This Christmas

Simply a December post to fill in the missing holes. As you can see we've been very busy.
Andy sang with his entire soul during his 1st grade gingerbread musical.



Maisie and Nick love to jump in the snow.

The Voice Male concert was also a highlight. Did you know Phil died this year?



Ashley, Mom, Cherie and I received pedicures.


Jim is now an Eagle Scout!


Sunday morning Austin and Meg are always critical to our success; last week was no exception.

Business Owner

Austin owns a business!
Today Maisie, Nick and I tried out the new office with some basic hygiene appointments. We all passed with flying colors, and we were treated with such warmth. This office is the perfect fit for Austin.


Here are pictures of his name on the door and the front of the building.


We are happy and feel blessed to be in Utah.

Curly Ques

This evening I curled Meg and Maisie's hair. Maddie wanted curlers, too -- she asked for some.

Happy Thanksgiving

Mom hosted a small group of Thanksgiving feasters this year -- 27. We all ate happily, except Maddie. Shocker. She just wanted to eat toothpaste, as always. Austin's turkey was so moist and delicious. My favorites were: spinach salad, fresh fruit salad, money-bread rolls, and pecan pie. Oh, I forgot to mention the sweet potatoes, turkey, and fresh cranberry sauce.

The evening hours were spent playing "Pass Phrase" and "Things." I loved it when Austin laughed so hard that tears rolled down his cheeks. I also loved the cousins playing so nicely together which resulted in many happy children.

Although we were apart of a large group, many members of our family were not together,
and I missed them.

12 kids 9 and under

This week we've had a crazy fun time! 12 children, ages ranging from 9 to 1, have made our world magical (we, mom and I, were only responsible for 9). Thursday we headed to the BYU museum, three more children were added to our numbers. Our outing was quite rewarding; the museum was a perfect place for a large group to have individual adventures.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Meg and Emily, our "Faith in God" girls, went to a disco daddy-daughter dance. Both girls loved the fun evening. (Jim filled in for my dad, he's in the Philippines.)

October's Reading List

Last month I read the more fabulous books. I recommend each of these: the first two are lovely kiddy lit filled with sweet romance, the third is one is which I've wanted to read forever because my mom always cries during the movie (which I've never seen), the fourth is simply the next in a series, as is the fifth.

The Sisters of Bamayre by Levine
The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordian
Stalk Lake City a Rhea Jensen Novel

My favorite off this list is the Hale novel -- packed with unexpected twists and sweet romance.

Of all the books I've ever read or will ever read, besides the scriptures, now I'm reading The History of Joseph Smith by his mother, Lucy Mack. What a treasure this book is. I've always wanted an insight into the familial relationships that existed in the Smith home. This book has it all. My testimony of the reality of Joseph Smith's first vision and his sacrifices in ushering the fullness of the dispensation of times has greatly increased. I also feel that studying the life of the Prophet will enhance my holiday spirit, because his birthday is just before Christmas, and I often remember him, but I will honor him even more fervently this year.

P.S. I read all these boos while cruising. Cruises = lots of time to read.

Happy Halloween

Sheesh! My posts are few and far between these days. I have no idea why. Here is a post of Halloween.
Maddie, a pretty kitty.

Maisie, a purple-people-eater.

Nick, a dragon.

Andy, as Dracula.

Meg, a zebra.


Mark, an illegal alien.