And the Fun Begins

We had our annual "gingerbread" decorating afternoon again on Sat. (Actually, it isn't gingerbread it is graham crackers glued together and they work really well). Everyone met at our house and the decorating began. The kids use their own creativity and talents and do some pretty cute creations. After the houses were completed, we left the kids in the good hands of Kaci and Alex (thanks girls) and the adults headed out to dinner at the Olive Garden. We had a fun time, but of course the food was very good and I think we all ate too much. This year instead of doing the regular gift exchange, we decided to go shopping after dinner and get something for those who are really in need. So we all went to Wal-mart and each of us bought a gift for a child. (Natures Sunshine is doing a collection for cancer patients this year and so the donations will go towards that). It was a really fun evening, but of course, anytime we all get together it is fun. We certainly missed our two Hawaii families and wished they were here. Thank you family for being the best. I love you all!!

Colton and Matt beginning their creations

Zach testing the frosting
Holly

Jeri enjoying a pretzel

Lorrie
Mark
Colton and Matt
Evan
The young clan working away
Maddy and Ginger
Matt made a whole in the back of his house to put candy.
Zach putting his stash of candy away in the roof
Kaci and Alex just arriving ready to decorate

Lorrie with her finished house
Colton has finished his houseThe back of Colton's house and his stash

Maddy helping her Daddy
Colton tossing a cinnamon bear
Evan and his cute little house

Mark worked so hard to get his just perfect
Kaci
Alex
Alex and her finished house
Kaci with finished masterpiece
These pictures were taken at the Olive Garden
Jeri and Lee
Jamie and Eric
Scott and Lorrie
Jonathon and Ginger
Shane
Gary and JoanneWhat a fun day we had. It is soooo great to be able to get together with the family and do fun things. I know I have said it before and I will for sure say it again, but I have a great family and I love them all so much. I am greatful for who they are and the good things they are doing with their children.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Thanksgiving with the Dibbles

Today was Thanksgiving and it was a wonderful day. Since everyone else had other commitments, Gary and I ended up not having to cook the turkey this year and got the pleasure of going to the Dibble house for dinner. Lorrie had Scott's family come over too and we had a good time. There were all the trimmings and of course we all ate way too much. Thanks Lorrie for being such a good hostess and such a good cook. It was fun.

Lorrie working away and Zac just haning

Alex, is excited for dinner
Zach so excited about having his picture taken

Colton

The "boys" waiting to eat
Scott and his Dad Paul
Lorrie finally taking a break
Bev, Scott's Mom
Alex, Shane, Gary
Alright, it is almost time to eat
Bev and Paul
Ashley, Scott's niece and Colton
Marnie, Scott's sister
Of course, this is Shane, making his face at the camera. Zach
said that he thought Shane looked like a mustard bottle with
that shirt on. What do you think?
Lorrie, enjoying her work
Yummy food

Shane is thinking, I can't believe I ate the whole thing!
Gary taking a nap

Jazzmyn begging for handouts. Poor baby, never gets fed

Thankful for...

With Thanksgiving approaching so quickly I realize that I need to take a couple of minutes and write some of the things that I am thankful for. The first and foremost is my Savior, Jesus Christ, for without him none of these things (my life, the gospel, any of my blessings) would be possible. I am so grateful to know where I came from, why I am here and where I will be going when I leave this earth life. It is nice to know that there is someone who always will love me unconditionally, no matter what stupid and crazy things I have done or will do and that person is my Savior. He is always there for me! The second most important thing is my family. I know that Heavenly Father blessed me with the best family ever. I have been given a wonderful husband who loves me and has put up with me for 40 years. I love him so much because he is a good man and loves his family and loves and honors the Lord. We have been given 7 great children who are all doing good things with their lives, serving others and raising our cute grandchildren who are such a joy to us. I am grateful to know that we are sealed to be a forever family. And what a peace that brings to me, especially knowing that I will see my parents, grandparents, Nathanael, and others who have passed on before me, again and be able to be with them, not just as friends but as a family. I am so grateful to be able to work at the temple every Tues. morning. I never thought I would be able to get up at 3:30 a.m. so I could be there by 4:20. I am not an early riser, at least not that early, but the Lord has blessed me to do it, and I have been so grateful to be able to help those that are coming to do work for their families that have gone before them. What a gift!! I am also very grateful for the good friends that have come into my life. In fact, some of my best friends are my family. They have been great examples to me and taught me so much and stuck by me always! I am just grateful for my life, to live in a day and age where there are so many gifts and blessings that we use and too often take for granted. What a time to live! Thank you everyone for being a part of my life and helping to make me who I am and I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

New Pictures

On Saturday, Eric was taking the Dibble's pictures, so Gary, Shane and I went along with them and got our pictures taken too. So here are some of the pictures. It was cold and the wind was blowing really hard, so it seemed we all squinted a lot, but all in all the pictures turned out pretty good. Thanks Eric and Jamie.

On Wednesday, Ginger had an ultrasound to find out the sex of her baby. She found out, but wouldn't tell us until tonight when we all got together, those that were here, to find out the long awaited news--is it a boy or is it a girl. Ginger, being the creative person that she is, didn't just come and tell us, she presented us with a cute cake with chocolate icing and inside the cake it was either pink or blue. We all had to wait for Jonathon to cut the cake to find out the exciting news. And of course, we were all very happy to find out it is going to be a boy. (Actually we would have been just as happy if it would have been a girl). So these are the pictures that I took of the evening--all of us enjoying eating a blue cake and ice cream.

The cake

The proud parents.

Colton

Holly

Lorrie and Ginger

Alex

Mark

Scott

Maddy, the big sister, checking out the family pictures.

Gary

The kids checking out the video cabinet

Shane

Jamie

Tyler playing with the little nativity
Evan

Double Trouble

On Oct 29th, 1949 Gary came into this world. He was born in Star Valley, Wyoming. Gary was the middle child of what would be a total of 5 children. He had two older sisters and two younger sisters and so being the boy that he was, he learned well on how to tease, which he still does to his kids and his grandchildren. He is a good man who loves life and is always happy and joking. We have all been blessed to have him be a part of our lives and we love him lots. Happy 60th birthday, Senior Man, with many more to come.

How blessed we were to have Shane come into our family on Gary's birthday, way back in 1984. Everyone was so excited to have this little person come into our lives. He was such a happy little guy and even let the kids dress him up in girl clothes (maybe he didn't have much choice)and they even called him Shauna. We all have had fun with Shane. He's been a great addition to our family. Gary is happy to have him take over the birthdays. Gary says he hasn't had a birthday since Shane was born. (If that is the case how come Gary keeps getting those birthday presents every year. hmmmmm) Shane we love you lots and hope you have a great birthday.