Christmas Eve

One Christmas Eve tradition  which goes way back to the late 60's - is Mark doing a head stand for everyone.  It just happens.  This year he decided to enlist the help of 2 of his daughters.  I got the photos switched around, but it was a funny attempt.   

 I think he does better on his own. :)

We look tired, but we are very happy!

We let Liam help us act out the Nativity Story with a special

 Nativity set that a sweet family in our 

ward gave us for the 12 Days of Christmas.

Fun on the Slopes at The Canyons

Camber looks at home in the snow! 

 Miss Sassafrass on the slopes.

Emily - Tearin' it up!

One happy bunch

Nothin' like Utah Powder

This line just doesn't move fast enough - hmmmm - time to check out the hot guys.

Treat Time in the Lodge...Power up!

The ice man cometh

aka

Jacob Jeramiah Johnson

Thinking back on my modeling for Ed days

Waiting to board the first lift up...even though this

 is the last photo of our story.

Good Bye.  

See you at Beaver!!

A Few Christmas Memories

Is there anything more fun than playing with

 our adorable little grandson?

Liam takes after his mother in her marathon abilities. 

 He could run for 15 minutes straight

...actually, around and around and around!!!

Ben and Janell built Mr. Snowbot

Liam got help building his first snowman!

Oh...We LOVE snowmen and 

We LOVE Liam.

Sushi, Gyoza & Homemade Eggrolls - we love food at our house!

Ward Christmas Party

Many shoes at the front door means many fun people at our house.  

It means chaotic meals and fun and games. 

 It means laughter, mirth, (said, Papa Smurf - whatever "mirth" means)

 and mistletoe.

The newest food network stars

 serving up a Prime Rib dinner. 

mmmmm.

Liam's smiling-for-the-camera-smile.

And another great Liam cheeser shot.

(Double click this one)

50 Wonderful Years!

Ronald & Marie Firth December 19, 1958

What a wonderful beginning for 50 memory packed years!

  And today - sharing a love that has grown over the years.  

We are so grateful for their extraodinary lives and 

example of love and devotion.  

Congratulations on 50 Wonderful Years

 and many more to come!  

On December 20, 2008 we celebrated their 50th Anniverary with a luncheon and program at Hamilton's with their family and close friends.  We missed Shaura, Dean and Melece in Russia and Larissa and Hayden in England.  It was a sweet time to share together.

Guest book and below the centerpieces.  

Their wedding colors were blue and 

we made little glittered blue birds in 

remembrance of their wedding day.

Their daughter Kimberly composed a song for 

them that she had her brother, 

Jason read the words to as she played.  

It was beautiful.  She also presented them 

a book with letters and 

memories from family & friends.  

Grandpa plays the accordian and when we would visit when the children were younger, they would sometimes convince him to pull it out and play for them.  Janell surprised them a serenade of "Always", one of grandma's favorite songs.  

She was given this accordian by a friend and learned this song by 

herself while she was home for this event.  

They were certainly touched.

Getting in position for one of those FUN family photos!

We love you, Grandpa & Grandma! 

xxoo from all of us!

Why Big Trucks Shouldn't Drive Down Steep, Icy Roads

December 22 - Monday night.  We had just returned home from a family night of games at the church.  Mark & I had shoveled the walkway and I stayed out to throw some salt on the the front steps.  A pick up came down the the road past our home followed close behind by another larger truck with a 30' trailer.  The second truck was blowing his horn and was out of control on the steep, icy road.  I thought for sure he was going to tip and tumble into our kitchen but he managed to to stay upright and smacked right into the the huge power line to the south of our drive and jack-knifed to a stop.  There was a loud boom and then the transformer box exploded.  I thought  my life was over as I stood in the wet water waiting to be electrocuted - then just watching and wondering if the truck would blow up. Thankfully the end of this story is a happy one, except for the insurance company of the poor driver!  (The pole alone was over $3,000 not to mention the small army of workers who were there on call doing overtime. ouch.)

Lindsey, Jake & Brady watch from a safe distance behind the beehives.  

We were glad the bees were safe and sound, unharmed.

 The power went off right away and they worked to restore it from 9 pm to 5 am.  The phone and cable lines also went down and were repaired later the next day.  We were so fortunate that there was no gas involved in this accident and no one was hurt.

Another lucky thing is that the truck landed right were we have 

been parking our subruban for the past week 

with all of the extra family home.

Photos the morning after.  You can see the downed power lines. 

 Amazing how they could remove the pole 

and replace it in the exact spot.  

Whew.  What a night.

Our Year At A Glance