Holiday Happenings

Sledding!!! The little girls took right to it and loved being in the snow!

• We attended the Timpanogos temple as a family and enjoyed lunch and a movie afterwards.
• Church @ the MTC both Sundays with our children and grandchildren in tow. MTC lunch with the missionaries was enjoyed by all.

• Our annual family party with the Phillies at their home. Their friendship means so much to us!

• Christmas day dinner @ the grandparent's home with the extended family (although this picture was taken in our living room on Christmas eve.)

• Mexican Fiesta with R's family at their home. A wonderful authentic Mexican meal was served by their friend Jesus!

• We also enjoyed hosting Jake's family one evening for sledding and dinner and then we were invited to their home for a feast including yummy BBQ ribs and English trifle on New Year's eve. A wild game of PIT was played for hours and enjoyed by all!

• Jan, Dave, Syd and Adam came over for breakfast on New Year's day and later for dinner that evening. We went to a movie together after dinner and enjoyed a good chat.

• Movies seen so far: Benjamin Button, Forever Strong, Doubt (Rick and I saw this performed at Pioneer Theater and enjoyed it very much - I liked the movie even better - the acting was superb) Australia, Valkyrie (all very different, but good movies!)

Christmas traditions - #20

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas traditions - #19

Christmas morning started with the ring of the phone at 6:15 am! Since we knew who was on the other end of the line, we didn't mind the early hour. We have four phones in the house and we all got to talk to the Elder at the same time or listen in while he talked to each family member. The call lasted for about an hour and a half and it was pure HEAVEN to listen to his voice and learn more about the country, the people, his companion and his Christmas day celebration. Since he is 15 hours ahead in Mongolia, he was just going to bed on Christmas day as we were getting up. It was a wonderful Christmas present and a Christmas tradition that has been repeated over several years as we have talked to our missionaries on Christmas Day. He is happy, healthy and going very well and he sends his love and best wishes to all his family and friends. We love YOU dear Elder.

Christmas traditions - #18

AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED
Advocate * Almighty * Almighty God * Alpha and Omega * Beloved * Beloved Son * Bread of Life * Bridegroom * Christ * Christ Jesus * Christ the Lord * Christ the Son * Cornerstone * Counselor * Creator * Deliverer * Emmanuel * Eternal Father * Eternal Head * Eternal Judge * Everlasting God * Father * Father of Heaven and Earth * Firstborn * Founder of Peace * Fountain of all righteousness * God * God of Abrahan, Isaac, and Jacob * God of Israel * God of Miracles * God of Nature * God of the Whole Earth * God's Anointed * The Good Shepherd * Great and True Shepherd * Great I Am * Great Creator * Great Spirit * Holy Child * Holy One * Holy One of Israel * Husband * Immanuel * Jehovah * Jesus * Judge * Keeper of the Gate * King * King of all the Earth * King of Heaven * King of Kings * Lamb of God * Life and Light of the World * Living Water * Lord * Lord, God Almightly * Lord God Omnipotent * Lord God of Hosts * Lord Jehovah * Lord Jesus Christ * Lord my God * Lord of Lords * Lord of the Vineyard * Lord Omnipotent * Lord our God * Maker * Man * Master * Mediator * Messiah * Mighty God * Mighty One of Israel * One * Only Begotten of the Father * Only Begotten Son * Prince of Peace * Physician * Prophet * Redeemer * Redeemer of Israel * Redeemer of the World * Rock * Savior * Savior of the World * Servant * Shepherd * SON * Son of God * Son of Righteousness * Son of the Most High God * Stone * Supreme Being * Supreme Creator * The Everlasing Father * True and Living God * True Vine * Wonderful
JESUS CHRIST

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Christmas traditions - #17

Our traditional baking day before Christmas was fun this year with Syd and Claire. We made the world famous sugar cookie recipe of my friend Patsy. Here is the recipe:
1 c. margarine
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 t. vanilla
1 t. lemon extract
3 1/2 c. flour
3 t. baking powder
Mix together and chill in the fridge for at least one hour. Roll out thick. Cut into shapes. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes. Do not overbake! This recipe makes thick, soft sugar cookies and we love them!


We also made Grandma Mayme's world famous molasses cookies. Here is the recipe for them:
(I usually double this recipe)
1 c. shortening
1/2 c. molasses
1 heaping cup of sugar
2 beaten eggs
1/4 c. water, scant
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. ginger
1/4 t. allspice
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. soda
4 1/2 cups flour
Cream shortening, molasses and add sugar, eggs and water. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Divide dough into two halves and roll into two round rolls. Wrap in wax paper and put in the refrigerator over night or at least for a few hours. Cup cookie from the roll, about 1/4 inch think. Take at 325 degrees for 8/10 minutes. Frost with powdered sugar, water and butter to make a thin frosting. ENJOY!!! My Grandma made these cookies all the time and we all loved them. I hope you do too!