The 4th JOY of Christmas...JOY in the Season

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JOY is preparing to celebrate the greatest JOY of all--the Birth and Life of Our Savior and to do it as a family.

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JOY is an acronym for Jesus, Others and You. As you put the Savior first, serve others before yourself, then and then only will Everlasting JOY be felt within the heart.

The 3rd JOY of Christmas...Generous Gift

At the head of each of our plates was an envelope containing two letters from Grandma Garff and a check for our Christmas. Grandpa Garff had a love for books... particularly the classics. He had a wonderful library with his personal handwritten notes in the margins. For Christmas, Grandma would like us to come pick out a book or two for a keepsake to enJOY. It was a JOY to witness the light in her eyes as her Grandchildren read the letters silently.

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Gift giving is symbolic of the Gifts given to Jesus by the Wise Men and the miraculous Gift Jesus gives to each of us...His Atonement and Everlasting Life for all.

Let Your Light So Shine

Allie, Johnathan, and Grace played a piano piece. I told a pirate joke, (bad idea :) ) and then I suggested Daniel (Mallory's beau) taking his turn. Lisa leaned and said he was quite the musician and so I pleaded and prodded. Who knew he could play the piano like that? Sometimes I am obnoxious about things, but had I not been that night and we all would have missed out on some amazing talent. JOY was being able to appreciate other's talents and witness their light shining.

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The 2nd JOY of Christmas...Festival of Lights

photos taken by Richard Hart


The Lights at Temple Square were beautiful as always. It is a time to admire, reflect and appreciate the reason for the season...our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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The appeal of Christmas Lights are likened to the stars in the sky and the glistening of moonlight on the freshly fallen snow. Light strings joined together represent the bond of loved ones, peace and hope and of course the most wondrous Light of the World...Jesus.

The 1st JOY of Christmas...Lion House Tradition

A delicious dinner at the Lion House to ring in the Christmas Season... green salad, warm Lion House rolls, glazed ham, cheese potatoes, vegetables and crepes for dessert...sitting at Grandma Garff's table...dinner conversation with Howard, Lisa, Richard and Camille...family photos...Mom and Dad sharing a message of love and gratitude...it was more than a JOYful moment...it was a JOYful evening. Thanks to Mom and Dad for making every season special.

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Photo Shoot

Off to Cabella's...the very next stop. I am not much for guns and this place was chalk full of them. Naturally Noah wanted one and I continued to say "NO, NO, NO!" We compromised at the shooting gallery for youngins. I bought the tokens so Noah and Johnathan could shoot away without harming a flea. I was really quite proud of my boy. He was a good shot. The young adult next to him scored 125 and he was happy... Noah scored 200...that was JOY!

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I'm Walking on Main Street

JOY is being able to walk up and down Main Street, passing all the beautiful shops and not spending a dime. Added to the JOY was the company I was with...Richie, Camille, Johnathan and Noah. We stopped at one shop that was full of antiques...old glass bottles, telephones, barbershop amenities, skis and on and on....There was one store that had the answer to all your problems, another full of candied apples and delicate chocolates and I must not forget the Christmas shop...

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Black Friday

Now I have heard of BLACK FRIDAY, but staying up all night in bitter cold with anxious people standing in long lines only hoping to obtain the desired gift with and at an unbelievable price just never sounded like a whole lot of fun. My co-worker believes it is an adventure that every one should experience. Maybe I am a little jealous that others have enough in them to accomplish the feat. Noah will be starting basketball and he is without a sturdy pair of basketball shoes. His cousin had picked some up the night before for a fabulous price. I decided to go with Grandpa and get Noah a pair at the outlet just before Thanksgiving Dinner. Every store was closed...not a car in sight. Noah was so disappointed and tears welled up in his eyes. Grandpa knew the stores would open later that night beginning...Yes, BLACK FRIDAY. I was thinking...we'll go tomorrow and hope there is something left. After dinner at Grand America, Noah rode with Grandma and Grandpa. They took a detour to the outlet malls...still no cars. Grandpa saw that stores would open at 10:00 p.m. Noah was so excited that he could hardly contain himself. Again I thought, we will go tomorrow. Rick and I were out like lightbulbs before 10:00. My sweet Father, Noah's awesome Grandfather did something so special for Noah that even Noah's parents wouldn't do...wait in line. At 10:00, Noah and Grandpa headed to the Nike Store. There were lines of cars leading to lines of people. It was midnight before they returned with a handsome pair of shoes. When I awoke the next morning to see the pair of shoes on the fireplace I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for Dad. Now that is a great Dad and Grandfather. Noah and Grandpa shared this experience together and that brought me JOY beyond words.

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Dessert First

I have heard it said, "Dessert First." We had our "Dessert First" in a unique way. As we walked through the Grand America, it was elegant and classy. I was grateful for all the hard work and creativity that the Grand America portrayed as it added to it's aesthetic appeal. There were beautifully ornamented Christmas Trees and decorations. Then there was the sweet shop, too darling to pass up. There was an element of JOY in visiting La Bonne Vie arrayed in all it's colors and sweet aromas. The gourmet candy, cakes, chocolates appeared delicious, but I hesitated to purchase anything and risk ruining their glorious display. JOY is being able to taste with my eyes.

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A Grand American Feast

There was a reservation made for 5:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Grand America. It was our good fortune to celebrate this day of thanks with my Mom and Dad. Eating out ???? I had no idea what to expect but I knew I wouldn't be cooking, cleaning, or snacking on leftovers. The Hotel was exquisite. It was beautifully decorated for the Christmas Season. The Garden Room so quaint and intimate. I am sure we had the very best table. King Crab, Salmon and Shrimp, salad, beef, turkey, dressing, vegetables, maccaroni and cheese, rolls, soups, and so much more. There was a delectable dessert table...everything appeared perfect and we were to help ourselves. Some personal favorites of mine were the sweet potatoes, the pumpkin cheesecake and bread pudding. There was no preparation, no cleanup...just plain enJOYing the delicious food and wonderful conversation. JOY was being together as a family again.

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We Gather Together

JOY was gathering together with friends and loved ones. Da Vinici needed attending to and so Rick did not come up. He was missed. Noah stayed the night over in Johnathan's room. They really seemed to enJOY themselves and that made me happy and grateful.

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I'll Have the Soup Please

The family went around the corner from Summit Watch to a Mexican Restaurant for dinner. We were seated in an area with three tables in a small room. Noah and Johnathan had their own table and made movies with the camera. The rest of us gathered around the large table. The chips and salsa were superb, so we had high hopes for the meal to follow. It was cold outside and soup seemed to hit the spot. The waitress came to the table. I inquired of the vegetable soup wondering if it was spicy. The waitress said that it was not spicy at all and so I ordered a bowl. Mom followed my lead and ordered the soup as well. The meal was a long time in coming. Everyone was served but Mom and me . She wondered if she had missed something and Mom reminded her of the vegetable soup. I had envisioned a tomato-salsa type base with a variety of vegetables. I was astounded at the size of the bowl. Mom and I looked at each other in anticipation. What we saw was a yellow transparent broth with a few carrots, cabbage and onions. Simultaneously, Mom and I sipped the soup. Spicy? Oh my no! In fact there wasn't a bit of flavor period. I went in search of salt shakers and we doused the liquid with salt. We overcame our disappointment with a bit of laughter. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we would have plenty of room for the feast after a dinner of this nature. I have heard Cabbage can be cleansing...at least we had the JOY of wonderful company.

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Over the River and Through the Woods

JOY was getting to our destination safely. The truck was acting up and I had to pull off to the side of the road more than once. Noah exclaimed, "I think I am having a heart attack!" I reassured him that we were going over the river and through the woods to Marriott Summit Watch...Richard and his family, Grandma and Grandpa Hart were there to greet us. Technically, Grandma's home is the Marriott for the time being. JOY was being together and seeing Noah with his cousins.

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Creativity With My Camera

Here are a few before and afters that brought a great deal of laughter which lead to JOY! Oh technology and young minds. Noah and Allie gave Grandma and Richie a make-over. If memory serves me well, Stephen also fell prey to the same treatment. Here's to a sense of humor!

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