Shepherd's Dinners

To spread out the holiday cheer we reached out to our children to host 4 separate Shepherd's Dinners. We were in town for the month of December and Lincoln's family was visiting for part of the month so that left only Britni's and Cameron's families unable to attend.  We focused on 3 families per site and simply Skyped Britni's and Cameron's family at the right locations.

Home #1 ~ The Bells

San Moritz Apartment #K306, Midvale, UT

Meredith, Tyson, Taggart, Alta and Heston

Randi and Roy

X & KC

Lane the sheep and me.

a time to dress up

a time for squirt cheese

a time for singing

and a viola solo

Home #2 ~ The Hills

Sandy, Utah

RayDean, Jon, Michael, Darren, fiance Stephanie, Sarah, Joseph & Stephen

Greg, without his kids,

Cameron, Kim, Anissa and Justin (via Skype)

Stephanie, Jerel, Caden, Carlie, Josh and Amanda

Bullock's neighbor, Rick Dennis 

(who'll be joining us on our trip to Hawaii in January '14)

Lane the sheep and me

a time for chicken crescent sandwiches

and piano sing alongs

a time for trumpeting the birth of our Savior

and skyping with the Oregon Howells

Home #3 ~ Our San Mortitz Apt

K302 in Midvale, UT

Jerry, Erin, Ava, Brennan, Kaelyn

Britni, Brian, Dalia, Tesila and Rockwell

Callie, Rayson, Raylie and Chloe

Jami and fiance Chris

Lane the sheep and me

a time for finger foods

a time for picnicking indoors, on the floor

a time for skyping the Washington Hansens

and for remembering the baby Jesus

a time for smiles

Home #4 ~ Thomas Howell Home

Centerville, UT

Lincoln, Caroline, Matthew, Scott, Luke, Maggie & Isaac

Tom, Shalaun, Emeline, Audrey, Slater and Adelaide

Sam, Jamie and Lee

Lane the sheep and me

a time for Christmas pageants

and holding loved ones close

I declare Peace on Earth and Joy to the World 

because of Him.

Jesus Christ IS the gift!

...Merry CHRISTmas everyone...

Thanksgiving 2013

Here are a few scenes from our 2013 Thanksgiving 

celebration at the Laketown Lodge.

8 bedrooms, 7 baths, sleeps 50 (we had 55)

Gobble-gobble.  

That's turkish for:  "We have much to be thankful for!"  

Thankful that X made these cute 'photo booth' visuals.  

Amazed that Callie prepared 216 deviled eggs…

all because she didn't want Momma C 

contaminating them with pickles.

Grateful that kids like to color...

and Ave likes whipped cream. 

It was so fun to watch Tom's family perform during 

"Talent Sharing Time".

Glad that X (and Greg) mapped out the family 5K.

EXTREMELY thankful that GREG & kids were with us. 

(Crepe paper party decorations were in honor of 

Jamie Howell's birthday, Nov 29th.)

Erin & Jerry look puzzled.  (KC wins the contest!)

Coloring contest.

Adams Family 

We appreciated the addition of Alta, Tagg...

...and Heston. 

Cooking for 55 was non-stop.

Thankful that Britni planned kids crafts.

I love to color! 

And wear a silly hat.

Our thanksgiving was thrilling and tasty.

The only downside was missing Cam and Linc's families. 

A slice of November

NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

How much fun can a person have in one month?  

What amazes me is that I have this much fun every month, 

time and time again.  I'm getting tired from so much fun.

A new sweet granddaughter

Leaf fight!

Great food with gracious hosts

Painting above the stairs?  No problem.

Breakfast at...

...with lifetime friend Margaret.

(Nevermind I got sick the following day.)

At least I found a nice place to be sick.  

Cabin stay up Provo Canyon with the Hulls 

(senior missionaries we met in Manila).

Newly engaged bowling partners.  

Chris meets the in-laws.

We moved! 

San Moritz Apartments.  

Many hands make light work, up 43 steps.

It is complete!  

Lane crocheted this CHRISTmas afghan for my mother.

TOFW - Time Out for Daughters.  

Sadly, what we remember most was the laborious lunch fiasco.

Time with cute grandkids!

(Hello Jami, thanks for reading!)

More fun to come...

THANKSGIVING 2013