I made a great decision last year.

Two trees!  Two trees!

One real and warmly adorned in the family room and one fake and standing regal in the living room.

 

I love, love, love that we have always had a real Christmas tree.

Nothing beats it.  The smell, the look, the nostalgia.

I grew up with real trees ~ sometimes flocked, sometimes not, and sometimes with lots of tinsel.

When I was little OH! how I loved the tinsel.

 

When Brent and I were married, I was adopted into the tradition of going up to Apple Hill in CA to find and cut down our tree. 

 

These are such happy, warm memories that are mostly about our kids being little again and the magic and wonder of the season shining in their innocent eyes.  And Grandma Joyce...passing around the hot cocoa or snuggling up with a grandchild to keep away the shivers.

 

Getting the tree from CA to Utah or Arizona was always an adventure.  One year, as we were speeding down the freeway, our tree flew off the roof of our van and bounced along the road.  Branches breaking free and poor, unsuspecting travelers luckily (and thankfully) dodging the 7 ft. green mass of pines and cones.  Another year, at a Utah tree farm this time, we cut our trees down in massive amounts of snow.  There was so much snow, if fact, that you couldn't tell what shape or condition the tree was actually in.  We would shake the snow from the branches as best we could and the little cousins would shout "that one looks good" and we'd let the axes fly.  Uncle Tom's was so bad that year that he had to take carpenter nails at least six inches long and pound the tree stand through the carpet and into his floor boards just to keep the thing from toppling over!  I laugh now at the sight : )

 

Although our trips to Apple Hill have diminished, we still keep the tradition of finding and bringing home a real tree.  It's a favorite part of Christmas for me. 

 

 

So we found our tree for Christmas 2012.

 

It is a fragrant bundle of noble branches with warm golden lights and all of our family ornaments collected and handmade over the years. There is even one that Joyce kept.  A handmade little drum that Brent made in 1974 and he proudly places on the tree each year.

 

 

 

 

And the other...

 

One of my vivid childhood memories is the Christmases of blue and silver.  It's what Mom loved.

At sometime in my life I promised myself I would have a Christmas of blue and silver.

 

And that sometime began last year...

 

 

 

Have yourself a very merry Christmas!

I have a crush...

He is much younger than me.

 

 

But boy! Oh boy!  He has made his way into my heart.

 

He threw a chair yesterday.

It landed on my big toe. (I'm limping)

He ended up in time out.

But BOY oh BOY is he ever a keeper!

From the patio...

The sun writes poetry across the sky
Relinquishing its hold on the light that sustains
And bows out gracefully and beautifully
To the moon that will rise for the night that remains.

~ A. Coyle

 

I'm extremely glad that I can stand out on my back patio and take in beauty such as this.

Thanksgiving around the Brown table...

Love this...

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

This year we created a THANKFUL word wall.

One letter of the alphabet each day, beginning 26 days before Thanksgiving.  It was a daily opportunity to be specific about our blessings.  And some letters really allowed us to stop and think...which is always a good thing.

 

 

This is what Thanksgiving looked like at our house this year...

 

My mom's jello salad is a must.  It was when I was growing up and it still is now.  Cooper asks about it 200 times in the days prior.  On a visit back home some time ago I was able to go through mom's cupboards and get my hands on the metal ice cube trays that she used to set the jello in.  Now I use them for setting the jello cubes and somehow it makes it that much sweeter.

 

Brent's mom's orange rolls are always on the table as well.  Brent carries on the tradition like a pro.  Maddie can consume these by the dozen and will even pass on pie just to have another roll. Brent is also in charge of the mashed potatoes.  Creamy, dreamy deliciousness.

 

I remember my dad being the best at gravy.  I somehow have the knack.  Mashed potatoes and gravy are my favorite sides!

 

Years ago we were invitied to share Thanksgiving dinner at a friend's home. Such a kind and fun family.  Carolyn shared her stuffing recipe with me and I've never looked back since.

 

Our turkey is a new tradition.  A wonderful family, not far from us, digs a huge pit on their property and slow cooks the turkey over night.  Last year was our first attempt at the slow roasted pit turkey.  It was our own fault that it didn't turn out as expected so we gave it another try this year.  OH. MY. GOODNESS.  Absolutely the best turkey we've ever had.  Fall of the bone tenderness.  I'm not kidding.  And it freed up my oven for all the other yummy stuff.  BONUS!

 

Not pictured are the pies.  I'm not one for a store bought pie.  Brent makes the scratch crust.  He's good at it.  We make pumpkin ~ straight off the Libby's label and banana cream ~ my mom's recipe.  Brent loved my mom's pie and I love that he makes it every year because I know he loved her too.  Oh!  And whipped cream whipped with beaters, not out of a can.  There is no replacement for fresh whipping cream.  It makes memories I tell ya!

 

Our Thankgiving table is overflowing.

 

Full and overflowing with traditions that expand our gratitude and fill not just our tummies but our hearts! 



a note to mom

Dearest Mom,
Your smile and laughter are just two of the best parts of you.
Your incredible ability to love without limits is another.

Loving you always.
Missing you still.

Fall Break ~ the end

Over and out...

Whenever we visit Utah it feels like we go go go!

And this trip was no different.

 

Our Friday night stop over spot was with the extremely generous and never a dull moment Howard family. (how is it that I missed getting a picture?)  There is a huge hole in our AZ neighborhood since they moved.  It is always a wonderful excuse to spend time with John and Kristen and their kiddos when we need a place to stay on our way through to Clearfield.  And how is it that when Kristen cooks for my children they LOVE whatever she makes??  This time around it was a yummy potato soup with homemade breadsticks that were divine!  If I made potato soup for my kids they would roll their eyes for sure.  But my 3 amigos requested I get the recipe and I have to report that since our return home, I have made it with wonderful reviews - thanks to Kristen : )  One of the qualities that I love about John and Kristen is that they let their kids be kids.  Sometimes I feel like Brent and I smother that part in our own children so when our kids get together they full out PLAY!  It doesn't matter the age difference.  They enjoy each other and that makes me very happy.  Our stay with the Howards is always a wonderful part of our trips to and fro.

 

After the game on Saturday we stopped by the Penningtons to say hello.  Love this family!  Always so kind and giving. They live under the Y and right next to Lavell Edward Stadium.  Their front lawn has provided a comfy and close view for many a 4th of July firework shows.  They had a darling exchange student from Korea living with them.  It was so fun to make an instant connection with her.

 

After traffic cleared we headed north to Clearfield and landed at Grandpa's house.  From there we met up with my oldest brother and his family one night and then got together with my next oldest brother and his family the night after that. (again, no pictures! ugh!!) I love seeing my brothers and sisters in law.  The older I get the more precious these relationships become. Seeing my 5 nieces and their growing families is a bright spot!  It just warms me up to spend time talking, catching up and laughing.  This is my favorite part of visits to Utah ~ my family.

 

We squeezed in visits with life long friends and even had a girls lunch with our own girls.  Maddie and Hannah have already made plans to meet at Disneyland in the spring.  We'll see how that pans out.

 

It has been a very long time since we have spent any time in Salt Lake City so one day me and the kids rode the speedy train into town.  We met up with Brent and did some exploring.  We toured the Conference Center and then walked the temple grounds.

 

 

 We met up with Brent's Dad, sister and her family at the new City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake.  We indulged in dinner and dessert at the Cheesecake Factory and filled the cash drawers in some of the stores.  These cousins really enjoy their time together and spend most of it laughing and joking around.  I love watching them interact.

 

 

So another fabulous visit to Utah.

The mountains filled my mind with colors I won't soon forget.

I love colorful, happy memories!

a little break from Fall Break...

As everyone was getting ready for bed last night and the election results proclaimed a winner, I must admit my heart was v e r y.  h e a v y.

I turned off the TV.

Shortly thereafter my thoughts and actions were directed to something entirely different.  No connection to the election whatsoever.  But something and someone that needed my immediate attention inside my home.

As I knelt in prayer late that night and began to express the feelings of my heart to my Heavenly Father concerning this child I was blessed with understanding and clarity that I did not expect.

That is when I learn the best...when I least expect it.

Suddenly my heart was lighter in regards to the election.  I had been viewing it as this big looming part of my life.  That feeling was replaced with hope and peace as I recognized that I already know who is the ruler of this nation and His plan will move forward regardless.  A friend reminded me of a beautiful verse in Psalms 46:10  "Be still and know that I am God".  Truth is beautiful, isn't it?

Still upon my knees, I felt I turned a page and moved forward.

I expressed deep graditude that I was in the right place at the right time to attend to the someone in my home who had needed me.  This will matter most now and forever...my family.  One wonderful man and three incredible children all beside me to walk this earthly journey.  I felt an increased desire to be better and do better by them.  My heart swelled with emotion as I recommitted to loving them more, teaching them more often and repeatedly, learning life's lessons together and creating a home where they can come to at the end of any given day and feel safe and protected from whatever lies beyond our front porch.

So no matter my political affiliation or yours...

What does matter is what goes on inside the walls of my home.  This is my focus.  This is my priority.  No matter the matter...

"So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all.  Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you till your journey's end."



Fall break ~ part 2

Out and about...

around lunch time

 

somewhere on campus around autumn time

 

you can't the Arizona out of the girl

 

at Brent's old stompin' grounds

 

at bat once again

 

like father like sons

 

somewhere high above the 30 yard line

 

till the bitter end

 

as the sun sets



Fall Break ~ part 1

Out my window...

 

at the very top of Highway 20

at the bottom of Highway 20

freeway freedom

somewhere along I-15

we finally arrive



Cooper's been busy being awesome...

 

4th grade Native American Day was filled with loads of great activities like

pinch pots...

making Navajo tacos...

Navajo Warrior training...

 

sunset and silhouette art...

 

and lots of other great games and activities.

The teachers pulled off an amazing day for the students.

This is an annual tradtion I enjoy being a part of.

 

 

And of course the American Heros program.

 

Cooper spoke about Helen Keller.

He was...well...awesome.

 

and more awesomeness...

 

Cooper earned his Bear in Scouts and had to make it through the dark and threatening BEAR DEN in order to earn his badge.

That's him behind the curtain gettin' roughed up by the "bear" aka: his dad : )

 

WHEW!  He made it out alive!

 

And me getting the pin that his dad deserves MUCH more than I do.

 

Atta boy Coop!  We love you!

 

 

Wait...

this is my last Native American Day,

my last 4th grade school program,

and my last Bear.

Blinking is dangerous these days.



You never outgrow it...

Sometimes a girl, no matter her age, just needs her mom.

I miss her most when I want to share something really happy

and

when I want to share something really hard.



I love this picture of my childhood kitchen and mom and maddie sharing a beater.

 

These are the moments that make life beautiful.