2011 Merry Christmas Card

One of the best parts to the holidays is the Christmas Cards we recieve in the mail or online from friends and family. I like to see what is new what has changed what theya re up to adn photos make it fabulous. This year I ended up sending out a postcard from cardstore.com I got the idea from my cousin Melissa. There was space on the back for a note. Greetings from House of Riffle. We loved sitting by the tree and reading your Christmas Wishes in our new home. We have been very blessed this year with the addition of 2 nephews, a sister-in-law and niece. We also miss Aunt Sue who died in Feb and our other loved ones we lost this year and are grateful to the Savior for Eternal Life. We had fun planning a youth conference together and kept our guest rooms full of friends and family visiting which we adore. Scott won an incentive sales trip and was promoted with Wells Fargo. Missy directed 2 youth musicals and played a dream role of Penny in You Can't Take It With You. She does voice work and Arbonne. Scott enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and smoking meat. Bella our cat was lonely as we traveled often. Some favorites this year were Mexico, Hawaii, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Disneyworld. Thank you for making our life merry and bright We pray that 2012 will find you happy healthy and surrounded by those you love! It was setn as a Christmas Card since I broke my foot and was in bed for weeks and in FL for weeks.

2011 Memory Lane photo scan

2010 Christmas with Empty Nesters

Scott and I hosted the Empty Nester's Christmas party. It is where all the neighbors get to gether once a month to have a family night together. We had about 40 come. My cousin, brother and friend sang songs. My friend dressed like an elf and came to bring treats. We played the white elephant game.
The stress was I was in Disney world for 2 weeks got back and had 3 parties at my house which was not decked out at all so we had to throw up Christmas which was a mess. Aunt Sue about had a fit with so many parties. In general I put up the Holiday's in Sept because we travel often in the fall and I want to enjoy it for a long time. This year I sure was sad to put it up late it about killed Scott who wants to cancel all holidays in the future. Oh one big hit was this hat that sings songs that m cousin Anne brought to the family party. SO funny.

2010 Jami turns 8

One fun thing for me living close to family is making cakes for birthdays or holidays. I am not a pro but I do enjoy it. Also I help make invites. and cards. I think if I would practice baking, decorating, photography you name it I would improve as I Love to create. It was fun to take the photos of Jami and to be together as a family for the baptism. How wonderful to have her loving Christ and knowing she is a daughter of God who has provided a way to repent and always stay clean. Jami likes to help me organize and decorate and I love to have the kids over around the holidays and talk about my memories with my Grandma Dixon who make Christmas alive for me.

2009 Old Bisphopric Party

We miss our buddies from our old ward. We lived there for 10 years as people came and went. It was common to make a friend then say goodbye as they moved. The men Scott served with all moved within a few months of each other. Scott valued their support. We were able to get together with a few of the families at our home right after the holidays. It was fun to see them and the cute kids. I did not make food assignments or so I thought so we had tons of food. Still new to hosting parties I was very organized which helps me not stress. The Chaston boys were funny, I mean so funny. Aunt Sue was not happy about having people over not even cute kids I think she is not feeling really great:(

Dixon Family Christmas 2009

My family use to have the most amazing parties when we were children. This year we went back in time and had a blast. Singing in minor chords, playing our Sorry to Passe, white elephants and good food from old recipes. This year Kelly even liked Yams and Apples and I even liked slush! When Teri asked Scott how he felt about hosting the family parties he said I feel like being gutted alive. Yup we have to work on him, he is having a hard time enjoying the new house because he is perfections bay and I love him for it. Poor little buddy he is going nuts. But hey nuts fits right in.

Christmas decorating 2009

This year I had Erin, Jami, and Sarah come to help me deck the halls. I had to laugh as I noticed that we have a little OCD in the next generation as Jami had to group similar items together. Big Bert by little Bert and so on. She did the same with her Halloween candy. Kelly and I did these same types of things as children and still do as adults.

Now that our 14 foot tree has some space I need to buy a tree topper. At Jefferson Place I could not place a topper as it hit the ceiling.

Erin did a great job setting up the village all by herself. The girls seemed in fast speed trying to see who could do the most. I tried to tell them that the joy is in taking your time and doing a good safe job, they did not buy it. We had some breakage as a result but I loved having them and it made it really fun to talk to them about family traditions.

My FAVORITE thing in the new house right now is the Nativity Lynda and Neal have been giving me for years. I looked forever for the perfect set. I have a dozen different Nativity's but I wanted a special main one. Now I finally have a place to put it where we do not have to hunt for baby Jesus as Mungo and Bella would drag him off. It is from Italy and Neal made the manger for me as well. Salina helped me put white lights behind it and it makes me feel peace during the stress of moving.

Scott is in full hunting season so we don't see him much between his long work hours and hunt hunt hunt.

I need to get photos of all the finished efforts. Scott hung the different size balls of different colors on the front porch. It looks very festive and I LOVE that every single last house on my street has up decorations! It iss like I moved to my own little heaven built for Missy.

Playing "mom" and just playing

Scott calls me the pied piper. I seem to attract kids and others. I love it. It makes not haveing my own kids easier:) The kids always want to sit in my lap and tell me all about, well everything. I LOVE it. There are a few kids in the play that I just adore. One of them wants me to hold her all through intermission and she says I can be her intermission mom. The cast calls her mini Missy as we both are dramatic, love sparkly, hyper, blond, silly, and CUTE:) She loves to grab glitter and sprinkle me after each of my 5 costume changes. Her real mom is a fantastic woman who has been very cool to get to know better. She laughs and tells me she can see her daughter in me in a few years. I am going to miss this little girl who is very sweet and talented! She has really made the paly fun. One of the boys in the play has amazing talent for his young years. He can fill in for any of us and is very professional. He also has this fun awesome mom. These kids are great to work with and I will miss seeing them. One of the things I love about plays is the friends you make. I have enjoyed every minute of being with Hilary. We are like peanut butter and jelly. I will miss her like mad when the show is over. Hilary is a wonder. She reminds me of Marlene in the perfection department, so when I'm with one of them I think of the other one and it makes me love them both even more. We have also made some new friends. I have enjoyed my director and Loved playing the angel. I can't believe our long run is coming to an end. Thank you so so much everyone who came to see the show! It does have a great message. We even got a letter sent to the theater form someone who was very touched:) The actual theater is an old movie house that has been turned into a theater and it would be great to see a rich person come in and donate some improvements but community theater has a charm to it that I love. There is real magic in live theater. The audience becomes a part of the show and each and every performance is alive with a different feeling. I have enjoyed the audience as they are thrilled for Clare to get her wings. Little kids come up after and want a hug from the angel and want to see the sparkly wings up close. A few ask for autographs and kisses on their checks! At first it felt like the long run woudl never be over but now as it draws to a close it zoomed by. Just remind me to not do another holiday show I feel like I missed the holidays. It is neat to wish the audience a Merry CHristmas each night but I do miss all the parties and fmaily time I have missed out on. Anthony played a roll all the way form Iowa and my dream is to one day do a show with him in person!

What comes up must go down

Usually we put up Christmas in September. We travel often in the fall and so we can enjoy Christmas we put it up early. This year went so fast here it is almost Christmas and finally up goes the tree. The sad part is when it will have to come down. I don't want it up all year but it is very sad to take it down. Imagine how dusty it would be all year. My darling mother came up for a visit and to see my current show. It was wonderful to have her here and she got to meet Bella. Mom is beautiful and it was fun to watch holiday shows with her. I felt bad to leave her alone as I live at the theater right now but cute Marj saved the days and nights and came to play with mom. What a lucky girl I am to have 2 moms for the week! One of the things I love about our current home is the tall ceilings:) This makes our huge tall tree seem the perfect size. We have tons of ornaments and even with the big tree it kind of looks full. I also put up many of our other decorations this year. I just adore tripping down memory lane as I open each box and place the item around the house. My mom in law has given me some beautiful things over the last years and I sure do love enjoy them each December. Mom and Marj were a big hit with the rest of the cast and came to all the parties with us. They are the LIFE of the party. Scott and Matt have been super cute to come and support Hilary and me. How long can I leave up the tree???

Christmas present ideas!!!

Today while at the mall I saw some ideas for my holiday gift giving. Here are a few I am thinking of getting for the people on my lists. If you have ideas please share and if you are all done don't rub it in:) OH- and if you have requests let me know now or forever hold your peace:)

1. Darling aprons. Hip or vintage. Chic or feminine. It make chores more fun when you can look adorable doing them. (I think I may even have a friend who makes and sells these if so let me know or Etsy would be a great place to look.)

2. Totally awesome nail buffer. It is like magic. It has 4 sides you do on natural and it gives this beautiful shine. Perfect for people like me who do not paint nails because it looks like a clear coat and I felt like a princess. If you paint your nails you would love it as they would look so smooth and professional like a fresh manicure, the paint would go on nice.

3. My all time favorite Holiday line from Arbonne. Each year I have my old favorites I hoard to last all year and then they come out with new ones that amaze me. This year one of them has Scott drooling with excitement. It smells like Hawaii. It must be the coconut in it. It is the Shea butter line. Ginger Citrus is always a favorite. I also know a cute Arbonne lady who gives her friends her cost- so for a unique gift that they will crave and beg for again next year give her a call or email. Men love it too. It is nice to have everyday items and pampering lotions that smell yumm-o.

Be it ever so humble there is no place like home...

We spent Christmas in AZ. It has been our tradition since my dad died to be with Scott's family in AZ for Christmas. We were delayed getting there as our furnace broke- which is not a good thing when you have an elderly Aunt and it hits 12 degrees. Scott cut one trip short to go home to work on it and after several days of frustration he fixed it himself. He is our new HVAC man. Aunt Sue says he is a genius- a marvelous man. I agree. After shelling out tons on repairs that never seem to work he is doing it himself now. SO far he has had luck with the dishwasher, dryer and furnace. He even repaired a neighbors furnace. I had 2 brief visits with my mom and one stay, wish it had been longer. We have been in 8 stats and 2 countries for the last 3 months. I feel like I have been traveling forever. I had a few days at home in between a few of the trips and them I would be off again. In some places I did not have access to a computer-- like in Mexico. So it was a break from the everyday but I really missed being home. 4 months is too long to be gallivanting around in a row. Our lives seem to follow this pattern, gone all fall, home all winter. I would like to shift it around so that we are gone all of Jan, Feb and Mar instead of gone Sep, Oct, Nov Dec. However the majority of trips we take just happen to all fall in the fall. This year it made me feel like I was missing all the holidays. Scott was quick to point out that on some of the trips we had major doses of holiday, but I missed decorating my house and doing any holiday meals here. I was really happy to catch a few holiday TV shows with Lynda while in AZ. In all the travel we have had this last 4 months I have to say hands down my favorite day was yesterday. We woke up early (we were worried about snow and ice) got on the road home at 5:30 am. We drove 11 hours and it was just Scott and I and we talked the entire time:) I have been with him for most of the last months but it has been crazy with work and family and friends and life. So to be with my hubby and have him all to myself- HEAVEN. The sad part is he is really sick. He was also sick when we flew to Florida in Nov. over my birthday. This time he got sick about a week ago while we were in Mexico. I worry that he is run down and has so many pressures. This year was full of changes, change can be very challenging. I think also this year had a few heart breaks in it. This Christmas was hard. We had some divorce very close to us and it is so sad. It made me have a new feeling of compassion for my parents, who early in life experienced the devastation of divorce. It gave me a clear picture in my mind of how it might have shaped the future for them both. That saying that no man is an island sure is true, we are truly all in this together. I think that we have been very blessed throughout the trails with wonderful friends and that hopefully we leave 2007 behind a little better than we were when we began the adventure. Not better than someone else but better than we had been. I guess that is really my aim in my life journey.

Silent Night

We were thrilled to squeeze in a few holiday traditions this year I thought we wouldn't get to do. The first is the Temple Square lights. If you ever are in Salt Lake and have never seen the holiday display it is something special. I grew up going to see the lights and they are never a disappointment. We went with our friends the Deloneys and their 3 exchange students. For that few years they have also done some neat luminaries and nativities from around the world. I love ending the night with a visit to the 11-foot statue of Thorcaldsen's Christus, a magnificent statue of the Savior. There you can reflect on the majesty and wonder of God's creations as you stand beneath the star-studded dome in the rotunda of the North Visitors' Center and ponder the invitation of the outstretched arms. It was neat to hear the kids talk about the love they have for Jesus. Alex said "Scott, I believe in Jesus and Santa." We also warmed up with hot chocolate and caught up on the years events. We also went to visit Santa with the Dixon's, my cousins family. It was really funny to hear Santa react to all of us. We always have a great time with Teri, Kelly and the kids. We went to a holiday movie with them as well, Enchanted (which I loved except for the cleavage). I think that one of the huge changes in me is how much I love a happy ending and sweet stories. I use to like troubled dark stories-- gone are those days. It was funny and I love a good fairy tale. We attended a few parties and look forward the rest of the months festivities. This will be a slow journal month as each moment is filled I hope I can catch up in Jan.

Hooray for Christmas

It is early for most people to begin thinking about Christmas. My husband and I travel often so if we don't get the decorations up and music on by the 1st of September we don't get to enjoy them at our home. We still celebrate but at other locations and there is something to be said for your own taste and traditions. Last year we didn't even put any up except 2. One s up all year. It is my "Is it Christmas Yet?" sign and then a small iron candle holder of the Holy Family. SO I am planning on getting my head into the Christmas spirit in just a few days... Yippee! Scott prefers waiting until Oct. But I think he is on my side this year as last year we went without. This year because of his church callings we will not be on the road as much but I still like the holidays to last for as long as possible. The only dilemma is how it over laps into Halloween but if you have ever seen the Nightmare before Christmas there is no problem with having my few Halloween decorations up with the Christmas ones in the background. I'm hoping Scott will string our bright orbs this year again, it has been a few years since we put those up. I also am going to organize and clean house with the decorations. Some I will never part with because they were my grandparents- broken or not I love them. Others are just worn out or have no more use so I will donate them. It will be wonderful to get out all my favorites like the Nativity:) I also want to get good photos of favorites so I can do a mini album about them and the stories that go along with them.

Dinner and a movie

Last night we went to the Kinikini's for family night to watch Nacho Libre. We also exchanged Christmas gifts sort of. We have tried to get together for about 2 months. So we finally made it up there and I forgot our gifts. They did give us some cute ones. As for the movie... Scott is still laughing. I'm still trying to figure out if Jared Hess is disturbed or perhaps had serious brain trauma. We love being with the Kinikini's and Anthony and Salina came too. Salina is always so sweet. I made a new dessert--Marlene made yummy soup-- and the men ate the meat. We wish they lived closer.

Christmas cards 2006

This year for the photo for our cards I used photoshop and made this one. It is a reflection of 2006. It starts with Jan. and then goes throughout the year. It includes... St. Louis, Mom's 60th, Hunting, time with Kinikinis, our moms, Anth and Salina, Arbonne, Mungo, Marlene's new camera, my hobby of photoshop, Aunt Sue and Mungo times 2. Can't wait to make 2007's!

Squirrels part two

On Christmas morning Neal brought out the gift he had made for us out of wood. His gifts are some of my favorites because I love homemade and I love wood. My grandfather owned a lumber yard and company called Hyland lumber. I grew up surrounded by fine wood and learning about the value of hard woods. I am creative and love to make things so I think I am especially grateful when time is spent creating. This year the joke was on me. We have been having many squirrel discussions of late. So on the center of the gift was a hunter outline with a gun and a tiny squirrel running away for its life. At first I thought he was serious. I imagined he wanted me to hang this death scene in our home. The detail he got into the tiny hunter and squirrel is amazing. So I didn't even notice the beautiful mountain scene on the sides. They really make the home seem more lived in and add a nice warmth. I was leery of eating the whole time I was there. You never know when he may sneak in some tiny animal parts, I told him we were cutting back on high cholesterol foods and that squirrel was at the top of the list.

Marshmellows

I am slowly getting all the photos from Christmas downloaded. They my cute sis-in-law Wynn just sent to me. One of my FAVORITE things each year is roasting marshmallows with the kids. This year was a little less ideal. The kids are getting older and they had all the cousins over so the excitement level was high. It was still fun, just not as relaxing more of an adventure. We did have a wonderful visit with Steve and Wynn. I can't think of anything better than family. I love to be Aunt Missy and I love Scott's family. We have a fun time together and it is nice since we live far apart that we can always look forward to the holidays. I wish the kids would stay little forever.

Loves of my life... CHRISTMAS & All Holidays

Christmas & All Holidays: It is hard to express what I love most about them. The special feelings, being with my favorite people, how they bring out the best in others, the decorations, the setting differences aside, the service to others, the fact there different from everyday. The only thing that makes me sad is when they end, I guess I just start counting down till the next one and the anticipation is great too. Celebrating the Savior is foremost in my mind. I really place effort in celebrating I usually milk them for all they are worth, stretching the holidays out to last longer. I adore Christmas music. I used to dance around to Johnny Mathis; my first crush. Then dad told me Johnny was not interested in a 6 year old because; he was old, black and played for the opposite team. He looked young and tan on the album cover skiing. I like all the old songs from my childhood. Like the Forester Sisters, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Burl Ives, Barry Manalow, Mannheim Steamroller. I can remember recording songs in elementary school and then they would play them over the pa system at parent night. I thought that was sooo cool. Christmas music starts playing early at my house around September. The tree follows shortly after. My nativity is my favorite or is it the ornaments or the candle holders… well you get the picture. For Halloween I try to watch cute theme movies and do autumn activities to get me in the mood. I would love to have or attend more holiday parties. Just being present at or visiting memories of past holidays make me smile. There really is this cool feeling I get that is addictive when it comes to holidays. I feel light headed, giddy, excited. I want them to last. I can see how if it were Christmas everyday it would get old and worn out, but couldn’t it at least be several weeks long instead on 24 hours? It is funny I try to escape the ending of them by traveling around so I have more control. For instance if I stay at Moms or Lynda’s- they start taking down all the decorations right after it is over. I crave the glow of lights. From candles, a sting of lights, fireplaces, or old T.V. specials. My childhood holidays were magic. My mom was the queen of holidays. She has gorgeous decorations, delicious treats, wonderful stories, and always surprises awaiting us each and every holiday. We would go to grandma Dixon’s and all my cousins were there and even grandpa Scharrier and Aunt Sue were invited. Grandpa Dixon would jingle bells and we would search the skies for Santa. Anthony and I would stay up late dreaming of what wonders awaited the next day. We would always open up one gift on Christmas Eve. It was usually a beautiful new set of pajamas. This was in honor of the German tradition of opening gift the eve before. I think holidays are one time I wish I could smell. The spices of Christmas, the evergreen trees, fresh baked goodness, Valentines cookies, Easter candy eggs, Halloween treats; the list is endless. I love Fall and Thanksgiving and Halloween oh and my birthday. I like to invite people who I think may be all alone. I love watching holiday T.V. specials. The clay-mation ones are dear to my heart. I love the Halloween ones on Disney channel like Halloweentown. Classics like Charlie Brown, or It’s a Wonderful Life. I like glitter and sparkly stuff and holidays seem to be the time they truly shine. I also love making crafts for the different holidays, things like greeting cards, family recipes or wall hangings. I am kind of like a holiday myself, something special and out of the ordinary. I know love each and every second I spend at Lyndas for the holidays.

Dear Santa

My nephew Andrew wrote the cutest letter to Santa this year. The reason I adore it is the way it showcases his personality. He is very smart, very through, very cautious. I'm not sure you'll be able to read the scan of it. He basicly reminds Santa he will be at Grandmas in AZ. and to be careful of waking the dog while landing in the yard but not to go too fast and land in the pool but the yard is best as she has no chimney and the tree is in the front of the house. He and my nephew Erry are so funny. They are sceptical, they are unique. We think the little bouts of grumpy they get from grandpa. They are darling. I think Andrew has the most beautiful eyes. He was so happy Christmas morning. What a treat to be with them on Christmas morning.
This makes me think of the whole Santa debate. Our friend Rob thinks we should not do Santa because it is confusing to children, a double standard. I think that is a tad in the extreme thinking section of life. I believe in Santa. The one year I told my parents I had my doubt every gift I got said to: dip(beep) from: Santa. Why would one not want to believe. The world is so full of doubt and darkness why not keep Santa alive. I love a statue my friend Charisse gave me years ago. It is of Santa kneeling before the manger. I know Santa is a Christian. I agree that it can be a very commerical holiday and that the Savior takes the back seat. I also think it makes him very happy that families get together, peace is more prevalent, and even though it doesn't last we get a glimpse of compassion and brotherhood.

Sudoku- from wikipedia def.

Sudoku (数独, sūdoku) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudoku is a logic-based placement puzzle. The objective is to fill the 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes contains the digits 1 to 9. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid so that there is only one solution.
Completed Sudoku puzzles are a type of Latin square, with an additional constraint on the contents of individual regions. Leonhard Euler is sometimes cited as the source of the puzzle, based on his work with Latin squares[1].
The modern puzzle was invented by an American, Howard Garns, in 1979 and published by Dell Magazines under the name "Number Place"[2]. It became popular in Japan in 1986, when it was published by Nikoli and given the name Sudoku. It became an international hit in 2005.

This is a logic FUN game. I love doing it. Salina has her nose in a vampire book and I have mine in a sudoku book and Anth and Scott are going nuts. You can play one everyday at usatoday or in the newspaper and Santa brought one in my stocking:) I first saw Marj play it. George is addicted so is Lynda.