Christmas 2015

Emily and Bronson were good to pull our Christmas decorations out before they headed back to Provo after Thanksgiving. Then Ondalynn came with Sydney and Julia and they decorated the tree and transformed our living room into a beautiful festive sight. I appreciated so much all they did as this is very exhausting for me.

A fun way to start the holiday vacation was going to the Vance's to watch the BYU vs Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. It was a disappointing loss, but a super fun time together. Julia & Austin arrived Thurs. afternoon, Dec. 17th, just in time for a quick lunch and then we took them to the airport to fly to SLC for Austin's sister, Cami's wedding. Dallin & Janelle and girls arrived the next evening about 9 pm, then Emily and Bronson arrived by 10:40 pm. So grateful when they make it safely. What a joyous time to gather and begin the holidays! Julia & Austin returned Sunday evening.

Dallin makes the best Artisan bread. He kept us supplied the entire holiday. Delicious! I loved going to church with my beautiful family. These precious girls bring me so much joy! Dorothy, Ruby, Norah and Gwendolyn warm my heart so much. Other pre-Christmas activities was all the grandchildren gathering at our house to make Christmas cookies. I was in quite a bit of pain and weakness that afternoon, so sadly, I was in my room the whole time, resting. I love having my family together, but it does drain me and with my Post-Polio I definitely need time to rest to be able to keep going. Crismon gave me a Priesthood Blessing Sunday evening that I would have the strength for this holiday season.

We had our usual tradition of making caramel corn popcorn for our friends and neighbors. I'm really done with all of that work, but Emily and the others pitched in and made it happen. Emily also prepared a number of very yummy treats for everyone to enjoy. Bronson was fighting a sickness the whole time, so unfortunately he was sick, but he still tried to be a part of things.

I served in the temple on Wed. and Julia & Austin came to do a session that morning, too. The temple devotional that day was especially beautiful. Although a busy Christmas season, my temple service two days before Christmas was a sweet experience.

Traditionally we gather at the Vance's for Christmas Eve. Ondalynn prepares a delicious spread of appetizers and treats. Everyone contributes some to the light meal. We played a few fun games with the children and adults. Then the children acted out the nativity scene. You want it to be a spiritual event, but the children are so cute and funny, its hard not to have a few smiles. They did such a cute job. Christmas is especially fun with children around to enjoy. I'm so thankful I have some of our grandchildren near by to brighten my life. 

How deeply grateful I am for our Savior. His humble birth, His perfect life, His Infinite Atonement make it possible for me to have joy in this life with my family and for the covenants and ordinances that make possible the gift of Eternal Life as families. I deeply love my family and desire that so much in my life.

Returning home from the Vance's, Dallin's girls received their traditional pajamas before going to bed. Soon the house was still and beautiful, a sweet Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning was magical, of course. What fun we had with everyone! I love being surrounded by my family. We received many nice gifts from family. Vivi and Ondalynn gave us their large family pictures, Meredith a cute picture of us with their children, Emily & Bronson a bluetooth for our car, Alice-Anne a tie and cashews for Dad, and the Melt Method Book, roller and ball for me. Dallin & Janelle gave me a rolling pin and closures for my bags. Crismon gave me a framed picture of our family at the wedding. It's beautiful, but we do miss Meredith's family. I gave Crismon an updated book from my blog. All the children surprised us with a nice suitcase for Dad and an exercise bike for me. I was so surprised and excited to receive it! I rarely get something "new." So this was fun. Austin put it together for me after Christmas. All the family came that afternoon for a big Christmas dinner. 

Early December events

Every December we like to host a Christmas gathering in our home for our neighbors. Each year it seems to get bigger, which is fun. They all bring goodies to share, so that is helpful. We've been blessed with good neighbors. Crismon usually signs up to host a table at the Gresham Chamber of Commerce Holiday Breakfast. They give out awards for the best decorated table. People go all out. We're not very good at that kind of thing, but we have fun participating anyway.

Ondalynn, Sydney, and Julia came and decorated our living room for Christmas. That was such a huge help for me. They did such a beautiful job. I greatly appreciated all of their hard work. I enjoyed listening to Bryson and Julia perform in their Christmas piano recital. We host the zone and district leaders in our home for breakfast once each month. It's a stretch for me physically to do it, but Crismon helps me a lot to prepare the home, and with the food as much as he can. I was so glad I could get the upstairs bedroom/office turned into a nice sitting room and office for me. The Vance's took our twin bed and dresser. We had a quick picture taken in Relief Society one Sunday. I love our ward and the wonderful sisters that I can associate with.

 

Fall Birthdays, Anniversaries and more

In September we celebrated Julia's 10th birthday, Kaeley's 4th birthday, and Brett's 33rd birthday, Daisy's 7th birthday was in October. We love these special granddaughters and our good son-in-law Brett.

The first Sunday in November, Brett was sustained as the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric in the Cherry Park Ward of the Portland OR Stake. We're glad we could be there for that special day in their lives.

We had to have our fence repaired as it desperately needed it. Nice to have that improvement to our yard.

We always celebrate Ondalynn's and Vivi's birthday's together as they are just 5 days a part in November. How we love these girls!

Viv & Brett celebrated their 10th Anniversary on Nov. 22. What a blessing they found each other. They have such cute, cute kids!!!

Addison turned 12 and was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. We were so sorry we couldn't make it. We're glad that Grandpa Preston Gee was able to be there. Addison is such a fine young man. He is pure, faithful, smart, and an all-around fine young man.

Just after Thanksgiving Dad, Dallin helped me dejunk my kitchen. It made a huge difference! He helped us several times later, too. Such a lift to have things starting to clear out after a houseful of children over the years. I was so happy we could take out the bedroom furniture in my office and make it a lovely office and sitting room. 

We had lots of rain in November and soon the river was extremely high and lots of flooding in the area. Glad we're on a hill!

A most wonderful event happened the end of November. A woman I had taught and saw baptized while on my mission in San Marcos, TX contacted me through Facebook. Laura Evins Clark was a young woman attend the college there at time. She was a golden investigator, and of all those I worked with, she was a special one that I really wanted to reconnect with one day. We talked on the phone for hours trying to catch up on each others lives. The joy of knowing that she was still faithful in the church, married in the temple, and that 3 of her 5 children had served missions was so incredible to hear. I rejoiced in know that she was strong in the church, had served as a Relief Society Pres. and had very involved in family history and temple work. What joy filled my heart to receive this most wonderful news! The first picture below was how she looked when I taught her the Gospel, and the second is how she looks today. She took a picture of her memory book where she had a picture of me on my mission, my companion, Sis. Hazel (Penny) Harris, and then my wedding announcement. What joy there is in sharing the Gospel and seeing lives and generations change.