Hooray - the Butterfield's have arrived!

Krysta and Branson

Missy and Lizzy

I think Brie's excitement and happy look expresses how we all felt when they arrived!

Tonya, Brad, Branson, Lizzy, and Abbey flew in tonight from Ohio for the Christmas holidays. We are SOOOO excited to have them here. We are looking forward to many more memories being made as a family.

Clarine's and Baker's

Mitch, Nathan, Tracy, Elder Baker

I found out shortly after Susan Baker started working at LDS Family Services that her son was serving in the Halifax Nova Scotia Mission. We used to joke about how we should call the mission president and have them be companions. Imagine our surprise when they actually ended up being companions!! They serve together in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. So, when we got a picture of the 2 of them together, I thought it appropriate that Susan and I should have one of us taken together!!

O Christmas Tree!

I don't know why, but I'm having a REALLY hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. We got our lights and garland up outside, but I have not felt like decorating inside at all. With Christmas just around the corner, I figure I'd better at least get the tree up. What's Christmas without a tree? That's all I did this year - and the only ornaments that went on it were the ones I received as gifts.

I used to love putting up the tree. I wouldn't let anyone else help - that was my thing. I very carefully wound the lights (we use the multi-colored lights) so the lights would even be near the middle of the tree. I used somewhere between 1000 and 1200 lights and then topped it with a star that barely twinkles (I myself don't like blinking lights - is not relaxing at all). Then, I very strategically placed the ornaments. It would take me about 6 hours to put the tree together and the lights on and then finish with the ornaments.

Through the years and especially when the kids were younger I either bought or made them a new ornament every year, and then when they got married I'd give them their box of ornaments. I did pretty good for a lot of years but have been lax the last few years. I need to get back into that tradition again. They even hadve the ones they'd received when they were first born or made in grade school. Poor Krysta - she lost her ornaments in a move from their first place to their second place after getting married. Those things really were irreplaceable.

Anyway, I have some wooden ornaments I painted when Tonya was between 1 and 2. They came in a kit. They always go more towards the top so the kids can't reach them. I have others that mean alot to me and I try to put them more out of reach too. Then there are the ones that Dave's mom made using plastic canvas and yarn that are nearly indestructible. Those can go down where the kids can touch them. The rest are a myriad of ones collected or given as gifts over the years. It's a hodgepodge of ornaments, but each means something. Then, when I've finished the tree, I'd sit on the couch and just look at the tree and listen to Christmas music. Looking at the tree always makes me happy and brings such an assortment of memories. That's why it's so weird that this year I didn't want to do much of anything for decorating.

Determination and perseverence!

Brie took some sewing classes in high school and really enjoyed it. She decided to make a shirt for Krysta for her birthday in August but ran into a few problems. She's trying to work through the problems and finish up the shirt.

Homemade Toffee

Every time Holy Cow comes around I HAVE to buy some of Wendy Sue's candy (homemade toffee) - it's just the best. However, we got the recipe for homemade toffee at our Super Saturday and oh boy - it rivals Wendy Sue's. I love it. I'm not sure who gave us the recipe, but thank you and um-um-good!!

The Ten Virgins

Missy, Brie, and I, and Katie Cox, Rudy and Cindy Knudsen went to Krysta's ward for their enrichment night. They had dinner and then a wonderful presentation of the Ten Virgins. Krysta had been asked to participate as one of the virgins. It was beautifully done and very spiritual. It helped jumpstart me again about being prepared and being one of the wise ones - fully prepared for when the "bridegroom cometh". When that time comes I don't want to have to say "ah, Lord, could you wait a couple of hours while I run and get that stuff You've told me over and over again to get yet I just didn't think it was important enough then. It's important now, so could You just hold on?" Nope, I want to be prepared, so I'm not postponing anymore.

Thanksgiving 2008

For some reason as I prepared for this year's Thanksgiving dinner I thought of different Thanksgivings past. As a child we would sometimes go to my aunt and uncle's in Spicer, MN or to Granny's in Mankato, MN, or to Grandma and Grandpa's in Two Harbors, MN. I'm sure we went to our aunt and uncle's in Bloomington, MN, too - I just don't remember those particular Thanksgivings. I think of the cold: -20 or so many years, playing games, football games on TV, visiting with family, and of course - the food. It's interesting to see how the food served has changed over the years. When I was a kid we ALWAYS had tomato aspic as a salad - even though none of us but my dad liked it!! Now I make a seafoam salad, and the only one that really likes it is Dave! As a child we had a turkey stuffed with homemade stuffing - the bread would sit out on the counter for several days drying, then it was a big production to make it and then stuff the turkey. I like to use Stove Top - it's quicker and easier, and my family likes the taste and texture better. I made a pumpkin pie and a French silk chocolate pie - those seem to be old favorites through the generations. However, my dad loved mincemeat pie and we'd make one for him every once in awhile. Ugh - just the look of it made me sick!!

We had a slight problem this year - the turkey got done an hour and a half before it was supposed to!! So, we let it "set" and let the juices flow through it while we hurried to make the potatoes, dressing, and vegetable dishes! The salad and pies had been made the day before and the rolls needed to bake also so it actually worked out to our advantage in a way. It really was a good-tasting turkey and quite moist, so maybe I'll let future ones sit longer than the recommended 20 minutes!

We had the missionaries over for dinner - Elder Clawson was transferred Wednesday, so we had a new elder join us. He is from French Quebec and his name is Elder Paquette. We were blessed to have all our family that's in the area join us for dinner except Todd - he had to work. I also worked but my shift was earlier in the day - 6:45-12:45. I was able to eat some of Dave's delicious crepes on my first break and put the turkey in on the 2nd break. I thought it would take 5-5 1/2 hours to cook but I cooked it in a bag and it was done in about 4. The good part for me about working today was that I was paid double time and it wasn't real busy until about the last hour or so. We were really fortunate not to have had any storms anywhere that would delay or cancel flights. I'm scheduled to work Christmas Day too, so I'm really praying for no snowstorms that day too!!

Girls Night Inn!

Brie was able to get a room at Spring Hills Suites in Lehi Tuesday night for half the employee rate. So, she invited us to a "girls night inn" - they got pizza, treats, etc. and spent time swimming and in the hot tub. I had a bunch of things to take care of so I didn't get there until later - like 10:30. We were visiting, etc. when all of a sudden Raimee started throwing up. That brought Krysta's night there to an abrupt end. She took Raimee and Brylee home and Kelbee stayed with us. We took her home the next morning - sometime between 10:30 and 11:00. When we dropped her off we found out that Raimee had been sick most of the night and Krysta had not gotten much sleep. We'll try this again when Tonya is here in December.

Dave is now 54!

Dave's birthday was yesterday. We went to Missy and Jeff's in Springville to celebrate it. The main reason we went there is because "24" was on for the 1st time in 2 years and they have a big screen TV!! It wasn't really the season premiere - that happens in January, so I guess it was kind of a 'prequel' - setting up the upcoming season.

Everyone was there (that lives here) so it was a real nice time being able to be together as a family. We kept the meal simple - at his request. We had roast beef and swiss cheese broiled sandwiches, chips, baked beans, and cheesecake with either strawberries or raspberries on it.

The Holy War: BYU vs Utah

This house seems to be divided when it comes to the Holy War (BYU vs Utah). Dave, Jeff, and Mitch are BYU fans, Brian and Todd are Utah fans. There was great disappointment this year on the part of the BYU fans, but Brian was very excited. He wanted to be able to rub it in a bit to those BYU fans at church on Sunday so - he stayed up quite late Saturday night making this little thingie to pin on the back of his shirt and wore it under his suitcoat and revealed it after sacrament meeting!! Sunday night he sewed it to the back of one of his Ute jackets and proudly wore it to work!

The Celine Dion concert that wasn't!!

Brian gave me tickets last Christmas to the Celine Dion concert to be held on November 21 at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City. I traded my Saturday JetBlue schedule away and Dave traded his Friday night shift at the hotel so we could go, spend the night at the Marriott in Salt Lake, and not have to hurry back for anything in the morning. So, when the concert was postponed until February 22 we were disappointed about not being able to hear her sing, but we decided to go to Salt Lake and spend the night there anyways!

We went to Dick's Sporting Goods store at the Gateway and shopped for Dave's birthday gift, checked into the hotel, and then went to the Olive Garden for dinner. It was a very nice and peaceful getaway, and it was wonderful to be able to spend Saturday morning talking without any interruptions!!

The Ark Food Storage Company

Dave has been working on starting a food storage company for several years. He feels he's received inspiration in different areas and is excited because everything seems to be coming together now. He has a gal that's working on a website - it can be accessed at http://www.thearkfsc.com/ but it is still under construction and isn't finalized yet. He's had people inquiring about it from different states and even from Canada, and he is taking and filling orders.

Football Moms

L-R: Jechelle, Me, Sue, Lena, Sally, Suzanne

Proviah Katsigazi - Kampala, Uganda and her necklaces

Tonight we met at Paradise Bakery in American Fork. They have soups, salads, sandwiches, and yummy desserts!! Sue brought some handmade necklaces that someone from her work had given her to sell. They are made by a member of the church in Uganda that is a returned missionary. She makes these necklaces and bracelets to help pay for her education. She's earned her bachelor's and now she wants to get a master's degree. They are made from newspapers and magazines. They require a lot of time and patience - each necklace takes at least 5 days to make. I think we all bought at least one that night - they were $10-15 each. This girl is incredible to sell her craftmanship for that little!!

Sue also gave us each a bracelet with a heart on it that is now our "official" football moms bracelet. We will wear it each time we get together (and more often, too, of course!). It is a gentle reminder of Sue's love for each of us and the bond of friendship and love we feel for each one of these wonderful ladies.

Shelly was sick tonight so she couldn't join us and we all missed her smiley face! We'll look forward to her joining us again next month.

Cancer is a word that strikes fear!

I noticed a small blackish spot on my left shin sometime earlier this summer. I thought to myself I ought to have that looked at, but since it didn't grow or change I didn't do anything. Then, on Monday October 20 this little voice said to me you need to go to the doctor and have that checked out. So, I went on October 22 and he did a punch biopsy that was probably 1/4 of an inch in diameter and put 2 stitches in. I went back November 3 and had the stitches out. He didn't have the pathology report handy and couldn't access it online, so he said he'd let me know the next day. He would call with the results if they indicated something, otherwise he wouldn't call.

So, when the phone rang and the number indicated it was him, I knew for sure it was cancer. For a moment there's a shiver of dread that runs through your body. I have to say that I've known deep down inside all along - ever since I first noticed it - that it was skin cancer. I shouldn't have been too suprised, however, as my sister, dad, and mom all have had it. The word cancer used to pretty much mean a death sentence, but there have been so many advances that now the survival rates are much better.

He told me it was squamous cell carcinoma and the biopsy showed the cells went out to the edge so I needed to come in again and have a larger area removed so the cells would show clear to the edge. Squamous cell carcinoma is a pretty common skin cancer, so I was pretty confident that by removing it everything would be just fine. I feel very fortunate and lucky - although I'm sad my tanning days are over!! I love a good tan and always feel so much better with a tan, but - I'd rather be healthy and alive!! I guess if you're going to get cancer, this is a good one to get!

One more time I really appreciate the good women I know that have survived their bouts of breast cancer - they are the true heroes and survivors!! I have several good friends that are breast cancer survivors - Theresa McClellan, Lena Frampton, and most recently my sister-in-law Beth. May I say that you women are true inspirations and I love each one of you.

Elders have birthdays too!

Elder Clawson
Elder Meyer

Elder Clawson and Elder Meyer both had birthdays within a few weeks of each other. We celebrated Elder Clawson's on October 20, and Elder Meyer's on November 17. Hopefully we brought a touch of home to each one of them as they turned another year older and wiser so far from home!!

The Escape Route is Fixed!!

From this . . .

. . . to this.

While Dave was on his fishing trip to Canada in May Missy noticed a bulge in our ceiling in the entryway. It looks like we had a leak in the roof and it settled in the insulation and sheetrock of the ceiling. When Dave got home he took a screwdriver and poked it into the ceiling thinking that would make the water stream out. That's when we realized it had been absorbed by the insulation and sheetrock. So, Dave made a hole in the ceiling so he could find where the leak was. Time went by and there was no need to hurry and fix it as the weather was warm. However, as the temperatures got colder he decided he needed to get it fixed before winter really set in. That way our furnace wouldn't need to be on all the time!! So, the afternoon of November 15 he made the time to fix it. It was a very messy job and I wish I'd taken a picture of the floor afterwards! He found that the project was bigger than originally thought as the ceiling still bowed in places that you really couldn't tell by just looking at it! Dave is quite meticulous when working on a project such as this, wanting to make sure it's done just right. However, he also knows his boundaries, so he'll hire someone to put the sheetrock in, mud it, and texturize the ceiling. It's much warmer in the house now - you can't feel the cold air rushing in like you could before!!