Christmas 2011

Four Grandsons and a Wedding

I was driving back to work from the bank and was forced off the road by police cars going the wrong way on the road.  The cars blocked off our lanes and went into the other lane. Soon some more police cars came my way followed by a truck carrying a Rocket. I didn't find out if the rocket was going to the Air Force base or to the Boneyard. It doesn't really matter. The fact is that I was in the pathway of an ICBM (inter-continentel ballistic missle) and I survived to live and blog about it.

We were going to Maui for Continueing education this year, but through a series of events, we decided to cancel those plans. We went to Las Vegas instead, which gave me a better menu of classes to take.  We walked around a lot as we usually do, and took a few pictures. Here we have the Fountains at the Bellagio,

 And some of the sculptures inside the Bellagio. This one is made from some live shrubs or plants. It was a fall / harvest theme.

This tree spoke to words of wisdom to me.

These are real squash and pumkins. The big one here was 71 lbs.

The day we had originally planned to fly to Maui, we flew to Utah instead.  We got there Friday and were able to immediately spend time with our grandchildren, while Laurel made covenants in the Temple.  Saturday we witnessed the sealing of these two exceptional youngsters.  The spirit was overwhelming as these two made eternal covenants with each other and with God. Here they are coming out of the as DJ and Laurel Dorff.

Saturday evening we went to a big dinner to celebrate the marriage.  Here we see Peter and Kennedy playing in the hallway. I really like the way the cousins know each other and like to spend time with each other.

Hunter and Ben playing at the Tim Bishop home on Sunday.

Little Rock was looking rather dapper and charming just about everyone with whom he came in contact.

And little Cameron.  She loves to cuddle, but only for as long as she can sit. Otherwise, she has to be down and doing something.

That brings me up to date with what has happened, of significance, in my life.  I love my family and the receive great joy in watching the children grow in knowledge, experience and wisdom.  I feel greatly blessed by the promises eternity, pronounced in the temple, that are already entering into my life through the Gosple and through the family.  

Around the Bend comes Number 10...

A different Kind of Day

This morning as we woke up, Kayleen asked if I wanted to do something different. It turns out, an old steam locomotive would be coming through and would be scheduled to leave the train station at 9:00 AM.  So we packed up some chairs and books, and found a place to look for the train. At 9:15, sure enough, the arms come down and a train passes.  It didn't appear to be anything different than a diesel powered engine. 

 So we waited and 15 minutes later, another train passed, but from the other direction.  It also was not the steam locomotive.

After an hour, Kayleen said, "is today the 12th?"  I said, "No, it is the 8th.  This is my five year anniversary of being ordained a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." She realized that the train was supposed to come through on the second saturday of the month and that was to be the 12th.  I told her that sounds like November.
We had a very enjoyable morning. It was cool and crisp, and I was in the very best of company.  And we scouted out a very good place to watch the Steam Locomotive come through in five weeks.

Education Week

We did go to education week.  We did attend classes, but the best part of the week was spending time with family.  Cameron seems happy to see Grandma too.

This is a great picture, Big Rock with Little Rock.  Little Rock was holding court with Grandparents. Seems he approves of all four.

We spent Wednesday afternoon at the pool. Kennedy puts on her water wings and becomes part fish.  She loves the water.

We went to a photo shoot.  I managed to annoy the professional photographer by taking a few pictures for myself.  Here the family seems like a normal, happy family ...

The boys seem to be all polite smiles and best behavior .....

At least until the water sprinkler comes on ....

The boys get soaked in their Sunday best.  The smiles now seem a little more devious than polite...

And soon the whole thing deteriorates into an all out war. Hunter in packing two heaters looking for anyone he can.

The next morning, Peter shows his skills at Soccer

 In Ben's first ever game, he scores a goal early in the first half...

 And Hunter managed to get some frosting on his face.

Lecia Dawn's 85th Birthday Party

We flew up to Idaho for a short weekend to celebrate Kayleen's mother's birthday. All of Kayleen's siblings were there, along with many of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  We had a lot of food and some very good conversation.  Here are some pictures of my grandchildren just being cute.

Rock had a hard time, but he was able to chill somewhat.  

Kennedy and Cameron played outside a lot.  Kennedy spent a lot of time in the pool, even when she was in clean pajamas and wasn't supposed to get in the pool

In order to eat the corn, we had to sit around and shuck the corn.  Hunter supervised the process.

Kennedy enjoyed the fruit of the labors, along with everyone else.

Peter and Ben payed "that tennis" game. It was the first time they played, so they each used two paddles in an attempt to gain some advantage.

After playing hard, it was only right that they were at the front of the line for dinner.

Cameron, on the other hand, mostly looked cute and won over the hearts of many.

Its nice to remember that there are areas of the country that can grow things. I really do love Idaho.

Todd is getting married this week. I need to let his future wife know that he was hanging out with another women. But then Cameron did win over the hearts of many.

A Great Holiday Weekend

This weekend was for Rock Avery Bishop.  He certainly is cute and very responsive, enen though he is only 6 weeks old. 

Saturday I helped Lecia watch the children while most everyone else helped at Tim's house, get ready to paint and re-decorate. We let the boys play with the water table. Hunter, of course, preferred playing in the mud instead of the water table. 

 Sunday dawned, and Rock was looking pretty grown-up and studly in his new suit. Mike was a little nerveous, but pronouced a beautiful blessing. 

 We went to Tara's parents for a nice luncheon after church.  Peter and Ben picked a few cherries and ate a lot of Cheetos.  Monday morning, Peter, Ben and Hunter took their dad and me to the balloon festival.  It was interesting until the wind picked up and through a balloon onto Hunter, Peter and Tim. I saw it coming and got Ben out of the way.

 This is just a picture of the boys hanging out by a balloon that is being inflated.

 I went over to Lecia's to help with the boys again.  We decided to let them paint. It was a great idea for Peter and Ben. 

It may not have been a great idea for Hunter. You can see his war-paint and his hands. What you can't see are his socks. He walked over the top of the picture.  It may have been artistic license or something. 

We went back over to Rock and Carol's house for a bbq in the afternoon.  It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend.  Its to bad Kayleen couldn't be there, but we will return to the motherland in a few weeks.