December is always a wonderful time of year. There is such excitement in the air! It's a great time to be kind, to share, to remember especially our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate/commemorate. It's great to "Light the World" with his message of peace and salvation.
Alisa has been home and is helping me to "share the wealth". We've been going through Christmas decorations in the storage room, trying to decide what to keep and what to give away. We did decorate some as we went along.
Alisa in front of our mostly decorated fireplace
A few additions to our decorations
I enjoyed getting with "old" friends from Portland days. Our Oregon Soiree group met in the home of Carol and Joe Ferguson in Cedar Hills. Attendees this year in addition to our hosts were Roger and Mary Gail Plothow, Janet Pollei, Grant Rees, Dave and Shirley Nelson, Pat and Roy Ottley, Os and Hope Hyde. Alisa came, too, to provide a little entertainment.
Joe, Carol, Roger, Me, Grant, Janet, Pat, Mary Gail, Roy, Os, Shirley, Dave & Hope
I attend a Literary Group which during Christmas becomes the Christmas Capers group. We enjoyed a delicious potluck and some fun entertainment.
Shirley Ricks and Barbara Carter did a couple of numbers using a recorder
Our table: Gail, Eileen, Berta, Shirley, Barbara, Marsha, me and Janice
It's great to get together with friends during the holidays. Now that the Byers (Salem friends) have moved to Utah County, I get to see them more often! We had a fun evening eating a smorgasbord of foods and playing a little Mexican Love Train!
Carl, Joanne and Me
BYU Women had their annual Christmas lunch and the special speaker was Debbie Christensen, wife of Elder Craig Christensen and author of "As Sisters in Zion". Food, company, and speaker were excellent. The lunch was at the Hinckley Center which was beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Me and Shirley Ricks
Christmastime brings opportunities to sing and brighten up other people's lives. I went with Alisa as she sang for Jamie Lyon (twin brother of Laury and a Salem-days friend). Jamie had been a professor of German at BYU, so she sang a bunch of German Christmas songs.
Alisa, Dorothy and Jamie Lyon
I was able to make a quick trip to Portland with the idea being that I would be able to see some grandchildren and JaneAnne perform in Christmas concerts. Well, the weather was not very cooperative and school ended up being cancelled. That eliminated Anders' concert, but still heard Anna perform on Monday, and then JaneAnne with the Cantico Choir (no pictures) on Friday. Music really helps to bring in the spirit of Christmas.
Julie, Anna, Me and Anna's friend Kate in front at Anna's concert
Playing games is a perfect activity when it's so cold outside
I enjoy listening to my grandson, Leif, who is 11, play the piano. He accompanied several numbers on the Christmas program for his ward. Pretty brave, I'd say!
Christmas picture of Berit, Anders, and Leif
I was able to visit a couple of in-laws on my return. It's always nice to see them. Sorry Jan and Wayne that I forgot to take a picture, but it was great to visit with you.
Marlene Fisher, my husband's oldest sister
Not long after I returned from Portland, it was time to leave again...this time back to Arizona for some warmer weather and more family time. We cooked for Christmas eve dinner and Alisa and Sue and the twins made spritz cookies. Christmas Eve after dinner, we enjoyed some Christmas caroling as well as a nativity performance by several family members and a couple of friends, Fred and Shar, who had joined with us for the evening.
Alisa and Sue after cookie project was completed
Petersons, Andelins, Fred and Shar carol for some of the neighbors
Shepherd (Truman) and Joseph (Kiefer)
Joseph and Mary (Liv)
Joseph, Shepherd and Mary
Most of the players, Wisemen, angels, shepherds, lamb (Tosh) and Narrator (Rob)
A picture of our missionary in Ukraine (left) during Christmas communique
Playing a new game with August. Thank you Grandma Doris!
After Christmas festivities subsided, I was able to get together with long-time Salem friends, Tom and Julie Darling. Fun to see them and thanks for a delicious lunch!
Me and Julie at The Habit (Tom the photographer)
It's been a wonderful year! I'm so grateful for friends and family and love spending time with them. The New Year is coming and with 2017 comes the opportunity to continue to love and serve those around us. I wish you all a very Happy New Year!
I'm always grateful for my many blessings and love each year when the holidays come around. It's nice to contemplate and remember especially and give thanks. I'm so fortunate to live in a free country. I love America! I love the privilege of worshiping God as I choose! I love having family and friends around who greatly enrich my life. God is good!
I love flowers and am fortunate to have some in my garden. I couldn't resist taking a picture of what may well be the last of the season. The rose bushes were given to me at the time of Rog's passing in his memory and the daisies were transplants from my walking friend, Maxine's yard. Nice to be reminded of friends, a wonderful husband, and God's creations all at the same time.
Roses and Daisies from my yard
I have wonderful friends from my Ward in Provo. We enjoyed going to a BYU Women's program and so took a picture to mark the occasion.
Pat, Joyce, Me and Marian
You may have remembered that an earlier blog was entitled, "There's a mouse in the house". Well I'm not sure if this is the one, but it is ONE! I was upstairs and heard Alisa scream. I said, "Is it a mouse?" Sure enough! I don't think he was well as he just sat there, not scampering away. We grabbed a garbage can and put on the top of him and also put in a sticky trap and proceeded to take him to a field as Alisa didn't like the thoughts of disposing of him otherwise. Well, he got himself stuck to the trap and our only option as to put him in the garbage can. Ugh!
So long, Mr. Mouse!
Our next adventure found me off on a car trip with my daughter, Alisa, to visit family in Arizona for the Thanksgiving holidays. We had lots of fun doing a lot of things...I'd say not too many dull moments. I took pictures as a witness of what I either did or observed. Alisa can teach yoga, so she gave Tamsen and Sue a few sessions. They are laughing at me for capturing them on the camera.
Sue, Tamsen, and Alisa getting into some yoga moves
All twisted up, but relaxed, right?
We took Alisa to the airport to go to Los Angeles and treated ourselves to In and Out on the way home.
August, Sue and Kiefer Andelin with Grandma
Next on the docket were the season-ending soccer games for a couple of grandchildren. I love see my children and grandchildren doing things they enjoy.
Burke (top right, tallest) with his team
Burke and me (he's taller than me!!!)
Tosh and me
Enough playing for the minute...now to get down to the business of cooking and getting ready for Thanksgiving. My assignments this year were cranberries (made ahead of time), pies, rolls, and gravy. Alisa wanted to learn how to make pies and rolls, so she did a lot of it with some consultation as we went along. Thanks for the help, Alisa!
Sue, Alisa and me prepping some fresh veggies for the day with a snoring boy as seen through the window
Rob loves stuffing! Is it enough?
Alisa with vegetable hot out of the oven for our feast
With all the eating we did, we needed to get out for some exercise by playing a little tennis. Considering I haven't played in a few months, it was great to do again. John and Anna (in town for a wedding) also joined us. We also made a trip to the park...a favorite for the grandchildren.
Burke and Alisa vs. Tamsen and John
I'm observing this match in the rear. Sue catching a shot of Alisa mid air
Tamsen and John
If one is good, two must be better, eh, Tru?
Aunt Sue loving her Truman
Kiefer, Truman, Tosh and August playing at the tennis courts
Truman at the park
Kiefer loves the park
August on the zip line - strong boy for 5
Liv, Anna, Hewitt, Kiefer, August, Tosh celebrating Rob's birthday
What a great group of Peterson cousins!
Rob's 42nd birthday celebration
Grandkid antics, Liv, Tosh and Anna
Last hurrah before going back home
As I get older, it seems I sometimes forget to document occasions with pictures. Life is busy it seems and family plays such a vital role in the joy I feel. Arizona was a warm, comfortable place to be, but time to wend our way back to Provo to get ready for the Christmas season. Love to all!
