Major disappointment!

I have been waiting for 15 weeks for the state of California to send me this death certificate for Josephine Martinez. I was really expecting to find her parent's names on it. Such a disappointment to see they are "unknown". Another road block. There must be another way to find her parents. On the positive side I have her exact birth and death dates and I know how and where she died....

Christmas Eve, Christmas and gathering to see Joni and Gino

I don't know why I don't have any pictures of Josh and Meg; they came to Grandma's on Christmas Eve. The came to dinner on Christmas Day. They came to dinner on Sunday and stayed and talked to Joni and Gino and the gang today. Maybe Meg is avoiding the camera since she looks ready to pop! Richard, Jason, Josh, Dan, James, Jack and Jonathan went somewhere and rode some fast go-carts Christmas Eve morning. They had a lot of fun. Then some of the guys came back and got schooled by Jonathan at Super Smash Brothers. We girls planned to go see Tangled with the kids, but by the time Dean woke up from his morning nap, Sophie and Tessa were going down for their afternoon nap. We had fun talking and watching the cousins play together.

Dean is a car/truck/wagon (anything with wheels) lover. He really gets into playing.

Tessa eating breakfast and talking to her cousin Dean. She loves her younger cousins and buttons. She favors anyone with buttons she can do up and unbutton. The Joe Parsons family getting ready for the Christmas Chimes at Grandma Ellis'. Erika and Dean enjoying Dean at Grandma Ellis' Christmas Eve gathering. Sophie and Tessa were so into Christmas that morning! It was a blast to watch.

Steph and Jack and Jason, Nicole and Sydney made it in the afternoon!! Dean impatient about getting his car out of the box. Tessa telling Grandpa what she needs (probably princess shoes and jewelry). Dean really would rather play with anything with wheels than sit around opening presents. Sydney came to stay after lunch on Christmas day. She is such a cutie! She loves everyone and come up and grabs your hand to have you do or get whatever she wants. Rock star Sophie tried playing her guitar while she rode, but she didn't have enough hands. She is usually pretending to be a horse, a dog, or a black sheep. Princess Tessa tries on one of her new outfits. The best Christmas gift was having my kids fly and drive here! Thanks for coming! The biggest surprise was Jessica's announcement that she's expecting! She tricked me by going running 10 miles the day before. Joni got back from Monticello in time to eat Sunday dinner with us. Everyone made it over to see them except the Kendalls, who were celebrating with James' family in Orem. Sophie entertaining us with "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" sung while riding the horse. The horse was a gift to Grandma and all of her grandkids. We all love it. Sophie wanted me to take a turn riding it after her on Christmas morning. Sydney in her Christmas dress ready for church! I attempted a shot of their whole family, but Sydney was not interesting in holding still and it didn't work out.

Almost all together!

We had everyone together for Josh's birthday dinner and a some Christmas stuff on Thursday night...

Except for Joni and Gino who were off to Monticello to spend Christmas with Gino's mom. We'll try again on Sunday. I love having everyone here!!

Jonathan accompanies the Bingham A'Cappella Choir at Candlelight

Night of all Nights

Today is a long one for him; Swim dryland work-out 6:00-7:00 am. School includes weights and a piano solo in seminary. Leaves for a meet at Skyline at 1:55 pm. Swims the 200 and 500 yard freestyle. Gets back to the school, hopefully by 5:15. Eats, dresses and back to Bingham for choir pictures and warm-up for the 2nd night of Candlelight by 6:00 pm. Last night lasted until after 9:00 pm. He won't have any trouble sleeping tonight!

Anticipation!!!

Tis the day before my kids start arriving and all through the house there's stockings and countdowns and work for my spouse.

The programs and shopping and planning are done, but the best part of Christmas has only begun. First Jason, Nicole and cute little Sydney, then James, Jenny, Dean and the next little Kendall, next Dan, Jessica, Sophie and feisty little Tessa, then the locals arrive and all will be gathered! You'll hear me exclaim as they all arrive; "Happy Christmas to all"! "And pass me the grandkids"!

Still pregnant!

Just in case you were wondering;
Meg's still pregnant! Its starting to look like she's going to have a basketball!

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Don't you love the decorated ladders?

A shower, great ward Christmas party and a fun Sunday!

I had Heather Bringhurst's shower here yesterday. So glad she's finally getting married! They have been dating for like 6 years!!

We had a great ward party last night! It was relaxing for me, but poor Jonathan had to wear a shepherd costume for the dinner and everything. He played this solo to start out the Christmas play...

He had to play the part of a shepherd, run over and accompany the rest of the shepherds for their number and then run back on stage until the 3 kings were ready to sing, and run back down to accompany them. He did a great job though! It was real fun cause Jack and Steph came and ate with us, too.

Richard spoke in church today. He did a great job. He spoke about the gifts of the spirit. One thing that I learned from his talk was that we have to ask for the gifts we want.

After fighting a sinus infection and not having a voice all week, it was great to be able to sing with the ward choir at the Stake Sing-Along tonight. I also got to do the music in Jr. Primary today! And of course sing with the nursery kids. Its nice to have my voice back. Well, 75% of it or so anyway. Hopefully it'll all be back for the Christmas program next Sunday! I only get to teach my nursery kids 2 more lessons! Then its on to Sunbeams for them!

Melt down

Just wanted to update the snow level situation here. Its getting warmer! Hoping to be able to walk around the block tomorrow without slipping on ice!

The Noorda shower

Meg's family gave her a shower! This is the bedding set she wanted!

Her sisters.

Her sister-in-law and a couple of cousins.

Her family gave her a bike trailer. I didn't get a very good picture of it, but its very nice! The Noordas are such fun people. I really enjoy being around them. She's at 35 weeks on Monday. That's when Josh was born.

We got snowed on!

That's about 18 inches of snow on the picnic table on the back patio. We've had some melting this week, so we've actually had more snow than this shows. Jonathan was too scared to drive himself to school after the "BIG" storm. (Which actually only dropped a couple of inches) He drove himself (and 2 friends) this morning. I texted him to ask how the drive was and his answer was; fun:). I guess he got used to the snow in the last few days.

Thanksgiving with the Ellises

I really missed being here for this gathering last year. I love this wonderful group of people I'm related to. I found myself wishing I could be in Houston and Denver also, though. With Josh and Meg in Las Vegas the Quincy clan had a small showing this year.. Of course half of the gym is kept open for basketball! Aunt Caitlyn showing off Dex to the the Ellis cousins. Jodi (the great babysitter) holding Scott and Kristi's little Isabel. Dex smiling for his great aunt Chris. Nancy and Erika passing out Christmas gifts. Our family has the tradition of bringing gifts to Thanksgiving dinner. Cute little Wes and his family. His momma is due 4 days before Meg. This was the table for the serious Black Friday planning! Grandpa enjoying one more piece of pie! The poor guy had kidney stone attacks the last 3 nights and was sleep deprived! My mom and Emily. When is this woman going to act her age? We went early to help set up. Usually the family before us leaves the tables up, but for some reason they had put them all away, and there was my 81 year old mother starting to pull the tables out. Thank goodness we got there when we did or she and Dad would have had it all done without us! And yes, Jonathan came and helped with the tables, played the piano, played some speed scrabble and of course ate lots of turkey. We were all happy when Jack and Steph made it!

Joni came to see the new Harry Potter with us earlier in the day and planned to make it for dessert, but since she had to work 2 jobs; a total of 15 hours on Black Friday, I guess she decided to crash after dinner with her roommate. I hope everyone had a great day! I am so blessed and thankful for my family and friends and for the gospel that gives deeper meaning to every aspect of my life!

Remembering Thanksgiving week in Houston and comparing to the approaching storm here

Last year I was in Houston for Thanksgiving. Jenny's baby came early, so I was a couple of weeks late getting there to help. I loved spending time with my Houston families! While I was there, something unheard of happened! SNOW! They closed everything. They cancelled the tree lighting ceremony. I thought it was hilarious how they over reacted to a little snow storm. Jason and I went to the store and no one was there! Some stores were closed, but the ones that were open were pretty empty. Well, the grocery stores were flooded with people stocking up for the storm.
Well, this year I'm here in Utah, and guess what? Another snow storm is expected tonight and everything is shutting down! Here! They called and cancelled our sealing session at the temple tonight. I hurried and went to an afternoon session and as I left heard they'll be closing the temple at 3:00 and not opening tomorrow!! So I went to the grocery store on the way home and....yup is was flooded with people stocking up! My checker said that it had been that way all day, ever since the news said a storm was coming. So I must apoligize to Houston and admit that if we get that crazy about a snow storm, they are certainly justified in doing the same!!

Some of the pictures Laura took at the shower

Meg's great gifts! Posing with Laura's quilt. My sweet sister, Laura. Kristi, Leah and Beth Some great ward members. Nina, Dan's mom. Linda and Bethany Mom, Pam and Amy; 3 great ladies! Debbie Peck, Nita and Patti hiding behind them. Meg admiring the cute bag of food from my sister Marianne. Stephanie The shower had a nursery in the basement, with Jodi taking charge! Thanks Jodi (she even cleaned up the blocks that had been out for 2 days)! thanks for the pictures Laura! You always did such a great job of capturing moments!