Something of Grandma's

While at Grandma's one night, Chy discovered something that she wanted of Grandma's...to remember her by.

No it is not Jane! Really we found this really cool retro piece of luggage and Jane fit perfectly in the bag, so we thought it a great photo op. Jane sure looked cute in Grandma's suitcase. In the end, Chy took Jane and left the bag.

Christmas Morning!

OK...this is a little late, but better late than never...

So, Christmas morning was wet and foggy, but my kids had lots of great gifts to brighten the dismal day! Here is the photo journal of our day!

Santa came...he and his reindeer enjoyed some treats.

Here comes the Bright kids Christmas morning stampede!

Kate's Santa stash...Disney Sing It (wii game) and Baby Alive
Clair's Santa stash...doll house and Cooking Mama (wii game)
Bowen's Santa stash...workbench and personalized matchbox car carrier box!
As most of you know...our kids get three gifts from Santa...so where is number three. Well, as most of you know...Santa worked for MANY HOURS, ALL BY HIMSELF, to finish gift number three. We wrapped the back door so the kids couldn't see what was going on. So, Christmas morning, the got to unwrap the back door and see present number 3...A PLAYGROUND...

Bowen, waiting for daddy to get a towel to wipe the slide dry.Kate waiting for a dry swing...And, it's dry so here goes Clair!Bowen's fleece PJ's made the slide really fast and he shot right off the end and landed in the damp grass on his rear! Look at those happy kids...our Santa is the best for making this dream come true! Thanks Santa Baby!

Christmas Sunday

Here are my beautiful kids all fancy for Christmas Sunday!

Thanks Mimi and Papa for the cute clothes!

Call Men VS SNOW

While in Utah, the Call Men took on the Utah Snow...I'm sorry to say, the snow won!

Grandma's Clan

It was so nice to see everyone, or at least almost everyone while celebrating Grandma's life of 94 years. I always love being with my cousins and this was no different. It would have been nice if all the Segos, Fillmores, Brights, Pearsons, and Calls could have been there. We just had to make due with the majority of the cousins. Thanks to others, I have pictures to document our time together.

Look at all these Call Girls...ok, so I am the only "original" Call Girl cousin left, but I was gratful that Victoria joined us in this picture...so I wasn't alone. :) I think we are a pretty gorgeous group...if I do say so myself.


Here are some of the Call male cousins. We've always been a little short on the males in our family, but not having Mitch, Anson, Johnny, Danny, Lucas, Cameron, and all the little Call guys makes this bunch small in number but still very handsome.


It was good to see all those that could come and I can't help but think how happy it made Grandma to have us all together. 27 grandkids, 36 great-grandkids (with 3 more on the way this year) makes for a great posterity for Grandma. We are one lucky family.

Our sweet Grandma Call

Some of my greatest "family" memories involve Grandma! I know we all (cousins) kind of teased and joked about Grandma in our silly Grandma Fiestas...but I really feel is is because she was so tender to us, a real dear!

When I told my kids that Grandma passed away, Kate was very emotional. (Sadly she is my only child that will have any memories of Grandma.) Kate was very upset and commented, "But mom, it is Christmas and Christmas is about being with family! Grandma should be here with family!" What a wonderful opportunity to remind Kate about the family waiting to be reunited with Grandma.

As I lay in bed last night, sad, and tired, my mind kept returning to one comforting thought...Grandma and Grandpa are back together. My Sweet dad reminded me it had been OVER 40 years! I thought about Darlene...Delamr...Sandra! I just kept thinking about how grateful they are to be with their mother again! I know she had a wonderful welcome home party waiting for her. This gives me tremendous comfort!

After I told the kids, I remembered that Grandma had sent some little baby doll blankets to my three kids for Christmas. They were not Grandma's best work. However, it was obvious there was love in every stitch. I told my kids about how Grandma made us PJ's every Christmas and how she was such good seamstress. Then I told them, how hard it was for her to sew these last few years. However, she still wanted to make something special and personal for them for Christmas! I then gave them the little baby doll quilts and told them that although this wasn't her best work, the stitches were not the perfect stitches I got on my PJ's as a child, it was a gift she made just for them with love! Kate, still crying and upset said, "Mom, I don't care if it isn't her best work, I will keep this blanket forever!" Grandma, I love you and I am so glad you are my Grandma! Thanks for the memories, thanks for the love, thanks for the example!

Grandma Call

Grandma was one of my favorite people. Not many people get to have a grandparent live to be 94. I was one of the blessed ones.

Tuesday I sent Grandma her annual Grand and Great-Grandchildren calendar. She loved getting that calendar and I enjoyed making it...mostly because I got to see pictures of everyone throughout the year. Here are a couple of the pictures that were included in this and last year's calendar. There were lots of pictures sent, but these included grandma.

Grandma and Brooklyn a year 1/2 ago.


Grandma and the Krueger kids. I think we have a picture of all of us surrounding grandma...just like this.


Here are just a few things memories and things I learned from Grandma...
1) She taught me to quilt. I've made each of my nieces and nephews, as well as friends' babies a quilt and all due to Grandma.
2) She taught me to crochet. I'm not very good at it, but she patiently worked with me.
3) She taught me how to make enchiladas, the way she made them. It's all about the frozen red chili.
4) There is nothing like eating a burrito and chatting with Grandma.
5) Grandma always asked me about who I was dating. I've had many a heart to heart with Grandma after a break-up. She was always sweet and would say things like, "I just don't understand boys these days" or "He'll come Emily, he'll come."
6) Grandma taught me about the importance of family. I took a Family History class at BYU and Grandma spent hours and hours telling me stories about her family and Grandpa's family.
7) I inherited Grandma's way of never being able to hide how she felt...her face gave her away every time and mine does too.
8) I will always remember the summers spent at Grandma's house in NM. I can't ever eat a dried apricot without thinking of Grandma.
9) Grandma taught me independence. About a month ago I was visiting Grandma. I was cleaning her house and I tried to get her to let me wash and change her sheets. She wouldn't let me. She said, "I've been doing this myself, most of my life. I don't need anyone to start doing it for me now."
10) Grandma taught me how to live alone. In a conversation with Grandma once, she told me that she had lived alone more years than she had lived with Grandpa. She never complained about being alone, but I know there were times she was lonely. I just can't help but think that she is alone no more.

I love you Grandma and as much as I will miss her...I know she is having the Call reunion of her life.

Bright Elfs

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Tradition Lives on..sickness and all

For the last 2 years we've made a gingerbread house. This year Brooklyn decided that she wanted to change things up and get Santa's Sleigh. So last night was the big night, only 1 small problem...Britni was sick on Monday and Brooklyn and Jack got sick yesterday. We were going to reschedule the gingerbread making, but Brooklyn really wanted to do it and she said she was feeling ok. We had fun inspite of sickness, but we decided that we really missed the gingerbread house...so next year we are going back. Here are a few of the funny things that happened...
1. Joel announced at the beginning that he was going to be the overseer instead of the contruction guy. It is not only "too messy" (his words)...it is also "too stressful." (also his words) I guess it's too much pressure to make sure everything sticks together.
2. Jack wasn't really allowed to touch the actually sleigh...he's a little too distructo! We put a few gumdrops on the cardboard box on the table. Jack decided to crawl on the table and eat the gumdrops like he was a dog. No need to hands, when you've got a mouth.
3. With a mouth full of gumdrops, Joel tried to get Jack to spit them out. He wouldn't do it, until Joel picked him up and then...gum drops droiled out, right down Joel's shirt. So much for not wanting to get messy.
There was something misssing...the Brights. Wish ya'll could have been there.

(I posted several things today...my camera is almost dead, so forgive the Blackberry camera pictures. It's the best I can do until Santa comes and hopefully brings me a camera.)

What's that outside my window?

Look close...right up against the fence. See the white stuff.
Yes, you are right...it is snow. We've lived in Texas for almost 20 years and I can only remember 1 only time that we have had snow. Now I know it's not 26 feet...like I had the year I lived in NYC and it certainly isn't the snow I experienced in Utah.
The thing is...if you blinked you almost missed it. I heard it was going to snow and Ros called to see what I was up to. She asked about it and I looked out my window and said it was clear. Then I saw it...a little patch of snow right under my window.

Main Street Bethlehem

The last few years, we have gone to Burnet, Texas to see the amazing Live Nativity that the First Baptist Church puts on. It is so great. Everyone stays in character the whole time. They recreate a whole town - shops, jail, tax collectors, etc. There are animals and guards that are taking people who can't or won't pay tax.

There are sheppards walking through the town talking about the star and the baby that's been born.

There is an inn and the innkeeper tells you that there is "no room." And then you walk around the corner and there it is...Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.

It's a great way to start off the holiday season. If you want to mark your calendars for next year...it's always the 1st and 2nd weekend in Decemeber. Come go in 2009...we'd love to have you.

Homemade Christmas Gifts

Money is tight for everyone this year! So, I found this cute idea for bookmarks in a magazine and decided it was the perfect gift (and in my budget) for my neighborhood friends (who all like to read) and other girlfriends!Emily, wanted me to post pictures! Maybe you will be lucky enough to get one of my fancy bookmarks! :)

The quest for a Pinkberry-like yogurt

I've mentioned before that while living in NYC I fell in love with Pinkberry Fro-Yo. There is only one slight problem with this love affair...you can only get Pinkberry in NYC and LA - neither place is where I lay my head at night. While visint BYU and my friend Kristan (fellow NYer at heart) she took me to a place called Spoon Me. While it was not Pinkberry...it was a pretty close 2nd and the closest thing I've found. There is only one problem with Spoon Me...it's only found in Utah - also not where I lay my head. New Braunfels....when will you get a Pinkberry wanna-be?!