Dad

I took this of Dad about a year and a half ago.

Happy New Year!

Somehow the TV is in the middle of the gifts - we need to arrange the room better next time. Oh well, this was taken just before we opened the gifts. That magical hour when love is felt in such a special way as each gift is opened. I love Christmas!

Here we are eating Christmas dinner - Elders Peterson and McMullin joined us.
Gram on Christmas morning - I was getting the camera warmed up!
below is a picture of the refreshment table at the reception on Friday night

Here are Todd & Katie . Aren't they a handsome couple? It was so lovely having them here over Christmas - it gave us a chance to get to know Katie better - and we think she is just right for Todd. They are happy and we are happy! It wa great having her parents here too.

The house is quiet tonight - just Dad and me here again. Todd & Katie and her parents left for Boston about 1:30 this afternoon. It was snowing, but Dad talked to Todd tonight and they had made it to Boston okay. They fly back to Utah tomorrow afternoon - Justin and Hyrum are picking them up about 10p. Hyrum likes to make the airport runs :) Man! having a blog makes me want high speed internet - it took forever to upload these pictures with dial-up!

Happy New Year Everyone!

deck the halls

Gram getting ready to host a Christmas week dinner for Randy's family
She wrapped her table in Christmas paper
our nativity has a new home on the new dining room windowsill
our dining room chandelier is decked
Hope you are all having fun this week before the big day! I know Ivy has been making chocolates galore and some of you are getting together for dinners and parties - we wish you all happy times and memories.
(I'll post more Christmassy pictures later)

This is a recent picture of Gram and Aunt Jude. Gram has lost over 40 lbs this last year. She looks great and feels great too. Jude has had a tough year with John's failing health - but she remains ever cheerful and doing for others as always. Dad and I are just putting our tree in tonight - I'll try to post a picture of it. thanks for your comments, Justin.

this is fun

This was previously sent to the family in our December newsletter, but thought I'd put it here too since it's our most recent family event. Todd and Katie were married on November 17th and this is us on the steps of the Nauvoo Temple. I don't know why we don't have Rheanna and Mandy in this picture with us - wish they were. Katie is bringing her gown to Maine to wear at their open house here on Dec. 29th.

getting started

I'm having one of those sleepless nights, so after I finished balancing my checkbook, etc. I decided to create my very own blog. I just read about doing this yesterday in a magazine I was about to throw out - it said this was a good way for family members living far apart to stay in touch - so here goes.