Better late than never

Our 35th wedding anniversary was Jan. 18th. Wow! 35 years where did the time go? We took the weekend off and went to Brinnon again to the house boat. It was a relaxing time and the weather was beautiful for the most part. Cold but blue skies. We hiked up to the waterfall again and actually thought of taking a video of it instead of just still pictures. (I know we are slow learners) There was another couple there who goes there a couple times a month, they said that because of the snow we had in Dec. they had never seen the falls with that much water. It was pretty impressive.

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas

We went to the movie last night and saw, "The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas." It is one of the most powerful movies I have seen in a long time. I'm glad I saw it but I don't think I want to see it again. It takes place at a consentration camp in Germany during Hitler's rule. A German solider moves his family to run the camp, although his family is unaware of his role. The family is isolated and their 8 year old boy has no friends. He see's the camp from his bedroom window and asks why the children are wearing pajamas. No one really answers his questions which makes him even more curious. He ends up befriending another eight year old boy who is in the camp through the barbwire, electrical fence. It shows how the children were brainwashed through the education they receive that the Jews are bad people. The final sceen is very powerful. I recommend seeing it just as a reminder that the Holacust did happen and what hatred can do to people. It is not a movie you feel good after seeing it. However I think those who see it can become better people by seeing what hatred and deceit can do to people.

No longer a slave to the hill

Dad and I finally bit the bullet and bought an all wheel drive car for when it snows. The last few winters have been difficult because of the amount of snow we have had. With the hill we need either all wheel or 4 wheel drive to get up without chains. This winter we broke our chains trying to get the car up the hill after work on day. The car is a 2003 Subaru Legacy. It is in really good condition and drives really good. I really hope we don't have to try it out in the snow this year, but it is nice knowing we have it for when we need it.

One important thing I forgot to mention, It's an AUTOMATIC!

Candid Camera...starring Grandma!

We decided to do one of our families favorite past times "leg wrestling." Joel and I had another rematch in leg wrestling. It seems as though Joel is the only one that can beat me that I haven't been able to beat.

The kids really wanted me on the trampoline and then Jen came out too! Jen and the kids thought it was fun to bounce me around on the trampoline. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY DAUGHTERS KNOW MY PASSWORD AND I GO TO BED BEFORE THEY DO.

Thomas' Baptism

We had plans to leave Thursday morning to drive with Brandon & Heather to Jen and Joel's. Thomas' baptism was scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 AM. On Wed. about 3:30 PM, Mike came into the office and told me I should soon leave because they would be closing I-5 by midnight due to the heavy rain and flooding. I hurried home and packed our things. We had to wait for Gary to get home from the dentist, so we ended up leaving about 5:00. By this time they had predicted I-5 to be closed by 10:00 PM. We were in hopes to get past Chehalis before the road closed. We were just outside of Lacy when Mike called asking where we were. He had just heard that I-5 was already closed. We checked to see if we could go Hwy. 101 but it was closed as well. Our only option was to turn around and go back home in hopes that the road would be opened soon. Thursday morning Jen called me at work to tell me she had found tickets to fly to Fresno for about $130. That's pretty unbelievable since it was such short notice. Jen booked them for us and we went to SeaTac as soon as I got off work to stay at a motel so we could leave our car parked there until Monday when we return home. The plane left at 5:10 AM and we flew to Phoneix, AZ. and then onto Fresno. We have been very blessed that things fell into place like it did for us to be able to be here for Thomas' special day. I am convinced that Lord played a part in the events that got us here.
Saturday morning Thomas looked so happy as he was preparing to go to the church for his baptism. He was so excited that he even had a hard time sleeping. He played the piano for his own baptism which is pretty impressive. He had arranged his program pretty much by himself. His Aunt Alanna said the opening prayer, I gave the talk on baptism, Grandma Biggs gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, both of his Grandpa's were witnesses. His Dad conducted and baptised him. His Aunt Tami lead the music and Spring said the closing prayer. It was such a special event to watch our oldest Grandchild being baptised. He is such an example and it is clear that he already has a testimony of right and wrong and tries hard to make right choices. He has shared the gospel many times to neighbors and friends. I know he will continue to grow strong in the gospel.

Fun with Isaac

Brandon and I were playing the Wii, when he started playing with Isaac in between turns. Isaac has really started laughing. It's fun to watch him as he laughs. It's been fun to see the change in him in the short time they have been here. He really seems to be more aware and notices what's going on around him more. We have enjoyed spending the time we have with him. (sorry, I didn't know our camera doesn't record sound, or I would have used the other one, so you don't get to hear him laugh)

Like all our Grandchildren, we cherish the time we have with them since it is limited, due to us living so far away from them all.

My Primary Class

The new year brings new students in my Primary class. I still have Thomas, Dustin. Teancum and Paul, (4 of the 6 boys I had last year) I also have Madison, Sophia and Hannah. I was surprised how having the girls really changed the dynamics of the class. Even Thomas and Dustin were good. (trying to impress the girls, I guess). We will see how long it lasts. They were even really good in sharing time. I'm looking forward to teaching Church History this year, and learning more about the early saints. I want my class to understand what an important role the early church members played in restoring the gospel. I'm starting my 5th year teaching Primary and I love it.

When enough is too much

Tonight about 5:00 it started snowing again! We have had so much snow this year that I am really tired of it. It does look pretty and if we didn't have problems getting up and down the hill I probably wouldn't complain about it. Brandon suggested that we get in the hot tub, so I told him if he cleared a path on the deck and cleaned off the snow from the hot tub, we would get in. Well he did, so I had to live up to my word and Dad couldn't be shown up, so he joined us as well. It is a really wet snow and is suppose to turn to rain through the night. Hopefully the hill will be fine in the morning.