Facebook | Ellynn Willmore's Photos – washington

Facebook | Ellynn Willmore's Photos – washington

Dec 2007 ColoradoBennetts in BG

Happy Birthday!!!

Sorry Darla, Happy Birthday!!!!!

late birthday wishes again!!

wow!!  i am batting 1000.  so how many birthdays can i miss?  happy late birthday darling darla.  i hope you had a great birthday one more year of youth.  we missed you for Christmas!  i hope you have a fun new years eve, ours is shaping up to be pretty low key, like going to bed by ten.  i doesn't help that our only friends are in the hospital, so we aren't really in the mood to party it down, if you know what i mean.  oh well next year.  leash i am so excited for you.  well i'll be excited for you in august when the good part of the whole thing happens.  love all...............me

Great News!!!

Dear Family,

You will have to put up with me writing this because Alicia never gets a chance to. Anyway we were about to go over to Jess' house on Christmas Eve and everyone was putting their shoes on at the front door and Alicia says "I've got something to say" and then someone said "Your pregnant" and she said "Yes"! Well that was it, quit matter of factly! They found out the day that they signed on the house and they were going to start trying in a couple of months, so a little of a surprise, but very excited! She is due around the 2nd of August and Alicia says that it is a girl, but the girls and of course LKev says that it is a boy! We of course are thrilled! We had a wonderful Christmas and Kev always has off the week in between Christmas and New Years and so we are still having fun and I'm wishing that he didn't have to go back! Lyd is doing great in China, of course who wouldn't, she is staying in a 5 star Hotel where they do her laundry for her, she has daily massages, the company that she is working with gives her 4 people to help her do her work, plus wine and dines her! Rough life! She got stopped in the bathroom the other day by three girls that wanted their picture taken with her. They told her that she was sooo beautiful! She is the only white women within miles and the fact that she is 6 foot gets her a lot of attention. She is always having men coming up to her motioning to her to stand back to back so they can see who is taller. She always wins she says by an inch or two. Anyway she says that she is having fun but ready to come home, she misses Nick, you notice she didn't say me and her dad and sisters! Anyway I hope that you all had a nice Christmas and have a Happy New Year! Love you all Aunt Jack

ColoradoBennett

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. The kids and I had quite an adventurous one! On Nov. 5th, the day Meagan and Cory signed on their new house, Adam came home to find me raking leaves and crying my eyes out. Geof. got word and like the sweet, thoughtful brother-in-law that he is, he was able to get "guest passes" for the kids and I to fly up to WA. I wanted to be there while the Stinchfields were there, but I knew flying anytime near Christmas as a "non-revenue" ticket holder was going to be a problem. I decided I wanted to be up there so badly that I would walk if I had to. The trip out there was so easy, it was almost scary. We were late to the airport, there was a little trouble with the check-in, a lengthly search through security, then a trip to the bathroom, and we walked right onto the plane. Only one dirty look the whole way there (I tend to measure things by how many dirty looks I get. For example, when going to Costco with 9 children and 4 moms/grandma there is always a few dirty looks. Meagan says she never notices dirty looks and truly believes that all people, even the grumpy ones in Costco Food Courts, love her children as much as she does). The way home is going to be difficult to describe. Imagine a mother, three children, two strollers, three carry-ons, being told by overworked, stressed-out United associate #1 that the fifth and last flight of the day was over-booked and she wasn't on "the list". After spending 10 hours in the airport that day it was all I could do to hold back the sobs, but a few tears trickled out. The kids really did well. Tristan took two naps, Kaia took one (this was accomplished by walking up and down the concourse with the strollers until said child fell asleep). The cookies Le Anne made for us were a huge help. We spent most of our time eating or playing imagination games. I felt horrible that Le Anne had to drive all the way back to pick us up. Sierra's biggest complaint about the day in the airport was that, "We missed out on a lot of playing!" Then the next morning she drove us there again at 3:30 a.m. This time I had overworked, stressed-out United associate #2 chew me out because I didn't have the paper ticket I needed and according to her I had no flight privileges whatsoever. I was ready to give up, but Le Anne told me I had to keep trying find a more helpful person to talk to. The fourth employee I talked with was very kind, but the fact of the matter was that I needed more approval from Geof.'s company before I could fly. Too much time had elapsed and there was no chance of catching the 6 a.m. flight anyway. At this point overworked, stress-out United associate #2 came over and chewed out the nice employee for wasting time helping me. Le Anne was still near the airport and came to get me again. Finding a flight home before Christmas was looking terribly grim. I have a friend who is both generous and wealthy. Her philosophy is "the more you give, the more you get." She offered to buy tickets for the kids and I to get home. She said I would be doing her a service by accepting her offer because she knew the Lord would bless her far beyond the cost of the tickets. I prayed about it and talked to Adam (was he going to say "no" to his wife who wanted to be with him for Christmas, even if it meant dropping all pride and accepting help? nope). We accepted her offer. The flight home on Christmas Eve Eve as a paying customer was delightful. Adam didn't have any trouble picking up our luggage which had been waiting in Denver for us for 4 days, loading it in the car,then coming back in for us.
But in between all that airport time, was a wonderful trip with family. It was heart wrenching to learn that our friends, the Eppersons (Rob and Patti), are struggling with cancer. I'm glad I could be there for Patti's Sunday School lesson. As far as I know, Rob, will be going in for chemo. They have 5 children, the youngest are twins about Tristan's age. Patti's lesson was about trust. She talked about all the other times in her life when the Lord had blessed her abundantly for being obedient. "Then why now, why during this trial would I have any doubt that He will continue to bless me?" There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Then Le Anne sang a beautiful song. The Spirit was so strong, I am so grateful that I was there. It was so fun to watch Meagan and Cory play soccer, play with the Stinchfields (Sawyer is such a handsome, little momma's boy), go for walks/picnics in the rain in 34 degree weather, make a whole batch of useless peanut butter centers (I really messed up, and Meagan had to put all my work back in the bowl and fix my mistake), have Jane give me the invaluable gift of willingness to watch my kids while I nap, go hot tubbing with 9 splashy spazzy kids, eat a fancy dinner on the fine china with Brind in attendance, go to the Temple, have two of my kids puke in two cars that aren't mine, watch salmon swim upstream and try to jump waterfalls, and enjoy the indescribable hospitality of my amazing mother-in-law (she got very little sleep the whole time we were there, she stayed up making us cookies, doing our laundry, ect. I'll never be able to adequately describe how much I appreciate her!).
We brought some nasty colds home with us and passed in on to poor Adam. He's resting on the couch, watching "Beyond the Limit" about climbers on Everest, saying that is where he wants to die. That is the scariest thing imaginable to me (remember "Vertical Limit"? I often have nightmares about falling into a cravace).

Seattle Bennett living in Colorado

This is short Mindi and the kids just got back into town and it seems as if all of us have a touch of something or another so its time to sit down watch some good Christmas movies and sip wassel.

Happy Birthday Darla

Love Us

Crabb's Santa

We stopped by my parents house tonight because my mom called and said Santa had stopped by to get his picture taken with the grandkids. Santa is really my Dad but all of the kids are convinced that their Grandpa is the real deal!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone from the Crabbs!

p.s.

if i was with you i would make you a chocolate sour cream cake too. jason's turned out fantastic. i was a big hit!
me again

Happy birthday darla

Dear Darla, i hate your stinking guts. you make me vomit. you are scuuuuuum between my toes.
love, ... wait. i didn't say that. that's not why i'm writing!
This month is such a special one, it's birthday time for you. we'll sing a song that we all know. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!
i love you darla!!!
ellynn

Rigby Christmas Card!

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope you’ve all had a happy, healthy year. We’ve had a pretty eventful year: we’ll start with Lydi.

As we speak she is somewhere in a cold (cold like the Moscow in “The Saint” as she puts it) drafty un-OSHA friendly warehouse in China. She showed us pictures from last time she was there and in one she was wearing this huge mask. I’m like –in shock- “What happened that day?” “Oh we’re supposed to wear them all the time; she said “the dust from the bowls is bad for your lungs.” So a very Merry Christmas to our emphasemic sister! Anyway besides that it’s been pretty cool for her. Crystal Tones has been pretty good to her and she travels quite a bit. She’s been to New York, New Mexico, Seattle, Germany and China, just to name a few, in the past year. She still paints and is the most artistically talented person I know! Seriously!

Jess and Tony have had a great year as well. They welcomed a new addition to their home this year; a new roof! Seriously though they really did have to redo their roof themselves- just ask Tony how exciting it is to be a homeowner! They were bless with a little angel baby, Indie Marie in March. Jess still works part time at Fusion and Tony is still busy as ever working full time at Lakeview Hospital and going to school. They are the most patient parents I have ever seen and Jess is constantly showing us up- She’s already skinnier then she was before she was pregnant. But it’s been that way my whole life why should things be different now? Moving on….

Kev and I are still reeling from our whirlwind move this month. We sold our house and moved into another one all in about 3 weeks. I’m not going to lie- it hasn’t been fun. I have one strand of lights that lay upon my mantel and that’s as good as it’s going to get!
Kev still works (a lot!) for Hatchco; they have opened a retail lot and now are doing both wholesale and retail. I’m still having a daily party with the girls. Chloe turned 4 this year and Madison turned 2. Anyway we have been extremely blessed this year and we still can’t figure out why!

Mom has had a great year and is still 40 lbs lighter then last year. She still cuts hair and also helps tend Indie. She and Dad still love their trailer and spent their two week vacation and any other time they can, moving from one Camper World to another.
Dad is so close to the finish line at work he can smell it. He only has 3 more months until his 30 years are up at the School District. The other day he came home from work in a great mood. When Mom asked what his deal was, he happily told her that he got to “dig ditch” for a while that day. We don’t know what he’ll be doing when he retires, but I can pretty well guarantee he won’t be doing it from behind a desk!



Anyway, we love you all. Merry Christmas
From the Rigbys, Hatchs and Smiths!

birthday boy

jase i am the worst sister-in-law.  i am so sorry, but really i didn't want you to get all of your birthday wishes in one day.  so happy birthday.  i think you are the greatest 23 year old in the whole world.  oh wait brind in 23 too.  i guess you both are pretty cool.  i can't wait until elly finally convinces you to move up here so that you and cory can be best friends. 

love..............me

Happy Birthday Jason

I hope you have a great birthday! Please forgive Ellynn if your cake turns out terrible and completely wrong. She is worried and called and tried to get advice but Meags and I are clueless. I hope, despite the cake, that your day is great. If you transpose your age you would be Meagan's age!

Love, Brooke, Mike, and kids

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Dear Jason,

Hope that you have a wonderful Day!!! And for all of you that haven't heard the "Sister's Party" is at my house Sunday! There are food assignments and you can ask you Moms or call me! Love you all and hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas! Love Aunt Jack

JASON!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 23rd...?

You're so young! Happy Bday Jason. If we were there we'd give you a big HUGE hug because we know how much you love 'em! Have fun!
luv, geof., darla, cole, dayne, and junie bug

Happy B-Day j-daaawg!

Happy birthday my friend! I was going to skype you a great live performace of "happy birthday mr. jason-dent", but my camera is on the fritz. So it'll have to wait till later. Hope all is well... and have a fantastic day!
luv cor meags and co.

ColoradoBennett in BG

Happy Birthday, Jason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or should we say:

Hyvää syntymäpäivää

We hope your day is joyful, delightful and your sour cream chocolate cake is delectable. We love you.

My little christmas elf...

More pictures...

from Chelsea and Joey's big day!

12 days of Christmas...

>> http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

So that's where holiday traditions come from...

hilarious video from youtube. if anyone has a youtube account and wants to post it straight to the page that would be cool. otherwise here's the link for you to click. enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjJCIbC9sxA

provo gang

Va Winter

Here's some more recent pics. I found June with this crown on her head a few days ago...thanks to Dayne. My friend dyed my hair a dark chesnut brown a couple weeks ago. It's lighter now than the picture, but I LOVE it. I also love my old school Fleetwood Mac shirt I'm wearing. On Cole's bday he got a hulk costume, a Spiderman costume (he's wearing), and a batman costume. He was so excited he was shaking. We cut up Dayne's binkie, but she still manages to find June's (as seen in pic) and pop them in her mouth. We thought this pic was just too classic to pass up..Cole's mask, a diaper (we're tired of cleaning up messes), and a newborn binkie. Too funny. Hope all is well. The weather here has been in the 70's. We're not complaning. (: We're excited for Christmas! love to all. ~Darla

Bavaria

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? for Christmas, wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? when we were in Georgia and live were as expensive as fake I broke down and bought a fake tree. It works well though because we can decorate for Christmas and leave for vacation with everything still up.
3. When do you put up your tree? as soon as my kids nag me enough. This year Jane and Sadie set it up all by themselves while I sat on the couch (I did decorate it).
4. When do you take down your tree? 1st week of January
5. Do you like eggnog? way too much
6. Favorite gift received as a child? ski lessons, then my beautiful birkenstocks
7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, the coolest one ever, it was made by a mission in Poland. A couple of others as well.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My husband, I always want to get something he will like but not think of but he has very specific lists. I think he feels the same way about me.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My husband as well.
10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? some ugly socks- a long time ago
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? it depends on the year. Every three years or so I send them, no this is not going to be one of those years.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life and The Family Man
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? mid-November
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? ummm...yes but not to family
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? dad's whole wheat pudding, dad's fruitcake, mom's chocolates
16. anyone notice there's no 16?
17. Favorite Christmas song? listening to The Messiah
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? I love Christmas both ways as long as Michael and my kids are with me. We do like the vacation part with extended family.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? since I was three, I was amazing
20. Angel or Star on top of tree? nothing, same as Adam, I haven't found anything I like. I lean toward stars.
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? I pretty much wheedle all surprises out of everyone well before Christmas. But, one Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? not having my husband here, Wal-mart when all you need are batteries. I pretty much ignore the idea that some people don't want to celebrate. That's offensive to me.
23. What I love most about Christmas? Everything, the mood, the music, the giving and getting, the food, the family nativity, the Christmas Devotional, playing for two weeks straight, Christmas lights. It is magical.

Seattle Bennett living in Colorado

First off sorry Chels for missing the wedding and Joey welcome to the chaos.

Geof I'm am so happy you passed your test I remember this time last year running out to the airport with whatever food I could bring with me picking you up and bring you home, feeding you some more putting Mindi and the kids to bed then heading out to play until the wee hours of the morn. Mindi and I were so worried about our little holocaust surviver look a like. Wow a year goes by fast.

Well I am very excited for the Washington crew to have Brooke and the girls + 1 boy. Mindi and the kids are so excited to go my only worry is that they may not come back. Mindi is so tired of waiting for the house to sell as am I, I can hardly stand it. Of course the job is still here and the bills are paid and we have great friends so it makes being away from home more bearable.

Today was a snow day with my truck wrecked and in the shop I am stuck in an extended cargo van I spitefully call the raper because thats what they drive. we have gotten hammered with snow and as I started to work this morning one by one all my sub-contractors started to call and cancel and by the time we (Miguel and I) had made it to the gas station I was relieved of my duties of the day. now here comes the sad part, my boss is out of town and I did not hurry home toss the snowboard in the truck(Mindi's) and head to the nearest ski resort of which i have a free pass to thanks to the Warren Miller Film, and enjoy and day of fresh tracks mid-week line free lifts and powder shots that could kill. No instead I ran around getting caught up on things that I normally don't have time for and got home at about 2. This is actually making me more sad as I write this, the planets aligned and my broken spirit could not free its self, I think I'm going to be sick.

now the 20 some odd questions about Christmas.

wrap it in whatever I just hate the hard plastic need a knife to cut open almost chop your finger off packaging everything seems to come in

fake tree, you want the smell get air freshener, no needles, no beautiful trees that if they had a root ball on them would cost you $160 dollars and look half as nice being cut down and dieing before Christmas even arrives despite cutting the bottom off and putting the special packet of water

put the tree up when you have time take it down when you have time soon it will be rite after halloween and just before valentines day

eggnog heck yes I love that stuff it makes me sick to even take a swig but I'm a nogaholicand whats this 1/2 and 1/2 stuff its suppose to be thick thats what makes you sick

I cant remember my favorite gift as a child but my favorite one as an adult was a present dressed up in a little red velvet outfit which I did open on Christmas eve and still play with as much as she will let me

lots of Nativities I would rather have a Nativities than Christmas tree it better represents the season

I like buying for everyone and I usually start keeping track of what I want to buy someone months before hand

Any of my Kids between 2 and 4 they love everything so rite now Kaia

I have yet to get a bad Christmas gift but when I do I will re-gift to one of you

I married little miss i can do everything and make it look easy so of course mailed Christmas cards but if it were up to me you all would just have to know I'm thinking of you

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

I started shopping this year in September

I'm not sure if I've been regifted but I'm about to start recycled gifts with Sierra wanting a new bike when her old one is practically brand new (anyone for next year)

dark chocolates preferably Mom's (not the just the ones she made but the ones she got and is squirreling away for herself later)

White Christmas by the man himself Mr. Crosby

travel I want a palm tree with lights and white sand instead of white snow

one has a red nose

nothing on top can't find anything i like

how can you open presents on Christmas eve santa hasn't come yet

the most annoying thing is people fighting to make people take down nativity scenes, Christmas lights or anything that has to do with Christmas so the 5% of the population that doesn't celebrate Christmas might not get offended and the .00001% that are offended can take away my freedom

My kids, my wife, my family, my Savior, and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

Provo

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? gift back. i could never wrap as good as meagan so why try?
2. Real tree or artificial? Real! i don't care about the pine needles, the smell is worth it!
3. When do you put up your tree? whenever they start getting cheaper cuz it's close to christmas. i married a geof.
4. When do you take down your tree? when it's dead and might start the house on fire
5. Do you like eggnog? YES! but it's gotta be mixed with milk or it's too much.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbies, skis, makeup. but my favorite to this day is the bath and body works lotion in my stocking. santa tried to save a buck one year and we will never let him live it down. what is christmas without bath and body works? Miserable!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Not yet. i have a tiny porcalin (can't spell) thing of mary, joseph and baby jesus but i want a real one. maybe we'll take one of adam's seven.
8. Hardest person to buy for? Adam. what do you buy someone who buys everything he wants within my price range to give him?
9. Easiest person to buy for? my neices if it's pink or glittery, they love it!
10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? cheap lotion the year santa didn't go to bath and body works.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? uh....right. i'll receive either but will send neither
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf or white christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? about mid december
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? i'm sure i have. i am a huge fan of regifting!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? dad's pudding or mom's chocolates. oh and RIISI PURRO!! (finnish rice pudding) so deliciouse!
16. anyone notice there's no 16?
17. Favorite Christmas song? Too many to name.
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? anywhere family is, as long as it's not disneyland at christmas. shoot me!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? who can't?
20. Angel or Star on top of tree? I have a beautiful silver angel but it's not on our tree yet because we dont' have one yet.
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? new christmas pajamas on christmas eve and the rest in the morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? crowds in the stores
23. What I love most about Christmas? being with family. snuggling down with some hot chocolate, a puzzle and a good movie. remembering what it's all about.

va.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipppppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddd
i passed my recurrency and it feels so great i want to throw up. i think i shall. i have dreaded having to return to st. louis for my annual check ride ever since i left. i am grateful for the prayers i definitely needed them. mom i'm sure was praying more that i would keep flight benefits than anything else. j/k. oh i'm gonna go assume the fetal position now. i hated that. hope all is well. we miss you all. it was especially sad that we couldn't make it out for the wedding. once again the crappy trainings fault but oh well. peace out and happy holidays. merry Christmas. yeeehhaaa. can you tell i just finished the filthy stupid check ride?

bg big house

monie, sorry to hear about the miscarriage. you will be in our prayers. in fact you all are each night. i glad it was a less invasive surgery. hope the recovery is quick and painless.
it was so fun to see all of you--get to know roger better. i can see why cortney likes him. and little indie is so sweet--hard not to take a little nibble. chels and joey congratulations once again the wedding was great. and your little boys issac and keaton are beautiful. i love visiting with my sisters and my sweet sweet elly. alicia and little kev your new house is beautiful and monie and cameron all the christmas decorations are wonderful. i loved the christmas pageant in the barn with jack and her girls and the chickens. joanis body pump class. lunch with the sisters and nieces and kids. and the talks with my sisters and getting caught up. too bad paula and i can't talk and get to bad before 3am.
i made my pilgrimage out to g'ma's house. i can't believe--sidewalks and a stoplight--really? it smaller than i remember even when we lived in it. whenever they ask me about one of my favorite christmas memories i always think of the year we all met out in g'ma's barnyard. there had just been a fresh fall of snow. i don't think i had told you what we were doing, only to dress warmly. we had hot chocolate for you and i remember hearing the jingling of the bells on the horses as they came up the street. they were so big. they drew the wagon into the barnyard frost all over their muzzles--is it muzzles on horses? we all climbed on and went caroling up to uncle rulon and aunt sally's. it was so fun especially when chelsea kept saying that it was the best christmas present ever. you all made it so worth it. you all do every time we come into utah. we have the best family!!
while i was sitting there thinking i looked over toward the barn and there was uncle sharm working on the old tractor. we had a good visit. he showed me the special parts uncle sterling had machine tooled and nickel plated for him for his old cadilac. it was amazing. he gave me some walnuts from g'ma's tree and told me how he opens them up and puts candy and a new 2$ bill in each one and seals them up again with some glue and gives them out for christmas. i think i will start a new tradition for our family. he gave me some peanut clusters for my trip home and called me about every 2 hours all the next day while i was driving to see how i was doing--if i was staying awake all right. what a sweet heart. one of the things i loved best about living at g'ma's was uncle sharm's stories and family just stopping by to visit especially alicia's little face in the window scaring us out of our minds--she loved it.
brooke called today and sawyers passport has come. now all we have to do is wait for her to find a flight. i can't tell you how excited we all are. mindi and co. come the 13th thru the 20th and so it will be one solid party i'm sure. i'm trying to get everything decorated before all my little "helpers" get here.
today didn't go as planned when i got a phone call from cory asking me to go help meags. she had called and was in tears. while she was still laying in bed this morning she turned her head to look out the window and her neck popped. the pain was excruciating and it about killed her to move. i told her to call the dr. while i came down. when i got there she said that the dr. had said to call the paramedics and have them transport her to the emergency room. it was so fun she couldnt move to get dressed so i just draped her pajamas over her as best as i could. battle ground believes in over kill so there were 6 cute little 20 something year old boys standing around her bed. hazel hid in the other room too many strangers in her house. they examined meags and it looked like it was muscle related rather than in actual injury to her spinal cord/neck. we decided not to go to the hospital. i got the big kids to school and the little kids over to a friends house while i went to my drs. appt. which i was loath to cancel because im not real good about going and so it would be another 6 months before i was motivated enough to go again. picked up a neck brace on my way back to meagans, picked her up and all the kids and took them up to my house for the day. so much for getting christmas up, the up side is meags is all right. she has been sick with this flu and she was still working out and playing soccer and i think the muscle cramping in her neck was just another "magnified" aches and pains flu symptom. what was funny was both cory and i had the same nightmare. just imagine what meags would be like without being able to go for a run or play soccer or workout. not a pretty picture. he said he could just see us arguing over who got to take care of her which day. meagan said we weren't being very nice to her. cory was standing behind her and told her to look at him when she was talking to him. he says it so straight that for a moment you take him seriously--he is so dang funny!
the sweet little neighbor that took wil and hazel made us dinner and dinner for the family i was supposed to take dinner into--what a sweetheart. such good people. well im giving up on the day and going to bed with a good christmas story. love to all, le anne

Quick Note from Bavaria

Monie, you are in my prayers. I know you may not read this for awhile but maybe someone will convey this to you. I am so sorry you are going through this. I love you.

Aunt Jackie, thank you for the poem. We are so grateful to have such a loving and thoughtful family. You are the best.

We got Sawyer's passport yesterday and I am now calling every three hours or so to see if they have updated the flight recordings. My girls are dying. If all goes well we
will be home for Christmas.

Chels, you looked beautiful. I am anxious to see more pics. Congratulations!

I love you all.

Sad news!!!

Paula just called and wanted me to get it on here that Monica is in the hospital going in for surgery. She has had a miscarriage and she wanted to let everyone know so they could be praying for her. They are not sure yet what happened this time but hope to know more after the surgery. Paula says that Monica is doing OK, just sad, so be sure to remember her in your prayers! Love you all! Aunt Jack

Glenn Beck on Romney's Big Speech

http://www.glennbeck.com/news/12052007.shtml

p.s. American Idol fans, read all the way to the last paragraph.

ColoradoBennett

It's great to have you back on the blog, Meagy.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? used gift bag as often as possible

2. Real tree or artificial? artificial. My man got a killer deal on a real beauty two years ago.

3. When do you put up your tree? Right after Thanksgiving while watching a Christmas movie. This year we watched "It's A Wonderful Life" and I decided I hate that movie and never want to see it again. Why? You might ask. Well, it is dang depressing, he is awful to his wife, and the bad guy doesn't even get what's coming to him in the end. Although, Adam says there is a great Saturday Night Live skit with an alternate ending.

4. When do you take down your tree? The day after Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Microscope

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Seven. Adam says we need one for every year that we've been married. I must say that our living room looks a little silly with seven nativitys stuffed on top of the tv and amour (I mean to spell the French word but can't figure it out, you know what I mean). I hope when we are married for 50 years we have a lot of shelves in our yurt to put 50 nativity scenes on.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My 12-year-old cousin, Jack.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Adam. He buys his own gifts.

10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? I can't think of one. But my parents gave Brandon Smith a giant bag of peanuts, that was pretty bad.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Meags, I'm sure excited to see your first edition card, hooray for Patti.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Well, Adam starts pretty early. I've lost all shopping skills and/or desire since I married the perfect consumer.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? maybe

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? For as long as I can remember our family has had poppy seed bread every Christmas. The poorest of all family members gets to make the most and distribute them as gifts. For the last 15 years that meant me. But I am so sick of poppy seed bread I could barf. So this year I'm making biscotti and wassle (sp?) mix.

17. Favorite Christmas song? John Denver (I like to call him Jonny D) and the Muppets put out a really great Christmas album. I also think MoTab does a good job with those Hymns.

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? As long as we are with the most family possible, it's good with me.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? I can sing the song.

20. Angel or Star on top of tree? As of now, we don't have anything on top of the tree. I guess we'll have to wait for the after-Christmas-sale to get one of those.

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? All but one on Christmas Eve, just like it should be.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Not enough snow.

23. What I love most about Christmas? That feeling that comes with being close to family. "It isn't what we have that makes us happy. It is what we feel." I don't know who said that, it was on a RS flier I got a few Sundays ago. It is my new favorite quote.

l love them too!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? i love wrapping paper, but i am too lazy so usually a used gift bag.

2. Real tree or artificial? a real tree from the woods, but that isn't going to happen this year. i may have to buy one at a lot without cory even. yuck!

3. When do you put up your tree? not soon enough.

4. When do you take down your tree? a week or two into the new year

5. Do you like eggnog? who doesn't

6. Favorite gift received as a child? my emerald ring

7. Do you have a nativity scene? one tiny one we need more!

8. Hardest person to buy for? my sweet cory, who researches everything so you can't surprise him and get him something he really wants

9. Easiest person to buy for? benny (clothes) all my kids, my sisters

10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? can you get a bad presant, if its ugly or doesn't fit, then i just take it back or give it away and call it charity.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? hopefully mail for the first time ever. patti sat us down, took a family picture and ordered the cards for us. too bad the picture is ugly. but she is the greatest.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? wonderful life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? um i haven't started yet, scary!!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? maybe

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? daddy's Christmas pudding and fruit cake, and granny's 7-up salad

17. Favorite Christmas song? ALL and i do dream of white christmas here in the northwest

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? i would like to go to mexico but i married the wrong man.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? heck yes

20. Angel or Star on top of tree? Angel

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? it's cold and rainy

23. What I love most about Christmas? everything. i love Christmas, but i love it most of all when i am with my family!!

For Mike!!!

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really allright,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.
So that your family can sleep without fright.
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers"
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.>
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

I got this today and thought of Mike and Brooke and wanted to share it with you all!

Sorry another one, but I do love them!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or artificial? I wish real, but artificial

3. When do you put up your tree? 3 weeks before Christmas

4. When do you take down your tree? Day after Christmas!

5. Do you like eggnog? ½ and ½ with milk

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Can’t remember!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Many, one of which was MOM’S!

8. Hardest person to buy for? Stan’s Heather

9. Easiest person to buy for? Me!!! And the Grandbabies

10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? Clothes that were too small!):

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail if I get them out!

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Maybe one or two things before, but the bulk of it on “Black Friday”.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? You bet, but none from YOU!!!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Funeral potatoes and ham!

17. Favorite Christmas song? All, but I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Home, Home, HOME, surprise anyone?!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes

20. Angel or Star on top of tree? Angel

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? One on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning. I learned my lesson the hard way, on our first Christmas Kev and I opened them all on Christmas Eve, I hated it and have never done it again!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Mean people that have left everything to the last minute and are in such a hurry that they are nasty to everyone!

23. What I love most about Christmas? Family and how nice everyone is. But my favorite is when people tell you “Merry Christmas” or you tell them!

Provo

Since i'm on day 2 of staying home sick i will write a better post. as i mentioned in the last blog, our heater is broken. it's been broken i think ever since we moved in last march but as you can imagine we really haven't needed it till this week when temperatures suddenly plumeted. jason came home from washington to a freezing cold house, turned around and spent the rest of the week at his parent's house. the repairman was supposed to be out on saturday but couldn't make it because of the snow. (i guess he didn't realize that that's why we needed his assistance) as he was on his way here monday morning, mom called and said she had worked out a deal with sucky sears, as i like to call them, and that they would be out the next day. i had elected not to go through them since they did not fix the problem last time. but if mom's deal works out it will be worth it. long story short we were the first on the list to get our heater fixed today but because mom had given them HER home phone number as a call back number and she was not there, we are now last on the list for today. i won't be at all suprised if we get bumped to tomorrow morning. but all is well, as long as i stay in my bedroom with my portable and try not to drink water so i don't have to go to the bathroom.
cole, i didn't intentionally skip your birthday just because you're 3. i mean 5. i was thinking of you all day and the many days and nights i spent with your parents durring darla's pregnancy and the early months of your life. you were the cutest little baby ever, once we cleaned the pounds of green goop off your eyes. i even called in sick to work to be at the hospital when you were born. your dad will tell you that that was no great sacrifice, that i called in sick all the time. don't believe him. he's a bad man. i love you very much cole, especially when you kick me in the ankles the second you see me. i know that this is your way of showing your deepest love and affection. Happy belated birthday.
Buttercup, i didn't intensionally miss yours either. i was thinking of you all day michael. i love that we are getting more of your posts on the blog. i love seeing the pictures and reading about what you are doing. you are my hero. not only because of what you are doing but because of the way you love and support your men and ask for our prayers not for yourself but for them. that's what makes you a good leader.
take care all.
ellynn

Provo

so i just finished a great post and then when i tried to post it deleted in because my connection had terminated and i've got nothin. basically the post went like this:
Mike i missed your birthday because i suck but i love you a lot and i'm gonna get your email address from brooke and write.
Cole i missed your birthday because you're five and you don't care. ha ha just kidding
Our anniversary was awesome, jason suprised me with earrings and i suprised him by allowing him to order the bluetooth headphones he wanted.
My choir is great and i like my calling.
Washington was a blast, loved every second of it.
Jason and i spent 4 days apart and brooke is my hero.
our heater is broken and i'm home sick holed up in my bedroom with the portable heater.
that's the gist of it. my real blog was a lot better but i'm sorry, i've only got so much "good blog" in me. love you all.
ellynn

Happy Birthday, Cole!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4nFtB50WVU

Happy Birthday, Cole! I've wanted to get this video on here for about a year. You are the best blast-off jumper I know. It's great to be 5.

Happy Day!!!!

Here a couple of pictures and I will send the rest out on Winkflash.

ColoradoBennett

I posted more photos on facebook. If you are not already on facebook, you should be. If only to witness that Ellynn Wilmore is the Queen of Facebook.

The Hatch's new home looks lovely. Is it in the Kaysville city limits?