Christmas is a magical time.

We had such a wonderful Christmas with our loved ones near and far. Lots of memories with grandchildren and our wonderful adult kids. We miss Nick and Kevin and their families but enjoyed them at Thanksgiving. Here's a small sample of our fun times.

Little Miss Clara opening her first present--Baby Einstein DVD.
Who knew Hungry Hippo was still popular?
Liesl and Owen telling the story of the first Christmas.

Gramma gave Liesl her first big-girl doll. She was promptly names "Kelly".

The Dads (Sherod and Jason) assembling the storm trooper helmets. Four year old waiting with loaded gun.

Dad's couldn't resist trying them on. They were way cool.

Here's a great gift idea. When your kids have been married for enough years that their wedding photos are no longer on your living room wall. . . give as a Christmas gift to adoring Sons-in-law.

See--they loved it. Shed said he's going to hang it on the ceiling above their bed.

Proof that Memzy did NOT get coal for Christmas. Some people pay attention to her wish list.

Some of the group chillaxin after all the presents were opened. Watching the MoTab Christmas program.

Four warriors and a fair maiden.

The blue eyed princess.

Clara loves to sit by Papa and share her food. He loves it so much. He can't reach out to touch her and she seems to sense this and reaches out to him. What a luv-bug.

Yah--it was a great Christmas.

Merry Christmas to All

Just wanted to say thanks again for the special Christmas card. As you can see, it sits right in front of our computer screen as I blog (for reference purposes). Even Uncle Visor refers to the flow chart when reading posts. He's shy--doesn't post himself--but belly laughs often over other's posts.

Emily drew a flow chart so I can put names and pseudo-names, with faces. And they are flow up to Mary (except Landeelu of course--she would flow next to Memzy, past me and up to my brother). What a sweet family. Luckily I already know who belongs to whom in Shed's family so no flow chart needed there--another very sweet family. I guess we're all lucky to be relatives and /or blogging friends. Merry Christmas to all.

FFF-BACK TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT

Today I thought it would be fun/interesting to return to Sears for the first time since the big spill. I wanted to take some pictures and take a look under more favorable circumstances.

You know the old saying--"the picture doesn't do it justice". Totally true. It wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be.

Charlie's explanation of Christmas

I apologize in advance to those of you who may be sick of my weekly kids-date videos. What can I say--it's what makes the world go 'round. Charlie decided today instead of cooking or the book store he wanted to go to the "art" store, i.e. Michael's dollar section. You can't beat it. Lots of seasonal art stuff for kids. We came out of the store with 7 items for $4.83--he was stoked and so was I. He's been complaining that only mommy gets Christmas cards. None are for him. So he made himself, his family and several other people Christmas cards--put spider man stickers on as stamps and put them in my mail box with the flag up. Done deal as far as he's concerned. BTW--I mailed him his own card today. He'll probably blow a gasket when he gets it. Small pleasures for that kid.



Update on Papa/Cris/Uncle Visor: He's doing well, walking around the house a bit, getting out once a day for excitement (Leo's burgers, Taco Bell, etc.) His injuries have healed very well and he has no pain. His balance, however, leaves much to be desired. So here's the story with picture attached.

Whenever I leave to do errands or whatever, I make sure he's all settled in his lounge chair with remote, phone, snack. It's a good system and works 90% of the time. The other 10%--not so much. Last week I came home from doing an errand and as I opened the door I immediately hear, "I'm just resting" as I see him on the floor. Whaaaaa? How?????? Are you OK? "Yup, I'm OK, I just fell trying to pick up a red hot tamale off the floor". A) He's not sposed to be out of his chair while I'm gone and B) Red Hot Tamale--totally not worth it. He bent down carefully thinking, "I'll go slow and if I feel weak I won't continue". Next thing he knows he's blacked out and on the floor. The dizziness while bending over--not a good thing.

He's not hurt but now--how to get him up? We call our neighbor and she comes over--no dice, we can't get him up. We call Jason (son in law) and he leaves work and comes right over and pops him up quickly. No harm, no foul except Papa is again in a major time out. The rules are now strictly enforced--no getty outty the chair while I'm gone. Next morning--this is what we find. He must have hit his head on the cupboard on the way down. As Landeelu would say, "Crap"

In Appreciation---for you Mom

Today I have this overwhelming need to salute my mom--aka Gramma Decker. Why today? She's been having a tough time with her little midget body causing her unbearable pain. Solving the problem is ongoing as we speak and we hope for answers and solutions soon. In the meantime--talking to her on the phone is a kick because the Lortab pain meds make her sound drunk. She prefers the term "loopy" but I say drunk.

Here are a few things you should know about my Mom:
*She loves her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids a lot!!
*She knows all 100+ by name and has made at least one quilt for each, sometimes two or three, depending on their age.
*She's addicted to fabric stores and quilts.
*She a clothes horse, fashionista, shoe-aholic. When she comes to visit me we always have to ship a very large box back home with her shopping treasures.

I submit the following picture as proof of her love of style.

This picture was taken one week after I was born--1948. Who looks like that one week post giving birth? BTW--her legs still look like that. See next picture for proof.

*She loves high heels and is ticked because she's not allowed to wear them anymore. Safety first.

*She's 86 and doesn't look it or act it.

*She is ALWAYS cheerful ,positive, flexible, gracious, grateful--you get my drift.

*As a mother raising 7 kids she was strict, bossy, very noisy, creative, hard working, loyal, I could go on and on. She joined the church at age 18 and gave our family that legacy with all the blessings that go with it.

So, I salute you Mom and send my love and admiration. I want to be just like you when I grow up (maybe not as noisy). I am trying to emulate your courage and strength. Thanks for teaching me so much good stuff. (See, she's pretty cute)

Which is better--the gingerbread house itself, or the candy ?

It's gingerbread house time at our house. When our kids were little we used to make the gingerbread from scratch, and build the house. It was fun, but a lot of work. Here's the proof circa 1982

This was last year at Nick's house with half the grandkids. Fun, fun, fun.

Fast forward to this year. Last Saturday it was Riley, Jack and Charlie's turn. The loved it and did a great job. Riley has graduated from gingerbread houses to making his own homemade pumpkin pie, including the crust. Sorry there are no pictures of the pumpkin pie. Time got away from me. But we had a great day.

Today was Liesl and Owen's turn. We've come a long way baby. Boxed kit, everything included, simplify and reduce--that's my motto. Much more fun, less work, and they were thrilled.

Check out the finished product. Awesome!!!


Here's video to prove fun was had by all.

FFF--on Saturday--Game on Landee

In response to Tiffers/Kimmie's photo challenge I decided to dig out some old pix to amuse you. For this blogger group's purposes I seem to focus more on Memzy and Landee but in reality there are many other Jeppson cousins who have strong bonds. I will share just a few.


There's Kimmie back row left, Kevin, her brother Scott who I hear tormented everyone in the back of the camper--may be just a rumor--then Nick. Bottom row, Nathan--dig those short shorts, Becca, Tiffers and Emily holding Chewy. Good times.

Emily, Cousin Eric who they both had a crush on, and Tiffers at David's wedding 1989
Summer 1976, Memzy and her mom bottom row left, then Gramma Decker holding Tiffers. My sisters Vicki and Patti.

Freshman dorm room 1993.



Reunion 1994




Lots of Jeppson cousins lived at the Riv!




Jeppson reunion at Cayucus 1986



So you see these cousins go back a long way. It's a good life.

It's time to put up the tree--Charlie style

Today was Charlie's turn to cook with Gramma and his choice was, of course, a Christmas tree cake with accompanying "presents" (mini-cakes for the brudders). While the cakes were cooking we had a decoration fest. I gave him a box of decorations and he did his usual "cluster decorating". Sorry, no pictures of the aforementioned activities.

But, alas, the priceless video complete with original lyrics to his songs. Enjoy.

THANKFUL THANKSGIVING

As you can see, we have a new family picture. Our old one was minus two cute babies, Ricky and Clara. We gathered in the backyard for a photo--slam bam--it was done lickety split--painless actually.

This was a memorable Thanksgiving for many reasons;
1. All our children and grandchildren were here with us, which can be an accomplishment for any family.
2. Cris was up walking a bit and impressing everyone.
3. We laughed a lot.
4. We played a lot.
5. We saw cousins loving and bonding.
6. We had great food--thanks everyone for your contributions.
7. This was one of my easiest cooking Thanksgivings.
8. The football game was awesome.
9. We are acutely aware that life can be fleeting and savoring each moment fills us with joy.
10. We appreciate the goodness of our children and their spouses. We love each grandchild individually.
11. We are grateful for the Gospel in our lives and the peace and joy it brings.
12. We are grateful for our Savior.

Enjoy the photos.
Nick, Lori, Natasha and Bella
Kevin, Tracey, Christine, Luke, Seth, Rachel, Ricky
Emily, Sherod, Riley, Jack, Charlie
Rebecca, Jason, Owen, Liesl, Clara

The traditional trivial pursuit game. I believe Jason and Sherod have won 2 in a row?

The girls watching a movie on Gramma and Papa's bed.

The football huddle.

The kids in the backyard.