Christmas Recap

In keeping with tradition, Mom slept over on Christmas Eve. Carlee, Miguel and Champ came for breakfast and then we opened presents. Carlee and Miguel surprised me with a new flat screen, DTV to replace the old analog TV in the kitchen. I am now ready for high definition on February 17th!!
Champ opened his own present, chewy bones, of course. What a dog!!
Later in the afternoon we met at Grandma Boots' house to exchange gifts and eat. We were joined by Marshall, Ramses, Moccah and Celeste along with Rob, Kris, Steph, Carlee, Miguel and Arlie.
On December 27th we attended the Johnson Family Christmas Party. We enjoyed a pot luck dinner, games and the traditional surprise talent.
This year the talent was provided by anyone who had ever played an instrument and could still remember how to sight read in the key of C. I didn't have too much trouble with 'Joy to the World' on the kazoo but I may have missed a few chords on my ukulele. We were perfect at making a lot of noise and having a good time. Thanks, Lizzie, for being a great photographer!

Miss Graham is Now Mrs. Davies

Jamie's long time friend, Melinda Graham, was married yesterday to Brent Davies. The Grahams lived on Delpha Drive for many years before moving to Riverton. This picture was taken on Jamie's birthday 20 years ago. Melinda is on the left of Jamie. (Jamie has her hand in her mouth.) Melinda is all grown up and teaches 2nd grade in West Jordan.
Mom and I attended our Johnson family Christmas party but slipped out early to make an appearance at Melinda's reception held at the Old Meeting House. December is a cold but beautiful time of year for a wedding reception.
Roxanne and Kim Graham, parents of the bride
Candace Graham, sister of the bride, chatting with the photographer. Candace and Carlee are the same age and have been friends since they were born.

Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to share the love of Jesus everywhere.
Above all else, remember too, God sent His gift of love for you.

Christmas Eve Craziness

I started Christmas Eve day by working until noon. We partied as much as we worked. Everyone brought food to share and surprises for each other. Diacor is a great place to work. We are now closed until January 5, 2009. Woohoo!! Tami and I stopped to wish Dudley Merry Christmas.
Cody and Glenn, Production Assistant and President of Diacor.
The Christmas Eve Party this year turned out to be for adults only. All of the cousins have grown up!! If it hadn't been for Carlee and Miguel, the party would have been more accurately described as a near senior citizen event! Kris put together a perfect feast and we played one game. (It wouldn't be a Christmas Eve Party without a game!)
We were grateful that the snow hadn't stopped Miguel and Carlee from making the trip from Eagle Mountain to attend our Christmas Eve event.
Champ spent Christmas Eve in his new doggy "Pack N Play". That dog has everything!

Neil is still HOT!!

Last night Dianne Lamb and I received our Christmas present from Jamie and Dan. We attended the Neil Diamond concert at the Energy Solutions Arena. The seats were on the floor so our view was perfect. It snowed most of the afternoon on Friday so I was grateful when Dave volunteered to drive. We had dinner, stopped by Annilee's brother-in-laws wedding reception and made it to our seats with time to spare. Dave took Cannon home from the wedding reception and the two of them had some Grandpa-Grandson bonding time. Dave is not a Neil Diamond fan like Dianne and I. Of course, cameras were not allowed inside the concert so I only got one picture. That is so not like me!!Thanks for a wonderful night, Jamie and Dan. We love our Neil Diamond!!

Korean Pears

To celebrate the holidays, our Asian distributor at work sent us a box of Korean pears. The box was quite heavy even though it held only eight pieces of fruit. We were excited to try them.
Carlee brought me lunch but didn't try a pear. She agreed to pose in front of our Christmas tree. The live tree was cut courtesy of Kevin. He overestimated the height of the ceiling or maybe the tree just looked smaller out in the woods. At any rate, some trimming off the top and bottom was required.
The pears were shaped more like large grapefruit. They were juicy and crunchy and did not have the same texture as American pears. They were different but good.
I put this pear on the scale and it weighed a little over a pound. I would like to see a Korean pear tree. The branches would have to be rather large to support the weight of these giant pears. Thanks Roger, for a great gift.

Look Who's Getting Married!

Tonight Lisa and I hosted a Bridal Shower for Erika Jensen. The Jensen's have been our "Delpha Drive" neighbors for a long time. We have known "Icky", as she used to call herself, since she was born. She is going to marry Paul Walker, Erin and Mike Walker's nephew. We all approve, as if that matters!!

Tammy is overcome with joy for Erika.
Erika and Lisa, longtime friends. Mama Ruff is pleased to announce the upcoming marriage of Paul and Erika on January 16, 2009. Stay tuned...................

Party, Party, Party!

Today I started baking cookies at 6 am and didn't stop eating until way after dark. Tonight was our Relief Society Christmas Dinner and Social. I provided a centerpiece for one of the tables. It was the ever popular and often used pine cone basket that Jamie made me approximately 16 years ago with the help of Tami T.
We were served lasagna, tossed salad with cranberries, green beans and hot rolls with cinnamon butter. Then came brownies topped with peppermint ice cream and crushed candy canes for dessert. It was wonderful.
Tammy R. also created a lovely centerpiece. She is so talented!
Earlier in the day we had a Management Review Meeting at work followed by lunch prepared by Tami T. Thanks Tami!
Tami fixed homemade Cafe Rio salads and I brought the Oreo cookies I had baked this morning. I love days like today!!

Making a Joyful Noise

Three weeks ago I had the opportunity of singing with 120 women at the Relief Society Music Festival featuring works from the annual Church music submission. The composers came from all over the country. It was held in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square on November 14th. We practiced every Sunday night for 2 1/2 months prior to the performance. Leah Tarrant was our very capable and enthusiastic conductor. She was Carlee's choir teacher at Taylorsville High School and still teaches there. Many current students, past students and mothers of students past and present made up the volunteer choir from three stake boundaries. It was a wonderful spiritual experience.

Sticker Party

While Annika was visiting Utah she decided it would be fun to have a party....a sticker party. She knows that grandma has more than enough stickers for many sticker parties. We spent a week planning it. I was told that we needed "decorations, treats and ornaments". I think Annika had more fun planning than partying.
Our treat consisted of blueberry cupcakes. They resembled blueberry muffins but had candles to make them more festive.
Of course the decorations had to be pink, Annika's favorite color. We never managed to work "ornaments" into the party.

Attitude of Gratitude

We were blessed to join with family to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Brian and I were joined by Jamie, Dan, Annika, Justin, Carlee, Miguel, Grandma Boots, Aunt Arlie, Rob, Kris and Dave and Dianne Lamb.
Everyone brought a part of the feast. We had great food and great company.
Dianne made some wonderful pies and Dan made his famous pumpkin cheesecake. Marshall, Celeste, Ramses and Moccah stopped by later for some dessert.
Bubba and Buddy

There's Nothing He Can't Climb!

Jamie and the kids drove to Utah for a visit on November 19th. Dan stayed home to work and "break the house". The broken house will be the subject of a future post! Naturally, Grandma Susie thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Annika and Justin. I saw first hand how strong and determined Justin can be when he wants something. He climbs without a thought to safety. The kids and I spent time climbing, running and sliding in the play area of the South Towne Mall one night so that Jamie, Carlee and Miguel could Christmas shop. Brian had planned to come too, but ended up home nursing his recently diagnosed pneumonia.We visited Carlee, Miguel and Champ on Sunday night. Carlee made some wonderful brownies but Justin was more interested in Champ.

What's for dinner Grandma?

Tinkerbell, Peter Pan and Curious George

Brian and I spent the weekend in Colorado Springs to celebrate Annika's birthday and Halloween. Annika was Tinkerbell and Justin was a monkey.
After several days of partying in costume, Justin got weary of the whole costume thing.
We enjoyed Chili and homemade donuts with Jamie and Dan and some of their friends on Halloween night.
Since Annika was Tinkerbell it was only fitting that Grandma was Peter Pan.
Annika enjoyed opening more birthday presents when we arrived at her house.

Happy Birthday Annika!!!

Today is Annika's 4th birthday. She was born at 6:11 pm on October 27, 2004 at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Hts., Ohio. She weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and was 11 days past her due date. She waited to be born on her Great Grandpa Kenny Ruff's 85th birthday.
We love you very much, Annika. We are so glad that you are a part of our family. You are a good singer (and chorister), dancer and a great big sister.
Grandma Susie can't wait for the next sleepover!!