We Wish You A Merry Christmas!!

I'm Proud To Be An American

Two weeks ago our family commemorated our 50th anniversary of coming to America. To celebrate this important milestone, about two-thirds of the family gathered at my home and we listened to/recorded Granpa and Granma as they shared their story with us. Although the younger children don't yet understand, I don't think that there is an adult in the family who doesn't realize that each and every member of our families lives have been affected because of our parents/grandparents decision to come here. I am so grateful for my parents faith and obedience.

We had been in the country just less than seven years when my parents became United States citizens. This was another wonderful thing that they did for me and my two brothers. We became citizens automatically as our parents received their citizenship. I can remember going to the courthouse in Ogden and watching this solemn ceremony take place. Again, I am grateful to my parents.

Today is an important day for our country. As citizens we have the responsibility and the privilege of voting for a President. I voted last week, and as I returned to my car after casting my ballot I was overcome with emotion as I contemplated what I had just taken the opportunity to do. I hope that I never take that for granted. I will never forget the election of 1980. We had a young family then and were living in a rural community. Mike and I drove several miles to a different town where we were to vote; it was late in the evening and the line was long, by the time I actually voted I knew that Ronald Reagan had already won the election, but I was so proud and excited to cast my vote for him. I also remember the election of 1968 when I was in the 5th grade. Our teacher held an election in our class. I remember proudly voting for Richard M. Nixon. He won in a landslide in Mr. Christensen's class that year... as he did in the real election.

As citizens we have the right to vote for the person of our choice. Some people are very private about their choice while others seem to be campaigning for theirs. I feel that I have paid close attention to the issues during this election, and I felt prepared to cast my vote. After voting last week I proudly wore my 'I Voted' sticker all day. I was surprised when a customer at the deli asked me who I voted for. There were a few people in the vicinity whose attention immediately turned to me and to see what my reaction was. I can proudly say that I spoke without hesitation, and with kindness, as I answered... "hopefully the winner."

I Love Fall

Me with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and former co-workers from Leger's Deli enjoying the "Witchapalooza" dinner theater.

I love all the seasons of the year... but fall is my favorite. I love the change in the weather and the temperatures cooling down; this year in particular because it has been so hot for so long. The other day while buying my favorite oatmeal at McDonald's, the woman at the drive-thru looked at me and asked in shock, "where is your coat?" I'm not quite ready for a coat yet... it feels good to be cold. In fact, I haven't even turned the heat on in my house yet... not even once.

I always look forward to setting my clock back an hour. Not only do we get an extra hour of sleep for one night, but I love it when it gets dark early... at least for a few months.

I love watching holiday movies like Ichabod Crane, Charlie Brown and The Watcher In the Woods, I especially like it when the fire is going and I have some of my favorite fall treats. These cold, dark nights are perfect for hot cocoa.

I love the beautiful colors on the mountains. They match the colors of Halloween and Thanksgiving which I love, and I love my cute Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations.

I love it when it is overcast and then starts to rain... especially when I am at home where it is warm and cozy.

I love fall outings such as going on drives in the mountains with the Johnson's; or visiting a corn maze which I did for the first time this year with our YSA ward; and something else I did for the first time this year was go see the musical production "Witchapalooza" at Gardner Village. I loved it!!! Next year I'm going to be brave and dress up. Does anyone know where you can buy those cute black and purple striped tights?

I love to do fall cleaning in preparation for the holidays and settling in for the winter. My recently cleaned windows are still see-throughable even though it has rained.

I love fall/winter clothes more than spring/summer clothes. Does anyone else feel that way? I think most people probably like their spring/summer wardrobe more... probably because they can wear flip flops, and I don't ever wear flip flops.

I love fall scented candles. I just bought one today called autumn wreath... it smells like apples, and apple scented candles are my favorite.

Fall is the perfect time to make soup for dinner and I have several good recipes. Soup and hot rolls... so yummy! I really love everything about fall. How about you... what do you love?

Mike's Happiest Place (to visit) on Earth Part 3 of 3

The week after we returned from Disneyland, Mike and I spent the weekend in Yellowstone. The much cooler temperatures were a welcome reprieve after our hot summer here at home. On Saturday morning as we left our hotel and drove into the park it was 16 degrees... I loved it!!!

Mike has an amazing eye... he sees everything!! He can drive and will see things in the sky, on the mountain, in the meadow, in the river, on the lake... sometimes as we drive by, I'm still looking for what he's already seen. It truly is a gift he has.
He also knows the names of every animal he sees, some of them I've never even heard of before. He's always pleased when I see an animal first, and when I point out things like "this is bear country" or "this is moose country" as we drive through certain areas in the park (I'm not just an ocean girl).

We stopped at Mike's favorite place in the park... Hayden Valley. He got out of the car, set up his chair and spotting scope, and watched for about two hours. I sat in the warm car and crocheted. It was beautiful and peaceful.

In Yellowstone it is not uncommon that when someone pulls off to the side of the road... everybody stops. Everyone wants to know what you are looking at. Sometimes I find it a bit comical. As Mike watched in Hayden Valley, cars kept stopping and people would come over to ask him what he was looking at. I wish that I had taken pictures of all the people who stopped to talk to Mike. He was always friendly as he pointed out the elk that he was watching across the valley and on the mountain, even sharing his binoculars with strangers. Mike loves nature. Yellowstone is his favorite place to visit and I love going there with him.

Vacation: Caitlin's Happiest Place on Earth Part 2 of 3

Three weeks ago the three of us spent three days with our three Leger families in Disneyland. It was hot, and day three was crowded, but it was great!! Some of my highlights were: being there with my four kids, seeing the grandkids excitement as they saw their favorite characters and rode on their favorite rides, yummy Disney treats, finding a bench to sit on, going on splash mountain with Mike and our four kids, buying a Mickey jack-o-lantern, the Halloween decor at the park... but my best moment was when I went on my favorite ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, with our entire Leger family (18 of us) in one boat. Mike and I sat on the last row with William in between us, and as I looked at my entire posterity in front of me I couldn't help but reflect back 28 years ago when we brought our three little boys to Disneyland for their very first time. Our family has sure grown in 28 years, and seeing all of those I love in front of me at that moment, well... it brought a little tear (or two) to my eye. Here are just a "few" pictorial highlights.

Vacation: My Happiest Place (to visit) on Earth Part 1 of 3

We have been very fortunate and blessed recently to enjoy a couple of brief vacations. Our first trip was to Southern California, which is my favorite vacation spot.

This was actually a Disney trip; but Mike, Caitlin and I drove all day on Saturday September 22, just so that we could enjoy nearly 24 hours at my favorite place... the ocean, or as I affectionately call it... t'ocean. We traveled all day and arrived at our hotel in San Clemente at 5:50 pm, just enough time to check-in and get down to the pier to watch the sunset.

I have been vacationing in San Clemente since I was ten-years-old, and Mike and I spent our honeymoon here (there we are standing in front of our honeymoon hotel) and have been bringing our children here for over 28 years. It was surreal to us that we were actually here, having just left our own home eleven hours earlier.

It was a total coincidence that two of my siblings also planned trips to Disneyland and San Clemente that same week. When my brother Alan called me that afternoon wondering where we were at that point of our trip, he was so surprised to find out that we were driving to San Clemente to spend the night. We made a plan to meet up on the pier for the sunset.

We have stood on this pier many times over the years and watched beautiful sunsets. We didn't think we'd see it this night because the sun was hiding behind the clouds... but look how spectacular it is!

Some of our San Clemente traditions are: eating ice-cream cones while walking on the pier (it's the same ice-cream man in the shop year after year) and eating at Pick-Up-Stix (where we also ran into Alan and Marivic).

Seeing t'ocean was a huge BONUS for me on this trip. Part 2 of my vacation posts will be the reason we went.

The Day Before

The middle of August to beyond the middle of September is always a significant time of year to me. September 16, 1991 was the last 24 hour day that I had with Ashleigh (click here if you would like to read about it). Today was very different than that day of twenty-one years ago. The best part of today was going to see Mason in his primary program. He sat so reverently on the stand, he said his part perfectly, and he sang the songs with all of his heart. Of course I had to sneak a few glances at my baby boy, the proud daddy who had a big smile on his face... which brought tears to my eyes as I reflected on primary programs of not so long ago.

I realize that this time of year is significant to many others as well. On the 15th my niece Megan celebrated her twenty-first birthday. Megan was born less than 36 hours before Ashleigh passed away. As I looked at pictures that Megan just posted on facebook I can't believe she is already twenty-one... she is a beautiful young woman, inside and out.

September 17th is Caitlin's half birthday. She was born exactly 18 months after Ashleigh passed away. I am so grateful for Caitlin, she blesses my life daily. She is my best girlfriend. In some ways I think she saved me.

I have been blessed with some dear friends, and consequently, their daughters are my dear friends as well.

Stephanie Johnson Lambert was married on September 17th. I remember that day so well as I was privileged to be there in the temple with her. I was so happy for Steph. What a happy September 17th.

I remember the September 17th when Charity Johnson Dabel received the most precious gift as her baby son Kadon was placed in her arms. Kadon makes me happy every time I see him as he greets me with a huge smile and enthusiastic wave.

Two of the men in my life; my brother Alan and my grandson James share September 12th birthdays.

There are some sad and tragic memories associated with these few days in September. Six days before the 10th anniversary of Ashleigh's death was 9/11. I will never forget that day.

I had only one cousin that was my age and he passed away when he was seven... September 17th would be his 54th birthday.

Happy and sad... good and bad memories; some of the circumstances that make life... life. Of course tender memories surface each September 17th (which I like to refer to as "Ashleigh's Day"), bringing with them waves of emotions including tears and sometimes sadness... but also feelings of love and peace and the assurance that we will be together again.

Here's hoping that this September 17th will be a joyous one with happy new memories to add to the list.

Caitlin Goes Back To College

Today is Caitlin's first day of school at LDS Business College where she will be studying interior design. I can't believe that she is already in her second year of college.


This is "Walt"; Caitlin's new car. Just last Saturday Caitlin sold "Tink" who served her well driving back-n-forth to Utah State all last year. I'm sure that "Walt" will be even better.

Do you notice any significance in the names of Caitlin's cars? In the (very) near future we will be visiting the happiest place on earth. Can't wait.

Day 31: Full Circle

I thought I would end my 31 day challenge just as I started it... with my grass.

Do you remember this picture? It was taken just one month ago and posted on day 1 of my 31 day challenge.


These two pictures were taken yesterday morning. We are so happy with our grass. It is green, and thick... and we can't even see the seams in the sod. Mike has already mowed it 3 or 4 times.


We still have a lot to do (trees, shrubs, flowers...), but we're off to a great start!!


The winner of my blog/facebook contest is:

Ashley Mills

Day 30: Da Moose Da Moose

Alan and Marivic (brother and sister-in-law) are visiting from California. The other day they drove to Bountiful Peak and happened upon this moose. While telling Mike and I the story (and it's a funny one), Marivic tried unsuccessfully to show us pictures of the moose on her laptop. Later that night, I received this notification from facebook along with the following photo:


Marivic Cuyos Marsden added a photo of you.

At least I'm drinking water and not soda pop!!!

Day 29: When the Family Gets Together....

Our whirlwind weekend didn't end with Sunday night... Monday night we had a family get-together with the Marsden's. My sister Lilian is always very generous with her home when it comes to large family gatherings, and with more than 50 of us on my side of the family... we have some large gatherings. About two-thirds of us were at Lilian's Monday night.

Timothy (#3),Lesley (#1), David (#6), Dad and Mom, Archie (#2), Lilian (#5) and Alan (#4)

Jeff and Melissa, Andy and Kristin, Sean and Lindsey, Alan and Katelyn, Jessica (Russell arrived later)
A combination of grandkids and great-grandkids, including Caitlin and some of my grandchildren