Christmas Treasures

What a wonderful season - a time of family sharing love for one another in so many ways. The week of Thanksgiving was also a week of Santa and Christmas as Jared was leaving a week later for his mission in South Africa. The month of December included: My baby, Jared flying to Johannesburg; a heavenly piano recital of all my students; a delightful trip to Las Vegas to visit Marsie and family (and have time with the children to create a special gift for their parents); a fun birthday lunch for Beth at Joe's Farm Grill; a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner with Missy and family (love those darling girls); a Christmas morning phone call from "Elder Beautiful", as the African missionaries cannot pronounce "Bielefeldt"; a delicious and magical morning with Beth's family Christmas morning (we could have stayed all day); lovely phone calls from Marsie, Hanne and Susie; my brother, Johnny and wife, Jolene Sevey coming in with a yummy steak dinner they brought and prepared for Christmas evening with them and my mother; a visit and gift exchange with all my siblings though not all at once and a dinner at Serranos (treated by Johnny) with some of us; a joyful time having our Joseph stay with us a few days bringing fun and laughter into our home; treats and gifts and emails and letters from dear friends; Christmas movies on DVD (my favorites are "The Gift" and "Mr. Krueger's Christmas"); visits with Oma Dessie; and sharing a few quiet times with my sweetheart, Marty now that we are "empty nesters." (lol)

Happy Birthday to the first Joy of my heart

Happy Birthday my precious first baby, Elizabeth Joy, truly a joy of my heart! May the coming year hold many treasures for you as you create your own adventures. You are so loved and treasured by your mom and dad!!

Jared Leaves for Johannesburg

Here is a collage of Jared's dinner with family and friends the night before he left for Africa. Jared finished packing at 1:00 a.m., then slept 3 1/2 hours, then up to get ready and off we go to the airport at 5:30 a.m. What an emotional time to send him off for 2 years. (for the parents - Jared was excited and so ready to go) He sent an email we received the next day at noon (which was about 9:00 S. Africa time) to say the streets of Johannesburg are flooded, the MTC has great food and great leaders, and he has a companion from Zimbabwe. A business woman at the airport commented on what a wonderful service such a young man was giving. His motto is "Doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:36)

Santa's Early Visit

We were so lucky to have an early visit from Santa before Jared left for his mission to South Africa. Oh what fun it is to have a visit from Santa Claus!! Almost as fun as the visit from Santa was when all the grandchildren and all the dads and uncles got a harmonica from Grandaddy later on after Santa left. This family makes music together. Oh, yeah! Scroll down to see the fabulous music makers in action........!!!!

A Time of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is such a unique holiday - no purchased gifts of any kind are expected - just lots of yummy food to share and lots of family to enjoy visiting with. My favorite food this year was the scrumptious jalapeno turkey dressing Beth made, knowing how much I love that flavor. What a thoughtful gift to her mother. We had all 37 of us together enjoying many activities on Beth and David's mini-farm. Scroll down to see the amazing guys football game!

Happy Birthday Eric Martin

Wishing Eric the happiest of birthdays on Thanksgiving Day!

 He is the best Thanksgiving gift and filled his parents hearts with gratitude when he was born. 

Happy Birthday Hannelora November 18

Happy Birthday to "LaLa", "Honey", "Sunshine",  "Hannie", Hannelora or Hanne - as our precious birthday girl has been called through the years! How we love the positive and kind influence she brings to all who know and love her.

Autumn Roses

The first roses not totally scorched by the hot summer sun!

Love the renewal of beauty that November brings.

Even though the beauty was captured, the roses were vanquished as Marty trimmed the bushes to stimulate more growth. Hope it works by Thanksgiving. 

Homemade Donuts - a Halloween Tradition

Once again I made donuts because my family tells me it just wouldn't be Halloween if I didn't!

After I was done making them, my daughter reminded me that the best donuts I ever made were using my french bread recipe here and adding 1 tablespoon pickle juice to the recipe since lemon juice wasn't available. I deep fry in canola oil.

Halloween 2009

Once again Beth and David hosted a spooky, yummy, delightful Halloween party - a Mad Hatter party with a variety of intriguing designer costumes worn by a super crowd of guests! 

Ghostly Halloween From the Past

Oooooooo........Can anyone identify the children in these pictures? Help find Erin, Devaun, Haley, Michael Hyde, Jared?(by Parker?), Jill, Lucy, Jesse, Sarah, Allyson, Parker, Nathaniel (look close) - Whoooo is the ghost in the corner? Whooo is Spider Man ? Why is Jacob scared? Isn't Grandaddy cute with red hair? Did it turn white when the ghosts came? Spooky times but have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!! 

 

 

If you can guess what year these pictures are from you'll get a surprize from the witch!!!!
If you can name every child in all pictures you'll also get a prize from the goblin....Boooo!!

On the Road for Fall Break

What a wonderful week of traveling to Gallup for Katherine's baby blessing - then to Las Vegas to visit precious ones. Grandchildren have become the joy of life. The clock spins too fast, but cherished memories of all the grandchildren bring delight and are held close to the heart. Of course, all the parents are so dear as well. 

 

Yummy! Roasted marshmellow with melted cheese and pretzel -
the best treat yet!

Autumn From the Past

 

Autumn is my favorite season!!!! As a little girl, I sang:

It's Autumn time, it's Autumn time
Leaves are on the ground..........

I still hear the song in my mind along with the memories of my childhood, sweeping the autumn leaves into a big bunch and making nests in the leaves, playing "squirrels". Years later, but many years ago now, my little ones played the same. Our yard was full of leaves and children for many years.
Now there are no leaves and no children playing squirrels, but many delightful memories.