Mesa Temple Lights

Tyia and Kattie

Nemo, Kattie, Madison

Kattie and Rich

Poppy and Nana

Jeff and Nikki

Although it was a cold night, we had a wonderful time, seeing the lights, hearing the story from Luke 2, drinking hot chocolate, and listening the the concert. Some were freezing and we found blankets under the seat in our truck to help the Arizonaites who had forgotten what cold desert temps were like. The spirit on the temple grounds is always so strong, and we loved taking the time to remember the story of Christmas.

Christmas Eve

I enjoyed all of my family being together for Christmas! If we didn't do anything it would have been ok, .......but we DID DO things.

We have a tradition of playing darts & we are a very competitive. I always buy about 30 small gifts, but things people would trade for. I usually take a part one of the Cost Co Bath Sets and wrap each individually. I get golf balls, pocket knives, watches, that sort of thing for the men, and I always something the grandkids would want. This year it was hand held games of Solitaire and Trivial Pursuit. So there is plenty to choose from. Oliver won the grand prize, a decorative serving bowl....very pretty.

Then we gathered around the table and enjoyed a Prime Rib dinner. It was fabulous. I was a little nervous to cook it, but it turned out so good. And of course we had the baked potatoes, Pistachio salad, green been casserole, rolls, and all the side trimmings. Dessert was pumpkin pie, or apple pie.

Then we cleared off the table and got the dishes done, and gathered around the tree and exchanged gifts. I am so grateful for my children. You are the best. Always so appreciative for each gift. You take the time to recognize the gift wrapping done with care and pretty bows. You are thoughtful when you get things for each other. A lot of thought goes into the gifts. I am so happy as your mom to watch you all enjoy each other, laugh, and tease, and love one another. The highlight was opening the package from Liz. We each got slippers, towels, & scrubbies. She couldn't let the box not be full so she included more wonderful hand made gifts for us. Everyone was anxious as the box was opened and the names read on each card for every person. How thoughtful you are Liz to do that for me and my family. A million thanks from each one of us.

Then more games and more snacks to finish off the evening. Oliver gave Nikki a game called "Things", or something like that. It was so much fun. We all laughed our makeup off and could hardly breathe we were laughing so hard.

Varce had to settle us all down to gather around the tree and read to us from Luke 2 the birth of Jesus Christ. And that is the greatest gift for us all from our Father in Heaven.

Then the Ritters headed for home, and the rest of us went to bed, with visions of sugar canes dancing in our head.

Hi Lappy

My laptop died before Thanksgiving..... hence, I have not been online for what seems like forever. Kattie and Rich are hardware brain surgeons and they brought my lappy back to life. I love you Kattie and Rich!!!!! They put in aboaut 11 hours fixing my dear lappy. Then, they had the wisdom to FedX it to me. I got it yesterday. At first we thought that was a waste of money because Kate would be here one day later..... but she would be carrying Christmas gifts in her luggage and knew that she didn't need anymore "stuff" to worry about. So, it came yesterday. Now tonight I was SUPPOSED to get her at the airport at 11: 00 pm. However, if any one has seen the weather reports in Portland, Oregon you know we will be lucky if she is here by Thursday!! The airport is closed, and all flights are cancelled until further notice. Even the police were sent home. Stores are closed and employees were sent home. So she is there, enjoying the beautiful snow storm. And may be a white Christmas with Rich and his family. And not with us... bummer.

You can google Portland Oregon web cams and see the weather video on the TV stations there. It is marvelous....

You can also see Idaho Falls web cams.... it is 3 degrees there this afternoon....!!

Thanksgiving week

This is the grateful week. My list:

1. My children, and husband
2. My extended family
3. My Savior, Jesus Christ
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
5. Living Prophets
6. Paper towels
7. Poop bags for dogs on walks
8. Hair dye
9. Automatic dishwashers
10. Christmas music

Sweet Goodbyes

We are experiencing a heart ache upon a heart ache. It seems the harder I try to do what is right, the harder life becomes.

I have a wonderful friend who lives in South Jordan who is fighting breast cancer. She just finished her 5th week of chemo. 2 weeks ago we had the funeral of one of my past bishops, with the fight against cancer. Bishop Black was the bishop who sent Oliver on his mission. My niece's brother in law is going through the anguish of cancer. It seems every which way we look there is some kind of disease inflicted on families. Some of those infirmities we bring on ourselves, and others we have no control over. But the cancer cells seems to be a common one we each have had a personal experience with.

Cystic Fibrosis is one which, thankfully, doesn't touch every family. Chrones Disease is not common in all families. But they are two diseases which our family deals with each day. Although we might not see it on a daily basis, it never goes away. It lingers in the shadows of our lives. We plan reunions, and menus and even trips to go eat Mexican food around these diseases.

Tyia has a way of putting into words my feelings as well as hers. She has the ability to say what I find hard to identify as what I feel.

I would like to refer you to " tyiahuntsman.blogspot.com "and read one of the most heartfelt blogs I have read in a very long time.

As we pay tribute to our dear Becky, who lost her fight with Cystic Fibrosis (also known as "65 roses") we think of her brother who went before her, with the same disease. We think of the fabulous music her brother David plays on the piano. He is a concert pianist, and is sought after all over the west. He has sponsored a benefit concert entitled "65 Roses" for many years. A local florist, who is aware of the dedication this family has to research on this terrible disease, always donates 65 long stem roses which are placed across the stage for David's concert. It is a sight to behold.

As we remember the loving heart of Becky, her siblings and her parents Garth and Rochelle, I can only feel peace, knowing they will all be together one day.

Becky, thanks for your example. We will miss your earthly body being with us when we go for Mexican food at your favorite restaurant, but know you will be there in spirit! We love you... till we meet again.....

Happy Birthday Oliver

You are in New Mexico, doing just what you love to do. Hiking, camping, and outdoors with your friends. We sang to you today on your cell phone, and thought about you and miss you.

Hope you are safe and having fun.

Happy Birthday to you!!!

Welcome November

Nov. 7th meant the last trip to Idaho to put our things in storage. The trailer wasn't very full but we were able to get all of Tyia's belongings out of her storage as well, so off we went.







We arrived in the Salt Lake Area at the end of rush hour on a Friday night. It was a near death experience at least 5 times. I had white knuckles and knew we were going to die! I know one thing is for sure... I will never live in Salt Lake City!



We drove to Layton and stayed the night. It was cool weather and we loved breathing in the crispness of the autumn leaves that were still lingering on the trees.

Saturday we drove onto Idaho Falls and went straight to our storage. The above photo shows the last of our things tucked safely away in for the winter months. We spent the rest of the day resting. We ate dinner at Wendy's, because I forgot the electric fry pan which mom had asked me to bring so she could cook liver outside for our dinner. It smells up the house too much to cook it inside. That may sound gross to some, but liver and onions is one of my favorite meals.














On Sunday we were greeted by Ashley and Hagen and it was wonderful to see them! That little boy squeezed right into my heart! He loves to play "fetch" with his great-grandmother. They both enjoyed it.

Later that day Varce and I went for a ride to see my beloved foothills. We turned onto a country road and found this herd of sheep being driven to another pasture. The 2 men, one in front and one in back with the help of 4 dogs moved this herd with the only sound was an occasional whistle by the men to the dogs . It was amazing to watch.

Saturday evening we had Christmas! Dad said no packages could go to St. George, so they had to open them while we were there. This is a rocking roadrunner from Mexico that Vicki and I got for them earlier this year. It will look cute in their flower beds, and the grand kids will love to play with it. Dad reminded me of a gift I gave to him a few years ago..... "Just more crap from the kids"! That's right, I gave him a cow pie with a clock embedded into it, and attached in gold plate was the saying, "Just more crap from the kids". I can't help it if Vicki and I are so creative!

On Sunday morning we headed for home. We took an hour and more in South Jordon the visit Shirlene Seare and her daughter Shannon. Shirlene has been my mentor for years, and I miss seeing her often. But it was such a blessing for us to be able to spend time together and get caught up on each others families and trials, and blessings. I pondered our visit, and our lives since knowing each other as we continued our drive southward. I hope I have been a small light in her life as she has been in mine. Her example, her joyful smile, always positive, and never failing love for her family and the gospel and our Savior and Heavenly Father. She is courageous beyond words, and such inspiration to me. Shirlene, thank you for taking so much time with Varce and I when you had such a busy day to face. I love you!








This last photo is as the sun was setting in Southern Utah. I took dozens of photos as we were driving home, and it is nearly impossible to pick only one to share. As darkness fell, the moon peaked from behind the clouds, and soon we crossed the Arizona border. The sky cleared and the stars shone brightly. We saw numerous falling/shooting stars. What a wonderful end to a beautiful drive home. When we arrived we found all was well. More blessings were given to us this day..... and on this trip,....and I hope I never take for granted to notice each one of them.