Sunday, November 30, 2014

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Kartchner's house this year.  It's been a lot of years since we've done that and it was so fun.  Lots of old memories came flooding back and it was fun to have cousins there to share them with!  We were able to stay the weekend at the Marm with a couple little trips to St. David to say hi in the mix.  Family is everything!
Mikayla was elated when she saw that the Thanksgiving cups were "crystal" (clear plastic cups).  She saved some and carried them around with her all weekend and brought them home.  They are treasures for sure!  She checks on them every few minutes to make sure none have broken and she will name those that have broken any of her treasures.  The cups were used for decorations on the Marm Christmas tree for a short time, but she couldn't part with them long enough to leave on the tree.  Moments like these make me wonder why we ever get our kids any toys when crystal cups and cardboard boxes provides the best entertainment and pleasure?!
Grandma gave each of the grandkids a black garbage sack tied up and inside was a surprise afghan.  She said she didn't want to know which afghan we got because it might be "ugly or dumb", but we were excited about ours.  My Mom said Grandma had a bunch of leftover hot pot holders so she put them together to make an afghan and that's the one we got.  Mikayla loves it and calls it her "Africa blanket".
Maylee snuck outside in 30 degree weather with no pants or shoes, dragging this toy car, in search of her Dad and Grandad.
The girls helped Grandad decorate the outside Marm Christmas tree, too.
Yet another Mikayla treasure.  Grandma Kartchner gave her these bell Christmas tree ornaments and she decided they make lovely earrings.  She even wore a pair to church today.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Remembering

It's funny how certain "things" make you remember someone.  Lali, my Dad's receptionist, passed away a while ago, but she crocheted this hat for Mikayla before getting sick. Maylee slipped on the hat the other morning before going outside and a flood of memories came back.  Lali was an exceptional lady.  She was kind to everyone and everyone she met was family.  Sometimes I wonder how a person could be so happy, so kind and love everyone unconditionally ALL the time, but she did.  Lali is greatly missed.  She was the "face" of my Dad's office for many many years and she was wonderful.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for people who are good examples to me of Christlike love.  I aspire to be like these people because they bring me closer to my Savior.  People like Lali show me what pure love is and I am grateful for a chance to get to know my Savior better through them.  I am so grateful for those who love me unconditionally, just as He would.
Mikayla January 2012 
(Lali added more onto the hat after seeing this picture and realizing our kids have HUGE heads!)
Maylee November 2014


Marm Work Day

My Dad had some friends come help him put in a quarter mile of fence.  Unfortunately I was the designated babysitter and nap time came before much progress was made (and as you can see from the pictures our crew aren't the best helpers with fence building-thank goodness Dustin represented!), but here are some pictures of the start.  It turned out really great though!