The Terry Family Christmas

On Wednesday we gathered at Velma and Virginia's house in Salt Lake. They are my Grandpa LeVon Terry's sisters. Grandpa and Grandma had just flown in from Iowa on Monday. We were also joined by Grandpa's sisters Jennette and Geneiveve, as well as his brother Roy and his wife, Carol. The Caley and Nichols families were also there. We had a great time with lots of food, singing, and presents. Virigina had a caroling book for everyone. We intended on singing only a few, but ended up singing the whole book! We also sang "The Nativity Song" as Maggie placed the figures in the nativity. We are very blessed to live close to family and to have family visiting. Merry Christmas!

THE SPREAD! I made Hot Broccoli Dip (Deanne's recipe), deviled eggs, a meat and cheese tray, and caramel cheesecake bites. Lots of other good food. I especially liked Dianne's Pumpkin Roll. YUMMY!

Singing Time! The singing was beautiful. Virginia played the keyboard for us.

Presents! Malia loved her baby, duckies, and book she got from the aunts. Thanks!

Grandpa taking a snooze! He perked up once the party got going!

Bart the Socialite! Chatting with David about Alpine and then with Grandma.

Although Dianne and I had our plates full, ready to share with our kids, all the little ones wanted to eat off of Lori's plate! Lori is Bart's wife. The little one on Lori's left is Dianne's Emma, Caleb in the middle, and my Malia on the right.

A collage of Caleb (Bart and Lori's boy). Caleb found that he fit right under the counter and got a kick out of standing under it. I love his cheeks! He chatted with Grandma as she explained one of the nativity pieces to him.

The Nichols girls- Israel was unable to make it. He was flying most of the time we were there. Dianne's girls are lots of fun! Maggie is 4 and a character! She loves to get her picture taken and was crying because she hit her nose on the nativity set. Emma turns one soon and has been walking for awhile. They both warmed up to Grandma right away. It took Malia a bit longer.

Granpa's brother Roy and his wife Carol.

Malia having a grand time. If there was something to climb on, chew, or pull apart- she found it! The aunts have lots of dollies and even have a baby bed. She had a great time playing mommy. She wraps the babies up and says, "shh, shh". She also got a kick out of the gray spinning thing. Although, as you can see, she often ended up flat on her back! She also loved the little table and chairs they have. She even sat and ate at it-- for a whole minute, it think!

YO GIRL!

Malia is a yogurt fanatic! Whenever I have the fridge open she will grab a yogurt out. She eats one for breakfast most days. As you can see, not quite all of it makes it in her mouth. Regardless, it gives me about 15 minutes of sanity as she works on eating the whole container!

It's Alpine Time!

Last night we had the Alpine Cleaning and Restoration Christmas Party. We had it at the Coppermill Restaurant in Logan. The food was good and the company great (we sat by Bart and Lori!). The highlight though... David was named Employee of the Year! This is the first time Alpine has named an employee of the year. My husband ROCKS! His boss, Chris Harris, talked about how hard David works and gives 100% all of the time. I was a bit suprised. Not because I don't believe David is a hard worker. Believe you me, I know how hard he works. I was surprised because he has only been working there for 6 months! I think it just attests to how great of a worker he is. He is one of those that just goes constantly. Can't stand to sit or waste time. He takes a lot of pride in his work. I also realized last night what a great company Alpine is. Chris is very appreciative of his workers and makes a point of recognizing hard work. That is a very admirable trait. David has definitely had his share of employers that do not appreciate his efforts. We are very grateful for Alpine. I met a lot of David's fellow employees last night. They all seem like great people and you can tell they love their jobs. Boedy Hunsaker is one of David's favorites. I have had the opportunity to meet Boedy a few times also. I don't think I have ever met a happier man! He has been a great influence on our family. He also won a few awards- he has been with the company from the beginning! I know David loves working with him and I love that he has such a profound effect on so many! I am also grateful to my brother, Bart, who brought us to the company. Bart has also done a great job at Alpine and I am very proud of the all of the Alpine men in my family! "YOUR ATTITUDE ALMOST ALWAYS DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE IN LIFE." This is the quote printed on David's Employee of the Year plaque. So true!

The Priesthood in Our Home

Yesterday David received the Melchizedek Priesthood. Our Bishop Donald Baldwin was the one to give him the blessing. I am so grateful to now have the priesthood in our home. I am grateful that my husband has worked so hard to be worthy to receive such an honor. Now if any of us need a blessing, David will be able to give it to us. We are also one step closer to being sealed in the temple. The Lord has blessed our family in so many ways. I am in awe of how mindful He is of each of our needs. I know that the Lord has asked each of us to follow His plan and will provide a way for us to accomplish that plan if we but have faith in Him.

Quality Time with Uncle Bart

The Caley family came a visiting last night. Good times! Bart was being a great uncle and Dad and read to Malia and Caleb. Later the adults played Rummikub. The two toddlers had a tough time understanding that they weren't part of the playing. Nonetheless, the play continued and Bart won. This time!

The Lights at Temple Square

This Saturday our little family headed off to Salt Lake City to see the lights at Temple Square. It was cold but not too bad. I should say for the Iowa girl it wasn't bad. The Phoenix boy was wishing that he could be Malia and get the comfy, warm ride. We ran into a few families from Lewiston and they took this picture for us. The lights were beautiful. They start several months in advance and it takes them until March to get all of the lights down. Worth the effort if you ask me!

Salsa Girl

Malia loves salsa! One could explain it with her Mexican descent, yet David hates hot food! I am the spicy food lover in the family. I always joke with David that I am more Mexican than he is. I am glad that Malia likes spicy foods. David will just have to adapt to his "Spice Girls"! This was the first time we had tried this Mexican restaurant in Logan. It was pretty good. David ordered the shrimp cocktail and said it was some of the best he had ever had. Lots of shrimp! Mexican shrimp cocktail is very different than my idea of shrimp cocktail. It is served in a tall glass and has cilantro, shrimp, onions, and chunks of avacado all in a vegetable juice. There are many variations mind you. David liked this one because there was more shrimp than veggies. My chicken faijitas were okay. The place is called La Carreta (it's next to T-Mobile, off of Main). There is this other place called La Familia behind the mall that we also like. It has a Mexican store also where we can get our tortillas, chiles, and other Mexican products. I love Mexican food. I tell David that's why I married him, for the food. I am excited to go visit his family. His mom makes AMAZING food. Pazole (a pork soup) is David's favorite. David and I tried to make it on our own. We did pretty good but no one can match a mom's recipe!