I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We sure did. The snow was the icing on the cake - what a winter wonderland. My kids were also very fun and cute this year.

I don't know what everyone's plans are for New Years. It's that time of year again to share our family memories, and I thought it would be fun to do that on New Year's Eve before Katie and Danny head back to Chicago. Be thinking and writing. I love you all. Alison

This was in Vickie Smoot's talk on Sunday. I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you!

1. If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
2. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
3. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.
4. Whenever you want to talk, He listens.
5. He could live anywhere in the unierse, and He chose your heart.
6. What about the Christmas gift he sent you in Bethlehem, not to mention that
Friday on Calvary?

Face it. He's crazy about you!

My love to you dear ones.

Happy Birthday Joe! I can't believe you are 16! LIke I said last night, I was dating Sam when I was 16 and you were about Abby's age. Time flies....
Have a great day Joe! Hope it's the best birthday yet!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH!

The big 16 is here! Move over world and get ready for another Carter driver. Although this one promises to slow down and be a little more careful than the preceding six. Yes, we must count Laurel and her little escapades as well.

Birthday dinner here around 6.

Say your prayers for Danny and Katie as they travel that long snowy haul from Chicago. My love to you dear ones.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VALERIE!

Today promises to be another wonderful, hectic, cold December day here in Utah. Our party for Valerie begins tonight at 6. I made a big pot of soup and ordered some bread bowls. We will have Snickers cheesecake and possibly another cake as well. I will make the yummy winter salad receipe that I got from Katie last year.

Come prepared to play games and travel safely.

Nothing goes right around here.

Most of you know what happened to Ada on Thanksgiving morning. As usual, Jack was finding great sport in chasing our child with special needs around the house. She tripped over her own feet and landed chin first on the midget table. Once again, kid blood all over the kitchen floor. Melissa rushed her to the bathroom to survey the damage. I wouldn’t have cared if I hadn’t been nearing the end of my shower. Privacy is important when living with pointing kids. I grabbed a towel and asked Melissa what had happened. She explained every detail, including the little yellow globules of fat coming out of the wound. I waited nearly an hour in the InstaCare for every stitch that girl got in her chin. The doctor on duty had a good laugh when I told him that I tried to butterfly Ada’s slice. I did take some pleasure observing all the other grateful people limping and coughing in and out of there. Not one single person in that whole building wanted to be there, and I found that somehow humorous. Bad luck in concentrate is even funnier from an outsider’s perspective I would imagine.

Melissa is at the at the doctor’s office as I write. I tried to remove Ada’s stitches last night, and the wound looked infected to me. To her credit, Ada has complained far less about this whole ordeal than I have.

For the record (Grandma Lois), the doctor said it was fine that I remove her stitches on the couch.

I have to run.

I can't believe it is already December 1. Time is just flying by. Thanksgiving was wonderful and a relaxing time. It is always so nice to spend time with family. I am growing at an unbelievable pace. I have five weeks left in my pregnancy and I am feeling more and more ready the bigger and more uncomfortable I get. Carter is still in the crib, and all the baby clothes are still packed away. I'm sure I would be more prepared if I knew the sex of the baby. I don't know whether or not to unpack baby boy or baby girl clothes. If I listen to my mother and Abby it would be girl. Doug on the other hand is convinced it is a boy and I would have to say I am feeling like it will be a boy as well. I guess time will tell. I am sure looking forward to the holiday season and spending time with you all. I am excited for the Nydeggers to visit and to see Grammy again. I love you all. Thanks for the wonderful reminder Mom. I am going to do better. Love, Alison

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings, having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other. ---Elder Marvin J. Ashton

As we begin the hectic fun-filled month of December; I really liked Elder Ashton's reminder that the very best gift I have to offer is probably the one that is the very hardest to give. Luckily life gives us all ample opportunity to get better and better at offering this 'pure love of Christ.'

I am so thankful for my family. I love you and feel in awe of your goodness and desire and determination to improve and progress. We are moving in the right direction...I know because my joy is amazing and full. The Relief Society motto, "Charity Never Faileth" is as inspiring to me now as it was to those I have loved that have moved on. My prayer for us this December is that our faith will be increased and we will feel a deeper appreciation for our Father and His Son. Wear your seatbelts and say your prayers. :)

Hi Guys! Happy Thanksgiving to all! I'm over at Grammy's stuffed to my gills, and having a wonderful time reminiscing about old times with Uncle Tom and my brother Al. I thought I'd stop by the Blog for a minute and see how everyone was doing. Ed, congratulations on your acceptance to BYU! I'm so happy for you. That's just great! Are you excited? And Danny, I have to say you are such a great father. It seems like every time I get on here I read about you taking your children somewhere fun. That's wonderful! I miss you guys! I hope the all-you-can-eat was delicious! Sam, your stories constantly have me howling! And for the record, I was struck with the stomach flu this last week, and I don't ever remember being that sick! Thanksgiving dinner never tasted better! I hope this note finds everybody healthy and happy. I miss and love you all!!! Anne xoxoxoxo

As I read through the blog to catch up with everyone, I noticed a good deal of sickness making the rounds. As hard as I tried, I could not pass up the opportunity to complain about a cold that has become my constant companion. I have been sick since September 24th. That makes two honest months of watery mucus, and multi-textured phlegm. During this time, I have missed over two full days of work, and several other meetings and activities. This can all be officially verified in my planner. I conscientiously marked the 24th of September as being the first day of sickness.

Though the symptoms have waxed and waned over this period, sympathy on the home front lasted roughly forty-eight hours. That is a generous estimate, because I am allowing for the possibility of sympathetic sleep. To be fair, this is two full days of tender care Melissa didn't get after she ate Uncle Harry's sweet potatoes last year at Thanksgiving. When I should have been helping her out, I was busy making Uncle Harry jokes and rejoicing in my own health and vigor. I became a true believer in karma, because I was immediately slammed with the nastiest, most violent bug I had ever caught. It was a defining moment in my history of illness, and I knew up front that no care could be expected, and little would be given. That particular flu gave Melissa the uncommon luxury of instant revenge, and it cleared Uncle Harry's good name as well.

I hope everyone has a healthy and enjoyable Thanksgiving this Thursday. If you are traveling, drive safely, and avoid any eggnog that smells funny.

Kate, I know all about medical clinics and doctors in big cities at addresses that don't exist, but I've never had a crying sick baby with me when looking for one! I'm glad that worked out, and very glad to hear Eli is feeling beter. Joe is home from school today, Bishop Evans is home next door sick, so it's starting out to be a sickly winter season.

I woke up this morning remembering a dream, which I seldom do. In the dream, I was exasperated to find all the bathrooms in our house in use, so I hurredly went out to the toilet, sitting all by itself right next to the stairs in the garage leading to the kitchen area.

Seated to my task, I was soon exposed to the light of day, like a mole in a hole as the garage door opened (yes, I was naked). One by one, Alison and Doug, Katie and Danny, and for some unknown reason Cami Mcphee (Brasher) filed right by me into the house. Alison was horrified, Doug, Danny and Katie were quite amused, and Cami kindly avoided eye contact. I really could do nothing but sit until they had all passed. I wish I could remember what happened next, but that's it.

Dear Hearts:

I am feeling much better today. For whatever reason my head is swoony and heavy but Jer is the doctor and I'm sure I'll be feeling much better soon.

There's no place like home!

Yes I had an amazing experience in Africa. Yes I'm glad I went. But, even though it is cold and gray and the world appears to be in shades of gray...I am sooo happy to be home. Dear Lois, thank you for sending all of the medicine in anticipation of any illness that could arise. It wasn't until I got home that I needed to take something for the nausea, but was I ever thankful to have it. I thought alot of you on this trip knowing that you would love seeing and experiencing such a beautiful place. The people were so interesting, black, difficult to understand, kind, helpful, a little spooky only because we were the minority,...it's very hard to....well, picture this. It's Sunday and there are brightly colored umbrellas, every pattern that you could imagine, shading an African walker on their way to somewhere. It was a sight. Only one of many images that I hope to remember for the rest of my days.

Ed got accepted to BYU! What an example of goal setting and hard work!

Anyway, my love to you dear ones. I am so thankful to be home surrounded with meaningful work and responsibility. I love my man even more today than yesterday.
Sam and now Ed have treated us to two very amazing places in the world. You were both the very best guides and traveling companions and I will always treasure the bonds that I was able to solidify with your sweet wives. Life is very good to us. As you can tell I am feeling very thankful today.

Mary, good luck with the beau. Keep your eyes wide open:) It is good to hear that you are having fun and a reason to get all cutied up.

"As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a succesful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us."--Elder James E. Faust

I am thankful for you. mom

If I could pick a place to serve, it would be in the primary.

Cristie is a bit better today. I think she might have caught an intestinal bug that has been making the rounds. Some in the ward have had it. I've felt a bit queezy my own self the last couple of days. If Cristie is going to be sick, I hate to be left out! But she's up and around this morning, albeit slowly.

Dear Ones,
So happy that you are home safe and that you had such a great time. I'm envious. Laurel called tonight. She sounds great and I was glad to hear that she still has her job. She told me that Cristie is feeling ill. If she's not greatly improved in a couple of days she'd better see the doctor. She might have picked up a bug over that and it would be best to treat it early.

Mary's romance seems to be progressing very much to her satisfaction. She had two dates with him over the weekend and phone calls every night. She says she feels very comfortable with him.

Laurel says you have a big storm on the way. It would be nice if we had a snow storm here. The last I can remember was 1949 and it snowed for 3 days. It was great.

Well I'm going to bed. Gerald doesn't seem to be feeling very well. He got new teeth and his mouth is very sore also complains alot about his back. He looks done in too.

Fell better, Cristie. Much love to all, Grammy

Danny, we liked both parts I and II of Frontier House. We watched them when they originally came out on PBS.

We arrived home last night at around 11PM. It was a long flight home and we're all still trying to get over jet lag. We had a full layover day in New York City, which sounds fun, but arriving at 7AM after flying for 17 hours took the play right out of us. Ed and Val took a bus into Manhatten for awhile, but there was a stiff November wind to contend with so they came back and joined us in the Crown Room at the airport.

I felt bad about missing Howard Eckersley's funeral. I called the family tonight. They said the service was upbeat and a celebration of his life. Howard had a dry, witty sense of humor and they said it came out in the remarks his two sons made.

South Africa is an amazing country. I was struck with how young it and all of Africa is. We think the U.S. is young, and it is compared to europe. But Africa is the next frontier.

Ed served as a great guide (his driving still needs work), introducing us to metropolitan Johannesburg, Pretoria, and most notably black townships.

Some of the townships are too dangerous to visit. Crime and poverty exist in all of them, but some are worse than others. We never felt in danger or threatened. Many waved at us and all were curious at the conspicuous carload of foreigners. A highlight for us was to have dinner in the home of a family Ed baptized. The "Mama" now serves as Relief Society president in the branch. Other highlights included attending the Johannesburg Temple and church in a township.

It was heartwarming and inspiring to worship with the black saints in their small building. It was odd to be singing Christmas carols with the hot sun blazing outside. A few of the children were barefoot. The parking lot was almost empty; Ed said many walk up to a half hour to attend. As I sat in Priesthood meeting, I could hear the children in another room in the building singing "Come, Come, Ye Saints", and it brought tears to my eyes. William Clayton, who wrote it was among the first company of pioneers to head for Utah, and that hymn is a part of our pioneer heritage. But as I listened to these sweet children singing in their interesting african accented english, I realized that they are the pioneers to the black people, the foundation of a very young church that will no doubt grow and flourish and become mighty. As a 5th generation descendant of those who crossed the American plains, I was humbled to be in the presence of latter day pioneers in Africa.

After visiting the Johannesburg and Pretoria areas, we headed for Kruger National Park. What a beautiful and exciting place it is. We stayed at two different camps in the park, in clean and well kept "family cottages." The camps were our base as we set out each day to see as many animals as we could. One of the goals of many is to see the "big five" which are the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephant. We were able to see each of those, in some cases many of them, along with giraffes, zebras, monkees, implalas, waterbucks, and many wonderful birds. It is a magical land and I am grateful to have had the chance to see it.

Dear Sam, Alison or Gerald if you are home,
Howard Eckersley died Tuesday. His funeral is tomorrow. I was going to fly up for it, but not knowing if you were back, Gerald, I decided that it would be too much of a hastle for Sam or Allison. If at all possible I would really appreciate it if one of you could represent the Carter family there. I am quite sure it will be in Sandy where they live. I don't know the time or place, but here is Connie's phone #. 944-3501. His heart just gave out..
I hope all is well with all of you and that the travelers have arrived home safe and well. Thanks so much if any of you can get there.
Love to all, Grammy
P.S. It was Gerald's birthday today. I don't know if he is glad or disappointed that he's 79--thought all day he is 80. He enjoyed your note, Gerald.

Dear Katie, It's awful to be cold. You know Montpelier is a very cold place. Mother said frost would be on our quilts in the morning from our breath. Our wet diapers would also be frozen. (They didn't have such a thing as a diaper pail in those days} It was a dry coldness, though, and when we would have visitors from Idaho after we moved here they would wsay they weren't that cold in Idaho. Your Mom used to complain of the dampness here also---in winter and in summer. I remember when you lived in PA. one year she had the thermostat tuned down so low that she wore a heavy jacket in the house. I think she said she saved about $300 on the heat bill and decided that it wasn't worth being cold all the time. You kids, however didn't get a cold all winter until things warmed up back there. When you came for a visit one winter it was cold here with a very cold wind blowing and I couldn't keep coats on you. I guess your blood had really thickened up. It sounds as though Danny is enjoying his classes and I'm glad. John Gates said that he endured three years of boredom. It sounds like an interesting neighborhood. Mary has a boyfriend. She has never acted as excited over one in her life. All the primping that goes on. I guess he treats her very nice and gentlemanly, so it's nice that she has something to look forward to besides AA meetings. Don't you like my paragraphing? Well I'm going to bed. Tomorrow is your grandfather's birthday---79. Pretty good for someone who was sure that he's nevery make it to 40. He told me that he'd like to die, but he doesn't know how. I told him that he'd know how when the time comes. Then about a week ago he decided he'd starve to death. I think that lasted about one day. Seriously, he hasn't been feeling very well and you can tell by looking t him that he doesn't. Take care---Love to all and I hope to see you at Christmas time. Tommy is marring Beverly the 19th of December.
Gramma

Dear ones, Anne finally got me back on Blogger. I received too much unsolicited help which completely removed me from all communication with you. I thoroughly enjoyed the last few Bloggs concerning canines. Shame on you Sam & Danny, although I must say that the sadist Carter humor gave me quite a chuckle. I'm closing with a poem that I cut out of the paper years ago. It touched my soul and I hope it adds food for thought for your day. Hope all is well with each of you.
"Young children use them with the hopes of adventure.The old use theirs for long happiness and love. And I use them in the respect and hope of remembrance of love and friendship. All of man is a prisoner of the wish." Dorothy Jean Hamilton Love to all, Grammy

There's nothing like being famous to yourself. I enjoy the luxury as well. I was about six when I kicked the mutt for fun. I had racquet balls stuffed in my shirt for muscles, and the little dog yelped and ran under the bed. Looking back, I was determined to kick something that couldn't tell, and Alison and Katie were already too old.

I babysat for a family that had a dog that looked like a crawling hairpiece. I saw the kids' dad whack the dog a few times with a newspaper, so I took all sorts of liberties when they were gone. That poor hairpiece couldn't do anything right.