HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles
A fresh pot of hot chocolate you didn't have to make yourselfAn unexpected phone call from an old friend
Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...
The fastest line at the grocery store
A good sing along song on the radio
Your keys right where you look

I wish you a day of happiness and perfection--
little bite-size pieces of perfection
that give you the funny feeling
that someone is smiling on you,
holding you so gently
because you are someone special and rare.

I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy
They say it takes a minute to find a special person,

an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them,

but then an entire life to forget them.

Send a message to the people you'll never forget.

Just a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in too much of a hurry.

Take the time --
Make the time!!
Wishing you a THE VERY BEST IN 2009 and

Wii

Tom's family got a Wii for Christmas. It was funny watching the games. I made this clip of Leanne & Hunter boxing.

Aparagus Torture

We had Christmas Dinner at Tom's house. The menu consisted of Fillet Mignon, salad, rolls and grilled asparagus spears.
I made this video clip of Jordyn eating her asparagus. There was a lot of drama. Tom is such a mean Daddy.

Christmas Eve 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We had our family Christmas Party on Christmas Eve.

It started with lots of good food.

and of course lots of pre-dinner munchies.

After dinner we gathered around the Christmas Tree.

We had the special privilege to have the Christmas story from Luke 2 read by Santa this year.

All of the children

from the youngest

to the oldest

sat on Santa's lap

Some were happier to be there

than others were

In the end

Everyone was happy with what Santa brought them.

After Santa finished and went on to his next stop the adults exchanged handmade gifts

and visited

For more pictures of Christmas Eve click on the title.

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Traditions are defined as:
"The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation."
Every family has traditions, from what they eat for Christmas Dinner (we eat Prime Rib), to when they open their gifts, to when who they spend the holiday with, they are part of what makes the Christmas season so fun.
A lot of our traditions centered around the Christmas goodies that Mom made every year. She would make fudge, divinity, Penuche and butterscotch rolls. Dad would make fruit bread. Every Christmas Eve Mom would make plates of goodies and we would take them to the neighbors.
The only candy I learned to make was the fudge. Each year I make 3 flavors and send it to missionaries and family. Leanne & I also take it to work, a tradition Mom started many years ago.


This years batches of fudge was a little late. I was busy with another tradition. This year I made the traditional chocolate, peanut butter Chocolate and butterscotch.
Another tradition that started more recently, after Mom & Dad moved to Arizona.
Every year we get together with our extended family for Christmas Eve dinner(ham & funeral potatoes, with assorted side dishes),singing "I Heard Him Come", the reading of the Christmas story from Luke and a visit from Santa.

Each of the children sit on Santa's lap and are given a goody bag and a present that has been provided by the parents. After the kids are taken care of, the adults exchange handmade gifts. Everyone that wants to participate makes a gift to give to the others. Its always fun to see what everyone comes up with each year.

This is a gift I made for some people on my Christmas list. Its an exploding Picture box. I will post pictures of the gift I am making for Christmas Eve after the party, since I would hate to ruin the surprise for anyone.Christmas breakfast at Dad's house is a longstanding tradition. We will have scrambled eggs, bacon and the traditional butterscotch pull apart., before we go to Tom's house.

What are some of the fun Christmas Traditions your families have?

What happens when you raise a parrot with a baby..*

1st Dance Recital

Jordyn had her first dance recital for her Musical Theatre Dance class. She did a great job.

I made a video of it, it is too far away to be able to see which one is Jordyn, but it shows the dance.

Happy Birthday Jordyn

Jordyn will be 5 on Monday 12/15. We celebrated her 5Th birthday this afternoon, with family and a lasagna dinner. She had fun with Aunts, Uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Jordyn and Uncle Taylor

Jordyn and Aunt Leanne

Cousin Cailen & Grandma Romney

There were presents.

and cake

with candles

Ward Christmas Party

The Tolleson Ward Christmas party was tonight. It was a wonderful party, well planned, well organized, and not at all chaotic as some have been in the past, thanks to our activities committee chair couple, Brother & Sister Jones
The night started gathering at tables in the Cultural hall, an the table were coloring & puzzle books with pencils and tiny crayons, to keep the kids occupied while they were waiting for dinner to start.

Dinner was honey baked ham, baked potatoes, corn, salad and rolls. Everything was delicious and the line waiting to be served was never too long. We were at one of the 1st 2 tables served, so that might have colored my perception of the length of the line.

Entertainment was short and sweet.

We had a number by the 3 amigos:

L-R Orlo Knight, Jason Jones & David Reece (the Bishopric)

Bishop Jones, the singing amigo, I was left wishing I had a video camera, so I could have taped the dance they were doing, especially Brothers Knight& Reece's moves.

The 2ND part of the program was put on by the Primary. It was a nativity and singing. Several of the children sang solos which was very impressive.

We finished the night by singing songs to coax Santa to come to the party. He arrived and had the children follow him to the Relief Society Room. Where they could sit on his lap and get a goody bag.

While the children were gone the adults that were left helped clean up the room and take down the tables and chairs.

Wanna Weeweechu

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."
Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.
Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.
"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.
Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me."
Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."
Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....
"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Thought it was something obscene, didn't you!!

Twas the Month Before Christmas

*Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* *On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !

* Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

Schulz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is , none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies..

Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials.. the most money...or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life, like I did. 'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia

''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!'