Shower

I wish I had a picture to post with this, but I don't, so...

Tonight I went to the baby shower for Hester and almost-here baby Moses before they leave for Australia (with Andreas of course). It was so great to see her, Alice, Betsy, Erika, Hannah, Maddy, Aspen, Hazel, Karolina, Amalia, Victor, and a variety of Hester's "other side" cousins whom I haven't seen in years, including an old roommate! Aunt June, Katie, Raymond's baby (I can't remember his name unfortunately!!), Aunt Jeanette, and Aunt Roseann all came too. And even Andreas made an appearance near the end.

The past few days we have spent in Utah have been busy and we'll stay busy until we leave, which is actually fun. We are busy visiting with loved ones and that is the best way to be. We will be sad to leave in a few days, while simultaneously excited to see you all. I just wanted to share that the shower was great and it was fun to chat with long-lost family and friends. I am so happy for Hester and Andreas...what a fun adventure they are about to have.

Tomten Sighting

Bonny forwarded this photo to me - they are vacationing in snow country - and commented that they'd seen fresh Tomten tracks!! I believe!

And the girls were indeed "burning up" the slopes.

Meanwhile, we are waiting for the rain that is returning tonight - and grateful that we don't live on the East Coast!!

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Christmas is a fun and happy time for everyone - and it has been made even more special with the addition of certain weddings - and thus the celebration of anniversaries in the years to come.

One such case in point- Eliza and Matt's wedding day 7 years ago!!

Hope the day today is a happy one for you guys!! And best wishes for a great year ahead!

Christmas Day Night - and the night after that!!

This post is dedicated to the Terrill Family Party - but these Terrills had a fun Christmas night, and I wanted to share it!! Hannah and Henry did a little number on the ivories, and that got everyone into the musical Christmas mode - we ended up spending the evening singing every carol in the Hallmark Christmas Carols book - even the ones we didn't know!! It was fun, to say the least. Fortunately, the houses on either side of us are vacant, so we didn't bother anyone!!

and now -

Terrill Family Christmas Party - Photo recap for your viewing pleasure!!

We were trying to remember and figured that this was the 4th Annual New Edition of the Terrill Family Party. That would be the one that's on the first Sunday after Christmas.

You will note that there were some special first time guests to the new edition. Karen flew down from Idaho, and Phil, Amy, and family were in town, so they were able to come.

Harry F. showed us some fine culinary efforts with a pot of great homestyle chicken noodle and vegetable soup. Salad, rolls, fruit, left-over potato soup from Christmas Eve, and a dizzying array of yummy dessert treats rounded out the menu.

Scott and family came.

The kids enjoyed playing the dreidl game.

A somewhat casual version of the Nativity - but sweet and moving just the same.

The Siblings - together at last!!

Some of another group of siblings - certain Claytons are now part of the Terrill Family Party!

Harry F., Dawn, and family - even if Harry W. wasn't interested in posing!!

Bill and Marjorie are Honorary Terrills it seems!! We love having them each year!

Doug and family - always ready for some fun!!

I realized I didn't take a photo of Dad and me!! So here's one of Dad, so you'll know he was there - clean-up monitor extraordinaire I might add!

Greg - another honorary Terrill!

It was really great to have Amy, Phil, kids joining us. Not sure what the white spot is on Connor's face - my photography skills produce some odd effects some times!

And by taking only one shot, I got Steve with his eyes shut!! But they were open the whole night!!

Some Cousin Cuties - yes??

Hannah and Robbie - always ready for fun!

Bonny, Bruce and their bevy of beauties - always a great addition to the party.

Grandma said she got a nap this afternoon - so she was up for all the festivities.

Phoebe, David, and family - we were happy they were here this year.

For many years, the Terrill Family Christmas Party was a pivotal event in our lives. It seemed like once we had the party, the Christmas season could truly begin. (It was held on the last Saturday before Christmas.) As a growing family spread over many states and even countries - the party had a smaller and smaller "original core" in attendance. Also, it became a bigger job than Grandma Terrill could handle on her own. There was talk that maybe it would be ending. Grandma had done a wonderful job for so many years. It seemed like it would not be possible to replicate what it had become for our family.

One year it was Dad's 60th birthday, and we did a party for him in place of the family party. It seemed that maybe the Christmas party would truly not happen again. But the next year, Dad suggested that we do one at the church - and just invite everyone and see who came. We included more than Terrills too. And it was pretty simple - we did pizza from Costco in fact, with potluck for the rest. We didn't have Santa come, and we didn't have a talent show. We didn't exchange gifts either.

We did keep up the nativity - even though we'd decided on the first Sunday night after Christmas, the nativity still seemed essential to the event.

Everyone is not there. We miss those who are not. And we miss those who are no longer with us. But we love being with those who are there. And we love it when someone who hasn't been able to come in the past is able to come - like Amy and Karen this time.

Sometimes it's good to keep up traditions - even if you have to do a makeover on them. It's worth the effort. Tonight certainly was!

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve - and dinner for 29!! We managed to fit everyone in - and it only took us until 1 a.m. to clear up and get everything ready for Santa to come!

Grandma Mary was a favorite guest.

Sully showed off one of his charming Christmas outfits. Agnes spent the evening asking if she could put on her jammies and go to bed so that Santa could come!

Bill - aka "the other grandpa" according to baby Harry - joined us. (Apparently he's been stopped in public places where he's been asked if he's Santa!)

Grandma Mary enjoyed her great grandchildren.

The local paparazzi in action!

Mary with her grandson Ethan - Tami and Tyler joined us - and Donna is supposed to email me the photo she took of the little family!

We "segregated" the children in the kitchen - a turn of events they seemed to enjoy immensely!

We were happy to have Bill and Marjorie join us.

Hannah played and we sang carols - and Henry showed off his keyboard skills also.

Keena, Robbie's sister, joined us. Robbie once again had the babies under his spell.

Noah had to work on Christmas Eve, but was able to join us for dinner.

I always enjoy a moment with the lovely Miss Isla.

Keena thought I should take a shot of the "towel assignments" that are posted in the bathroom. We are getting organized at having large numbers of folk staying in our small house!

The kidlets co-operated and didn't come in until 7:30 - and since Hannah and Robbie were using the living room floor as their bedroom - that was much appreciated! The trio of "young adults" had as much fun opening gifts as the little kids did!

Henry has been enjoying quiet moments with Harry Potter!

Grandpa enjoys exploring new gifts with Agnes - and Sully enjoys his feet!

Robbie gave Hannah an Ebelskivver pan for Christmas - so we enjoyed the Danish treats for breakfast.

Calvin has truly been enjoying his "paper guitar" from Santa.

Uncle Noah came late to the party - so Agnes had time and the inclination to help him unwrap his gifts.

There has been a lot of action with the Wii - and especially Dance Party.

We are winding down now with baths, cleaning up, getting ready for the Terrill Family Party tomorrow night - and coping with a defunct dishwasher!! (Phoebe went and bought a stash of paper plates and cups!! We were greeted in the early a.m. with a soaking wet rug in front of the kitchen sink - from a leak in the water line of the dishwasher - and the toilet overflowed - after we had a plumber here last week because of a blocked water line and sinks that wouldn't drain. Is this a curse or something??)

In spite of it all, the day was a pleasant one - another happy Christmas to note in the annals of Merry Christmases we have enjoyed!!

Word Pictures

The holiday is happening. Phoebe, David, and children arrived last night. We are all busy - Christmas Eve dinner for 29 to be shopped for and prepared. Where do we seat everyone?? Terrill Family Party fare to be shopped for and prepared - and we won't have a day in-between!

Pick up Hannah and Robbie. David said, when looking at the calendar, "You have a slot for 'Hannah arrives' and 'Eliza arrives' but no slot for us arriving!" My reply - "We aren't picking you up somewhere, so we don't have to remember. We're just glad you're here!"

But it is so good to be with everyone - it is a glad season - let the carols play, let the chaos reign, let the floor be littered with pallets and blankets and pillows. Let the laundry pile up. Let peace and joy and goodwill rule the day!!

I'm committed to trying! But I will probably keep gathering up wet towels and washing them. Look in the "new" laundry room if you can't find your towel. Ask me if you can't find something else. I probably put it somewhere when I was "picking up!"

I should be taking pictures of Sully snuggled up to Henry as he reads Harry Potter. Of Agnes with the Potato Heads. Of Dad and Henry playing tetherball and picking oranges and juicing said oranges. Of David doing a puzzle.

I will take some pictures. I will post them. I will reflect on how much fun it was to have everyone here.

And I will try not to stress over all of it. Maybe I will just stress over part of it!!

There is a reason for the season - and I will try to keep reminding myself of that!!

And maybe make a note for next year - to start earlier!

December 22, 1967

As Harry and I drive to the temple every other weekend, I often recall the day we drove there to be married.

And it never fails to make me smile over what was without a doubt the beginning of the best days of our lives!

The best gift of all is a great mom!!

And can I just say that I have one? So do 11 other people I know, but I just wanted to go on record.

She's been there for a long time. Another gift.


It's raining, it's pouring, and the city sidewalks are busy indeed, but it's important to pause and consider what it's all about.

Another Weekend Wrap-up!

Ah, the start of Winter Break - nothing could be finer that contemplating 2 weeks of not having to get up by a certain time - although I seem to have reached that stage in life where I wake up early anyway!! Saturday was leisurely - and we finally got the tree up.

Sunday found us celebrating Dad's b-day with the obligatory Pineapple Upside Down cake - a hit with everyone! Dad had some happy helpers - just in case he couldn't muster the lung power to blow out the candles!!

I guess we are going to become feeders of birds - and we can track the weather too!!

Jim and Tina joined us - always a treat!

Some of us then headed out to LA and the Disney Concert Hall for the Messiah Sing Along - I did pretty well with most of the choruses - had a strong alto across the aisle who kept me on key!!

I do love the Messiah - it is the best way to start Christmas week!!

And for those of you who care or notice such things, we are getting pummeled by the rains!!