Quick reunion at the Freeman's

This morning LeeAnn Freeman called and invited us to her home to pick some citrus before we headed up to Taylor. While there, Tim showed up with his little family to pay some rent to the Freeman's. He didn't know we'd be there, so he was surprised. Then Tiffany drove up with her two sons (she's down visiting for the holidays from Colorado). We talked and compared babies and shared hugs and smiles. Good friends!

Merry Christmas morning

We went and saw the Bigler's that night and the only picture I took was of Saylor in her new tunnel from Grandma and Grandpa Reed. Peek-a-boo!

Christmas Eve

We're modeling the socks we got from Calla, they sure are warm! and the funny thing was how perfectly they matched the girls new Christmas Eve 'jammies! Connor was already dreaming of sugarplums. We read the Christmas story in Luke and sang and Mark read, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." The girls were sent to bed and they were pretty hyper before they settled down for the night. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were up until 12:30 a.m. wrapping presents and stuffing stockings. It seemed we had just closed our eyes when there was a knock at the bedroom door at 5:30 a.m. and bright-eyed Jenny was asking if "Ho Ho" had come...

Gingerbread houses

This is a fun family tradition and the kids were really excited about it. Grandma Reed let us use her kitchen and we appreciated her hospitality. Saylor and Stryder were very patient as we passed around and shared the decorating icing tube. We had way more candy than we needed, and alot of it didn't end up on the houses. Yum!

The Fantastic Four (blessings of 2008)

Great-grandma Klepinger was giggling watching us try to take this picture of Dad and the squirming babies. From left to right: Connor Reed, Zane and Gage McMullin, Brolin Bigler. So precious!

Christmas long ago

The gifts of Christmas present

Conner (son of Tim and Cindy)

Brolin (son of Lathe and Brookly)

Sentimental Ornaments from Christmas Past

Stryder's week at Grandma and Grandpa's

A Quiet Thanksgiving

We cancelled our trip to Mesa due to some illness, but still put together a delicious meal and got the lights up on the house. We missed everyone but it's been fun to look at the Klepinger family blogs and see the pictures during that holiday.

11/9/08 Conner's blessing day

Mark opened one eye to check on Conner who was making little noises during the blessing. He was smiling big and almost laughing. He must of thought it was fun to get bounced by his Daddy and all those men.

Halloween Costumes 2008

We drove around the backside of the knoll by our house to the Shumway farm for the ward Halloween party. Calla was dressed as a "Southern Belle" but everyone asked if she was "Little Bo Peep." Jenny was a very skinny version of Babe Ruth. There wasn't a pumpkin carving contest after all, but we still displayed Mark's work of art and everyone loved it. We had a giant bowl of candy and when we thought all the kids had come around I left Jenny to manage it. The next thing I knew the half-full bowl was completely empty. She was running around with it to kids and giving them huge handfulls. She made alot of little friends last night! At least we didn't bring any candy home, except Calla's little "stash."

Boo!

Tonight is our annual ward "Trunk or Treat" party at the old Shumway barn. The kids in the ward climb all over the huge hay stacks and stir up tons of dust and the adults stand in line and bring chili beans and cornbread to eat. Then a huge bonfire is lit and everyone stands around it, and there's a costume parade. There's usually a pumpkin carving contest (which we have won several times, I might humbly add) and we thought we'd show you our design for this year, which Dad skillfully did for FHE last night. Pretty close likeness to the original idea. I know, it's not a pumpkin, so we might be disqualified, but it sure looks gorey! He's wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge till his big "unveiling" tonight...

Conner comes to Taylor

Tim and Cindy drove up Thursday night to spend General Conference weekend with us. We enjoyed them all so much! Those of us upstairs slept wonderfully, but I guess Conner had some fitful nights. He loves to eat and sleep and eat some more. He smiles so cute and we spy a dimple once in awhile. Cindy and Tim are such sweet and loving parents, he's a lucky baby!

FHE at Taylor Intermediate

Mom and the girls went to Calla's school for an all-school "Family Night" where we brought blankets, pillows, flashlights and books to read. (Dad had a community meeting he couldn't miss) Teachers had telescopes set-up to look at constellations. The PTO served hot dogs and water. We came home and smelled a skunkish smell really strong. Oh no! Kelly had gotten sprayed. She reeked bad. She wanted in the house, but first we had to give her a bath outside in the tub with our special de-skunking formula. Then we took her in the house and gave her one more bath with some special dog shampoo. What a night! But one happy note: Calla's 6th grade class had the most family's participate, so they get a pizza party this Friday.

Missing Mom

As the anniversary of her passing approaches, I find myself getting teary everyday, remembering my last moments with her...I wish I could see her, where she is, what she's doing. Wish she could tell us what we need to be doing that we're not. Wish she could tell us what to change in ourselves (as if we didn't know). How can I tell her that I love and miss her? Stand looking down at her grave? I don't think she waits there for me to come. I think she's busy and lovin' it. But in my heart of hearts I know she misses us too.

Here's a thought-provoking short video with music that has a great message about those who have died and more importantly, a message for those who still live.

http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/