Nativity Collection

We enjoy the Nativity and have begun a collection for our home and have decorated our tree with nativity oraments. Here are a few of the sets which have been given to us by our children and friends.

Christmas Picture 2011

Christmas 2011

Our talented daughter, Amanda took a picture of us today - we were pleased with the results and appreciate her skill and time spent with us. Thank you, Amanda!

Joseph Smith Building Displays

This chandelier is huge and sparkles over the top of the tree

There was a large display of different types of nativity sets - these are just a few

This tree goes clear to the ceiling chandelier - just stunning- there is a balcony all around where musical groups sang Christmas music - just beautiful!

I spent some time in the Joseph Smith Building where we had lunch in the Garden Room n the 10th floor, then sat and listened to high school choirs which were very good and viewed the huge tree in the center and the display of nativity sets. Very much got me in the mood for Christmas

Christmas at Temple Square

Patsy and Malcolm in the Garden Room Restaurant on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Building in Salt Lake with a view of the Temple

The Salt Lake Temple lit up for Christmas with lights all over the Temple grounds!
Pictures just don't do it justice!

Thanksgiving

Paige and Rachel

Miles and Mason

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Brian, Deb, Rachel and Matt came up on Tuesday and stayed through Thanksgiving so the cousins played together and we enjoyed some R&R with Brian and Deb. On Thursday, Mike, Annette and Miles joined us and Amanda and Tyler and their children came over and we had our usual big Turkey and the trimmings. Just a great day and everyone assisted with the meal so it was very relaxed and fun. Our only glitch was a tumble into the wall for Carson who eventually went to the hospital and had six stitches in his head. He is doing fine now and was so brave. Thank you all for coming and making the day so full on memories!! We love you all!

Mason, Carson and Brian with the Ipad

Annette and Debbie

Our brave little Carson

Amanda and Tyler with Mike and Paige

Canning Time Again!

We got some apples a couple of weeks ago so today I made applesauce and apple pie filling and some apple,raspberry, pomegrante, strawberry jam. It is always such a good feeling to have all my jars filled up for winter!!

To Mariposa

Mariposa County courthouse

Malcolm and I took off for a few days to check out an area called Bass Lake for a possible family get-together, then to Mariposa for Malcolm to check out some family names and dates. We booked some very nice motels and had some good dinner out too. Unfortunately, I got a cough on the trip so we spent quite a bit of time in the motels just relaxing. I was grateful for the rest. Mariposa was a very fun town to visit at the old cemetery and library. Malcolm found some interesting material and I took advantage of friends of the library sale at the library and purchased a couple of books. We enjoyed the time spent together so much!

Love these kids and what a trio!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FfGzeM27zg&feature=share

Just highlight the link and right click open link to view.

Wasp nests

Wasps in one bird feeder

Another home for wasps

Even our raspberry bushes have wasp homes

We have been plagued with wasps in our yard so I have been stung several times with a bad reaction. Malcolm found some in a cement mixer and other places, but today I found them in our bird feeders and even in our raspberry bushes. They made a big mistake because Malcolm will fix them!

Carson and Malcolm

I just love this very cute picture of Carson and Malcolm looking over the edge at Yosemite. The power of example in children is so special!!

Pictures from vacation

Malcolm at Temple Square

A beautiful Mural in one of the buildings on Temple Square

A view of the temple from the Church Office Building

A visit to the Tabernacle

Patsy at Temple Square

Malcolm at the Seagull Momument

An unusual cloud formation near the freeway going home.

Some pictures from our recent trip to Utah. It was a good vacation!

Rylie in her Baptism dress

Rylie with Amy and Trent

Mal and Patsy at Temple Square

Mal in the tunnel in the Joseph Smith building on our way to lunch

Beautiful Salt Lake Temple

Malcolm and I have had a wonderful journey visiting with Amy, Trent and their children for Rylie's baptism and celebrating our anniversary, then on to Utah for a few days with Gram Eastland. We did some errands and fix-it jobs for her and just enjoyed her company and got plenty of rest and spend quite a bit of time in Salt Lake City visiting new places we had not seen and just generally enjoying ourselves. We had dinner at a place called the Flemming Steak House and had a super dinner - wonderful evening. We also did plenty of walking everywhere.

Snowing

Snow in Idaho Falls

Rylie on Buck and Bronco

Mady and Lexi making sand necklaces

We are at Amy and Trent's and were lucky enough not to get caught in the snow following us. However this morning, it began to rain, then snow, then heavy snow. We got some great pictures of all the fluffy white snow in their back yard, front yard and our car. It feels cold to us because it is in the 37-39 range. Kind of exciting to be here with the first snow of the fall season. We did not expect it!! This is quite a change for us from California! We are enjoying our visit with grandchildren and attended their school carnival last evening. They had a ball playing games and collecting tokens to cash in at the end of the fun!

Our Roses

We love these red and yellow roses which seem to bloom all year long. Malcolm just picked some today

Trip to Apple Hill

Our grandchildren, Mason, Paige and Carson with Fireman sprinkler

Fireman Sprinkler

Malcolm and I spent a wonderful and fun day at Apple Hill. We got some placemats, Apples and a delightful fireman sprinkler for our lawn. Our grandkids loved seeing it work. It looks like a person from a distance. A very clever wood worker from Oklahoma made these works of art. We had a delicious apple turnover and lunch, then came home and stored our apples. This is an annual event we take advantage of each year and enjoy just as much every time we go.