The Gila Valley Arizona Temple

We had the most wonderful experience this weekend--ground breaking for our own temple. It's only two minutes from my house. How is that for being blessed? It was such a spiritual experience to be there. I absolutely loved every minute. We dressed warm, and inspite of early weather reports that said it was going to rain, it was perfect weather. (I'm sure it was because of a lot of prayers.) The general authorities were Elder Wilford W. Anderson of the Seventy and Elder Neil L. Ander son of the Presidency of the Seventy. The spirit there was very strong. There is no better feeling. I love the gospel and my Heavenly Father. We in the Gila Valley are so blessed to be getting a temple. I am soooooo excited. Here are some pics of the program with a pic of the temple. They didn't scan as well as I wanted, but you can get an idea.

I even got to turn some dirt!

After it was over, Scott, his parents, J.J. and Marlo and I got to cook steaks and bisquits for the dignitaries. That was an honor, too.

Family & Christmas--WONDERFUL

We had a wonderful Christmas season. I'm so thankful that all my grandchildren live by me for this Christmas. Jodi was home which made everything complete. Christmas Eve, we adopted a hispanic family that have 5 children, two of which are in my 7th and 8th grade language arts classes. We took our gifts and we all went to their house and sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The father invited us all in. Picture this. A tiny front room. They have seven in their family and their was 15 of us. We gave them our gifts and all the girls gave me a hug. It was very sweet and touching. The family acted very humble but thankful. It was a wonderful experience.

We started our Christmas morning with Steven calling us about 5:15 so we could see Riley see his trampobine (that's what he called it).

Aiden was bright-eyed, butdidn't know what was

going on.

Next, on to J.J. and Marlo's house. The kids were so darling. Of course, Grammie isn't prejudice or anything!

Kashlee giving J.J. a kiss.

Justin loving his Star Wars Phantom Spaceship

The whole family with their gifts.

Next, we all went to Shar and Chauncy's--the boys were still asleep.

But not for long.

They found the things under the tree and on the couch.





But they needed to follow Santa's footsteps to find......


yes, you guessed it.

A trampoline: must have been on a lot of kids lists this year.

Check out that big smile!

Gifts all open, now a family picture.

NOW on to GRAMMY AND PAPA'S HOUSE.

Look at all the Huge presents for all the grandkids! Can you tell what they are?

Yep, mini chairs.

We all had a great time, but most importantly we love each other and enjoy each other's company. My goodness, we have so many blessings! I'm so thankful for our Savior and it is so important that we remember the true meaning of Christmas. Christ loves us all and wants us to all love one another. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I love you all very much, too.

Slowly but SURELY!

My eyes were bigger than my stomach--no that is the wrong cliche. My head was bigger than my body--no that's not quite right either. My heart was bigger than my hands are fast--well that about explains it. Last fall I began piecing quilts for my grandchildren. Well, six twin sized quilts wouldn't be that bad to make before Christmas! HAA! I ended wrapping the ALMOST finished tops and putting them under the tree. Whoopie for them. (well, I don't think they thought that!) It has taken me all year to finish the tops, get them quilted (by machine by another lady) and finally bound. So here are the pictures of them all getting their quilt.

EVERYONE IS READY FOR THE SURPRISE!!

READY...............................SET........

GO!!!!!

AIDEN KASHLEE

Special last two weeks

We've had a wonderful last two weeks. We had Shar's birthday. Oh, Oh, a quarter of a century! Us ladies went to the park for a noon picnic. We enjoyed each other and the kids loved the playground.

That evening we went to El Charro and had the back room. Both Shar and Preston, whose birthday was the 20th, opened some presents.

Then we had our 2nd roping on Saturday. We had 112 teams! Everything went off great.

Here's J.J. and Charlie. They got drawn together.

Lana and I watching from the sidelines.

Scott working the chute, and J.J. jumped in to turn that stubborn calf.

Shar and Karen Lines doing the announcing and bookkeeping.

After all the big cowboys left, the little cowboys got their turn around the arena. THANKS AUNT JODI! Lana and her boys took their turns too.

Hanging out after it was over.

Aiden wanted down in the worst way, so finally, Ciminy let Steven put him down and boy did he love the dirt!

Then today, Sunday, we had SCOTT'S 55th birthday.

Blowing out the candles

Opening the presents.




OH, what was in the purple box?

Can you see it?

Yep, it's a new puppy. Scott has missed his ride around in the truck dog, so I gave him one of our new pups. Of course, I picked the cutest one!!

Steven doing the balancing act with the cake!







After opening the presents, we played the sign game, where everyone has a sign and you pass your sign to another person in the group. They accept it by doing their sign and passing it on to another person all without the person in the middle seeing who did what!

Shar's sign was shrugging her shoulders.

Jodi's was pulling her ear.

I touched my nose.

Justin touched the top of his head.

J.J.'s was his little finger.

Ciminy's was an eye wink.

Sneaky Chauncy was "thumbs up

Scott finally agreed to play and became the "Smokin' Gun"

We've all had a great weekend and really do enjoy each others company. We are truely blessed to have such a loving family!