Looking forward to Christmas.....a little sneak peek

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 

 I can't help myself.

With all this snow it just feels like the holiday should be here.

I guess I should be glad it isn't here yet-since I haven't done much shopping.

(My elves have been busy, however!)

Do you have any fun things planned for the busy holiday month?

♥

JoAnn

You can make the picture bigger by clicking on it and then clicking again.

Time goes too quickly.....

The Christmas season is on its way. 

We have most of our decorations up and have started working on our list of things to do.  

With all the snow (24 inches in the last eight days-I guess finding the rake on the lawn will have to wait) it really looks like Christmas.

It seems like just yesterday our family looked like this:

 

 And not too long ago we looked like this:

 (Yes, I know some of you hate this picture, but I didn't have a lot to choose from since digital cameras hadn't been invented yet and film and development were pretty pricey.)

Or this:

While the clothing styles have changed (yes, those pants are polyester), the hair-dos have improved, and the house looks much different, the anticipation and excitement of Christmas remains the same.  (Katie was to be born a few months later!)

This year we get to see it through the eyes of our three grandchildren!
(And Liz's new camera!)

We are so excited!

Hopefully, we can take some good photos for future reference!

♥

JoAnn

Snow.....

First annual 5 K Memorial Run....

On Thanksgiving day 

we gathered together with people in such diverse places as 

Morgantown, West Virginia; 

Idaho Falls, Idaho; 

Preston, Idaho; 

and Fruit Heights, Utah

to remember and honor Shane Mitchell.

His family had a tradition of running a 5 k Turkey Trot race every Thanksgiving and they decided to rename it and dedicate it to Shane's memory.   Many different groups of family and friends held races in other locations as a support.  It was a freezing cold day in the West, but we all enjoyed ourselves.

(O.K.  confession time- our group walked indoors!  That still counts, doesn't it?)

It was a good way to start a day of "thanks giving"!

Holly and Preston

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Do you think that the physical activity balanced out all the Thanksgiving food we ate?
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I am thankful for many things, today.

 As I reflect back on my life, I realize that it has been a good ride.

I'm grateful:

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I hope you all have a great day!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

♥
JoAnn
P.S.  We will miss those of you who won't be here!

The vacation's over...

O.K., my break is over

(although I hadn't planned on spending it at the NORTH POLE)

and without even a chance to be tempted to get on the computer!

About the time I decided to take a break, the weather made plans to do the same.  We were hit with a huge snow storm.  It was beautiful, but our trees still had most of the leaves on them and the extra weight caused a lot of havoc.

 

The branches sagged, bent, and many snapped under the pressure of the wet snow.

You can see where the patio furniture is hidden under the big white mounds.  We still hadn't winterized yet!

We lost power (after witnessing a little fire in the tree), telephone, cable, internet, and all other forms of relaxation and communication that modern-spoiled-technology-loving-folks crave.

We were not alone.  Over 19,000 people were without power.

For nearly 17 and a half hours we resorted to things like this:

dressed like this:

It was kind of nice to sit around and visit with each other and we survived quite well,

(Thank goodness for our gas fireplace!)

but I did miss blogging.

  Thank you to all who missed me!

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Anybody need any branches or twigs?  I'm sure there must be a craft idea hidden in there.

P.P.S.  Thanks to the faithful workers who repaired our broken power lines!

A little time off....

I'm off on a little Vacation from blogging..

I'm not going far.

I will be back.

♥

JoAnn

Saying Good by....

Once upon a time 

 three cute little children were born to goodly parents.  

(Reed, Karl, and Marie)

They grew up with a lot of love and not much money (the Great Depression made life difficult), but they were well cared for and taught to appreciate good things- like education and hard work.

Reed was the oldest son and he was neat and meticulous in his personal grooming.  Marie was second and she could keep up with any boy-anywhere.  Karl was the baby and he was cute.

One day Marie lost her comb.  It wasn't to be found anywhere.

What is a big brother to do?  (Combs are personal and shouldn't be shared!)

Well, Marie had to use a fork to style her hair, that is until Christmas rolled around and she got a new comb for her only present!

The End.

Yesterday, we heard that story and many other funny and touching memories of Aunt Marie.

She passed away after living a life full of service and goodness.

She will be missed.

♥
JoAnn

P.S.  Over the years, Reed more than made up for his lack of sharing his comb.

Veterans' Day

Veterans' Day 

 is always a nice time to remember and appreciate the service of so many who have protected our great country.  This year we are remembering a very special person.

We miss you, Shane!

(He didn't lose his life while serving in Iraq, but he died much too young.)

Thank you to everyone who has served in the armed forces!

♥

JoAnn

Write it down!

They say the pen is mightier than the sword.

(Or in current times a keyboard?)

I just finished reading this book:

It is a story revolving around the weekly letters written by a husband to his wife.

Every Wednesday throughout his marriage he penned a letter to his sweetheart.  (He made a promise to himself to never miss a Wednesday.)  I won't give away the plot of the book, but the letters were interesting and had some powerful effects on his family.

I recommend reading it!

(It was on the New York Times Best Seller's List.)

I try to write a weekly newsletter to my family.

I'm not as faithful as he was, and my letters often involve:

1.  really large fonts (a slow news week)

2.  lots of pictures (I'm feeling lazy)

3.  skipped weeks (life out of control)

4.  short and boring (not in the mood)

5.  major editing (by my husband, who "claims" he can't write)

The Rewards:

Even though I'm just an ordinary, every-day writer, I am starting to get a recorded history of our "life".

Also, I have letters that were written to me by my parents and rereading them is just like talking to them- 

their personalities come through the words on the paper.

And...

Perhaps the most important reason to write letters is that people love getting them!

(Yes, this could be a hint!)

"Today make a memory.  Tonight write it down."

-annonymous

P.S.  Even imperfect writing can be entertaining.  Today one of my student's journal entry included instructions for brushing their teeth.  They ended with this great advice:  

 "And then you gurgle."

JoAnn

A Beautiful Fall Day...and a baptism

Yesterday was one of those perfect November days
when the weather forgets that it should be cold and frosty.  Most of the rich fall color has come and gone, but the last hardy leaves left on the trees were making
a brave attempt at going out in style. 

It was beautiful.

(Click to enlarge)

I drove up to Idaho to attend the baptism of this sweet girl.
Quincy is the daughter of my nephew Mike.

It was a nice day.

On my way home I took a tiny detour past the Logan Temple.

I didn't get out of my car so the pictures aren't the best, but it looks beautiful in any season.
Of course, I had to take a picture of my favorite house across the street.

Don't you want to rake up all the leaves and run and jump in them?
(Well, maybe have someone else do the raking part!)

I thought I'd end with this picture.
I took the liberty of playing with the hue and saturation level on my computer, but I liked the effect so I left it.

 Don't you agree that it was a beautiful day?

♥
JoAnn

P.S.  I'm linking to Little Red House's Mosaic Monday.  I always enjoy seeing other mosaics.  

One year old....

Happy Birthday, Brooklyn!

(I'm a little late, sorry.)

Brooklyn's first birthday was several weeks ago, but we didn't get to celebrate with her until
Halloween weekend.

 

Of all her gifts, she liked the balloons the most. (Sorry to those who spent more money!)

 

She had her very own cake  (with a little assistance from Maddie in blowing out the candle),

but she didn't need any help eating it!

What fun is a cake if you don't get to wear the plate on your head?

She cleaned up just in time to model her new winter hat.

Life is pretty simple when you're ONE!

♥

JoAnn

Halloween memories.....

Halloween was great this year!

 (I know, I say that every year.)

(Brooklyn, Maddie, and Joshua)

We tricked.  We treated.  We laughed.

We even pulled out our best attire.

One of us even shaved his head for a special effect!

 (Yes, that makes for a drawn out Halloween holiday- but he got plenty of laughs to make up for it.)

(Click and click again to enlarge.)

We even had a lot of yummy food!

I love Halloween and all the crazy traditions, 

but ...

I'm glad it is over.

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  I wonder what I should be next year?

P.P.S.  If I said I was pregnant, 
would I get lots of comments on my blog, too?
(He-he!)