November

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools. 

November 1 - Watercolor - painting the orchard

Looking out over the orchard every day is like looking at a watercolor painting. The changing leaf colors have been extra vivid this year, lingering longer, and giving us the most spectacular show. I love it, love it, love it! Today was extra colorful with the bright greens, yellows, reds, oranges, magenta's. Oh... so beautiful! I am going to paint this someday! I am, I am!

November 4 - Emilee's blessing day

Sweet little Emilee, dressed like an angel. Mike gave this bundle of joy a wonderful blessing. We did pictures at the park next door to the church and then visited and ate soup, accompanied with rolls and cookies, at the Mecham house before going home. Lovely day!

November 10 - First snow

It was such a treat to wake up to snow on the ground this morning. The first snow is always so beautiful.

Turkey Show -



Makaela and Brayden raised turkeys this year in 4-H. I went with Kelsey and the kids to a FREE hearty breakfast and watched the show (competition and auction). The Bywater family learned what it takes to raise a show-case bird. 4-H is good for kids. Next year.....

Girls out on the town -

After the Turkey Show, Kelsey, Makaela, and I shopped the quaint little shops on Brigham City's main street. A girly shop (hair stuff, purses, smelly stuff, small and unique treasures), Village Dry Goods (quilt shop), scrapbook store, new clothing store and boutique. Benches, chairs, window boxes, Christmas trees, lights, and other decor set outside the stores were enough to entice even the most hesitant of shoppers. After browsing up and down the street and in the shops, all the while snowing on us, we finished up our day eating at Brigham's own hundred year old cafe, Idle Isle, to eat lunch. Yummy! It was such a fun day. Makaela was so excited. She said we must make this a tradition.... just grandma and the girls!

November 12 - Emilee is 2 months old

It's hard to believe, but this little girl is two months old. She is starting to smile. Her eyes remind me of grandpa Bates. They tell a story every time she looks at you. They sparkle, they twinkle, they light up, they dance. She talks with her eyes. I love to watch her. She has me mesmerized. I love her!

November 14 - Sleepover

Grandpa is gone again. And that only means one thing... Sleepover. Yeah! Alia spent the night with grandma. We made popcorn and watched movies together. I love this little girl!

November 17 - No more Wonder. No more Hostess!

Bakery Outlet in Ogden where I frequently purchased cakes and bread

I really didn't think much of it when I first heard it on the news. Hostess.... gone! By the time it dawned on me that they really were shutting their doors forever, I jumped in the car, stopped by every gas station, convenience store, and grocery store to purchase one last Suzie Q and Snowball. There were none to be found. All the shelves were completely empty. How could that be! They just announced it yesterday. I was so sad. Amie called and told me she found some Twinkies and bought some. I asked if she would find me a Suzie Q and Snowball. She did! She's my hero. Now, I'm just waiting. Waiting to see her and pick up my favorite Hostess cakes. Next week. I can't wait! 

November 22 - Thanksgiving dinner

The kids all went to their in-laws this year for Thanksgiving. So, Dave and I went out for dinner. We went to the new Chuck-A-Rama in Logan. I thought we would go and have a quiet, relaxing, and uneventful dinner. Wrong! The line was a half hour wait to get to the front desk. It was another half hour wait to be seated. There were families, large and small, and couples with the same idea in mind. Unbelievable! What happened to the day with families eating at home? Is it the new tradition? Having a variety of salads, home-cooked turkey, potatoes, garnishes, side dishes, rolls, scones, honey butter, pie and desserts galore, who wouldn't eat out? For only $13.99, this was a meal worth every penny! How much more could you ask for... no cooking in the kitchen all day, no mess to clean up. I met a proper lady from England who was here visiting her son. It was a treat to visit with and get to know her. Ahhhh! My Thanksgiving was absolutely heavenly!

  November 24 - Together at the temple
  

Patty, Bill, Kelley, Steven, Leslie, Carol

Rachel went through the temple to receive her endowments. The Mt. Timpanogos Temple in American Fork. The icing on the cake was that all of us kids were together, and that has not happened in a very long time. When I first saw Patty sitting in the chapel, I was overcome with emotion. I felt a very strong spirit. Mom and dad were there, I knew it! They had waited upon this day for a very long time. I can't even begin to comprehend the joy they must have felt today. I was very thankful to be there with all my brothers and sisters. It was a rare and treasured day. I hope we can attend the temple together more often as a family.

We had our sibling Christmas dinner afterwards. We went to Tacano's in Provo. The buffet and choices of meats, grilled pineapple and vegetables was delicious to the taste. The last time we went there was a few years ago for mine and Kelley's birthday dinner. We had been to a doctor's appointment with mom. She took Kelley, Kerry, and I there. She was in my thoughts all day. It made me think about how generous she was to us children. She showered us with dinners out, kindness, fun, and companionship. I miss her! Dad, too.

November 25 - Thanksgiving at Kelsey's

Kelsey is a very sweet and thoughtful daughter. She had Dave and I, and Audrey's family out to her house for a Thanksgiving meal today. She went all out. Turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and yams. I brought the veggie tray and rolls. Us three girls each made a pie... turtle pumpkin pie, banana cream, and chocolate. When we walked into her house, it was so warm and inviting. It smelled so good. It was so clean. The house was donned in gay apparel. The Christmas tree was up, the stockings were hung, the Nativity was showcased. The new fireplace was ablaze. It was toasty warm. There's nothing like the feel of a fire in a wood burning stove. It was a good day to visit and enjoy each others company.

November 27 - Oh, Christmas tree!

The first year without the BIG tree was a little disparaging to Alia. When she first walked into the house to see a seven foot alpine tree standing in the place where the BIG tree usually goes, you could see her reaction in her eyes. Disappointment! She really wanted the BIG tree. But... this year is a quiet year. No Thanksgiving at my house, no cookie exchange, no Christmas. The BIG tree requires many hands, many hours. It just wasn't going to happen this year. So, I have had my eye on this beautiful seven foot heavily flocked tree with big, round, brightly colored bulbs (like we had when I was a child), from Tia Pan. This was a good year to get it. So I did. I bought some brightly colored ornaments and balls, and had Audrey and the kiddos help me decorate it. A Fisher Price Nativity and ice skating rink sits underneath. I love the bright colors. It makes me smile. It makes me happy. It reminds me of childhood days, and that makes it all worth it. 

Random pictures - 

Emilee likes to sleep with her hands over her face... just like grandma!

Alia is so silly. And silly Ben has to do everything silly Alia does. Love these kids!

Ben's favorite place to sit.... on top of daddy's head! He has front row seating to everything that is going on... reading scriptures, reading books, looking at pictures. He's serious about his front row seating. He's so funny! He is a crack up! He is always making me laugh! 

Month in Review