WE THANK THEE O GOD FOR A PROPHET

I desperately looked for a way to upload the song "WE THANK THEE O GOD FOR A PROPHET", but unfortunately, I'm just not that computer savvy, so I hope it isn't disrespectful to use the song "Old and Wise", which is a song that reminded me of my Grandpa and came to my mind tonight.

I am sitting here at my computer overwhelmed with emotions. Of course, I knew we couldn't have President Hinckley here with us forever, but I had so hoped he'd be able to hang on until my kids were able to perform for him in person and hear him speak to them at our special temple celebration. That is going to happen sometime between May and July. They have so looked forward to that. The truth is, I was just as excited for myself since I'm YW president and also will be there. I feel so sad that that won't happen.

Along with my sadness, I feel such gratitude that we've had a prophet who loved us so much and loved our children so much. The things he's done are so inspired and he did everything with such love and frankness. For the Strength of Youth is such a blessing to our young people and I'm so thankful we've had a prophet so inspired. What a wonderful thing it has been to have a prophet with such a sense of humor. His conference talks felt more like a friend chatting with us in our living rooms. I loved that about him. What a wonderful leader we've had. I'm so thankful.
I'm so happy for him to be free of the frailties of an old body, even though he put so many of us to shame. What an example of faith he was to us as he endured to the end with strength, courage, humor and love.
What an example of love and eternal marriage. It makes me happy to think of the reunion he is having with his sweet wife, Marjorie.
I feel like I've lost a good friend. He will be so missed. I've loved him so much.
President Gordon B. Hinckley
June 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008

Company--Wii Guitar--Candy, What a Great Combination!

We sure enjoy having company come visit, and this last few days was great. Robert, Teresa, Zach, Leslie and Aaron, Jr. came for a few days visit and to handle some business. The business was taken care of and we still had plenty of time for visiting, crafts, boggle, television (Amazing Race finale--woo hoo!), good food, Wii and more. The kids and adults alike, competed on Guitar Hero. It was pretty fun and Zach put on a Hero Guitar clinic.

Robert and Teresa stayed at a hotel, as they had promised Zach a hotel and swimming for his birthday, but we still had lots of fun together. Leslie and Aaron stayed with us, which provided the opportunity for Leslie and me to finish Season One of the closer (we started it when she came in December).

Joe and Zach
Leslie and Rob compete.
Look at that concentration!
A little husband/wife competition is healthy, don't you think?

Veronica and Savannah during crafts.
Aaron was cute and sweet and after our grocery visit Monday morning, he had a bag of 'ish with him most of the time.
Robert and Teresa demonstrating by their expressions how much fun it is to come visit Idaho (and us, of course).
Here are the products of our crafting. Fun candy gifts for friends.

Thanks for coming to visit. It was fun and we hope you'll come again soon!

Joe Plays First Game

Joe played in his first basketball. He scored four of his teams eight points, one at the very end that broke a 6-6 tie. He really hustled and was very cute. In this picture, he's in yellow and about to receive the pass.
Joe after the game.
Joe was suffering from a cough and wasn't feeling 100 percent. He fell asleep on the way home. What a cute kid.

Where Did These Kids Come From?

Veronica had a test in Science, so she spent nearly two hours in the laundry hall (where the whiteboard is) studying for the test. Of course, she got a well-deserved A. I thought the work was very impressive.

Bruce got his report card and it was all 4.0s. Good job, kids. We're proud of you!

John and I Play Ticket to Ride

So John and Tawnie called tonight to make arrangements to come up and visit us in a couple of weeks. During the course of the call, John mentioned that he plays Ticket to Ride online. I said, "That's funny, I'm playing a game right now." I finished that game, he got online, and we played a quick game (or three). Nerdy, I know, but fun neverthless.
I just had to share the score. Love you, John.

Basketball, Winter Forts, MacGyver and More

We've had a lot of things going on the last couple of weeks. We had the open house for our new chapel. I intended to take pictures, but forgot the camera at home and didn't have time to run home and get it (since the gas light was on and I'd have had to take the time to stop and get gas, as well). That's what you call planning!

The chapel is beautiful and if I can ever remember my camera when I go for a young women's activity, I'll take some pictures.

Some of my young women (including Veronica and Savannah) gathered to do some cleaning on the kitchen and ended up washing and putting away all of the dishes and utensils. Hundreds and hundreds of both. It was a big job. There are a lot of details that go into getting a ward building up and running.

We have had about six inches of snow in the last week. It is pretty but treacherous to drive on, especially since they don't really plow roads here. They just dump a little sand on them here and there.

The snow afforded Savannah and Joe hours of fun as they built themselves a fort. They worked really hard and had a lot of fun.
Looks cozy, huh?
A couple of random pictures of Veronica and Joe and Savannah. I'm not sure when they were taken, but I thought the kids looked cute.

Bruce helped out with the Little Dribblers basketball camp at the High School. It is a camp sponsored by the high school basketball program.
Sorry for the grainy photos. I couldn't get very close. Bruce is casually dribbling the basketball, which looks funny since he doesn't appear to be paying attention to the ball at all.
Joe had his first basketball practice this morning for his city team. He was the tallest kid on the floor and did really well. Last night, when we told him he had practice, he said "I think I'm going to do great because Bruce has taught me a lot." This picture looks like he's playing air guitar, but he's not.
What a ball handler!
Since we got the MacGyver, season 1 DVD set at the white elephant gift exchange, some of the family has enjoyed watching episodes of the famous spy/handyman. Here Joe is displaying his MacGyver contraption. There is a string attached to the door and the drawer that will do something (he explained it, but I can't remember) and the necklace has a sparkling jewel that will catch the light, reflecting in the bad guys eyes and rendering them blind. That's my boy!

Sanders

Sanders, our good dog for nearly three years hasn't been seen since before we got home from Utah. He was a really good dog and is greatly missed, especially by Joe and Savannah. Below are the pictures they've drawn for him. Not being a dog lover, I was surprised by how much I liked him. He was easy to have around, didn't shed and was pretty quiet. His favorite place inside was the front closet. He would nuzzle the door open and go inside to sleep. His favorite place outside was in the window well. I guess he just liked those small, cozy places.
Joe drew this picture for Sanders and hung it on the wall of the closet. Many tears have been shed by Joe and Savannah.
Savannah was probably Sanders favorite--mostly because she spent the most time with him. They were good friends. She goes to the back door every little while and calls his name, hoping he'll be back there. We don't know if he's alive or has passed on, but not having him here feels the same to the kids. I feel really bad for them.

Mark and Suzie Make it to Twin Falls!

We arrived home at about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Mark and Suzie arrived by airplane at about 6:30 p.m. They stayed for two days and we loved having them. We had a really good time. They're great company and we hope they come again soon!

In this picture, Savannah wanted to play Ticket to Ride, so she went in and set the room up so nice. Look at the cards on the piano bench and everything laid out conveniently for each player. She even put a blanket over the folding chair on the right so it would look good and be comfortable.

Bruce wanted a a short buzzed haircut, so Travis got out our clippers. They were junk, and Suzie couldn't get them to cut his hair at all. So I pulled out the trusted flowbee and 45 minutes later, his hair was shorter, but it had gone down to the skin in a couple of places. So to finish it off, Mark and Suzie took the clippers that are really just for shaving the neck and after about 30 more minutes, this was the result. Thank goodness he has a nice shaped head. The longest and shortest haircut of his life.

This is part of the family sitting down to watch Stardust on New Years Day. We were able to fit it in among bowl games and a little sight-seeing. Enjoyable show.

This was Suzie's favorite place to sit. Nothing like a good massage.

We enjoyed playing Wii games during the time they were here. A favorite was Cooking Mama Cook-off, which interestingly enough, Mark dominated. The girls are practicing, Mark, so next time you come they want a rematch.
On our way to do a little sight-seeing. Suzie looks really cute. Mark and Travis, not so much.
This was on the canyon wall on the way down to Shoshone Falls. It was so cold, but it sure made for some neat ice formations.
Once again, my pictures are out of order. Sorry. This is Joe playing tennis.
This is the night they left. We are at the huge Twin Falls airport.

More neat ice.
And more neat ice.
The side of the canyon is covered with icicles. They look pretty small, but they are not right in front of them. Those icicles are really huge and the wall was covered with them. It was beautiful!
The road down into the canyon was a little scary, but we were glad to be able to see this wall.
Savannah in front of the bridge from below.


Some of us in front of the bridge from above.
Shoshone Falls with all the ice. So cold, but really beautiful.
This is all of us that went sightseeing together. We had a volunteer photographer take the picture.
Travis falling down the stairs. Just kidding, although he did make it look pretty real.
Mark didn't want to go to the edge. The closer everyone else got, the more agitated Mark became.

We loved having you come. We ate lots of good New Years food and enjoyed hanging out together. Come again soon. And consider this a standing invitation for anyone else who can come. We love it when family comes to visit!