Monday, December 29, 2008

Happy ? th B-Day Rusty!

He doesn't look ? that is for sure!

Rusty is married to Kami Larry's oldest. Rusty is a great guy with a funny sense of humor. What makes it funny is that he is a Lawyer and sometimes Lawyers and senses of humor don't like to be in the same room...but not in this case...so enjoy the day and so something fun! We love you!!!

Larry and Anne


PS this is a great day for a b-day...this is my Grandmother Ganahl's birthday...but you are not even close to her age...so that narrows down what age the ? is...

Sunday, December 28, 2008

I CAN'T BELEIVE IT IS ALMOST 2009

10 Years ago I was with my brother and sister and Mom in Europe. What a wonderful trip we had over the Christmas Season. We were celebrating my brother Bob's life, he had passed earlier in the year. It is amazing what 10 years brings to your life. Mine has certainly been up and down but for the most part it has been good. I have had a saying that every day is a great day, some days just a little greater than others! If we raise the bar high on our worst days than it can only go higher from there...In the early 90's I couldn't imagine what the new century would be like...it was so unreal to me....now we are almost starting our 9th year into the new century and I am saying where did the time go....I still feel 20 but I know that I am looking on the short side of coming up on 60....I could possible see 2040 or 2050...(the way the women live in our family anything is possible). So here is too another wonderful year...here is to hope for the best for all those that I know. Find joy in the journey...if you believe in the eternities then we all know we will never have a finish line...so we may want to consider enjoying the journey more in 2009 than we did in 2008...here's to counting the days to the New Year!

Friday, December 26, 2008

The Day After-The Attitude of Gratitude Day

So the presents have all been opened, the eggnog drunk (or gaged down depending on your eggnog desires) the carols all sung, back from Gramies house we went, Merry Christmas greetings all said, shopping a distant memory, and maybe last night one actually got a good nights sleep...so now what? Well this is a great day for an Attitude of Gratitude...often times in this modern world we forget to really say "thank you" for what has been given us...yes we said thank you to Aunt Marge for the beautiful set of slippers she so lovingly crochet for us...(who knew that barf yellow was back in fashion oh wait it was white but the yarn may be a little old) and we gave the obligatory thanks to Uncle Sebastian for the 2 quarters he put in our hand and said "don't spend it all in one place Sony" (Humm...don't think he has heard of inflation...at what age can you really say someone is old?) Anyway the point is because they went to some efforts on our behalf that is what we should show our gratitude for...maybe a special phone call after the day to again thank someone for what we were given...maybe a note dropped in the mail (yeah old fashion, does anyone have stationery any more?) but something that shows that we are truly thankful for what was done for us. This might be a great opportunity for parents to have their children sit down and write a little thank you to Aunties and Uncles, Gramies and Grampies, even brothers and sisters for what was given them. There is nothing better than on the receivers end to have a little hand written note that shows their efforts were noticed. Not to mention how we can teach our young ones to really appreciate what is done for us...so let's make this the day of Attitude of Gratitude and make Aunt Bertha's day by thanking her for that fruit cake that she sent you..(looked familiar...maybe the same one you sent her last year?) No matter, gratitude is for the thought and efforts that are displayed. Gratitude helps us realize that things are nice but the love that we have for one another is priceless!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas everyone! We love you and hope you had a very happy day with loved ones and family today. Here is a link to a great article by my friend Elia Gourgouras and with a super idea on celebrating Christmas. What will I give Jesus for Christmas.

Friday, December 19, 2008

THE CHRISTMAS LETTER






So I guess now that I have invited everyone to read our Christmas Letter on line I should actually write one since many of you will receive our card soon.

We have had a very blessed year. It started out a little slow with Larry having a couple of surgeries...but after that we were in great shape.

We had a couple of trips to Colorado and one to Southern California, Northern California and St. George twice...so we did have opportunity to leave this wonderful town of ours.

Here is a run down of all the kids
LARRY'S:

Kami and Rusty Mahan enjoying life in Farmington, UT...
Their oldest Jake and wife Angie enjoying their 3 children (all under 5 yrs). Hollie, Jialin and Alyssa. Jake is recovering from a bad infection and several surgeries in his foot/ankle...he is doing lots better now...and Angie is recovering from doing it all!!
Kami and Rusty's second child Mary and husband Jordon moved back to Yuma(sniff sniff we miss them). They have 2 under 4yrs ...Xander and Scout ...these busy parents!
Katie married her sweetheart Skyler (and he is a sweetheart) in June.
Deidre their youngest just graduated from HS. And is dating the nicest young man ever...good choice Deeds!

Next child is Keri and Rod Tate in Murry, UT.
Their oldest Ali and Zach just had their first child this year and named him Franky. (he will not be bullied on the playground!)
Next oldest Mattie is attending college in Logan and loving the college life! (who doesn't when they are away from home)
Mitch made the basketball team for Murry High and plays all the time. Dating probably the cutest girl ever...
Marshall is bringing up the rear playing football and video games and video games..oh did I mention he plays video games!

Last but not least is Adam and Julie in Orem, UT.
Oldest Garrett, junior in HS and has his own band...very musically talented.
Casey...cute and growing an inch a day..playing baseball and basketball.
Terrell quiet but I have gotten him to at least say hi to me! He is Mr. Baseball and I am sure the big league scouts are taking a close look for the future.
Ethan...smiling all the time...and being the youngest in the family doing what he does best to his older brothers!

OK now for ANNE'S family:
Aimee still lives in Broomfield, CO.
Katelynn driving, has a job,boyfriend and junior in HS.
Brittany wanting to drive, wants to have a job and likes being a sophomore in HS.
My twinies, Haley and Becca, turning from tom boys to tom girls, and loving being freshman in HS.
oh my gosh what was this child thinking...4 girls in High School? Yikes!!!!
Matthew smart, middle schooler that plays video games, and plays video games and oh did I mention he plays video games.

Megan and Ron Smith live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Meg and Ron got married this year...so, well I am just going to name their brood-
Megs boys: Preston 13, Shane 11, Carson 8
Ron's boys and girl: Ronnie 17, Taylor 15, Shelby 12, Hunter 10, Tanner 8, Zack 6.
It is a house full! We have enjoyed getting to know everyone a little better every time we go out there....Our best to Shelby who has to put up with all those boys and to Megan who is forever saying "Put the seat down!"

My baby(she hates when I call her that) Pattianne ( I think she hates that name more) and significant other LeJon living in Fountain Valley, CA (her house is just 4 miles from Huntington Beach Pier) tough life!
LeJon has a little girl named Skylar who is 10....

Also want to recognize my step son and his wife
Tracy and Penny Jensen, Monument, CO and their adorable children...Ali, Lindsey, Karissa and Matt. It was great to see them again this year!

Our family comes in all shapes, sizes, ways of life and we love them all...we are so blessed to be a part of their lives and so enjoy the times that we are able to be together....

So this next year enjoy each other in the marvelous journey that we call life! We love you all and miss you...

Anne and Larry

PS we get asked a lot "So what do you guys do all day," well one thing is that we have contests on who can remember who belongs to who...let alone coreect spellings and heaven forbid all the correct ages!!! it's enough to keep us busy the rest of our lives.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Garfield Family Christmas Party

Tonight was the Garfield's annual Christmas Party. And it was amazing. I love the traditions that they have. Dinner always includes Pizza that big L buys...then we have the reading of the Christmas story from Luke with songs interwoven with the reading...then some games, opening of gifts and then the all telling Kazoo fest. Everyone has a kazoo and each person gets to choose a song and lead with the kazoo...well with 27 people that can take awhile...so much fun and laughter with all of this...I can see they really enjoy this tradition and I am glad to be a small part of it.

But my favorite memory of the night will Jake holding Alyssa at the end of the evening...I am not sure who is more tired? Jake or Alyssa...Jake has recently had foot surgery and just in the last couple of days able to walk a little bit...so he and Angie all evening have been chasing Alyssa (about 15 months), Jailin (about 22months) and Hollie(big 5 years) around...just sums up what a wonderful party it was...Dad tenderly holding a very tired little girl that had fun being part of the party. And a very tired little girl snuggling up to her fathers warm safe embrace...

Monday, December 8, 2008

OUR VISIT WITH SANTA

My brother Tim who is 2 years older.

Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic Church..now before you go all crazy thinking that I have turned back to my roots...not to worry..Our Sacrament time is going to be 9am this year (I thought it was going to be 1pm) so I have decided to stay with the Mormons for 2009 at least...OK back to the feast stuff...Every year on this day we went to visit Santa...we as Catholics attending Catholic schools always had this day off because it was a very important feast day...we had to start off with Mass (mandatory) and then we went to visit Santa later in the day..my mom loved it because it wasn't busy and she did not have to fight the crowds...sometimes after visiting Santa we got to pick out a new ornament for our Christmas Tree....here are a couple of pics that I found...I think I was about 5 one year and maybe 6 the next...when I was 6 the magic was kinda gone...with 3 older brothers and all of them evil they could not wait to be the first to tell me about Santa...I can remember being on the side of the building at school for the older kids and my brother Tim making fun of me for believing...then the others confirmed the true but sad news...my brother Jim tried to then tell me they were just kidding, but by then the damage had been done...the trauma and scaring had sadly taken place...my mother when I got home just said that they were being mean older brothers and playing a trick on me...not to believe a word they were saying...So in the black and white photo I was in awe of Santa...but in the color one I had that smirk on my face because I knew what was going on...what a difference a year makes..for my mothers sake I had my picture taken for many years...then when my sister came along when I was 10 she got to visit Santa and I was off the hook...

My brother Jim who is 5 years
older and my brother Tim.
So here is to all who visit Santa...enjoy the magic! And smile pretty to make your Mama happy!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

I ENJOY A GOOD CORN DOG AS WELL AS THE REST OF THEM..

So you may need to zoom in on this to see everything. Last night my sweet husband treated me to a cultural event that was wonderful...the man is thoughtful! Glen Beck was brilliant and his story so heart touching and tearful...I think it even made me think outside myself...it was wonderful!
But...I do have a few comments on the ECenter and those that were in attendance....if I offend anyone I truly am sorry...but remember I am old and come from another time...maybe another world...who knows!

Ok...I love a good corn dog, bucket-o-popcorn, churro and lets not forget those nachos dripping with cheese with all those hot belly poppin jalapenos...yes yum yum yum to all that...but well I think they have their place and when you attend a cultural event such as we did last night well not sure of the mix...kinda like attending something very spiritual at the conference center or the Dorthy Chandler Pavilion in LA and having someone yelling...POPCORN - PEANUTS anyone...you see the big picture here...carnival just doesn't go with spiritual...well maybe if you are a traveling gypsy evangelist..maybe then...but that is another story for another time...

I was so surprised of how many people were still coming in well after the performance started (what about it starts at 7:30 did they not understand?) we probably missed about the first 10 mins of the show because of the heavy flow of traffic up and down the isle...then when the woman with the baby..yes baby came in and sat in front of us several seats in I thought that I was not going to be very nice...(I love babies, absolutely love them but this just isn't the place for them)...well a few mins later a second mom with small baby climbed over the people in the row in front of us and sat herself down. Now... I realize that being a young mother and getting out can be difficult... but this isn't church and just isn't the place for small crying fussy babies at 8 o'clock at night...sorry call me old fashion! So throughout the night these young mothers were up and down as those in their row were doing the wave to accommodate them. While others were just out and out loudly visiting in the isle ways...while others were trying to juggle the popcorn, peanuts and crackerjacks with mungo size drinks down the isle...when it cleared for a moment and we could actually see the stage I wasn't sure if I was going to see Hulk Hogan or what...then I remembered oh yeah this was kinda a cultural event, not the WW Smackdown...er...ah...is that the wrestling?

What ever happened to manners? Didn't their mom's tell them it wasn't polite to talk when someone else is talking...mainly the guy on stage that we all paid pretty decent money to come listen to? What about staying in your seat until the break in the performance when you can go take care of all your needs...we paid (what we think, now remember we are old) good money for these seats...plus taxes, plus ticket masters charge (need a little Vaseline for that one), plus $10 for parking(another Vaseline moment) to watch people with ill manners walk up and down the isle with sports fare food, talking loudly and not really paying attention to the spirit of the moment and young babies crying...hum...

Well all in all we enjoyed the show...we do suggest that you read the book because it is a very touching story and one that does make a person think outside of themselves...one that will touch your heart completely.

Larry and I will remember this evening with not only a smile in our hearts for the message of the show but a smile on our faces for the wonderment of human nature!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Friday Fill in's

Another idea I stole from Ali! Called Friday Fill In's...so here it is...feel free to follow this is idea here.

1.Snow where is it?
2. I'm looking forward to so many things...Christmas, seeing family, snow, playing cards with Paul and Elaine, shopping Monday with my friend, teaching my Primary Class and just staying home enjoying my man!
3. Coke(the real thing) is the best soda pop ever!
4. One of my favorite old TV shows is Night Court, still funny after all these years.
5. I'm done with Christmas shopping....NOT!!!!
6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is lights, food, family, Christmas trees, decorations, Temple Square and the celebration of Jesus' birth. (OK I said that because I need some points from above...I do mean it but I am transparent at times and this is one of those times!)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cards with Paul and Elaine, tomorrow my plans include Glen Beck's performance at the E Center (really though we have to go to West Valley? I feel about West Valley like I do Aurora in Colorado...when you have to have a token to use the rest room at Mickey D's it's got to be telling you something) and Sunday, I want to make it through Sacrament without sleeping! Amen!