2014 in Review
It's definitely time for a quick update and then I hope to post more regularly. It is amazing to reflect back on the past year and see all the many things we've accomplished, the places we've been, the people we've loved and the experiences we've had. There's a lot of living going on around here. Life is good. It is so very good!
We gained a beautiful new daughter in May 2014 when Devyn married Miranda. How we love her and her sweetness and the kind and loving person that she is. She's smart and witty and goal-oriented and we are so glad she is a part of our family!
Heather and Alena came back to Missouri with us after the wedding so they could be there when Derek got home from his mission. We had such fun together. We introduced Alena to farm animals at the Deanna Rose Farmstead and to soft-serve ice cream much to Heather's chagrin.
Derek returned from a two-year mission in the Colorado Denver South Mission to a new home (to him) in Missouri. His mission ended in June 2014. It is hard to express our complete joy at seeing him in person again and being able to hug him and talk about his mission experiences.
We all went to Utah to our niece Brianna's wedding right after Derek got home. It gave him an opportunity to see family on both sides and feel like he'd come "home". And a highlight of the trip was having all of Stephen's siblings and their spouses together in the same place at the same time.
My sister Teresa came back with us to Missouri to visit for a week. We explored quilting shops around the area with the Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton, MO being the highlight of the trip. Derek picked out some fabrics he liked and Teresa sewed him up a quilt top in the week that she was here and then took it home with her to free motion machine quilt it. Plus she helped me finish up the quilt I had started earlier and she took that one home to quilt, too. I painted an old wooden chair with chalk paints.
We went out to Smithville Lake for the 4th of July fireworks display. It was a beautiful setting with the boats all lit up on the lake and the huge fireworks. And I saw my very first fireflies!
We enjoyed a little vacation to Nauvoo, Illinois in July 2014. We had such fun exploring Nauvoo and doing the activities there. There were two different pageants that were presented on alternating evenings. It was fantastic and so well prepared and presented. I appreciated so much more all that went into the production after helping with our Ft. Lauderdale stake productions a few years ago.
I started teaching early morning seminary every school morning. I taught 14 awesome high school students in my home. I loved preparing lessons and spending time with the youth each day. They have such great insights and wonderful personalities. Here is a picture of my seminary room setup:
September 2014 brought the arrival of our 2nd granddaughter Skye Ann. She came a couple weeks early but I was able to arrive in North Carolina on the day she and Heather came home from the hospital. It was fun to be with them and help out at this very special time. Nothing like a brand new baby from heaven!
October was awesome! We had my mom and dad visit from Idaho for two whole weeks! Mom made a toddler bed quilt for Alena from left over fabric from Derek's quilt. Plus there was enough fabric for two doll quilts. Dad and Stephen built a utility trailer that folds up for storing. Most awesome!
It was back to Raleigh, NC again the beginning of November for Skye's baby blessing. It was fun to spend time with Heather and Anthony and our adorable granddaughters and with Anthony's family. I love how our family keeps expanding.
Thanksgiving was spent in Colorado with Dad and Deloris and Shawn and Janel and their family. We had a great time!
And then, at Christmas time, we got to have all of the children and grandchildren home for the holidays. For two whole weeks! We love our family!!
We gained a beautiful new daughter in May 2014 when Devyn married Miranda. How we love her and her sweetness and the kind and loving person that she is. She's smart and witty and goal-oriented and we are so glad she is a part of our family!
Heather and Alena came back to Missouri with us after the wedding so they could be there when Derek got home from his mission. We had such fun together. We introduced Alena to farm animals at the Deanna Rose Farmstead and to soft-serve ice cream much to Heather's chagrin.
Derek returned from a two-year mission in the Colorado Denver South Mission to a new home (to him) in Missouri. His mission ended in June 2014. It is hard to express our complete joy at seeing him in person again and being able to hug him and talk about his mission experiences.
We all went to Utah to our niece Brianna's wedding right after Derek got home. It gave him an opportunity to see family on both sides and feel like he'd come "home". And a highlight of the trip was having all of Stephen's siblings and their spouses together in the same place at the same time.
My sister Teresa came back with us to Missouri to visit for a week. We explored quilting shops around the area with the Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton, MO being the highlight of the trip. Derek picked out some fabrics he liked and Teresa sewed him up a quilt top in the week that she was here and then took it home with her to free motion machine quilt it. Plus she helped me finish up the quilt I had started earlier and she took that one home to quilt, too. I painted an old wooden chair with chalk paints.
We went out to Smithville Lake for the 4th of July fireworks display. It was a beautiful setting with the boats all lit up on the lake and the huge fireworks. And I saw my very first fireflies!
We enjoyed a little vacation to Nauvoo, Illinois in July 2014. We had such fun exploring Nauvoo and doing the activities there. There were two different pageants that were presented on alternating evenings. It was fantastic and so well prepared and presented. I appreciated so much more all that went into the production after helping with our Ft. Lauderdale stake productions a few years ago.
I started teaching early morning seminary every school morning. I taught 14 awesome high school students in my home. I loved preparing lessons and spending time with the youth each day. They have such great insights and wonderful personalities. Here is a picture of my seminary room setup:
October was awesome! We had my mom and dad visit from Idaho for two whole weeks! Mom made a toddler bed quilt for Alena from left over fabric from Derek's quilt. Plus there was enough fabric for two doll quilts. Dad and Stephen built a utility trailer that folds up for storing. Most awesome!
It was back to Raleigh, NC again the beginning of November for Skye's baby blessing. It was fun to spend time with Heather and Anthony and our adorable granddaughters and with Anthony's family. I love how our family keeps expanding.
Thanksgiving was spent in Colorado with Dad and Deloris and Shawn and Janel and their family. We had a great time!
And then, at Christmas time, we got to have all of the children and grandchildren home for the holidays. For two whole weeks! We love our family!!
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