January Chill

Our January weather with snow, ice storms, and very cold weather has brought some challenges, and yet enjoyment to see the beauty of our world after deep, freshly fallen snow. Our grandchildren in the Portland, Vancouver area were without school for a week plus due to the weather, church was canceled and some delays, the temple was closed as well on a few days with later openings on others. Grandson Hudson wanted to see Grandpa due a snow angel. It was fun to send him a video of that.

It was so rewarding to see the interaction of our neighbors through the difficult weather conditions. One neighbor who was heading to the store offered to pick up our groceries. Through the neighborhood email communication we were able to learn who needed help from fallen branches, etc. Some pitched in with chainsaws to help out, and others offered rides to those unable to get their vehicles down our hill. Thanks to chains, we were able to make it down our steep hill on our 42nd Anniversary, January 16th to watch a movie and bring home dinner. How we love and appreciate each other. We rejoice in the blessings of life, and the goodness our God’s tender mercies rescuing us and guiding us in times of need.

After Christmas

After a delightful Christmas in Eugene, we returned on Dec. 26th with Crismon and Danielle to prepare for the family to gather at our home that evening for dinner and games. Danielle made a delicious taco soup. I really appreciated her help in getting the dinner ready. Vivi had organized a gift exchange among the cousins, so they had fun watching each other open their gifts.

Ondalynn surprised me with this cute GrandKids plaque that holds pictures. It is a fun addition to our home and is now in my office and I love looking at it every day.

Ondalynn and Gary brought a fun game over for everyone to play. It was a hit. We loved having Crismon and Danielle here for the Christmas holidays. They were good to help us and bless our home by their sweet spirits. We love listening to Danielle's beautiful violin music. They left the next morning on the 27th.

I love putting the Christmas cards on our door in the kitchen each year. I don't think we received as many this time. I think people, like ourselves are sending greetings by email, although, I hope we never stop sending Christmas cards to each other. It's hard to see this wonderful Christmas season come to a close, but it's time to pack away the Christmas boxes and begin a new year.

Christmas in Eugene

Christmas is all about family, music, sharing, serving, gathering and so much more. Emily & Bronson came early during the holidays to be with us. The day before they left, Crismon & Danielle arrived. It was great having their help to finish up some Christmas traditions, like delivering caramel popcorn to friends and neighbors.

We had never spent Christmas with Seth & Tiffany's family before. Having them close, was ideal for spending our first Christmas with them. Along with Crismon & Danielle, we traveled to Eugene on Friday, the 23rd. Tiffany was busy with last minute gifts and preparations for the musical gathering in their home that evening with friends from their ward. Dad and I jumped in to start wrapping Tiffany's gifts. By dinner time, we had nearly finished all the wrapping.

We loved meeting their friends that evening. There is an abundance of musical talent in their ward and it was inspiring to sing the Christmas carols with them, and here many of them perform. Danielle, Preston, and Asher played beautifully together on the violin. Tiffany had always wanted to have a gathering like this during the holidays, but living in this ward was the ideal time.

Saturday morning, Dad, Crismon, Seth and his boys met up with cousin, Joseph and his children to go sledding. They had a terrific time. It gave Tiffany, Danielle and I an opportunity to work on different projects while they were gone. Danielle and I had a great visit as we had a nice walk around the neighborhood in the sunny afternoon with bright, blue skies. Crismon shared with the boys later that afternoon some interesting facts about Chinese characters, and the research he has been doing.

Christmas Eve began with Tiffany reading from a book we had given each of the families, years ago, about a Nephite boy on the first  Christmas Eve. This has become a tradition in their family. Seth picked up Chinese food, another of their traditions for dinner that night. New pajamas were giving to the boys, and then sent them off to the basement so their parents could finish preparing for Santa to come. So much excitement, it was hard for everyone to settle down.

Jackson put together a pull-at-the-heart strings video of their home in Minnesota and saying goodbye to their life there. It was funny, tender, emotional and a special gift to his parents, especially, Tiffany. Another unique gift was done by Tiffany where she laid out Seth's clothes in a variety of different options, took pictures of them, put them in a plastic photo holder and it hangs in his closet so he can quickly decide what things go together. Very clever! Preston wanted some "Little Debbie's" treats that his Mom never buys, so, of course, we bought him a big box of Swiss Rolls. Sorry, Tiffany! It was fun to see the college gear apparel that some of the boys, and Dad received. 

Uncle Crismon was so fun to play with the boys. We had a great time being together. Sunday, Christmas Day turned out to be gorgeous, brilliant sunlight, crisp, but not too cool weather and perfect to remember the source of all light, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the "Light" He brings to this world. We praise his name and worship Him with our hearts...and hopefully, our whole hearts.

Monday morning we gathered up our things and headed back to Gresham to prepare for family to come to our home that evening for dinner.

Emily & Bronson's Visit

Emily & Bronson were not able to come for the Christmas holidays since Emily works full-time in a Rehabilitation Center in Orem, Ut. They flew to Portland on Dec. 15th. Gratefully, we had decided ahead of time to drive our Mazda to the Vance's home and have them pick them up at the airport on Thursday evening. It was a good thing, because we wouldn't have been able to get to the airport, or give them our car due to the snow and ice on our hill. They ended up staying the night with the Vance's and driving to Astoria the next morning. Once they got out of Vancouver, the roads were fine. This has been an unusual winter with early cold, wind, snow and ice!

We were stranded on our hill from Dec. 14th-18th. Fortunately, our neighbors, the Hatton's, helped me get to church, and then the Steve Lewis family brought me home. It felt so wonderful to finally get outside and be around other people. 

Later that day, the ice was finally breaking up enough that the family could come to our home for dinner, and Seth & Tiffany's family made it later that evening. 

The grandchildren acted out the nativity. As always, it was a combination of sweetness and humor. Our hope is that the meaning of this sacred event that ushered in our Savior to the world will always be cherished in their hearts.

I love having our family together. Monday they decorated Christmas cookies, a tradition with the grandchildren each year. Playing acquire was a favorite, and other games with family.

Each year I want to give up on the tradition of making caramel corn for our neighbors and friends because it wears me out so much. But each year Dad doesn't want to give it up. Emily, Bronson, and Dad were good to make it happen. I try to stay out of the kitchen as I'm just too particular, and want it to be just right. I'm hoping I can come up with a better alternative. But many comment on how much they love it and look forward to it at Christmas time. Traditions are great! But they definitely have their plus and minuses. 

Meredith was so kind to send me a beautiful, light-colored, bedspread/comforter and pillows for our bed. She knew I wasn't too excited about the gray and white one I had purchased earlier that year. I'm not sure what I was thinking but "gray" is not the color you want in your house in Oregon. We have so many dark days. This bedspread brightens my spirit and I love how it changed the feeling of my bedroom. Thank you so much, Meredith! Love you!

A special thanks to Bronson and Emily to paying for their tickets to fly to Oregon to be with us during these special season. It was wonderful to have them here. I appreciated the many things they both did to help me out while they were here.

Early December

Our December started with Addison's Shakespearean play "The Comedy of Errors." He played the part of Angelo. The costumes and acting were very good for a middle school. We loved the opportunity of being there for his performance. He is a good actor.

 

The winter weather hit early this year with snow and ice on Dec. 8th. We felt so badly to miss Bro. Wilford Stevenson's funeral, but we were grateful that we visited with him earlier in the week where he shared many experiences and memories of his life. What a great man of God. He was the first stake president in the Gresham area, and at one time was our Home Teacher who we loved and appreciated. He sealed Vivi & Brett in the Portland temple.

The roads finally cleared enough for us to get off our hill and on Saturday, December 10th to attend Julia & Bryson's piano recital in Vancouver and then Jackson and Addison's piano recital in Eugene that afternoon. Gratefully, there was enough time between them to make them both. Tiffany fixed a yummy dinner for us afterwards. Grandpa gave Addison some tips on building a fire, in their fireplace and we headed home that evening to prepare for Sunday. We enjoyed listening to an audio book as we drove. I love to read and so it was delightful for me to share a book together with Crismon.

Monday, Dec. 12th was our annual neighborhood Christmas gathering in our home. Each year the number gets larger and everyone seems to have such a good time. As Crismon had them go around the room and tell a little about themselves, everyone commented that this was the best neighborhood they had ever lived in. I know it has a lot to do with how Crismon has reached out to all of them and helped bring our neighborhood together. Everyone brought a treat to share, so that made it fun.

 

Then on Dec. 14th, we had more snow I called ahead and told my coordinator, Carol Buroker, that I wouldn't be able to come to the temple that day due to the predicted snow storm. I'm so grateful I did, as many temple workers had a great deal of problems getting home. One sister was on the road for 7 hours after the temple shift before making it back to her home in Eugene. The rest of the week we were pretty much stranded. 

Thanksgiving

There is so much to be grateful for! I love the Thanksgiving season and the gathering of family during this wonderful holiday, without the usual hectic schedule of Christmas. It was our treat to have Julia & Austin come this year for Thanksgiving. They arrived Monday evening, Nov. 21st. I was flying home that day from Utah after helping Alice-Anne with baby Claire. I had prepared an African Chicken Peanut Soup that Crismon pulled out of the freezer and had ready for them. I was proud of Dad for making the salad, and pulling muffins out of the freezer, too, so they had a good meal when they arrived. I arrived around 11:30 pm that evening.

Tuesday evening we all went to the Vance's to celebrate Isaac's 6th birthday. It was another fun evening with family. We love that little Isaac.

Wednesday we packed up and drove to Eugene to enjoy Thanksgiving with Seth & Tiffany's family. With them living so far away for many years, this was the first time we've had Thanksgiving with them. The Vance's arrived shortly after we soon the women were busy preparing pies, etc. 

Early Thanksgiving morning everyone headed to Springfield for their annual Turkey Trot. There was a large crowd from the community participating, and it was very exciting to see our family a part of that event. Dad and I stayed behind with Isaac and Paxton and waited the arrival of the runners. Afterwards the men and children stayed for the free swim in the pool, while the women headed back to finish Thanksgiving dinner. Tiffany's sister Katherine, her husband, Matt and their darling Amelie 2 1/2 was also with us. The Caudle's arrived in the afternoon Thanksgiving day to join us. 

In the evening we had a nice program where some of the grandchildren performed, and we each shared something we were particularly grateful for that year. These special times together help bind us together as a family. I'm so thankful for my family. I love Thanksgiving as we're focused more on family at that time. My cup runneth over with gratitude and love for each one. In the hymn "Our Savior's Love," in the last line of the 2nd verse it says, "And we are bound to Him by loving ties." I feel that way about my family, too. The love we have for each other binds us together through Christ and through the power of the Priesthood on earth.

Tiffany did a masterful job of decorating and making Thanksgiving extra special. Friday late morning Seth & Tiffany took us to the University of Oregon campus where Seth gave us a tour of the campus and his building and office. Seth presented to Dad a small book he had written along with another collegue entitled, "Boundaries of Journalism Professionalism, Practices and Participation." Shaping Inquiry in Culture, Communication and Media Studies.

We headed back to Gresham after a terrific few days together as family. Seth and Tiffany were great hosts and provided so much for all of us in food, and their hospitality. The big home they are renting has many large rooms for us to gather.