The Wreath

 

Some seventeen years ago after dad died, I bought this wreath.  My family hated it.  But it made me laugh, and I needed that.  It is one of those that has a sensor and it has big eyes that opens and a mouth that opens and it sings very loud Christmas songs.  When it was on the front door, the sensor would pick up cars in the cul-d-sac.  It annoyed Holly the most when she came home from college and wanted to sleep in. This year my grandchildren told the new grandchildren about Grandmas "Scary Wreath"  It really was time to get it to the cemetery, so today Janice took it out for me.  I won't get there until after Christmas. There is a switch on the back to turn it on.  It has fresh batteries, if any one dares ... Dad would get a good laugh, I am not sure about Mom.

Cal Poly Pumpkin Patch

We had such a fun time at the Cal Poly Pumpkin Patch, Brad and Katie go every year.  I thought it was because they are both graduates of Cal Poly.  I mean, there are Pumpkin Patches all over town, what is the big deal with this one.  Except that you climb around in a muddy field!  What fun.  It is almost like a State Fair, with games and food and a corn maize and a zillion pumpkins and about that many people.  Brad was insistant that we be there by 8:00.  I now understand why.  I think we will go back again.

We Lost a Good Man

 Clyde loved sports, he really loved base ball and soft ball.  So at the funeral, Andy brought Angels hats for the pall bearers to wear.  It was an appropriate touch. The color of the hat matched the flowers the boys wore.  His eight grandsons were the pall bearers.  The one other thing that Andy wanted on the program was to sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game".  It was deemed inappropriate for the funeral service in the chapel, and probably not at the graveside where there was a beautiful veteran led flag ceremony.   But at the cemetery, when the bishop announced that the service was concluded.  We sang the song.
  Andy and Brad both spoke at the funeral, and Wes dedicated the grave.  They did a great job, and I was so proud of them.  It is a difficult thing to do to speak at a funeral of someone you love. 

 Clyde lived an interesting life, although he didn't think so. For his ninetieth birthday we compiled his life story, as much as we could get him to tell us.  I am so grateful we did that.  It is a treasure.

 Glad we took the opportunity to get these pictures, I don't know why we didn't get pictures of Clyde with all his California grandkids.

I guess I was focusing on getting the 4 generation pictures.

Sorry could not resist

Holly Anderson  Baptism Day Oct. 1983

                                                   Nora Rosener Baptism Day Sept 2012

Marlene Hobbs Babtism Day Nov 19 1957

I am working on organizing a zillion pictures, and came across these.  Had to share.

Nora's Baptism

My beautiful, oldest grandchild was baptised and confirmed by her father yesterday afternoon.  What a special day it was.  So many family members and friends were there.  I got to give the talk on the Holy Ghost, if I remember right, my mother gave the Holy Ghost talk when Holly was baptised. I am so proud of Nora, the decisions she is making, and the kind and loving girl she is.  She really does try to CTR! 

Camping at San Clemente

We went camping at San Clemente again this year.  We got 4 campsites, so we invited my extended family to join us.  My brother Ron and his family took us up on the offer, my sister Janice came ( with a new tent) and my sister Lorraine came from Kansas, she was having beach withdrawals. Figuring out food for that many people was interesting.  We had enough to eat, and cooking in the Dutch Ovens is always fun! Brad was great about keeping the Dutch Ovens cleaned. The dessert cones will not come again, and the Peachy French Toast was a divided vote.  The Chicken Pot Pie was a hit, and I think we will retire the Chicken and Rice.

There was this nice large area to run and play games behind the campsite.  All the kids enjoyed it!

 Emily, Mia, Nora, Joshua, Kyle, Maren and Katie

 This was the only picture I got of Holly!  We are at Dana Point Tide Pools

 Sam, Mia Sara and Maren at Dana Point

Katie and Kyle coming across the play area.

We are burning the Reindeer and Elf.  Last year we burnt Santa, Next year will be the trees.  We are getting rid of some very beautiful (um) tole painted yard Christmas decorations.

 Here is grandma and grandpas tent.  It holds 2 queen sized air mattresses, and we can stand up in it.

 Grandma trying to keep Joshua clean, since he is in his PJ's

 Brad and Andy at the cooking station.  We made good use of the Dutch Ovens, and Brad kept them clean.

 The great aunties played beauty parlor.  The girls hair looked great in french braids.

 Mia still doesn't have enough hair to do anything with, but she did have fun with barrettes.

A rare picture of Andy relaxing in the Grandpa chair, we should have gotten a picture of grandmas "Throne"  she has side tables which came in very handy when feeding the 3 year olds.

Mormon Battalion Visitors Center San Diego

I really can't seem to get pictures in the correct order, but they are all from out trip to the Mormon

Battalion Visitors Center in Old Town San Diego.  I gave a children a copy of the history of their Mormon Battalion Ancestor for Christmas, hoping they would read it before we went there. Hoping is the operative word.  

 

 Brad and Kyle are panning for gold, those are my sisters Lorraine, and Janice.  We got some great nuggets (of pyrite), so everyone still has to report to work on Monday.

 Nora and Mia are giving the gold panning thing a shot. They were having lots of fun.

 This is the family picture.  It was taken by and old "looking " camera, that had email capabilities.
Do I need to identify everyone?   Dana and Wes are the only ones missing. Kyle and I are hiding in the back.

 That is Holly under the very fashionable hat helping Sara find her "Gold Nuggets"

 Cutest pioneers ever!! Grandma and Grandpa with the kiddos!

This is Maren and Emily, Maren is Emily's roommate and they keep reminding us that they live in Beverly Hills.