It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

The stake Christmas party is always a lot of fun.

Obviously everyone enjoys coming as much as I do since they usually have 95% or more of those invited attend. This year the Stake Young Men's Presidency had all of the bishop's dress up and sing Feliz Navidad...a real hit. The stake presidency and wives sang "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" with choreography by Sherri Rogers. I admit it was a bit "painful" especially when I looked out into the expressions on the faces of the audience....but it was a fun night being with so many great friends and people from our stake.

More Blessings of 2009

The Glow of Returned Missionaries...

I loved Mikey's report about his mission. He said that in his mission the definition for diligence was "doing in a time of weakness what we promised to do in a time of strength."

Becca was missed by everyone, especially all of the little kids. Her beauty and her vivacious personality endeared her to fellow missionaries and leaders. Unfortunately she may never know how many investigators she helped to influence since she saw them for only a few minutes at a time in the tours they gave in Nauvoo.

They were greeted by a large group of family. A few minutes later, Grandma and Johnny returned home from a visit to see Alyssa and Spencer for Isaac's birthday. They went to Disneyland and had a great time. Reunions are wonderful. And once those missionaries come home, it seems like they were never gone. Absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder.

A Season of Gratitude

This past Thanksgiving week reminded me of the many incredible blessings we have received as a family during the past year. The first I want to mention is the fact that the Allridge family has had five missionaries serving at the same time. Becca and Mikey Alexander came home from their missions together on Nov. 21st. Mikey served in Iowa and Becca served in Nauvoo. They were both wonderful and dedicated missionaries and represent eight returned missionaries from Denise and Allen's family!

A Surprise Visit to Washington DC

Lisa, Kimball and Annie hide in the doorway while Matt mans the camera.

Here is baby James ready to surprise (or I should say "shock") his grandma. I scared him when I screamed and he started to cry.

While Tim and I were in Washington DC to an American Studies Conference, Lisa and Matt and their family surprised me with a visit! Tim knew about it and had coordinated with them but I had NO idea. Late Friday night, there was a knock on our hotel room door....when I opened it up...there sat little James on the hallway floor! I will never forget what a fun surprise it was to see him sitting there and to have the Annie and Kimball jumping up and down in excitment. What a great memory to have for a lifetime!

Visit to Lisa and Matt's

Tim and I enjoyed our visit with Lisa and her family. They have a beautiful new house in Shaker Heights, Ohio where Matt is beginning his medical rotations. It is so hard to live so far away, but we did our best to catch up in the few days we were there. I loved watching Annie at her dance class, reading scriptures with Kimball and hearing him sing and speak in the Primary Sacrament meeting. Another highlight was being in Relief Society while Lisa gave her lesson on the Restoration. I was so proud to see her in her role as a wife, mother, teacher, and friend. We made an effort at a pre-Thanksgiving day dinner, but forgot to turn on the oven for the turkey to cook! We shopped, played with the kids, hung drapes, and went to a pumpkin patch. Little James is such a darling and sweet little soul; he is changing so much!

Our First Magnolia's Meeting

Trying to wax "creative" with DiAnn, Diana, Vicky, Arlene, Annette, Candy and Sharon..

This past week was especially crazy at school, but on Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 we began our first official Magnolia's Quilting Group. Arlene's husband, John, (I'm sure fondly)refers to our little group of friends as the "Magnolia's" from the movie, Steel Magnolia's. Certainly, if we are going to take it a step further and label people from the movie to our personalities, I would be pegged as the "wig-out" mother Sally Field plays. That's another story...

But this was a special night for me in that I have wanted to learn how to quilt for some time and have admired the beautiful work that Arlene, Sharon, and Vicky have done. They kindly organized us into a group and sacrificed their time in showing those of us who are beginners (I think that is just ME) how to begin. We made pillowcases and baby blankets on our first night, as well as chatted away until nearly midnight. It was so nice to have Candy back from their mission and to feel comfortable and secure with women I admire. Thank you to my friends!

Allred Family Reunion 2009

On the 24th of July weekend this year, we joined with all of the Ora and Merrill Allred cousins to do a work project at "This is the Place Heritage Park." We worked on our ancestor Casper Christensen's cabin and enjoyed visiting at Heber Valley Girls Camp. Thanks Aunt Richine and family for all of your efforts!

Life Changes....

This past year has been such a transition time for our family, but especially for me. For the past thirty-two years of my life, the number one priority has been the daily care of our five children. With our youngest son Aaron leaving in May 2008 to serve a mission, I have found myself a little displaced and wondering what to do next?

I also admit I am a little hestitant in beginning a blog. But hopefully with time, I will gain more confidence in learning a new skill. I want this site to be a record of my family and friends; a place where loved ones can know the feelings of my heart.

I also hope it takes the place of scrapbooking! Is that possible?