Gram Peachie's 90th Birthday Party

Guenther and I flew to Albuquerque on Friday the 21st. Salt Lake was in the middle of a big snowstorm when we left, but it was sunny in Albuquerque most of the time.

I made a photo album for GramPeachie with photos and birthdates of all her descendants. I had my family email me photos and information, but I didn't get started on it until week before last. On that Wednesday I developed excruciating back spasms, but, having read "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarno, I knew that the pain was most likely caused from the worry and tension I felt about making the album. Since I have never before scrap-booked, I was concerned that I would do a dorky job. However I went over to Tami's on Friday, and she showed me her albums, and then we went to Roberts where she helped me buy all the stuff I would need. And, as I suspected, once I felt comfortable with my scrap-booking, the back pains disappeared completely.

I spent several days on my project, working until one a.m., and neglecting my sweet husband, but I was pleased with the end result. And so was GramPeachie. The last thing she said to me as we said goodbye to her was "that was the best gift anyone could have given me."

My work in progress.

This page features Howard's daughter, Shannon, and her three children. They live in Mexico City.

Some pages from the album. I spent lots of time re-doing pages as I went along, and as I figured out how to make them look better.

Doesn't GramPeachie look great for a ninety-year-old?

The Finley Seven. In reverse birth order..Skip, Kathy, Mari, Judy, Cecelia, Howard, and Jeannine.
(Southbeach Diet, Here I Come)

This one has a few grandkids thrown in. Mother said it was so good to sit there and see her posterity lined up like that.

Howard's youngest daughter, Trish, plays with Cecelia's grandkids, Jadyn and Landon.

Howard's son, Todd (in the center) with his wife Kristin and Eric (Cecelia's son). Trish, Todd, and Kristin flew in from Dallas, and Eric from California.

Kathy and her daughter, Ashley.

A photo of Skip.A shot of Howard with Judy and her daughter, Danielle. Danielle's family drove in from California to spend Christmas with Judy.GramPeachie with all of her children, and some of her grandchildren. Hard to believe that all of these people came from that tiny lady.

Howard, Skip, Cecelia's son, Eric, and Mari behind GramPeachie.

GramPeachie hugs Eric.

Party in progress.

GramPeachie laughs when Eric asks her if she wants to read here or wait until she gets home the racy magazine that Trish gave to her.
She loved the album, and I felt like my efforts were appreciated.

When she looked at this beautiful cake, GramPeachie noted that the "great-great grandmother" was missing. It was a lovely party...Kathy and Judy did a super job getting it together. Mother had a wonderful time, and I am so glad that we were able to be there, and that I got to see everyone.

Photo Shoot of Two Losers in the Bump Head Event

Here we are...Ellyn hit the wall with her forehead, and there's my shiner from hitting Ellyn with mine.

Let The Christmas Fun Begin

We had a wonderful Crabtree Christmas party tonight at Nancy's house. I took a Chocolate Sundae Pie dessert similar to one that Jackie brought to our Thanksgiving dinner. Lindsay asked for the recipe...Jeannine told me that it originally came from Renee. I made a little change in mine:We played a Christmas Tree game with a game card and dice where the winner gets to be first to choose from the gift pile. We tried to bring funny gifts from home or the dollar store.

Jennifer and Jason.

Guenther has some ideas for speeding up the game a little.

Kai is watching all the fun.

A nice shot of Mike and Dave.
Drew and Summer got a kick out of the skeleton in the big shiny gift that everyone wanted, but Drew ended up with.
I love this sweater that Lindsay knitted for Ema and which now fits Ellyn.

When we first arrived, before the game started, Emalise had a ball with Summer's dress up clothes.
Hey, Jen. The blinking snowman's nose looks great on you!
You, too, Mike!

Two profiles. This is ole Jordan.
When Jen was a teenager, David would joke that his idea of a rich man was one who could afford to marry Jennifer. So it was funny when she ended up with this gigantic stocking for Santa to fill.

Summer clowns around with Jennifer's stocking.

Ellyn is staring at the singing dog.

Guenther looks good in his new tie that reads "I Love You, Man."
Jen called Guenther and me to come see on the computer the bobble head video that she made for us. We laughed ourselves silly. I can't get it on my blog, but I can email it to you.
Do my kids recall this nativity set that Booth made in the base hobby shop while he was serving in Korea?
Nancy and I swapped trees. The little one is perfect for us, and Summer did a wonderful job decorating the big one for their home.

Drew and Katherine sing a duet for us. They will be performing in a recital this week.
Emalise likes the slinky toy. And Ema and Ellyn look cute in these hats. And their dad looks good in his also.

Three days later

Guenther's Pet Raccoon

and the winner is...

Ellyn and I bumped heads last night while we were reading a picture book together. As I lowered my head toward the book, Ellyn, who was on my lap, raised hers. She didn't even feel it as her head hit my eyebrow...so the winner in the head-bumping event is Ellyn!

Time flies by

Well, we had another full week...something to do every day. On Monday morning, Guenther and I helped Jackie out by watching her cute little day care kids . Then Tuesday was our regular day at the Temple. Wednesday was the Relief Society Enrichment Activity...we called it a Christmas Cozy, and it was very nice. I was in charge of the food, but it was pretty simple. We had it in the Relief Society Room and the sisters picked up donuts and wassail as they entered. (No one said anything about not eating in the R.S. room) Guenther and I drove all the way out to South Jordan to pick up the donuts at Dunford's Donuts, but we needed to drop off to Amber a dish that she couldn't find when she left on Thanksgiving, (the dish turned out to be hidden in the dishwasher) so it worked out well.

On Thursday, we spent the afternoon in West Point because ADT Security is changing over to a digital connection, and we needed to be there when the service man arrived. Then on Friday I tended David while Eugenie kept a doctor's appointment.

Saturday was really special. Lindsey Barger was baptized and confirmed by her uncle David. It was wonderful, and afterwards we enjoyed the delicious refreshments that Jeannine served at their home. Then on Saturday evening, Lindsay and Matt brought their little daughters over for us to watch for a few hours while they went to Matt's Office Christmas Party up at Deer Valley.

On Thursday morning Guenther called to me to look at this gorgeous sunrise.


The living room in West Point is slowly being disassembled. I am so pleased that Nancy could use the couch and chairs.

Emma Claire is ready to go with her mom. David knew that something was up before Genie left, and he brought his shoes for her to put on him. He was pretty unhappy when he was left with the grandma.
However, he calmed down and played with his toys while his mom was gone.


However, when Genie returned he cried and let her know that she had really disappointed him by leaving him, so here she is putting him in the car for a little ride.

Lindsey's Baptism Day dawned cold and snowy. Here's a shot of the chapel where her stake does baptisms.


Some shots of the friends and relatives there to support Lindsey.

David was pretty satisfied being in the stroller until Bob left his seat to stand in the circle for Lindsey's confirmation. Then Genie had to take David out in the foyer because he started to cry for his dad.


Lindsey was baptized and confirmed by her Uncle David Stoll.


We had around ten inches of snow at our place on Saturday. Here are some snow scenes.

Matt and Lindsay Olenslager as they were leaving our house for the Christmas Party. They had a nice time.at the Deer Valley Lodge..wonderful food..and the roads were clear.
Emalise and Ellyn admire the Christmas decorations.

Emalise is crying because her feelings were hurt. Her folks hugged Ellyn goodbye, but Ema was playing in the toyroom, and they forgot to call her out.


Here they are watching Pinnochio...only until the mean guys entered the story...then Ema asked me to turn it off because she was scared.

Ellyn makes herself comfortable...for a few minutes...then she was up and about again. The little toy she's holding was great entertainment. I can't remember what it's called, but she had a great time playing with me with it as we transferred a ball from one catcher to the other.

These cute little ones like to color.