Let It Snow...

We woke up yesterday to yet another few inches of that white stuff after it had taken us two days to shovel the last snow we had! But low and behold, help arrived. The Kunkelcrew arrived all deck out in their warm clothes, armed with snow shovels and rescued the old folks. Thank you Hannah, Brennen & Braxton. How blessed we are to have such thoughtful kids.

Crazy 8's

I loved reading the 'Crazy 8's' list on Ashley W. and Ashlee C's blog that I thought I'd do it just to see how much difference 40 years, more or less, would make.


8 FAVORITE SHOWS:
1- I love Desperate Housewifes, naughty girls that they are
2- Golden Girls, naughty old girls that they are
3- Dancing with the Stars 'cause I always wished that I could dance
4- Seinfield (especially Elaine)
5- Life , that guy is crazy
6- Mash
7- I Love Luch
8- and last but not least Magnum P.I. (who wouldn't love watching Tom Sellect for an hour every week)

8 FAVORITE MOVIES:
1- To Kill a Mockingbird
2- Gone with the Wind
3- Fiddler on the Roof
4- Dances with Wolves
5- Sound of Music
6- Jeremiah Johnson
7- The King and I
8- Braveheart

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:
1- Olive Garden
2- Anthony's Seafood Restaurants in Calif.
3- Mimi's
4- Quizno's for lunch
5- The Steak House in Wendover
6- Mi Ranchito's in Yuma
7- Cracker Barrel
8- Outback

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY:
1- Shoveled the driveway and walks
2- visited Peggy & Verdin
3- made carmel corn
4- made divinity
5- wrapped some Christmas gifts
6- did some laundry
7- made mushroom turnovers
8- tied a quilt with Diane

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW:
1- Shoveling the driveway and walks, again
2- Hearing that Izaiah is improving every day
3- Playing our daily game of Rummy with my guy
4- making more goodies for Christmas
5- wrapping more Christmas gifts
6- talking to my kids on the phone
7- opening my email and hoping to find something fun
8- Basically just waking up in the morning!!!

8 THING I WISH FOR:
1- is wishing that our little Izaiah is soon home with us
2- Hoping & wishing that Frank and I will always be able to care for one another
3- That all my kids will be healthy and happy and successful in their endeavors
4- That I will become a better Latterday Saint
5- That Peggy and Verdin will also be able to care for one another
6- That Frank will be well, happy and contented
7- That our country will recover from our present difficulties
8- That our world will someday enjoy peace

You've been tagged! Ellen Jenkins, Diane Hansen, Hannah Kunkel, Emily Hansen, Tiffany Hansen, Jennifer Johnson, Pam Coonradt

Jennifers Christmas Memories

Here are my memories. One year things were pretty unhappy at our house at Christmastime. Mom knew just what to do, she loaded us in our very old station wagon, stopped at picadilly fish and chips, braved snow stoms and blowing snow across Strawberry and took us all to Grandma Ina’s house for Christmas. Some how Santa found us there, we were loved and happy. I know now that Grandma Angie just needed her Mom that Christmas but I am not sure she knew that I needed Grandma Ina too. Mom and dad were getting a divorce, I was old enough to know what was going on and still trying to work things out in my own mind as to how to respond to my dad. Well, he came to visit us on Christmas afternoon at Grandma Ina’s house, when he came in I saw my Grandmother welcome him with a hug and tell him that she loved him. I’am not sure how she did it when I know her heart must have been breaking inside for Mom. From her example I knew it was ok for me to still love my dad and it helped me a lot and I have reflected back on it many times.

Here is a funny memory, one year Mom was getting Dave a really cool ski coat, pants, glove, and hat that would match his new “K2 cheeseburger” skis. She had them on lay-a-way at Jerry’s sporting good. Well, Dave thought this might be the case but was not 100% sure, so he went over to Jerry’s and told them “my mom said to come over and try on the things she has on lay-a-way to make sure they fit”. The nice people at Jerry’s thinking they were doing the right thing got them right out, showed him everything and sure enough they fit! David is really sneaky.

Mom always made sure, somehow, that we always had a nice Christmas. I know she sacrificed so much to give us all she could. The best thing she ever gave any of us was her love, and the gift of teaching us to work hard, teaching us to be honest (unless we are talking about the last “TAB” hidden away in the fridge), and to serve and care for our families.

I love my Mother so very much, I hope to be half the person she is and wish her the very merriest Christmas ever this year.

Love,
Jen

Send me your Christmas memories of Grandma Angie at ellie_jenks@hotmail.com and I will post them for Grandma to read this Christmas! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

Ashley and Izaiah

I was lucky enough to spend a couple of hours with Ashley and Izaiah a couple of weeks ago. I was able to hold and rock our little sweetheart and I can't tell you how happy that made me. Being with Ashley and watching her with her little guy was a special experience. She is such an outstanding young woman and such a strong mother. She is my hero. Our little Izaiah is such a beautiful little boy and we can hardly wait to have him home with us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. I loved having everyone for dinner at our new house. We have about 24 people seated a couple of little ones in their mother's arms. What fun cooking in my great new kitchen. Early in the day I took a couple of pictures, and wouldn't you know it! The batteries in my camera died! So you just have to take my word for it that we really did have guests for dinner. We loved using Grandma Ina's china. David couldn't believe I would use them!

Emily and Myka's Shower

The day after Thanksgiving Diane & Hannah gave a baby shower for Emily. Em's mom and sisters were here from Idaho and we all had lots of fun. Lots of baby talk and laughing, yummy treats and lots of adorable things for little Myka. The shower might have been for Emily, but MaeLee Ann really stole the show.

Welcome Baby Myka!

Well, on Dec. 6th we all welcomed little Myka into our family. What an adorable baby! She has captured all our hearts, and her daddy is absolutely ga-ga over her. Myka shares a birthday with her cousin, Tani, who turned 18 that day. Two beautiful girls!

Christmas Memories

Talk to everyone in your families and pass this along. Everyone send me an email ( ellie_jenks@hotmail.com ) with a Christmas Memory of Grandma Angie and I will make her a Christmas blog with all the memories. If you have a picture send that too. The more the better. She is such an amazing woman who has loved us all so much and gives so much of herself to all of us. Let's give her this back in return this year. With love to all of you and a very Merry Christmas. SPREAD THE WORD!!

Hello Everyone

Jennifer has sent me a request. She would like everyone to email her the correct spelling of their full names, their birthdays with the year, and their wedding date with the year. Her email is doug.jen.johnson@gmail.com. Thanks guys. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Send me some pictures if you have some. ellie_jenks@hotmail.com.