Nativity scene

Our Ward Christmas party featured our youth. 

Josh was playing Joseph. I had to come up with a costume. I finally decided to get some cheap fabric from Walmart. I made a very simple costume. I am grateful for my serger, even if it takes so long to thread it. I finally had to get the right glasses to thread all four lines. 

Here is the result. 

We borrowed the walking stick from Aunt Sandy. It completed the look. 

The angel and the annunciation. 

The shepherds. 

The wise men. I really liked the authentic Eastern outfit from our local eastern member. He is an exchange student from China. 

Choirs of Heavenly Angels. 

Our cutie friend, Mia, as a beautiful angel singing with the primary kids 

Boaz was hiding, but I got a picture of Josh singing with the primary kids. 

I'm amazed

It takes longer to thread the serger than it takes to actually sew the project. 

This morning's project

Deb came up to quilt. Yesterday we made 18 blocks and put the top and back together. This morning we sandwiched and gridded the quilt. We are on a dead line, so we have half the binding done. 

There is still the quilting in the individual squares and the hand work on the binding to go. 

All before our neice's wedding just before Christmas. 

If you look close, you can see the quilt I am doing - trying to get it done before Christmas also. That is two quilt to do in 4 weeks. I believe in miracles. I wonder if this will qualify. 

We think it is fabulous!  

Baking day

Five and a half hours later, this is what we have. 

Trying to preserve the merengue and already it is damaged. Drats. 

Cookie pie. 

Apple pie 

Upside down pumpkin pie. 

Cream pie. 

The lemon merengue and pudding pie have a gluten-free option. Basically crust-less. 

Tomorrow I need to get up and make the stuffing and we are ready for the gathering. 

I'm glad I'm done for the day. 

Major milestone

He came home from school with broken glasses. Tape was holding a lens in the frame. I broke down and called Americas Best and set an appointment for today. His best friend has contacts, and his glasses have been misshapen for months. 

It took him about five minutes to learn to put them in. I should have taken a picture of the process, but this is the result. 

He can see!

And then sometimes mom is awesome. We hit Pizza Pie Cafe for dinner. 

Boaz was happy too. A good reward for being dragged around on Josh's errand day. 

I get to hug her today

Josh, Boaz and I headed to SLC for the fun. We met up with Brenda and Karly at the This Is the Place Monument. I tried to go all the way to Park City until I turned around and went back over six miles to the park. I have no idea how I missed it. 

Ivan talked us out of the University of Utah's campus and thought we were safe. I must have been really tired or something. 

Josh was frustrated with me. He finally started talking to me. It's a hard thing to inturup a teen when they start talking. He was fun to listen to, but not a great navigator. We'll have to work on that. 

Some pictures on a very warm November day. 

Sun in Karly's eyes and Boaz happy to be out of the car. 

Josh in his broken glasses. Raven just hangin' with the cousins. 

Brenda soaking up the sun. 

A rare photo of Ivan. 

Tim chillin'.

Mom chatting with Karly. 

Cousins. 

Ivan hiding behind a root beer bottle. Silly man. 

I have no idea what Brenda is thinking about here. A funny picture. Siblings. 

We met the rest of the family at a bowling alley and partied for the evening. I don't even know if I can name all the family that came, but I'll try. 

Willa, Pete, Kayla and her boyfriend Skyler, Tyrel, Katie, Charlotte, Amelia, and Alysa. My first time meeting Amelia, cutie baby girl. 

Debbie, Raven, Devon.

Carl and Ethan. 

Joe, Holly, Ben, Kade, Carter, and Dallin. My first time meeting Dallin too. Holly's sister, Natalie. 

Ivan. 

Brenda, Tim and Karly. 

Myself, Josh and Boaz. 

Mom.

This is the most of us together in a long time. We missed Gena, but plan on seeing her in December for Opal's wedding. 

Uncle Gary, Aunt Rene and Alayna. 

Tim's missionaries came for a bit to visit. So fun to see them. They were the ones who taught him in Oregon. So grateful for them. 

I hope I didn't forget anybody. I had to split them into family groups to try and keep them straight. 

This is the only picture I took at the bowling alley. Carter and Char became best cousins. If carter wasn't pulling on Char, Char was pulling on Carter. They followed each other around all night. 

Boaz bowled with Joe's boys. Josh bowled with my group. It was fun to see him improve. We had so many people that we split frames a bit. But we had fun and talked and laughed and ate and laughed and bowled and laughed. 

I missed Craig and Thea, but somebody had to hold down the farm. And they have had some good bonding father/daughter time in Wisconsin. 

Now we are back home in Idaho, Brenda, Tim, and Karly are almost back to the farm and Craig and Thea will be flying back on Thursday. We are left with sweet memories and promises of times to come. 

Family time is precious. I so love my family. 

One missionary home, three more still out. Love to Cooper and Cody in the field, and Jeff on Craig's side of the family. 

Josh and Boaz get to witness one more cousin come home. It's a good thing. 

Sunday we attended Church with Nicko and Britney as they blessed little Wyatt. Sweet little man that had so many people to coo over him and love him. 

Until next time . . . 

The day dreams are made of

That is what Brenda said as she came down for breakfast. They had spent the night and were on their way to SLC. She barely could stand to take time for Mini German Pancakes. Then they were on the road, 80 mph in Idaho. Speeding toward Karly and sweet reunions. 

Craig is in Wisconsin taking care of the farm so Tim could come with Brenda to SLC. Karly has completed her 18 month mission. Brenda has been so good about not visiting SLC while Karly served there. But now Karly is finished, Brenda came to SLC. These pictures are from November 4th. I'm a bit slow. 

This is Karly's last day as a full time missionary. 

With a compy.

Kimberly came out from Oregon to say hi. 

I actually wasn't there Tuesday. I waited until Saturday, so I could party with Joe and Holly too. But I did miss Kimberly. That was a sad thing. They look great. 

The family. Tim holding it together while Brenda just basks in her daughter's presence. 

What would we do without Tim?  He has been so wonderful. So glad he is part of the family. 

I was happy to get pictures and sad that I wasn't there.