Sunday, December 27, 2009

Our Report - The Tale of the PenGwynn Family

A few days ago (the 23rd to be exact) we found this family stuck in a snow bank, out of work, out of food, and in need of a good home. As they explained their situation to us, we knew exactly where we had to send them.
We just happen to know some people that would take good care of them. So we directed them to the Justin Jenks Family to join the other penguin people, where we were sure they would be in good hands. And we were right - they were accepted and welcomed and given a great place to live amongst others of their kind.
And, the Jenks family has shared some delicious fish with us, so we know they will be fed well. Finding this family a home was a highlight of our Christmas preparations. It's a memory that will last a very long time. Thanks to the Jenks family for inspiring such a fun activity for our family. We really did have a lot of fun. And, thanks for the smoked salmon and cheese.

You'll find the PenGwynn family and their new home if you visit the Jenks Family blog listed in the right column.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.(A Christmas Carol / Charles Dickens)

Friday, December 25, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Let us keep Christmas the old fashioned way,
with love in our hearts on this glorious day!

It's a great day and wii are having fun!


JOY TO THE WORLD!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve!

Wrapped Gifts!
More Creating! (Shhh! It's still a secret till tomorrow :)
Cooking.
Planning.
Trying to not get to anxious to begin opening gifts.
Watching the clock - more anxious to talk to Michael.
Fun.
Family.
Friends.
Eating.
Visiting.
Playing.
Terry and Anthony even spent a little time working on the deck.
Watching Christmas shows.
Still enjoying the day.

Our visit with Michael was great! It's hard to put into words the joy one feels about how they feel as they visit with their missionary son. There is great joy!
He had an enjoyable time playing Santa Christmas morning.
It's a most interesting and unique Christmas for him. They don't really celebrate because they are not a very Christian country. All businesses and schools were open as normal. But, come new years day they will really have a big blow out, and maybe for days.

We opened a few gifts, including our traditional pjs. I did a great job this year with getting the correct sizes :) - the pants are all good, but the older boys shirts are all tooooooo big. Gangsta style! :) Great memories huh?!?!?!?

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Wednesday, 23

Full day indeed! Much like the day before.
A day filled with Family, Friends, and Fun;
Shopping,
Planning,
Creating,
Making Santa deliveries, and
Getting ready for Santa to come :)
Oh!, even some work on the deck.
And, Chase made us some yummy smores popcorn!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Tuesday, 22nd

Today was a full day!
Some of us went Christmas shopping.
Some went to the dentist (that would be BJo - a couple weeks ago she fell and hit her teeth, knocking one backward and breaking another one off. The dentist fixed the broken tooth and repositioned the other, but it was beginning to turn color and causing some pain/discomfort, which meant the root was dying and she needed a root canal. So she had her first root canal today, and all is well. "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" was not her slogan, but she is happy to be able to have her two front teeth. ;)
Some stayed home and mopped the kitchen floor for me.
Some worked on the deck in the afternoon.
Some delivered Santa gifts and bon bons to a couple neighbors.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! (Even though our snow has melted.)

PS. We even received some delicious treats ourselves. Thanks to our family and friends for those special treats!!!!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Monday, 21st

Today the guys worked on the deck, and the gals worked on all the fixin's for a turkey dinner. We all enjoyed the dinner after a long day of work.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

We're making our list and checking it twice.
We hope that this week brings many things nice.

Surely it will - things like:
- family togetherness
- friends and neighbors
- serving and giving
- listening to Christmas songs
- watching Christmas movies
- baking and eating
- finishing our individual reading of the Book of Mormon before the end of the year
- even building our deck...

and so much more, like
- talking to Elder Michael Hebdon on Christmas Eve.
We usually get to talk to our missionary sons on Christmas day, but we get to talk to him a day earlier because of the difference in the time zone he is in. We look forward to it.

I'm afraid this week is going to go by too fast. I'm going to try to savor every minute of it. I just love the Christmas time of year and all that it represents.

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus" (Neal A. Maxwell)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Happy Holidays!

There has been a lot going on that has kept us "running" and trying to get everything accomplished. I feel bad that I haven't blogged much this month.
This Christmas newsletter has been done for a couple weeks, but I've been wanting to buy some nice envelopes to put them in. Alas, I'm just using some leftover envelopes and regular envelopes. At least they are finally getting sent.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

A Shepherd's Story

I was a simple shepherd
Up high on a distant hill
When this most wonderful thing happened
Oh, how I remember it still.

We’d had a long day of our labors
In the early fresh spring sun
And were happy to be relaxing
Pleased with the work we had done.

The sheep had all been safely folded
Prepared and ready for night
But when the sun settled downward
The sky remained fully light.

Now being a shepherd in charge of the flock
To take good care and to keep
I wondered how this night I would manage
To take proper care of the sheep.

Would the animals react adversely
To such an uncommon a sight?
No, they were all content and peaceful
And showing not the least bit of fright.

We knew then this was the wonder
Predicted by prophets of past
That on the blessed tomorrow
The Savior would be born at last.

To the earth we then fell in reverence
Beholding with wonder and awe
And pondering, each one down deep in his heart
The many signs that we saw.

One sign we know most revealing
Which we noticed in the sky afar
Was the brilliance of a new illumination
The bright and a new shining star.

Then reverently as if to settle
Our minds on this wondrous thing
The angels proclaimed, “Alleluia”
Hosannas to us they did sing.

Jesus is born in Bethlehem
The whole of the world to save
To offer us all His salvation
To release each one from the grave.

The “Prince of Peace he shall be
To each, to one, and to all
The only one who is able
To redeem mankind from the fall.

A King, a Son living on earth
To accomplish His Father in Heaven’s will
To do all He was sent forth to do
And yet to be a God still.

The words of the prophets were right and correct
In fact, they had all been fulfilled
And I wondered at all of the prophecies
And how Samuel the Lamanite thrilled

A true man of God, a prophet was he
As were Abinadi, Nephi, and the rest
They had all told God’s words unceasing
And had all well completed their test.

Yes, the angels, the angels told us
He was born in a land cross the sea
In a stable out back was delivered
In a manger of straw lay He.

But here in the New World, America
We too hold claim to His birth
For truly He was freely given
To all the inhabitants of earth.

by Terry Dec 1990

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009