Christmas - 2012



December was another busy month. We started the month by going to Phoenix and visiting Tonya and Kevin. (they won't be able to be here this year) It was fun seeing their beautiful house all decorated.  The weather here was very warm for December, so we did a lot of raking of leaves, etc.  It was so nice that we went hiking out back in the red hills. We had performances to go to, family visits, and the usual holiday fun. We went to Tuacahn to "The Live Nativity", we made Santa's out of cinnamon rolls, shopping, wrapping, and watching all the traditional Christmas movies, but my favorites are still:  Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, and A Christmas Carol. But the best time was on Christmas Eve. We had our usual program. Most of the grandkids performed. We had violin, singing, harp, piano, and of course the Hawker version of the Birth of Christ. This year, baby Jesus was our sweet little Lillyana. We had fun opening, and showing off  the new PJ's. With 4 families here on Christmas Day, it took hours to open all the presents, because grandpa still passes them out one at a time. The only bad thing this year was that almost everyone got the flu and was sick for the whole Christmas break from school, but at least we made it through Christmas Day. I love my family, and for me, that is what Christmas is all about! You can see all the pictures by clicking here.


  
Sam making Cinnamon Santa's

Mandi, Ali, & Sam all bundled up at Tuacahn

MaKayla all worn out!

Ali hiking out back!

Stockings waiting for Santa!

Izzy (and Andrea) opening Dec. 24th on the advent calendar. 
She had requested 3 weeks earlier to be the one to open the last day...

MaKayla, & Ellie in new pj's!

Emily singing "The hat I got for Christmas is too big"

The "Nativity" (I love the harp in the background)
Lillyana is in the "cradle"

Younger granddaughters in new pj's!

Grandsons in new pj's! Alex thinks he is too old, 
but he will do it for his grandma!!!!

Gwyneth and the Violin and Bow she made for Alex.
It was the best present ever!!

Mandi's Recital - December 8th, 2012


Mandi started taking Violin lessons this year. This was her first recital. She played one song. She did a great job. Her teacher's husband got a new job opportunity, so she is moving away. It was sad for the students to lose their  teacher. Hopefully, she can find another one soon, so she can keep up her lessons! 

 Waiting for recital to begin!

 Mandi!

 Playing her song!

Mandi and her teacher!

MaKayla's Senior Ball - November 17th, 2012


It is hard to believe that our oldest granddaughter is a senior in High School! It is fun experiencing it through her eyes. These pictures are from her Senior Ball. She looked so beautiful.

 MaKayla's Dress!

 Her mom finishing up her hair!

 Flowers!

 MaKayla & Joe!

 Her Mask!

This is when she came home from school one day, and found her dress and mask. It was a surprise from her mom and I. She had been wanting it for a few weeks, but didn't know we bought it for her.


Alex - November 10th, 2012

Alex is a very talented musician. He plays the Piano, Viola, and the Violin. He is in several Orchestra's.   The  Lyceum Philharmonic Orchestra played and recorded a special with the" Piano Guys". He also performed in a beautiful Veteran's Day Concert. They will be going on tour in the spring to Las Vegas, Tuacahn (here in St. George), and Phoenix. We don't see Alex as often as we would like, and he hates being in pictures, but he let me take these before his concert. Our oldest grandson is a very handsome young man!






Gwyneth's Baptism - November 10th, 2012

Gwyneth was baptized on a cold November morning. There was a storm during the night that left 10 inches of snow. It was very peaceful. Everything was so clean and beautiful, just like Gwyneth after her Baptism. She looked so pretty in her new white dress!


 Gwyneth and Scott before Baptism!

 Her "Baptism" box!

 Doug & Cynthia in the snow!!

 Scott's Family!

 Snowstorm!

Grandpa carrying Gwyneth through the snow!

Ali's 10th Birthday - November 5th, 2012


Ali turned 10 this year. She had a friend party at her clubhouse, and then the family got together here to open presents and have cake. She was very excited to get her very own sewing machine.

 Ali and doll #10!

 New Dress!

 Sewing Machine!

Her cake!

Quilting! November 3rd, 2012

Ali came for the weekend. She has been sewing scraps from a quilt that I made her, and she is making a quilt for her little sister Lilly. I was teaching her how to tie a quilt. She did a great job!

 Ali!
 

Halloween 2012

The little grandkids got dressed up and went to visit their great grandma. (The Assisted Living home was having a Halloween party) It was the hottest Halloween I can remember. At the school parade, the kids were all sweating in their costumes. Brad's family came for the weekend, and it was fun having little ones here carving pumpkins. They are very creative. I took MaKayla to Tuacahn to see "Thriller" It was a fun Halloween.

 Emily!
 MaKayla!
 Izzy (trying to look like her pumpkin)
 Andy!
 Oldest and youngest granddaughters!
 Visiting Great Grandma!
 Great Grandma (86) holding Lilly (7 months)
 MaKayla!
 Sam!
 Ali!
Mandi!

Braces!! October 24th, 2012


Ali got her braces on this month. Mandi was so mad, because she wants them too! When Izzy came to visit, we had to get pictures of their "Tin Grins"


 Ali!
 Ali & Izzy!
The girls with Aunty Beth!