December

It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas when its mighty Founder was a child himself.  --Charles Dickens

December 6 - fog

I woke up to an eeire, mystical sight... fog! 

December 10 - day with grandma



I spent the last 3 days (the weekend) in North Carolina with Dave. We attended pre-command course meetings. Although we went a few years earlier, Dave felt it was important to attend with his new Master Srgt. She is from Jamaica. A very nice girl. 

It was late Sunday night when I got back home. It had snowed. The car was parked at Diamond View parking lot, and it was buried with snow. It took awhile to get all the snow off and the car warmed up enough to drive home. I was feeling grateful for my garage back home. 

Monday morning came all too soon. I had eye doctor's appointment first thing in the morning. Alia had an eye appointment at the same time. Different doctor. So, Audrey took the girls and I took Ben. He came prepared with snacks, diapers, wipes, and toys. Everyone loved Ben at the doctor's office. He was so good! It was a fun day with just Ben and me. 

When we came out of the doctor's office, it was lightly snowing. Ben was very excited. He ran out the door, stomping his boots, saying "snow, snow!"

December 12 - love



Who couldn't help but smother this little girl with loves, hugs, and kisses! Can't get enough of her. She is the happiest baby I have ever known (well, besides Ben). She is always smiling. She is so alert, full of life and spunk. I can't believe she is already 3 months old. 

December 13 - peeling oranges

Ben loves little oranges. When he wants a snack, he goes to the fridge, pulls out an orange, and peels it all by himself. Start to finish. Then, he has to have a special bowl to put his orange in. Silly boy!

Birthday poster

Since Alia's birthday is in August, she got to celebrate her birthday today at preschool. With mommy's help, she made a birthday poster of her favorite things. Her hand-drawn pictures add to her story. She took Snickers bars to share with her friends. Alia loves preschool!

 December 14 - graduation

Disclaimer: Mother's are entitled to bragging rights!

Kelsey graduated from Weber State University today. She received her Bachelor's degree in Nursing, with a minor in Nutrition and Food Science. She earned a 4.0 grade point in her nursing classes. She completed the honors program and graduated with honors. I am so proud of her! She has applied to the University of Utah to the Nurse Practitioner program. She is going to make a very fine one, at that! When Kelsey puts her mind to something, there is nothing stopping her. She is very disciplined, persistent, and expects nothing but the best from herself. She is such a self-motivator. I love her, admire her, and respect her as a person... but especially as a daughter.

December 15 - playing

I always enjoy having Audrey and the kids up to the house. Mike had to wash windows at some condos at Wolf Creek Mnt. resort, so Audrey spent the day at my house making the finishing touches on the girls Christmas dresses. It was fun watching the kids play. Ben is playing pots and pans with Emilee.

Snow Storm

 

Snow is such a pretty sight of nature. I love to capture it in all its splendor!

December 16 - airport 

Dave came home from his trip to North Carolina today. I went to the airport to pick him up. I park in the park and wait lot until his pick-up sign comes on (Atlanta, Delta flight). He was very sick with a nasty cold. Poor thing!

December 19 - Caramel Turtles

It was down to the last wire making turtles this year. I had all my ingredients except the chocolate. The only place I buy it from is Macey's, and I hadn't been there yet. So, I purchased a large block of milk chocolate from the Amish Country Store just down the lane from the house. I thought it would work. It didn't work as well as the dipping chocolate, but I did get enough covered to take to the kids living south. I made the turtles at Kelsey's house. I was glad to have her and Makaela's help. 

I had a moment there. Kelsey asked me a question about something. I can't even recall exactly what it was, but I immediately responded, "I don't know for sure, I'll call grandma." And, just like that, it took me off guard. What did I just say? The tears welled up in my eyes, and I realized I could never call her again. I'm sure I will have moments like this, every now and again, until I see her again.

December 20 - pain

Pain is something that tells you something is wrong! I had something wrong, and I knew I better find out why I had so much pain in my lower abdomen before leaving for Midway. The pain was so intense today that even taking Ibuprofen didn't ease the pain I was experiencing. I called Doctor Lish this morning and he sent me straight to the hospital for a CT. Diagnosis: Diverticulitis. What's that? I had a lot to learn. I knew it was an older person's problem, it was painful, and it affected your gut. I didn't realize I would have to change the way I ate so drastically. But, I would soon learn. If I was to avoid infection and pain, and possibly surgery, I would do what I needed to. I was put on a dose of two antibiotics and some pain medication. 

December 21 - Homestead Inn Christmas

Our second family trip to the Homestead was a little bit of a blur, although it was tons of fun. We celebrated the end of the Mayan Calendar, went tubing at Soldier Hollow, and went ice Skating at the Midway pond. The kids busied themselves playing King of Bunker Hill on hills of snow for a pass time activity. My favorite part of the trip... watching everyone have fun together!

I attached tags to snowmen for the kids to take home for an ornament. Also, I gave them a hard-bound book of our 2007 Homestead Inn Christmas trip, and a Mayday Roll and Go survival backpack. It was another good trip.

December 24 - Christmas Eve



We had dinner at Kelsey's. Mike and Brayden were looking at lego magazines. Ben, the funny boy he is, went and got two books and layed them down on the floor beside them. He was not about to be left out of the loop!

December 25 - Treasure Hunt

hummm... keys

wonder what they go to?

time for a treasure hunt!

wow! quarters for soda! now, that's a treasure!

Dave was a good sport. He played along with my intelligent game of treasure hunting.

Standing guard

The Mecham family made a snowman to stand guard in front of their house. Alia and Ben add a scarf and black rocks for finishing touches. They did a fine job don't you think!

December 26 - eye surgery

No, not for me this time around. It was Alia's turn for surgery. She developed a couple of sty's on her eyelids that never went away, even with antibiotics, eye drops, and hot compresses.  So, surgery was the best option to lance the bothersome sores and allow the oil glands to open up. She went through it like a breeze. She even got to wear a patch on her right eye... just like grandma did!

December 27 - yeah for snowballs!

Amie brought me a Snowball and Suzie-Q, as promised. She searched her little town of Huntington until she found one of each. She put them in her freezer, to preserve them, just for me. She brought them up to me last week at the Homestead. Oh... so happy! What a good daughter she is!

December 28 - good-bye to an old friend?

It was about time! Dave got me new phones for Christmas. I couldn't say good-bye fast enough to the old one. It was hanging up on people during random times of conversation. Although, I have to admit, I'll miss the old style. On second thought....I'll keep it around for a back-up. That's what I'll do!

December 31 - dancin' New Year's Eve

The end of the year is never complete without family, food, snackin', and dancin' to Just Dance! We also watched Ice Age 3 in 3-D. 

Looking Back....



This year I displayed my first Nativity I received as a child. I believe it was when I was 6 years old. Each child, in Primary, got a cardboard Nativity scene for Christmas. Mom always displayed one on top of the piano. Mine is still in very good condition, in its original envelope. I didn't have a Nativity for several years after I got married in 1975, and I used this one at that time, as well. I have always loved this simple scene of the Savior's birth. It's a treasure!




I hung some old Christmas balls, that mom and grandma had, on the flocked tree this year. They were the perfect addition to a bright and festive tree. They brought back a lot of fond memories of days gone by. Can you remember the big bright frosted bulbs and colorful Christmas balls we had on our tree every year?

Month in Review