Denver Christmas 2019

This trip we were able to get flights out of St. George.

That is so convenient and easy.

We arrived about 2:00 pm and by 2:45 we were all bundled up in Shannon's car and 

headed to the lot of our future home.

It was WINDY and so COLD.

So the little strip of sidewalk is where our house will be facing the street.

Where they are all headed is the back of our lot. It looks huge.

Eventually there will house all around this plot of ground.

Here's some film footage. I don't know if it will work.

We got back to the house and opened the gifts we had for them and they for us.

  Shannon and Corinne have both been stitching this stocking for Fred for a few years.

A very sweet gift from them. 

 Shannon made this birthday board for me. 

She will bring it to me the next time they drive to our place.

It was too big to pack.

 Shannon also had our future home rendered and then printed so she could frame it for Fred.

 She also updated my grandchildren ornaments.

Here are Scott's and Shannon's kiddos.

 Here are Corinne's family. I'm happy to have one of everyone now.

 On Thursday we took the kids to Freddy's for lunch and the dollar store for shopping. 

 In the afternoon we drove to Hammond's for a candy factory tour.

We got to see them making candy.

 Since I work in a manufacturing factory, I can appreciate this view better.

 After the tour some candy was purchased and eaten.

This is our Friday.  

I wanted to get a picture of M in her wings and things. 

 M was my seat partner in the car. 

 B was all the way in the back.

We drove around in their 4 Runner. It has a third row seat.

 Another trip to the lot and to check out the community center.

It's high class.

This is looking out from the restaurant.

 This is the restaurant.

 Kind of a reception area with a BIG warm fireplace.

We think we can get used to this.

Also a pool, hot tub, weight room and another pool being built.

 Friday afternoon Shannon arranged for a babysitter and we went to the temple.

 This is the only picture I took on Saturday. 

Today we all went to the Dinner/Theatre to see the Star Wars movie.

Nice reclining seats (super nice) and you can order food that is delivered to your seat.

I enjoyed that. I even liked the movie.

 Sunday M had the scripture and prayer in Primary.

I'm sure glad we could be there for that.

We don't get that opportunity with all the grandkids living so far away.

 I just love this little face. 

I love her eyebrows.

 Gather round the food table!

 The kids asked us to play Sorry with them.

They have their own set of rules.

Very ingenious.

 This is just before it was time to go to the airport. 

It was a great visit. Very cold there, but I can handle it as long as I dress right.

Layers will be the key.

Our return flight was supposed to be around 6:30pm.

It was delayed until 11:45 pm. Not a great way to end things, but it was still a short flight home and even a shorter ride home from the airport. So thankful we didn't get a flight out of Las Vegas.

Busy December 2019

This is the first December since we moved here that I have been overloaded with music! Our ward choir had 6 songs to prepare and three special musical numbers for soloists. Three pieces were super challenging. I can't really remember a time in the past where 

I had to practice so much and be focused. It's been good for me. 

I've been lazy for years with my piano playing. 

The first performance was accompanying the daughter of a friend in her own ward. I had been very concerned if I was going to be up to all the music ahead. My record has not been stellar since moving here. I lost a big amount of my confidence. The musical number went well - I held it together. Covering when I needed, but never making an outright

mistake. I was relieved and encouraged that I could do it.

We had six additional practices with the choir for the Ward Christmas Party. The choir sang two pieces and then I accompanied a soloist. 

  We sang three prelude numbers and then a special number for Sacrament meeting this last Sunday .

In Sunday School, I accompanied a friend and her daughter to sing during the lesson. 

This Sunday we will sing a congregational hymn arrangement. 

We also had an Empty Nest White Elephant Night.

We have been trying to go this year so we can socialize more. 

Everyone came to the party, but a regular FHE night there are about 30.

I also had my Creative Circle Favorites Gift Exchange. 

That was a success. We had about 25 women who attended.

I'm so glad that I have organized this group. It's good for everyone.

Also a work party for me. This year instead of an evening with spouses and dressing up, 

it was decided to do a community outreach activity.

Eight families were nominated by our employees from the community who are in need and our company purchased gifts for them. Everyone at the party was invited to help with wrapping. 

It was very successful. We on the committee were not sure it would work out. 

I was in charge of games. So I found a jiggle bell shake game on line. 

At the end of the wrapping it was kind of dead, so I got our DJ to bring up the Macarana.

From there it got wild. A lot of us more "fun girls" rocked out to lots of music for about 40 minutes.

It was such great fun.

 The committee

 Wrapping tables - there were eight tables

So that is my December so far. 

Thanksgiving at Corinne's

We invited ourselves to Corinne's for Thanksgiving this year.

It was a short trip because the flights coming home on Sunday were outrageously expensive.

We arrived at about 5:30 pm. Ben's sister Stephanie hosted the meal.

Everything was delicious.

The kids went through first.

Stephanie has six children so it was a full house.

The cousins all get along really well so it wasn't chaotic.

Most everyone sat at this big table. 

 We sat at the table for four to sit with Corinne.

She ended up sitting in the chair next to the table. It was easier to feed Clara.

  This was pie time. I think there were close to a dozen pies. There were two of some.

Pecan, Pumpkin, Apple, Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, Chocolate Cream,

and Peach are the ones I remember.

I finally got a chance to hold Clara.

She needed more time to warm up to us.

 She reminds me so much of Corinne as a baby.

We arrived at their house in the morning around 10 am.

I sat on the couch with Corinne while Clara looked at books.

It was a good spot for observation!

 

 Richard was practicing his saxophone. He is doing so good.

We are really pleased how well the three big boys are doing with their instruments.

 All the boys adore Clara. Each brother has their own little way of interacting with her.

They are all so gentle and comfortable with her. It's so fun to watch.

 Clara definitely bonds with Richard best. She is very comfortable with him.

She is little more on guard with the other boys.

 Fred spent the morning upstairs with Henry and Spencer playing games.

I never get tired of watching Fred play with the boys.

 Fred brought a few card games for the family.

This is a family that LOVES to play games.

 After a Burger King dinner, we headed downtown Caldwell to check out their light display.

It was Fantastic. Probably the biggest light display I've seen.

If I wasn't such a baby, it would have been wonderful to get out and walk around.

BUT it was too cold.

 Saturday morning Corinne had to work so the rest of the family came to the hotel to swim.

Grandpa went in with them, but I didn't. Somehow swimming when it's freezing outside does not sound inviting to me. I was happy to take pictures.

 This is Garrett doing a handstand.

 Clara was so cute. She was so content to be held while moving about in the pool.

She took a break on the stairs. She has the best facial expressions.

 While Ben took a turn in the hot tub, Garrett and Richard took turns watching Clara.

 This time Henry didn't stay at the stairs. He went back and forth the length of the pool

All the boys have grown in the abilities in the water. It was fun to watch.

 Here's another picture of Clara and her adoring fans.

 Here's Grandpa swimming with Henry.

As I was sitting here watching everything, I took the time to appreciate the growth of this family.

The boys are simply good kids. They get annoyed with one another here and there, but not like it used to. They handle themselves well in whatever environment they are in. 

Ben is a very good Dad. He is a protector like Fred and he is conscious of what's going on with his children. Corinne is blessed to have a husband who is reliable and provides a safe place for their children. They know both Corinne and Ben are always there for them.

It was a great trip even though it was short. We need to come back in during the warm months!