Special Days

We've had some extra-special occasions recently, too. On November 28th, Haydn was blessed in Cameron. He wore the same blessing gown the other boys wore. I originally made it in 2000 when Josiah Eram was blessed.



On December 4th in Nauvoo, Illinois, Seth was baptized. It is hard to believe he is already eight years old! Right after his baptism, Katherine Rose, his littlest sister, was blessed. Her blessing gown is the fifth one made from the fabric left over from Laura's wedding dress.

A whole bunch of us went to Nauvoo to be able to be with Jonah's family. We stayed in the "Hartley House," the house across the street from Jonah. The family lets people stay there by appointment. We had Rob, Keenan and me; Sarah and Kevin, and family; Josiah and Kris, and family; Kizzie and Andy, and their boys; and Mable and Zak. There were 25 of us, in all, in that house.
We. had. so. much. fun!


 




 

On our way out of Nauvoo, Rob and I stopped and got a couple pictures of us. It was cold, and pretty.

Thanksgiving 2010

We held Thanksgiving at Sasha and Bryan's house this year. All the local families, except Kizzie's, as well as Jonah's down from Nauvoo, had dinner together. Afterward, Kizzie and Andy joined us for a combined birthday party for Cole (9) and Tessa (17). Then, we had dessert and more fun visiting. Here are a couple of collages from that day. These are people for whom I am very, very thankful!

One More Trip to Washington

I won't say it got old going to Washington this year, because I loved every trip! It did become a little more routine than it has been, but I feel very grateful to have been able to spend time with so many family members there.

This last trip of the year was made between the teenager night and Thanksgiving. I took some pictures from the plane. I don't know where the lakes were, but I loved the shine. And, I never tire of any view of Mt. Rainier.

I got to spend four days in a row with my parents, then six days with Sally. I was back at my parent's the last night so they could take me to the airport the next day. That last day was a pretty eventful one. Seattle got one of the worst snow storms for that time of year ever! Thankfully, my parents made it home safely, if not uneventfully!

The view from Sally's in Edmonds toward Kingston, where my parents and sisters live. I love this view!

Snow up the steps and on Dad's blue spruce.

My view of Sea-Tac Airport on my way home. Ugh!

Fun with Teenagers!

My six oldest grandchildren came to party with me in November. We had so much fun!

I have boxes and boxes of 'stuff' upstairs that need to be purged, and the kids love to go up there. Some of them even like to rummage through the boxes. So, we got together to get started on the ginormous task. 

They came on Tuesday evening, the 9th. We visited and played games. After one round of Pit to help them get the hang of it, I turned them free at the table. Oh! It was heartening to listen to them enjoying themselves together. It also reminded me of years and years and years of listening to, watching, and/or playing, Pit. And, never fear: there were plenty of snacks!

Isobel, Aliyah, Jolie, Emma, Tessa and Jacob

Sometime after midnight, they all sacked out somewhere. It put me in mind of the children's book The Relatives Came, a great read for anyone.

Emma, Jolie, Isobel and Aliyah

We had waffles for breakfast and then went upstairs. They were all wonderful, hard-working and happy. We accomplished a lot and agreed we would do it again. I am so thankful for them and their help. In the afternoon, I made pizza for them. Mmm. Mmm.

Tessa, Jacob, Jolie and Emma at the counter. Isobel and Aliyah are at the table in the background.

The cool thing is that they all like me enough that they're coming back on New Year's Eve and we're going to ring in the year together! I'm lovin' it!

Giveaway at 'Forever and a Day' - Check it out!

 

Almost over??? (continued)

I've made several trips out to Washington this year to help Sally and Harold, as much as I can. I traveled there in March, May, June, August and September. I am hoping to get out there before Thanksgiving. I can't imagine having an opportunity in December!

Silas and Robyn came to visit us in May, with Rich and Dalrie arriving right after them! We thoroughly enjoyed both sets of company!

Beyond these happenings, we've had a plethora (does anyone still use this word?) of activities, generally family-centered: birthdays, sports events, a play, Nauvoo visits, holidays, family dinners. Each a wonderful and unique event.

Rob landed in the hospital in September with cellulitis. Blessedly, he healed. Work has been a little difficult for him this year, but we survive :)

I started working for Far West Enterprises in March, processing work orders for property preservation of foreclosed, bank-owned properties.  I am also actively working at making my genealogical research interest and experience into a lucrative business. It will probably take a while, but I will have fun along the way!

Until we meet again ~

The year is almost over???

Oh my! The year is nearly over and I've not blogged since January. So much has happened during this year.
We got three new grandchildren this year!

• Aria Eliana Grove in February

• Haydn Donnell Aitchison in August, and

• Katherine Rose Aitchison in September.

In April, our nephew-in-law, Michael Pitcher died after a fall from a tree at work.  It was a tragic accident with difficult consequences for Michelle, his wife, and his four children. We went to Washington to be with the family and attend the funeral. We supported each other and enjoyed each others' company.

FINALLY!

We finally had the culminating event in Keenan's Scouting life! He received his Eagle Scout award on December 21st. The Eagle Court of Honor was held in our home. Mable Blanchard, our friend and Unit Commissioner, conducted the Court. Jacob Grove led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Zak Blanchard asked all Scouts present to stand and repeat the Scout Oath. Joseph Grove and Josiah E. Aitchison escorted Keenan to the front of the room. Kevin Jensen, the other Eagle Scout in our family, made the presentation of the award to Keenan. He also talked about how special and important the Eagle award is, not just the effort leading up to the completion of the requirements, but throughout the life of the Eagle Scout. It was nice to have family members to fill these rolls.
There were three other awarded Eagle Scouts in attendance, including a district executive who was a great help to Keenan, a member of our bishopric and long-time family friend, Alan Doan. All of them came forward and accepted the Eagle pledge from Kevin at the same time as Keenan. It was very special.
I was able to almost finish a quilt for Keenan in time to present it to him at the Court. It is made from Boy Scouts of America fabric designed by Robert Kaufman. It's pretty cool and will, I hope, be a special keepsake and remembrance for Keenan.
All the available family attended, as well as some friends. We socialized for a while afterward. It was all very pleasant.