Christmas with Some of Us

We didn't get to have Emily and Rory, or Pete and Candace, or Sam home for Christmas. So the rest of us decided to have it anyway. We think of the rest of you often.

Targhee with the Sluders. Jack, Laura, Kelly, Tammy, Jann.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Grandparents.

Grandpa told us the story of a little dude that wanted a rifle for Christmas, but his dad decided to spend the money helping out a poor family instead. It was cute.

Nativity scene. Joseph/Jack, Mary/Brooklyn, fake girlie Jesus, and beast of burden/Brian.

Brooklyn showing the boys how it's done.

When we left home to go to the grandparents, there was no snow in Rexburg. While we were there, it started to snow. It took us 2 hours to get back home because of all the snow. This is what it looked like next morning. Whiteness after all.

Only three kids home for Christmas!

Jann appreciating some of her gifts.

Then we got to Skype Sam. He sounds like he's doing just fine.

Here he is bearing his testimony to us all.

Mom's Vanilla

Jann is giving her homemade vanilla extract as Christmas presents this year. Here are a couple bottles. She made 15.

Thanksgiving and After

We had Pete and Candace and Laura up for Thanksgiving, but Jann went to Kansas to be with Emily when she had her new baby. Pictures of the baby are on their blog.

Thanksgiving without Mom. Full of joy and sadness and sweet pickles.

Adam says "I'll play any game but 5 Crowns."

That Saturday, we flew the goose-necked JW, but even though there was massive wind, it didn't fly too well. I think it's weird aerodynamics from the ax handle sticking out too far.

Brooklyn and the grandparents joined us in the annual tree hunt.

I think last time I took the bar off the chain saw, I installed it upside down.

Jann thinking seriously about what we just did.

Adam lending his strong arm.

Ok, we've done this before, so it should be doable.

Grandma trying to stuff snow down Jack's back.

Hot cocoa afterwards.

The Haunted Night

 So, this was our warmest Halloween ever here in Idaho. It got to about 74° in the afternoon, and was still in the 60s by trick-or-treat time. Almost like Mississippi. Well, not quite.

Adam and his friend José dressed up as Mariachi singer. Although, he'd look better with a mustache.

Jack the bummer pilot. Bomber.

Our punkins.

Adam made a cage where another pumpkin had to be in jail.

Jack's Oogey Boogey man.

Yoda, doing some serious contemplation.

Jann's I ♡ Boo.

Thinking About Halloween

We had our annual Konda and Jann Halloween party. Here are photos of some of us. I didn't get some of the late-comers..

Jack, trying out Mom's costume.

The Hayeses, showing us some drumstick.

Websters as The Lone Ranger, and Sacajawea?

Lori, checking to see if Kent is coming.

The Steins, as Calvin and Hobbes.

David and Tammy Hardy. Go Cubbies.

The Sluders. They are why Aragog died in the sixth movie. "Your body will decay, but your spirit will live on."

The Neilsons. Reed dressed up as a "glofer."

Fullmers as Couple in Black. Premiering in select theatres..

Tink, flinging some "pixie dust."

The Rigbys as themselves.

Middle-aged Peter and Tinkerbell. (The T-shirt says Celebrate Youth.)

Saying Goodbye to Sam

I drove Sam to Provo, to drop him off at the MTC. He'll spend six weeks there, and then off to Villa Hermosa, Mexico.

Jann stayed home, and didn't cry until after we left.

Heap's Brick Oven. I love their root beer. (But not as much as I love my children.)

Hugs all around.

Special hugs.

Aren't boys supposed to be taller than dads?

Laura putting on a brave face.

Elder Tan was Sam's handler and guide.

Bye Sam. Be good. (Laura was weeping in the car.)

Pete's place of work.

Pete and his buddy Chris, in their cubicle.

After working way too much for two and a half days, Pete took a half day off, and beat the pants off  me at disc golf. Then, Laura bought me a nice ice cream, and we talked about her life for a while. She seems quite happy and excited about school. And then it was off for the drive back home. Now we have a quieter house.