Lake Powell...very short trip!

Neal and I went to Lake Powell on Thursday and came back home on Friday. My brother, Blaine and his wife, Elizabeth live out there. They have been there for almost two years and we have never gone out. So, now that they will be moving to Oregon, well, we got off our cans and went out there. It was VERY nice to visit with them. We enjoyed their hospitality greatly. We mostly just visited and that was really nice. Hopefully, Oregon will work out well for them. Here are a few pics.

Freezing snowman or snow thingy!

Brian and Brody made this snowman for grandma when they came to visit about Dec. 11th. It warmed up a tiny...ever so tiny little bit and the snowman started to melt. Then it froze solid, just like this. My YW are saying to me all the time "Arlene, your snowman is going to fall over." Joke is on them, it is frozen solid just the way it is. On Christmas Eve, Tif said "Who made your snowman or snow thingy." Too funny, so now I just call it my snow goblin. Thanks Brody for such a good time. The other pic is of the frozen ice on our porch. OBVIOUSLY our rain gutters DON'T work properly and this is what we end up with it. We really need to get that fixed this summer. But, just to show how COLD it is. I am ready for SPRING!!!

christmas day dinner at Greg and Sarahs

Last Saturday we had an extended family Christmas Party. Because of the amount of people, we held it at the activity center next to our home. It was really fun. We missed a lot of people because of illness and travel, but, for those that came, it was a good time. Here are a few pics

Family Christmas Party

We had a talent show from the kids, it was really cute. Jason and Jens kids played the piano, told of their talent for taking care of lizards and, well, just enjoyed jabbering into the microphone. Such talented kids. Derek and Cindys boys sang while Olivia played for them on the piano. Dan and Alyssas kids were cute. Delanie played the piano AND sang! Her brother sang "Santa Claus is coming to town." Very cute Greg and Sarahs oldest son recited a poem he learned in preschool, about a peppermint stick and Dallin said some words that he is getting very good at. Thanks to all who came....see you next year!! Ho-Ho-Ho

Snow...Snow...Snow

We have the BEST snow ever! 11-12" and it is light and fluffy! So fun, I love it. The house across the street has done some Christmas fun with his flagpole. I just HAD to post these for the benefit of Shannon. She HATES the snow.

Thanksgiving

Cody making progress on the stairs. By the time he had gotten to the top he was asking himself why he had ever started this endeavor!


This is what it looked like AFTER our Thanksgiving Feast!


We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Even though it was our "off" year, we still were not left alone on this family day. Derek and Cindy and kids came. Cindy's Parents are here,Joe and Imelda, staying with Cindy and so they were able to come down with them. Todd was here. Kyle and Tif and Cody came and then left for another Thanksgiving dinner with her family. My mom was at my sisters house this year, we missed Grandma Allen being here. They all came down on Wed. night and we played a card game until midnight. I actually stayed awake...just barely. At 9:00 a.m. Thurs. there was a "Turkey Bowl" with my ward that all the guys participated in. All the younger guys that is. Neal was putting up Christmas lights (Yeah for Neal) and Joe watched some of the Turkey bowl. All in all, it was a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone for bringing such wonderful food and to Olivia for making the cute napkin rings. We have MUCH to be thankful for and hopefully we express it regularly. We missed having the rest of our family with us, but will enjoy them at Christmas and next Thanksgiving we will have the WHOLE crew. (Hopefully that includes Shannon and her family. Let's get them closer!!!)
Happy Holidays! (I can officially listen to Christmas music now AND turn on the lights! SOOO Exciting!)