In the Meadow

I have been off work now since the 19th of December and we have really enjoyed our holiday time off to celebrate the life and birth of the Savior and to be with and enjoy family and friends. My City Christmas party was the evening of the 19th and it finished about 8:30pm. We quickly cleaned up, picked up Kevin and headed to Provo to Andrea's wedding. We got their about 1:00 am and had to be in Jordan River about 10:30 at the temple for Andrea's wedding. We stayed with Cody and Amanda and they were great as usual. We got to see all the family and finish Christmas shopping. Andrea & Thad are an awesome couple and a good match. It was fun to see them so happy together. This is Stacey waiting for the wedding at the Temple. We also took the opportunity to get a pick of all my siblings and Mom & Dad Webb at the reception. I wish I would have taken a lot more pictures.
















We drove home on Saturday, Haven came home with us. Lant came home on his own and Shad headed up to Ogden with Brooke. Cody and Amanda took off to Washington on the 23rd. The weather broke that one day and they were able to make it. Shad stayed up in Ogden for a few days and came home Monday with Brooke who stayed with us till Christmas Eve. She got a ride to Provo with our neighbor so she could be home for Christmas. We built the big snowman Tuesday after it snowed most of Monday night. It is 12 feet tall - we had to measure.

The usual traditions of the holidays were all enjoyed. We dipped chocolates, and went caroling and ate soooo much food, Grandma Webb made ham and turkey and all the fixings - No out of town visitors at Grandma's this year - first time in a long time. We had a little program conducted by Grandpa Webb, my Dad and I sang a duet, Star Bright - I got emotional and could barely sing - I was thinking of my Grandparents singing the song when I was a kid. Its is really a pretty song. Grandma Webb told the story of Skats and we sang lots of Christmas songs. Grandpa read from the Bible the Christmas story and we ended with family prayer. It snowed most the night Christmas even and we woke up to a really white Christmas. We now have two feet on the ground. The kids all got spoiled of course - so did we.

We have enjoyed lots of games, movies and visiting. I am getting better at all teh Wii games. We are getting a little bit stir crazy with so much time off at home. I have set my goals for the new year and we made our budget for 2009. Just the usual stuff getting ready for a new year. Shad and Haven went back to Provo yesterday, Lant is still around. Stacey and I celebrated our anniversary with dinner out yesterday. I will never take for granted the wonderful wife I married. She is everything to me. I love her so much, 26 years together now - I can't imagine eternity without her, I am glad I don't have to.

I am off till January 5th so we have a few more days to play - we are looking at different road trip options now. It was so good to see so much family this past week. It was good to hear from so many friends. We think of you all often.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Well we woke up this morning early because Stacey had Ward Council at 7:00am, and I just can't sleep when she is gone, and we had snow as hoped - just not as much as hoped - only an inch or snow on the ground. Still there was enough to need to clean the walks - so I fired up the fire wheeler (I put the snow plow on yesterday) and went to it - it was a little cold & neighbors may not have appreciated that I was out so early on a sleep in day - still it needed done.

As you can see in the picture it is half melted now any way - nice sunny sabbath - the roof is melted all the walks pretty much dry and we expect it will mostly be gone by the end of the day.

The week was normal with the average mix of church, work, and family - the exception was I took Friday off again and got a few things done around the house. Stacey and I then caught a session at the Temple and then came home and watched Dark Night. Saturday was spent getting ready for the new year and stuff around the house again. We look very festive I must say - we must of brought in 15 boxes of Christmas decorations from the attic and all the stuff in them is now hanging on the walls or tree - of course every where else on shelves, tables, cabinets you can imagine. We are excited for the kids to come home - of course we will miss Cody and Amanda - since they are going to Washington this year - well they do every year at this time - just sometimes later then earlier. Christmas only 10 days away -

I sing in the Messiah tonight - no solo's this year thank goodness - that is too stressful. We head up to Andrea's wedding on Thursday and look forward to seeing the Webb side of the family - I think all my brothers and sisters will be there.

We love the season and celebrate with you the birth and life of the savior. We think of family and friends and are thankful for our association with you and the blessing you are in our lives.

Food, Family, Fun, & News

Our Thanksgiving week was filled with food, family and fun as usual and we all laughed and over ate, but the greatest part of the week was the "NEWS". Yup after three months of secrets and prayers, Amanda and Cody let us announce to the family that they were 12 weeks pregnant with twins. So with family gathered and with emotion and tears they let me tell the family the good news. We are excited to be grandparents and are anxious to get the babies here to earth and in our arms. So happy for Cody and Amanda. They have been living right and count the twins as a blessing from our Heavenly Father. For more go to their blog @: http://www.webbnet.blogspot.com

Cody, Amanda and Haven all came down on Tuesday night so we had them here for an extra day. Lant came down with friends on Wednesday and got here early afternoon. We had to share Shad this holiday with his girlfriend Brooke and her family. They went up to Ogden Wednesday and Thursday and down to Blanding on Friday. We enjoyed being together, playing games and doing the normal family traditions. We had formal dinner with Johnsons but ate everywhere we went. Most of the Johnson clan was here including Sheldon who recently moved back to Blanding, even Shawn came up from Las Vegas. Grandma Webb had 18 pies, eight of which were pumpkin, my favorite. Stacey made a turkey, dressing, rolls and pies also and Amanda made her families sweet potatoes topped with marshmellos - also very yummy. We had so much food.

Shad & Brooke stopped in Monticello no their way down Friday to join the family in the traditional Christmas Tree hunt - it snowed on Thursday making the mountain beautiful. We had a fire, donuts, hot chocolate and fun playing in the snow. It didn't take to long to find our trees this year - so all had a chance to play around a lot.

We all went back to Grandma Webb's for chili and cinnamon rolls, of course Stacey had fixed both to help feed the big crowds. Valynne & Lamar, Patrice & Richard and their families were here along with the locals, Kevin & Lori, Kevin & Roxanne - five of my siblings were here and all together. We were missing Corrine, Cindy, & Brett and their families.

Friday night we made our traditional cookie train, it turned out to be fun and we enjoyed laughing and visiting. I burned Haven with hot sugar on her hand - thats twice now. I doubt I will ever live these burns down - she has scares to remind her.

Saturday was a hang out day - didn't do a lot - kind of cold - Mid morning Stacey had arranged for us to get family pictures, so we did - I expect we will be sharing those when we get them. I was responsible for the Golden Greenball that night so I spent most of the morning decorating. It was a family dance so most of the family came. Lant got roped into doing the Charleston that night with a group of young adults. He learned quickly and did a good job.

Everyone left Sunday and we ended up following them up North Thursday. The early part of the week was spent getting ready for the Ward Christmas Party Stacey was in charge of. So we got to see everyone again but Shad who had taken off for St George with Brooke and her family.
Cody & Amanda fixed supper for us on Thursday. Amanda is a good home maker. We appreciate their hospitality when we are in town. Stacey and I had head colds so we did not stay with them for fear we would get them sick. We did spend the weekend Christmas shopping in preparation for the holidays. We took all the family out to eat on Friday and got to meet Amy, a girl that Lant is dating. That was fun. She seemed comfortable around the family and is very cute. I can see why Lant is attracted to her. Only time will tell.
We finally made it home last night about 9:00 pm. We got things put away and prepared for the Sabbath. Another few weeks passed quickly again. Life is full - we are happy.