Giving thanks.....

Now that the big "stuffing" weekend is over, it's time to remember what the holiday is really all about. We enjoyed seeing our family: Mom & Dad and all our kids & grandkids. We enjoyed talking to a lot of you: Grandma Betty & Judi in Pennsylvania, Barry in Georgia, Carolyn & gang in North Carolina, Michelle in California, David & Jeff on their way to California, and Lynn & gang visiting in St.George. Our dinner was a collaborative effort and we REALLY collaborate well! It was delicious, and we've just tonight finished up the rolls, stuffing, most of the pie, etc., etc. We're really glad we are able to spend time with our family and feel very blessed that they are all healthy and happy.

There has been much on the news lately about all kinds of problems happening all over the world: from hunger to natural disasters to war to disease and poverty. I've commented frequently to Bruce how grateful I am that we live in America with the freedoms and multitude of temporal blessings we enjoy. Who knows why we end up where we do......but I'm extremely thankful for what we have. Many of you know that Bruce has been known in the past as slightly "stingy", (ha ha) but I'm very glad about that when I consider the economy and the problems many are facing. We don't have a lot of luxuries, but we have "an abundance of necessities". I just felt like I needed to express thanks for all that we have, when others have so little.

We're enjoying unseasonable "winter" weather! We haven't even had snow yet, and it's November 26! It doesn't bode well for our water situation next spring/summer, but it's sure been nice for Bruce to not have to plow! I'm sure the ski resorts are sad, but we're not!

OK....enough philosophy for now. Just think about it once in a while. And as I tell my kids, "Be grateful for what you do have, and don't worry so much about what you don't have."

Fall is a wonderful time.......

It has been a beautiful October and early November here. My theory is that Mother Nature is making up for our exceptionally long and HOT summer. Fall is my favorite time of year, and this year it's been days of 60-65 degrees and nights of 30-40 degrees which is perfect sleeping weather. Yesterday mom and I were out shopping and driving around and I just kept commenting on how beautiful it was. The mountains around us and blue sky and fall colors make me happy to live in this area and enjoying this season.



Our kids and grandkids are well.......Jeff and Melissa got moved two weekends ago. Their new apartment is back in the married student housing where they used to live before the girls came along. Melissa has a real knack for decorating and their apartment looks great. A funny coincidence.......they are living right next to the building where her parents lived as students when Melissa was a little girl. Funny, right?



Lizz got to take a quick trip to Reno last weekend to help her twin, Dot, move to a new place. I think they had a great time having some "sister time". We had Matt & the kids over for dinner that Sunday and it's always entertaining to have the little ones for a meal! Some of the things they say are really funny. But that's a whole different story!



Brian and Sheena are doing well and their boys continue to grow. Gavin is talking more all the time and I even understand him most of the time. He calls me "Gambettet" (all one word) and he's really cute and loves to play with his cousins when they're all together. He thinks Jordan and Ethan are the best! They sold their van this past week, and even though it's an adjustment to have only one car, they felt it was the best decision financially right now. Brian may start driving Jeff's car, since Jeff is now about 4 minutes by foot from his job!



Bruce and I continue to work, "church", and enjoy our family. We are so blessed and we know it!