A day

told with pictures.  Writing is hard right now with Annie asleep on my lap.  It's been a wonderful day.

Happy New Years!

Had to show

more pictures we found of

Gary in his Girl Watcher's t-shirt. 

What a hunk!

After

many years of a faulty doorknob on the side door, we got a new one today.  It finally happened for two reasons.  One reason is because a few days ago, as Gary was doing the usual jiggle of the doorknob to get it to open with the key, the key broke off inside of the key hole.  (Since then he's had a screw driver sitting outside to unlock the door.)  That was one motivating factor for finally getting a new door knob.  

But the biggest factor was that Justin and Tiffany took it upon themselves to go out to Lowes and get new doorknobs. While at Lowes, Justin also bought a new spring for our downstairs toilet so the water won't run constantly. Then he actually came home and put the spring  in. 

He and Gary put in the new side doorknob.

And when Gary and I got home from

a wedding reception tonight,

we found Justin had put in

the new front doorknob.  

Ah, the joy of simple things.

I will so love not having to do

"a song and a dance,"

to get the door to open.    

Instead of feeling that familiar annoyance,

it will be a pleasure to unlock the door.

I think we need to get Justin

down here more often.  

Thank you.

Anderson Christmas

Get together tonight up at Richard's condo.  We always have such fun.  I'm having a hard time posting the pictures, but here are a few.  I'll post the rest tormorrow.

Last

year as a family we were watching some old Ashton family videos that had been put on DVD.  We were all rolling on the floor laughing when a 12 year old Gary showed up on the screen wearing a bright pink t-shirt with "Official Girl Watcher" printed on the front.

On Christmas Tiffany presented us with a card that had this picture of Gary and his Dad in it. 

When I saw the picture, my comment to Tiffany was, "You probably don't remember, but in that picture the shirt Dad has on said, Official Girl Watcher."  I was way off on the fact that she didn't remember, because this is what she gave us.

Well, on this "Official Girl Watcher's" birthday

I'd like him to know that I feel very blessed

to have been the "Official Girl" in his life.

He is the only boy I've had eyes for

from the time I was 13 years old.

I wouldn't change a thing about our life together.

(though things may have turned out differently

if I'd ever actually seen him in that shirt)

Thanks, Tiffany. for such a memorable gift.

We'll wear them proudly.

Chuck

e-Cheese birthday.

During the Christmas vacation we get to celebrate our birthdays.  We have developed some traditions with the grandchildren that go along with those birthdays.  For Gary's birthday, which is the 27th, we always go to Chuck-e-Cheese.  (He waits all year for this gourmet experience).  For my birthday, on the 31st, we always go bowling.  Since Gary's birthday is on Sunday, we went to Chuck-e-Cheese tonight to celebrate. 

Gary with the grandchildren (that are here)

as we celebrate his 56th Birthday.

And, just so we don't miss the Bishop grandchildren,

here he is in 2006 on his 53rd Birthday

Christmas Morning

is always more wonderful when seen

through the eyes of children.

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast

with the Roylance family.

I'm not sure when it started,

but it is something

we look forward to every year.

It is very low key. 

We call when we're about ready

(generally between 10 and 11)

They bring juice and fruit.

We provide egg casserole and pancakes.

When we first started, the kids were still at home.

Now we have whoever is around.

We learned about this home we've lived in for 24+ years from the Roylances. My Gary (Base) coached with the Roylance Gary (Personal) at Provo High, and we became friends then.  They knew we had been looking for a larger home than the one we had been living in at 1550 North 300 West.  When the woman who owned the home across from them (Mrs. Warner) passed away and the house was going on the market, they told us about it.

We've watched their children grow up.  We had often used their daughter, Michelle, as a babysitter in our other house and knew her well.  We visited their son, Gary (yes, three Gary's can get confusing), on his mission in Southern California because Gary was Bishop then and it was allowed.   Their other sons, Mark, and  . . . oh what's that other one's name?  "Big ___?"  I can picture him.  He has a darling wife and 3 cute boys, but I just can't remember his name.  Anyway, we've watched them grow up, along with the youngest Sharilyn.  Our girls are friends with them.   Mark and Tiffany were just a year apart, and Misty and "the one whose name I can't remember" were good friends.  Now Michelle's oldest son is getting ready to graduate from high school, Gary's little family just moved to Idaho, Mark has 2 beautiful little girls and another baby on the way, and Sharilyn got married a couple of years ago.

Here is the picture of "the one whose name I can't remember," when they stopped by this year.  That is the Roylance home across the street to the right. 

 

(Maybe if I look at the picture long enough

I'll remember his name.)

Tracking

Santa's progress

at 6:30 pm

We've had a day full of

sledding

getting a fun package from our

Bishop family

(who we miss very much)

Eating string cheese

and sharing it with Grandpa

We had a wonderful nativity play

With a beautiful Mary

a musical angel

and an all-star cast

(perhaps with the exception of

the obnoxious donkey)

This is a beautiful time of year

in which I reflect with gratitude

on my many blessings.

Blessings of family, friends, and freedom.

  It is a time of remembrance

and of reflection upon

what Jesus' birth and atonement

means to me, and each of us, individually.

At this time of year, especially,

I feel for and pray

 for those who are

struggling with loneliness,

uncertainty, or hopelessness.

And it is a time of year where my

heart is warmed as I observe the

love and generosity of of others.

May God bless each and every

one of you dear people in my life.