Silent Night -- Crazy Day

The day before Christmas started out with Ross going to his last day of work.

He took some gifts to the staff and turned in his keys and computer.


Thus end 36 1/2 years of employment with LDS Family Services.

And then we celebrated Christmas Eve
The family that live in town came for our traditional dinner
but this is a time when we miss have the rest of the family with us.

We ate,
(Heather note the vinyl on the wall)

and we ate,

and we ate.

And then we celebrated the birth of Christ

with our own version of the nativity.

Marissa was the narator.

The kings (Clint and Dave) are still in the east.

Hailey was our angel.

Becca was Mary and Rupert Shane was baby Jesus

(Caleb was a king but came early to visit)

He has had a cold and has found a way to save on tissues.

Zachary was Joseph

Mitchell was our sheep.

Mason was the perfect the shepherd.

Following our magnificent production and singing of carols,

we had chocolate cake and the choice of egg nog, sparkling cider or sprite.

And then every one left and it was just the old folks at home.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

Happy Birthday Ross

Yesterday was Ross's birthday.

Every other year he has received at least one new white shirt.

Now that he doesn't have to wear a clean white shirt every day to work,

he got a new set of sweats and a windbreaker for his walks.

Here he is talking to one of the kids on his big day.

Wirkus Christmas Party

Sunday night we went to the Wirkus Home for their annual -- much anticipated and much loved--Christmas party. We ate German food, read the Christmas story and sang songs. Mostly we just enjoyed being in their home and visiting.

Andy, Janice, Paul, Emma, Phil, Tim, Jessi

Ahlstrom Family:
Marta, John, Camille, Annie, Sam and Hannah

The Sorensens:

Clint, Caleb, Becca and Mitchell

And the Clement family

Dave, Marissa, Hailey, Darci, Mason and Zachary

(Maybe Dave had too much to eat!)

Ross and Susan were in attendance but they were the picture takers not the takees.

Gingerbread House

Alex, Ben, Grandpa and Grandma made a gingerbread house.

It was hard to not eat all the decorations.

Snowed In

We are currently in Portland playing with Alex and Ben.

Steve and Heather have run away for the weekend.

We had planned to go to church today--but

everything is cancelled due to the snow!!!!

This is not Utah!

Tis the Season

Friday afternoon Ross and I went to the Festival of Trees.

It is truly amazing to see the variety of displays.

Saturday morning Hailey was baptized.

Dave dressed (in)appropriately for the occasion.

And then he repented.

Hailey looked like a little angel