Saturday, January 16, 2010

A Brand New Year!

A lot has happened since our last post in November. Its January now and looking back 2009 will be a hard year to beat. We added five new members to our family. Trek and Carter joined on May 22nd our first grand children, Brooke in July, Amy in September and Joe in November. Three weddings in five months. We love all our new family so much.

All the kids and their spouses went to the other way for Thanksgiving this year – so we got them for Christmas. We took off Thanksgiving day after eating at Mom Webbs and having pie so that we could have Friday to get ready for the wedding Saturday up North. We enjoyed being with family again at Haven’s wedding. We were so excited to have all the family together in the temple. We had to get their early for Haven and Joe to get their paper work done. It had stormed quite a bit and as we sat in the waiting room I worried that everyone would make is safe and that the day would be as I had prayed for many years. I imagined it was a bit like Heaven Father yearning for all his children to make it back to their celestial home. So many things could go wrong. Our prayers were answered and all the children did make it – many family members their to take part in this sweet event. The day was cold outside, but our hearts were full as we enjoyed the spirit of the temple, family and friends. Haven was beautiful inside and out, and Joe was a wonderful match. The wedding dinner and reception turned out really nice – we rented a separate room with a big screen to that those who wanted to could check in on the big BYU vs Utah game. (Cougars Won – Ya Baby) Here are a few pics, you can see many others by visiting this address:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=364286&id=584785580&ref=mf

Joe’s family was so awesome, we became instant friends and we miss their association. It would be so nice to be close to those in-laws that we have joined with.

Christmas came quickly and it seemed we just were not ready. We had concentrated on the wedding and Christmas shopping did not happen as fast as it normally does. Still with the few weeks in between we got prepared and Cody and Amanda were the first to arrive with the twins the weekend before. We loved having the babies here all week. Shad and Brooke got here on Sunday, and Haven, Lant & Amy on Wednesday, and Joe came on his own on Thursday since he had to work. We ate a lot, watched movies, played Wii, built a snow fort, shot guns, played games and just enjoyed being together. We made the usual Christmas Cookie Train, made candy, and went caroling. Christmas Eve was dinner and fun with the Johnson side of the family over at David and Ramona’s.



The holidays went way to fast and everyone was gone by that Sunday after Christmas. I took a few days off between Christmas and New Years to burn some time and spend time with Brett & Joan, Patrice & Richard, and Valynne & Lamar and families who were down. It was fun seeing and visiting with my brothers and sister too. Stacey and I spent New Years Eve with the youth since we were in charge of the New Year dance. We have been spending a lot of time preparing for Summer Trek and all that it will involve. We have been busy.

So here we are in a Brand New Year! We had our FHE and set family (couple) goals for the year and are excited for the progress and blessings that 2010 will bring. We pray for the kids in their work and school. We know we will all be blessed as we seek first the kingdom of God. So here we go – bring on 2010!!