Maui!

I spent the last week with James, Camber, Jimmy, Kelsi, Jacob and Lea in Maui. I was mostly babysitting but loved the air as I did in Guam. Wish I could bottle it and take it to the mountains. It was an "Escape to Paradise" award trip for some of the WFG people. Some of the activities for the families were snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, etc. while I mostly walked and window shopped.

The man in the middle caught this marlin but looks impressive, right? Pretty Camber and Baby Kelsi enjoying a walk on the beach. James and kids in the kiddy pool. James and Lea snorkeling. Everywhere I go, I take a sunset picture and this is it from Maui--not quite as spectacular as the Phillipine Sea from Guam, but beautiful. This was the sand culture made exclusively for the pleasure of the WFG attendees. The creator has been doing this for 18 years--really magnificent.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency--great food, beautiful grounds, lovely rooms--a great trip.

My Birthday again!

Time flies when you are having fun and here it is my birthday time again. Here is Kelsi wearing my birthday hat that Jacob made for me--she looks cuter in it. I tended Kelsi (9 mos) for 10 days and was too exhausted to take a picture while at their home!!! Jacob, Lea, and Jimmy were also there and extended help from Mel with rides and food and bedtime and I was still tired but nevertheless I did enjoy it and love all my darling grandchildren. Happy Birthday, Grandma, almost 3/4 of a century!

More January Happenings

On Saturday we went to the Anniversary Celebration of the Mormon Battalion arriving in San Diego on January 27, 1846. Two of Richard's ancestors were in that march. They had many activities for the children representing what it was like on that march. Here Sarah and Linda are cooking "woofums" which are biscuits wrapped around a marshmallow size block of wood and toasting them and then filling the middle with butter and jam or honey. They passed out 1200 to bake on Saturday!! Amy and Kelly Pulsipher who I have enjoyed spending time with in El Cajon. They chose to have me stand on the curb so I look taller--aren't they beautiful granddaughters? Andrew Little (far left) had his missionary farewell January 28 and most of his relatives from the El Cajon/Alpine area and his grandparents from Logan, Utah were there. He is the nephew of Gary and Linda Pulsipher (top middle right with me behind them). Andrew gave a great talk on faith and is headed for Lima Peru North Mission where he will be speaking Spanish.

New Year 2007

I traveled out of the snow down to El Cajon, Ca so I could see the new great grandchild before she traveled home to Las Vegas--isn't she precious... Here is Dad Mike, Mom Kristi and Baby Kate--beautiful family!Here is the four generation picture, Kristi, Linda, Janet and Baby Kate. It doesn't seem that long ago that we took a four generation picture with my Mom and Kristi as the child... Almost three quarters of a century difference in age--think of the difference in environment, experiences, life in general--the circle of life.

Christmas 2006

Christmas Card

Earlier than Christmas

Great Grandbaby!!

Meagan and Matt

Christmas Day 2006

Here is the Christmas smile I was looking for--finally got one! Brookie Martin,  Christmas Day.  I was lazy in the morning listening to music, reading, sudoko and then I went to dinner at Ron and Jean Martin's home in Prattville (west shore of the lake). 

Their son Scott, his wife Lorie and children Trevor, Calley and Brookie were there from Yuba City as well. It was a lovely day, good food and nice company to spend Christmas with. I had fun trying to get the children to smile for my pictues.

 

Ron gets to sit in his favorite rocking chair.

Scott, Lorie and Jean relax after dinner and before dessert. 

Trever, Calley and Brookie eat the gingerbread house, one piece at a time.

 

      Brookie liked looking at her picture in the camera.

Jean Martin's Quilts

While at Jean and Ron's we asked Jean to do a Trunk Show for us of her beautiful hand and machine stitiched quilts. This hexagon quilt is all hand sewn, hand pieced, handquilted. It won the blue ribbon at the Fair. She started it in 1998 and finished it about five years later--course she keeps several quilts going at one time. Look at those colors and how perfect it is. Jean is an expert piece and hand quilter and they are all beautiful. The squares are supposed to be lopsided on this wall hanging--looks hard to do! This is the 4th of July Quilt--gets displayed on the couch for the 4th. This is a quilt made from scraps but look how lovely it is... What patience and skill it takes to be a quilter. When I moved up in 1999 I started one but I don't know if I will ever get it finished...

Christmas Eve 2006, Lake Almanor Alone!

As I spent Christmas Eve by myself, I enjoyed much lovely music and programs while opening a present once in awhile.

Grazing delicious remnants of Dec 23 dinner, 

Trying to do Sudoko (not easy) and enjoying my gifts:

Goodies to eat: favorite chocolate and favorite licorice; 

Goodies to smell: favorite perfume and body cream; 

Goodies to read: two great new books; 

Goodies to hear: CD and Book; 

Goodies: beautiful watch, 

    3 precious dolls ( Nordic fairytale dolls), Beverage warmer.

Thank you family and friends for the wonderful gifts! The two new books I heartily recommend "Sperry Symposium Classics on The New Testament" which will be great for this next year as we study the New Testament. 

I told the Bishop I would be gone for about two months--so he may replace me as SS Teacher--we will see. I have had the job for almost two years and been gone a lot and Ron Martin has always taught when I was gone which I have appreciated so much. 

The second book I will use as my guide to "Where do I go from here?" in my life. It is by Stephen R. Covey, (a favorite of mine since the 70's) and is called "Everyday Greatness"--inspiration for a meaningful life.   And just as I was trying to figure out "what next?" How timely--Already delved into the first chapter and loved it, even cried (which I rarely do) and I heartily recommend it for the NEW YEAR as well as the above book. Merry Christmas all!

Christmas at Lake Almanor, contd.

This is Kirsten, my Swedish 'American Girl' doll all dressed for Christmas. The first Christmas after Richard passed away my children surprised me with this doll. I was very touched--I love dolls and had always loved American Girl dolls but never thought I would really have one.

 

I'm looking at the Calendar Maria had made of John's art work. Very nicely done! Also a book of Sudoko to keep my brain working (really needed) and a basket filled of several kinds of licorice! What more could a licorice lover want. 

Reflective Thoughts at Christmas 2006

 

Christmas 2006 in Lake Almanor

Bandido is already for Christmas in his sporty new coat and he has been wearing it. It has been chilly! 

 Even though I keep forgetting to take pictures I have had a very pleasant holiday season so far. The season started with a shared Thanksgiving Dinner at the Greenville Ward. Food was great and a fun program (no picture) and then there was Thanksgiving at Maria's which was wonderful (no picture). 

 A week or so later we went to Handel's Messiah at the Methodist Church in Susanville and then watched Melissa and the college girls dance (picture on Maria's blog) and walked around the decorated stores with delicious treats and saw the lighting of the 250 tall tree which was gorgeous. Fun night! 

 Thursday night I went to Susanville for a progressive Christmas dinner with Maria's Church ladies (no picture) and then last night we had a wonderful Christmas dinner and program in our Clear Creek Ward (no picture). 

 

The sad part is that although I have snowmen in my house there is no snow outside!!! We had a beautiful display of Mother Nature's dusting of the trees on Nov 13th and none since.

 

So!!! It may not be a White Christmas after all. I'll be having Christmas dinner on Dec 23rd up here with Maria's family and then be alone for Christmas Eve and Day!!

 My choice...I was invited to Utah with James and Camber's family, to Michigan with Maria and Mark's family, and to El Cajon with the Pulsiphers but I just did not want to travel yet so I am hoping to be snowed in as compensation!!!

 I will be heading for Southern California and visiting the Pulsiphers before New Years and hope to get some pictures of the new great grand daughter Kate before heading over to Rancho Santa Fe to the Hardy children. January will be a no snow month also!!

Here She Is!

Kate Olivia Stewart, born October 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now I am an official Great Grandmother. Isn't she beautiful... 

Visiting the Hardy's in Rancho Santa Fe

On Saturday morning in Rancho Santa Fe you see a lot of soccer moms, dads, games and kids and it really is beautiful. Here is the eldest Jacob ready for his soccer game. I never did get to see Lea but she is a great player also and looks terrific in her soccer clothes. Jacob's soccer game was very exciting and it ended in a tie with Jacob and his friend teaming up to make the final goal. Jacob is an excellent kicker and very fun to watch. Jimmy and his soccer friend say farewell till they see each other at school on Monday. Bandido turned 10 years old this year and he sometimes has problems finishing his walk. We solved the problem by taking Jacob's backpack and letting Bandido ride home when his knees began bothering him! I spent a delightful Saturday morning watching Jimmy and his soccer team. Jimmy is a great kicker but was just as happy watching what was going on with the team next to them as he was his own game. You almost hate to see them grow up and become so competitive. They are so sweet. One of the activities at the Hardy home was dominoes and while Jacob and Lea and I played a "real" game of Mexican train, little Jimmy created his own masterpiece of matching. I was so impressed I took a picture of it.