Let the Games Begin….

Our grandkids from CA. arrived on Dec. 14th along with their mom Carola and the activities began… no time to waste!

G.pa Thompson enlisted the kids into washing our vehicles so they could earn some spending money.

Nick was quite happy to do his part…

attempts at an early morning bike ride :)

Then there was the coconut milk….

you know G.ma had to take them to see the Giraffes at the Naples Zoo!

 special breakfasts- Emily is a great helper!

Andrea and Steve made Quiche’

Carola made her special French Toast…

 On to Gingerbread houses- G.ma helped Nick with his house…

G.pa, with his Gingerbread house expertise, was Hailey’s general contractor!

 

 Emily with her finished product…

Joyful… Joyful….

December brings memories and special time with friends and family…

My Uncle Blane came for a visit and while here we went to see my Aunt Jennie again.

 I can’t say enough about her beautiful spirit and love of life and the Lord. She is an inspiration to all of us…

Sue & Donna enjoying 5th Ave.

A fun lunch outing with my friend~ Debra

 My Aunt Wilma & husband Roy stopped by and we were able to spend an enjoyable evening together…

 Amanda just had her baby girl a month early and she is so small. We have watched Amanda grow up and now she is a mom herself! Way to go!

Think about your blessings this time of year! Each day is a gift- I learned that from my Aunt Jennie :)

 

Giving Thanks in Nauvoo…

This year since we truly were empty nesters we decided to spend Thanksgiving with my parents!  The sun was shining on the 24th so something to be thankful for- we found out later!

My mom invited some friends over to have dinner with us. These ladies are really helpful to my parents- especially when my mom needs help in driving long distances…

  Nauvoo is a place we never tire of…. the morning sunlight is perfect as you walk around the temple grounds!

 Then as the sun sets you can almost hear those sounds of long ago…

We always learn something new- this was a piece of the original Nauvoo temple. As it was no longer in use- this was taken and placed as part of this building on the main street in town.

 Steve celebrated his birthday on the 27th- started the day with a favorite breakfast (still in Nauvoo)

Thanks for the cards, gifts and phone calls- your Dad really enjoyed them and got teary eyed. You have lovely singing voices :)

 

Always Home…

 Dedication of the Key West Chapel- Nov. 13, 2011

It all began on Saturday with Joy Rowe and I driving to Key West for the Open house of the chapel. Our husbands met us later! This giant Lobster is a landmark on the keys (you gotta stop).

Sunday was a most glorious day- getting to see old friends who had gathered for this occasion! The closing song was ‘The Spirit of God’ and as Sondra was playing the piano (same one her mom played) and Sis. Kelly led the music- I truly knew the spirit was there in abundance….

Joy, Donna, Sondra & Janice

This couple is very special to us- Bruce & Janice Gordon. Altho’ I still have to say Pres. Gordon. He was my branch pres. shortly after I joined the church (gave Steve & I lots of advice) and Sis. Gordon was my Seminary teacher and the choir director. I also worked in Pres. Gordon’s electronic shop to earn alittle extra money :)

Special quilt made in remembrance of this day!

   closer look- our family (inc. my parents)

Also got to visit our good friend Norman Williams grave site in the Key West cemetery!

End to a perfect wk.end- eating a Cuban mix & bollos!

This was unbelievable- we spotted this Key Deer on the way home- had to turn the car back around to get this picture (very rare to see one – for me anyway)

 

Reflection…..

38 years ago today I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Key West branch at the age of 16. Many events have happened since then, my parents joined 10 months later, we were sealed together as a family in the Washington D.C. temple, I went to ‘Ricks College’ in Idaho, waited for Steve to return from his mission, we married in the Salt Lake temple, 6 children and now 6 grandchildren later. This wk.end our Key West branch is finally getting a new chapel dedicated after all these years. It’s bittersweet for me as I knew the ‘ole’ building had to come down. I would always say ‘if only those walls could talk’ and so I look forward to attending the open house on Sat. and being there for the dedication on Sunday. What remains the same is my faith and love of the gospel that started so many years ago on that special day- November 10, 1973.

Here I am with my ‘missionaries’ that taught me the gospel- Elders Porter & Sanders!

The day I got sealed to my parents in the temple!

I had 4 callings (positions) while attending the branch- one of my favorites was teaching my Primary class….

Another one of my classes….

 Eleanor Garrison (my 2nd mom) introduced me to the church (she was my piano teacher) and so my journey began…..

I know the quality of these pictures are faded but the memories never will…

(stay tuned for pictures of the dedication)

 

Costume Cuties…

 Emily in matching outfits with her American Girl doll from Princess& the Frog…

Hailey- looking adorable as ‘Tangled’

Nicholas- as a Storm Trooper or as he likes to call it- A Blue Storm Trooper!

Spencer & Nate as Skeleton Guys!

Miss Ginny Mae- our lil’ pumpkin

Can’t resist showing off our 6 grandkids…

Oh to be Young......

The Swamp Thing…

 Time for the 62nd Annual Swamp Buggy Parade! Just the name itself- is thought provoking… After all there is a Swamp Buggy Queen- not sure what the requirements would be…

We braved it this year (along with the Lewis Family) with the threat of a tropical depression and a major downpour from the night before. It only lasted an hour but tradition calls and the Lewis kids made out like bandits with the candy!

Benjamin setting the stage…

Sophie (have to embarrass you) in the Lely High School Band…

And then there’s her sister Emma- who we also like to embarrass! Their band was the only brave high school to be in the parade!

This is what I call creative!

Time to hit the swamp….

Yes- I have my eyes closed- but the only photo of us taken together so it will have to do! Thanks Jill & Doug for joining us…