Home next week.  Hee-haw!