The day after. Lance's birthday.

Back to the tree without the presents.

Last night, Lance , Katrina and family came to visit with us.

Then today up bright and early, Becky and I went to town

and did some birthday shopping.

Then later Wendy, Scott and family came and played games with

us and Wendy brought lunch which was nice.

CHRISTMAS DAY!!! The best day of the year because it is celebrating Christ's birthday.

Here are some action shots of Christmas morning.

There was so much to see and seperate.

Luke packed this present around for awhile.

Layne slept in for a little while, and Luke was excited about her presents as his.

Not all of the wrapping paper made it into the garbage sack.

A great time was had by all.

Christmas Eve at our house --We got a surprize!!!

Twas the night before Christmas and who did appear,

But the Black family with all of their goodies.

We were really glad to see them.  Kids really make Christmas.

These are the notes that Koria left on the board on the fridge.

They were very excited and I couldn't blame them.

Friday December 23 - Early Christmas for Derek.

This was Derek before he opened his presents.  He is opening them

early as he will be in Arizona with Marcie's family this year.

Hope he has a great Christmas.

TODAY IS REALLY THE 22ND, NOT YESTERDAYS ENTRY.

Today we went over to see Elise because it is her birthday tomorrow.

The kids got out of school today and it was fun to visit with them.

Notice, the boys are more excited than she is.

We have always called Elise, Chipmunk, so we decided to get her the

DVD of the Chipmunks.  I hope they enjoy it.

She saved her gifts from Becky and Derek because theirs is always fun.

Sure enough she got a game, and some other things from them

and a hooded  navy blue vest and purple shirt.

Wednesday December 22 -- major cleaning day.

Yes it looks unusual.

You will have to ask Becky why the rocker is on the bed in Kenra's room.

She showed you the rest of the pictures, but not this one.

Any fun titles for the picture?

ROCK ME TO SLEEP!!!

Forgot what I did yesterday.

I didn't get a picture of anything yesterday.

Becky is off school for Christmas Holidays so we went to Idaho Falls.

We went and saw Lance for a few minutes.

We gave him some nuts and a orange from Marcie's folks.

This is his office.  I haven't been there before.

Then we went out to eat with Wendy.  It was nice.

We haven't visited for a long time.

Dad is all ready in her car.

Thanks Wendy.

Learned something new in Sunday School class.

You have seen this picture many times.

Today Sister Wilding told us a little about this picture.

Look at the bottom of the picture, The artist used echo canyon

in Utah for this part of the picture.

Then if you will notice above the brown in the clouds.

It is the TETONS.  Isn't that great!

What better place to make His second coming.

I know this is just the Artists idea but I like it.

Becky took a picture of me making cinnamon rolls to give to the families that

Dad Home Teaches.  They turned out fine.

This was yesterday on Saturday.

Wash day.

When I was a kid, wash day was aways on Monday.

We lived in a log house until I was 7 years old and my Mother had to

get water from the creek and warm it up and then hung all the clothes

on the line to dry.

We were so excited when we got a washing machine.

It was still was a long process and took most of the day.

Sometimes we think we are so busy and we have all the conveniences.

I'm as guilty as everyone else.

We wore our clothes a lot more than one day before we washed it.

Guess we all smeeled the same though, so it didn't bother us.

Now I wash on saturday if I can because it is on a cheaper rate with Rocky Mt. power.

Temple day - And look at this PRODUCE!!!!!! Friday Dec. 16

Marcie's parents brought us some produce from their "Oasis".

You should smeel the oranges and grapefruits.

You know how much I love citrus fruit.

I have allreay eaten 1 orange and 2 grapefruits.

They taste so good.

Wendy look at those pistachios.  They have a nice

orchard.  Pecans too.   wow!!!   We are really enjoying them.

We had our long day at the Temple today.  Dad leaves at 4 in the

morning from home and Becky and I get there by 5.

Becky leaves at 7 to go to work and Dad and I go up and do sealings

after our shifts end at 9.  The girl didn't show up for work after Becky

left so I was alone and couldn't leave until 5 to 9 and so I was late

getting upstairs.  Bonnie and Glen were there to do sealings with some

neighbors who had some names to do.  It was nice as we had 4 couples to start

with and wwe didn't have to kneel so long.

I really enjoy doing sealings.

Thursday --"Look Who Came to Dinner"

We had company for supper tonight.  Marcie and Derek were here

along with her parents from Chandler Arizona.

We had a very nice visit with them.  Marcie's parents,

Ellen and Eric were very nice and down to earth. 

They are here for Marcie's graduation on Friday from BYU-I.

Dad got a cool Christmas greeting from Joseph Corbett.

Dad got a card from Joseph and it was a card for $25 of from anything he wanted froom

PMS in Ashton. 

Dad said we need to go up there.  "Now I have a

down payment for a plow."

That got a good laugh from both of us.

I've been busy cleaning today as I have company coming tomorrow

night for supper.

Tuesday December 13--Kedryns birthday

Before we went to IF, I told Dad I had to return my 7 books that I have had

for about a month.  I read 6 of them and one I didn't find interesting.

When I came back in about 15 minutes I had 7 books and Dad said I thought

you went to return those books.

I told them were new.  I have 7 books, but see I didn't have the one on the

pile that I am reading.

It is "DIGITAL FORTRESS' by Dan Brown.

I am enjoying it.

Then we went to IF and Dad got his blood taken

and then we went to Lances and took them some produce

and to tell Kedryn Happy Birthday again.

Monday - Dec. 12 -- Aunt Pat's mothers funeral.

When Pat's Mom passed away at Uncle Tims home, he called me

and asked an unusual request.

He asked me if I could get our church for the funeral.

She was to be be buried in the Rexburg cemetary so it would work

out better for them.  At least I didn't have to provide food

as they went back to Tims to eat.

I arranged the church and got a key to get in and called

the funeral home a few times.

Becky got some easels for me from the library as I had to leave Sacrament

meeting and come home.  I was itching really bad and didn't know why.

After all of the worry, it turned out very nice and they

had quite a few there.  A lot of the relatives are

around here.  I'm glad I could help him out.

That is what family is for.

I called and told all of my brothers and sisters, at Tims request.

Bonnie came, but I was dissapointed that Lynn and Lyle didn't make the effort.

My 3 younger brothers have been on the outs since supper.

Life is too short to hold grudges.

Pat's Mom was born in Tetonia and grew up in Teton Valley.

I took this picture Sunday night of Arnell's Home. 

This doesn't begin to tell the story as most of them are in constant

motion.  Looks a little different from ours.

I like our Nativity much better.

Cristmas letter over e mails

Becky wrote my short Christmas letter this year.

Nothing much has changed so I decided I just wanted a picture.

I sent you all a letter so you will have to look at it.

The first 4 pictures are on the letter.

Kendra didn't have her family picture at this time.

The Welch Family

The Lance Bates Family

The Otteson Family

And then I added one I liked that you may not have seen.

I am very proud of my lovely daughters.

You are special.

Saturday Dec. 10 ---Address those Christmas cards.

I spent most of the day addressing Christmas cards and writting notes to friends and family.

Sister Parle from Aberdeen Scotland, always sends me the first card.

She is a dear friend and I was able to teach her husband the Gospel

and shortly after I got home he joined the Church.

Friday Dec 9 -- visit to If

We went to IF tonight to take Kedryn his birthday gifts early

and to see their new 4 wheeler.

It is a beauty.

We also ate out at Out back.  It has been a long time since we have been there.

Dad likes "Chuck a Grandmas"  better.

Thursday Dec. 8 - new camera

Thursday night Dad and Becky went over to watch Ottesons kids

while their parents were at the Melaluca party.

I took a break from indexing and took these 2 pictures

to compare which one I liked.

Which one do you like best?

I kinda like the dark one.

We are taking these "trees" out to neighbors this year instead of goodies.

We bought these glass trees last year on the after Christmas sale

and the greenery and the lights.

Then Becky put them all together.

Guess you could say we were prepared ahaed.

Tuesday, December 6 - - Christmas cards to send.

I need to get my cards addressed and sent.

Not my favorite thing to do, but I love getting letters from friends

and family members.

Cheerfull things at Christmas time.

I really enjoy my rose lights.  Some I leave up year around.

I got these lights a long time ago at Thanksgiving Point in Utah.

I debated about buying them, but I am really glad I did.

We have enjoyed them for years.

Another fun part of Christmas is to see all of the cool presents.

What Christmas is all about.

I know Becky allready posted a picture of our Nativity outside

but I just had to post it again.

It looked so peaceful after some of the decorations around.

Last night they turned on the tree lights at the park, but I forgot about it.

Arnell's have gone to Texas for a week or so so

we don't have to see their lights for awhile.

Thanks again Scott for making this for us.  We have really enjoyed

it and think we have a perfect place to dispay it.

Someone gets to use the swing in the winter.

Food for birds..

Look at all the berries just waiting for those winter birds.

Our little tree has lots of berries on it.

Notice no snow on the ground.

They had a lot more snow in Idaho Falls than we did.

It doesn't bother me at all.

Temple marathon.

Guess what this is?

You use it a lot at this time of year.

Today Becky wrapped some of my presents.

Yes, you quessed it right.  Scotch tape.

Grandpa left for the Temple before 4 o'clock this morning.

Becky and I left at about 4:40 AM.

Becky leaves a little before 7 to get home for work.

After we get done with our duties (Dad at the doors) and

me at the clothing department , we go up to do sealings.

Today we were the only couple there.

The sealer called us the bunny that goes on and on.

He broke his record of names to do.

We were able to be sealed for 25 couples,

and another woman came in and we did 10 girl sealings to parents also.

One of the couples were from "Dutchland" and had waited

since 1614.  Others were from France, England, some spanish names.

It is great to do this work for those who cannot do it.

First day of December in a 2011.

Tis the season.  Michael and I went to Idaho Falls today.

Grandpa had to get his laab work done and I had a number of

stores I needed to go to.

Wednesday Nov. 30

We have cute little decorations all over the livingroom.

I spent most of this day ordering on the computer.

It takes me a long time to do anything and I usuallu end up getting Becky to help me.