Nutcracker

This weekend I was invited to attend a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet with my
granddaughters Emma, Ellie and Kelsey and their moms. We had a fun time and really enjoyed the ballet. Afterwards we had super deluxe cupcakes at the Sweet Tooth Fairy Shop.

While we were enjoying our ballet the guys all went to the Conleys to watch the BYU Football Bowl game. Then for dinner we gave up waiting in line at the Texas Roadhouse and tried a fun new place in Highland where the Lee's recommended the Macaroni and Cheese.
Our weekend was full. We attended the Maestri's Ward Christmas Party, Jennie's performance Sunday in the Ward Choir, A lunch that included Jason's freshly smoked bacon,
We watched Barb make yummy neighbor treats, wrapped Christmas gifts until after midnight, had a fun FHE concert with piano performances by Kayson, Keanon and Christian. A recorder performance by Barb and a guitar duet by Kayson and Grandpa performing an original song written by Kayson. We woke Tuesday to a world covered in snow - but we needed to go home so we inched our way slowly southward - stopping for a short visit and gift delivery at the Simmons home.

A Busy Week

This has been a busy week for us. First we started off by celebrating Dutch Christmas - our only guest was Paul Yssel - but we celebrated in traditional style with the opening of gifts - SURPRISE! It was a pair of socks. But Paul "whooop, whopped" it up in great style.
Tuesday we were honored by a visit from the Simmons fam. I had a fun time cuddling with Miss Sarah and chasing Sam and filling Zach with candy.
Next was the boys big trip to the NFR rodeo finals - you might not recognize the young man on the right - but believe it or not that is our Travis sans BYU bonnet.
He's sporting his new look. Doesn't he look handsome. So does Max and Jon.

While the boys were at the rodeo we girls (plus Dallin) had a party of our own.
Jolynn got in some shopping time and the girls and I went swimming at the Washington City Pool. We spent time dressing up in the nativity clothes and Miss Becca makes an especially beautiful angel.

To round off our busy week we made a quick dash to California and back. The highlight of our weekend was the visit to the new Yssel Estate. Wow! Beautiful and peaceful! I think the Yssels have found just the right spot.
Although we were a little late and the chocolate letters were limited to N's and P's and G's, - we had to make a stop at the Holland America store in Artesia. We did find some of our traditional favorites and loaded up on Speculaas cookies and mousies.
We made it home Saturday night in time to party with the Hafens and watch the final round of the NFR. Yeah Cody!

Turkey Eats Crow

"Al" makes his final appearance in our blog sporting the wrong colors.
As a promise to our new friend George - we pose in the colors of the winning team.

Turkey Day continued

To reach our destination we had to travel through Zion National Park which was glorious in the snow.

We arrived at the Clear Creek Ranch and we welcomed by the Jon Lee fam and the party began. The next morning we found these cool icicles out our window.


The most popular activity of the week was enjoyed by the kids. They loved being pulled around in the snow on their sleds.

While waiting for dinner time - Jim and Dad went to winterize the cabin only to find that it was already winterized.


We had a moment of panic went the electricity went off for awhile but never fear for Jon had propane ovens and he and Jolynn had dinner under control.

"Al" poses proudly here with 12 of our cute grandkids - just before our Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey Day

To continue our turkey story we show you "Al" amidst the snow as we traveled to our meeting place.

Sleep when the wind blows

With "fowl" weather being forecast for the next few days, we decided to enlist the aid of our friend "Alamo" as we finished up a few chores that we thought might be better accomplished while the sun was still shining.



Aunt Trish kindly shared some iris bulbs with us - so we got those planted and Dad is always glad for a helper when its time to hang the Christmas lights.

Now we are ready! Bring on the "fowl" weather!

Alamo the Great Gobbler

Perhaps some of you will remember "Alamo". He is our prize turkey from a previous trip to Houston.
Well here he is celebrating with us this holiday season.
Alamo, Dad and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

trick or treat

Found this picture while working on our family scrapbook. Thought it was a good time to share it. Aren't you all so cute? I love the shoes.

being a grandma

After spending a few weeks here in Houston I am re-working my definition of being a grandma. But rocking this little one to sleep has been part of my ideal of the
grandma job description even if I have to stand up sometimes to finish her off and my arms get tired cuz some babies aren't lightweights. (I think boppy's were made for Grandmas)
Maybe the best view of a grandchild is when they are sound asleep. No, I think the best view is when they look at you and smile.

Trip to Brighton

A few days in a big log home at beautiful Brighton, with lots of time for scrapbooking and reading while Roland taught his workshop.

Making the rounds

You can squeeze a lot of fun into a weekend if you are willing to drive a little.

Here is Grandpa Lee meeting little Sarah Joy Simmons for the first time.


Isn't she precious!


We watched Sam eat a "lallow pop" and then borrowed Kade and took him with us on our adventure.


Our first activity included Cody Lee as he cheered on his brother Kayson.


Kayson was competing in a Karate tournament and came away with victory ribbons.


We relaxed in Jim's backyard and enjoyed loving this beauty - Miss Becca Lee


We watched these three clowns - Dallin, Josh and Cody try to fit in the same wagon and convince someone to pull them around the yard.


We had all the kids ready for bed and family prayers - but we were waiting for Grandpa to put his camera away.


The next morning we found ourselves helping Grandpa with a chore for Barbie.


Kade, Keanon, Kelsey, Alyssa and Hannah played games in one of the newly finished rooms in Jim's basement.


Sunday we stopped for a fun and fanciful visit with the Maestri family - note they are still decked out in their Sunday best.


We returned Kade to his home where he was sorely missed and royally welcomed.


And we needed one more love and look at little Miss Sarah in yet another lovely outfit- then we headed back home.
A long drive, a busy weekend, tired bodies, but smiling faces. We love our family!

39 Years

To celebrate our 39th anniversary we pulled a handcart in the Days of 47 Parade in SLC.
I'd never make it as a pioneer. We walked 3 miles and I was exhausted.
A nice spectator from the side of the road hopped up to take this picture for us.

a great find

Last week we had a fun time with the Maestri family at the cabin. While hiking around we tried to show Emma and Ellie the fossils imbeded in the rocks around the cabin.
Emma bent down, dug a little bit in the dirt and came up with this and asked, "is this a fossil?". We sputtered in surprise and said, "No, but it sure is a good find." A good looking arrowhead.

red, white and blue

Some things never change! Some things are too good to change - like cabin breakfast. Diet or no diet there is nothing like bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast and hot chocolate for breakfast at the cabin.
As we left town and cell phone access I checked in with Jana to tell her we were headed to the cabin. She asked "are you going to dress up?" I didn't understand the question because no one dresses up to go to the cabin. But the next morning as Dad and I put on our red, white and blue t-shirts and posed by the cabin flag I understood her question.
Of course we are going to dress up - it's the 4th of July! And even though Dad and I were the only ones staying at the cabin we still celebrated in our traditional way.

Adopted

We've adopted a Bighorn sheep and we've named him Crawford. He represents our love for Zion National Park and joins our other stuffed friends R.W and Frank at the cabin.

below: Crawford in the obligatory family pose on the cabin swing.

Lots going on

As always there is lots going on at our house and near our house and I think anything or anyone connected with Dad finds themselves involved in all kinds of activities.
For the last two weeks we have been involved many activities. First and most fun was moving Grandpa and Grandma Reeder back to St. George (actually Washington) but at least they are
nearby. This is a photo of their lovely new home. Grandpa has his own office and Grandma has a lovely view in all directions (inside and outside) from her comfy chair.

Next was hanging Dad's new art show in Zion Park. I never believed we could fit all those giant painting in the back seat of the truck - but we did and they made the trip in good condition. See Dad's blog for a view of the latest and greatest.

Our next day was devoted to helping set up for the wedding Megan and Ali'i. We hauled tables and chairs. Friday was the wedding and it was fun to have the Conleys and the Grant Lees in town to attend the festivities. The reception setting was in a beautiful backyard in Santa Clara. The only down side was the 100+ degree weather which didn't bother us too much but was uncomfortable for the bride in her many layered dress.

Saturday we had a fun visit from Jodi and the boys. It was too hot to do too much outdoors but they enjoyed painting with Grandpa. Popsicles cooled them down a bit too.

Sunday-Monday-Tuesday are now Dad's busiest days but he is enjoying his association with the young people in his new ward. For FHE we did a service project with the ward - we went from door to door offering a plate of brownies and cookies and offered to do chores in their yard.
It was fun and well attended.

Finally by Wednesday it slowed down enough for me to tackle my genealogy again. Dad is also busy painting today - a sky wash - so don't expect him to answer his phone till the painting is completed. We love you all!

A beautiful day

There were so many beautiful days this week and we couldn't resist the chance to hike up on the red hills. Jim and family are good climbers and posed for this picture against the blue, blue sky.

Barb and little Cody hiked right along with the rest of them.

Budding artists

These young artists spent a week or more creating this bright mosaic.


Grandpa was doing an art workshop in the neighborhood so arrangements were made for him to be the guest instructor for this cute group of homeschoolers. They wanted to paint all day long.

I have a garden

I have a garden, a lovely garden with radishes! Rob and Trish have been kind enough to let me play in the dirt in the backyard of their condo. We built grow boxes and planted veggies and flowers from seeds clear back in January. I went to water and check on my little garden yesterday and came away with my first crop - radishes!
Not too big yet, but they are coming. Can't wait to see what we produce next.
Sorry about all you folks still in the snow. Its a beautiful day in Dixie!

a room with a view

Sometimes you just get lucky in the room assignments and sometimes you don't.
This time we drew the good room with a great view and a sunshiney balcony.
Since I had such a great view of the pool and everything in it - I just couldn't
bring myself to get on the old swimsuit and go for a swim. The view was too good.
But I did spend many an hour in the sunshine reading my book. Ahhhhhhh!

A new friend

I met this new friend at the conference I went to with Grandpa. This is Mojave Max!
He is a friend of the desert. He has a website - http://www.mojavemax.com/ - that I thought might be of interest to you young computer geeks.

Renewed

After the cold and rainy days we've had at home, our trip to San Diego gave us an uplift. Give me sunshine, sand and water and I am a happy girl.
For those of you still bogged down in the snow and gray skies, I send to you this picture of sunshine and sea and a happy me.