Snow Advisory

New snow from last night. Nothing much else needs to be said.

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

Thank you to my son in law, John, and his brother in law, Micah, for

giving David and I door knobs. Our whole house has new doors knobs.

Those guys were sweet to think of us. And thank you to Peter and Jeremiah for

putting them all together. It was so nice

to have them install the knobs.

And thanks to Jeremiah for fixing the latch on our
fence gate.
Why mention these things?
Well, first, express gratitude and
give credit where credit it due.
Secondly, it means alot to David and I that our
children care about us and for us and that they show it.
God bless them, every one.

Weather on the 8's

These are pictures of the storm that came through 15 Dec 08 ~ 17 Dec 08. We

received about 12 inches total. It rained some and soggied the snow but

overall we had a great storm. David's new toy. (I am actually very happy he had this snow blower ~ he thinks

I am paranoid about the possibilities of older guy maladies ~ like

heart attacks) It is nice to have the snow out of the way of

my feet and the car tires.

I love this cherry tree in every season.


Out the front door.

After the party.

There'll be parties for hosting ~ marshmallows for roasting

Our FHE group

(we say that tenatively ~ as David doesn't want to be part of any group)

met at our home for a Christmas party last Monday. It was so nice

to have company over and to eat together and laugh. It is so

interesting to be with people in a social setting as opposed to a worship

setting. They make me laugh! No time at church for too much laughing.


We played the candy bar game.


Clem and Odessa (Jan & Kent Brooksby)

entertained us.

Sharman Toronto lead the caroling

and played the piano.

Susan and Clark Halls

Here is David's honest sentiment

of the evening.

Not that anybody cares.

I put up decorations yesterday. Man, that is alot of work. But

it is so fun to have all the lights and color. This Nativity set is about 40 years old. We used to have a store

in Show Low called Sprouse Reitz. It came to town when I

was in the fifth grade. It was a big deal. I will save that

story for another day. Mom and I went in one Christmas

season for no particular reason and here was this

Nativity for $5.00. We bought it up. Up until that time

we had never had a Nativity in our home. We were pleased.

Sometime after I married Mom gave it to me. We gave it a

place of honor every Christmas. Pieces are down to a couple of sheep, an angel with a

broken wing and the baby, Mary and Joseph. But it is still special

About 6 years ago I bought a new Nativity. It is colorful
and has a lot of pieces. I even bought this huge Manger. For
some reason it was just too much.
This year I just have a donkey watching over Mary and her
baby and Joseph.
See the little bears skiing? My friend, Nancy Fish, made those
for me when I worked with her at the public library. It is
too small to see that our names are on the skis. This year
the three together are my girls, Jill, Heidi, and Lee. The
two by the candy cane sign are the boys, Pete and Tim.
The other two, of course, are David and me. You may
be able to tell that I am in a falling position. And, yes,
I do not ski.

Christmas Favorites ~ What are Yours?

Our VHS recorder broke. It isn't like we had this old one. We

keep buying new ones. But I decided that I am through with VHS.

Which also means, I can't watch my Christmas favorites UNLESS I buy

new DVD's. So I did. Here are my favorites. I am going to make David

cuddle up and watch them with me. (I am hoping, anyway.) I love It's A Wonderful Life because he matures into

this man, husband and father that learns (very painfully learns)

that nothing is more important than family and friends. Nothing. And

all the good he has done over the years is returned to him.

"...do good continually....and ye shall have good rewarded

unto you again.....For that which ye do send out shall

return unto you again."

Alma 41: 14-15

A Christmas Story just kills me. I love the Dad.

This one has some similarities to It's A Wonderful Life.
I kinda relate to the main character sometimes. That is what
first drew me to this story. One Magic Christmas always
makes me cry (or feel like crying) when her husband is
returned to her after she believes that he is dead. That
simple reunion on the street is so beautiful.



Prancer reminds me of all little children and how they
believe so much in Christmas. In this case this sweet
little girl has lost her mother and the family is broke
but hope springs eternal when Prancer visits.

I believed. My sisters helped me believe.
One Christmas Eve long after I had gone to sleep I
woke up hearing voices in the living room. I got
up and went out to find my sisters by the tree.
I startled them but they were quick and told
me that Santa had just left our house and if I looked
out the big picture window I might see him flying away.
I ran to the window and, honestly, I saw him. That window
looked out to the west over a field with trees on the
other side. I saw Santa in his sleigh and his reindeer
bobbing over the tops of those trees. I can still see
that image in my mind. I am a believer.

Town tree lighting.

We have our differences with the town about the decorations, etc.

of the town Christmas tree but, if the truth be known, when those

lights are lit for the first time each Christmas season it is like

the feelings of the season can start. We were happy to have family here for that moment.

I was happy Lee came home. She and I have walked over to the park
for years for that magic moment.

The Santa line was a bit too long for these believers

but the cocoa was hot and there were cookies

and gifts.

Bling bling on the Tree!

What can I say? The trees say it all. These are old pieces of jewelry

from my mom and some from Silverton. I wouldn't have thought

up this idea. But these Christmas elves did. How lovely are thy branches.

Good Company

I don't understand why poor souls in this world are

trying to redefine Family. What is better? Why redefine

what is so well defined. The connecting fibers bring

so much strength and sense of belonging. What more do you need?This is Aunt Lee, Pete's daughters Megan and Melanie

and their cousin, Bode, who is Heidi's son.

We walked across the street to our neighbor's the Higgins.
They have the best decorations. This Santa actually talks
when you clap.


A rare full face picture with a smile from Bode.
Must be the train.

Oh Christmas Tree

Don't let these sad faces fool you. I made an honest mistake.

As the pictures below show, we had a great outing and found great

trees! So.....we get them home. David took ours off the truck and

Jeremiah took his and Heidi's off their Tahoe. The next morning

I thought it would be a good idea to take care of the tree

by myself (let David work). So I went out BY THE TRUCK where

our tree was and sawed off the extra bottom, went out to the

shed and found a tree stand, attached it to the tree and drug

it in the house ALL BY MYSELF. I was quite pleased and

happy that David didn't have to interrupt his work.

All was well until Jeremiah sticks his head in the door

and asks what tree I took. "The one by the truck", says I.

"That's our tree." "No, it's not." "Yes, it is." "Crap."

David and Jeremiah switched trees for reasons known

only to them.

But the deal is 10 days later Heidi LOVES her tree. And, you know what?

I love mine, too.

David actually eyed this tree. You know what else? We love our truck!
Supervisor Bode Joncas.

There's the man!

Australia

Hugh Jackman