Plug 'Em In...Plug 'Em In

As we headed to the Chuck-a-Rama, I questioned the behavior of two energetic boys. Little did I know the power of the IPOD.

JOY was seeing Noah and Tryn have conversation or not.

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Christmas Guests

Grandma and Grandpa made the rounds...unfortunately for them, the miles in distance was far and wide...Idaho Falls for Christmas Eve and opening presents on Christmas Day with Howard and his family and then quickly back to Salt Lake to spend the day with us. Noah was thrilled to have their company and wanted them to have a sleepover. We settled on dinner and a few games. "Name 5 Professional Teams that do not end in the letter 'S'...Broncos? No. 49ers? No. Packers? Bears? Steelers? Redskins? No. No. No. Then who?"

JOY is truly having an enJOYable Christmas Day.

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Christmas Day

JOY was watching a sleepy Noah awake to Santa's Gifts. This Christmas was a bit tricky because of a 9:00 a.m. Sacrament Meeting. Noah agreed to save the presents for after the Christmas Service. I found JOY singing in the Christmas Choir. I found JOY in Noah's excitement as he opened presents. I found JOY in knowing there was more JOY yet to come...

JOY is a list of JOYS on Christmas Day.

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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.

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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.

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A Long Winter's Nap

" What is a kerchief and Who wears a cap? while I settle down for my long winter's nap... When by the TV there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter. Away to the bathroom I flew like a flash, tore open the door and saw my mustache ???"

"NNOOOAAAHHHH !!"

JOY is Noah's teasings.

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

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

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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.

Old McDonald Had A School

Noah's school, Jordan Ridge had a fund raiser at the McDonalds near our home. The faculty had planned to take employee positions behind the counter, at the drive thru, greeting at the door...naturally, the students wanted to see their teachers work at the Golden Arches. I was dumbfounded at the amount of people standing inside. Surely, it would not pass the fire marshall's code. Nonetheless, it was a JOY to see the dedication of so many from Noah's school. The next day, a letter was sent home...Jordan Ridge made over $1,000 in a short three hours and at least 450 students brought their hungry, grumbling tummies!



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Copy Me

Noah likes to play this game called "Copy Me," where I copy everything he says. Today, "Copy Me" took on a whole new meaning. I was working on the computer and he was copying his drawings on the printer. I overheard him say, "I am going to copy my face..." I didn't think he would really do it. I enJOYed the creativity of Noah AND worried about his eyesight!

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Drawn to You

JOY is watching Liz, Jordan's girlfriend sketch. I wondered if she could draw something that resembled Noah and boy did she ever. Noah was thrilled! A few nights ago, Noah was working on a sketch. I was amazed that it was more than the usual stick figure. He replied, "I learned it from Liz's drawing of me."

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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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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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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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Let's Play Hoops

Jordan Ridge Elementary invited the Mother's and Son's to an evening of fun. We dressed in our Cowboy duds and headed for the gymnasium. There were "Wanted" Posters, ice cream sundaes, pictures, contests, music, hokey pokey, congo lines, limbo, dancing...Naturally it was JOY to be on a date with my son, but the unexpected JOY came in the Hula Hoop contest. Noah and I had just posed for a photograph. He ran off while I gave the photographer our information. I went in search of Noah and couldn't see him anywhere. The Hula contest was going on I could hear the music. Then the music stopped and the announcer proclaims, "We have our WINNER! What's your name?" Oh my word...it was Noah up there and I had missed the whole thing. He won a beautiful brand new soccer ball. The smile on his face filled my heart with JOY! It truly was a wonderful night.

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