Eye Makeup Testing

Kayty would absolutely KILL me if she knew I was posting this, but, she never reads my blog. I am already in trouble...cuz she is visiting her sister in Las Vegas...and she left a messy room, so I "organizationally assisted" her, and dressed her "Jacob the werewolf" lifesize cutout in drag, complete with blonde wig, hot pink bathrobe and hoodie...but, I digress. I am typing this on January 3rd. I may be eliminated when she arrives here tomorrow. I take risks.

She made up this cute outfit, buying the dress at a Goodwill, adding a belt she has had for years, and shoes she just got and loves!!! (Can you believe those shoes...) She tried new eye makeup and wanted me to photograph it. I was too far...too close...and then took so many pics, she just posed. Little did she know......

Papa The Toymaker

Allison and Mike asked us...months ago...if we might be able to create some Christmas gifts for the kids. I was so happy to be able to MAKE something for the kids. Alas, I put it in our "to do" file and didn't think again, till it was November. Dee was so awesome, though, and just absolutely jumped right in to the project. I neglected to take pictures of all the projects all the way through. You know me, I always underestimate, i.e. the time when I said, "Just put up some sticks and some plywood and make a patio roof", a project which I estimated to take July 4th only, and ended up taking weeks. Anyway, Dee made a Pinewood Derby Car Supply Box for Adam, just like the one Ethan had, and shared with all his brothers, a set of oak bunk beds for the doll Gracie had asked Santa for, and a rocking snail for Joshy. He created the whole plan for the snail, from looking at a picture. Nate chain sawed some dry mesquite logs we had picked up from a neighbor. The seat was olive wood that came the same way. It had ironwood eyes and antenna that Uncle Doran had cut in the desert from an old tree.

Body and Head: maple from our friend, John Calhoun. Base steps: oak, rockers: mesquite Nate rough cut and Dee hand planed

Morgan and Nate help put it together

Seat: olive from tree trunk that Nate sawed, Dee cut and shaped

Nate did the initial safety testing

Uncle Doran is the MOST expert painter, so he was nabbed to do the job. 

The pictures truly do not do it justice. It was awesome. I cried...a lot...to see just how hard he worked. He is a machinist, and nothing, absolutely nothing, would be less than the very best, especially for his grandson. 

The pinewood derby car box included polished axles and totally council legal wheels, and the doll bunk had blue flowered mattress covers and pillows, and blue and pink blankets (my only contribution). 

They looked so wonderful under my tree, and I showed everyone just how awesome my gifted  husband truly is!!!

Thank you so much, Papa. You are the papa I wish I had!

The Most Sought After Goodies of the Christmas Season

Christmas means treats! And often, the first treat we receive is the treasured and totally anticipated "Meikle Goody Plate." Connor brings it to the door, and by the time the kids realize and I walk back in to the kitchen, I am nearly nabbed! 

The most popular treat: the mini brownie with the pink frosting in the center... Thank goodness there were two on that plate this year!!! 

Thank you, Meikles!!!

(The other most sought after treat is Joy Black's Coconut Bread...but Dee takes that .... ALL of that!)

Christmas Choir Concert

It is so nice that Kayty is attending Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. It is a Christian based school, thus, a Christmas Choir concert is just that. Though the night was cold and very rainy, thus making it hard for all of us to attend, it was well worth it!

Handel's Messiah

Last night was the performance of Handel's Messiah by Grand Canyon University combine choirs with 2 other community college choirs and numerous high school choirs. It was to be over 500 voices. AND it was accompanied by the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. All I can say is: AWESOME.

I have learned that music touches my heart in a special way. I feel the Lord near when I hear music, whether it is the Stake Conference children's choir in LasVegas that Adam was able to be in, or this glorious group of aspiring, and true professionals. Last night was a tearful, spiritual treat for all...but especially ME!

I had to use Dee's camera...and I really tried to hold steady...but it was really cold!

If you go about 1/2 inch over from the left, toward the center  of that side, you will see a bright pink dot...that is Kayty's head. 

During the "Hallelujah Chorus"...it was totally awesome!!!

Standing ovation! And well deserved.