MERRY CHRISTMAS!

With no little ones at our house, it is 8:00 AM and all is still quiet. :-) It has been a very different Christmas season at our home but this morning I'm feeling very grateful for the many gifts I've received from my Heavenly Father. 

 (From Glenna)

First and foremost, I'm grateful for our Savior - that He came to this earth in such humble circumstances, making it possible for us to return our heavenly home one day.

 

Second, I'm grateful to have Tammy and Kevin home with us again this year. Last year they were serving as missionaries and sharing their testimony of Jesus Christ with others. They were very much missed! (We weren't too sure about Tammy for a day or two!!! I'm doubly grateful to have her at home and no longer in the hospital!) 

(From Tammy)

I'm so grateful for the gift of family! We will have the opportunity to spend time with all of our children and grandchildren this Christmas season! 

(From Marian)

I'm especially grateful for my heritage. As was Nephi, I was born of goodly parents who read often from the scriptures and taught us the true meaning of this holiday season.

(Mother's nativity)

Lots of love to you all 

and . . .

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Halloween Party!

This year Ken and I decided to have a family Halloween party. Thanks to everyone who helped with the fun! :-)

 'Tis now the very witching time of night,

When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out

Contagion to this world

* William Shakespeare *

 Kids crafts (Thank you, Gail!)

 

Playing the "flour" game

Pack flour into bowl and invert onto plate

Place penny on top of flour

Each person "cuts" away a portion of the flour

First one to knock the penny down must retrieve it with their teeth!

Emma retrieving penny

Cutting away flour

Kimberly retrieving penny

Abigail retrieving penny

 Pumpkin fun (see previous post)

Megan, Alicia & Natalie

Emma, Aaron, Rebekah & Moriah

 Delores, Olivia, Keith Lillian & Abigail

 Kevin & Tammy

Yummm (Kevin)

Olivia :-)

 On Halloween the thing you must do

Is pretend that nothing can frighten you

And if something scares you and you want to run

Just let on like its Halloween fun.

* Author Unknown *

Carving a Giant

I'm not sure that knife is going to work   :-)

 Cutting out the mouth

Note the Sawsall by Ken's foot   :-)

Fitting the smaller pumpkin

Carving details

Alicia and Emma

The Current Weight Is . . .

 

334 Pounds

Final Pumpkin Predictions

Kynslie   100
Seth     160
Ian     175
Kevin     178
Jana     199
Addie     200
Dana     212
Rebekah   220
Tara     231
Marian     240
Tammy     251
Keith     265
Justin     275
Randal     279
Karen     291
Ethan     297
Kimberly   300
Owen     301
Aaron     302
Turley     304
Gail     305
Michael   320
Sheryl     350
Linda     388
Alicia     400
Emma     410


GOOD LUCK!

Matthew 25:40

The first few days following my mother's death were difficult ones, to say the least. My sisters and I were very busy as we prepared for the funeral but during the quiet moments, her loss left such an empty feeling inside that I couldn't imagine how it could ever be filled.

Returning home several days later, I was surprised to discover that my son, Michael, had been there while I'd been gone. He, too, had been busy! My bathrooms were spotless from mopboards to light fixtures and everything in between. He'd moved on to my bedroom where there wasn't a speck of dust left anywhere, including the overhead fan. The bed sheets had been changed and the bed made. Outside several flower beds had been weeded. This "day of service" had all been quietly done without any fanfare. His loving kindness was overwhelming and for the first time in days, my tears flowed for joy rather than sorrow. And surprisingly, I didn't feel quite so empty!

I am reminded of the scripture in Matthew:

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Thank you, Michael. I love you very much and are so grateful you are part of my life. I am truly blessed.

Sisters By Birth - Friends By Choice

September 26, 2012

Over the years it has always seemed perfectly normal to me that my best friends were my sisters. It wasn't until I was older when I realized this was not always the case in many families. With the loss of our mother, I've been reminded how much my sisters mean to me. Over the years we've talked together, crafted together, shopped together, had parties together, played games together, sang together, laughed together, worked together, raised our children together, worshiped together, prayed together and most recently . . . cried together. I can't imagine my life without them. They are remarkable women who so freely share their love with those around them. They are strong, beautiful, bright, caring women and I will be eternally grateful they are my sisters. 

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."

- Clara Ortega -

Pumpkin Update

Abigail and "The Pumpkin"

Here are some updated photos of our pumpkin. These were taken about two weeks ago. We have a "plan" for the weighing so send your best guess! I'm still trying to come up with a prize. :-)

Smiles & Tears

My mother, Marian Barker, slipped peacefully from this world on September 20, 2012. Right now I'm having a hard time imagining my life without her so the tears flow pretty easily. However, the many joyful memories are definitely too numerous to count -- a little like the sands of the sea. I'm deeply grateful for the privilege of being her daughter. I love you Mom!

Contest - Guess the Weight!

Although we've had some good sized pumpkin crops in the past, this year certainly beats out any others. In fact, I think this year's pumpkin deserves a contest! From now until October 20th, you may guess the final weight. I've included pictures from two angles to help you with your guess. I'll add the guesses to this post as they come in. (Ken is estimating the current weight at approximately 250 pounds but no scale was used to come up with that number.)

 

 

NOTE: We actually have no idea how to weigh this pumpkin when the time comes. Any suggestions? :-)

GOOD LUCK!

Predictions:

Karen:   291 pounds

Kimberly:   300 pounds

Justin:   227 pounds

Dana:   212 pounds

Linda:   388 pounds 

Kevin:   175 pounds 

Alicia:   400 pounds 

Sheryl:   350 pounds 

Keith:   195 pounds 

Turley:   319 pounds

 

Home Again . . . Gone Again!

Elder & Sister Rimington

Salt Lake Airport Terminal

After flights only 10 minutes apart, Kevin and Tammy met in the airport terminal and came down the escalator together!

It's been wonderful having them home but our time with them was too short! Both are off to college and the next phase of their lives! Don't they look thrilled? :-)

"For the Beauty of the Earth"

We are so blessed to live in this beautiful world!

"Goldilocks" & Bear Lake

This last weekend we made our annual family trek to Bear Lake. I'm naming this our Goldilocks year.  After all, we were at BEAR Lake and the weather was "not too hot, not too cold . . . it was just right!" :-) (Yes, I know its pretty cheesy!)

We had a great time!

"Boating"

More "Boating"

Playing in the Sand

Playing in the Sand

Sand Turtle

Building Our Sand Tower

Can't wait for next year!

Reading Fun

As someone who has always loved to read, I wanted to find some way of sharing my passion with my grandchildren. A couple of weeks ago was my first Grandma's Book Party. Requirements for attendance were simply a finished chapter book they could bring and share. 

FRIDAY: A visit to my favorite used bookstore. (The Book Garden) 

The girls were each allowed browsing time to choose three books. (Thankfully I did reserve veto power and nixed The Wereling with the blood dripping werewolf on the cover)  :-)

Friday evening was movie night although the choice had to be a book adaptation.

SATURDAY: Cooking & games.

We started the day reading a recipe and baking bread. The girls each made three loaves: one for themselves, one for their family and one to give away as service.

Emma

Alicia

Kimberly

After cooking, we played a reading memory game, followed clues on a treasure hunt and shared the book we had read.

Book sharing time

The girls later helped Grandpa put together my new bookcase. It made me smile listening to him explaining to the girls how to glue and use a screwdriver, especially the comment, "Grandma might not be very happy if we get glue on her carpet." :-)

The favorite activity was the multiple games of Children's Authors, a card game we played together. A little like the game of Fish, the four of us talked and laughed as we tried to collect the most authors.

SUNDAY: Scriptures

Sunday we talked of the Book of Mormon and the girls collected the scripture rewards I offer for reading in the Book of Mormon.

A few more games of Authors and we were off to Family Dinner at John's home where the kids would rejoin their families. It was a great weekend, although admittedly, I think it took several days for Grandma to recover! :-)

"Books are delightful society. If you go into a room and find it full of books - even without taking them from the shelves they seem to speak to you, to bid you welcome."  *William Ewart Gladstone