Part 2 of our Fun Holidays

I am so grateful to all of our family for all of their help with cooking, cleaning, and in anyway they could to make our being together a good experience for everyone.
One morning our two oldest granddaughter's (Rebekah and Camille) got up early and cooked a delicious breakfast for everyone. That was so sweet of them.
Our grandchildren made signs for Adam to welcome him home and tied yellow ribbons all over the front yard.
Adam was to come in on the 2nd but his plane was delayed in Boston and they missed their flight out of Salt Lake. The Nelson's (the parent's of the other missionary) were able to page them in the airport and found out the phone number of the Inn they would be staying at.
It was great to call and talk to Adam, the next best thing.
Saturday we watched his flight carefully. It was delayed 2 hours but finally we saw that they had taken off and he headed for the airport. It was great to see Adam and Elder Nelson walking down the aisle toward us, the last ones as usual.
Our family had very little time with Adam. We got home from the airport around two, went to bed and got up for church.
Even though it was Fast Sunday, Adam spoke and gave his mission report. He has really left as a boy and returned as a man. Our grandchildren sang "Called to Serve". It really warmed my heart to hear them sing.
Right after they sang Tricia and Ally needed to leave for home and everyone but Mark and Lilly left after church.
Mark went with Doug, Adam, and I to Hanford to meet with Pres. Evans and Adam's official release as a missionary. It was great to hear the letter from his Mission President officially releasing him.
After Mark and Lilly left for home Adam went to say "hi and goodbye" to some of his friends.
He got home around midnight and spent the rest of the time packing. We left for Utah about 10:00 in the morning.
It was great to hear Adam's experiences from his mission. We really enjoyed the time together in the car until we hit St. George.
From St. George we had patches of black ice, wind, and snow. Ever overpass or truck that passed would throw our car. Doug was holding onto the wheel for dear life. The farther we went the worse it got. We were in a full-blown blizzard when we got to Beaver. We were literally traveling without being able to see the road. Doug pulled over for the night.
Beaver has always been a special place to us because that was where Mark was born. The people were very nice. A continental breakfast was served in the morning and people looked like they were in no hurry to get back on the road. We were told that a truck jack-knived and there was at least a 20 car pile-up.
We got new snow tires and started out again. Things went pretty good until the Tremonton area up to the Idaho border. It was slow going but we made it to Rexburg, Adam checked into his apartment and we did some shopping.
Doug and I spent the night with my cousin Greg Blacker. I loved visiting with him and his family. It felt like being in his Mother's home again. We really appreciated their help and guidance.
Wednesday Adam started his classes and found a lot of friends and his old roommate from his first year. We felt like he was pretty well settled and ready to start his next mission in life by getting a degree. We met his roommate and another of the men in his apartment. Four of them are returned missionaries. One speaks Spanish and another one speaks Portuguese.
It was a great day to travel before the next storm was to hit the next day. We stopped by Ally and Tricia's in a fast hurry and headed for home. We spent the night in St. George and then headed for home. We really appreciated the dry roads.
We were so grateful to enjoy the holidays with so many of our family. Each one of them are very dear to our hearts. We are looking forward to getting together this summer in Lake Tahoe possibly. If that is where Mark and Lilly chose that will be great or wherever.
There is nothing like the time we are able to bond together.

Wall to Wall Beds

Tavis (Jared's son) enjoying being with his cousins.

Reflecting on the past two weeks

The past two weeks have gone by so fast. Every minute was precious except the drive on ice, wind, and snow going to Rexburg.
We loved having part of our family with us to celebrate Christmas. Mark and Lilly were the first to arrive, then Janessa and Mitchell's family, and next was Allyson and Dallin's family. It was great to wake up Christmas morning and enjoy being together to celebrate the birth of Christ.
It was wonderful talking to Adam and realizing that he would be home soon. It was great that he was able to talk to our fmaily that were here.
Later that day Tricia and Byron's family arrived.
The next day Tricia and Byron left for their cruise and we enjoyed spending more bonding time with their children. I love the time we have when we can spend time especially with the little ones alone to build a special bond. When they realize their needs are being met by you and their parents' are out of the picture it strengthen your ties and makes for a cherished experience.
It was fun to have some of their other cousins and aunts and uncles to have fun with.
Allyson and Dallin went over to Pismo on Tuesday to have some alone time and again we got that cherished bonding time with their children. After their parents' got home they still came to me and I loved that.
Jared and Danielle's family came. We had a lot of fun playing games together.
On Tuesday I still didn't know if Heather was going to be able to come. They had tons of snow and being apartment manager it was a rough time to come. The run off from the snow was causing a lot of problems. At 10 that night I asked if anyone had heard anything from Heather. It was suggested that I call but I was going to wait until morning. No more than 15 minutes later their was a knock on our window and all of Heather's children were out their knocking. It was great! Our home was wall to wall beds and it was fun having so many of our family together.
We had children and adults playing the Wii, American Idol and Rock Band. It was a fun wild house.
New Years Eve came with us playing games, eating all kinds of bad foods and enjoying being together. At midnight all of the children got a pan and spoon and headed for the front door to ring in the new year. I wish that I had captured that moment on the camera. They had a great time.
I cut it short because in Mexico on New Years Eve people shoot guns into the air. When we first moved to Corcoran you heard a lot of bullets shot but the police have really cracked down on it. The thought of a stray bullet hitting anyone scares me to peices so we had a short celebration. I heard fireworks but no gunshots, thank goodness.
Our grandchildren had a fun time decorating the outside of our house with yellow bows. They also made some great posters welcoming him home.
We had a zoo at our house which included: our dog Cuddles, Janessa's cute dog and Mark's loving cat Bella. I didn't realize so many of our grandchildren were allergic to animals. Once we got them all arranged it worked out fine.
Part 2 to come another day.

Our Family at the Church waiting to hear Adam talk

All of our family except for Paul, Heather's husband who needed to

stay behind in Portland to work.

They are a pretty amazing group. We love being together with everyone and enjoying each ones special spirit.

Welcome home Adam!

Released On Sunday and off to School on Monday!

It was great to meet with President Evans for Adam's official release.

We left the next day to take Adam to Rexburg to start school on Wednesday.
He is enjoying his classes and renewing friendships from his first year at BYU-Idaho.
We loved the time we had with him hearing about the past two years. It was a short hi and goodbye but we know he is at an amazing school and he is excited to learn and get on with his education.

They made it finally

After a 26 hour delay Adam and Rob Nelson finally made it to the Fresno Airport.

Our welcoming committee

Elder Nelson's welcoming committe
Adam and Rob went into the MTC the same day both going to the same Portugal Mission. They are both from the Hanford Stake. They came home together. It was fun at the airport seeing them both return.

What a wonderful experience they have had for the past two years, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in Portugal.

Waiting for the big moment to arrive

Our grandchildren were almost half asleep by the time Adam's flight finally came in at midnight. Carter and Lindsay

Johnathan and Tanner

The big moment has finally arrived.

Decorating for Adam to come home

Carter (Tricia's son) tying yellow ribbons on our bushes.

Elizabeth (Heather's daughter)

Practicing

Our grandchildren sang in church last week after Adam spoke. Some of them are pacticing in this video. I love hearing them sing.

Captured Moments

Rose (Allyson's daughter) having fun in the cupboard.

Doug, Joshua and Heather enjoying a quiet moment.

Byron and Tricia went on a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. we enjoyed watching their children. When they got home Bradley didn't want his Mother out of his sight.

Family Gift Exchange

Family Fun

Sisters fun

I really appreciated all of the great cooks in my kitchen.

Jared, Michael, Tanner, and Camille got Adam's drums ready for Adam to enjoy when he got home.

New Screen Door

Shortly before Chrismas we noticed that our screen door was coming of the hinge. When Jared got to our house he was determined to fix it. It was time to buy anew door. I love the one they picked out. Thanks Jared, Doug and Byron for all of your help. It looks great!

More fun

Jade (Jared's daughter) playing her version of connect 4.

Ashley, Hailey (Janessa's daughters), Rachel (Heather's daughter), and Parker (Tricia's son).

Bradley (Tricia's son)

It was wonderful to have our family together

All of our family were able to be with us by December 30th. It was wonderful to be together and enjoy each others company. This is Johnathan and Tanner (Tricia's sons).

FUN, WILD, and WONDERFUL HOLIDAYS

Christmas morning at our house was wonderful. We had Mark & Lilly, Janessa, Mitchell and their children, Ally, Dallin and their children with us. We always enjoy watching the little ones excitement on this special day. I misplaced my camera and so I had to borrow this picture from Janessa.
Santa left us a Wii and we have really enjoyed the fun it has brought for everyone.

Gift to Jesus Tag - Thanks Tiffany and Janessa

What gift can I give you for Christmas this year?
What gift can I give to bring love and good cheer?
What gift can I give you to tell you I care,
A gift you’ll remember, a gift we can share?
The gift that I’ll give can’t be bought in a store,
It doesn’t cost money—it’s worth much, much more!
The gift that I’ll give doesn’t come from a shelf.
The gift that I’ll give is a gift of myself!
The gift of charity, the pure love of Christ.
The best gift that we can give this holiday season.
Tag Rules:1.) Post this tag on your blog.
2.) Between now and Christmas do a secret service for someone in need.
3.) Tag everyone!!

Doug had Cataract Surgery

We have had a busy month. On Tuesday Doug had Cataract Surgery and it went really well. He is really happy to be able to see more clearly. We are both very grateful. He gets to go back to school today.
He might have surgery on his other eye in about a month.
Modern medicine is so very amazing. Thank goodness for eyes!

I Love our Young Women

Last night was our Young Women in Excellence. It had to be postponed twice and finally we were able to have it. It went very well. Each year we have a Power Point Presentation of the whole year. I love putting it together but making sure the equipment works stresses me to the max. I need to write down all the hints I have learned each year so next time it will be less stressful.
This is a picture of some of our Young Women decorating for our Branch Christmas Party. I left my battery home last night so I wasn't able to get any pictures. Thank goodness one of the Mother's brought her camera and saved the day.

Thanksgiving

We really enjoyed Thanksgiving. It was very relaxing and we invited Rosa Garcia to join us. She is Doug's wonderful Aide at school. We had the works, the only thing I didn't make that we usually have was cranberries. They are not Doug's favorite. We had a great time visiting with Rosa and getting to know her better. She is a very sweet person.

I spent a lot of time thinking about our family gatherings of years gone by. I'm so glad that we lived near our extended family for many years so that we were able to enjoy big family get togethers. I'm grateful for all of the wonderful warm memories.
The day after instead of hitting the stores Christmas Shopping like we have done most years, we Rug Doctor'd our carpets. It was so wonderful to get that done.
On Saturday we took a break and went to the new James Bond Movie and bought a new rug for our Living Room.