CHRISTMAS.....2025

 ...our second holiday with our LaVerl!

Since I haven't posted about the whole month of December, this will be a 'before & after' Christmas post.

Right after Thanksgiving, while the kids were still home, I had them help me get out all my Christmas decorations and the tree.

Then on Dec. 4-7 I went to St. Johns to stay with my Mom, who's now 100 years old! Sonja and Randy had to go out of town.

On Dec. 14th Kaemon, Mark's oldest boy, reported his mission to Idaho Falls, ID in church on Sunday. Afterwards, they invited everyone over to their new house for Mexican food. (I hope to find a picture someone took)

On Dec. 20th Lucy got baptized. She wanted me to give the talk on the Holy Ghost, only because I give a huge bucket of candy and misc. items that can remind her of what the Holy Ghost can help her do. Like Q-tips- if you listen closely you can hear Him or Hi-chews- to always choose the right, etc. Lisa gave the talk on baptism and she did a little science experiment, which everyone loved. Lucy especially loves magic and science. 

I stayed and had my #72 birthday in Mesa with my kids. That night we went on a 'glow ride' all around the neighborhood to see all the Christmas lights. We rode bikes that were also all lit up with lights.

One house had their whole garage decorated like an entire town of miniature houses and more!

We even had carolers!

After the ride we had chocolate at the neighbors.

 Lisa and Barry invited me to go to the Princess Resort in Scotsdale with them for a couple of days. It was magical!

For my birthday my kids spoiled me and gave me too much!

Christmas Eve we celebrated at Bret & Suzy's house this year. We had our traditional Mexican food and the kids did the "Nativity".

First, the star appeared in the East!

Then the baby Jesus was born and laid in a manger!

The 'angels' appeared to the Shepherds and their flocks of sheep!

The 'Wise Men' came to worship Him and brought gifts.

London was the 'director' and did a great job directing all those kids!

Later, some went to 'Agritopia' to see more lights.

I spent Christmas Day with Lisa's family!! Oh the 'magic' of Christmas!

Christmas jammies!

 

Christmas Family Photos!

Tami's family did BYU Christmas jammies in honor of Gpa!
Reed's family!

Kari's family!

Lisa's family!

Bret's Family!

Chad & Luann!

Mark's family!

It's been a wonderful Holiday season. I've loved being 'home' where I could enjoy all my Christmas decorations that bring back so many memories of those I made or those decorations that were given to me by people that I love. I've loved just looking at my beautifully decorated Christmas Tree. I've been on the receiving end of so many thoughtful gifts and treats brought to my house and left on my doorstep. I've had carolers come sing to me. Mostly, I've loved remembering my Lord and Savior, remembering His birth and His Atonement for me! Of course, I would have loved it all more if LaVerl would've been home to enjoy all these things with me. I miss him! 

I love this:  

-Create your own joy-

"Waiting for others to make you happy is the fastest way to heartbreak.

So you learn to enjoy the small things —

a peaceful breakfast, a good book, music that warms the soul.

When you know how to make yourself happy, loneliness loses its power."

THANKSGIVING....

 ....our first holiday without LaVerl.

It seemed like the kids had barely left from being home for their Dad's funeral before some of them came back for Thanksgiving. Bret's family, Lisa's family and Kari's family all came. We ate lots of food, we hiked up to the star on Flattop, and we loved being together!

Tami's family was in Idaho by themselves!

Reed's family celebrated in Dallas Texas with some of Natali's family!

That's a big plate for such a little boy!!!

Mark's family was in Pagosa Springs snow skiing with their friends, the Bandleys.

I also wanted to post some pictures of everyone while they were here, before Thanksgiving, helping me, just being here for me.

Oh, that baby Rome!  He was everyone's favorite pastime!!

Our kids have the best friends and so many came to support them!!

LaVerl's Aunt Nan Johnson, came with two of her son's, Dustin and Stuart. The trip was really hard for them-Dustin just had knee surgery and had to sit in the backseat with his leg stretched out the whole way and Nan does NOT travel anymore. They couldn't have come if Stuart wouldn't had been able to drive them. 

Reed's little Isabel is quite the entertainer!  She loved singing and dancing for all of us!!  So adorable!!

The silly boys would all line up and let someone slam a ping pong ball and see who they could hit!! They all had little round welts on their backs!

Bret's high school friends came-Eric Allred and Trey Whiting

All the little girl cousins played so cute together!

Tami helped me plant new stuff in my sad planter!  Before....

...After

Kirk and Bret worked on cleaning some of LaVerl's guns.

On Friday, the hike up to the star ended up being almost 4 miles!!

Saturday was Leo's #11 birthday!

And the grandkids helped me decorate my Christmas tree!

They all headed home on Saturday. I LOVED having a houseful of my kids and grandkids. But I have to admit that somehow, I just had this strong, really sad feeling of loneliness!