What is Wrong With This Picture

Ross and Susan recently made a trip to Idaho Falls

to borrow something from Grandpa Wirkus.

Can you tell what we took?

February Flew By

Timothy was so excited that we were coming to see him--

he put on his dancing shoes!!!

After a long miserable January somehow February just

FLEW BY!!

I spent some time making quilt tops

and starting hand quilting one of them.
Ross spent more time on his painting.
I think it is about done.


We had an impromptu birthday celebration for Caleb

before leaving for Boston.

Where we had a wild and crazy time!!

Joseph and Grandma turned themselves upside down with the camera.

Timothy showed us all his new equipement

and was frankly quite bored with some of it.

He did show off really well for his music therapist.

We spent some time at the science museum where Alyssa

got to touch a real sheep's heart and lungs.

We did our own science experiments at home with

Alyssa's science kit.

We spent a lot of time loving Timothy.

And loving Timothy

Grandma made Alyssa a dress for when she is baptized in June.
(She is not allowed to grow between now and then!)

Ross and Katherine took on a major project in the basement.
They pulled out some old paneling and put up sheetrock.

They spent a lot of quality time together.

(note all the dust in the air)

The end result looked really good.

AND NOW IT IS MARCH!!!!!

Family Fun

Steve, Heather and boys came for a visit.

Alex had me put some extra stuffing in his dogs.
Monday night was family home evening.


Afterwards Zach and Mitchell took and bath.
Apparently Caleb wanted one too!


Becca gave the lesson.

We learned that our body is a temple.

It was a night for brotherly love.

And more brotherly love.

We had an early celebration for Alex's birthday.

He got to decorate his own cake.

We were entertained a bunch by Ben being Ben.

And Ross continues to work on his painting.

Happy? New Year

Happy new year to all.

Ours has started out with lots of snow. Susan has had strep.
But Ross has had lots of time to spend on his latest painting.
And it is looking really good!.

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.