A Marry Christmas

Each Christmas I am reminded of the
day I learned that my new
friend Lane was engaged.
It was early in December 1995.
Later that afternoon I delivered a potted
poinsettia to him at his office to wish
him well and a "Marry Christmas".
Seven months later, when his engagement
fell through, he gave me a second chance.
In gratitude I present him with a
poinsettia every December.

Our apartment ceiling is only 8 1/2 feet high so...
our tree is displayed next door.
Isn't it stunning?

This is my actual tree.
A few branches peek out from our
gingerbread boys and girls.

Our nativity scene was also too big for our apartment... :)

We look forward to next year when we
have a tree and nativity in our apartment...

...and furniture...

and YOU!

We love you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Momma & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

Family dinners/Temple Square

We hosted 4 small family group dinners.
Each night was a lot of fun for us.
We took advantage of the close
proximity to Temple Square.

Pretend that the following photos are
arranged in a nice picasa collage.
(I tried to make one, but as you can see...
does anyone have tips for collaging on a mac?)

Ava kept sipping the "Green Goodness"

With encouragement from Steph and Callie
the fourth night consisted of our
more traditional shepherds dinner.

We missed Lincoln, Carrie and boys,
Britni, Brian and girls.

It's good to be home for the Holidays!
We hope everyone attending felt the
spirit of Christmas.

It is the birth of the Christchild that
brought joy to the world and
reminds us of the promise of immortality
and the hope of Eternal Life.

God does bless us, everyone!
Love, Momma and Dad
Carolyn & Lane

Magic number 199!!!

More about the magic number later.

We miraculously and safely
arrived at Puerta Penasco, Mexico.

Our accommodations were stunning.

The place felt deserted in December, and a little cool.
The hot tub was a great place to warm up.
We relaxed, walked on the beach,
ate fresh shrimp, and watched the
weather forecast for the Grand Canyon...

...snow storms on the horizon at the CG.
We moved up our mule reservations,
checked out of Mexico 3 days early
and headed north.
A quick overnight stop with the
Daryl and Cecile Shumway family
of Glendale, Arizona.
( Thanks for hosting us. We love you)

And arrived at the South Rim Thursday
afternoon, December 11th.
First and foremost, the weigh-in!
Here comes the magic number...199!!!
200 lbs. would kill the mule,
and hiking it would kill Lane.

The mule and Lane both smiled :)

We checked into our rim cabin and
celebrated the weigh-in by eating
"battleship" burgers, onion rings
and blueberry pie (ala mode).

Our decent is about to begin...

It promises to warm up 20 degrees
at Phantom Ranch, our overnight
destination at the bottom.

10 miles down the Bright Angel trail
and we are crossing the Colorado
River on mules. Very great!
(Carolyn's perspective; The brown is my mule's neck,
black gloved hand holding tight to the saddle horn
and rein. The army green color of the Colorado
River is seen flowing under the bridge.)

Lane waves his politically correct
"mule motivator" in acknowledgment
of our arrival at Phantom Ranch.

Our little house at the ranch.

A steak dinner,
a sudoku contest,
a good nights rest...

...a flapjack and bacon breakfast,
and we mount the mules for another 7 miles,
this time up the steeper Khibab trail.

Lane is thrilled to be nearing the
completion of this once in a
lifetime adventure.

With our trusty steeds
Johnson and Chester.
It all seems like a dream!

We are grateful that our mules were
both steadfast and "movable".
May we each be steadfast as we
plod along day after day,and immovable
as we hold to our values.
May we all find joy in the journey!

Love you,
Dad & Mom
Lane and Carolyn

Southern California Adventure

We drive from Seattle to Anaheim.
Disneyland, here we come!
3 days :)

We love this show, seeing it twice during our stay.

Billy, up close and personal.

Treasure hunting on Tom Sawyer Island

One day I let Lane do my eye make-up.
He's GOOD!

Happiest place on earth!

San Diego zoo was next.

Can you find the koala bear?

Can you find the elephant?

Any trip wouldn't be complete
without a temple trip.
Inspiring!
(We were greeted briefly by the new
temple president, former public
affairs director for the Church.)

Carolyn's first trip to Seaworld.
Dolphins, Walruses (Walri?) and whales...
...oh my!

Initially we were drawn to the front rows,
AKA "the soak zone".
Three guys kept finding us and
decided to act as human shields
on our behalf.

The evening show was spectacular!

We felt the Christmas spirit as the
visiting choir and spectators joined in
singing "Joy to the World".
Unbelievable, singing about our Saviour
in Seaworld. We loved it!

This morning, December 7th, we
attended church in San Diego and
tonight we make the treacherous drive
along highway 2 in Mexico as we
venture to Puerta Penasco.

Let us know what you plan to do when you retire.

Adios!
Mom & Dad
Lane & Carolyn

On the Road Again!

On Saturday, November 22 we found ourselves
blessed to be in the Bountiful Temple with
Dannon and Mindi Hancuff.
Congrats Hancuff family!

We left directly from the temple
for the great Northwest...

First stop...
Hillsboro, Oregon and the
Clayton and Michelle Creek family.

Next stop...
Oregon coast and crabbing.
The view from our room.

Our favorite "crabbing hole" is Jetty Fishery.

Brian & Lincoln joined us for 2 days of fun.

Oh yes, and Scott came along as
first mate on our pirate ship.

These little crabs were the lucky ones...

...we took the large ones prisoners,
steamed them and gobbled them up.

The boys built a bonfire as entertainment.

Next stop...
Hansen home in Everett, Washington

G'ma and G'pa greet the Hansen girls
and meet Tesila for the first time!

Next on the agenda...

Thanksgiving with the Everett Howells.
Thanks Carrie and Lincoln for hosting!

A few good men,
probably studying a good spreadsheet.

We leave the Northwest on the 30th.

We enjoyed:
hugging 5 cute grandkids, puttying & painting,
eating crab, tasting turkey,
trying 8 different pies, "Dan in Real Life",
Red Robbin, special pancakes, "Pass the Pigs",
attending church and much more...
Thanks Hansens and Howells.

xoxo,
Dad & Mom

Next week, Southern California