Favorite Christmas Memories

These are happy Christmas Memories. Thank you Bret for bringing us all!

Almost missed Shawn.

Handsome faces!

Nicole and the kids looking up at Christ in the visitor center. I like to try and read their eyes.
Chrisitmas is the BEST!

Clark Family Dinner

Christmas Dinner at Jim and Judy's. Happy people that I love. We are missing Steve and Jeff.

Goodness radiates from these two!

What a happy Christmas!

Happy Birthday Millie!

Millie Happy Birthday! You are 4 years old and so beautiful! There happens to be a little flash of light on your face. Could is be a fairy flashing by?

Look at those gorgeous eyes and long lashes. How is that fancy jeep you and Maizie are riding around? Does she let you have a turn being the driver? Hope I get to see you on your mom's blog with your Lady Ga Ga too too on.
Millie, I think this is a real fairy house. Isn't it amazing! There is a light shinning on the left side. Maybe it is the same fairy that was flashing across your face. I will keep my eyes out for more Wallsburg Fairies and Fairy Houses. When I see them I will send pictures to you. I like your doll's name and I love you. Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! XOXOXO

Today is Christmas

* The sky is starting to lighten. I haven't been able to sleep all night, so excited, so many things to remember. Can you see the pride in this littlest angel as he holds the Christ Child while Mary sleeps? I love the little manger that Grandpa made with the new born baby in it. It always brings Christmas to my heart! I am sure Santa made it to all of your houses, because you are the NICEST children I know. Kids give your Moms and Dads a great big hug and tell them Thank You for helping you celebrate a fabulous Christmas all month long. I love you all head to toe. Merry, Merry Christmas! Naps anyone?

Santa

I have always loved this drawing of Santa. But I think he would have a hard time keeping those candles lit as he blows through the sky on his Christmas Eve Journey. Abbie, do you believe like Grandma does? I think so! Katie the snow is so deep are you making snow huts? It almost Christmas Eve! Dax and Jace are you being kind and helpful to your Mom? Oh, be good everyone. I can hardly wait!

No sleeping yet Santa

I think Santa is a little like Grandpa. He is trying to sneak a nap sitting up. Lucky for us his ever ready elfs are there to wake him up. Only four more days Santa, then you can have a nice long snooze. We are waiting and hoping. Shawn, there is so much snow, I think Santa will have a soft landing on your roof. Dax, Jace, and Grady I bet Santa saw you boys delivering Christmas treats. Oh be good everyone, magic is in the air.

Belive!

Last night I dreamed I heard Santa's Bells. Did I dream it or was Santa in Wallsburg? Grandpa Bowden's eyes would always light up when he heard Christmas Bells. Has anyone heard them lately? If you truly Believe listen! Millie and Maizie are you being good.?Are you listening? I hear Lucy that you are cleaning your house, way to go sweet girl! Dax and Jace are you being kind to Grady. Teach him listen for bells. I believe! and Christmas is only 5 Days away, Yikes! I love you!

So much to do at Christmas!

This spotted little fellow must have gotten out of his pen. It is good Santa has so many elf's to help at the North Pole. I heard whisperings in the air that Lucy and Abbie are A #1 baby sitters. They know how to change Jayne and get her in her PJ's and clean the house while Kim is gone. Oh I feel sure the elves saw those kind acts. Maizie and Millie I bet they are peeking in on your good deeds. ONLY SIX MORE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE!

Christmas Magic

Oh, the night is filled with magic. Elf's scampering across window sills to see those "Nice" little children and report back to Santa. Each night before you go to bed this last week of waiting for Christmas, peek out your window. Watch for especially bright stars, even shooting stars, saying, " Get Ready, Christmas is coming." If you truly "Believe" jump in your jami's fast, climb right into bed before your Mom even needs to ask.. Sweet Dreams! He is coming!

Jace I know how important it is to your Dad for you to brush your teeth. He loves sweet smelling breath. I think this funky elf must be trying to be "Nice" for Santa. I hope he gets to the yellow part on his teeth. Are you brushing? It is snowing like crazy right now, the reindeer must be pawing the ground with excitement. The elves are super busy! Santa is flipping his suspenders. Everyone be GOOD!

Christmas

This is a father reindeer and his son. Notice the horns already growing. I like his white spots. I wonder if he gets to watch his Father get ready to pull Santa's sleigh? Soon it will be his turn too. Jace, are you being kind at school? Lucy--are you helping your mom clean up the kitchen after the kids have gone to school? CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

Christmas Is Coming!

OH MY GOSH! I think Rudolf just showed up on my front lawn. I wonder if he was talking a practice run for Christmas Eve? Millie, I know it has been snowing at your house maybe he will show up in your back yard. Keep a close look out for him. Dax, are you being good? I will keep my favorite children in the whole world informed if I see any more Christmas Sightings. I love your bones this winter morning!

Turkeys for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was almost perfect this year, except for one tiny thing. WE MISSED THE THOMPSONS LIKE A MAD DOG!!!!!! We are sending a few of our favorite turkey pictures to warm up our crazy bones.

These three look tender and juicey. Aged to perfection
The mighty Kade "Howdy Howdy"

Tongues of the turkeys before cooking, wings wrapped around the head.

The biggest Tom teaching the younger Toms how to strut. Thompsons can you top us? We love you at this Thanksgiving time. We are thinking warm and tender thoughts about you!!!

Heath and Kade's Birthday

On this rainy day I can feel the warmth of Florida, but mostly the warm of the Thompsons. I love this family! It is already November and time to Celebrate Heath and Kade's Birthday. Heath you are so perfect for Kelly. I remember when you brought her home from the hospital after back surgery. You had flowers planted up the walk and flowers all over your bedroom. You took such good care of her. You are a great father to your family and husband to Kelly. You always make me feel welcome in your home. Tom and I are proud of you and all the hard work you do to take care of your family. Hope you have a Happy Birthday. Kade you are a torpedo! I loved watching you play football. You have so much energy, you are everywhere, tackling that poor quarterback. The coach knew what he was doing when he put those stickers on your helmet. What fun I had watching your team toilet paper each other's houses. It is great that you and your Dad will always get to celebrate your birthdays together. What a Happy Birthday present you were to your Dad! Here is the biggest Happy Birthday Wish to the both of you. Grandpa and I love you always and forever!
P.S. Sometime Kelly when you have time will you call me and teach me how to get pictures off of your blog, and on to mine? Hope you are feeling good today!

October Birthdays!!!

Cute Shawn, the whole world is decorated up for your Halloween Birthday. You are such a delight!!! Nothing warms my heart more than your sincere hugs. I thank my lucky cockles for you!

Jenny, last night I just sat and looked at you across the table. Your hair, your eyes, and complexion was so beautiful. I always feel a warmth from you. I love you so. I hope those shoes bring a zing to your feet.

Happy Halloween to everybody. I hope your many many activities are filled with squishy, gooey fun! I love all you goblins!

Family

I love this cozy swing that Dad made for us. I have just been sitting on it thinking about how much I love my family. Katy and Shawn have spent a few nights with us. We cleaned out the Messing Tree, clocked quite a few hours on the four wheeler, and made pink salt dough. They molded round little bums and laughed and laughed, it must be an inside joke. It is so interesting to see how much these children are like their parents. Shawn says the funnest things that are so Bret. Katy was constantly wanting to feed the horses, Trigger being her favorite. Both of them got a longing look in their eyes when they talked to Nicole on the phone.Then we went to Kim's Sacrament Program. Oh how proud we were. Lucy grinned and started out the program with style, she sang every word. Abbie was gorgeous is her baptism dress, Max was handsome and serious. Each of them gave their speaking part perfectly. The best part was watching Kim smile from ear to ear through the whole program. These children know they are loved. Can't believe Emilee wasn't up there too. She is now a beautiful teenager. We were late and sat on the back row through the sacrament, little Jayne has so much charisma, she was bare foot, dressed in pick, and such a flirt. She kept teasing us by coming part way to us and then turning around and running back to her safety net, her mom. What an amazing family the Millers are. Bret is such a blessing to our family right now. There is no way for me to express the gratitude I feel for him. Prayers are often answered by members of a family, whether on this side of the veil or the other. I love Matt. How I wish life was not so hard for him. I wish I knew better how to be his mother. I wish I could just cuddle him up on the front porch swing and hold him like I could when he was a little boy. I know he is sick and sad tonight and I feel that way too. I long for the Heaps, I love their pictures on Jamie's action filled blog. They are growing up way too fast. Dax just recited his Primary talk that he gave today. . . so official. He was so proud and so was Jamie. Oh Happy Day In The Morning, Jamie just said they are coming for Thanksgiving!!!! She has some new games for us to play. These September days are so beautiful, I must not wish for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Thompsons, how I wish I was babysitting for you this week. I want to see how everyone gets ready for school. What they had for lunch and what their dreams are. I hope Kelly and Heath are having a wonderful trip. . . I wonder if they know how lucky they are to get away alone to exciting places so often? I guess what I want to say after all this rambling is that I am so honored to belong to you. You are parenting me and Dad too. We watch you all and smile. Thank you for all the car pooling, and homework and scouts and sports; thank you for always being there and never giving up; thank you for cleaning up the throw up and the leaky diapers: thank you for reading scriptures at breakfast and praying together. Someday your kids will thank you, but for now I will be their voice and say THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!

Birthdays

Happy Birthday Sweet Katy! You are one happy energetic child. We love your new gymnastic moves, your chickens, and the horse you named Sadie. She is mighty lucky to have you on her back. Grandpa and I hope you have a Wonderful Day Tomorrow. Happy Happy Birthday! We can't wait to see your new ear rings. Both of these pictures are pretty darn old, but they still make us smile. McKinnley we hear you got make up for your birthday and you are trying out for cheer. Your Mom had some mighty fine moves in her day, she is a good teacher. Sounds like your Dad made you a yummy Birthday Dinner. Everyone loves McKinnley!!!!! Grandpa and I sending you Birthday Wishes and Kisses. XOXOX

Saying Good Bye To Summer

Clark Doofs

This blog is for Kade. Here are your favorite cousins sending the secret wave and goofy look. Hope you know how much you are loved!

Kade you inspired us all, love Tyler and Grandma

Hold It Men

Only Jamie could stop our future life guards in their morning run to take a picture with the ladies. The first guy on the left can't figure out what is going on, but he has white thighs anyway. But Wha La, a new cover for Sports Illustrated. Matt you could easily kick their butt.

These are the days!

These are the days we will remember forever. It feels like yesterday that we were at Lagona and I had five small children, I turn around and I am a grandma of many beautiful beach children. Life passes so fast. Heaven lies about us in our families. We must hold each day carefully and count it a gift. This is from our Family Mission Statement written long ago:"We treasure the beauty of this world and our ability to laugh and be happy as a family. We want to be eternal friends. We must have the courage to act on what we believe and know to be right. We will be one to the end. . .or the beginning."

Matt was in my thoughts constantly. I could imagine him catching a pigeon, or doing a back flip, or loving to see the octopus that we found in the rocks. I look to the day when he too will have a partner.

Thompsons you were there with us. We could hear all your laughter, imagine you jumping the waves, running to the hot tub, swimming all those mighty fine swimming strokes. We love you all so!!! You are always in my heart no matter where I am. I can't wait to come out, or have you come here. Kelly keep a good eye on the plane flights. Grandpa and I love you all.

Abbie's Baptism

Yesterday Abbie was baptised. July 31, 2010. We are so proud of her. She looked beautiful in her fancy white dress. She sat so proud on the front row with her Dad all in white, and little Lucy. Max gave the opening prayer and he looked and sounded like a missionary.There was the most beautiful song, Jesus Came To John the Baptist, sung by a cute family. When Abbie bore her testimony in the chapel after she was bastised she metioned that she felt the Holy Ghost when the girls sang. I think we all did. Abbie you did such a good job. You are lucky to have your Dad baptise you! We all love you!!!

What a darlying 8 year old!

The 24th was fun this year. Emilee drove the Ranger and everyone had a squirt gun. The best part was Kim and Jason's sharing of their experience at treck. Grandpa and I loved having the Millers for a few days all to our selves.