Sights and Sounds of Christmas

Here are some of the sights and sounds we experienced this Christmas Season.

Little baby Leah was the most precious present under the tree this year!!





She touched her Grandma's heart with a smile!!

Enjoying "Papa's" stories at a young age. Or, maybe Leah is trying to figure out who is that guy with the weird hat and tie!!!

Spencer loves pumpkin pie and sang this song to prove it!!

Spencer and Andrew showing off their Christmas Eve PJ's.






We woke up Christmas morning to newly fallen snow and the moon still shining in the sky!!






Sariah, Leah, David, Andrew and Spencer, all bright eyed, Christmas morning!!

I know this video is sideways, I saved it right up and tried numerous times to download it right side up but it would not do it. David was trying to get all the presents from under the tree. I call this video, Attack of the Christmas Tree or Spencer and Andrew to the Rescue!! It's funny so just turn your head briefly!!

Here's a few of the presents rescued from under the tree!!

Just what Evan needs...another piece of Star War memorabilia!!

Getting ready to play in the snow!!






Mike is such a good sport!! Evan and Spencer had a great time pelting him with snowballs!!

Some of the campus wildlife!!

Snow tracks!

Out for a chilly walk!





The beautiful snow covered mountains!! This is much prettier than our brown hills.




Picnic Anyone??




Manger scene on Temple Square





Amy, John, David, Mike and I with Evan met up with one of our missionaries, Peter Barth, his wife Heather and family. More about this on a future post!! We had a great evening of dinner and a visit to Temple square!!

Christmas Ponderings

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart"

LUKE 2:19

PONDER

This Christmas season I have been pondering on a couple of things. I'm going to try and share.

SNOW

For some strange reason, this Christmas season I have had the song, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" stuck in my head. Maybe that was because I knew I was going to be in the snow this year. I started wondering about white and what that had to do with the true meaning of Christmas and not just snow. White to me is the symbol of purity. If we truely have a Christ centered Christmas then we have found the ultimate White Christmas.

Gifts

We traveled far to bring gifts to a baby this Christmas. Babies are so sweet and innocence and dependent on others. My tiny little granddaughter Leah is perfect! She makes the cutest little faces and is totally adorable. She cries when she is hungry and tired or needs a diaper change. Leah was my best gift this Christmas season!! I love having a baby around at Christmas time. It helps to remind me that Jesus Christ, my Savior, came to earth as a baby too! He had to be taken care of by his loving mother, Mary, just like the rest of us. He was totally dependent on other human beings. I wonder if His grandparents came to visit him too, bearing gifts. I wonder if they felt the same JOY I do looking and holding my granddaughter, and watching my own first born child and his wonderful wife lovingly tend to their parently duties. Jesus was a marvelous gift given to us by our Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for that gift!!

What Gifts can we bring to the Savior? He still lives to today! We should still come to Him and worhship HIM. I have decided on a couple of gifts to give to the Savior this year. First, I want to give Him more of my time. More of my time in service to Him, by being of service to others. That means giving less time to unimportant activities. Second, I'm going to take better care of my body. That will definitely help with my first gift. If I don't have a healthy body I won't be able to be of very good service to others. So, that means I need to eat healthier and exercise. I know I can do it!

Have you been pondering anything? Please share.

REJOICE!

Great New Resource

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a great new resource!!! Check out the Disability Resource page. I'm very excited about this!! It's very comprehensive and give resources for families, teachers and leaders. If your LDS please please spread the word, I feel this will beneficial to many people.

Fabulous Friday's Forever Family Featuring...

My grandmother, Mary Rose! "Rose" was a Christmas baby, born on Christmas Day in 1874 in Lowell Massachusetts. She died before I was born in 1941. Rose was a remarkable women who know much heartache but stayed devout to her Catholic faith. Her father died when she was only eleven years only. She married my grandfather John Thomas and they had eleven children. Rose buried five of her children before they reached adulthood. Can you imagine? I can't. Three of them were infants when they died. One son John Francis died as an eight year old. He had been cranking one of the old fashioned cars and the crane hit him in the abdomen. Mary Gladys died from tuberculosis at the age of 18. Her babies died from things that would be treatable today, prematurity, seizures, meningitis. I have never met my Grandma. However her strength helps me to be strong in my trials. She has been sealed in the Temple, to her family that has passed on. (Click on the links to learn what LDS people believe about forever families.) I wonder... did she believe that her family would go on forever. Maybe that is what gave her strength. When I meet her I will ask! I firmly believe that I am who I am today because of the my ancestors. I am eternally grateful for the legacy I have been given. I look forward to my reunion with my Grandma Rose, I will hug her and thank her for the strength she has given me!

Rain!!

We got rain!! Lots of it!! Here is Evan, aka, the weatherman, with his rain gauge to prove it. 3.5 inches in one day!! I can't wait for the hills to be green!!!

Twelve Days of Christmas Like You Never Heard Before!!

Sunday Singing

Silent Night

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792–1848; trans. by John F. Young, 1820–1885

Music: Franz Gruber, 1787–1863

Fabulous Friday's Forever Family Featuring...

my five year old grandson, Andrew!!! What can I say about you Andrew?? I miss your laughter, your incessant chatter, your laughter and smiles. !! I miss sitting with you at church, and your hugs and kisses!! Did mention I miss your laughter???

I was there when you were born, in fact I was able to help your Daddy give you your very first bath! What a special memory! You were so beautiful and perfect, straight from Heaven.

What fun we had doing the landscaping together!! My oh my, how you like those redwood shavings!!!

A chocolate lover just like grandma!!



Here you are young Jedi Andrew taking after Uncle Evan.

You always liked to pick my flowers!!

Andrew I love how compassionate and caring you are. You really love Uncle Evan and don't care about his wheelchair!

There's that grandpa spoiling you with candy again!!!

We have had lots of fun dancing at weddings!! Boy, can you groove!!
Andrew your are growing up to be an incredible boy. I know you want to grow to up fast and be an adult. I remember when you were a baby, you seemed so frustrated not to be able to get up and walk like everyone else. When you were a toddler, one day we were downtown. We parked the car and got out. You went over to the parking meter and reached for something in your pocket. I couldn't believe that at such a young age you actually wanted to put money in the parking meter!! You are just too cute for words!! I look forward to all the years ahead that we can have fun together! Thanks for all the letters you send me!! I love them. I will see you at Christmas time! I'm sure we will have a blast. Love, Grandma!!

I Love Santa Claus

Does Santa have place in a true Christians celebration of the birth of our Savior?? I believe he does!! I loved believing in Santa as a child, but I love it even more to be a Santa!!! What could you do better at Christmastime than to give to others anonymously without thought of return. Santa is a symbol of giving. Elder John A Widtsoe, a former general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said, "There are men who object to Santa Claus , because he does not exist! Such men need spectacles to see that Santa Claus is a symbol; a symbol of the love and joy of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. In the land of my birth there was no Santa Claus, but a little goat was shoved into the room, carrying with it a basket of Christmas toys and gifts. The goat of itself counted for nothing but the Christmas spirit, which it symbolized, counted for a tremendous lot,"
In our family, Santa would bring one gift for each child. When we felt they were old enough, we let them be Santa! On Christmas Eve we read the Christmas story, sang Christmas hymns and acted out the Nativity and read from Saint Luke. When the children were really little we had birthday cake for the baby Jesus. We wanted to make sure they knew that we were indeed celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. On Christmas morning, before we opened presents we always turned over the baby Jesus on the Advent Calendar first!!
We also do secret acts of kindness for others, such as a 12 day of Christmas and we go caroling to those who are lonely. We try to find someone we know who needs cheering up. I always come away from that experience feeling up lifted.
In my mind, the picture above says a lot. When we become Santa, we are only worshiping the Savior.
What do you think about Santa Claus? What have you done as a family to help bring the true meaning of Christmas into your home?

She's Here!!!

Introducing my little baby granddaughter...



Leah Ann Price

Leah was born this morning and weighed in at 6lbs 4oz and is 17.5 inches long. Isn't she totally beautiful? I love babies! I get to hold her in eleven days. I can hardly wait, but I have too!!

Our Festive Christmas House

My husband totally loves decorating the outside of our house for Christmas. This year the lights are gleefully dancing to music. I think it came out great!!

Sunday Singing

Ever since I was a little girl, I remember having such tender feelings singing the beautiful Christmas Carol, Away in the Manger. Still to this day it is by far my favorite Christmas song! I love the thought of the little baby Jesus sleeping. He came to earth as a baby just like us. Then the song becomes a prayer to ask Jesus to "stay close by me forever and love me" I know that He does I feel His love everyday!! I hope you do too!!

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Phone Call

Some kids are wise beyond their years. This boy made me cry. It's an amazing video of a phone call he made to a radio station. Get out your tissue first. Here is more about the story.

Fabulous Friday's Forever Family Featuring...

my great-grandfather Silviano Giannetti!!
I recently found this picture with some of my mother's things. On the back it says "Granddad, me and Eva". (Doesn't mention the little boy.) Silviano was born in 1861 in Terracina, Italy. He traveled to the USA in 1913, entering through Boston Harbor. He was 49 years old when he arrived and his wife and daughter didn't come for 6 more years. How hard would that be??
Silviano and his wife Rosaria had three children that I know, Virginia, Josephine and Giovanni. He lived with his daughter Josephine's family, the Scafiddi's, in Somerville, Massachusetts. He was involved in some kind of an accident in the subway and spent his last three years of life in Tewksbury State Hospital. He died in 1944 before I was born.
My Aunt told me that her Granddad loved to be with little children and he was a kind and gentle man. I love little children too, and try to be gentle and kind. Maybe I get that from him!!
Rest in Peace, Granddad.

Sunday Singing

It's spire reaches heavenward as it sits on a hill overlooking a very busy Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles. The angel atop calls out to announce to the world that the gospel has been restored. The amazing thing is that on the grounds of the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints there is peace. A peace that can not be found anywhere else in such a big city. We gathered there yesterday with other members of our Stake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of this important and beautiful edifice. Each Stake was allowed to have a special meeting in the Solemn Assembly Hall on the top floor of the of Temple!! I'm certain there were angels singing with the choir!! It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we were grateful and uplifted to be there.

I love the Temple!! It reminds me of what is most important in this life, my family, my Savior and my testimony!! The song "I Love to See the Temple" is beautiful!!

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE
click to hear song

Words and Music by Janice Kapp Perry

I love to see the temple.
I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.

---

For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.

---

I love to see the temple.
I'll go inside someday.
I'll cov'nant with my Father;
I'll promise to obey.

---

For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God,
I've learned this truth;
A fam'ly is forever.

Fabulous Friday's Forever Family Featuring...

my lovely daughter Katie Rose!! Happy Birthday Katie!! You have been a wonderful daughter. Always very spiritual! You have been such an example to me, especially when it comes to reading your scriptures and writing in your journal. If only I could be like you!!

Where ever did your talkativeness come from? Not from me or dad!! Whenever a camera was on, you were there, especially if it was a video camera. You would jump out in front of everyone just to tell us what's going on. I'm surprised you didn't become a TV reporter!! We always tease you that the noise level goes up when you are home. But, in all honesty, I love it!!!

I love how you would always write me little letters and poems. Remember these??
Click image to see better.

Remember when you were a toddler, oh, how you loved to climb!

I'll never forget the day you knocked the whole thing over on yourself. You are so lucky you survived without a scratch. Poor little fish, they were NOT so lucky!!! I don't think you climbed much after that!!

What a little cutie. This is your kindergarten picture. I'm so sorry I missed your first day of school. I know that was very hard for you. My heart felt very pulled that day! Thanks for being understanding that I needed to be with Evan in the hospital.

I love all the beautiful poems you wrote. I wish I still had your book of poetry. Why did I ever give that back to you??? Here is a poem I found at the house.

THE WITNESS

As I look out at the ocean
Big, blue green and gray
It spreads out forever
a vast never-ending sea of water.
Still and silent for a moment
Then violent and vicious the next
Wide and wondrous and mysterious.
And as I gaze up at the sky
And watch white fluffy clouds
In all shapes and sizes fly
Around the earth ever-changing.
And when I lay down at night
And try to count the countless
multitudes of shining stars
I marvel at nature's masterful beauty.
As I watch the sun come up
and gloriously go under the horizon
And watch the clouds change color
In hues of purple and pink
And as I look around at trees,
flowers, and mountains
a love stirs within my heart
For all of God's creations.
When I look around and up
And before my eyes
I can not doubt nor can I deny
That there is truly a God and
That I have a Father in Heaven.
Written by,
Katie 4-25-98

I appreciate how you have helped the search for our ancestors. Remember this poem you wrote.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Trembling I reach for you.
I had been praying and searching
Hoping I'd find you.
Years had gone by
And you remained on my mind.
A Mystery.
I prayed,
I searched.
My heart grew weary.
Then I found you.
Now with eyes teary I read your words.
You bear the name of my ancestors.
And they come alive again.
Written by, Katie

Remember how you always enjoyed playing Mary in our annual family nativity. You were always a beautiful Mary.

Before you graduated high school you earned your Young Woman Medallion!! Remember all the goals you completed?? You did a great job!!


Off you went to college. You seemed so far away!! We always teased you because you didn't go to college nearer to home. But, I'm so glad that you choose a place near to your Grandma, Grandpa and other family. Made me feel better to know someone was close by and I know they loved having you near too.



What a blast we had at Buca Di Beppo's celebrating your graduation Italian style!!

Then you found your sweetie!! Brad is such a great guy! How did you get so lucky?
You were such a beautiful bride!! I'm so happy you got married in the Temple!! I remember how you hated to take off your lovely wedding dress! I know you felt like a princess and you looked like one!!

Now here you are 26 years old. We had so much fun celebrating your birthday with you!! You are my Thanksgiving baby!! I'm very grateful for you in my life!! You have grown to be a wonderful, talented, caring woman! I know that you have challenges, but I also know that you can be strong and happy! One day your greatest dream and desire will come true. I know it!! I love you!!

She without arm, he without leg - ballet - Hand in Hand

Oh, the resiliency of the human spirit!! This is absolutely beautiful.

Deep Sea Fishing

What's to do on the Central coast you ask? That is a great question!! Katie and Brad came up with the idea to go deep sea fishing!! So, that's what we did and we had a lot of fun.

We left just after sun rise. It was a beautiful morning, the sea was calm!!

Here we are waiting to get on the boat.

We passed by a lovely little lighthouse.

These two pelican's (be patient when you click video, you can see them in the middle of the shot if you keep watching) seemed to be playing chase with the boat. I was amazed how close to the water they could glide.

Katie and Brad had fun fishing. It was a little bit cold if you couldn't tell!!

Here's our catch for the day!! We caught thirty five fish, mostly lin cod and rock fish!!

How fast can you fillet a fish? Click on the video and watch these guys, they were incredibly fast!! They were some of the crew and very helpful while we were fishing. They would untangle lines, and help bring fish up. One guy on our trip caught a 22 pound halibut. The crew said that was a once in a life time catch!! Too bad it wasn't us!!

Here are the fish all filleted and ready to go!!

It was fun to watch the pelicans fight for the fish that went overboard.