December

 On our way up to see Nathan and Emily we stopped to see Sister Thacker.  We had such a great visit.  It was so fun to just spend some time with her.  She looks wonderful and just still has such a great sense of humor.  When we left there was a big wind storm and all the lights in that area of town were out.  It took us a while to get out of town and then off to drive for a couple more hours to get to the Bates.

 The book signing.  Michelle came to be with us.  She couldn't stay very long but it was so fun

 to see her

 It was a great evening for a first book signing

 Nathan and Em took us around to see the sites in Seattle

 Becca and Rosie having story time

 Christmas Morning and the line up

 Lots and lots of presents

 We went to the park a couple of times.  The first time I was with Maddy and Ani and we were to meet Nathan, Em and Rosie.  By the time we got there the Bates had already left the park because it was sooooo cold.  Maddy and Ani just wanted to go to the park so we got out and played for about 10 minutes and we were frozen so we went home.  A few days later it was much nicer and we had a Taco Bell picnic and played a long time at the park.  

 This was Maddy's favorite slide.  I think she went down that slide forward and backward, upside down, head first, you name it she tried it.

 Chelsea came and joined us.  Now every time she comes to our house she asks, "where are the kids?"

 Everyone down the slide

On the tire swing

It was such a fun day

Our Thanksgiving Day

Well, this has been a good day all the way around for us.  We began the day by sleeping in.  That's always a great start.  We got up and exercised and began getting ready for guests.  We were delighted to have 3 of my 7 siblings with us, along with my mom and our two sons and their families as guests today. As can be seen in the photos below, we had plenty of good food and good company, and were blessed to talk to many of our posterity on the phone and other wonders of technology to share the day with them.  Among the other activities of the day we availed ourselves of the opportunity for reflection upon our blessings.  Right at the top of the list are our "roots" and our "branches".  What a great heritage we enjoy, and what a bright future we see in our posterity.  Naturally, also at the top of the list is the light of truth that we receive from living prophets, as well as those who have left us the word of God in prior days.  And rounding out the top three major blessings is the great country we live in, with all of it's challenges still the best place on earth.  We hope you had a wonderful day and that we all can live in thanksgiving daily.

 Roses from our little rose garden.

 The Turkeys.

 Melody's Magnificent Rolls.

 The place setting, including special china, utensils, and a guest turkey - made entirely of butter.

 Great sides: green beans, sweet potatoes and stuffing.

The Pies! Chocolate Pecan, Dutch Apple, Blackberry, and Pumpkin.

 The gang in action.

 Mom with half of her kids.

 More of the guests.

And one with the photographer and Chelsea.

What a fun day.

More from October

 We had a wonderful visit with Andy, Saramarie, Adele and Ezra and Emily and Rose.  We spent some great time a home visiting and going on some fun adventures.  Here we are already to head into Fairy Tale Town.

 I took a lot of pictures here but I think this is the only one that has everyone looking forward.  It was so funny trying to keep the little ones in the cheese holes and looking at the camera - I was not very successful at that but it was fun.

 Robin Hood and his merry band

 It is not often we have four of our grandchildren all at the same place at the same time.

These two were so cute on the slide.  I love this video.

 Here we are at the Pumpkin Farm.  I didn't get too many pics here I guess but it was fun.

 Everyone loves to go and see the chickens at Peter and Leigh-Ann's.

 My new ledge that Saramarie helped me decorate

Dad turns the big 60.  Happy Birthday!!!!

Circus Peanuts - YUM!!!!

Quick Update

We had a delightful time tending Chelsea for a few days this past week.  But we also have been busy getting some of the odd projects done.  Here's a brief photo essay.

This first set is of the little performer with her "cane".  It is a cute little shoehorn I bought at IKEA.

 It is coming along, but we still have a lot of base board to install.

 This is the acquisition we made at IKEA.

A nice table for the entry way, with places to deposit shoes.

And, of course, cool shoe horns that double as canes.

 We also now have our gas insert fireplace in place.  Man is it warm.

We also began to clear out the garage so I could uncover the elliptical and get back to exercising.
In addition to this, we have been doing the stuff Peter O. prescribed for us.
I am assuming that this kind of pain is better than the kind that will follow in a few years if we don´t.
We are actually happy to be getting back to getting in shape.