Coil Christmas at Lawson's

Baby it's COLD outside!

Hangin' at the Tyler's

Crown of thorns...

Peter wept, "bitterly"...

The past two weeks in seminary we have been studying Matthew 26. It contains the story of the last supper the Savior had with his apostles and how he instituted the sacrament ordinance. It was such a beautiful experience to study, pray and teach about this marvelous gift we have been given. I learned so much and will never take the sacrament for granted again.

Today in class we talked about the trials the Savior endured following the Garden of Gethsemane before he was actually crucified. When you take the time to read Matthew 26-27 slowly and carefully, you are shocked to see what he endured even after the garden experience.

We also talked about Judas and Peter betraying Christ, even after he had loved them and they had witnessed his miracles. Then we talked about Peter, following the betrayal, weeping bitterly and finally coming back to a greater love and knowledge of the Savior. Finally, the Savior appears to Peter and asks, "Lovest thou me?" Of course, Peter spent the rest of his life showing his love for the Savior.

ANYWAY...

Once a week I give my class a quote they can insert in their scriptures or write down on a note card to keep in their pocket (thanks Lala for this idea). It is called "a prophet in your pocket". So the quote I found for this week comes from April Conference, 1987, Neal Maxwell. I thought some of you might like hearing it again, especially the part about not complaining about our own life:

We can, therefore, actually do as Peter urged and cast our cares upon the Lord (see 1 Pet. 5:7); He is familiar with them, including even the feeling of being forsaken (see Mark 14:50, Mark 15:34). Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach or His encircling empathy. Therefore, we should not complain about our own life’s not being a rose garden when we remember who wore the crown of thorns!

Thinking about daddy...

It's funny how some days I wake up and the first thing I think about is my dad. He's been gone several years, but occasionally I still long to call him and see how he is doing. I was at Dick's market this week and stopped at the bakery to buy grandma-great some doughnuts to go with her coffee. I was just standing there, looked down at the chocolate covered doughnuts and remembered what daddy used to say, "Half of a chocolate covered doughnut shared with someone you love is twice as good as a whole doughnut eaten all alone." If they have doughnuts in heaven, the first thing I am going to do is give half to my dad.

A Family Cookbook is a must have!

Lately we have been using our family cookbook so much. I know that I am not the only one in the family who loves it. Every time I get it out I take time to look at the picture on the front and think about everyone, a guarantee smile moment. Right now we are getting ready to go to a friends for a party and we are taking corn chowder. Thanks to Kay Lee, I was able to whip out the family cookbook and have Andy make it (ha ha), but seriously, Andy is making it with Carlee right by his side. I love my family cookbook, my family, and Kay Lee. Can you tell I am missing home?? Love, Shay

Splish Splash, Sam's takin a bath...

The best way to entertain a 2 year old in the kitchen...

The Doghouse

4 minutes and 43 seconds, take time to laugh

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Reflection of Sam

Samantha came over a few nights ago to play while her mom and dad went to a dinner. I had things to do in the kitchen, so I gave her a bubble bath in the sink. She had been there for about 30 minutes, I emptied the cold water several times to replace it with warm water and bubbles, when all of a sudden she started laughing hysterically. I mean one of those belly laughs, where the drool is running down the chin, laughs. I couldn't figure out for a minute what was going on, because she was facing away from me. I finally bent over and looked and realized she was seeing her reflection in the faucet. It was like the silly mirrors at the fair that make you look squat and fat, or tall and skinny. She caught a glimpse of herself and was making all kinds of faces then laughing at what she saw. Check out the faucet when you look at the pictures. It was gloriously funny.

Happy Birthday Lala!

Lauren just celebrated her 21st birthday. Caleb bought her a beautiful new bike, PINK, of course, and new shoes to match. A girl can never look too good.

Go Utes! Go Mike!

When Mike graduated from High School, I made him a quilt that he slept with every night, took on his mission, used in Kansas as a police officer and wrapped Emry in when she was tired. Now that quilt is tired and worn, so Erin and I collaberated to make Michael a new one.


So for Mike's birthday Erin and I made Mike a University of Utah quilt. Erin and I make a good team. I designed, she cut, we both sewed, Erin tied, I bound and Mike enjoys.

As you can see in the pictures, it isn't bound yet, but we were too excited to wait and gave it to Mike early.

Candyland

Aubrey was the main architect, in charge of hot gluing the graham cracker structures.

D. may think she's in charge, but ultimately Sammie was the boss.

Sammie was in charge of quality control. "Does this candy have enough calorie content to hold up under 2 year old fingers?"

Emry was all business, she wanted every type and color of candy in her design. No licking here, let's just go straight to crunching and munching. Go Em!

Notice Madison's apron! Several years ago I bought some pre-made aprons at Roberts then had Madi and Abbie use fabric paint to decorate them. They rarely come down for a visit that they don't put on their aprons. I'm not sure it really does a lot to help keep their clothes clean, but it sure makes them look like they know what they are doing in the kitchen. I love my girls.

Gingerbread Construction Crew

Hey grandma, this is better than Halloween, because you don't have to knock on doors!

Luke was so serious about this big responsibility of constructing his own gingerbread house. Hmm, should I start with the gob-stoppers or move straight to the red and green M and M's?

Abbie built a snowman out of marshmallows. Abbie has always been the sugar queen of the family. You wouldn't know it by looking at her skinny little body, but she can pack away more empty calories than a Samoan football player from BYU. The only thing that comes close is Carlee, who is willing to eat a whole stick of butter, jam and bread not required.

Preston doing clean up after construction...licking his fingers.

Madison decided on a New England style with lots of candy rocks and frosting for the mortar.

Thanksgiving Day Bowling League

Turkey bowl, Coil style

Yes, the Coil's have a Thanksgiving turkey bowl, but ours involves a round ball and an alley. I hate to brag, but I beat Caleb. However, Aubrey and Mike beat everyone else.