Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day as a family down at Sherry and Jeff's in Springville. Mike and Katie and their children came and John and I picked Julie up in Provo. Fifteen of the best people in the world spent the holiday together. We had prayer, a silly song, and a big feast! The cousins really do enjoy each other and the adults do, too! Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, yams, salad, crunchy brussels sprouts, homemade rolls, red jello salad (dessert!), olives, crackers, pies...oh, my!! We have good cooks and hearty appetites - they seem to go together! Greg just had his 18th birthday! We all looked through his scrapbook of his first year...what memories that brought back! He's now a tall, handsome, gentle man; we are very proud of him! He has been accepted to both Logan and Cedar City schools, so will have a decision to make in the fall, if not before. Katie and Julie are excited to get shopping at the Black Friday sales! They are waiting for Annie (Katie's sister) to tell them the "plan" and then they are ready to go! I am bowing out this year; been there, done that!! I'm feeling very thankful for family, a warm home, a loving husband, a healthy body, a good mind, exceptional piano students, and the faith that keeps my heart warm and happy!!

Rachel's Baptism Day

Looking back at the past two months required a little memory boost! Where have the past few weeks gone? It may be just me, but it sure seems that time just flies by!! Today Rachel will be baptized at five in the afternoon; Katie has planned a "potato bar" and has invited all and any of the family over for dinner! It will be fun to be together, but we seem to get larger in number and stature every year....meaning the children are getting taller!! After a most enjoyable Girls' Weekend in September, during which I completed our Cancun picture scrapping, I greeted October with a long job list! I decided to finally finish painting the laundry room floor with a light red tile color; it sure does look nice! I added a new 5'x7' golden beige rug and like the results. I also painted the furnace/luggage space, so that is also cleaned up. Along with house-cleaning I also had the responsibilty of putting together the yearly booklet for the Kultura Club. I asked Debbie Spackman for help and she was so gracious in coming over three times to help me format and arrange a ten-page booklet! I was thrilled with the printing job as well and so glad to have it all behind me! My right foot has hurt continuously since February 29th, when I had a titanium screw put into my ankle. I finally saw the doctor who adjusted my orthotic. I sure hope this cures my problem. I have felt worse since the surgery than before it...I need to get better!! Thankfully, John is patient and doesn't expect me to run when I can barely walk!! I have begun housecleaning, because I missed it in the spring. I had John help me with the entry, because of his long arms and legs!! A split-entry is a challenge for me!! I do love to have the house sparkling and organized, yet I realize that it will never all be clean at the same time.....just room by room. We were able to attend the dedication of the new Brigham City Temple...even the Noorda boys and the two eldest McKea girls. We had a dinner at our home afterward and that was a lot of fun...fixed Crock-pot Chicken. I am happy to have another grandchild get baptized! Little Rachel will be a great member of the church. John has mentioned what a cheerful little worker she is; he is thrilled to have Erin mow and Jenna, Rachel and Matty help with weeds, seeds, and leaves. Happy Baptism Day, Rachel!! We sure love you!!