December 2020

December is here and Christmas is on the way . . . . time to decorate !

Tuesday 12/1

Today Steve worked out in the cold and got our Christmas lights up . . . 

it all looks so festive, gotta love this time of year !

Later, an additional set of lights was strung around the tree and added even more fun to the front yard.

Thursday 12/3

Today we put up our Christmas Tree.

We were able to use the rotating tree stand that we inherited from Linda's mom.  It makes the tree "sparkle" as it turns.

so pretty . . . . love it !

Friday, Saturday  12/4 - 5

We began setting up all our indoor decorations on Friday and finished up on Saturday.  Linda collects nativities so we have them all around the house.  This year we had to set up two craft tables to

 accommodate them all.

On the first table we set up this, "new to us this year" nativity.  It is a set that Linda's mother painted many years ago and was one of the treasures we inherited from her.

The second table we used for our Christmas Village.  The houses were also painted by Linda's mother many years ago but . . . .

 we didn't have to wait to inherit them and have been setting this one up since our kids were little.

Sunday 12/6

Today Linda was asked to offer the opening prayer at our virtual Sacrament Meeting so . . . . 

we were able to attend that meeting at the church.  There were exactly three people in the congregation (at the church building) along with the bishopric, High Council representative, chorister and organist all seated on the stand.  It was a little bit strange,

 but we still enjoyed being "in-person".

Wednesday 12/9

Today Linda spent ALL day . . . .

 

designing our 2021 Waite Family Calendar. 

Our theme this year is "Wisdom from Winnie the Pooh".  It is filled with insightful Pooh Bear quotes and pictures beginning with  . . . .

"Family is not an important thing . . . . It's  EVERYTHING !"

Saturday 12/12

Tonight our Ward did their first ever Drive-thru Live Nativity . . .  it was a great 1st effort.  There were 8 stops around town beginning at the church building.

STOP 1

Santa greeted each car with a hearty Merry Christmas and his helper Elf gave us our new "Come Follow Me" manual and a route map which included a QR code for the accompanying narration.

STOP 2

"Every One to be Taxed"

STOP 3

"Road to Bethlehem"

STOP 4

"No Room In The Inn"

STOP 5

"Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"

STOP 6

"Angels We Have Heard On High"

STOP 7

"Wise Men From the East"

STOP 8

"O Come Let Us Adore Him"

We never quite got the narration figured out, but still enjoyed it even though it wasn't synced with the scenes as we drove by them . . . . Oh well, maybe we'll do better next year!

Monday 12/14

Today we wrapped all our Christmas gifts . . . .

Most of our gifts were sent directly to Utah & Texas, but . . . .

we still had a few that will be opened here in Idaho . . . . 

It's kind of a small pile, but each one was wrapped with lots of love !

Friday 12/18

Today we made some candy . . . .

First . . . . gather all the supplies

Next . . . . melt the chocolate 

Then begin the "dipping" process and . . . .

voila . . . . 

those Marshmallows, Rice Krispies, Peanut Butter balls 

& Pretzels magically turn into yummy candy and make . . . .

Fun "goodie plates" to share with friends.

Saturday 12/19

Today we were sitting in the TV room when Steve looked out the window and said . . . . "Santa and an elf are riding down our street on their horses"

They got past our house before we could get a picture so we jumped in the car and drove around the block to where they were.

They live on the other side of town and were visiting a little girl that lives in the house behind us.  They were so nice and graciously let several neighbors take pictures before . . . .

continuing on they journey of spreading Christmas cheer all around our little town.  They certainly accomplished that as happy people, with smiling faces, came out of their houses to greet them.  Santa said, as he pulled on his bright red coat: "wow, it's hot down here . . . . it's much colder at the North Pole"

Sunday 12/20

Yesterday we received two Christmas gifts in the mail

A Merry Christmas card, a tin full of Goodies, a 2020 "Quarantine" ornament & an oven mitt from Debbi and . . . .

This hand painted by Lani Christmas card and Subway Gift Card from Kevin's family.  

It's so fun to be on the receiving end of the Christmas love our family shows us.  Of course, they actually show their love all year long !

Today our Ward Relief Society Presidency hosted a little Merry Christmas "Drive Thru"  at the church.

Two of the presidency all dressed up for spreading a little Christmas Cheer this afternoon as they handed out . . . .

These little, goodie-filled, gift bags to each sister.

 Back at home we took a few minutes to snap a picture and . . . .

post it on Facebook to wish all our friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Monday 12/21 - Winter Solstice

Tonight, was the "Great" Conjunction (or meeting) of Jupiter and Saturn phenomenon . . . 

an event that is very rare and is also known as the Christmas Star. The last time this happened at night was 800 years ago and the next time won't be until 2080, then not again until 2400.... wow !

It is interesting that some astronomers believe it was a conjunction of three planets, Jupiter, Saturn & Mars, that made the actual Christmas Star, or Star of Bethlehem, that appeared at the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Tonight's event was a little unimpressive from our vantage point . . . 

This is what we were hoping to see . . . .

(taken from the BSU Planetarium)

This is what we actually saw, although it was a little bit better with the aid of binoculars . . . . looked like two snowflakes side by side.

All in all, the anticipation was exciting and it was fun to participate in viewing this rare phenomenon.

Tuesday 12/22

Today was Gayle's Graveside Service at the Veteran's Cemetery.

(6 weeks after her passing) 

Procession at cemetery

Impromptu pallbearers

Casey (son), Dalyn (grandson), Steve (brother), Curt (son-in-law)

Jamie (daughter), Cris (son), Kaden (gr grandson), Ron (brother-in-law)

Dave took a minute to give thanks for all the love and support he has received from family and friends since Gayle's passing. 

A few memories were shared and then Casey offered the Dedication of Gayle's final resting place.

Siblings: Steve, Linda, Dave, Cheryl, Ron

We were able to visit for a few minutes and take a few pictures before leaving the cemetery.

 The service was not very long, but just right.  There were about 25 local family members in attendance at the outdoor pavilion, all obediently wearing masks (except to snap this picture).

Somewhere between 2/5 and 2/10 Gayle's Headstone was set in place.

We were at the Cemetery on Friday, 2/5, and they still had the temporary marker on her grave.  Today, Wednesday 2/10, Dave went out and the headstone was there.  It looks so nice.  At the Veteran's Cemetery they put the Service Member's information on the front of the Headstone and the Spouse information on the back.  We weren't sure how that would be, but it looks nice.

Wednesday 12/23

And the Christmas surprises just keep on coming !

We received an envelope in the mail today from the Lansfords.  It was filled with handmade Christmas cards from the kids plus a Visa Gift Card from the whole family.  

Thursday 12/24

It's Christmas Eve so according to tradition, tonight we had our Christmas Dinner.

We had Turkey for Thanksgiving so tonight we fixed a nice ham.

Dave came out and joined us.  

We had a nice visit and delicious meal together.

Friday 12/25
Christmas Day

We started out our day by having a Zoom meeting with Kevin's family and watching the kids open their gifts from us.  It was fun to be able to see their excitement even though we couldn't be there "in-person".

Next we had a nice Duo call with Debbi.  She didn't have to work today which is a first in several years (she goes back to work tomorrow . . . . 

on her birthday)

We opened our gifts . . . .

Slippers & sweats for Steve and . . . .

for Linda, a music stand with a holder for her violin & bow

We did a zoom meeting with the Lansford family.  Zoom meetings are the next best thing to being there in-person.  We got to see all their "stuff" and their happy faces !

In the late afternoon we went to Matt's house for some Christmas activities and food !

Playing on Matt's new pool table . . . . guess who won ?

We opened gifts. A cute décor pillow with all our grandkid's names on it, Oregon socks and "Go Ducks" gnome and . . . .

a clip-on light for Linda's new music stand

We had a nice day and enjoyed visiting with all our kids and grandkids and also seeing, on social media, many pictures of our extended family and friends enjoying their Christmas.

Monday 12/28

Today marks one year since Linda's Mother passed away.  

We miss her and all our trips to southern California to help care for her over the last few years.

We have been experiencing some very "wintry" feeling weather . . . .

frozen fog on everything makes a beautiful picture, compliments of Mother Nature !

Friday 12/31 - Happy New Year's Eve

Why yes . . . .  We did stay up to watch the . . . .

 8th Amazing "Idaho Potato Drop" and . . . .

Welcome in the New Year !

As usual, we will soon be sending out our . . . .

2020/2021 New Year's Letter to all family and our good friends.

What a year it has been.  

We will move forward with a hope for better things in the New Year and the vision to look for the positive things this crazy new life has and will bring.

We will CHOOSE to be HAPPY !