Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! We spent a quiet new year's eve curled up on the couch watching movies. We actually made it to midnite! I hope everyone has a great New Year! YAY 2009!

Catchin up...

Time to catch up ... It was so nice having some days off and enjoying time with the fam and celebrating Christmas... of course we felt an empty spot for our family that wasn't physically with us, but know that they are serving and safe. AND speaking of safe... here is an excerpt from Kristin's blog of her little experience before Christmas:

...I just finished working Saturday, and was going to stop at Christopher Diamonds on my way home to get my ring cleaned. As I pulled in and parked in front of the store, I saw that the glass doors in front were completely shattered. ... I was trying to figure out what could be going on as I got out of the car. As I walked up to the store, I thought I heard him say they were just robbed. I asked if he was OK. He started walking towards the doors, and I told him who I was (we've known him for a long time). He came out and told me they were just robbed, he had gotten pepper sprayed, and his dad had been shot. Just then the police cars were showing up. I had called Jaron to tell him what happened. My phone call was at 6:51 pm. We found out later the robbery happened at 6:48 pm. I knew I was there very shortly after since the police weren't there, but I hadn't known it was so close! My flight I worked earlier landed about 15 minutes late. Had I been on time, I easily could've still been there when the robbery took place. I can't stop thinking about that and how fortunate and watched over I was!!! ... As far as Christopher Diamonds, the dad will be fine, and both suspects were caught. The Chandler Police did an excellent job! I am truly grateful that I was watched over, as well as the families involved.

So our family has LOTS to be grateful for. But as with all our family gatherings, there was lots of fun, kids, eating, game playing, movie watching, shopping, food, eating out and even some sleeping in.... BUT... then MONDAY had to come and it was back to work... but only for three days, then a few more days off. YAY!! We took WAY too many pictures to put on the blog... but here are a few highlights... Giant bugs?!? no that's just us going in to see the Polar Express in 3D... It was soooo good!All Trent wanted for Christmas was one thing... so I told him I had to turn his request over to Santa and he had to BELIEVE....

Well... I guess Trent was a good boy cuz Santa brought him his gun... he hardly let go of it the rest of the day!
Lots of food... Cute kids...Everyone looking for the pickle... Jadon found the pickle!
Lots and LOTS of presents

From Brazil...

We didn't get a phone call from Brazil cuz Brandon is still at the CTM there, but we got an email the day before...

Hey family, tudo bem? ... I get a christmas breaktoo because today is my pday and tomorrow we are doing a diffent scheduale. We get to watch Its a wonderful life, and we are doing games during the day and watch the 1st pres message at night. This keyboard is REALLY bad so don´t mind any misspelled words. ... Christmas feels the same asany other just a little warmer. I found out more bout Goiânia this week. We found a teacher that was born here and he said it is a really clean city and everyone there is rich and there are a lot of shoping centers. Then outsde of the main city there is only small towns and farms. So thats sounds fun. We got a new teacher this week because they are making him be the presidents secrtary while the other one is on vaction for a month. So now we have a chinese teacher but he has liveed here his whole liife. For some reason it is easier to undertand him wen he talks. Irmão Sato is his name. Well i can´t stand this keyboad anymore so gladd to see everythig is good at home. FELIZ NATAL!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I wish everyone peace, joy and happiness this Christmas day.
Many special thoughts to my hubby, my family and friends and to my family that is far away, and especially to my two stripling warriors in far away lands!
Many thanks to Jesus Christ for all he has done for me, and for being the reason for this season.
Life is great!

KFC and Red Elephants!

My brother came to visit and THAT means KFC!! Everytime he comes to visit he treats the WHOLE family to KFC. He's been doing that for years and EVERYONE sure enjoys it. To add a little holiday flare we included the Red Elephant game. It's just like the white elephant game that everyone plays except all the gifts are red! After that we ended the evening with yummy banana splits. We sure know how to party!

That's a lotta KFC!

Everyone diggin in

YUM!

The red elephant game begins!

Red elephants are funny!

Everyone with their red elephants!

Church Ball!

It's that time of the year again... the season we've all been waiting for.... you guessed it... CHURCH BALL has started!! AND.... boy did it start off with a sittin on the edge of your chair cheerin and bitin your fingernails game! I didn't take too many pics, cuz the game was just too close and I didn't want to distract anyone.... but get this.... three overtimes and it STILL ended in a tie. AND... just a little FYI... Trent made the last point to make the final tied all up score of 44 - 44. What a game!

Here's Isaac (out team is wearing blue jerseys)

Trent has the ball

Trent going for a shot

This is the best pic I took... just look at Davis.. look at that action!

Trent was double and triple teamed a lot

I think this is Chandler

I've gotta bring a bigger first aid kit next time! Good thing the game begins and ends with prayer!

Annual party!

Friday night we had our annual three family party. It's been going on for over twenty years I think and now includes another generation! We always have VERY yummy food, play the white elephant gift game, talk alot, catch up, ooogle over the newest additions to families, sometimes sing and/or have instruments and sometimes play Big Booty (if ya don't know what game that is, don't ask... ya have to experience it!) But no matter what we end up doing it's ALWAYS a lot of fun. Our familyand friends that came white elephants are always funny... ...and exciting! Sharon, Brenda and me Our honeys... Mike, Carl and JerryBrendas familySharons familyMike got Sparkling Cider... YUMSilly us!