Somebody is Ticklish

We hope this brightens your day!!!

YOUNG WOMEN'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

Last night the Monrovia Young Women had their YOUNG WOMEN IN EXCELLENCE program.

The theme was:
The 14 young women walked in on red "carpet". They quoted from the scriptures all the attributes of royalty they are promised. They sang beautifully and spoke on their personal progress. What a beautiful group of daughters of our Heavenly Father.

We're dancing over having a full house at Christmas!!!

It Happened!!!

We received our first Christmas Card today!! This is not it - it was even a picture card - but I thought I had better not post the picture without permission - some people may not want to display their lives!! I will tell you it is from Heather and Rick Hodgkinson and it is a picture of their darling little girl Annie. She must be about 15-16 months old. These are the days you just love to go to the mailbox!!!!

Another Weekend Project!

With the kids gone to Magic Mountain last Saturday - and no nail gun in sight - dad decided to put in my new faucet and re-caulk the kitchen. I received the faucet for my birthday and it is just gorgeous installed - don't you agree. I know that plumbing isn't dad's favorite - but he did such a fantastic job - kids - your dad rocks!!!

A Fun Reunion

It was very fun to see these three boys together again. Jacob gave his missionary report on Sunday. It was excellent. I was very glad that Jeffrey and Steven could both be there for that.

Magic Mountain!

IN REMEMBERANCE OF GRANDMA CORNWALL

Five years ago today Grandma Cornwall suddenly passed away. Here are a couple of videos to help us remember the grand woman she is.

A SAMPLING OF POETRY
Mom & Dad had the opportunity to be at Grandpa's poetry readings, one in Utah and one in California, to which many of Grandma and Grandpa's life long friends were invited. We thought some of the rest of the family would appreciate a sampling of those evenings. Please keep in mind there is a bit of background noise, occasional coughing, etc... Hopefully you will appreciate Grandma Cornwall's wonderful gift and Grandpa's love for her.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG MOTHER
Many noble mother's (e.g. C. Frandsen, J. Broberg....) have made it clear that as young mothers they looked to the style, cheerfulness and apparent ease that Lenore Cornwall raised her 9 children. Lenore was at the same time a stellar Laurel teacher, Relief Soc. President and/or Road Show writer/director. This impressed upon them they could do it too. This writing shares the insight that even Lenore Cornwall had her challenging days. (FYI - "Enemy entrenched territory" is a quote from C.S. Lewis.)

A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

Jeffrey and Dad did it... the crown molding is up. This one little picture does not do justice to the very, very, very long Friday the Jeff helped, up and down and up and down, etc... to fit each of the 6 pieces the make up the crown detail.Then the window casing all got re-installed....

And we will have lights that are more than a dangling light bulb from a wire in the middle of the ceiling. Note: these are special toggle dimmer light switches... so not only will we have lighting it will be adjustable. Woo, woo... (Good for "spooning" to quote Mom.)

Two Cute!

Paisley wore a new birthday outfit today and she looked very cute! When we were at Walmart today Santa was there taking free pictures. Paisley was too scared to take one by herself so I got to sit on Santa's lap with her and take a picture. It was a lot of fun.

Picking the Christmas Tree

We went with the Anderson's to pick out their Christmas tree. It was really cold. Winter is here, finally.

Having Fun with Daddy on Thanksgiving

A Happy Anderson Thanksgiving

We had a great day at the Anderson's with a yummy Turkey meal. I think Elizabeth enjoyed her first Thanksgiving although she didn't eat any of the traditional turkey, potatoes, or stuffing, but she did have a big bowl of rice cereal.

Wunderbare Schokolade

Thanks Jason and Stefanie for the fun package. We partook, we savored, we enjoyed!!!

Your up-to-date weather forecast is...

SNOW!

Our Family Thanksgiving Picture

This was our 3rd Thanksgiving together as a little family of 3! Our first Thanksgiving we were on our own in Provo with a month old baby and we took family pictures, some how last year at the Whelchel's house we didn't think of it, but we did it again yesterday. We've all grown up a bit.

Our Thanksgiving Food

These are the dishes we took to our friends house for Thanksgiving. We took funeral potatoes, jello salad, a fruit plate with dip and a chocolate dessert. It was a lot of fun and we had a lot of good food! Paisley had a fun time helping me and we had to take a picture in our Christmas aprons!

Our Thanksgiving Day!!

Before we left for Grandpa's watching the Macy's Day Parade!!!

The cute "In Brown" kids - quite a transformation

The gift Robb gave me - just wanted to prove that I used it at least once a year - it made our gravy great!!!

Beautiful tables

Cute girls at the bar!!

The boys and Rachel

The adult table.

After dinner visiting

Grandpa organized a Thanksgiving Family Home Evening

James looks excited for the event!!

Rachel and Sarah sang

Mom was in charge of games - here we are playing don't eat Pete

One game was to tear a piece of paper in the shape of a pumpkin - trick for this game - it is behind your back!! Very fun day - missed you kids that are far away - (I thought of Christmas Eve a couple of times to stop the tears). We are so thankful for the wonderful blessings that Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with!!!

WEIGHT... DON'T TELL ME...

Today we replaced all the rope for the double-hung window counter weights. Most of them had long since broken due to age.After removing the old rope, the new was attached to the window sash and threaded through the jamb pulley.

The new rope is tied to the counter weight - one on each side of each sash.

A nice bowline knot - on the right. (Dad's old scouting skills came in handy.)

Completed job. Ready to re-install the window casing.

We also got around to installing the nailers in preparation of the crown molding.

Happy Thanksgiving

I AM THANKFUL FOR....

...a wonderful family who make all my dreams come true.....