Christmas 2010

Well, it has come and gone, but the memories remain.  We had a new experience this year.  As our family has gotten older, Christmas has changed.  A couple of years ago, for the first time, we had one son missing and a future daughter-in-law present at our Christmas celebration.  Then last year, we had 2 sons missing and the oldest son and the 2 daughters home, and it seemed really quiet and funny to us.  Well, this year, we made up for that.  Our oldest son, his fiance and her youngest son joined us; our second son and his wife were here; the third son and his fiance were here, and our 2 daughters.  It was a house full, but so fun.  They all came to spend the night on Christmas Eve and I finally crashed in bed at 2:34 AM and most of them were still going strong.  It was a delight to see them interact with each other as siblings as well as seeing the new family members integrating in.  I was so happy that they were all here.  They teased, played guitar hero, video games, ate, the girls had their nails done, and we were constantly "loved" by the 5 dogs that also had come to join the fun.  (Thank goodness Ryan and Sami didn't bring their cats!)  Our 2 dogs still seem to be tired from all the running and playing and barking! 
Now we look to a new year - with lots of happenings.  Sean and Heatherly will be married in Salt Lake on March 25.  Then Sean will leave for basic training on April 5.  Lots to do to get ready for those happenings.  But we are thrilled - after all, they have been dating for almost 4 years now, and have known each other since they were small children. 
Ryan is busy writing music and will be going to school and working.  Sami is working on her teaching degree and working.  They keep plenty busy and we don't see them as often as we'd like, but we love talking to them as much as possible and seeing them moving forward with their lives.
Of course, Melanie will be graduating this May and she has been accepted to the Art Institute in Seattle to major in Fashion Design.  If it all works out like she would like, she will start her program in July.  She continues to sing beautifully and wowed the family at our Christmas Eve celebration with a couple of songs. 
Jenna has become involved in Young Republicans and is excited to be going to Boise Jan 7-8 to attend all kinds of fun activities including the Governor's Ball.  She is getting a wonderful new dress (personally sewn by Aunt Margene) that she will be able to also wear at Sean's wedding.  She is getting ready to get back into piano lessons and is becoming a completely proficient driver. 
Wendell and I just plug along and wonder how our children are growing up and we are still so YOUNG!! LOL  I wonder how I got old so fast.  But that is how life goes.  We look at our parents and wonder if we will still be doing so well at their ages (late 80s).  They are such a good example to us. 
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a wonderful and happy New Year in 2011. 

How Patriotic Are You?

I had to ask myself this question a while back, when my son called to say he was enlisting in the Air Force.  We had talks and I finally came to feel good about it, and this past Tuesday (Pearl Harbor Day) we were in Boise as he was sworn into the Air Force.  He won't actually leave for boot camp until May or so, but he is under contract now.  I thought I'd post a couple of pics we got to take while we were there.  I am very proud of him.  He really did the research to make this decision and I think he will do great.  I am extremely patriotic, and so I can only pray that he will do his best to keep this country's freedoms in tact while he serves and that he will return safe and with honor!!  God Bless America!