Holiday Joy

Fall was busy after a long hot summer! Nectarines did well and I was able to dry, freeze and can the contents of my garden. So nice to live where things thrive! We had a nice Indian summer so the roses and other plants were still looking beautiful into late September.

The roses and hibiscus did not want to give up.

 

Went to the State fair in Yakima with Ariel's family. Been quite awhile since I have been to a fair. Was fun. The bunnies were especially adorable.

Carol and I took a few days in September to go to Leavenworth and enjoy the lovely fall foliage and of course do a bit of shopping.

June and Rodney came to spend a week the first of October. We had a great time together. While they were here it was Kelsey's birthday, or what we like to call Alee Chee Chee Day. We met up at the cemetery with Haven's family to say hi to our boys. Miss them both so much!!

Those boys are growing like weeds!!

Haven and the kids are always so creative with their Halloween costumes and this year was no exception!!

Thanksgiving was at my house...there were 20 of us and we had a blast!

We had Ariel and Nathan, Haven and T's family, my nephews Lynn and Loran with their families, Noble and Julian and Ariel's Chinese friend Li with her little cutie, Sammy. It was a houseful but we all survived with smiling faces!!

On Friday after Thanksgiving, Haven hosted a gingerbread house gala. Kids had a super time and produced some architectural wonders!

December arrived with winter in mind. We got 5 inches of snow over a 10 day period and it is still on the ground. Colder than normal temperatures and early snow! Not often we have a white Christmas, but it could easily happen this year.

Decorations and nativities are up and Christmas music is booming!

How I love the sights and sounds of this glorious time of year!

The gingerbread men are lined up and waiting to be taken to neighbors and friends.

My wonderful neighbors, who moved to Maryland last year were in town and stopped for a too short visit. The kids have grown and it was so good to see them, if only for a little while! Love my Johnsons!

And what would my blog be without an updated  picture of our temple. As soon as the interior is finished and a few tweaks in the landscaping, it will be ready to go...hopefully by early spring.

I am headed down to Micah and Ari's home in Pleasant Grove, UT for Christmas this year. They bought a new house and I am excited to see the family and their new castle! Hopefully at some point I will get to enjoy the lights on Temple Square as well.

I am so grateful for the Savior Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for the souls of men. May we each remember the reason for the season and take time to reflect on the many Eternal gifts we have been given!

Here is wishing all of my friends and family a joyous Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.

Summertime Moments of Joy

Summer has been an eventful season...although at 100 degrees outside, it isn't over yet!

Always room for a flower picture!

Summer began with my two oldest grandsons graduating from High School! 

Where have the years gone?

First was Ariel and Nathan's, Levi!!

Levi is an outstanding young man and I am so proud to call him my grandson!!

He and his dad share the same beautiful smile!

"Little T", who is nearly as tall as his 6'4" father also graduated from High School. He is a sweet kid and I sure do love him and his endearing quirkiness!!

Well, it is hard to remember those days when he sat on my lap for another story. 

It will be interesting to see where life takes these two wonderful young men!

Prepare yourself for the wedding photo overload!!

(and Micah didn't even take one!!)

Mr and Mrs. Micah and Ariel (Ari) Brown were married June 16th in the Timpanogas Temple.

At the reception they held a traditional ring ceremony so the children and others could be part of their joy!

I was so delighted that all of Micah's siblings were present. How I love my family!!!

Although complications arose, everything turned out perfectly!

Micah's two best friends, Bryan Weed and Jansson Weeks - both from Pennsylvania and now all three of them live within a few miles of each other in Utah....what are the chances!!!

Caleb, Cosette and Eden were wonderful and it is clear they already love Ari!

The venue was lovely and we enjoyed a dance by the bride and groom and then watched everyone go crazy on the dance floor.

Ammon and Cosette showing  'em how it is done!

My sister and her husband came down from Logan bearing all the lovely flower arrangements

 that June so graciously created.

Some of the gang hanging out at Micah's place.

It was a fabulous event and I cannot express how happy I am that Ari and Micah found each other!

Autumn and Viraj were in Dixon, IL attending a friends wedding recently and decided to stop in Morrison, IL and visit Grandma Joberg at the Grove Hill Cemetery. I'll bet that made her happy!

These two light up any room they enter! Love them both!!

July 28th found many of us at the Columbia River Temple where Levi was preparing to serve a mission. He will be leaving mid-August for the New Jersey Morristown Mission where he will serve the Lord for two years. Here he is pictured with his parents, grandparents and siblings.

Nathan and Ariel beam with pride in this faithful young man!

I was able to attend his farewell at his ward in Yakima and he gave a very good talk! My nephew Darin and his wife Becky and daughter Kaylee were at my home for a short visit and were happy to come and enjoy the festivities! It was so great having them here! Love my Kowallises!!

After they left, they headed to Loran and Janice's place in Westport, WA...they live just a few short steps from the beach. Loran is Darin's brother and after 98 degrees here, I am sure it was a joy to need a light jacket at the beach! LOL

Until this temple is completed, no blog will be without an update photo!

Of course, Ariel's Gus and I both wish you much love and happiness until we meet again!

(Actually Gus can't be bothered...)

 

Spring Has BLOWN In!!!

Well it has been 5 months since I updated this blog...getting slower at everything!!

January consisted mostly of putting one foot in front of another...had some snow,  ice and the usual...trying to stay warm!!

Had a foot of snow that lasted several weeks, with fresh snow falling to keep the fluff where it belonged!

In spite of the wintery weather we did have some wonderful sunsets!!

Micah sent this picture of he and Ariel (not his sister, but his girlfriend). She goes by Ari.

They went to a Regency Ball in Salt Lake City...every girls dream!

The Relief Society hosted a Family History dinner. I took some of my grandmother's  china and we all wore fancy hats and discussed our heritage...was fun. With a temple going up in town it is time for everyone to step up and get more Family History done!!

Lori Baker and I matching in our black and white attire!! Besides being in our ward, she and her husband work the same shift in the temple as I do.

Speaking of the temple, it was fun to watch the cupola and spire get put on the top! This was in February. This next photo was taken May 25th...making a lot of progress!! Word is, if all goes well we will have the open house in October!!

For Matthias' birthday March 10 (also would have been Doyle's and my 50th wedding anniversary), Haven, Nea, Liora, Matthias and I went to Spokane to see Wicked. Much fun was had by all!

Mid- March found me in Philadelphia where Autumn is working on her Phd. While she was busy getting educated, I went to the Philadelphia temple and got a bit educated myself!! My first visit did not disappoint!! Very lovely temple and in a convenient location!

The architecture reflects the beautiful old buildings in downtown Philly!

Autumn and I walked all over the downtown and fortunately the weather was perfect!

Viraj and Autumn took me to the best Mediterranean restaurant! Loved the food and love these kids!!

A bit of street art that caught our eyes.

Autumn and Viraj bought their first home- a nicely renovated three story row house in a cute little neighborhood. 

From Philly I took the train up to New York city to see Ammon's family. Spent a week with them enjoying this two little dumplings.  Ammon and Ailene were both working but because Ammon is still working from home, I was able to see him here and there. 

I was able to go over to Brooklyn and spend a few days with Dan and Sandra. We ate dim sum and just hung out together. Dan must be allergic to cameras as I hardly ever get pictures...sure love them though!

April found me back home and celebrating Liora and Haven's birthdays. Julian was here over spring break, so that made it even more fun!

Little T....who is now over 6 ft tall, volunteered to frost the cat cake...this is what she got!

Julian and I had fun together. He wanted to earn some money to buy a gift for his friends. 

He did a great job detailing my car!!

This is a photo of my cherry tree in bloom...oh wait, that is an inch of snow on April 14th! Crazy! The past two months have been cold, rainy and very windy!! Spring came in with a howl!!

Finally in just this past week it has warmed up enough to plant my garden and flowers, even though I had to put a wind break around the tomatoes!

Nathan and Tiburcio tore out my old cedar grow boxes and replaced them with white vinyl. They match the fence and will be much more durable.

Flower pots are planted and hopefully the warm weather will stay.

Hope you are all doing well. Enjoy the summer!

PS....Coming Attraction....

Micah and Ari are getting married in June....watch for details in a month!