Christmas in Paris

I so enJOYed reading madsinreallife@blogspot.com...a picture diary of the Bodine Family and their Parisian Christmas. My niece Maddie had the gumption to share this adventure with me via blogspot. It was a thrill to sit with Mom and Dad and see the photos of Paris and London...clearly, the Bodine's had a Merry, Merry Christmas and a Joyeux Noel.

JOY is family.

JOurneY on...

Grandma and Chuck-a-Rama

JOY is the "Grandma Maxine

 monthly dinner at Chuck-a-Rama
tradition"

Monthly, we would take Grandma Garff to a delicious buffet dinner at the Chuck-a-Rama on 4th South. It was such a thrill to recapture old times with her and then to have Mom and Dad accompany, was like icing on the "Kettle Roasted Turkey" and the "Bread Pudding." A favorite line of the evening was when Grandma  asked how to spell Shrew...

JOY was revisiting a tradition.

JOurneY on...

Christmas Eve

This free picture collage generated with Smilebox

Noah wanted to go Ice Skating for Christmas Eve. I cannot even begin to tell of the JOY and entertainment that we had that night. The lights on the ice were beyond description...the music was festive for the season... I was charmed by my boy, "May I have this dance?" I had my spills both on and off the ice. We also had the good fortune of having one of Noah's friends join us for a bit of Christmas Magic. Awaiting back home...hors d' eurves and Rick's famous slumgullion. It was just the thing for the cold nipping at my toes and fingers. In keeping with tradition, Noah opened his one gift on Christmas Eve...pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa. We ended the evening with "It's a Wonderful Life" and tonight it certainly was a wonderful life.

JOY is a wonderful life.

JOurneY on...

Christmas Adam

Noah was wrestling with Rick on Christmas Eve..."Hey dad...was yesterday Christmas Adam...you know if today is Christmas EVE, wouldn't yesterday be Christmas ADAM?" JOY is the way Noah thinks. JOY is the way he can make me smile.

JOY is a sense of humor.

JOurneY on...

The 23rd JOY of Christmas...The Gift That Keeps on Giving

JOY is the Gift that keeps on Giving...no, not the jam of the month or fruit of the month...but my parents...giving of their time, love, service, talents...

JOY is having the absolute best parents.

JOurneY on...

The 12th Day of Christmas...Greetings at My Door

JOY is opening all the Christmas Cards from family, friends and loved ones.

JOurneY on...

The circle shape of the Christmas Wreath, shows that just like love...it is continual...it has no ends and knows no stops. It is the Greeting Cards that come to our door that remind us of that love...with a chance to reflect on another year passed and Merry Christmas Wishes.

The 10th JOY of Christmas... O Christmas Tree !!!

JOY is sitting around the brightly lit and ornamented Christmas Tree with those you love most.

JOurneY on...

The Evergreen Tree remains green all year round and is symbolic of Everlasting Life. It's needles pointing upwards remind us
to glance upward to our Heavenly Home.

The 6th JOY of Christmas...The Nativity

What a JOY to participate in a special presentation of the Nativity...carols, the Christmas Story, the manger, the animals...Christmas is finally coming to life once again.

JOurneY on...

The Nativity reminds us of the events that happened long ago in a far away land...the awaited birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. His birth was one of simplicity, humility and meekness and yet the outcome of this event supercedes all grandeur of all the other momentous occasions in history.

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.

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...

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!

JOurneY on...

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...

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...