Time to Open the Presents

We waited for Grandma to come before we started opening the presents.

As tradition would have it, Dad passed out the gifts, while mom made sure that everyone got one in order.

Emma got what she needed. My they grow up fast.

Mom did her job well. There's a saying that wrapping paper left on the floor while the next round of gifts are being handed out is bad luck.

Thank you everyone for thinking of poor old Dad. The Yule Log is still with me. It makes me smile.

Setting up for a round of laser-tag. Hey, it was cheap. It kept them busy for more than an hour.

Josh trying out Matthew's new Pogo Stick. This was the one thing Matthew wanted and didn't have any idea that he would get one.

Puzzle Tradition

Here's something that you don't see every day. It was morning and no one was looking. So they thought they could get away with working on the puzzle. They're too cool to do this in a crowd.

Grandma had a puzzle with 3000 pieces, from Poland for us to do. I said, ah....you've already done that one mom.....let's do a new one. So we put a 1000 piece puzzle together instead.

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning is a little different with older children. The excitement just isn't what it used to be. Matthew didn't let us down though. He was up at 4:00am.

This is a candy bouquet that Emma and Mom made. Im thinking that Emma really adds to this picture.

David in a barrel

When you put David and Ammon together you just don't know what you'll wind up with. Ammon has the great ideas and David is always willing.

Pogo Man

This was the only thing Matthew wanted for Christmas, and as you can see he is very accomplished at it

Cami and Mae Visit

What a great time we had with Cami and Mae.

Mae stoled the show and kept everyone entertained.

Uncle Ammon must be one of her favorites.

I bit my tongue.

Can I help with that grandma?

Just hangin' out with uncle David and uncle Matt.

Hey grandma, let me help you water the flowers.

Nothing like a cold drink on a hot day.

Did I already water this one?
She watered the same pot about 10 times.

Mae really had a great time doing this.

Hey you guys, I'm Seth's little girl!!!

No, really?

Mae wanted uncle Josh to sit with her on this bench.

Only problem was, there wasn't enough bench.

Mae was a hit with her uncles.

She learned quickly that she could have

anything she wanted from these two guys.

This will be one of those classic family pics

David and Matthew hatched out some chicks for Mae.

But she wasn't sure if she liked them. We couldn't get her

to hold them. She would touch one for just a moment

and then throw it down. But she loved the kitty.

She was so cute by grandma's flowers.

But when she figured out that she was having her picture taken,

we couldn't get the eyes, the smile, and the flowers all coordiated.

We miss them both.

Distance is a grandparents worst enemy.

Goodbye Ben

Well the time came. He was packed up and it was time to load up and head for the airport. These little guys are going to look a whole lot different in two years.

Little sis. This girl will be sixteen when he comes home. Now there's a scarey thought.

Josh is glad of one thing. He gets his own room. That's what happens when one moves out. You shed a few tears, and then get right to work moving beds around.

At the airport, going down the list. All eyes are on Ammon. "Did you get everything?" "Dad, I don't know if I got my toothbrush" "Don't worry about it Ammon, I'm sure Jonny has an extra one."

Ammon said he got stuck with the "girly" suitcase.

Well, off they go for a one week stay with the girls and their hubs in Utah. Then on the 3rd of September Ben reports at the MTC.

He'll be set apart by President Thad Adams, Seth's father, the night before. We really appreciate his help.

What a suprise. Taylor was waiting for him at the airport. She had been there for 40 min. by the time we got there.

"Goodbye mom." "I better hear from you every week Ben." "Oh mom, don't forget to send some jam, I need one jar a week."

"Goodbye dad." "Goodbye Ben, I expect to get my money's worth. Work hard, be obedient, and think about how hard we have to work to keep you out there. Just kidding."

"Goodbye Ammon, stay with your brother, don't wander off, don't go to the bathroom by yourself, be careful." "Mom, this is embarrassing, I'll be alright, ok?"

Well, we won't be taking a picture like this one for at least 3 1/2 years.

We saw him off with mixed emotions. You know it's the right thing, but you wonder if it has to be. Life goes on, things change, mostly for the better. But it's hard to see your friend and son leave, never to return the same. He's a great man with a great future. God bless and take care of our baby.

Jambin'

They're loosing the lead guitar. Ammon says that dad will have to pick it up. They may not like his style.




Ben taking the lead vocal. You would have to hear it to appreciate it. Fortunately the guitars are really loud.
"Ben, settle down. Are you singing the right song? That doesn't sound right"

Josh has mastered the bass, and with his 100 watt bass amp, HE WILL BE HEARD!!!!



This guy's a natural with the drums. He's really letting it go here.

They've had alot of fun together, but like every great band, the break up must come. But in their hearts, the steal and skins will always sing, and someday, they'll play again.

Goodby to the Shop

Ah, shedding a tear. So many memories, and so many great times here in this sweat shop.

Come on Ben you can't stay. You have to go on a mission. "No, I can't leave the shop. What will I do, how will I spend my time, I'm lost, Help!!!"

Actually, I don't think he was too hurt about it. He just turned around, look inside, and said....."Goodbye Shop". Wow, that was deep.


It was more like he was jumping up and down and doing cartwheels. Personally, I think he's going to miss it.

We certainly will miss him. Ben has been a great help and a responsible worker, and he still has all ten of his digits, as uncle Kelly would say.

But the show must go on. We will have to manage without him.

Spending time with the bros

Just trying to get a little quality time in with the brothers before Ben is gone FOREVER!!

Ben got his radio controled airplane out and got it

flying again.

Ammon has had it ruff though. He is really suffering from separation anxiety. Going to Ben's room every morning to make sure that he's still there.

All things concidered, we've really enjoyed the past few weeks and we all will miss him.

Ben's Temple Trip

This story begins with Friday night. Dad had been sick for a week and progressively getting worse. With chills and fevers, and deep painful coughing that seemed to come from the depths of hell. Well anyway, it didn’t look like dad would be going to the Temple with Ben. So dad asked Ben to give him a blessing. The family gathered around, and Elder Palmer gave dad a simple but wonderful blessing. "I bless you that you will be able to go with me to the temple." It’s times like these when one realizes just how little faith one has. At 2:00am we arose to get ready. Some changes had taken place during the night, and dad was able to get through the preparations to go without a cough, without a heave, and without a fever sweat. We made the trip to the temple and went through the session and did the whole thing without a hitch. Dad hardly coughed. Ben was the most handsome thing that his mother and grandmother had ever seen of course. He expressed his testimony about the experience and a desire to return soon. He’ll be a great missionary. He said later that he knew dad would be going after the blessing.