christmas joy

We enjoyed a delicious fondue dinner at Amie and Roland's on Christmas Eve...
joined by Seth and Alli, Scott and Lyric, Lindsay, Katie and Matt.
We read from the scriptures, then opened Jammies.
This year, we started a new tradition - homemade gifts!
It was fun to see such creativity...

Christmas morning we were all entertained
by Gregory's enthusiasm!
There's nothing quite like a 2 year old on Christmas morning...

Once the gifts were opened, we went to Josh and Cassie's for a delicious brunch.

We really missed all of the family that couldn't be here with us.
One year, we must have one gigantic Lytle-Williams Christmas celebration!
That would be pure Christmas joy.

grandma's baking day

Grandma's baking day has become such a fun tradition!
This year we made candy necklaces, sugar cookies,
reindeer cupcakes,
chocolate dipped pretzels and of course, gingerbread houses.
It is a little chaotic at times, but we love it. The kids all have
matching aprons and it seems like each year,
we need a new little apron...
this year, it was for our cute little Charlie boy.
We missed Malissa and Claire, who were sick.
We were also thinking about the California, Ohio and Connecticut cousins... we missed you, too!

Being a Grandma is the best!

grandma

Happy Birthday Sue

Blogging on Sue's blog: It's fun to blog on Sue's blog without her knowledge (Thanks, Amie).The Thing About Sue Is....

*She's always so grateful for any little thing I do.
*She forgives quickly.
*She's talented in many ways, none of which she will admit to.
*She's totally devoted to whomever or whatever it is she loves.
*She can keep a secret.
*She loves Anthropologie, so I get to sit on the big leather guy couch and read (I like it).
*The most important person in Sue's world is the person she is with. Consequently, each of our grandchildren thinks he or she is her favorite. I think that, too.
*You can count on her.
*She's real.
*She makes her house a home, in a way that is both comforting and aesthetically pleasing.

posted by Richard (with a little help)

thankful

the candy turkeys... they have been at our table for 20 years!

gravy goodness.

cute kids

we love pie. and aprons.

setting the table is my favorite part of thanksgiving :)

butter rolls = heaven.
it wouldn't be thanksgiving without them!

homemade cranberry sauce... divine.

mmm... pomegranate salad.

and of course, grandpa carved the bird.


happy thanksgiving!

when i'm 64

happy birthday to my hubby!

things i love about richard:

1. his cooking. oh, so yummy!
2. he lets me call him "farm boy"
3. he's such a sweet grandpa to all 19 grandkids
4. he's a brainiac and he's really patient with
those of us who aren't :)
5. he doesn't dress like he's 64!
6. he shares my love for dark chocolate & diet coke
7. he's the only man i know who could survive a heart attack while roller blading
(thank heaven!)

by the way, isn't this the greatest picture of all time??

Fall in Utah

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have
never been a big fan of the fall season...
I am a Spring and Summer girl.
This year, however, I must admit that it has been very
beautiful and enjoyable... today it is 65 and sunny.
What's not to like?
So, to all of you fall lovers out there
who look forward to it every year...
I have seen the light.

{ps... thanks to Bonnie for the great pics!}

Happy Halloween

The day started out with our sweet Malissa's baptism.
It was beautiful and we are so proud of her!

Trick-or-Treating started early with these excited, energetic
BYU cougar fans...
Emilie, Eric, Gregory and Lydie

Followed by two cute witches, a gypsy and the "Scream"...
Claire, Luke, Emma and Malissa

Don't you think little Charlie makes an adorable BYU fan?

What a face!

Happy Halloween:)

one of a kind conference morning

fluffy apple pancake is our family tradition for conference sunday. it is SO good!

"Lindsay! Get next to the fall flowers with your pancake!"

so, just as the fluffy apple pancake was coming out of the oven, the power went out. and it stayed out for nearly two hours. Lindsay and I were desperate to hear conference, so we sat in the car in the garage with our feet on the dash and listened to the first session.

it was funny.

and memorable!

Richard missed all of this excitement... he is spending the weekend in Ohio with Joel & Heather. (Lucky!)