It's That Time of Year

On Wednsesday Ryan came over and we went up in the mountains to search out that perfect Christmas tree.  It is a tradition that I have enjoyed since I was a child and would sometimes go with my own father to get a tree for the holiday season.  This year the snow was not as deep as usual, so it was a little easier.  I remember going once with my Dad when the snow was about three feet deep.  We went on the farm tractor and ended up getting stuck and spending the whole day before we finally found the tree we were looking for.   Now we will decorate it and try to keep it fresh.  When we lived in Bear Lake we had a wood stove(which we really miss) and kept the family room quite warm.  It was not an uncommon thing to see a couple of inches of new growth on the branches of the tree after about a month when we decided to take it out.  The tree brought a festive spirit into our home and many smiles to the faces of our children as they wrapped the presents and anticipated what was in them.  Somehow, I just prefer the real tree.  I guess it is just the traditions of my own childhood, but it's also the fresh air and the snow when we get it and then the fresh smell pine while it is in place after being decoarted and strung with hundreds of lights.  We've made things a little simpler since moving to Logan.  We always enjoy this season, especially the beautiful Christmas songs and carols, which remind us of Jesus and his birth.

We hope that all of you find joy in this special season as we reflect upon the real reason for the celebration.

Happy Holidays,

Love you all and always,

Grandpa Bart

What Goes Around Comes Around

The past two Saturdays it almost seems like we have gone back in time,  a time that we enjoyed immensely when we we were raising our own family.  We couldn't begin to count the hours we spent traveling to ballgames,  basketball, football, baseball etc.  We not only enjoyed the games, but for the most part, even the long trips on wintry nights, and sitting in the sweltering August heat watching a Legion baseball doublheader,  or dodging the deer and making deer counting a contest, as we travelled through Emigration Canyon two or three times a week after baseball games in Cache Valley.  And then there was the moodiness after a poor performance or a loss, which was much less fun to deal with at the time.  Now it's almost humorous, as we watch our own children dealing with these same issues.  We enjoy being around some of the grandkids, and wish we could be closer to all of them, and being able to watch them in their activities.  I never counted any of these times, when we were raising our own children, as wasted moments, and now I can see the same caring attitudes and bonding moments taking place between our kids, now parents themselves, and  our grandchildren.  Enjoy them while you have them.  They grow up way to fast and in our modern world, not everyone is so lucky as to live close enough to the grandkids to become involved and enjoy all the things they do.

Number 25, Third Grader Ethan

Ethan in action

Coach Eborn and Son

Third Grader, Avery, getting instructions

Cousins, Avery and Ethan, on different teams, but enjoying one another anyway.  We'll see how it turns out when they play against each other.

Working at the Logan Temple

On November 4th, 2008, exactly one year ago today, my Sweetheart and I began a marvelous adventure, one that has brought us closer together, given us greater understanding of the things of eternity and our Father in Heaven's Plan for us and all of His children. We have learned much and have been truly inspired as we serve the patrons who come each day, and associate with the selfless people who work there as officiators.  One of the greatest blessing has been to see the young married couples, some still in school and others who are raising small families, come to the later sessions in the day.   We sense their devotion to their Heavenly Father and can see in their faces the reward of peace, oneness, and understanding and spiritual balance they have recieved by coming to the temple.  I wish that all could have this  opportunity and take advantage of it frequently.  The world would be a better, gentler place, and our families would also be the beneficiaries.

As of a couple of weeks ago, I have a double blessing, my brother Reed and his wife, Lorraine, were called to work in the Logan Temple too.  They chose to work on the same shift with us and it is wonderful to see them often and know that they are making the most of their retirement years as well.  It has been a great blessing for us and I'm sure it will for them as well, as we seek to bless the lives of others, both living and dead.

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

We did have a strange array of vistors last night, each of whom brought a smile to our face and joy to our hearts.  We always liked to see our own children having a good time.  Now with the grandkids, that joy is only amplified.

Grandma Iris got into the act this year too.  As you can see she painted her nose green, or?  Here she is with Annika and Micah.

The A-Girls, Ada and Annika.  Aren't they cute?

What on earth were Justin and Ryan thinking of?  Whatever it was we love them both, Witch  and Wonder Woman.

Avery, ready for battle.  He doesn't scare me though.

I didn't realize Justin was quite that childish.  He left his bottle, binky and diaper home though, so maybe it was just an act.

A cute bunch of spooks,  Ethan, Kylee, Hayden, Jackson, and Kate.

We were glad to see them all having a good time.

I  wouldn't want to come across as having favorites, but little Tristan, on his very first Halloween, may have been the cutest one of all.

Even Addison and Ammon got into the act.  Don't you think Ammon's mask is a little too scary though?

We love you all and are so glad you enjoy doing fun things as family.  Oh, and Grandma Iris took her green nose off this morning just in time for Church.

Love you all very much.