Last Day of 2006

Today I say good-bye to the year 2006. But before I do I'd like to post two photo of our families who I was so happy to have in our home during the holidays. I certainly miss other family members but I have 2007 in which to share their time and spirits. I thank the Lord for all my many blessings and express my love and gratitude for them all! Happy New Year!

What a busy night! Merry Christmas!

I happened to have driven by and see Santa in a snowmobile on Christmas Eve. He waved as I drove by.

I drove by him AGAIN on Christmas morning...WOW! ....He looked so tired...but I heard him call "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" so I knew he must be alright!

(these are real photos I took of an inflatable Santa on my drive to work, cute huh?)

Christmas Blessings

What a suprise! Rick woke up on December 23 peeing blood. We spent the whole day in either the emergency room or his room (324) waiting for a Specialist to come see him. Doctor arrived at 8:30 pm and bumped two surgeries to get Rick in. So, at 10pm they wheeled him into the operating room and at 2:00 am Christmas Eve day they rolled him back to his room. He had a grapefruit size blood clot in his bladder due to an enlarged prostrate. They removed the blood clot and a large portion of the prostrate. He will be in the hospital 2 couple of days and then home to take it easy for 4 weeks. He will return to work on Jan 2 as oked by Dr. Tall (who by the way is not physically tall at all) He is doing well and his sense of humor has never been better. Thanks to all the family and friends who have called. He said calls are good but no visitors for the first little while.
The blessings are:
1. fortunately we had not started driving to Logan yet
2. the clinic we went to first sent us up immediately and contacted the specialist for us
3. the Doctor was very very good at his job
4. Sally was here to show her love by giving Rick a foot massage and energy balance
5. Andy and Laron Shumway gave him a blessing before going to surgery
6. we have good health insurance and both the doctor & hospital are on out plan
7. we have each other for support
8. we will get to spend all the time we want together for Christmas
9. it could have been cancer
10. the hospital has people come to administer the sacrament
etc. etc. etc.

My Most Treasure Gift

Rick and I created our traditional Christmas page on December 20th instead of Christmas Eve. We will be at Max and Brigitte's and enjoying their traditions. However, we want to keep this tradition alive, so we did it early. Interestingly enough we both chose Christ as our most treasured gift. Here are the pages

Another great FHE and another good choir concert!

The Bonneville High School Choirs gave an excellent performance in the Colonial Theatre. The music was fantastic and the setting was was beautiful! It is great to be where musical performanances are plentiful. What a wonderful holiday treat!

My Study Skills Class @ Bonneville High School

Julissa, Michelle and Jorge behind Mrs. Reed


Today was a very unusual day. Take my last period Study Skills Class. The students had their homework done in 1/2 hour and we still had 55 minutes of class time left. So Mrs. Reed and I had fun just chatting. I showed them both Brigitte's and Jasmine's web site and they loved them. Mrs. Reed is having a wedding soon and will probably be calling Brigitte to do her photo. I had my camera with me and here is a picture of the Class. These are really great kids!

Great Family Home Evening

We had a great evening with friends at one of the most beautiful Christmas Concerts of the Season. Bob and Ruth Morton, from Snellville Georgia, are here in Idaho Falls visiting their son, Jared (who is a doctor). They were part of our family home evening group in Georgia and it only seemed like the thing to do, get together for FHE, so we did. They have recently retired and are hoping to go to Korea and supervise the "TALL" English for 1 year. Then they are planning to "turn in their papers" and and go on a mission. What great friends and fun people! This was the best Family Home Evening we have had since coming to Idaho Falls. Thanks Bob and Ruth for the great visit!

Night of Fun with Yost!

We went to the Yost Company Christmas Party. It was a buffet dinner with ham and prime rib as the main course. The entertainment was the Blackfoot High School Madrigal Singers.

I met Rick's co-workers and wives and made two new friends, one to talk school with, and one two go second-hand shopping with.

The decorations were great. Notice one photo is a Santa Tree.













Rick won a wireless keyboard and mouse and candy.

It was an enjoyable evening among new friends!

Our little apartment is deck out for Christmas

There is Christmas music on the radio

The temperatures are in the single digits

There's a skiff of snow on the ground

Soon Santa will arrive with his gifts and we are ready!

Gingerbread Houses

The last time I saw the Idaho Falls Gingerbread Houses displayed was when my Dad was serving a mission at the Idaho Falls Visitor Center. The location of the houses has changed this year to a Store name "Town & Country" and the display of houses was MUCH SMALLER and LESS ELABORATE. But I did go...here are a few of them in photograph. I really enjoy traditions and hope this one does not die out!

Morning laugh, Idaho style!

Gone are the beautiful walks to and from work in Snellville. Yes, I do miss the lovely trees and flowers but hey, now I can laugh every morning as I read the many signs along my 4.2 mile drive. Here is the latest one to cheer your day!

Come with me on a visual tour of Idaho Falls Nativity

As you enter the North LDS Stake Center in Idaho Falls you are greeted with beautiful paintings depicting the Saviors Life

Then you look insde the classrooms to veiw themed displays. The first is the Angel Room.
Next is the Shepards room.

Then you go into the cultural hall and see a variey of scenes. I enjoyed the life size manger and the tree with all natavity ornaments.

And then comes the Wiseman room.

After you stop in the Chapel to hear lovely musical groups perform you exit with more paints of Christ.

What a wonderful way to bring the true meaning of Christmas into your hearts this season. Come for a vist next year and we will take you with us. Have a Merry Christmas!