P.S.

Here are the signs made for Logan's game..... and my sister Elizabeth's said "Logan's got game!" and at the end of the game when they won I guess they made the last sign that John & Allison are holding!!!




And while I'm putting up pictures, I just have to put up a few more of my nephew!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend Day 4.........

Saturday was for shopping!!!! Allison, Katie and I went shopping while John and Alan & Logan watched the BYU vs Utah game and then went into deep mourning as Utah won! Earlier that morning Logan had another game but they made it home in time for the all important BYU game!

Then I had a family dinner so that All of Barbara's family could come and get to know John and Allison a little better and for all of my side of the family to be able to see them one last time before they headed back to college Sunday morning. It was nice to have people over to my home and entertain. I haven't done that in a long time. I went the easy way and had Cousin's BBQ because I wanted to spend time with my children while they were here not spending all my time in the kitchen cooking! I can cook whenever....but this week was for me to be able to be with my family!!!

And I know you know what we did next.....yes, you got it, we played cards!!!! Canasta is too much fun and a longtime family tradition. It would not be a family gathering if we did not play cards in my grandmothers and my mothers honor!!!

We miss you Mom!

Thanksgiving weekend Day 3.....

Ahhhh, I am grateful for so many blessings!

Friday - Alan, John, Allison, Elizabeth, and Grandpa went to Logan's High School Basketball tournament in Duncanville! They made signs and everything to hold up as he played! There were 2 games on Friday and one on Saturday and on Saturday, Alan was the only one to go with him and Logan's coach said to Logan, "hey, where is your family with all their signs? I loved that". I will say the signs were fun....John wrote "You've just been Clay'd" which was Logan's favorite. Allison's said that "Logan Clay #10 is hot" with flames drawn all around it which she said she meant that he was on fire!!! Alan's said something about "Logan Clay #10 is #1" or some such thing and Grandpa was the most conservative, his said "Go Logan #10!". I can't remember what Elizabeth's said.

Logan is the star of his team and the coach even has a play designed around him - where he is the one given the ball to make the shot! It is a lot of fun to watch him and he is the 3 point king! It's a thing of beauty to watch those 3 pointers swish through the basket.

My job while all this was going on was to pick up my new-to-be Niece in law, Kristen, to take her to meet up with Elizabeth and Allison in Rowlett so that Allison could take her Bridal portraits! Ohhh, they are gorgeous! I can't wait to see them on Allison's website....and no Jimmie you cannot see them before the wedding!!!

So then it was all about fixing hair, doing make-up and getting the bride dressed in her bridal dress to have pictures taken. The location that they went to had trees and a lake, a beautiful field, railroad tracks, and an old farming bldg. with equipment that made for some very exciting and amazing pictures!!!

Can you guess what we did after that????? You got it....we played cards - but this time at Elizabeth's house!!!

Elizabeth has 6 beagles and they all decided that they loved John and had to sit with him. I think this picture is too funny!

Thanksgiving Weekend Day 2......

If you have already read Day 1, go back and read again, I added more pictures since I was finally able to download my camera to my computer!!!!

Day 2 was actually Thanksgiving day! Again, so grateful for so many blessings but this year especially grateful for new family.....and getting to go to their home for dinner and only being in charge of the 3 dishes and not the whole dinner!!!! Barbara's sister Beverly has a great home for entertaining and we were entertained and had awesome food as well!!! and it didn't hurt that there was a pool table and other things like the football game on big screen t.v.'s to keep things lively!!!

Tradition dictates that we go to the movie Thanksgiving afternoon after the dinner! I hate to admit this, but I am getting old......I was too tired and would rather go home and take a nap then go to the movie....so we sent John & Allison and the old parents and Aileen went home and took naps! John and Allison went to see "Harry Potter" they said it was awesome!!!

I am grateful for naps!

Oh yes, as always, we played cards!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend day 1

Oh, I am so thankful for so many blessings. But really thankful in particular that John and Allison were able to be with us for Thanksgiving this year! Anne Marie did not have time off at the Hospital so could not come, but we are trying to get her here for Christmas!!! Tuesday night Their flight was to arrive at 10:40 pm and I got a call after John and Allison should have been in the air saying that their plane had been delayed arriving so that they could board and then head out for their destination and that there was a blizzard coming to Salt Lake and if they didn't get left by a certain time they would be stuck! so I (and they, I'm sure) prayed very hard that all would work out....and they did make it out just in the nick of time according to the captain. Then there was a delay in Denver as well, so they were finally here at 11:45 pm

Wednesday Alan & I had to work in the morning, but that was o.k., because the kids were able to sleep in and by the time we got home everyone was ready to go....

My sister, Elizabeth and.....

my nephew, Logan came to be with us so we all decided to go bowling!!

and Katie too! (our 4th daughter ;)

We had a great time --- Aileen beat everyone (of, course she had bumpers, but still!!!) the first game. And I can't remember who won the 2nd but it was probably a toss up of Elizabeth and John. I had a coupon for 6 bowlers for 2 hrs and popcorn and drinks for free....so when I bought the pizza and fries it was a really reasonable deal for all of us to have a GREAT time!!!

I forgot my camera. I know you who know me will find that very hard to believe. Luckily Elizabeth had her iPhone and took some pics and emailed them to me so we do have pictures of the afternoon of fun!

We went shopping for all the traditional Thanksgiving foods we needed to prepare (family favorites of 7-up salad, funeral potatoes, and butterscotch and chocolate Rice Krispie treats)

Then we played cards until 2:00 am......

at which time we thought it best to make the jello and Rice Krispie treats and decided the potatoes could wait until morning!

Awesome 1st day!!!

Saturday at the Temple.....

Yes, you read correctly.......I was at the Temple 2 days in a row..........really fantastic. Originally I thought I would go on Friday and then Alan could go on Saturday with our Ward Temple trip as it was his assignment in the Bishopric. We very rarely get to go to the Temple together because of finding someone to watch Aileen. But my amazingly wonderful Visiting Teacher, Linda, told me that she and her husband were not planning on going until Saturday afternoon, so what time did I want her to come over and watch Aileen so that I could go to the Temple with Alan. I almost felt guilty for accepting this kind offer knowing that I already had plans to go on Friday, but I pushed the guilt aside and said "THANK YOU!!!!"

It was wonderful to be at the Temple with my hubby! Really such a blessing! Thanks Linda.

What a weekend!!!!

What a great weekend!!!

Friday, Mary Ann, Ashley and myself all went to the Temple

then to Chili's for dinner afterward.

It was a really special time with these amazing women whom I also consider dear friends. We are planning another Temple visit together in January so Sarah K, and Ashley's Mom, you should plan on coming with us then - that would be really exciting for Ashley!!! This was only Ashley's 2nd time to the Temple with the first one being 10 yrs ago. For me it was every bit as wonderful as if it had been one of my daughters. It was a very tender moment when Mary Ann looked over at Ashley and said with such love - "I'm so glad you're here". Then we all cried!