Pictures from Jared

We love getting pictures from Jared. Here are few that he sent. Santa is Elder Doman who was Jared's MTC companion. He received the knitted tie from one of the members. The day after Christmas they had 2 baptisms. Life is wonderful.

Talking with Jared

Without a doubt...the BEST thing about Christmas this year was being able to talk with Jared on the phone. We had him on speaker phone so everyone could hear him but it was sometimes difficult for him to hear us so we each took turns passing the phone around. He was able to call in the morning, then again at noon time and then again in the evening. When he called at noon he and Mark spoke a lot about their recent scripture study topic. It was a very special thing to hear him bear his testimony to all of us.

Christmas

This year for Christmas we decided that instead of buying the boys several individual gifts we would get one large family gift. The boys (including Dad) have wanted an XBox 360 for a very long time so that is what we purchased. They were all very excited. I wrapped each game (2) and then wrapped the controllers so they opened those first. Needless to say, they have parked in front of it since Christmas. Oh, except when they have been out skating on the lake. Gotta get some exercise.

Potato Cellar

My younger brother works for a farmer just outside of Idaho Falls. He wanted to show the boys what a full potato cellar looks like. Ed and I thought that was a dumb idea because how cool is a potato cellar. Both of us having been around them most of our childhood lives. Anyway, they were very excited to see how BIG it is and also how awful the smell is. I should have taken a picture of Ed because he had his nose stuffed in his hoody the whole time.

Racoon Head

While we were in Idaho Falls we stayed at my younger brothers house. He lives in my Grandmother's old house. Well, since moving in (it's on a farm) he has had trouble with racoons and skunks. He sets several traps and has caught two racoons. I won't mention how many skunks he has caught. Anyway, when we arrived at the house, there on the back of the couch was the tanned hide of a racoon. Needless to say, our silly Mark put it on his head.

Stephen Earns The Bear

Stephen turned 10 years old the end of November and advanced in the cub scouts from the Bear Den to the Webelos Den. This was the way his face was painted for having earned the Bear award. I almost forgot to take the picture and he had already gotten out of his scout shirt. He really enjoys being in the scouting program.

Hockey

In December Ben had two hockey tournaments to play in. The first one was in Las Vegas the first part of the month. He is #29 in the dark green jersey in one of the pictures. This was the Las Vegas tourny. The second picture he is #29 in the white jersey and this was the Idaho Falls tourny. He has fun playing hockey.

Ben also plays for the Springville High School hockey team and they are required to wear a tie on game nights. This was how Ben wore his tie on one particular night. UGH I thought I had trained him better.