Merry Christmas

Yet another wonderful Christmas for the Glassford family.  All the family gathered around the tree early Christmas morning to see what Santa had delivered the night before.  (I can hear the kids groaning as I type this.... "geez Mom, we know there's no Santa".)

Christmas morning and the entire day is one of my most favorite days of the year.  It means spending all day together in our pj's playing games and eating lots of yummy food.  The sad exception this year is that we missed having our grown-up Spencer and his wife with us; they spent the holiday with Ashley's family this year.  We missed them both!

In keeping with tradition, we all rummage through our stockings first to see what yummy treats and little odds and ends have been stuffed inside.

We then go for the presents but usually take things a little slow by opening our presents one at a time.  This allows for me, the official picture taker, to take plenty of pictures along the way. 

It was fun this year to actually surprise both Evan and Tori with a few presents.  They typically know what they are getting because they enjoy spoiling their Christmas surprise by snooping around the house but this year I was able to keep a few things a secret.  Tori was happily surprised with a camera, something she had been asking for since I don't know when.... a long time.

She also got the guitar that she just had to have... it was a matter of life or death.... very dramatic stuff.

Evan got a nice surprise by getting the paintball gun this year, along with all the many required things that come along with a paintball gun.  Required things like a protective face mask and protective clothing... those paintballs really sting. 

Our fat, lazy, lovable cat got the gift of wrapping paper and ribbon, he was in heaven.

We have been blessed with yet another wonderful Christmas.... our family is truly blessed.  Not only have we been blessed with gifts under the tree but we have been blessed with each other, our health, our jobs, our love for each other, and best of all.... having the knowledge of the our Savior and Heavenly Father through our membership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Do You Believe?

Merry Christmas from the Glassford family.  We wish you all a wonderful Christmas season.  May we always remember why we celebrate Christmas.... to celebrate and focus on the birth of Christ, our Savior and the Son of God. 

Wife of a Firefighter

Have I ever shared that my handsome husband is a firefighter?  I'm a firefighter's wife.  Have I explained to you, dear readers, what it's like having your loved one gone for 48 hours at a job that has the potential of danger and harm for every emergency call?  Have I explained that he loves what he does and that he feels disappointment if he misses the opportunity to respond to a blazing fire?

The city that he works for is not a large city, which means he doesn't have many opportunities to actually fight a "good fire" ... those are his words, not mine.... but he got the opportunity early Friday morning.  He was called bright and early to a blazing fire of a local church building, a building that is rich in history for our county, a building that saddened many of us to see it destroyed. 

While I know that my dear husband would make every effort to be safety conscious during his working days and his commanding officers will make every effort to also be extremely aware of safety, I can't help but worry every time he goes to work.  It's a worry that lingers in the back of my mind.  It's a worry that makes me very grateful to have him home safely after every shift ends.

He was able to take some great pictures while at the fire this last week.  While the picture above is courtesy of the local news station, a great picture of the blazing fire, this next picture was taken while he was busy at work.  This is his viewpoint from the bottom of the ladder truck.

As I mentioned, he loves what he does so when he got the call to a "good fire" he was looking forward to the opportunity to put his firefighting skills to use.  His first 24 hours on the job fighting this blaze was a great day at work for him; however, after 24 hours out in the freezing cold and very little sleep he started his next 24 hours not as thrilled to do the job.  It was a very tough couple days for him.  I'm grateful to the caring, kind businesses in our community that provided warm food for him and his crew.  And very, very grateful to have him home safely again.

I'm grateful for the brave men, including my husband, who are willing to risk their lives to keep us safe.  Love my husband dearly and pray always that he'll be safe.  I wouldn't change him for the world and grateful for who he is and his brave heart.

Almond Roca - A Tasty Kitchen Recipe

Looking for a yummy recipe for the holidays?  I've found it.... the perfect recipe for your holiday treats.  Easy to make and yummy to eat.  It's a recipe for Almond Roca - no need to buy that pink can of treats every again.  This recipe tastes just like the store bought, golden-wrapped treats.  I found this recipe at Tasty Kitchen.  Love this website.

Almond Roca

• 4 sticks Butter
• 2 cups Sugar (rounded)
• 4 Tablespoons Water
• 2 cups Almonds, Chopped
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• ½ cups Almonds, Finely Chopped, For Sprinkling

Combine the first 3 ingredients and cook on high, stirring constantly through 3 stages:
1. Runny
2. “Cheesy”—it will look like melted white cheese
3. Runny and smooth, caramel brown color
Make sure you have the fan on your stove going, cause you’ll probably set off the smoke alarm towards the end.
When it is runny, smooth and caramel brown in color, remove it from the heat and add the almonds. Stir until combined and pour the mixture onto greased cookie sheets. Spread it into an even layer. It will harden as it cools.
While it is still warm, sprinkle chocolate chips on top and let them melt enough to get soft. Spread the chocolate in an even layer across the candy. While the chocolate is still “wet,” sprinkle the finely chopped almonds on top.
At this point, while it is still warm and soft, you can score the candy with a butter knife to make it break evenly, or just let it harden and break it into rustic pieces.  Store in airtight containers.

It Was a Great Feast of Food and Family

We had yet another wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  A wonderful day filled with lots of great food (too much food actually) and lots of wonderful family time.

Just as we were getting ready to sit down to eat, our newly employed Evan was called into work at the movie theaters.  So before he dashed off to work, and after much wailing and tears and threatening to call his boss for having the audacity to take him away on Thanksgiving and Evan feeling such horror over my threats, just kidding (sort of), I made my three lovely children pose for a picture.

Aren't they just the best looking kids ever?  I love them so much.

So.... then.... we proceeded to eat.  It was great food, thanks to everyone's contributions.  Spencer and Ashley were there, my Mom and Dad, Kayce and Jared and their cute kids, Nan and her darling Helen, Carol, along with a surprise visit from Alison and her two darling children. 

Todd was very patient with it all because he knew it was a night of food and football... oh, yes... and he enjoyed time with the family.

It's was wonderful to have Spencer and Ashley with us.  We don't get to see them enough.  Love them dearly.

Spencer got to catch up with his Grandpa.

We loved having all the darling nieces and nephews with us and wish we could have had all of the family with us. 

Best of all was time spent with my sisters.  I won't even tell you what we talked about while adding calories to our waste line.  It's talk that's not appropriate for this blog (not really even appropriate at the dinner table) but that's just what sisters do.  I love these girls.  We sorely missed Rebecca and Lillian.

To end this post, I must include our furry member of the family, Tabby.  He's really a good member of the family, and a good cat, and is generally very tolerant; however, by the end of the evening he was looking for places to hide.  Maybe if he lost a few pounds he would actually fit.

This Little Girl of Mine

I love this little girl of mine.  Love her to pieces.  Love having her in our lives.  Every day with her is new and exciting and.... tiring... very, very tiring.

Late summer and early fall had us running her to and from various football games so she could cheer.  A perfect sport for our little Tori.  Her smile is infectious and her personality is vibrant and she has energy to spare.  I personally think she's the best cheerleader on her squad, no one can tell me any different.

Then just as she's finished with cheering she's moved on to yet another sport, volleyball.  We now have the pleasure of running her to and from her volleyball games where, yet again, she's the best on her team... at least the best setter on the team.  She's awesome.  With her endless supply of energy and optimism she's a perfect asset for the team. 

Next up is a winter full of snowboarding and then springtime means softball.  On top of it all she's an excellent student in school and the best daughter.  We love our little Tori.... she just makes us a little tired.

The Passing of a Good Man

We are missing the influence of good man who passed away on Sunday, my grandfather, Wendall H. Eyring.

Wendell Haws Eyring came to this earth on Monday, September 23, 1918. He returned home on Sunday, November 07, 2010.

Wendell is the son of Andrew Theodore Eyring (1884-1964) and Edith Haws (1887-1986) and was born in Mesa, Arizona. He was the sixth of eleven children; however, only four siblings lived to maturity. Wendell grew up as the “oldest.”

Wendell spent his younger years in Mesa and Gilbert. His family moved to Chandler while he was in high school. During his senior year, he played both on the football team and then played in the band during half time.  Wendall began dating Verda Ray, his future wife June 1935 and they were married in June 1938. They were sealed for time and all eternity n the Mesa Arizona Temple.  Between 1939 and 1961 they became the proud parents of “ten little Indians.” Fortunately, they were able to raise all of their children to maturity. Between 1959 and 1990 they became the proud grandparents of 45 grandchildren. So far there are over 100 great grandchildren and more than 10 great-great grandchildren. In addition there have been over 50 spouses added to the family with open arms. Dad/Grandpa loves each and every one of them. When parting he would say "I love, you!”.

Wendell was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many capacities during his life. Scouts, Young Men, Sports, and Clerk, to name a few. In addition, for many years, Wendell and Verda served as Stake Missionaries in the San Tan Branch on the Indian reservation.  For most of Wendell’s life he was a dairy farmer. When the accountant told him the farm wasn’t making money any more, he went to work at Agrochem, south of Chandler. He kept the dairy going to gives his kids “something to do.” Later he retired from Agrochem and dairy farming and traded the farmland for apartments. He sold the Apartments in 2001. Then he really retired.  Over the years Wendell, with his wife Verda, traveled to Scotland, England, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Israel and Russia. They also toured most of the United States, including Hawaii. They also visited Canada and Mexico.

Wendell was preceded in death by his sweet wife Verda (2003) and children, Shirly Pond (Lamar) and Mike (Brenda); and grandson Lance Pond. He was also preceded by his parents Andrew and Edith; and siblings, Andrew; Leonard; Josephine; Dessie; George; Marguerite; and Leona Geiger; He is survived by children Wendell Jr. (Marilee); Sandra Clawson (Kit); Pinky; Murr; Dixie Williams (Dennis); Nick (Karen); April Smith (Dan); and Twila. He is also survived by 45 grandchildren; 110 great grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Lucile Peterson (Don L) and Carl (Pauline, deceased).  A copy of Wendell’s life story is available at www.eyring.org.