Merry CHRISTmas

our message is simple this season, LOVE

for many years I have told the Twas the Night before Christmas poem to many loved ones, and this year, only once,, I practiced with my youngest grandchild as he turned the pages in the book to follow along and see if I was correct.

to include our year in a poem and not have it be a "brag" letter, which is what my mom called it, the poems become shorter and shorter, 

this year is no exception

as much as we love you all

our times together

 or not together

you are loved

  and missed

 and cherished

 

Loving our FAMILY together

We love getting together with Morrison Cousins, these are my moms side which is really fun because there are two sets of Identical twins!

lucky for us John Green is a photographer,,, AND  Dicks wife who couldnt make it owns her own Bakery and gave each delicious Peppermint chocolate cakes," cake de fleur"

Lucky for us that we are health enough to carry on fun converstions on so many different topics, This time there was alot of talk about travel. 

Here is Victoria just before heading back to Canton Mi, Oh how I love hearing all about college especially all the dancing she is doing. Having here energetic,fun loving self is always uplifting

my gift, VIctoria wanted some pampering! and Brandi fit her in!

This amazing photo was taken outside OREM temple during its openhouse, We went in cold but came out warm from the spirit but even colder from the storm that started while we were inside, Here we are with Nikki and Daryl and their cute girls

looks where my moms clothes ended up !!!HAha ,they make greeat Nativity costumes for the Rose shop annual food drive at the Larkin Mortuary. Missy did a great job organizing tne nativities around the world

inside the Rose shope.. who is that Santa?

most of my days have been chasing the sun just like my cats 

or on the compter getting ready for our next BYUPATHWAY world wide South Lagos Nigerian mission as District leaders. I have so much to learn, Firstm keep the glasses on so I can see the key board, keep praying and keep practicing on zoom and whatsapp

another cat is hidden here, Can you see her?

 

celebrating in St George

Celebrating another year George. It ended up being a great opportunity to see the two temples therr but neither one were open as  our timing was a few weeks off on either one. I have always loved seeing the St George temple on our many many drives from LA to Provo and it has such great history with the LDS church. It has just been refurbished and enlarged to keep up with all the wonderful work. 

we look a little tilted here as we bike along the Virgin River trail which turned out to be just down the road from our hotel. It was 35 degrees but wonderful sun and color

we went thrifting and who doesnt need another hat, sweater or skirt or tie!!! best find was some new bowls as we are dropping our old ones so they need to be replaced

finding the Washington Redclifts temple was a fun adeventure. Mostly because it was directly across the river from our hotel but no bridge or development was between us and the temple. After driving and thrifting all of a sudden there was Moroni peeking up above a Red clift.

Greatest fun for me was seeing Jake in the stae finals was club swimming! We watched him swim 4 times , his best being the 200 breaststroke. Oh how I love his hard work and leadership

while watching Derek made this AI of him with Karina and Dan in their Palm Springs Iron man which happened the next day! They all finished which is another great challenge completed for them all. Oh how I love their 

dedication.

back home we started decorating... and the holiday season has begun. It is difficult to return to snow and ice and another winter, but we are now District  leaders in South Lagos Nigeria and need alot of tutoring in whatapps and more zooming practice so we can help other missionaries. We both love learning and serving so we will continue to grow and serve in BYU Pathway Worldwide

 

If any of ye lack wisdom

we are starting another year with BYU Pathway Worldwide. this time as District leaders in South Lagos Nigeria. We  are excited but scared as now we need to help other missionaries learn about zoom and whatsup and we are still learning!! And part of our learning is admitting to needing to wear glasses when I type and that my fingers arent hitting the keys in the right place all the time. SO, if you see typos here, I am not wearing my glasses now nor can I see anyways, but we do love to learn and grow. I continue to have many guestions and a better understanding which I am seeking and praying to have answered.

spinning my way in this work out is one way I find peace in my day. Another is reading, all kinds of books Right now I am reading a book called Swimmers which I borrowed from granddaughter Layla. It is about working out in the water, finding peace and dimentia.

thanksgiving Chatterley men! with our two great grandsons 

We had a quick trip north to visit Doreen in hopsice and met Niki for a fun thritft and lunch

Celebrating Dereks 41 birthday  with family

I am thankful for Derek being here for us and just like my little bro Craig we could dress him in beads!

And here is Craig for a visit with Preston and Leslie and their beautiful girls. Always fun  and food with LUNDS

Jim has spent many many hours working on the fire house, tims property, and now Jarons new home. The good is at almost 80 he can still put in a full days work and it brings him great joy

I love being a helper in Valsr  class and she usually lets me lead yoga and or some kinds of PE activity. I miss teaaching but I dont have the energy to do a full day everyday. Valerie is greatly loved by her students and faculty

Natalie and Mariah and Layla are here. Natalie is doing nails and sows her great talent in art by hand painting designs on our nails. I just love having her do mine, She is so talented.

Showing off our moms coats

my youngest grandson brings me great joy and I can usually share each early out day with a fun activity. He is funny and inquesitive and teaches me each time we are together. SOOO  if any of you lack wisdom I have included some of the ways I have found that help me. Being wtih those you love, using your talents, working out, reading ,,and going to the temple and praying.v I dont have all (even any) of the answers but I am working on it.

      

 

Band Nationals in Indianapolis

we had an exciting weekend sharing the talent and hardwork of over 90 bands from around the nation. Kade and his school compete again this year coming in the top 25 making it to semi finals. It was great fun for me to see all the creative choregraphy, sets, and of course the marching bands music and costumes

On of the days we met up with Kim, Lorianes daughter who the kids grew up  thinking they were cousins because we got together often. We laughted and cried as we shared our love and testimonies 

me and the boys just hanging

I taught them 3's , a new card game which Erik soon mastered

I alwaays love the beauty of the Canton area and lucky for me the kids had a day off while I was there

Sharing more talent, Erik is a nija warrior and while we were gone Austin ran fast enough to finish the cross country year making it on Varsity his freshman year 18.18.8

And I always love time with Val. We go to her school and I get to help her as a TA and I love being called granma again and again. But most of all being loved and getting to love them and even teaching a little yoga while I am there. All and all we ahad a great adventure and charish these times together

 

ART. in nature, in sunlight, in shadows, on canvas, on nails

As we slide into the colors of the season, I continue to see art all around me. On the shelf is displayed some art from grandchildren

here is Nail art by Natalie! Dont you just love the patience and delicate designs.

This is art on nails and in wood

Cc  in the Shadows

Oreo in the warmth of  art

Yes, yoga is art in breath and stretch

Gods hand in trees, also the fruit which can be harvested

more nail are by Natalie, these are blue berries and citrus

the magestic mountains above, lake in the front, with the new Orem temple soon to be finished

the work of man on the top of the  Lindon temple

we love to notice the beauty all around us. Jim notices the structures and I notice color AND shapes and tones. We love all the artists in our family and suppoort their creativity