All pie eaters should turkey trot

Sally and Nichelle arose early on Thanksgiving morning to run the 39th annual Mesa Turkey Trot. Both finished the 10K run. Perhaps only they (and Sally's brother Matt) should have eaten pie on Thanksgiving night.

After a shower, Nichelle was all set to help me finish up the pies. Nan H. had shared her pie making secrets at an enrichment activity the week before. I attended as I have always found pies to be worrisome to make as opposed to, say, a pan of brownies. Nan inspired me. The night before I had made 2 appleberry pies and the crusts for 2 cream pies. All from scratch. I sliced every apple!

The next morning after stuffing 2 turkeys and making several dozen rolls, I cooked up the vanilla pudding base for the coconut and chocolate pies.



Honestly, they all looked good enough to eat. We put meringue on the cream pies.

After dinner, everyone (and there were 23 of us), let things set a bit and then drove to Eric's home for pie and BINGO. I added my pies to Susan's pumpkin and Andrew's pecan. Emilia and her mom, Deujima (who had just arrived from Brazil two days prior - what must she think of our gluttony), brought the beautiful and delicious fruit pizza and we all indulged, but only Sally and Nichelle had already used up the calories.

This is my public thank you to all of you for contributing to our Thanksgiving feast, from Nate's peeling of 10 lbs. of Idaho russets which Ryan smashed, to Janae and Eric digitally saving the memories (check out their blogs on my blog roll.) Sally's family (including Christy, Randy, and Matt) brought candied yams and green beans and did most the clean up. Christy and Randy helped with the final prep and turkey carving as well. Susan kept the table setting rolling as well as hosting us for the final pie hurrah. David brought in the needed extra seating and Grandpa Glen organized BINGO with prizes, most popular of which were the $2 bills. The grandkids and Vail provided the before, during, and after dinner entertainment. Oh, and Nichelle made sure we had flowers!

I am so thankful for all of you! You bring me my greatest joy!

Mayflower musings

My original intent was a post about how my children are descendants of Thomas Rogers, the Pilgrim through their father's line. Before publishing such information, I went back to the file of information that I had printed from familysearch.org. There were problems, such as a son being born before the father, etc. So internet sleuth that I am trying to become, I googled around for information on Sarah Rogers born in Plymouth in 1625. I soon found comments such as, "Every Rogers in New England claims to be a descendant of Thomas the Pilgrim." However, I did find one comment entry explaining that Thomas traveled on the Mayflower with his son, Joseph who was about 17 at the time. Thomas, who signed the Mayflower Compact, died the first winter and Joseph was taken into the home of Governor Bradford. In Bradford's diaries, he states that he is giving land to Joseph as well as funds to "his wife." This is well before Joseph's marriage to a "Hannah." If he was indeed married prior to Hannah (and some think that she was the step-mother of all of his children) Sarah Rogers fits into the time frame of 1620 Mayflower landing, "his wife" and Sarah's birth. Sarah ended up in the Newport, Rhode Island area and married Richard Knight in 1648. So, children, you "might" be related to Thomas the Pilgrim.

Happy Thanksgiving

Nate & Kyle hold a garage sale

Janae is holding a garage sale on Saturday morning. I offered to help while reminiscing about Nate's garage sale. She then went right to the expert, so Nathan will drive straight down from Utah to her house on Friday night so as to be there for the big event. Nichelle can't wait to do her part by holding Henry. Nathan has always loved to sell things. He would beg me to sign up for the snack bar at the baseball fields so that he could be behind the counter. Remember the snack wagon? He was in his element exchanging coins for treats. He begged to have a garage sale, so I pulled together what I could part with and he and Kyle organized it and ran it.

While going through his photo albums to find the garage sale picture, I run across this gem. It really should have made my Halloween post. Ah, the cousins, how cute you were (and are:)

I also found this picture and almost cried. What a great way to end a day, reading a bedtime story to one you love. I can't believe he's getting married, for this seems like only yesterday. Troubles would start her nightly bed swap here. When Janae went to bed she would come and take Troubles with her and shut her door. David would merely open Nae's door on his way to bed, and Troubles would follow him - UNLESS I was up doing my ASU homework. Then she would leave Dave and sit by my feet until I was finished. I guess she knew I needed her support as well. That's really what dogs are for you know, support and unconditional love.

High of 92 and still this hint of fall color

We broke a record today - hottest November 18th on record. However, this weekend, we spotted this orange cluster of leaves on the flowering pear tree. We bought this tree specifically for its fall (or January) color. So as you see, one can hope for cooler, colorful days ahead. We also chose this tree because it is one of the first to bloom in Spring. It's a keeper!

Henry's first year

It was a delight to meet you on your "birth" day. You couldn't have planned your arrival better, the same day as my advance purchased plane ticket. Thank you!

You were baby Jesus for the family nativity and played your part very well. Your daddy chose to play Joseph so that you would not be mishandled. We may not be able to see your face, but that little bundle in dad's arm is a tiny Henry.

After the Christmas festivities, you received a name and a blessing and hung out with grandpa and grandma. You were a joy to hold, so soft and warm.


By April, you were helping Dad graduate from college and looking very healthy. It was a very proud day for everyone and we were happy to be there.


Thank you for showing us the correct way to eat cake at the family birthday gathering last night. It was delightful.

Happy 1st Birthday
little one!
(This photo courtesy of Henry's mother, check here for more)

Toby smiles for his birthday

Some babies are born too small. You copied your brother and joined your family 11 weeks early. This meant that you were barely an armful and had to spend time in the NICU.

The nurses, of course, loved you, too. They created your own bulletin board of important things. When you came home from the hospital at just 4 lbs., you seemed too small and frail for my big hands. I would carefully put on your undershirts hoping not to hurt you. Some of my favorite Sunday afternoons were the ones when I would send your mom off to RS and I would stay at your home cuddling you. You were too small to interact with the big, wide world.

Now you have grown and grown and you talk to me on the telephone. You love coming to our house and that makes us very happy.

You manage to find all sorts of very interesting things to do.

Keep on smiling while you are "4" and enjoy every minute! Grandma and Grandpa wish you a very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Wedding planning with the vaqueiro and pretty maiden

I've just returned from a four day trip to Provo, land of love and wedding planning.

Nathan modeled for me the outfit he brought home from his mission. How I missed seeing this handsome getup when he returned home I do not know. This was after I purchased the new suit for the groom to wear or I would have persuaded him to wear this instead. Luckily we discovered that Mr. Mac carries extra long suits. He will look just as smashing come Dec. 27th.

The pretty maiden was smitten with the hat. It looks good on her as well. I'm hoping that the knife is a recent acquisition and did not make it through customs from Brazil. I was able to see the wedding dress in progress and we determined how I could best add some English smocking to the sleeves. Thank you Nichelle for wanting to include something I had made into your dress.

It has been a sweet experience hanging out with these two as they finalize plans for their special day. Life is full of good things. This is definitely one of the "best" good things.

Happy "First Decade" TJ

Grandpa Glen found your name embossed in gold in Virginia. It graced the gate to the family cemetery of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. It made Grandpa think of you, his special "TJ."

You surprised us all when you arrived 11 weeks early ten years ago. We were expecting a January baby. You were so little, but already so sweet and gentle. I taught school back then so I had to wait until Thanksgiving vacation to see you for the first time at Utah Valley Hospital. It was a bit scary to hold you with all your wires and tubes, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I flew to Utah with Nathan and Janae to help your parents celebrate your first birthday. You lived at Wymount near BYU with all the other BYU married students and their babies. I'm surprised that you did not have a permanent blue mouth after destroying your first birthday cake.

Last Sunday night we celebrated your birthday as an extended family. We all commented on the fact that you had indeed lived for a decade now and wondered aloud at the things which will come your way during the next decade. We love you TJ and we wish you, our oldest grandchild, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Emilia and TJ blowing out candles

Last year, TJ and Emilia were able to share a birthday cake. The years are passing by so quickly.

Happy Birthday to Emilia Julia

Happy Birthday to Emilia Julia
from your family in Arizona

TJ missed celebrating his birthday with you at "family dinner."
We gathered together around the birthday banner and
Ryan took this picture of all of us wishing you
all good things on your birthday.

Why I love November

I always look forward to November because:
*It's my birthday month
*There is cooler, somewhat crisper air
*We celebrate Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday because it's all about gratitude, family, and US history
*Christmas prep begins in earnest, this means Christmas decorations and music are now encouraged
***Most important, I can use the above whenever I want. I no longer have to plan around SRP's time of day usage to save money on the electric bill. I am going to transfer those sheets to the dryer right now!