And the winner is ... Don Ho!

Tonight we had a gathering at Bryce and Kelly's house. Last night Bob and I ran into Doug & Grace at the Stake Christmas presentation and they mentioned they were going to dress in something special...hello, I thought maybe a Christmas sweater with appliques! Oh no, they came in with their Hawaiian clothing, a ukelele, and they sang "The Hawaiian Christmas Song!" I believe that at the end of the clip Phyllis was exclaiming, "Where is our brother?"

So let's talk about Doug for a moment and maybe in about 3 words..."Thank you Grace!" They are obviously happy, in love, and having a great time together. We love you!

About the night:

Traditionally Aunt Estella would have an adult party at her house a few weeks before Christmas and always on a Monday night. At her funeral, Roland mentioned that we needed to have this party again. For whatever reason, my family was always invited to their "Party". So this year Phyl and I spearheaded the gathering in honor of us and our mothers.

Here are some photo's of the fun...

Roland and Nancy share some gossip.

Diane and Roland - she even stayed out late after hours.

The best part of the night was NO ONE CAN SEE WITHOUT GLASSES!

This really makes playing Catch Phrase a whole lotta' fun.

There were four people sharing one pair of glasses...

Bryce and Kelly

Phyl and Darol

Dad, Pat & Nancy

By the way, doesn't Roland look a lot like Uncle Bob?

It was fun, Doug and Grace have set a new standard,

and maybe the rest of us should just revisit our standards!

One hour church and go home...

Yesterday we sat down in Sacrament Meeting, the Bishop stood up to start the meeting and the lights went out. It was rather dark in the room, but he told us that the meeting would proceed. Talk about quiet! The little ones were awesome and Bob and I think that the lights might need to be turned off more often.

Anyway, as the meeting progressed it was difficult to hear much of anything from the pulpit. I sat there looking at the speakers wondering how we would ever hear their message. Sometimes that might be a blessing, but today was different. The speakers were a new family in our ward, and Sister Marriott has ALS, Lou Gherig's Disease. I knew that there was no way that we would hear her. So, during the sacrament I leaned over to Bob and told him to go and get the Karaoke Machine with his/my generators so we could hear her message. Of course he and Chad jumped up and went home to get the "toys".

I knew that Sister Marriott would have a great message for us. When you have a terminal disease, you have a greater perspective on life. Well, the equipment with a light too, was set up just as it was her turn. Her message was this...

She explained her disease and how it had become a blessing for her. About one year ago she was in a restroom conversing with a woman. The woman finally asked her is she had a stroke. Sister Marriott explained what she had and continued to tell her this was a blessing in her life. She told her that her relationship with our Heavenly Father was so much greater now that just one year ago. Also, she explained that if someone was to trade her a long healthy life in exchange for her relationship with Him, she would choose the illness and keep her growing faith and testimony.

Many of us joke that we "hope to make it to the Celestial Kingdom", but she added that we need to be serious and say "when I make it there" and live our lives in such a way to attain it.

She added that we have a loving Heavenly Father who forgives us, and we can all have a new start. Start now!

In the end she thanked us for our kindness and that she would be seeing our ancestors much sooner than we would. She offered to us that she would be talking to them and telling them stories about each of us and the kind things we do.

After her, for whatever reason, the light was turned off and her husband spoke. He was less audible, but it didn't matter...she was our message.

This sweet woman gave me a lot to think about. I have watched several relatives die of this nasty disease and I have yet to think of it as a blessing. It is all about positive thinking, perspective, and making the most out of each day.

We were all sent home after this, the lights turned on ten minutes after most had left the building, I overheard one young adult say that she didn't want to leave this feeling behind...

Only 26 more days until it all comes down...

Tonight we had a home tour for Relief Society. My neighbor asked if I would decorate for Christmas and do participate. I told her NO! So, here are the pictures of our decorated Christmas...they still came...no one believes me when I say no...I am way too nice!

This one is for Jessie - only my neighbor who has some style, some flair, no she is not the Nanny of which I do turn on every morning at 6:00 a.m. to watch!!!! - (if you don't watch and sing the "Nanny Song" you won't get that one!) got that this has a little bit of happenin' to it. Also a shout out of Happy Birthday to Jessie tomorrow. I remember YOUNG. It was a fun time.

This one is for Sigrid...she wanted to decorate with the

cast from Strawberry Shortcake Land.

Several "sisters" came in and could name them all. It is a fun blast from the past.

This one is of the new "Old Town" ornaments

that adorn the garland and say,"Hola" at the front door.

All in all it was a fun night. One lady commented that "I think outside of the box." I am not sure if it was a compliment because of the bright, cheery colors, or it was otherwise...

They also asked if I had any traditions for Christmas. Of course my quick reply was,"It all comes down by noon on Christmas Day!"

My Peeps...

At school we recently went on a field trip to the Rec. Center for a reading reward party. The kids were allowed to swim, etc. Before we left, I being the dutiful teacher, went over the rules of the game. I told them they were going to live Noah's Ark Rules. . .two by two. They had to have at least one buddy or more if needed. I, being hip, referred to them as their peeps. Which as you know means, my people, friends, homie's, etc. Well, I then started to create real situations that may arise...like..."If you have to use the restroom, make sure you know where your peeps are!" Being the professonial that I am, I carried on without a hesitation while scanning the room. Of course there was that handful that are euphanism smart who were giggling and looking at others to see if they got it too. Oh the great times of saying goofy things in hindsight, or trying to say a word and getting tongue tied and a close sounding swear word emerges. We are all human! Thanks for understanding...my peeps.

Birthday fun for Bob...moments with family and friends.

Auntie Peg, Olivia (who loves her Grandpa Bob) and Shelly

Bob, Megan & David

and Bode too...

Like father like son - both scratch the same way!

Sherri & Larsy

Bill Nye the "Climbing Guy" telling stories - Love you Mark!

Heidi, Grant, and Bob...someday Grant will be 60 too!

Bob as you have never seen him before...

Here are some photos done in Bob's honor. He is 60 big ones today. Thanks to his body doubles...Elle & Max Miller, and Peg on the tricycle.

The old blue chair...

At Dorothy Watkins' home sat a well worn Queen Ann chair. I wish that I had a before shot of it. When it came time to seperate her belongings, we spoke up for this chair. When it was posted on the item list it came up as the "Dorothy Larsen Chair". Further inquiry led me to the story that Dorothy Larsen was a good friend of the Watkins' family. At one time this was her chair and she passed it on to Dorothy Watkins. Well, I would like to add to the geneology of this chair...Dorothy Larsen is the great-aunt to Lars and Sigrid. Paul Larsen is a brother to their Grandpa Stephen L. Larsen. Once again it is a small world! As for the chair, it is now hip and happenin' and quite stylish in today's decorating...we love the way it turned out. Thank you Dorothy's W. & L.

The Cutest Chicken Ever!

Halle Beynon came for a look see on Halloween. . .Patty is right, she is the cutest baby ever!

Random Thoughts

After nursing a root canal re-do all weekend, thanks to a little help from my friends...antibiotics, Loratab and Clay, I awoke today to two eyes filled with joy. Now I have meds for pink eye! The good news is, my shoulder has felt so much better all weekend, oh, I guess the Loratab helped that too.

As for the Viewmont Pheasant incidence. . .was the bird insured? Was it's coverage with it's cousin the duck..."Aflac"? Was this racially motivated (it was a multi-colored bird)? Will they bring in Al Sharpton next? Is there something better to lead in with on Channel 4 News, than some random, innocent foot on pheasant sighting? What is this world coming too? It really is a comical event...let it just be that. But then again, Lars and I giggled when a cat got hit on 89 and did multiple flips through the air...

Slow Night

Today has been a slow one. . .I am in pain with a toothache, Sig had a double package of Skippy Peanut Butter drop on her foot (you can see the riveted lid marks too), Bob went to ski patrol, and we're waiting for Lars to show up and spread some joy.

Sig and I decided it was time to get me onto the blog craze. It's too bad I have nothing of importance to say...