Santa 2023

 Jackson is still not a big fan of Santa but at least this year he was willing to sit near but NOT by the jolly old gentleman!

Isabella still thinks he is the best!  I adore this photo of her reading with him.

Thanks to Mary and Monica for helping me add to my 'Santa Photos' book each year!

I love this tradition.

Nativities

Each year when I get out my nativity scenes, I am taken on a journey down memory lane!  

From the Silk Market in Krakow, Poland where crèches are bright and shiny

To a  little shop in Reykjavik, Iceland where I put together my own nativity from felt ornaments.

I remember going to a workshop for handicapped adults in Nairobi, Kenya and purchasing a nativity made by these men and women who were trying to support themselves.

This one came from China.  The Chinese lettering says, "The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shone." Isaiah 9:2

Obviously made by a Christian in China.

The tall figures at the back are from Swaziland. All their faces look the same, except Mary and the angel don't have beards.  There is one with llamas from Peru.  A ceramic scene from Valencia, Spain.  One embellished in 'silver' from Ecuador.  And another that has familiar lyrics from Christmas carols written on each figure.

"Each crèche witnesses Jesus Christ and His blessing every nation, kindred, tongue and people.

We love that God's children everywhere depict the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, shepherds, and animals with settings, features and details that are familiar, relatable.

These crèches also remind us God loves all His children; we see God's love in the features of our crèches and nativities wherever they come from." 

Elder Gerrit W Gong

Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Gong's words at a recent Christmas Devotional help me realize just why I love each scene so much.  

The variety, the beauty of each one help me remember how Jesus came to earth for each person.  And that He truly loves all with whom I have come in contact in every nation of the world!

"And still is found, the world around,

The old and hallowed story,

And still is sung in every tongue

The angels' song of glory.

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to his name!

The Heavenly Star its rays afar

On every land is throwing

And shall not cease til holy peace

In all the earth is growing.

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to his hame!

God Bless America

When I was in 4th grade our class presented a patriotic program with skits and songs. Wearing a shirt with silver stars attached, I was one of the narrators. I remember that Betsy Ross's story and the 1st Thanksgiving were depicted in the show. We were proud of our country and proud to be Americans.

I was thrilled when I learned that Isabella's 2nd grade class would also be presenting a patriotic program. 

First we all stood to sing the Star Spangled Banner.  Truthfully it made me a bit teary to see a gym full of people, many of whom had their hands on their hearts, singing loudly.

I enjoyed listening to Isabella and the other 2nd graders singing the songs about our country that I sang as a child and still love.

God Bless America

You're A Grand Old Flag

This Land Is Your Land

My Country Tis of Thee

Isabella had a speaking part representing the Coast Guard.

She did a great job.

I was delighted to see the enthusiasm as they sang.

And glad she was on the back row so 'orange hat guy' didn't block her!

Afterwards we took a few photos.

Isabella and her best friend Madison.

Proud Grandma and Grandpa enjoying Pepper Ridge Elementary.

So happy we live close and can share these fun school moments.

 

Eagle Family Fun

 While Mary, Jackson and I were driving to Eagle from Salt Lake, Isabella was very busy trick-or-treating!

I definitely think she needed to share some of her haul with Grandma - at least the Reese's Cups!

I just love having my family together.

We enjoyed a 'make your own pizza' night.

Everyone is happier when they can add exactly the topping they like!

I love seeing my two cuties playing together.

Jackson warmed up to George this time.  

Helping him make the race cars go through the loop helped.

Carrying our shoeless boy from the store to the car was fun too!

Just like a sack of potatoes!

George's sister Karen came to visit again.

She spent lots of time with Jackson.  

He decided that his Great-Aunt was pretty 'great.'

We all agree!

Karen treated all of us to a wonderful dinner at our favorite Indian restaurant.

Delicious food and great company!

Jackson decided he loved my big bath tub....

and the hot tub!

The falls leaves were entertaining as well!

All too soon, we took them to the airport for the flight home.

I think both Mary and Jackson were glad not to be driving back to West Virginia!

Mary and Jackson's Epic Adventure

Mary told me several months ago that she had planned a trip so that she and Jackson could drive from West Virginia to Boise.  Her itinerary was so thorough,  that she even knew where she wanted to eat lunch each day.  I love her spirit!  3000+ miles alone with a 5 year old.  Lots of memories made!

Here they are starting out from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. 

First stop was a safari park in Virginia.

Everyone got a basket of food for the animals to have in their cars as they drove along.

The llama was very interested!

A yak actually stuck his whole head in the car.  No photo of that!  I think it was kind of scary.

Finally an aggressive ostrich just reached in and took the whole basket of food.

I think feeding the giraffes was a lot more tame!

First night was in Gatlinburg, Tennessee which is a big resort town.

Mary and Jackson enjoyed the aquarium there.

Next night was in Jackson, Tennessee before spending a few hours driving around my little hometown of Lonoke, Arkansas.

I loved watching her on 'Find my Friends' as she explored.  First by my mother's house, by the school, Aunt Mary's house....the park, the church, and finally a lunch at the Grumpy Rabbit, which is a new and very popular restaurant in town.

Here's Jackson on the steps of the Presbyterian Church where his 4th Great Grandparents were the 1st couple married and where his great grandparents were also married. It's the church that I attended every single Sunday of all my growing up years.   They are about to tear it down.  That breaks my heart.

Next a trip to the cemetery where he played horsey on my parents grave.  

I hope they were amused watching their great-grandson!

I think they were.

The next few nights were spent with his cousins, aunt and uncle in the Fort Worth area in a town called Burleson.

With Aunt Amanda at the children's museum.

Exploring the Fort Worth Stockyards with cousin Izzy.

Hanging out at home with cousin Lilly.

I know the break to play with cousins and not drive hours and hours each day was a welcome change before the push to Albuquerque and Monticello.

Mary found some really child friendly places to explore along the way. 

Have you heard of Cadillac Ranch?

30 years ago 10 cars were partially buried in the sand.

Now you can go and see them but best of all, spray paint them.

What kid wouldn't enjoy that??

After a night in Albuquerque and a quick and very cold stop at Mesa Verde National Park, they joined us in Monticello.

I think Mary is already planning another cross country drive to see us, this time taking the northern route and stopping by Chicago.

Maybe I should fly back to West Virginia and join them!

 

 

Provo and Salt Lake

 An overnight stop at Tammy and Richard's home in Provo was perfect!  Jackson got to meet more family. 

 He loved playing with the race track and with Tammy's dollhouse.

For so long, Jackson was not a fan of having his picture taken.  I am glad that he finally decided he likes to pose.  These are in Tammy's neighbor's yard.  They really go all out for Halloween.

We made a quick stop at the Bean Museum on the BYU campus.

Jackson explored the 'cave' and even met the scary bear.

And posed with the tall, tall giraffes!

So handy that the museum is close to the Creamery....naturally we had to get some mint brownies for the road!  Delicious!   These were a favorite when we were at BYU and we even had them at our wedding reception.

George headed off to Boise while Mary, Jackson and I visited the Salt Lake Temple construction site.

An amazing project as they renovate this pioneer era temple with all the latest in earthquake protection.

Jackson could have watched all day.

There were lots of cranes moving equipment around.

Elevators taking the construction workers up and down!

Trucks and all kinds of heavy equipment.

Jackson was totally fascinated. 

On our way north to Boise, Mary did a little walk down memory lane as we drove around her alma mater, Weber State University.  I don't think she had been back since she got married in 2000.

A lot had changed!

Then it was 5 hours in the car with Jackson who had been spending multiple hours in the car for about a week.  Lots of songs and games entertained him pretty well.  We only had one melt down!

I have a lot of admiration for Mary.  

3000+ miles by herself driving with Jackson

What a woman!

What a mom!