Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas !

We spent Monday night sharing a Family Home Evening, Birthday for Greg and NataLee, and Early Christmas party in Maine. 

Our family has a tradition of matching pajamas. Since we spend ALOT of time in Boston , we chose Red Sox pajamas. We hope the Claridges will  still be our friends. 

This is one beautiful family. The children were pretty excited to get early Christmas presents. What a fun night.

Always love this gorgeous hunk!

I love the fact we live so close to this great couple!

Greg told the REAL story of Christmas, as told in St. Luke.

RyLee sang "Breath of Heaven". She is amazingly talented and brought tears

to my eyes! I love being with my girls!

AND boys!!

Happy Birthday NataLee on the 11th and Greg on the 7th! You bring such joy to my life!!!

Thanksgiving- I am so Grateful ...

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This year I am grateful for the simple things in my life. A wonderful husband, great family, friends. I am also grateful for hard work and a roof over my head. I am grateful to the people who helped us be here in beautiful New England.

The power was out in parts of Maine and New Hampshire, due to the magnificent snow storm. NataLee, Greg, and family joined by the Merryman family came for Thanksgiving. I was joyful to have family with me. I love them so much!

NataLee is a beautiful pie maker. This is a coconut cream pie. Yum!

She also made Lionhouse rolls. They were divine! Light and fluffy, they reminded me of Uncle Richard's rolls.

For breakfast we everyone made their turkey cinnamon rolls. Camden was pretty

excited about his creation! I feel humbled and so blessed by a kind and wise Heavenly Father, who loves each one of us individually and personally. I give my utmost thanks!

Jena Merryman's New Restaurant "WHITE LINEN"

We were able to visit with NataLee, Greg and boys for lunch at Jena's new restaurant for lunch in Bath, Maine.It was fantastic! Jena is Greg's sister and is chef and caterer extraordinaire! 

Fifties Dance at the Exeter Stake Harvest Ball

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Garald was a great sport about giving up Saturday Night Football! iIt was great fun! 

We have met wonderful people inNew Hampshire . We are particularly grateful to the Chastons, who have taken us under there wings. I run with Linda, who is an amazing musician,athlete and cook! 

The decorations were lovely, with every inch of the gym wearing it's best. They served traditional 50's food and even had a penny candy store! So fun!

Fifties Dance at the Exeter Stake Harvest Ball

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Garald was a great sport about giving up Saturday Night Football! iIt was great fun! 

We have met wonderful people inNew Hampshire . We are particularly grateful to the Chastons, who have taken us under there wings. I run with Linda, who is an amazing musician,athlete and cook! 

The decorations were lovely, with every inch of the gym wearing it's best. They served traditional 50's food and even had a penny candy store! So fun!

Institute Halloween and Visit from Richard Hawkes and Jeremiah Clark

Our Halloween Eve was spent with Garald's institute students. There was a lesson, spooky dinner, and nerf wars. There is also a tradition in New England called Beggar's Night that happens the day before Halloween. It is trick or treating. People sit in their yards with bonfires while the children gather candy. 

We had the opportunity to spend Halloween in Boston with the Assistant Zone Administrator, Richard Hawkes and our Area Director, Jeremiah Clark.they had spent the week visiting the area and we were able to have lunch with them. The day was beautiful and I enjoy walking in the Harvard University Campus.

Jeremiah Clark is the man with the glasses and Richard Hawkes is wearing a blue tie. The are both warm and delightful to be with.

Trip to Pennsylvania for Area Conference

We just returned from a wonderful trip to Seven Springs in Western Pennsylvania for the area conference. On the way we were able to see some beautiful sights that I have never been to. Because I love my dear Grandma Hirschi, our first stop was Hershey, Pennsylvania  where Hershey chocolate is manufactured.  I know all my Hirschi cousins will be jealous.

 

Next we were able to travel to the sacred sight of Gettysburg. I felt a somber spirit here and felt a great love for all those who have died defending truth and right. There is an amazing mural that is housed in a round HUGE building that depicts the battle. Wow! Garald loved chatting with Abraham Lincoln .

We were able to hike in the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania . It was lovely to see our good friends frm Idaho, Ryan and Jodi Garner.

On the way home, we stopped at the sight of the crash of flight 93 on 9/11. It was a monument dedicated to truly heroic people.

 

On the way home, we went to Harmony Pennsylvania where Joseph Smith spent time translating the plates. Also, it was in the Susquehanna River that he and Oliver Cowdrey were baptized. They are doing a lot of construction there.