First Christmas Adventure with Grandma!

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I
was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to
visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There
is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled
to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me.
I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the
truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with
one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they
were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between
bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No
Santa Claus?" she snorted.... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it.
That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain
mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't
even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned
out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had
a little bit of just about everything.

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.
That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said,
"and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you
in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's Store.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my
mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of people
scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just
stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill,
wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I
thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my
neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my
church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly
thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy
hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he
never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always
wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all
we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he just
didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with
growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a
red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm,
and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the
counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby." The nice lady
smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed
a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put
the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry
Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag
fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible)
in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby,
From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted
on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's
house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever
officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and
she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front
walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa
Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath,
dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded
his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and
Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the
front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.


Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments
spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's
bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa
Claus were just what Grandma said they were, ridiculous. Santa
was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have Grandma's Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: A
$19.95 price tag.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and
FRIENDS that care. And may you always believe in the magic of
Santa Claus!

Merry Christmas

Christmas has always been a special time of year for me, even growing up. I can remember on Christmas Eve reading out of the Bible the story of Mary and Joesph., and then getting to open one gift before bed time and it always being a new pair of PJ's. Then laying in bed talking with my sister half the night wondering if we had heard anything or what times it was getting to be, and after opening the bedroom door a half of dozen times and my parents telling us to get back to be or Santa is not going to stop cause we are not a sleep. How exciting it was hoping that I would get want I had asked for just a few days earlier at the Church Christmas Party. All the excitement is still there with our Grand kids living so close that we get to share the day with them.

With Christmas next week and with us having family coming to spend the holidays with us. Steve and I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tis the season

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper
2. Artificial or real tree? love real but can't have one so we have an Artificial
3. When do you put up a tree? Pine Cones, Flowers
5. Do you like eggnog? NO NO NO
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Movies
7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? Husband
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
10.Christmas cards (real mail or e-mail) Love to recieve both
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Knitted Tie for Steve
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Night before Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Day after Christmas
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? NO!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Breakfast Casserole
16. Lights on the tree? Yes
17. Favorite Christmas song? Mary did you know
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixon Comet Cupid Donner Blitzen and Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Hustle and Bustle
23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Mauve and Gold with some Crystal
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? To have my whole Family Home this year

A nurse on the pediatric ward - before listening to the little oneschests - would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let themlisten to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up withawe, but she never got a response quite like four-year old David'scomment.

Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the diskover his heart. 'Listen', she said , 'What do you suppose thatis?' He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked upas if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep inhis chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and heasked,'

Is that Jesus knocking?'

Cason Big 2 Birthday Party

Cason Party was on Sunday. Mama and Papa Hooper was here along with the Carroll family. We sang Happy Birthday to him and had cake and ice cream. Here is the Truck that Grandpa and I gave him.

He is learning to share his toys with his cousins. Hopefully by the time the new baby comes he will have the sharing part down pat.

Summer Fun

Before the summer is over we went for a ride. Taking the kids with us. Here is Vanna and Tage taking a water break, sitting big as life. I had Tage ride with me and Ivy took Vanna with her. We had a great.

At Otter Creek the fishing was great for my day not to sure about my uncles. Also camping was my Uncle Verl. Steve and I went for a ride in the truck down to Otter Creek store where I bought a book so no fishing that day. We did ride home over Monroe Mountain and it was Beautiful with the leaves changing color was has a great day.

We took a ride down to Otter Creek where my parents and my Aunt and Uncles was camping. Paul and Becca with Cason rode with us hoping to fish a little. But all we did was eat and play cards. Becca is the one in front and my Aunt Myrna and Uncle Cassell are sitting behind her they are from Salt Lake City

Over Night with the Carroll Kids

The afternoon at McDonald's with Vanna and Tage. The parents went to Mesquite for over night and so the grand kids got to stay at grandma/ pa's for the night. They love to go and play at McDonald's and it helps grandma past the time.

I just got back from a week end at my sisters... In Henderson Nevada. I took Tage my grandson with and we had a great time. I just want Sheila to know how much I enjoyed my visit and how they make you feel so welcome. Tage talks about going with Uncle Wes and having fun with him, and NO! he don't want to eat no egg from a chickens. He just wants the ones like his mom buys at the store....
Thanks again Sheila and Wes for a great time..
Love both of you.

In the back yard

We spent an evening out in the back yard after our son Bart mowed the lawn. The grandkids had fun play on the Fish.
Also feeding everyone Licorice. The most fun they had, I think was racing each other.
Here is Tage and Vanna waiting for Grandma to say ( on your mark... get set... GO !!!! )
I'm not sure what Cason is doing in this picture, maybe waiting his turn on the Fish.

Ride to Deep Lake

This past month has been a great and fun month. Starting in Washington State, on vacation with our son Chris and his wife Jessica. The first part of July Chris can down and spent a few days and the Jessica flew down on Thursday, spend the rest of the weekend with us.
This trip was with Chris and Jessica riding 4 wheelers up on Cove Mountain, to Deep Lake. It was a great dusty ride. We road around the lake and stop and had a cold drink.
As you can see behind Steve and Me the Lake. We spend alot of your free time in the mountains around us. Either with family or Steve and I will jump on our bikes and just go for the day. We really enjoy the Beauty that we have around us.

We have had a great week with our while family being with us, that we took this opportunity to take some family photos and want to share with your all of you. We were so happy when Chris told us that Jessica was taking a couple days off from work and was flying in on Wednesday night. Chris and I went for a late ride to the Salt Lake Airport, Jess arrived in at 10:30 pm.
Lets start on the back row with Rebecca then Ivy, Jessica and Tage. then all the boys starting on the left is Cason, Paul then Bart and Chris and Jack the dog and little Vanna out in front pouting.
Vanna and Tage are the children of Ivy and Bart. Cason the little man on bottom belongs to Paul and Becca. Steve and I have said many times, where would our lives be if Steve hadn't come to town and needed his nightly mike, shopping at Safeway's and meeting like we did. 27 years later and wow what a Wonderful Family we have. BUT ! ! ! ! ! They all know we are still waiting for more grand kids

Class A's

Sargeant Chris Damron

in full uniform

Honor Day

This is the day that they Honored the men and woman that went to war in Iraq over 4000 left the same time Chris did, all from Fort Lewis Washington and sadly they lost 57 members out of their group.. Chirs is the one facing side ways as the troops march up to meet him.
After the troops were all in formation they called all of their wounded to come out from the bleachers and stand with them.... What a sight that was, very touching and heart warming to watch those soldiers to walk out and even some in wheel chair as they joined there companies... as you can see there are a few that is not in military dress, they had chairs ready for those that couldn't stand the hour program.