B U N C O !

It was a first for us, playing this CRAZY game of dice!

Five tables of four - twenty players being very loud!

My crazy partner - Danielle - ensured we won, in a losing sort of way.

We had the most losses, which is a good thing when there are prizes for the most losses. Coming home with the reject of all white elephant gifts - the automatic jar opener!

We highly recommend this game for the next family reunion / BIG party!

Camp Fannin, Tyler, Texas

Mr. Brown Sign found a quiet sight to enjoy. It's a memorial to a World War II facility, Camp Fannin.

Over 150,000 men were trained for combat and sent out in a two year period.

The memorial sits on the grounds of a hospital, which is most fitting, since the hospital, a tuberculosis sanitorium, was the last major installation on the base.

"The memorial is a permanent and visible remembrance in honor of all veterans from the five branches of service that were active during World War II. It is dedicated to all trainees of Camp Fannin and especially those who gave their lives in defense of our freedom."

It's always good to remember.

Texas Tradition

Whenever we visit family in Texas, we go on a hike to the bamboo forest.

There are old foundations and chimneys, even cars, along the way, that give us a glimpse into the past.

Crossing the river is always an adventure, especially when the water level is high.

But out of 14 cousins, 10 are boys. It's a great thing to do with the boys.

We're grateful to Uncle Brad for making our visit more adventuresome, and hopefully as a well we'll walk off some of those Christmas pounds!

Merry Christmas Morning!

There's nothing like the sweet spirit of Christmas! Even card shufflers bring out the kid in you!

Teenagers can't hide their smile behind boxes.

Wishes are granted - even unrealistic hopes of being able to DUNK that ball!

Some boxes are bigger than others.

There are hugs just because you're happy he's happy.

The little things mattered most, like our neighbor who thought all the boys needed electric toothbrushes, or friends who left remote control metal detector cars. Surprises are the best!

Or the grandparents who thought Miller was old enough for his own flashlight.

I'll have to hang on until next year, when my Christmas spirit vessel is filled again.

Merry Christmas!

Ranger loves the tree. He walks by, and brushes against the tree. (We no longer have ornaments on the bottom half of the tree.) When he's tired at night, he lays under the tree. (Nothing like a few dog hairs on your present!) We knew he was smart, but not that smart. What better way to enjoy Christmas than to get under your tree!

Early Christmas!

Cooper's only desire for a few years has been to get a pet.

We indulged his wishes this year and got him a "fancy hamster" a few days before Christmas.

He was wrapping presents in my room, unbeknownst to me, and heard chewing sounds in my closet. He opened it expecting to see a mouse and found his present. It was a definite hit! The cage is beautiful and fun!

However, not all pets are created equally hardy. Digger passed away within two days. Jarrod came home to find a weeping Cooper and a belly-up hamster.

Because he came with a ten day warranty, Cooper went back to the pet store and chose a "teddy bear hamster." His name is Copper, he's very active, and Cooper is happy again.

The $9,000 Smile

This is the $9,000 smile. It's a good smile, but was it worth $9,000? Thankfully, we only had to pay half of that. From a tumor in his jaw, to a sideways tooth to uprooting a molar, extracting wisdom teeth, and expanding his palette - braces were easy!

And he's finally done.

Way With Words

In case the poems are not self-explanatory, Tanner slept on the sofa bed while his grandparents were visiting. One evening, Tanner was in bed, and when Dad was leaving the kitchen he turned off the light and became a little confused about safely reaching his bedroom as it was very dark. Thus, in jest, Tanner left a poem on his mirror for him to find upon waking.

One wet and windy winter's night
Dear Graumpy flipped to OFF the light
And starting, turned to see the hall
But rather saw no hall at all!
For flipping such and turning so
He made for him a labryinth faux.
Yet even then he turned to go
And brave the dark, unshadowed flow.
Danger lurked inside each edge -
The happy walls now a hedge -
Echo location his only chance
To escape this deadly, darkly dance...
Well, he made it! This you know!
It'd do you well to be wary though,
And every time you look to exit
Find a light and double check it!

Tanner


While walking in the dark to his sofa bed
Tanner lost his bearings and fell on his head.
In his delirium he thought he could write a poem
While lying unconscious on the bed in his home.
His metaphors were mixed and his meter was poor
But he thought it would get better by writing some more.
In his dream like state he grew very confused
And his Grampy when reading it was not amused.
For the only one stumbling in the dark that night
Was the unconscious grandson, unaware of his plight.
To honor his elders whether awake or asleep,
Fulfilling the promises he said he would keep.
And when he awoke he could not even remember
If it was June or July or was it possibly December?
And the only way he knew that his name was Tanner
Is because he had written it in his daily planner.

Grampy


Ha! You thought you'd use the mirror!
But where's your face? It disappeared!
Now you'll have to read my poem
(Beware you venture into gloam!
Or at least remember to use lights
They keep you out of desperate plights!)

And always exit where you see
EXIT glowing merrily!
Can we fill the mirror you think?
Or will notes fall and fill the sink?

Tanner

Wise Boys, Shepherds and a Feast

Usually this signifies the end of the party, but Sawyer was helping me clean up stray pine needles before it began.

Santa made a short visit before dinner.

And he had THIS boy all figured out.

Even offering Miller the magical bell didn't work.

One of the hits of the program: The Twelve Men of Christmas. Number 6 was the crowd favorite (purple shirt).

The youth performed a live nativity, to music from the Luke 2 video. Tanner portrayed Joseph.

Sawyer was a shepherd, last minute style, just because he wanted to be one and they were kind enough to remember the reason.

Hunter was a wiseman.

Tears were plenty, the spirit was strong, and it was the best part of the night.

At the end, the three wise men handed out their gifts to the children: gold (bell), frankincense (peppermint candy canes), and myrrh (gingersnap cookie).

When Grandparents Come to Visit...

Top Ten Reasons to Have Our Grandparents Visit:

1. Our Grandma helped to finish costumes and accessories for the United Nations Assembly. Having been assigned Napal, Hunter is modeling his new black furry Yak Hat.

2. Our Grandma goes to kindergarten class and helped an entire class of wiggly 6 year olds make authentic hats from Sweden, modeled by Sawyer, as they learn about Christmas customs around the world.

3. Our Grandpa plays chess. He said, "A game a day."

4. Our Grandpa buys donuts for breakfast. MORE THAN ONCE!

5. Our Grandpa ties shoes, wakes us up for seminary, and becomes the morning school bus driver taking the five boys to their four schools. All week long.

6. Our grandparents attended Quiz Bowl Meets, and Hunter's ALL DAY LONG Quiz Bowl Championship round robin.

7. Our grandparents went to all the Little Buddy Basketball League games scheduled on Saturday (Sawyer, Cooper and Porter) without complaining, even when they had to pay.

8. Our grandparents went to Hunter and Tanner's school basketball games, even when they were away, and didn't complain when they had to pay even more.

9. Our grandparents timed their visit just so they would be with us as we celebrated Miller's 3rd birthday. And, got him the only thing his heart desired. Hot Wheels he could call his own.


10. Our grandparents not only were in charge while Mom was decorating for the ward Christmas party, they took care of everybody at the party, including helping kids make garland, filling plates and cutting meat, and cleaning up.

There are actually more than ten reasons, such as filling my pantry with goodies from Sams, fixing all the broken things Mr. Brown Sign is too busy to fix, and leaving beautiful presents under the tree. But. Their presence is the only present we need.

Christmas Traditions

Miller loves trains. I pulled out the big Christmas train for Miller. And two other big boys joined the fun!

Trains around Christmas trees are one of my favorite decorations, but big boys playing with trains is even better.

The Jingle Bell Run

What better way to celebrate winter, snow, and the holidays?

Tanner's literally running on air, just to get up early on a Saturday and run in a blizzard!

The present was very festive...

not quite sure what this is?

The elf is my favorite.

Hunter's having a jolly goooooooood time!

Porter's first race! He ran the fun run, one mile, and finished in 7:40 minutes, winning 6th place and a medal.

Thanks again Duncans!