The last 2 years Christmas has taken on a different feel. Last year mom had just past away, and then no one could come for breakfast due to the terrible snow storm that we had. So this year was to be a big, everyone come eat do gifts and it would be great. Well it was. Almost the whole Petersen group made it up and we ate the traditional scrambled eggs, OJ, Ham and the best and the thing we wait for all year long, home made scones, honey butter and jam. It was a lot of fun. Paul ended up giving the worst gifts ever to the youngest niece and nephew, coats! Not that they were really the worst gifts, but their mom had picked them out because she wanted them for the kids and Paul was the giver who the kids looked at like "what the heck" a coat! Paul said next year he would ask the kids themselves want they want.

It was nice to visit with the family and then as everyone left, Kim and I cleaned up and got ready for the next event.

Dinner for the Hardcastle family. Everyone came and our own trickled back it at some point, they had all left after breakfast to see family on the other side. Then Mel, Justin and our bright little Hyrum came for the rest of the day and night. The evening was nice, again to eat and visit,the little cousins played Wii and the big folks sat around and visited.

Later that evening our kids finially got to open up gifts together, from each other and mom and dad. It was a very long day, but worth the wait. As usual being the one in charge, I gave my camera away so not very many photos were taken.

It is very hard to remember a Christmas with out mom, the season meant so much to her, and most of our traditions come from what she started, each family has added their own, but no matter the generation remembering fun and good times is what is important. We often lose sight of Christ in the gift giving the food the parties, being busy and all the preparation that goes into the celebration, but I know that Christ is present when in is honor family and loved ones share time together in fun, peace, harmony and remembering all who have given so much and gone on before.

Yes there is a small child in that bag, and sometimes not so small of child

Abby and Briggs get to celebrate with the family too (along with Jessica)

Jacey helping with her dad and the scone making.

Every time I hear Happy Holidays I am reminded of mom. One year I made these glass blocks for all the families, and they said Happy Holidays, she asked me change hers to say Merry Christmas, she hated that everyone was taking Christ out of Christmas and really wanted hers to say that. I made her a new one, and now I have it. I didn't mean anything by making the first one, but she was so determined that it made me think twice and I never say Happy Holidays. Thanks MOM.

A few of my favorite things:

End of a busy work day

A clean house

Thanksgiving with family

Having my bed made each day (by my husband)

Birthday smiles "The temptation to cuddle him is nearly overwhelming"

Daughters that are happy (sons too)

Christmas lights Organized closets

Completed and accepted assignments

Good memories and a loving family

A husband that is willing to proof read, fix computers, run to the store,fill your car late at night, loves you and the kids and the grand baby most of all, just to name a few of my favorite things.

I KNOW I KNOW, but what if I were to say nothing has happened? Well that wouldn't be completely true.

*I spent almost 12 hours yesterday on home work and catching up from my busy and fun fill week.

*I am 1/2 done with my second class of the term, (#1 has been completed), * I have actually

*I have bought one Christmas gift for a person on our list, then found out it was the wrong name.

*Took down Halloween decorations, dusted, and put up Thanksgiving decorations, dusting was the most important thing.

*We had Halloween, well I guess everyone did.


*I was able to get, on sale, enough of my favorite lotion for all of next year.

*I gave my 1st Relief Society Lesson, in our new ward. I am the 3rd week teacher.

*Sunday dinners with kids and dogs.

*Have already gotten 100% on this months Visiting Teaching.

*Participated in a 2 day craft fair and sold a lot of the stuff I make.

*Passed ACLS which is a big deal to me, and no one else.

*Bought nothing, for the first time ever, at Kim's scout auction.

*Didn't finish or start the book for Book Club this month, but will go and visit anyway.

*HAD HYRUM FOR 5 DAYS. (With the help of Jodi and Kim on the days I had to work). Cryed a little on the day I had to give him back.

Fall Weekend of...

(Stay tuned to the end) or just jump right to it...

All 26 members of the Hardcastle family were present.

Tetons, you know what they look like (Kim did take some great shots, just not me)

Hidden Falls,2.2 miles above Jenny Lake

Elk and Bugling and freezing at 7am to hear them.
FamilyLakes

Beavers (actually building dams)

Black Bears playing. No pictures but they were seen 3 times in the same place throughout the day.

Hiking

Fall Leaves

Eating /Way too much food.

Driving (again 22 mpg)

Lovely Condo accommodations . Thanks to Don and Charlene (grandma and grandpa)

Hyrum playing

Relaxing AND

*****Matt and Jennie getting ENGAGED****

What a great weekend. Thanks again to the whole family and especially to grandma and grandpa for the great time.

Un-Birthday

Who needs a reason for a party or just a get together? I guess I do.

Yesterday, the 18th, was mom's b-day. Ever since I had written it on my calender, at the first of the month, I have just kept thinking about it and what to do to celebrate her. So a few weeks ago I decided to have a birthday party in her honor. After inviting everyone, Hallie reminded me it was also dad's b-day on the the 16th, so we celebrated both. Dad has been gone 40 years so it was a date that wasn't fresh on my mind like mom's, so I really appreciated the reminder.

We had cake and ice cream,played a few games, visited and learned more about our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Almost everyone came. We did miss the 4 who couldn't make it and I wish them well.

But thanks everyone for humoring me and helping me celebrate the people who have ment so much in my life. Not just those who have passed, but everyone who is a part of my life. I love you all.

I never think to take before and after pictures, but this would of been a good one.

I am not one who usually panics over the news or pending predictions, but for some reason I am a little worried about this pending Swine Flu Pandemic thing. I had to go to a meeting at work where it was explained to us, as health care providers, what will be expected of us should Utah be hit, and I guess there has to be a certain number of people involved for the 'Pandemic Switch" to be turned on. But Utah is in the top 10 states for the real thing.

So I am no excerpt and I"m not trying to scare anyone. But back to my before and after.

I have been shopping the case lot sales, going to the church cannery, buying extra at Sams club, and trying to plan better and only buy the things we actually eat. So all these new treasures have landed at the base of my stairs and actually causing a saftey & fire hazard. So this Sat. I dug in and totally cleaned out my cold storage unit and pantry and organized what I had. I had to throw out 2004 spaghetti O's, old applesauce's, dry hash browns, which I actually moved from the old house to here, found some good stuff tucked in the back and decided I never need to buy church cannery beef stew again, in fact maybe we'll have that instead of cake and ice cream at the family B-Day party. So my only word of advice, plan to have enough food and personal necessities, and of-course baby stuff, just in case you get stuck at home for 7-10 days and are not allowed to leave. But now my shelves are so clean and organized I might just have to show everyone who enters, you'll just have to imagine the before mess.

My weekend before. There have been some rumors about the girls weekend/Swiss days/shopping/park city stay event going on. The only true ones are; I did win Phase 10, I did have a great time and laughed so hard I was sick, did spend a lot of money with not a lot to show for it, I did have fun with Karen, Melanie, Jodi, Jessica and Jennie, I'm not good at the "spaz" game, and yes everyone should bring PJ's to a slumber party. All that other stuff I take the 5Th. But can't wait for next year.

So grateful for family, fun and the opportunity to provide for our needs.