Together is a Wonderful Place to Be!

December 26-30

For the last week of December, I put together some collages of family gatherings.... celebrating the Christmas season TOGETHER!

Our annual Christmas Dinner with mom was filled with mixed emotions to say the least.  I was grateful to Kelley and her insight to have it at her house.  With mom gone, she filled the void the best she could.  She was a gracious host.  She put together the most beautiful guest bedroom.  It is filled with mom's trinkets and furniture.  I love it!  Peace and comfort surrounded me as I drifted off to sleep each night.

Dinner was delicious.  Simple.... pot roast and rice, broccoli salad, and mom's Christmas jello salad and rolls. Treats from the treat exchange was dessert.  The food was passed around the long tables to each guest in an orderly style.... just like you see in the movies.  And I wondered why my dinners couldn't go like that!

Kelley and Kerry look like Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus as Kelley gets ready to pass out Angels from mom's Victorian Christmas tree.

Steven surprised us with Precious Coins from dad's collection.  Bill carefully opens his metal lock box... so formal, while it looks like I made out like a bandit in the bag he put mine in!

I love my brothers and sisters so much. It was so enjoyable to be with them, visit, and just feel their sweet spirits. I even felt mom and dad's spirit for a brief moment.  You know, when you're just sitting there, looking around, feeling grateful, taking it all in... and then it hits you!  I was so thankful to be taken to that warm, quiet moment where I could feel mom and dad so near.

A big SURPRISE!

A beautiful Australian Shepard puppy was left under the Bywater Christmas tree!  Her name is Liberty Mae and it fits her just right.  Makaela also got a Nook, and Brayden got a Bebe gun.

Alia told Santa she wanted "cars" for Christmas.  She got some and loves to roll them down Ben's car track.  Ben loves music.  He shakes, dances, and sings with every song he hears.  His singing guitar and microphone were perfect gifts.  I enjoyed making my rounds to Kelsey and Audrey's houses after Christmas.  And it is always fun to hear from the kids down south.  Shaniel's kids gave me a book called My Grandma is Special.  The best part about it... it is read to me in their voices.  I love it!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was on Sunday this year.  We didn't get up until 8:30 a.m. and never made it to church.  That made me feel a little sad.  But, it was so enjoyable to have Steven and his family up.  

Notice the great wrapping that Dave did!  He wrapped my gift up in used paper without taping it.  Funny!  He gave me a camera, which I was thrilled about.  I gave Dave a jar full of quarters for pop and a Subway gift card for lunch. Cheese and pots for nachos & cheese were a big hit since that is our favorite treat at the movies!  It was a very good Christmas.

Dinner was the best all season.... clam chowder, rolls, and green salad.  Yummm!!

Hardware Ranch

Steven and Misty, Josie, Hailie, and Jarrett came to spend Christmas with us this year.  Steve wanted to take his kids to Hardware Ranch to see the elk.  Kelsey's and Audrey's families came, too.  We arrived at Hardware Ranch at 12:00 noon Christmas Eve.  "Cheeseburger", was our guide.  The horses had long strands of bells on them that made the wagon ride festive.  Unfortunately there was not enough snow for sleighs.  We are in a bit of a drought this year.  There are about 300 elk that winter at Hardware ranch.  We had a tailgate picnic after our wagon ride. We had trail mix, ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, orange slices, and hot chocolate.  Yummm!!  Going to Hardware Ranch was a highlight of our whole Christmas season.  

The last time I went out into the herd of elk was when I met Dave in 1993.  Actually, it was our first date, and...  we took all our kids.  And before that, in 1979, when Kelsey was just over 2 years old, Greg and I went.  And before that, in 1959, when I was 2 years old, and dad was working at Hardware Ranch, I was there a lot!   

I always like to tell the story of grandpa Bates and uncle Bill working on the ranch when they were going to school at Utah State. 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was filled with fun, and hopefully good memories.  We planned our night around the country Germany.  For dinner we ate ham, German baked beans, carrots, green salad, rolls, German pancakes, and wassail.  Makaela gave us a report on Germany (in preparation for her school presentation), and Kelsey read the story Miracle of the Wooden Shoes while the kids watched the German Creche circle from the wind of the candles. The kids got a surprise knock on the door.... Wooden Shoes filled to the brim with miniature oranges, candy, and peanuts.

This year the kids put on a talent show.  Makaela played Christmas songs on the keyboard while the rest of us sang along.  Hailie and Alia raced marbles down the roller rack.  Brayden entertained us with his Karate moves, and Jarrett was in charge of keeping the crowd alert and applauding.  The judges... Chad, Audrey, and Mike.  It was tons of fun! The kids opened presents from us, and we finished the evening reading the Christmas Story found in Luke 2.  Afterwards, baby Jesus was put in His rightful place... in the cradle, filled with straw, underneath the Christmas tree.    

On the Twenty Fifth Day.... Christ is Born!

December 25, 2011

After we read the story of the First Christmas in Luke 2 last night, we placed the baby Jesus in His rightful spot. Happy Birthday Jesus!

On the Twenty Fourth Day.... Wooden Shoes

December 24, 2011

Jarrett and Alia listen to the story of the Miracle of the Wooden Shoes as they watch the German Creche move in a circle from the wind of the candles.

Kelsey, Audrey, and Steve's families, along with Chelsea and Kel, came up for Christmas Eve.  After a part German dinner, Makaela gave us an interesting report on Germany and Kelsey read the story of the Miracle of the Wooden Shoes.  Then....

A knock at the door.  The kids made a run for the door and discovered a pair of Wooden Shoes filled with peanuts, small oranges, and treats.  

On the Twenty Third Day.... Caramel Turtles

December 23, 2011

Today I made mom's Caramel Turtles.  And I learned something new.  When I was going through mom's recipes, I found the original card.  This delicious Caramel Turtle recipe was handed down from Grandma (Ida) Bates.  

I placed some turtles on a pretty tiered plate and set it on the entry table by mom's nativity.  

On the Twenty Second Day.... Garland

December 22, 2011

When we built the house and designed balconies in it, I knew that I would be decorating them with garlands at 
Christmas.  This is the balcony that overlooks the front entry.  I can also see it from my bedroom.  I love to leave the lights on way into the night and turn them on early in the morning.  The lights are soft, yet illuminating.  I feel my soul and heart fill with light and it feels good.

On the Twenty First Day.... Welcome!

December 21, 2011

Tonight I had our Young Womens/Young Mens Activity at our house.  We watched Home Moives that the youth made and filmed.  The theater room was a big hit!

It has always been my desire that all who walk into my home feel welcome.  The entry sets the tone.  It seems to be doing the job, which I am very grateful for.

On the Twentieth Day.... Snowman

December 20, 2011

Grandma (Ida) Bates made me a ceramic Snowman one year for Christmas.  He is one of my treasures.  I put him on the shelf, surrounded by garland and a festive sign, in the main floor bathroom this year.  It is always a pleasant surprise when guests open up the bathroom door.

On the Nineteenth Day.... Nut Crackers

December 19, 2011

I have always been fascinated with Nut Crackers.  The Nut Cracker above stands at attention over a hand made bowl from Germany that is filled with nuts. 

When I went to Germany, I knew there were some things I just had to get.... a Nut Cracker was one of them.  He is standing on the right side of the shelf (below).  And you can just imagine my excitement when I was able to add mom's collection of small Nut Crackers (three of them) to mine.  They are standing on the shelf next to the large wooden one on the shelf.  

On the Eighteenth Day.... Candles of Light

December 18, 2011

Guests are greeted by candles with softly lit lights underneath the pine boughs.  Light is the first thing I think about at Christmas.  Christ is the first giver of Light.  In light, we receive hope.  It illuminates the way to Eternal Life. Because I am blessed with the Light of Christ, I have the responsibility to share that light with others, as He would. Having the gift of the Holy Ghost gives me the inspiration and guidance to follow that light to bless others.  I always want to be worthy of that special light that shone down on us the night of our Savior's birth.

On the Seventeenth Day.... Old Ornaments

December 17, 2011

The box is filled with remainders of Grandma (Ida) Bates Christmas ornaments.  The tree and girl are ornaments that we kids painted and decorated for Family Night one year for Christmas.  They bring me so much joy!

On the Sixteenth Day.... The Stockings were hung

December 16, 2011

There's one on each side of the fireplace.  One for me, one for Dave.  We don't use them like we should.  Maybe next year we should use only the stockings to fill with gifts from each other, nothing else.  Fun!

On the Fifteenth Day.... Raggedy Ann

December 15, 2011

She sits on my bench every winter.  I bought Raggedy Ann from a quaint shop, On the Avenue, in Logan about 20 years ago.  She has earned a spot in our family!

On the Fourteenth Day.... Wise Men

December 14, 2011

The Wise Men followed the Star to Bethlehem, seeking the baby Jesus.  To me, the Wise Men stand for knowledge and wisdom.  They were thoughtful in the gifts they brought Him.  I hope I am wise in the gifts I give the Savior.  Being grateful, providing service, being compassionate, patient, faithful, forgiving, and showing forth love and good works are all good gifts I hope to become wise in.  

I love mom's hand-painted Nativity.  The colors of the robes on the Wise Men are warm and colorful. Mom's Nativity sits on the entry table in the dinning room.  The lights are just like mom positioned them, and when I turn them on, my thoughts take me back to her home in Carbonville with the Nativity sitting in the kitchen bay window.  And that brings me peace! 

On the Thirteenth Day.... Blue and Silver Balls

December 13, 2011

Blue is my favorite color, and anywhere I can use it, I do.  I have a mixture of patterned blue and silver balls in the large glass bowl that sits on the dinning room table.  The teal ribbon adds a colorful and festive flair.  I purchased these old-fashioned, glittery Carolers from Roberts Craft a couple of years ago.  They are just the right size to sit on the table.

On the Twelfth Day.... A Manger for His Bed

December 12, 2011

We put a cradle, which represents the manger that Jesus was laid in, underneath our Christmas tree.  It is empty now, but on Christmas Eve, when we read the story of the Savior's birth, we will put the baby in His rightful place.  We have the kids up for Christmas Eve every year. 

On the Eleventh Day.... The Nativity

December 11, 2011

This is what Christmas is all about!  The Nativity reminds me of the Savior's birth, mission, atonement, and resurrection.  The Savior showed us how to live by His example.  I feel His love every day.  I love the Christmas season and the opportunities it provides for us to serve others.

A couple of things we have done to make the Savior the center of the Christmas Season -

• Service project - Instead of drawing names for Christmas, we put that money we would have spent on each other, and do service for someone in need.  This was Amie's year.  She was inspired to make the Layna Simms Christmas season a little brighter.  Her husband got killed this past summer while working construction for Nielson's.  We sent Layna tickets to The Forgotten Carols. 
• Reading the Scriptures - Dave and I have been reading 3rd Nephi, from the Book of Mormon.  It gives an account of the people on the American Continent during Christ's time.  Reading the scriptures has brought a spirit of peace into our home.
• Stories, Church magazines - By reading stories that reflect the true Christmas spirit, it reminds us to keep our focus on the Savior.  Dave and I read The Mansion for Family Night, a favorite story of President Thomas S. Monson.  I know what next year's book will be for the kids (we give them a Christmas Picture Book every Christmas, and this is at the top of the list.  This year we gave them the book, Christmas for a Dollar, by Gale Sears, another good book).