Memories

This is December 1954, the Becker family's first Christmas in America. My sister Hildi on the left, Mama, Papa, Ingrid and then Gitti is just below Papa and I'm just below Ingrid. I know, we've changed. Since I don't have anything big and exciting to write about, I decided to find a picture from long ago. I remember the doll I'm holding as if it were yesterday. This doll had a particular new doll smell that I will never forget. It's happened that when I've held one of my girls' dolls or grand daughters dolls that same smell was there and it brought a smile to my face and this is the Christmas I remember.

Hi

I have no pictures and no magically funny post BUT I will write a few of my feelings anyway. I finished "Train to Potevka" two books ago and it is sooooo good. Mike Ramsdell, who wrote the book, is a member of the church who tells his story as an American intelligence agent from Utah who was working under cover in Russia. It just made me thankful to have a warm home, food and people that live close who I love and who love me. Also, I've been putting off going to the temple with the 2 names I asked for from the High Priest group in November because of my cough. Again my testimony has been strengthened by going anyway and not coughing through the entire session just to head home in a coughing fit. I'm so thankful for the gospel and the power of prayer.

Lunch with Friends

I got an e-mail the other day from my friends from work at the Utah National Guard. They wanted to take me to lunch for my 60th birthday. We went today and met at McGrath's Fish House and we had SO much fun. They gave me the nicest card and a great book to read. It's called "A Train To Potevka". I'm excited to start reading it. They told me it was a true story. Anyway. I asked a girl that worked at the restaurant to take a picture of us. It's a little blurry but fun.

I just don't know what I would do without friends. I really am thankful for them.

Date with Sophie

Today Opa and Omi took Sophie to lunch that we promised her because Sophie and Omi share the same birthday. Sophie and I like to do something to celebrate together. We went to IHOP where she very seriously colored the paper they gave her. She's wearing her new Hannah Montana shirt and cute glittery Levi's she got for her birthday. Also, her mom put her hair in cute braids for our fun outing together.

We're anxiously awaiting our lunch but the place was very busy so it took a while. We had fun visiting anyway!

After lunch Opa was nice enough to accompany Sophie and I to Bath and Body Works where she picked out little bottles of shampoo, bubble bath, lotion and hand sanitizers. We had so much fun smelling many beautiful scents.

Thank you Sophie for coming with us and sharing your adorable personality with us. We love you very much!

Up on the Roof

Ryan, Erin and Quentin took Dave and I to the Roof Restaurant on Monday December 29th. It was the most beautiful place I remember being for a long long time. The view was breath taking and the company was wonderful. I felt like I was on the most romantic date. The food was so good and beautifully put together. What a wonderful night! Thank you so much.

The Ottley men didn't seem to be as hungry as Dave and I. We tried and ate EVERYTHING.

Here's the happy honeymooners!

Little Quentin and Ryan looking at the gorgeous Christmas tree in the lobby of the Joseph Smith building. I just can't say enough about it. Thank you so much!

Gifts

I've just been counting my blessings and decided to post 21 of them.

Mary and Robb sent us this cute picture of two of our little Grangroth grandchildren, Ethan and Bodie playing in the snow. We don't get to see them very often so are always grateful for pictures. Thank you Mary and Robb for sharing pictures with us. They are so adorable.

Here are two of our little Grangroth grandchildren, Cannon and Fisher. This beautiful picture was a gift from Ryan and Jennie Grangroth that they gave us on Christmas Eve. We absolutely love these little guys. Thank you Jennie and Ryan for this darling picture.

These are more of our little Grangroth grandchildren. From left to right there is Sadie Mae, little Brock in the middle and Kylie Murdock, Stephanie and Brian's little ones. This is one of the pictures that was on the Christmas card they sent to us. They look like little angels. Thank you for sending this Christmas card to us.

The Ottley kids got together with their dad to have family pictures taken. Then they had the photographer take a picture of all the Ottley grandkids. The photographer wasn't sure it was going to work with all these little ones BUT was pleasantly surprised when it did.

My children surprised me with pictures of each of their families. They all went downstairs and made me wait upstairs while they put together and hung this beautiful wall hanging. I love it so much. We weren't exchanging gifts this year BUT WOULD THEY LISTEN? No, but...I have to admit this gift is one I just couldn't say "no" to. Thank you so much. I love it!!!

Sisters

On Thanksgiving, Hildi's husband Don took a picture of 3 of the 4 Becker girls. We were at my sister Ingrid's beautiful home. We got to stand on her gorgeous staircase that was all decorated for Christmas. She does it all herself and does it so professionally. Our other sister, Brigitte, wasn't there so it was just the 3 of us. I miss my Gitti so much and wish we could spend more time together when she visits. I thought I would share this picture because we never seem to be together enough to have a picture taken.