Happy Birthday Alex

Today is Alexandra James' first birthday. He is such a little sweetheart. It is hard to believe that he is a year old. This past year has gone by very fast. He loves to eat, bite, especially fingers and shoulders, laugh, and play by him self with his toys. Because of this he just barely started crawling. Mike and Kassy have tried to get him to crawl but he has been content to just stay in one place, that is until last Monday when he really wanted to play with one of Josh's toys. Now Josh is having to put toys up high where he can't get them. Now the battle begins. Alex loves to get kisses on his neck and it always brings a big laugh.

Mike and Kassy had a big party for him on Saturday. He received a lot of new toys and clothes, one from his family is a Mail Box toy that I'm sure Josh has taken over. Alex's favorite is a puppy. I made him a teddy bear cake. He wanted to get it before the party but when he was able he didn't want to even touch it. It was so cute that he would cry until he got a taste of the cake, he would start the process over and over.

I was so excited Saturday night thinking that finally I had taken a lot of pictures that I could post but as I went to down load the camera, it is MIA. We have searched the house and even called Mike and Kassy. Hopefully we left it at the Pratt house and they find it for us. Paul thinks this is funny because I usually don't use the camera and it could only happen to me. I will post them when we find the camera.

Young Women's Theme

A good friend of mine change her background and so because of her I have changed mine. It is about time because I have had it for over a year now. Any way I went with a page dedicated to Young Women's. As a few of you may know I'm back in the ward as the President. I served in this calling beginning ten years ago. I have been back in the program now for over three years, serving as a counselor in our ward and then as a counselor in the Stake Young Women's. It was a shock to me. I knew that the release from the Stake was coming but not in the manner that it did.

Needless to say, I'm back and because of the great women that the Lord has called to serve with me I'm excited to say the least. We are already looking forward to camp and all the fun we will be having with the girls. Plus we have new personal progress books and jewelry to go with the program. I now need to begin working towards another medallion for this new year.

I love this program because it's main purpose is to "Come unto Christ". Each of us, no matter our age needs to do this. This is why the church has opened this program up to all women of the church.

So new changes and new beginnings for this new year and new decade.

Happy New Year even though it is a little late.

HE is the reason!!!

It was twenty-five years ago today that my eyes were opened more fully to the tue meaning of Christmas. Oh, I had felt it before but nothing like this day so long ago. I had forotten until in Sunday school class yesterday. Memories flooded my mind of Christmas' past This one brought tears to my eyes as I remembered those events.

All the preparations had been made and with only six days left until that big day, a tragedy hit the area. Paul was working an afternoon shift at Deer Creek when news came that Wilberg mine was on fire. He called me to tell me the news with very few details and that he would be late in getting home. It took until the next morning to hear that my cousin Phillip was one of those trapped. He and I had been close while growing up with our birthdays a day apart. News was sketchy at best. Even when Paul was sent over to the mine to work in the warehouse to aid in the rescue, he still couldn't pass on many details. We didn't see much of him.

Sunday morning, the 21st was bright and clear. Spirits hopeful and cheerful for our children's sake. Because of this the Oveson annual Christmas party was held. Kaye and Lydell were the hosts this year. Paul wasn't able to attend because he was still helping at the mine. Minutes before the party began Richard told me that he had heard there was an explosion at the mine. My heart skipped a beat. The warehouse was located underground. Paul was in the warehouse. Richard tried to assure me that he was safe but I wouldn't believe it until I heard from Paul. Even the kid's excitement couldn't stop the tears. Kaye had arranged for the granchildren to perform the Christmas nativity. It was then my mind and heart was touched with why we celebrate Christmas.

We celebrate His birth for without Him this earth life would be a waste. Families would mean nothing. He came to this earth to show us the way, to pay for our sins, to die so we can live again, to give this life purpose and meaning. Because of HIM and only HIM we can remain with our families forever. He is the reason for the season. He is the light that shines. He is the peace that each of us seek. The greatest gift we can receive or give is love, His love. I pray we all remember Him and reflect His light as the greatest gift we give this year.

Merry Christmas to all.

Kyler's Kindergarten Christmas program

Last Wednesday we were invited to a very special Christmas program. I'm sure this is the first of many to come. Kyler has been so excited about this program. He has been saying his part for a couple of weeks and singing the songs, which I'm very grateful for because we had a difficult time understanding any of them. The program was so cute with the kids telling what their favorite part of Christmas was, Kyler's was decorating. Just watching the kids being their normal little selves with their teachers trying to keep them under a little bit of control was well worth being there.

Kyler at the end of the program. He jumped off the stage into his Grandpa waiting arms. He was so excited and silly.
If you look hard you can see Kyler, second row, second one from the left. The lighting in the gym wasn't very good so this is as good as it gets.

Early Christmas Present for Grandpa and Grandma

First I need to ask you to forgive me for the quality of the pictures. As usual we have forgotten our camera and only had cell phones. For years Paul and I have taken our children to Salt Lake for a day of shopping and seeing the lights. Over the past couple of years it has become more difficult to get everyone together. This year we came very close. We went to Tepyanaki for our dinner. We lacked having Nicholas' three kids plus Cyrena and her family. We really enjoyed ourselves and dinner was great. The kids had fun watching the show before us as our meal was prepared. Family is what Christmas is all about.

Brittany, Hunter, and Nicholas
Alex, Mike, Kassy
Van, who is really growing up.

We wouldn't give Alex anything else to eat so he settled for the table.

Josh, Paul, and Les
Alex picking on Van, so it begins.

I'm so grateful for my family and I love them with all my heart.

These are for Cyrena

I think she is using these pictures for a Christmas present. At least I'm hoping that she is. Cyrena you need to remember Hunter. There are pictures on their FB pages, Brittany has the most. I can't wait to see it. Posting twice in two days isn't normal for me.

Christmas Tree 2009

Since Paul and I became a family so many years ago, every year we have gone as a family to cut our Christmas Tree. Oh, there was one year I purchased a tree and had to throw it out on Christmas day because it was worse than dead. I did put up a fake tree after having a bad dream about a tree catching fire but that was over just after I started that. When the kids moved away we started going to the mountains Thanksgiving weekend. This year we went to Cottonwood canyon. We were disappointed that there was no snow. But it did make it easier for the grandkids.

The four oldest grandkids wanted to go with their Dad's and Mark up on the side hill to cut the tree. The problem was I was left alone with them and the sagebrush was as tall as they were. But we pushed on with Josh getting upset because we weren't going faster and Lexie wanting to go back to the Jeeps. Josh wasn't about to get lost and have me leave him. He held onto a string on my coat until his Dad came to help him.

In the mean time Paul stayed with Kassy, Tara, Alex and Van. They went for a ride to the top of Flat Canyon. Alex is now big enough to drive. Tara wanted to climb with the rest of us but Van just isn't ready for that. Plus she forgot her Moby wrap.
The tree that we chose was the second on the left. You can see Nicholas' yellow coat. Also I'm in there with the kids. Each of the kids were able to cut the tree except for Lexie who didn't want to. Josh makes the cutest sawing sounds. Kyler, being the oldest was given the privilege of cutting the tree down. I took video but silly Grandma forgot to save the video. I did get pictures but they didn't turn out very well.
Coming down I had only Lexie and Kyler to take care of. It was almost easier to pack Lexie than have her struggle with the sagebrush. I would like to know when Kyler grew up. He was guiding me back to the road.
Josh and Ashton were able to get a ride back. Mike and Nicholas had the duty of pulling the tree back. Mark decided to follow all the rules but cutting the stump down and spreading out the branches.
It is getting more difficult putting all of the kids on the four-wheeler but so far we were able to do it.
Nicholas said on Facebook that I have a desire each year for a Charlie Brown tree but I don't think it looks much like a Charlie Brown tree. Each time I look at it I remember the adventure we had and it brings a big smile to my face. I worry for the year that we won't have help in cutting a tree and I will have to go back to a fake tree but for now I'm going to enjoy this most wonderful tradition.