Christmas Day at Disneyland

It was a beautiful day. We spent the morning with Brenda and Lori's family while our children ran around the park, in a group, by themselves.

We met for lunch. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon together, minus Paul who was still with Brenda's family.

It would seem our favorite ride was the tea cups, since most of us rode it 2 plus times.

After a while Michael went to check us in the Hotel. I waited at the tea cups with the children who soon left and went in search of turkey legs. I waited and waited. It got darker and darker. I contemplated how only one child had a cell phone, that Michael had just moved the car, how it seemed like wall to wall people to a person only 5'2''. Soon the children returned and finally Michael came back too. We met up with Lori and Brenda's family again and rode the train and a few other things. We went to the Fantasmic show. It was very well done. On the way back to Main Street we stopped in at the Enchanted Tiki Room to get out of the traffic jam.

We did stop and get lessons on 'the look' from the queen of looks.

Saturday we went to the Science Museum in LA.

Working engines in glass.

Saturday night we had a small fire at the beach.
Walmart wood is a little damp.
I enjoyed it and hope every one else did.
We so seldom see the ocean or just large bodies of water in general.

This is our people at Target picture.

The girls and I playing with the settings on the camera at the beach.
It was a great trip. My recommendation though is to go 1st week in November, mid week. We just walked on to most of the rides at California Adventure.
I love my family especially after getting to spend time with them.
They are the best!!!!!!

Gramma's Christmas Night

Tonight we invited all the children and grandchildren to our home for a story about Rachel the shepherd girl. First we talked about what shepherds are, and what they do. Then we talked about the special shepherds on that night long ago.

After our story Rachel's mom gave each shepherd a bag of goat cheese and bread for their dinner. (Marshmellows, graham crackers, and chocolate). We prepared and ate our dinner around the camp fire out in our field.

Then we returned inside where we opened gifts.

After most of the adults left we started our sleep over. Girls on the floor, boys on the couch. It is now 11:54pm and we are on our second movie and most everyone is still awake. I'm not sure I'm going to out last them. Tomorrow, pancakes for breakfast. We will see what time they get up. Mikie is still playing with his new toy.

Spoiled!

I am one spoiled woman.
After getting up at 5:30 to attend a meeting,
singing in choir for Sacrament meeting,
and attending to a few more things,
Michael came home and fixed me lunch.
I was a little busy myself and was just going to wait until later,
but here he is in the kitchen with my apron on, making me lunch.
Thank you, Thank you,
for everything you do for me.

This weeks stuff!

This picture does not do this story justice.
It does get chilly in Arizona.
Yesterday, Michael went to leave for work,
note the sun is just coming up,
there was ice on the windshield.
No, the windshield wipers didn't get it,
the hose was frozen,
four pitchers of water didn't get it, (not hot water)
finally he had to break out the creditcard trick.
That was yesterday, this is today's picture.
I guess he just figured he needed little port holes to see out of today.

Finally spent my birthday money from Nov 08.
Dawn and Andrew had given me a Lowes card so I could purchase the rest of my counter tops.
Now, thanks goes to Steve,
after 24 years of not having the same surface on any of the cabinets,
we match.
It looks wonderful.
I did have to clean the stove all the way around since it was out.
Steve not only installed the counters but he put shelves in just like I requested,
and attached the cabinets to the wall.
Now all the kitchen stuff is in the kitchen.
Amazing!!!

Dec 6th
Christmas and Birthday dinner with
Ginger's mom and her mom's girls.

Ben, Emilee, Cristal, Adam, Paul
Dawn, Rachael, Ginger, Mike, Julia, Katherine

Mom and all her girls.
Pepper, Cheri, Mom, Lori, and Ginger

If anyone's interested:
I'm finally on page 381 of the Michael Shoemaker book
(995 total pages).
You are now related to 20,180 people,
it feels like it may be everyone in
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Found an interesting obit a few days ago,
one that you probably would not see now.
Mrs. Daphne (West) Shoemaker,
an accomplished home maker,
survived her husband 23 years,
living throughout her widowhood with her daughter.