Fast Sunday...or a Welcome Slow Sunday

      

Yes, this has been the first slow day in a LONG LONG time, and I am enjoying it (wouldn't want itevery day, tho!)
I feel like the roller coaster began the end of October, when Debra and I took a little road trip with Trenton and Mary to Denver, where we joined Phil and family for Jensen's baby blessing.  It was lots of miles, and a quick trip, but it was oh so good to be there!  It helped that Trent did almost all of the driving...don't know what I was thinking when I planned to go alone with Debra!  We got home Sunday night, and I left Tuesday morning for Israel.  After that amazing trip, I returned to a few days of recovery before Mindy and children arrived from Germany.  I didn't have a real firm footing yet, and never did regain it through all of the holidays!
Mindy's visit was fast and frenzied and a great blessing.  Mindy had made a huge effort to get here, and I felt like her siblings tried their best to make it worth her trip.   Phil and his family arrived for Thanksgiving week and the schedule escalated:  gatherings were ongoing as we tried to make the most of our  time together...gathered siblings, gathered cousins, gathered babies, gathered everyone, countless meals, over and over again.  Oh, and don't forget to throw coughs and runny noses into the mix.    Thanksgiving Point, movies, Jumping place, game nights, shopping, Pizza Pie Cafe, Temple Square (never again on Thanksgiving weekend) and never ending meals...the biggest and grandest of course being on Thanksgiving Day, when we were blessed with Ben's arrival from Germany, and a new family member, Aguette.    It was all gloriously exhausting, and I wouldn't have had it any other way (with the exception of Travis and his family joining us).   Phil's family headed home, then Mindy's and Christmas was staring down it's barrel at us.  Decorating, shopping, wrapping, mailing packages,  partying, Christmas carding (my first time in three years).... the roller coaster was in full swing.  Throw in a couple of ward funerals, and the scene was complete.
The days got so busy that my journal keeping, which I have been so faithful at for so many years, came to a halt...so I suppose this will be the closest I come to a record of those days.
Oh, how we loved having Mindy's children around, then to be joined by Phil's.  The cousin bonding was in full bloom, and it was precious to watch.  So many personalities, so many funny and cute and wonderful ways, so much joy.  Things are so hectic when you're in the middle of it, you don't appreciate it fully until you reflect on it, as I have done.
And, of yes, there were the BABIES!  Three of them!  Beautiful, perfect, blessed babies.  Getting them all here safe and sound involved no small effort and a few worries along the way, but here they are, and we are SO GRATEFUL for them.
Might I also mention tho it was nice to have Dennis & Ashley BOTH at our family gatherings TOGETHER?!?  It was nice to sense their happiness at having their family restored.  They have had many prayers offered in their behalf....
OK, that's a wrap for now. Since Christmas, I have attended Wilson's temple sealing in Idaho Falls, given a Relief Society lesson, reorganized Visiting Teaching, celebrated New Years Eve with friends, and partied with you all (finally got Tammy & Trav and family with us!) on New Years Day.  I'll post a few random pics, taken over the last few months...hope it all works!

Oh, and lest you think our gatherings will EVER come to an end, I'd love to have you all next SUnday at 5 for a birthday dinner for Reed and Beck.  Mindy and Phil...send your wishes and we will read them!

Cousins in Denver....raking leaves!

Hyrum's Blessing Day

And the cousins begin to gather....

The Big Red Van....put to good use!

Curious Cousins at Curiosity Museum

Lining Up for Dinner

In the Jaws of a Blow up Monster