Send Out the Old, Bring In the New

Here's a few parting shots of 2007 at the Chacon's......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It's been a year full of great highs and way-down lows, and LOTS of in-betweens. Heavenly Father has seen fit to let us see at least another year. Amid the chaos of the world, let's do our part to make 2008 the best year ever, closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; full of peace and laughter, learning & growth in the Gospel and our testimonies of Christ. May God Bless You with whatever it is that you need. Love to all.

Papa is gone :( ***updated***

Oh poor papa!! He got delayed in Chicago for 4 hours, re-routed to Frankfurt, Germany, and they lost his luggage that included clothes and medicines that he needed. His throat is swollen, and his 'hangy downy thing' at the back of his throat is HUGE!! Maybe he needs to see a doctor !!! Poor papa!! oh yeah -- they did give him a business class seat, though - ahhh:)
He was here :) He told his silly jokes and made us laugh :) He sang songs with the girls and played lots of Candyland & Chutes and Ladders and read a big 800++ page book. We all ate lots of yummy foods (do I see more than a few of us exercizing soon?) We didn't get very many pictures of him, but then again, no one got many of me either 'cause I was usually the one behind the lens ;) Papa got sick a few days ago, so I made him a big batch of homemade chicken soup, lots of water and Airborne and other 'drugs' and he flew home to Singapore today, still sick. Poor papa :( Get well soon !!

It's going to be a quiet day, I think. Daddy tooks his girls to go find just the right fish for their new fish tank. Mommy will stay home with baby Laurie and rest from a busy week. Nana is out to run some quick errands. Already I have done 3 loads of laundry, straightening the LR and dishes in the kitchen. Quiet day :) Miriam and Elaine will get to sleep with Nana on alternate nights , starting with Sunday night (Saturday nights are 'off limits' so that we all get good sleep before Sunday church :) -- this is an important and serious ritual for the girls -- we have separate beds 'cause Miriam likes to cuddle TOO close and Elaine scoots and jiggles all night -- it's loads of fun and I wouldn't miss is for anything! :)

Livvy! look at daddy's mouth! It's your mouth - it's where the Hillary smile comes from :) :) :)

Well.....it's the end of another year............

...and I haven't sent out our "annual" Christmas letter, which hasn't been written for at least 4 years, probably longer :-)

So many things have happened...fantastic, wonderful things and absolutely, positively forgetable things.

I won't do the "Ogden travel log" All 5 of our kids are married - four of them have at least one child - we are all (19 of us :) wonderful people who are mortal and have faults and weird quirks. I thank Heavenly Father everyday for his patient loving care and for the Atonement of Jesus Christ -- for without all of the blessings that we are given, we would all fail in the final assessment. I love my Savior. I know that he lives and loves me. I cannot comprehend how or why He would suffer the Atonement for me, and yet He did!!

I truly hope that this last year has brought success & growth and peace, love & joy in your lives, families and testimonies. This new year brings us closer to the Second Coming. I pray that whatever we can accomplish this year will be enough. May we all have a better year than last.

God Bless us all, everyone.

Colonial Williamsburg

This is Colonial Williamsburg, the working area, at Christmas-time. Every building is either original, or a careful, authentic reproduction. Even in the 'tourist-shopping' area, many of the buildings are the originals (in part or all) being used for other than their original purpose -- in other words, the restaurant we ate lunch at was once a post office. The church is the original and one of the very oldest Parrish buildings in America. It is the same for the carriages. The wreaths are strictly made from what nature provided around the area, including the small-ish pineapples. The wreath 'forms' are made from grape vines. There is no metal in them. The costumed actors are wearing period-style clothing. It was slightly cold but a clear and beautiful day.

Papa is sick again, and was unable to go with us. :( he's been eating home-made chicken soup and a variety of pills and fizzy drinks (Airborne). Hope he's better by 9:30AM tomorrow :)

I hope you enjoy a little flavor of Colonial America.

Princesses and Rainy Day Fun

I'm the Queen.....................I'm the Princess..............and I'm teaching her how to put on lip gloss

We are royalty :).........................Is this all the water I get!!..........The Queen Nana

I have kitty umbrella and boots......I have froggies and butterflies....FUN!! :)

Recipe for "Jewel Salad"

Here we go -- I've adapted this and added some things from a friends recipe - I like it better this way :)

Mix of baby spinach and crispy romaine lettuce
Sliced, ripe avocado
Pomegranate seeds
Mandarin orange slices
Crispy, crumbled bacon
Candied pecans (I made my own - very simple)
Regular Feta cheese (don't use herbed variety)
Raspberry Vinegrette (don't use Balsamic - too many other flavors)

Chill each ingredient separately before combining and putting on the dressing ~~
serve and enjoy :)

And.........Some More Christmas Pictures

Girls on Sunday, Dec 23.............a Zoo cow from the Live Nativity.........and a camel, too.



A Wise Man..............................the Prophet Isaiah & King Herod.

Well, there'll be more tomorrow............the computer is battling with me right now :(
We're going to Colonial Williamsburg, tomorrow, too! yippee! :-)

Merry, Merry Christmas....Deedle, Deedle, Deedle

see baby at the bottom :) -----Evoly can almost sit up ;)----------Santa came!!!



The reindeer ate their salad:) ----It's christmas morning :) ----we played the Nativity



I got my clacky slippers :) -----Evoly opening her present------mommy and baby :) :) :)

Laurie's warm ---------------garlic and plain crescent rolls--- "Jewel Salad" - recipe to follow

more Nativity playing , more pictures to come - there's a ton :)