Family Fun in November

 

Seth flew to Portland earlier in the month of November for meetings in Eugene. It was delightful to see him, although just for a short time. They are loving their experience in Oxford. The boys really enjoy their schools and they all feel challenged. In this picture, they attended a beautiful choir and candlelight advent service, at Magdalen College, CS Lewis’s college.

We took advantage of Crismon's Veteran status and went out to dinner at the Olive Garden for a free entree for him. We're grateful for so many who have sacrificed their lives so we can enjoy freedom today. Thankfully, Crismon was able to serve his military duty at West Point, not as a cadet, but the editor of the military newspaper there.

Emily & Bronson purchased a home in Madison and moved in the last of October. They immediately jumped in and renovated the guest bathroom, finishing just barely in time to welcome Lynette, Ian, and their two girls for Thanksgiving. They had a great time together, bringing back memories when Emily and Lynette were little and had lots of fun during the holidays.

We attended Julia's play, "North Woods Nonsense." She had one of the leads and she was hilarious! Ondalynn wanted her family room and kitchen painted for her birthday. She and Gary put in many hours painting over the brown wall color to a bright, beautiful white. The changes look so nice.

Cathy Hansen had been in New York and happened to see Crismon and Danielle at church. She invited them to dinner at her brother's apartment where she was staying. Crismon had just made some homemade bread the day before. He brought one and asked us if she would hand deliver it to us. What a fun surprise! It was so good! I'm so proud of Crismon and Dallin in becoming so good at making bread. I'm glad they learned it. Sadly, though, I didn't teach them when they were young, but they have developed the skill on their own.

Seth was generous to give Julia an airline ticket to fly to Portland on Sunday before Thanksgiving. This was great! We were able to love on that cute Dallin for several more days before his Dad arrived. He is at such a cute age, and he let us hug and kiss him all we wanted. It was delightful! Julia was able to go to West Gresham Elementary School and see her 3rd grade teacher, Miss Creighton, who is Kaeley's 2nd grade teacher now.  

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Julia, Austin and baby Dallin, along with Ondalynn & Gary’s family, They were planning to go to Utah, but the weather didn’t look good going through the Blues and a bad snow storm in Utah during the holidays. We were happy they could be with us. Vivi was with us, and her children came later in the day after being with their Dad. Our friend, Leslie Jenkins, joined us too. Daisy wrote a cute Pilgrim’s play for the cousins to perform. We were happy that Crismon & Danielle could take a bus from New York to be with the Williams family in Maryland, and Dallin & Janelle’s family came up from Virginia, so they had a fun mini-reunion together. 

We missed our Johns family at Thanksgiving, but we’re glad they have family close by to enjoy cousin time together. In this picture, 3-year-old Claire announced, “I want to help make Christmas.”

We love being in the temple weekly, attending grandchildren’s performances, and connecting with our family across the country, and across the pond, thanks to technology. We are richly blessed.