It’s December 2nd. CHRISTmas greetings!
1) 5 grandkids opened CHRISTmas pillowcases yesterday.
2) Last evening we ‘attempted’ ice skating on Tuacahn’s fake ice. Super challenging, even with my lucky pants.
3) The St George temple grounds are marvelous to explore, as is the visitor center, complete with several challenging video games.
One morning I happened upon the newly displayed full size nativity and the CHRISTmas story told via hidden speakers. It was special.
4) Today we ward-hopped to the McArthur’s. Afterward we broke our fast and Lane concluded the meal with his notable tapioca. Debbie is a spectacular niece and we cross paths at every possibility. We visited with Cade, Dillon and Paige. Curt remains bedridden most days, challenging beyond my imagination. His numerous doctors, altho’ nervous to prescribe continued $2000 a day Rx’s, are still searching for clues that might improve his quality of life. If you’ve got a second to add Curt when you pray for Reta and Gary he would appreciate it.
5) Days, weeks or years can be challenging - it’s necessary for our sanity to find humor and pass it along.
It’s been a good week. How was yours?
Coming this week:
7th ~ We move CarLa to Las Vegas
8th ~ Roy’s birthday
We love you forever!
Week 2 - December 9th, 2018
Greetings to our fabulous family - wherever you may be!
We be in Las Vegas, having moved here Friday. Life 2 hours SW of St George is different. The sun sets at 4:30. Temps are up. We removed the blanket from our bed. More palm trees loom over the RV park. Not much grass to be seen…anywhere. Oh, except the temple grounds.
1) Does this remind you of anyone? Not me, I hope. If so, I repent now.
2) Time in St George last week meant time with extended family. Paul/Angela and Preston/Lorie’s families. (2 of Ron & Phyllis Sue’s sons.) Kids loved 'Boom Boom Balloon’ game. Paul’s daughter Ava gave us a preview of her guitar recital. I met niece Debbie McArthur at school for a visit during her lunch break. Her husband Curt is still requiring round the clock care and her burden is heavy. I stayed long enough to entertain her 2nd grade class and they gave me the Hawaiian wave as I scooted out the door for a pickle ball date with Lane, Paul and Preston. To our adult kids: take every opportunity to spend time with Howell or Creek cousins. They are so worth seeking out and would love to get in touch.
3) Super worthy sign hanging in the hall of George Washington Academy of St George…one of the top rated schools in the state. (A Charter School)
To each of you…YOU are the reason we are here as your parents and g’parents.
4) I like this photo from our temple visit yesterday. CHRIST is celebrated in certain parts of sin city.
Be assured that what we do in Vegas won’t stay in Vegas. (What a horrible slogan for any city to embrace.)
Coming this week:
Tomorrow cousin Stephen blows out 15 candles.
13th ~ Uncle Tom and Aunt Shalaun celebrate their 15th year of marriage.
Week 3 - December 18th, 2018
Freakin’ Fabulous Festive Family ~
1) One week until CHRISTmas!!! Last week I decorated CarLa. It took 10 minutes.
2) Saturday morning Lincoln called and invited Lane to ordain him a High Priest. So we drove up. Carrie’s super excited to sit with 5 kids while Lincoln sits on the stand as a member of the bishopric.
3) I was able to spend Sunday morning with the Gerbers and see Payden WALKING!
Callie is a marvelous singing time leader in Primary and nursery.
4) We drove back to Vegas Sunday night so we could check-out and move to Valley of Fire Monday morning.
I learned that our RV resort is actually in Overton, Nevada (about 20 minutes from Valley of Fire State Park).
Overton wins the award for the best decorated trash cans. Each one is wrapped. Also each roadside bench.
(We found free candy canes offered on this one.)
5) Today I swept off a weathered tennis court and taped lines on for pickle ball. We played until we tied at four games each and it was too dark to see the ball.
6) I threw out my feather duster.
7) I like this sweet rock nativity. But be wise and don’t build your house on the sand ;o}
Coming this week:
TOMORROW Payden is ONE!
TOMORROW Lee is SIX!
22nd We move to Mesa for 5 weeks. Address below.
3165 East University Dr
Mesa, AZ 85213
Week 4 - December 23rd, 2018
Sabbath salutations,
We just ended a 5 day stay in Overton Nevada.
1) Besides playing daily pickle ball we went exploring… ("Double Negative" trench in upper left and upper right photo)
3) Can you read this without scratching your head in bewilderment?
Double Negative is a piece of land art located in the Moapa Valley on Mormon Mesa (or Virgin River Mesa) near Overton, Nevada. Double Negative was completed in 1970 by the artist Michael Heizer.
The work consists of a long trench in the earth, 30’ wide x 50' deep, and 1500' long, created by the displacement of 244,000 tons of rock. Two trenches straddle either side of a natural canyon (into which the excavated material was dumped). The "negative" in the title thus refers in part to both the natural and man-made negative space that constitutes the work. The work essentially consists of what is not there, what has been displaced. See picture 1) for a close up of one trench.
4) We left Overton yesterday and passed over the Hoover Dam. Lane drove CarLa through the checkpoint and over the actual dam. Next he drove her across the new bridge straightway to Mesa, Arizona. I followed along in the CR-V. We’ll live in Mesa for 5 weeks. Then…? Any recommendations?
5) O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Look below for a coloring page.
This week
24th - CHRISTmas Eve (we plan a lowly shepherd’s dinner for 2)
25th - CHRISTmas day
28th - Lincoln’s birthday!
To inform you that Dad Lane / G’pa Howell is announcing a coloring contest using the coloring page from today’s Sunday Check-in.
Contest is open to ALL ages. Multiple prizes are available. Email or text your artwork to us by Christmas night.
Merry CHRISTmas!
Week 5 - December 30th, 2018
Tootle-loo 2018! 👋🏻
It’s good to see you go. How do you feel about it?
Personally I feel that the best is yet to come. Maybe the best WILL come in 2019...I really hope so.
1) Here’s how CHRISTmas day looked for 2 seniors without family.
Shepherds dinner for 2.
Heston & Alta provided paper trees.
Lane refashioned my ring.
We played pickle ball.
A 300 piece puzzle is my limit.
Plenty of citrus trees here.
Baby Jesus got snuggled in the manger.
2) We received 28 entries to our last minute contest. Prizes were mailed on the 27th.
4) Gilbert Temple Friday
5) Jesus Christ -
Coming this week:
31st ~ ladies over 8 finish the BoM?!
31st ~ New Year’s Eve
1st ~ Happy 2019!!!
2nd ~ Michael will be 27⭐️
5th ~ Sadie celebrates turning 3🕒
We love you forever,
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)
Unfortunately sent from my iPhone because our WiFi is useless today.
It’s good to see you go. How do you feel about it?
Personally I feel that the best is yet to come. Maybe the best WILL come in 2019...I really hope so.
1) Here’s how CHRISTmas day looked for 2 seniors without family.
Shepherds dinner for 2.
Heston & Alta provided paper trees.
Lane refashioned my ring.
We played pickle ball.
A 300 piece puzzle is my limit.
Plenty of citrus trees here.
Baby Jesus got snuggled in the manger.
2) We received 28 entries to our last minute contest. Prizes were mailed on the 27th.
3)
4) Gilbert Temple Friday
5) Jesus Christ -
Coming this week:
31st ~ ladies over 8 finish the BoM?!
31st ~ New Year’s Eve
1st ~ Happy 2019!!!
2nd ~ Michael will be 27⭐️
5th ~ Sadie celebrates turning 3🕒
We love you forever,
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)
Unfortunately sent from my iPhone because our WiFi is useless today.
