Christmas is such a busy time for everyone and now that the kids are all married, I see them stress as they stretch themselves to be everywhere. Soooo, I started a tradition that the Sunday before Christmas is mine. A holiday that I don't have to share. That's when we have everyone over to celebrate and exchange gifts. (However, doesn't mean that I DONT want to see them on Christmas)...Anyways...now that our family is growing with little ones, we want to take the opportunity to share our testimonies and our feelings about the REAL meaning of Christmas here as well. We tried to make a copy to watch on video of a sweet story I saw on Heather's blog..but it didn't work..so last minute...we found one of the many stories we have in our stash and I sat on the floor and read it to the kids. It was the Santa story to teach the children. Next year...we'll be better prepared, but the kids seemed to love it! We talked about who was the center of Christmas and Payson shouted out "ME!" oops!

We had a nice dinner and enjoyed one another's company. Mick & Brandyn and family and Angela & Shawn went into together to give Rick & I an overnight stay at the Homestead. Pretty nice eh! Chris & Tahnie gave me a beautiful family picture to hang on our wall. I'm excited to have one to add to our wall finally! It all ended too soon, and they all had to go home. Work and school the next day. I had taken my Dad to go visit Mom as usual that Sunday and Dad was planning on coming over for the celebration. He wasn't feeling well so I took him home instead. Made me sad! I hate that he's alone so much!

So if you know me, you know that I love the Santa part of Christmas. Don't get me wrong..I have such a testimony of my Savior and the REAL meaning of Christmas. There is nothing more tender and true to my heart. BUT....the Santa part is a fun thing for me! I wish mr. Claus got into with me..but anyways...When Payson was small, I wanted Gramma, Grampa, Santa and Payson in a picture, but Rick wasn't having it....we all know how much Rick LOVES pictures. So anyway...I thought fine..Payson and I will and there began a new tradition...Gramma, Santa, and grandkids! Each year I insist on the visit with picture. We finally were able to meet up with Tahnie's schedule Friday December 19th. We met at the mall and the line wasn't too bad. Especially when the cousins could spend the waiting time playing dog pile and running amuck around the courtyard! I love the picture...it's not perfect, in fact as you can see Kallie was not having it! We put her on Santa's lap and she wondered who on earth he was and reached out for ANYONE who would get her off his lap. Gramma next to her was not good enough! Preslie was more interested in my earrings and was trying to yank one off. But ya know...it's the real life things that I love about sharing time with these angels! They don't like strangers, and well...Payson was not buying he was real anyway....at least his beard was real! To all you non believers! Hope all you got was underwear!

Mid December, Mick needed a babysitter and I was available...yahoo...another "gramma fix" day! Icabod had delivered some Christmasy pillow cases to our house, so I delivered them. Payson thought his was cool, but didn't want to cover his Cooler pillow in his new room! Preslie and Talan loved theirs, Talan sang me a song about his~He will sing all sorts of stories to you if you take the time to listen. He's a funny kid. We watched Santa Buddies, read, colored and played on the floor with Preslie. The day swept by! Payson was in school all day so I only got to see him for awhile. He's so into his friends, that after his greetings to his gramma, they were off to play. They did come join me with a game of "go Fish", but you know little boys...they didn't last long and were soon off to play havoc on the toy room. I enjoy just being there to watch them thrive in their own lives. I hope Rick & I are ALWAYS cool to them! Preslie is such a happy baby, in spite of her tummy issues. She spits up like no other, but she's not fussy at all. She was entertained a good part of the day by the ruffling of the tissue! Talan picked out her outfit and refused to allow me to change the shirt that she has quickly grown out of.

The Month of December is full of all kinds of Things!

Since about 1992 I believe...we have been painting ceramic Christmas tree ornaments. The kids love it...even the big ones as you can see. They pretend to humor me, but they are actually pretty good at it. I originally started this so my children can take their ornaments with them as they begin their new little families...however, I just can't let go of them. Each of them take on their own little story! This year, I had soooo many, I couldn't fit them on the tree. OKay,....if you guys want them, I'll start letting you add to your collection, but only if your ReAlLY want them. They are too precious to me to throw away.

Decorating the tree with just Rick & I just isn't much fun...but when I get to look at all the detailed work the children have done over the years, brings back sooo many memories! Payson & Talan enjoy looking at who painted what, (they have to sign their name and year on the back of each one). I LOVE decorating for Christmas and this just adds something more special to it!

TRadITiOnS/makin' ginger bread trains!

We gathered at Mick & Brandyn's for left over Thanksgiving and to watch the Utah-BYU game. The guys took over the family room and we gathered in the kitchen and played in frosting and candy....much better than the DuMb Game! Good game BYU...I don't care what my man fans say! They sound like POOR SPORTS!

THANKSGIVING DAY

Thanksgiving Day was an great day! The boys slept real good and woke up about 730ish...not bad. And the day was off to a steady pace! I headed out to pick up my Dad about 11:00 ish while Rick stayed home with the boys and to guard the Turkey..guard..not so sure thats the right word..But he was in charge! I asked Dad if he wanted to see Mom and he hesitated and I said, Dad, you don't have to, she won't know the difference! It makes Dad so sad when we visit-he misses who she was sooo much! I'm sure this holiday season is a rough one for him. I said, why don't we just head to my house and if you change your mind, we'll stop on the way home and he thought that was a great idea. We didn't stop. He was tired, and I didn't offer it. Didn't want to damper his day...call me a bad daughter, but it just wasn't in me this day! I'm so glad we did it that way. Dad seemed to really enjoy his stay. He didn't seem down and really enjoyed watching the game and hanging with each of us! He's never been a turkey fan, so I had a ham in the crock pot..it wasn't very good though---sorry Dad...kind of tasted like card board! We had the works...Mick was in charge of a veggie and pumpkin pies and Ang was in charge of the mashed potatoes and salad. I made some yams with apples and walnuts mixed in...with a little bit of marshmellows and cornbread stuffing which is a must. The turkey got done about an hour earlier than I had planned, but that ended up being a good thing. The striped jello was a hit with Payson, and Talan...well I think he ate cereal!! To be a kid again-they just don't know what their missing! Thanksgiving is not one of my favorite holidays...a lot of work and now that I'm in charge of the main mean...I miss out on the fun with everyone visiting and playing. This year I said no to that and asked for help. It was really nice. Next year I think I'll follow the Walker family plan and have pie night either the night before or after Turkey day. We had all these wonderful desserts and everyone too full to enjoy one of them. No one had any!

We have so many things to be thankful for! We are abundantly blessed in more ways to list here, but I will say that I'm most thankful for my Eternal companion and our Family that we are a part of! They really do complete me! Corny, but true!

I've thought a lot about some of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving while growing up...I too want to create memories that my family will hold dear. Mostly the gathering of loved ones. While small...with my Grandma & Grandpa Allgood and the zillion cousins we had to play with...40 something...then in my early teens and young adulthood...Aunt Joy's cafe...making it a whole weekend event, sleeping at the cafe and playing games till wee hours of the night....Remember "Injun" poker with Doug & Gerrie...laughing till our guts hurt so! Miss those days! And a few years with my own siblings and their kids. I wish we were all closer and not so spread apart through the miles! With my own little family...I look forward to many years of fun filled holiday weekends and hope that we all will have the desire to gather together and enjoy one another always! That's my goal...That's my dream. I really LOVE our kids and the people they have become....and that includes their spouse's! I can see where they complete my child!

Prep night for Turkey Day!!! Couldn't do it without the help of the BoYS

Mick & Brandyn stopped by on Wednesday before Thanksgiving... Chris had asked to borrow their DVD player for their trip to Vegas. They were only here for a few and the boys were WAY sad to leave, so they had a sLeepOVer instead and helped Gramma cook! Talan LOVED making the rolls! When we said...We don't have any jammies...he immediately said...it's okay..I'll sleep in my "Sponge Bob SquarePants!" and dropped the drawers right then! He was REAdY! And he had a blast in the dough...too bad they didn't turn out! He doesn't know that though...SHHH!

Shawn turned 26 this past Monday. Wowsers...my two oldest walking on the brink of "30". When did THAT happen!!! I now understand what my parents use to say all the time...you just don't understand the travel of time...enjoy your age, don't rush it!" Seems like yesterday that we brought this little guy home from the hospital after 12 hours of stay in the hospital. We were SOOO financially poor, but rich in love and excitement as we added this sweet little guy to the circle we called family! Rick was SOOOO PROUD to bring that son into the world. Back in the day that you didn't know what you were having until the arrival. What a day. I will NEVER forget Rick's jump for joy!
Shawn has grown into an awesome young man who has accomplished a lot in his life so far. His dream for soccer has never dimenished, but the direction has taken a new turn. He would LOVE to play professional, but instead he has this wonderful gift to coach and teach the game! He coaches a boys competitive team and they LOVE him and they respond so well to him. He has always had such a gift to see the whole game...the whole field and knows what needs to happen as a player and now as a coach! He'll never tire of the game and it's a joy for he and his Dad and sometimes bro to jump in and talk the talk about all the details of the game! I LOVE watching him play or coach. It's a joy to watch him succeed at the things he LOVES!
He & Angela have been married almost 1 1/2 years and they are doing great! Shawn will graduate from the University of Utah in just a few weeks. We are so proud! He and Angela who we love as a daughter have created their own little world for them to grow and prosper in...can't wait to see their new adventures that will come about soon! Happy Birthday Shawn! Your awesome and we are SOO PROUD!

WAAHHOOO! WHaT a THrIlL!

Wow...what an awesome day! A beautiful November, fall day.
I started the day working :(...but that's okay..kept me occupied for the morning. I told my supervisor for the morning to please schedule me an hour off early this afternoon...just felt like I was needed to jump off something...he emailed me back and wondered if everything was okay!!!
As the day got closer and closer..a part of me kind of hoped the weather wouldn't hold out...I was getting nervous. But this morning...I wasn't. I was excited. Couldn't wait for it. Mickie and Brandyn picked up Rick to meet me up there cause there was no need for me to come back home and Shawn & Ang were coming from a baptism in Mid way! They really thought I would back out. Honestly, the more Shawn said that....the more I wanted to do it! I had posted the activity online on facebook so there was no backing out without looking like a fool. Driving up there by myself...I was so excited. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. I arrived about 2:15 and our appointment was at 3...Rick, Mick, Brandyn,and the kids had been there for a few before me! I didn't really get nervous until I got off the freeway, driving toward the airport. But not the nervous that you want to run and hide...more anxious than anything. We just waited out front, took a few stops to the bathroom with the boys..and me! and before we knew it, it was time to walk through the hanger door. We walked into a playground for these jumping junkies. They were all gathered, busy doing whatever it is they do...get the chutes ready...shoot the bull...they have quite the set up out there. Something I would see on tv!
They had us sign the consent form...having to write out and not just initial the part that we understand the death is a possibility. This is the part where Shawn thought for sure I would back out. I just told him..I signed one of those papers each time I gave birth...it's going to take more than that to scare me!
Pretty soon..they were dressing us in the "Lovely" jump suits and fitting our helmets and such. The only training we had was to lay on this auto mechanics cart thing to show us how to lay in the air...CRAZY. the tandum dudes had hard helmets, we just had these leather things...Sam asked why and Derek just said it was better that they were consicious when we hit the ground..funny!
As we flew to 12,000 ft above ground we just enjoyed the scenic view. We could see pineview, all of ogden, into Cache county and the Mantua lake as well of the great salt lake of course. WOWSERS ! unreal. It all went WAY TOO FAST! we received some instructions on board as our tandum dudes cinched us to them. He described to me the feeling would be something I've never felt before..not like a roller coaster ride..just something of it's own. How right he was. It was surreal! IT was amazing! I don't even remember being upside down as in one of the first pictures..jumping out was a little over the top...sccoting to the door..almost like I wasn't even there...and then we were going down and I had to remember to breath. The pictures look like I'm puckering up for a kiss or something...nope...just trying to remember to breath...the cold air was the cause of that says Derek...or the fact that I just jumped from a plane! I knew we would free fall for about 60 seconds...we spum a little but it didn't make me feel sick...just trying to soak up what I was doing...SO FUN! then the shoot came up...like the biggest swing ride you have ever had! Higher Daddy...higher...please...the funnest thing ever! Have I said that yet???
My tandum dude was so fun. Kind of a smarty pants, but loving his job and helping me to have a fun time as well. We did a big swoop do doop....and I said..hey...lets add some excitement in our lives...head for the freeway...but he wasn't game! J/K...honestly...it was so cool. and as I watch the video and the pictures...just can't stop smiling! WAY WAY FUN! I want to Go again! Thanks Sam for joining me...to all you chicken's that wouldn't go....BLAH! You missed out on the funnest thing EVER!

Footprints in our heart

Last night we had such a treat! Toni Keate Norton graced us with a visit while she was in town visiting the many loved ones who want to embrace her! How lucky and blessed we felt to have her over for a few!
Toni is a dear sweet friend who touched a part of Rick's heart years ago while they were in high school. She was such a dear friend to him, during such a turmuluous time in his life. What a life line she was! What a support, a kind hand, word and sometimes a shoulder when things were more than they should have EVER been! She is one of the angels sent from heaven to help my Rick stay strong, so that when we met, he was ready to embrace the gospel they had showed him was true through their living! I wish I had the words to describe the love that I have always seen Rick behold for her. He says, "that their are few people in this life that have a corner of his heart besides me and she is one...not in any romantic way, but in the truest sense of a forever friend! How fun it was to reconnect with her. She is AMAZING! She is a rock! She doesn't see herself that way right now....but wow..if she could see the vision we see from our view! Toni recently lost her sweetheart to a cruel disease ALS! What a hell she has been through! And he! Bryan was a sweet man and they were so in love. Her heart in broken and we pray she will find a way to mend it! She is part of the miracles that protected my Rick! How does one thank someone for that? I'm sad that she lives in a far away land called Oregon. She and Bryan have always invited us to come....and that thing called life never opened the door to do so. We hope to this summer. She has a beach house outside of Beaverton Oregon...oh what a dreamy thing to have! How I love the beach. So does she! We look forward to seeing her there!

Happy Birthday Stacey, Mom & Gramma!

singing happy birthday and Ang and Talan playing "going on a treasure hunt!"...seee, we kind of suck at taking pictures...kids I need help! All the kids were here to celebrate..just didn't manage getting us all in a picture! URRR!
More excitement to come to embrace this "old age" Rick & the kids are paying my way to go...sky diving! It's scheduled for this Saturday...hope the weather holds out. Shawn...I promise...I'm gonna do it! You are just making me want to more!



Mick & her family brought me this cute candy bar card...
Poster says..."HERSHEY'S 50! Do you hear SNICKERS from those around you? That's good your hearing hasn't gone yet. They are jealous you still look like a JUNIOR MINT at 50! But soon you'll have BUTTERFINGER feel your bones CRUNCH and say where's my WHATCHAMACALLIT! I had a hard time finding a gift. I thought i would TAKE 5 in NEW YORK, but it wasn't PAYDAY! I couldn't find tickets to the MILKY WAY so I made you this card before your too old to read or chew it! Please don't ROLO over sick, eating your M&M's or REESES.