Our Merry First Christmas

We took this snap shot of us ourselves. The first two tries were with me in Ron's shadow. So, I switched sides and it came out best. He held the camera and I touched the button with the stylus. His arms are longer. It captures how we feel.



Tanise saw it on her iPhone and wrote: Merry Christmas to the happiest couple of parents I know (and Love). Hope you had a great "first" Christmas together as family. We love you, Tanise.

She called on facetime and chatted a bit to wish us a Great Christmas. We got to talk to Kaiwi about his associate-ship and finishing up his dissertation. Way to go!

We went to our sacrament meeting at nine. The we came home to get ready for our guests. The three girls, Shelly, Shannon Annie and their families came by.

We had a buffet set up and they chowed that down. Then later, about seven I fried some 'taquitos' Annie helped to make more guacamole to have with the taquitos. A delicious combination.

There were lots of treats, crackers and dip, potato chips with cottage cheese with green peppers, a relish tray for the sandwiches, cold cuts, cheese. We had a plateful of cookies and treats from friends dropping by. The kids helped eat those very well. There was fresh Organic apple juice along with wassail mulling spices with cloves, cinnamon and dried orange peel, slighty warmed. Yumm.

The whole day was amazing. Several of the kids out of state called or we talked to.
Just as an FYI, Johnny was unable to come due to bad weather in Denver airport. So he stayed in Texas. Michael called on their way home from the Husted's. Tracie called too, the kids all loved their Lego Pyramids. Matt called too, and said the boys loved the same Pyramid Legos too. Hallows were thrilled with theirs too. Hank called from Djibouti first thing this morning. He was on the ball early with the time difference.

I also got a call from my granddaugher, Aislyn, who is Aaron and Candice's oldest child. She was so excited to talk to me when Ron answered. He talked her a few minutes to find out if she was having a great time. Then she asked to talk to me, her grandma. I took the phone and she blurted out that her "Mama is going to have another baby." She is thrilled as is her siblings. I am for them. Congratulations!
What a nice Christmas surprise.

Celebrating Our First Chrsitmas Eve Together

I count my many blessings being with the love of my life, and eternal Sweetheart.

It is Christmas Eve. Our first together. We went shopping for some last minute things we didn't find to finish up our shopping for each other. Ron went in the truck and I went in the car. Yesterday, he went to one store, and text me while I shopped for him to see if I was done at Target. He said "take your time and I did. He suggested that could mean more goodies! Yea!

Yes!

He went out again while I stayed home to catch up on some gift wrapping and stocking stuffers for the kids. We were going to a family get-together at Shannon's house at 4:00.

Then I had a turn to go to the store to get a few more things for Ron. I only found one or two things from my list left to buy. I think it is done. All I have to do is wrap some of his and stuff his Christmas stocking. We couldn't find the ones I brought from Utah. We bought two more from Dollar Store. I know we will come across the ones we brought as soon as Christmas is over. That is how it is sometimes.

Ron teases me about having things for him that I already had before he came into the reality of my dreams. It was about planning ahead and having room for the man of my dreams with a nice denim shirt in the closet, a tie or two, a few more casual long sleeve size "L," shirts too. Also having new dishes for my future kitchen, tools, nose clippers, or aftershave cologne. And a myriad of other things too numerous to mention that were in my storage unit!!!

"You build it and he will come," was my mantra. A quote from "Field of Dreams."

It worked. What else can I say?

Evening Out at Aromatics Party

We were treated to dinner at Ron's work Christmas party.

They served Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, salad, yams, ham and prime rib. There was pumpkin pie and strawberry cheesecake. It was fun to meet Ron's co-workers and bosses. They were very kind and welcomed me to the dinner.

Ron is in the back row. He stands out in the group and only Gringo in that row.

They had an "Ugly Sweater contest." No kidding. Lots of peple decorated their sweaters, we did too. But the one who one, really did have an ugly sweater. No wonder he won. The prize was $100.

They had a $50 gift card exchange of a lot of restaurants, gift cards for gasoline, Sears, Macy's, other dept stores as well. Ours was a $50 gift card to choice of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steak House. We look forward to going and redeem our gift card at Red Lobster.

Mannheim Steamroller Concert

We were treated to a Christmas concert. We saw Mannheim Steamroller. They were fabulous. Never saw or hear such sound that brought the house down, well almost.

So much incredible talent up on stage. I sat and watch it with field glasses. I could see the main musicians playing electric violins, a piano that had some kind of magnified soumd, and it was a grand piano at that. The drummer was going nuts playing chimes, so typical of the Mannheim sound. I was in hog heaven enjoying the concert LIVE! It gave me chills to hear some of those old favorites. Hark The Herald Angels Sing, among others. IT was two hours of pure delight.

It was that good. Ron enjoyed it and didn't want it to end. It made our week.

Newest Little Angel in Our Family

This is Presley Jane Hallows. She is now six months old. She is such a joy and blessing to us. Her eyes are blue like one of her big brothers. She is Miss Congeniality and Miss Personality. A Miss America in the making.




A cute little Pumpkin outfit.

A Fine Tribute to Mothers

"The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world."




This Mother’s Day, the talks were centered on the subject of women and the honor given to mother’s on their special day. I think of my own mother and all that she taught me, and how that influenced my life and what I taught my children.

Several youth were called upon to speak. Those who spoke had some very sweet memories and kind words about their mothers. Then, a married man gave his talk and honored his wife. We all know his wife, she is a dear, loving and kind example of womanhood. She has in the past year had some very difficult health issues and overcoming so much of her debilitating condition with faith, love and enduring patience through it all. Her husband told of how much he learned from his wife, to always give thanks and honor to God, and The Savior for their unconditional love and pure faith.

I know this sister in our ward, her heart is always full of recognition of one more day, and the appreciation she has to be a wife and mother. Her children are the jewels in her crown, no doubt. A few of them were in the audience in attendance to be with their mother and hear the words that their father spoke so lovingly about her.

There in the row where they sat, I saw two sons accompanied with young women whom they may very well be considering marriage. A thought came to mind, that mother’s in a general sense have great influence upon their children, of both her sons and daughters in whom they choose to marry. The caliber and quality of that prospective partner depends on how that mother dresses, how she cares about herself and her modesty and strength gained from her daily challenges. A mother of faith, will instill upon those children whom she’s nurtured from the cradle, the beginning of their lives and how she demonstrates her faith in God and the prayers she renders in their home by her example. Her honesty has great influence as well. Her standards of integrity also give that mother’s influence to generations. She would be one to speak the truth even if not convenient. Her children learn honesty in that home by how she carried out her callings and diligence of those responsibilities place upon her shoulders as they grew up.

A mother who is honored by her husband also has great weight upon the success of how those children see themselves seeds of promise to excel in their future companionships.

So, it is no small task to be a wife and mother. Her influence is timeless and takes those posterity with her for the eternities by the hand and is their example and guiding star.

May all mothers realize their great potential as they walk that path of influence upon their tender children, whose sons and daughters benefit by her confidence in herself and what she believes.

Welcome to Sweet Baby Tess

April 30, 2011--7lbs. 13 oz. 22.5 inches long born @ 7:48 am,