Fun in the Snow

Usually when we go to Island Park it is too work. Not this trip it was just fun in the snow. Yes, snow can be fun.

This bishop arranged with some friends to borrow their cabin and snow mobiles. His family from Utah came up and stayed for the weekend. FUN, FUN, FUN. 14 adults, 7 little children (the oldest had just turned 7). We ate, played card games, xbox, wii, ate, watched movies, ate, put together puzzles, ate, went to church, ate, played in the snow, ate some more and even snuck a little sleep in. Did I mention we ate, way too much. This waiting for the rest of the group to head out on a quick trip.
Helping the little ones with their puzzle. It's quite a challenge when their attention span is about 2 minutes and they want the puzzle done right now.

The adults played card games. Of course he didn't win.

It was nice to get away for a couple of days, spend time with family and just have fun.

Visitors are always a good thing

We don't always have to do the visiting. Sometimes they come to us and that is always a good thing. It's like a breath of fresh air, a shot in the arm of good cheer, a welcome event.

A few couple dropped by and submitted to some food and games. (Audra rocked) Andersons
Jacksons

Boehmes

Visitors from the 67th ward are always welcome.

So how did the bishop spend his New Years?
We are notoriously boring for the event. Most years we are snoring away when the midnight ball drops. We planned on this year being the same. We went to a movie (Sherlock Holmes, a lot of action for sure) then came home planning on making an early night of it as usual. Our son was up playing games and so to be social we played also. Before we knew it the New Year was upon us. Luckily most people can sleep in, except the old folks like us, whose bodies say it's time to get up before the rest of the world. A well deserved nap was certainly in order.

Yes, that really is a teddy bear, graciously loaned to him by his great niece. We had taken the bishops mother to go see "New Moon" then dashed home because the niece and her two daughters were in town. They loved playing with Uncle Syd and talked him into taking a nap, not a hard task to do. They thought it would easier with their furry friend.

We hope everyone had a Happy and Safe New Years eve and day and that 2010 will bring lots of happiness and success.

Gone but not forgotten...

One of the best aspects about serving up to BYU-I is the many friends we made. Each semester many moved away from Rexburg, but our friendship never ended. They are eternal. We have made trips to Utah, California, Texas and even Boise just to check on them. This week some former 67th Warders Jared and Cait (he was in the bishopric) were visiting parents in Boise. We couldn't resist after all we had yet to meet their newest little one. We had a wonderful time. It was so nice to visit with them.

Bishop, Jace, Sister Beazer, Cait, Cole

Almost got the bishop to smile for this one.

Jared and Cole

We also visited with the Brysons. We took a group picture but not with our camera so you will have to wait until they email it to us so it can be posted.

Don't be surprised it sometime you get a phone call with a pending visit from us.

Just like old times

Tonight there was a baby shower for Lise and I was invited. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to hang with some of the sisters from the ward. Of course, the camera came with me. I was only able to take a few pictures before the power went out all over Rexburg. Jenna and Abbie
Katie and Rachel

Audra, Allie(trying to look nonchalant), and Krista

Lise, the star of the night

FYI: Lise's mother and I were roommates a few many years ago up at Ricks College. Small world.

The Bishop was so excited to see the pictures, he could hardly wait for me to down load them. We so miss everyone. There is something special about serving up to BYU-I. We feel so blessed to have had this privilege.

Now to go through withdrawal symptoms again.

'We'll have a blue Christmas without you"

We got adventurous this year, and used all LED lights on the tree. Let's just say it's BLUE.
It makes a statement for sure. We are the talk of the neighborhood. Next year we will tone it down with some white mixed in. It's blue for sure but I love it, (except for needing to wear shades to protect the eyes when in the room).

This weekend our son had drill (Air Force Reserves). We didn't want him to drive down and back by himself and since we are without callings still, we tagged along. Some of the things we did were to attend the Primary Children's Festival of Trees, participate in a session at the Draper temple, hangout with computer geeks (not on the agenda, last minute pick up of a computer for someone, an adventure in itself), attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir 'Spoken Word' broadcast and enjoy the lights on temple square.

Believe it or not we actually posed for a picture. It was bitter cold, but we toughed it out Idaho style, lots of layers.

We will miss sharing the Christmas season with our BYU-I 67th friends and hope it is a wonderful one for each of you.

Have a MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving 2009

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had so many blessings to be thankful for. One of those blessings is the opportunity we had to work with and serve the members of the BYU-I 67th Ward. Even though we are sad to not be up there anymore, we are so thankful for the time we were able to spend up there. We loved every minute of it and feel as if so many of you are our eternal friends. Thank-you for your kindness, your patience and especially your love.
Thought I should let you know how the bishop spent his Thanksgiving, after we had eaten and done the dishes. Yup, he turned the counter into a work bench. So amidst the cheers of game playing (sorry no football, haven't learned to appreciate it yet) and laughing he did homework. No he's not going to school, he just brought his work home. That's just the way he is .

Hope your Thanksgiving was great, because ours was.

I love to see the temple

Tonight we went to the Idaho Falls Temple to do sealings with our home ward. One of the perks of the IF Temple is the cafeteria and Friday night Prime Rib. It's not as good as at 'The Pines' in Island Park but the price is right and usually there is tasty pie to go with it. We try to take advantage of it when we can and tonight was no different. The only problem or two was that it just wasn't the same as going with the 67th Ward. We went with the high priests, yes the old fogeys in the ward. We never felt that way up to the college. You kept us young. Part of being an old fogey is your eyesight goes and with it your taste in clothes. Not really, it just seemed that way. The bishop dashed home from work with just enough time to take a quick shower and shave and dress. He can do it in 15 minutes, only because he has low maintenance hair. When we arrived at the temple, who was standing their but Brother (now Bishop of the 79th ward) Stallings. We chatted briefly and then turned to head downstairs to enjoy our dinner when I noticed (and hoped Bro. Stallings hadn't noticed) what the Bishop was wearing. He had thoughtfully picked out socks, shoes and a belt, then hurriedly donned the first pair of suit pants, grabbing a coat as he went out the door. Blue pin stripped pants and a charcoal jacket, hmmmm, a bit nerdy. We immediately decided to change into our white clothes before anyone noticed. Dinner was tasty as usual. Later, as we sat waiting to start the sealings a wave of homesickness for the 67th ward hit. What were doing in a room with so much gray hair and wrinkles? It just didn't seem right. Interestingly most of the priesthood there had also been bishops of student wards. They could feel our pain and just encouraged us that it gets better with time. We luckily have a great home ward, but it just isn't the BYU-I 67th Ward. You are embedded deep in our hearts and are greatly missed. The church is still true, even in Rigby and the IF Temple is a place of great peace and love.