My Joy

12/01/25

The girl who hit us was upset and crying and we comforted her and told her it was okay that accidents happen. Lizzy called Mom and she came even before the police arrived:

The other car was beat up pretty bad too:

We are so grateful that no one was hurt! Also, the girl was ticked and not us.

11/28/26

This year we went back to the Kandy Kane Christmas Treeland farm in Anthony, Florida (about an hour drive) for our Christmas tree.

Mom decided before we even went that she was not going to have to look at every tree on the farm before selecting a tree so we went in and picked the first tree we liked:

The family that owns the farm cleans and shakes out the trees, wraps them, and carries them to your vehicle:

We brought it home and set it up. We sprayed our canned snow on it so it would be ready to decorate tomorrow:

11/29/25

Time to decorate the tree to make it a Christmas tree:

We did green and red strings of lights this year:

Mom put on the first ornament, the good luck bird and nest:

Dad’s job is always to pass out the bulbs with hooks:

Our job was to get them from him and decorate the tree:

We found the perfect spot for every one:

Lizzy received a Nativity scene from her primary teacher Sister Hawkins (who has now passed away) and Lizzy puts it out every year:

Lizzy’s Nativity Scene:

Our Christmas Tree:

11/30/25

Mom gave us our Advent Calendars:

Thanks Mom!

11/27/25

A great morning for a Turkey Trot!

This annual event sees some new faces and some that have been attending since the start. This year the Tanners had some little trophies made for the winners:

It was a fun run!

Dad did not win this year and mom was happy with her run. We had fun walking and Luna dog was very happy she was able to come too!

Thanksgiving Dinner

This year we hand painted little rocks as place cards for each guest:

Even Luna and Miss Kitty got a place setting:

The Araque’s came again this year. Patricia and mom were both in matching colors:

The Tanners came too of course!

How is it Luna?

Dad and Rachel cooked dinner and made three pies!

Rachel did awesome on the lattice work on the cherry pie!

Lizzy took the dessert orders:

The Tanners always give us a thoughtful thank you gift for hosting Thanksgiving:

Later that evening we had some sparkling juice:

And toasted what we were each thankful for:

Oops we didn’t get mom in the pics but she toasted too!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

11/26/25

Our Kia Sorento was having lots of problems so we decided to get a new used car before our trip to NY for Christmas. We got a 2024 Dodge Durango:

Mom loves to have a sunroof:

Plenty of seating!

11/13/25

Rachel and Mom went to a Christmas crafting activity at the church:

Mom’s final crafts:

Rachel’s final crafts:

It was a fun evening of crafting together:

11/08/25

11/04/25

Miss Kitty spends most of her time indoors now. She is aging pretty fast now. We suspect she is around 16 years old:

Luna Dog is not a big fan of Miss Kitty:

10/26/25

We did our pictures this year from our own backyard:

Somewhat of a recreation from our 2011 Family picture:

Mom and Dad

Lizzy and Rachel:

10/10/25

The International Festival at church has gotten much more elaborate!

They had lots of international foods to enjoy as well!

10/04/26

Food is all prepared and we are ready for conference!

Yummy!!

Franklin and Franklin Jr. came over to join us for the first session of conference:

10/05/25

Sunday sessions of General Conference Family Spa treatments:

Mom cut Dad’s hair and then he did Mom’s pedicure:

Happy General Conference Weekend!