Alyssa and Ben!

Alyssa started dating Ben Jaderholm when they met at a Young Adult Church Activity in Nauvoo, Illinois in the fall of 2012.  When we saw a picture of them together on one of their first dates,  we had the distinct impression that here was a great possibility in a serious boyfriend!  Alyssa was so excited when 'that handsome guy from Nauvoo' called and asked her out later that week!  Living and hour apart , Alyssa in her last year of her master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy, and Ben in his third year of medical school, didn't seem to hamper their interest in one another, they were able to spend time together almost every weekend since they met. Ben and Alyssa have been creative in their dating. . .here are a few pictures of them making memories!  BTW. . .they are both left handed and very creative! 

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Several months later. . .

and back in Nauvoo, on a ward temple trip, Ben surprised Alyssa and asked her to marry him in the cultural hall where they had their first date. (This is a re-enactment for the camera!)  

We are happy for Ben and Alyssa. . .their wedding date will be August 15, 2013.  They will be married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple!

And what is a blog post without some quilting information? We finished the quilt for Sister Elaine Dalton and presented it to her.  Here are a couple of pictures. . .the beginning. . .

 Sister Dalton was so surprised and cried tears of joy!  Tyler had also compiled a booklet of thank yous from all over the world, for her service as the General YW President

Now on to a wedding quilt for Alyssa and Ben!

Midwest Meanderings!

Dan and I traveled to Iowa to visit Alyssa and attend her Master's Graduation Recital.  What a glorious night filled with beautiful piano music.  We were so pleased with her performance.  She plays with passion and a beautiful heart--and of course so much skill and talent.  She looked beautiful and played beautiful. There were so many who came to support her from school and church.  She filled the hall!  My only regret is that this is the only picture we have that Dan took while she was warming up!  At least we have this one!

Wednesday, the day of the recital, I was able to attend a class there at the U. of Iowa with Alyssa.  Since she was busy teaching and accompanying the next day, Dan and I took off and drove to Nauvoo, Illinois, about 2 hours south.    It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed Nauvoo for the third time. . .hence only one picture of a home with gorgeous purple flowers in the field just in front.  We saw many barns along the way decorated with a quilt block!  

The next day we headed off to Chicago with Alyssa and her boyfriend, Ben Jaderholm.  We had a great time getting to know him and we can see why she is spending lots of time with him!  He is a fine and delightful young man! We also had a special treat havingTyler and Matt and Raquel meet us in Chicago.  Tyler served his mission there and knows the city inside out.  He was our tour guide and he helped us see A LOT in a short amount of time.  We would have been lost without him.  Matt and Raquel also drove from Michigan to meet us.  It was heavenly to have some of our children and 2 grandchildren together for a day and a half!!  

Nothing better than being with family!  Nothing!

Family and Quilts, what could be better?

Get ready for pictures, pictures and more pictures!  Here is my edited collection of Holiday photos.  We had such a blast over December and January.  Here is how it began. . .

We met the Kremin's and Matt and Raquel and family at a restaurant when M and R first got home.  They were going to Vernal that night to spend Christmas and we felt so blessed to spend a few minutes with them before they headed out.  Alyssa had flown in a few days before. . .

Alyssa and Harmon

Caroline and Grammy Bell

The Rush's drove from San Antonio!  Cousin Love!

Makenna, McKay, Jaxon and Wyatt peeking through the back

Cami brought Harry Potter "Bertie Botts" jelly beans.  There are 7 or 8 colors.  Then there are nice tasting and gross tasting among the same color, decisions, decisions. . . .

Was that one ear wax, boogies, skunk or lemon?  (Looks like a nasty one!)

Be brave McKay!  Wyatt told us in no uncertain terms he was NOT trying any!

Jaxson probably getting ready to spit this one out!

 Looks pretty bad. . .rotten egg?

 Alyssa and Cami got their traditional duet out. . .Sleigh Ride and laughed and had a blast!

Grandpa, McKay and Makenna were the "special sound effects" section. 

Dan really got into his role with his old trumpet as the horses' neigh at the end !  Show off!

 We got to spend extra time with TJ.  Uncle Brett is holding him while he is eating a baby mum-mum!

What a delight to have kids around on Christmas morning!  Waiting to see the loot Santa left.

Tyler, Brett, Ashley and Alyssa doing the yearly family Christmas puzzle. . .

Alyssa on her way to see her Ben Man and meet his family!

Smiley Harmon!

Caroline enjoying her breakfast!

Caroline and Matt in the toy room. . .

Matt, Raquel and Harmon, Aviann, Glenn and Addison came to visit!

Caroline, Harmon and Makenna

This was Caroline's favorite past time while visiting this year, peeling the paper off crayons!  She could sit there for hours and do it!  We also got her to drink milk by putting a few chocolate drops in and calling chocolate juice!

Here is the end result. . . 

Sweet Caroline!  She loved playing with BIG Frank!

TJ was happy in the bouncer, too!

Happy as ever!

 We got to have Auntie Jo come and visit!  What a treat, we love her like a daughter, too!

Loving brother. . . .

Caroline and Auntie Alyssa

For Christmas, Cami and I asked my brother Kirt, the artist, if he would give McKay an art lesson.  They were together about an hour and this is what McKay did!  Amazing teacher and student!

Me and Cami, McKay amd Makenna

Great Grandpa Harmon and Harmon!

Got to do a little babysitting recently. . .here is Brooklyn climbing on every chair she comes upon. . .

TA-DA!

A little quilting, here and there.  Here is a scrappy trip around the world. . .a few more squares and one more row to go.  Very fun!

This is a row quilt that I am doing from an blogger on line, Beeinmybonnet.blogspot.com.  Almost done, only a few more weeks to go.

 A cross-stitch I made last month, off to be framed!

And last but not least, we were able to get EVERYONE here for about 3 days and got this wonderful family picture.  So glad that Rob and Schaefer could come at the last minute.  All sacrificed to get to Utah and we are so blessed to have made some great memories!