March 17-21 Our week with Grandma

I set up the sewing machine by the washer in order to work on some Christmas place mats that I started months ago. I thought this was a good time to finish them up.

When we left to go care for Mother we were told that she had improved in health to the point where she needed constant entertainment. For the first time in 2 months, she ventured on outings away from her house. On Tuesday we took her to see the blossoming trees in Toquerville then Garth decided he wanted to go up toward Virgin. As we got near Virgin we turned around and started back to LaVerkin when Garth decided he wanted to explore the road that went up to the Mesa where the government had a testing facility for high speed ejection seats. Mother didn't much like the looks of the road but as we got higher she began to fret until Garth turned around.

This first picture gives you a little idea of the height.

We stopped long enough for me to get a picture of our reluctant traveler. She informed us she was not enjoying this and that we were going to fall over the edge.





























Garth snapped this shot of Mother's living quarters. She spends 99.9% of her time in this chair. I had a family video on that she was watching.

We had a pleasant interruption on Tuesday evening when Sam, Marenda, Addie and Kasen came to see us and "Grandma" and joined us for dinner before returning to Orem.






I couldn't decide which picture to use because Kasen is looking in one picture and Addie is looking in the other one. This is just before they left to go home.
















They had to drive up in the "development" behind Grandma's house to see how our beloved hillside has changed.

The Reason For My Silence

Between spending our time in LaVerkin caring for Mother during a very difficult time then getting a bad case of the flu myself, I have been pretty much out of commission.


This couch was the scene of my sick bed for a good week. We arrived back from caring for my mother who was still suffering from the flu and I started with chills and fever that day and didn't do much else for the next week. The second week, I plugged away working a little each day on the quiet book but it was two weeks to the day before I was back to full health and energy.



This second picture shows that we actually had snow in LaVerkin while we were there. It doesn't happen very often so I had to take this picture.

Garth is surveying the scene.

Look What I Have Been Spending My Time Doing!

Shanda requested a Quiet Book for Talia's first birthday. I thought you all might like to see some of my hard work.

Long time - No Hear (or see)

Sorry for the weeks of silence but with the week in LaVerkin followed by having Shanda and Talia here and several days when all girls came over to visit, I just didn't make time to get on the computer.

Here's an update of the past 3 weeks. We have one more week at home then leave for LaVerkin next Saturday, February 2nd.


LaVerkin - January 4 to 12th 2008 On Monday night we got together with Randie, Klynn and Quinta for a lovely meal and a short lesson. We had to start early and be done by 8:00 because Randie is a die-hard Phoenix Suns fan and their game was starting.













This next picture was taken from my mother's front porch. We have a great western view and some of the sunsets are really beautiful. Too bad they only last a short time then are gone.














One of my projects this time in LaVerkin was to quilt Mellissa Rosenhan's throw quilt. She and Serena put it together a year ago but Mellissa was grateful when I offered to quilt it for her so she could use it.

You'll have to admit that it is really striking with the satins and striking colors.




















We had fun one day when Fred and LuDeen showed up with a trailer load of snow from Pine Valley where they live. Garth helped Fred "unload" the snow then we all loaded firewood on the trailer for them to take back to Pine Valley. It made an otherwise predictable day of sitting with Mother, a bit more interesting.













Fred and LuDeen at picture above then below, Garth and Fred are surveying the load.













As always we were very happy to be back in our own home Saturday, Jan. 12th. We went to Provo and picked up Shanda and Talia who were staying with family while Preston worked with some people from Carpet Direct in the Layton area. It was fun to have them here but I failed to take many pictures.
This is one of the days Trina and Marenda came to visit with Shanda and work on projects. I enjoyed helping keep Addie, Mitchell and Caleb occupied by playing games with them.


Trina is sporting a bandaged finger to keep up with her mom who seems to have injured her hands a lot recently.



And the last picture I took was of Talia Hickman helping me sew a rag doll for her birthday.

The Pajama Factory

I thought you might like to see all of the pajamas I have made.

Mellissa's and Amanda's. Stephanie wanted the money for a dress.

The Reynolds' pajamas: Alden, Tamlen, Owen and Taren. The older girls wanted money













Paxton, Dana and Shelby's













Tessa, Trenton and Kira's pajamas














Talia and Gavin's pajamas









The Harding pajamas:

Sheridan's and Marcus' pajamas














Caleb's pajamse



















Two versions of Mitchell's pajamas
































Drake's famous "Mars' Mission" pajamas - definitely a challenge to create!
Front and back of the same pajamas















Addie's nightgown. I guess I missed taking a picture of Kasen's green sports pajamas

Christmas Eve 2007 at Our House

For Christmas Eve, we 4 families in the Provo area met at our house in Springville, Utah, in spite of a snow storm that started about the time we were gathering.













Mitchell Harding decided he was very happy to be with me most of the evening.






Trina, Guy and Caleb Harding
















and Liz and Deren Hansen

















Sam and Kasen Brown


















Garth is enjoying the evening with three of our grandsons - Marcus, Sheridan and Drake.





First we sang Christmas carols with each person selecting a favorite. Marenda's accomplishment on the piano makes singing together very enjoyable.




















Addie is helping her mother play the piano.

After a delicious meal furnished by all, we gathered for a little sharing time .

The children from each family shared their talents. Addie and her mom did "Must Be Santa".














Marcus, Caleb and Sheridan told us Christmas jokes



Drake played a Christmas carol for us on the piano and he and his mom sang "O Come, All Ye Faithful" in Latin.



It was then time for the traditional "Nativity" acted out by the children. We started with a beautiful duet by Trina and Marenda, "Hush, Thee My Baby, a Story I'll Tell".


With narration provided by Garth and Deren and songs by all, the children portrayed the birth of our Savior




Drake was the angel, Gabriel, Marcus was Joseph, Addie was Mary, Sheridan and Caleb were shepherds and Mitchell was a little black lamb and Kasen a little white lamb.



Speaking from grandparents' point of view, our hearts were full to overflowing.






















At last it was time for the children to open their Christmas gifts from us - Christmas pajamas




Front: Sheridan, Addie, Marcus, Caleb and Drake
Mitchell, Janice, Kasen