Christmas

I forgot I had these on my camera so I'm doing a back post of Christmas. Here is the tasty appetizers that we had.



We actually celebrated Christmas on the 23rd because Carl and Francine had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The 23rd was just as easily as the 25th you would have never known it wasn't the "actual" day. We even SKYPED with Barton and Thalea's family.



I think the best part of the whole day was the meal. I was showing this to Michael after the fact and he said he would probably push somebody out of the way right now to have that meal again....it was soooo good!!!





After Dinner and time to let all that food digest we opened presents. I missed not having Summer around to open her presents but Bailey and Brandi didn't disappoint. I wish I had gotten a picture of the two of them when they came into the house. They had Mr and Mrs Santa suits on.



And last but not least one of my favorite Christmas Decorations. Mom painted this for her parents probably about 25 years ago. When Grandpa died in 2001 I became the legal owner of this. I just think it puts everything into perspective.

Winter in Utah/Wyoming

Jennifer is busy with finals right now, but I couldn't let her recent trip to visit us go "un-blogged" so I'm blogging for her.

She decided to fly up for my birthday and to spend some time with us while Byron was out of town at a conference. We kept her very busy and entertained (I'm sure).

First stop was the Festival of Trees - so many trees, gingerbread houses, wreaths, and more!Then that night we all went to Heber to ride the North Pole Express. It was very fun!

We crafted, we shopped and the boys had her read stories to them every chance they got.Then we headed to Wyoming for our great aunt Mary Isabell's funeral - she was able to extend her trip and stay for it. This is a picture of us at the summit before going down in to the valley.And us with our Cassity cousins at the funeral. We love them!

December 7th

2 things happened today...well really 1 thing happened today the other happened 70 years ago today. I guess I'm old now, we use to talk about this day in school a lot. It was never a holiday but we always knew about Pearl Harbor Day. I don't think kids today know much about it. I don't think they know much about 9/11 either, but thats just my opinion. But just wanted to remember today, I think being at the Arizona Memorial and seeing the fuel that is still escaping from the ship and knowing its a graveyard for 1100 men who just were waking up for the day and had to clue that this was how it was going to end for them is something I'll always remember. We were the first ship out there that morning. I was amazed the reverence and the vets that still go out there to take care of their brothers.





The other thing that happened today was Aunt Marybell's funeral. It was good to see all the family but not the way everyone wanted to enjoy a family reunion. Here is a copy of the funeral program.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

So I am at Thalea's to help her celebrate her birthday and we went to Festival of trees, where we got bad news that Auntie Marybell died. I'm just glad that I was in Utah and could extend the stay for a day to be able to goto her funeral.



Well the best part seeing how my sister does not like to let people know that its her birthday is that I got her good this year. Later on that night we went on the North Pole express.



Well Mrs Claus came on the train car we riding on and let it be known that it was her birthday. Before my wonderful sister could stop me. I volunteered the information that it was Thalea's birthday as well so the whole train car got to sing Happy Birthday to her...doesn't she look thrilled about it????



So Happy 45th Birthday Big Sister....I'll always be younger!!!



Here she is being a good Mom singing with her boys to make sure that Santa can hear them!!!