Christmas Call

We have the opportunity to talk to our missionary son two times per year.  Once at Christmas and then again on Mother's Day.  Since we left Andrew at the Missionary Training Center on July 23rd, we have received weekly letters but have not been able to have interaction on the phone.  Of all the wonderful things we did together as a family on Christmas and over the holiday season, the highlight had to be the 40 minutes we got to spend on Facetime with our son.  For those brief minutes, all of my children were together.

He sounded so great!  He says missionary work is a lot harder than he anticipated, but he is loving it. He says he's gained 12 pounds.  I can believe it.  He's not playing soccer or basketball or doing the track workout everyday so he is going to put on some weight.  I can see it in his face as well.

The time went way too fast.  It was incredible to hear him tell everyone that he loves them.  This is family!  I'm one proud mom.

Christmas Wrap-Up

 Christmas 2014 was indeed memorable.  Our house was full to overflowing and it was wonderful!
Erin came home and Jeff, Sammi and Eveyln came and brought along one of Jeff's former missionary companions, Fabio.  He is from Brazil and got kicked out of his dorm over the semester break.  We were glad to have him come enjoy Christmas with us.  Brett's house was full too so Bonny came to stay with us for a couple of weeks.  Here's a photo recap of some of our Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we met some of my family and did a caroling "concert" of sorts at the Birch Hill Health Care facility where my dad spent his final weeks of life.  Jeff played his cello and I accompanied on the piano.  I believe a good time was had by all.

On Christmas Eve our children exchange their gifts to one another and I always give the grandchildren some kind of books.  

 Earlier in the week, Pat taught Fabio how to drive a tractor.  He has never driven anything so this was a real treat for him.  

 He was surprised that we would get him, a total stranger, Christmas presents.  I got him this badger shirt.  I told him to be careful wearing that on the Michigan State campus.  He also got a John Deere tractor shirt from Pat.

 Pat always gets the kids a gift from him.  Here's Tom's new "cat shirt."  It makes my eyes hurt.

 I got Jeff a "Fifth Quarter" shirt which you'll see in another photo.

 The girls got me new measuring cups.  There's a backstory on why.  I received a set of measuring cups as a wedding gift 32 years ago and I love them because they have a 2/3 and a 3/4 cup.  I refused to get rid of them until I have something to replace them.  They were looking really rough.  That's even sort of kind.  Here are the new ones.

 Jeff showing off his new shirt and socks!

 Tom wearing that hideous shirt and showing off his new Ipad.

Erin got something for Sam and Jeff.  I don't recall what was in the box except some "thank you" money for letting me live with you.

Sammi and I got this Brasil jacket for Jeff.  It was quite expensive and he didn't even want to try it on in the store because of the price.  She found a coupon and with both of us, we could afford it.  It was priceless to watch the expressions on his face as he recognized what we got him.

Sammi put together a scrapbook for her dad with all of us writing our testimonies and a thank you note to Pat for what he's done for us.  He was touched.

I found something extra for Clint that I normally wouldn't have purchased.  Its a plaque that says, "Always be yourself.  If you can't be yourself, be Batman.  Always be Batman."  It has a bat symbol on it.  He wanted to know where Clare would let him hang it.

Clare opening her "Papa" purse.  It's made out of Papa's shirt and pants.

Clare and Clint are always taking meat to Kropf's to be ground into burger.  I splurged and got them a heavy duty meat grinder.

Sammi made me some cube ornaments.  This is what they look like.  I love them.

The sunset on this wonderful Christmas night.

I saw this quote in October when I went to a craft sale with Sharla Bohl.  I had Erin take a photo on her phone so I could remember it and make it.  Pat had Pam Moede make it for me.  I love it.  It sits on my piano with my family photos.

These two are always glad when they get to be together.  Moreso Cami but I think Evelyn will come around as she gets a little older.  Wonderful girls.

Making Fresh Apple Juice

 We've had some apples in our garage for about a month.  Last week Pat and I canned 24 quarts of applesauce.  That got us through about 1/3 of the apples...maybe.  We decided in order not to waste them we needed to press them for juice. 

Saturday was finally warm enough to do this rather sticky job outside.  We set up to work and included our three local grandchildren as helpers along with Tom, of course. 

It appears we have some taste testers.

Brock taste tested until his little Dixie cup collapsed and he had to get a new one.

The apples are first ground into a mash and then placed in the press.

They are squeezed until no more juice comes out.  Notice the stream of juice below the press.

The kids can only do so much and finally an adult has to step in to make the press really do its job.  

In all honesty, the kids helped for about the first two batches and then it was more tasting and going inside where it was warm.  Brock was the lone helper in the end. 

Tom's job is to load up the mash after it has been squeezed and haul it away.  He got his bike out so he could put the bucket in his basket.  What a good helper.

It was cool outside so we stayed in the sun until it went around the side of the garage.  Thanks to wonderful friends who let us borrow their apple press year after year.  This year we got about six gallons.  One is already gone and it isn't even canned yet!

One Good Man

 My sweetheart had a birthday this week.  He doesn't really care about his birthday.  In all honesty, I don't care about mine either but he always makes a big deal out of it.  For his day, I try to make a favorite meal as that's most appreciated.

I've created posts for my children and parents but don't believe I've ever done one for the most important person in my life.  My best friend.  My husband!  Enjoy the many faces that follow.

It begins every year about this time.  The stripes come out.  He enjoyed having Erin and Andrew officiate with him.

 This is Howard Sharp.  He is Pat's mission president.  He lives in Salt Lake City.  We visit them as often as we can.  Wonderful people!  I believe this man is Pat's "father" in many ways.  I know there is a great respect and admiration.

 I am not a very romantic person.  My husband is a romantic at heart.  Just this week we drew a heart in the snow and wrote my name in it.  I think that's one of the sweetest things he has ever done.  I adore him.

 He has been serving as our stake president for 7+ years.  He has had some wonderful men at his side throughout this time.  He has an infinite love for Jesus Christ and his greatest desire is to do His will.  I couldn't ask for a kinder, more gentle man. 

 I believe this was one proud moment as a dad.  Andrew would be entering the MTC in a matter of minutes after this photo was taken.  He writes Andrew several times each week.  What a great dad!

 This man LOVES his girls.  They will tell you that he, at times, made them crazy but when they have a problem (especially with a car) they call him.  He is most generous and loves to create surprises.

 This was the day we got married.  I never anticipated how wonderful my life would be because I married this wonderful guy.  Just this summer I recognized once again how unselfish my sweetheart is.  He insisted on having my father stay with us so we could take care of him.  He was willing to take time away from work so he could help care for him.  I saw this compassionate man in action as he would hold Dad's hand and kiss his face. 

 He's a man all about SERVICE.  Two weeks ago he was shoveling the driveway and stairs of President Sharp while we were in Utah. 

 He's all about doing new things.  While on temple square we went to a concert put on by "Bells on Temple Square."  It was fun to experience something new with this guy.

 I love that he wants to have photos of the two of us. 

 He's a great "Papa" to our grandchildren.  Typically he would be holding my hand while we are taking a walk, but he always shares me with these little gems of ours.

 He's a hard worker.  He is all about removing snow off of our driveway so no one will drive on it and pack it down.  Just a hint of OCD there.  All kidding aside, he works hard to provide us with every possible thing we could need and several things we want.

This guy always greats his dad with "Stake President!"  What will he say when a release comes?  Perhaps it will go back to just being "Dad!" 

 

I am blessed over-the-top to be married to this extraordinary man.  He's so patient with me and leads by example.  He loves me completely and tells me how wonderful I am (even though I know I'm nothing special).  When I was younger I used to watch my parents and thought how I would like my marriage relationship to be like theirs.  I believe I've accomplished just that.  I do have to give most of the credit to my wonderful husband.  I think he watched them too and learned how to be the doting husband.

I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father brought him into my life and that I can have him forever!

November Happenings

There's been quite a bit to write about this month.  The biggest thing was over the weekend.  We took a fast trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to go to nephew Michael's wedding.  He and his bride, Becca are so cute together.  A beautiful wedding with plenty of rain during the photo shoot.  Therefore, I didn't stick around too long to take a lot of pictures.

He's from Wisconsin.  She's from Ohio.  They got married in Utah!

 I'm glad we went.  They look so happy.

 We got to see some family that don't live by us anymore.

 I think this is my favorite of all the photos I took.

 On Sunday we went to church with Pat's mission president.  He was kind enough to shovel off their stairs, walks and driveway.  We met a lot of new people who are somebodies.  At least name recognition.  For instance, Bonnie at the organ.

 On Saturday night we attended a concert in the Tabernacle. 

It was a concert by "Bells on Temple Square."  A little long but very entertaining.

 This November has been really cold.  The window in my east bedroom has given us quite an ice show already.

 I'm trying to go through my dad's things.  I took these picture frames and put them up in my upstairs hallway around the newly framed family tree casket insert.

 Andrew sent me a picture of he and Elder Mason.  I love getting pictures from him.

 We've had our fair share of snow already this month.  Fortunately it has melted with the rain and warmer temperatures.  It started snowing again this afternoon.

This frost sculpture was in my east window after several days of very cold temperatures.  It got better and better as the time went by.  It reminds me of some kind of etched windows one would see in the temple.  I took this in the morning with the sun coming up.  With actually seeing the sun, it melted several hours later.

 

I'm glad we got away for the weekend.  It was nice to come home and see the grass for a few hours before it got covered again.  Actually we got to go for a walk on Friday in Salt Lake City in 50 degree temperatures.  It was wonderful!!!!