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!

Extreme Makeover-Bedroom Edition-November 2006

We spent the Thanksgiving Holidays in Logan doing an extreme make over for our daughter Sally. She needed more space and organization so.... Rick and I went to work. In Luke's room we added 17 cubby spaces with containers, painted the room and got him a desk & chair where he can do his school work, hooks to hang up his backpack and coat, put more cubbies in the cupboard above his drawers, got him a bulletin board, red throw carpet and then added a wooden strip above his bed so he could tape up his pictures and posters. Last thing we did was get him a new sheet and bedspread. I really loved the results! For the Girls room we had less space to work with but tried our best to make it all usable space (the only thing we would like to do later is get a chest of drawers when the rocking chair can be taken to another room. We painted it a cotton candy pink, put in 20 cubby spaces with pink containers, 2 purple drawers went into a cabinet Sally already had, put up a valance, put up hook to hang coats and "girl stuff", moved the furniture to accommodate the bunkbed that Sally & Andy bought, and put up two shelves( one for baby stuff and another for girls stuff). We also put more cubbies above the drawers and bought comforters and sheets and a dress-up box. This room is very much a girls room and can be changed around later as the girls grow up.

Nell Marilyn Shumway receives a blessing

Sunday, November 25th Nell received a name and a blessing by her father at the home of her Shumway Grandparents. We were so happy to be there. I got to hold her for 3 hours! What a blessing. People in the photo are Andrew ( holding Luke), Sally (holding Nell), Pat (holding Mabel) and Rick (holding Lily).

Idaho Walking Stick

Saturday Rick and I went to the BIG Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair held at Bonneville High School (place where I work) Everything from food to furniture was sold there.

I bought a "walking stick" ( made from Quaking Aspen) to add to my collection. Now, I have one from California (redwood) one from Georgia (dogwood) and the new one from Idaho. There were lots of LDS crafts and new things I've never seen. All-in-all it was a nice experience. The only thing that would have made it more fun was either family or friends to go with us. So once again...come join us for the parade or gingerbread houses (Nov 27-Dec 2 Idaho Falls North Stake Center, 955 Memorial Dr.) we would love it.

The Holidays have begun!

Last night we attended the Idaho Falls "Festival of the Trees." It officially begins the holiday season here. I forgot my camera so here is a look at the program and some trees I found on "google". Next week is Thanksgiving and after that is the Gingerbread Festival. After that will be the Christmas Light Parade. Please come and stay with us and we'll take you to either or both. I'll be sure and take my camera if you can't come. Happy Holidays and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!