Christmas Day Brunch 2008

Jon showing Jacob how to work his new Leap Frog game.

It didn't take long for him to feel pretty comfortable with it. Aleigha likes to make sure she is always where the action is...or she creates a little of her own!!!

We all look forward to Breakfast Casserole and Cinnamon Rolls Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve 2008

Aleigha starts out eating by her Dad...then has to come sit on my lap and eat MY food. I remember Jon used to do that. Is this a genetic trait???

Exeter's joined us for a short devotional (prayer, the Christmas story read from Luke. Aleigha put the baby Jesus in the manger this year), and then dessert. I made Cherry Cheese Pie and Shrimp Dip, Lyn and Ken bring wonderful goodies(fudge, peanut brittle, etc.), and Kre made the best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. No pinata this year. I've forgotton how many years our two families have spent a part of Christmas Eve together. I took a picture with Phil in the group also, but it turned out very blurred.

It's Snowing Again!!!

How is this for a Christmas Eve! Jacob remembered doing this last year and wanted a repeat. Now if all our children and grandchildren were home we could replay that old tradition where the Exeters and the Hartmans go out to the Port area and ride on sleds. Remember???

We Are Late!

It's Christmas Eve and our tree wasn't decorated yet. It was standing there all naked. So-o-o Grandpa went over and got Jacob and they docorated the tree. It didn't take long for him to become bored though and wanted to show us how fast he could run from the living room to the dining room. All that energy is totally wasted on little children.

Our First Big Snow

We had our first big snow for this winter last weekend. Actually, we used to have snow like this a lot in the winter. I remember most winters in Northern Idaho had lots of snow too. Wish our Arizona grandchildren were here.

Released

Phil was released from his calling as 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric last Sunday, December 21. He enjoyed so much serving with Bishop Dave Nelson and Bro. Stephen Gwynn. Now he's serving in a new calling with a new companion...ME!!

Find That Island!!!

For those of you who are struggling during these hard economic times...Jacob has an answer to financial embarrassment. He drew this map while visiting me today and I thought it was a "treasure" all by itself. (He drew it in pencil and it was so faint, I traced over it in a darker pen.) It's so much fun to be a Grammie.

Looking back...

Uncle Kirk sent this to us last week and I thought it would be fun to share it. Can you find Phil without looking at the writing at the bottom? Phil can tell some interesting stories about the teacher, Mrs. Arnold. She was apparently the Superintendant of Schools before she taught in Stites and she lived in Grangeville. He heard Mrs. Arnold used to ride her horse to visit the schools in her district which included Stites, Kooskia, Battle Ridge, and up around Grangeville where she lived. Try asking the Superintendant of Schools to do that now!!!

We're in Training!

I am so proud of Phil's efforts to learn how to use the computer in the LDS Employment Center. He worked on it Tuesday for several hours and then today for awhile as I was training on the other computer. If you know Phil...you know what a big deal this is. (You know he wouldn't computer train and I wouldn't work in an office part-time again for anyone else but the Lord!!!) (Certainly not for money...you couldn't pay us enough!)

Called to Serve!!

We have been called to serve a part-time Welfare Services Mission in the LDS Employment Resource Center in Moses Lake, Washington. Employment Resource Services helps individuals become career self-reliant through employment, education, and self-employment.

Our service began Monday, December 1, 2008. We will remain at home and travel to Moses Lake several times a week. Our responsibilities include training, teaching and encouraging individuals seeking employment. We offer career work shops, assist with resume preparation and job coaching, interview candidates, and assist individuals to obtain special training for better employment. We also help develop business community contacts.

We request your prayers in our behalf that we will succeed in assisting many people in their need for education and employment during our months of service.