Does it Get Any Better Than This?

I don't think this needs any explanation.

Merry Christmas!

About 20 years ago, before we left for Germany, when both of our Mothers were still alive but widowed, we would invite them to spend the night at our house on Christmas eve, for alternating years. I always wondered if we were doing them a favor or they were doing us a favor. Well, if they enjoyed watching the children on Christmas morning as much as I do, then we were definately doing them the favor. For the last few years we have tried to go to one of our children's houses early Christmas morning and watch the children open their presents. We enjoyed it, and I hope they didn't mind too much. The last two years we have had the joy of having one of our out of town children stay with us for Christmas Eve. (And I use the word "joy" very intentionally.) This year not only did we have Kathryn and her family with us, but, thanks to Melissa, we also had Christmas brunch at our house. Everybody showed, with the exception of Dustin and Tamra as they are in Oregon. For Jeanne it was a lot of work, but I think she enjoyed it, and I know I did. I LOVED IT. I don't show my joy very well when they are here, but I truly do love it. I just kind of sit there and take it all in. Here are some photos that I took today of some of the grandchildren that I love so much!!!

All I Want for Christmas!!!

To me Christmas is about the birth and life of Jesus Christ, and the best way to celebrate that is with family! Lately I've been feeling sorry for myself because two of my children and their families live far far away. Last year Dustin and family came and spent Christmas with us from Oregon, and even though we were in the middle of a remodel they never complained. It was so good to have them, but this year it would have to be phone calls to Oregon and Kentucky. Or at least that's what I thought. Yesterday evening, as we were sitting talking to some friends that dropped by, the doorbell rang (for the fourth time) and I said something to the effect, "Oh my gosh, who is it this time?" Jeanne volunteered to get the door and pretty soon I hear animated talk and her inviting them in. A few seconds later I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and as I turn and look I am shocked and joyfully surprised to see my son-in-law Trevor standing there, having just arrived from Kentucky after a 30 hour straight through drive. What a wonderful Christmas surprise!!!!

Apparently Melissa was happy to because she beat me to the punch on blogging about it, but fortunately, since she didn't know why she was really coming over, she didn't bring her camera. (Let that be a lesson to you Melissa - Be Prepared) But I was ready and so I get to be the first to publish photos of my two newest Grandchildren together for the first time in their lives. Born only 6 days apart and now still less than one month old. So here you go, one of the very first photos of them together.

Avery Leger (The petite little girl)-Left and Davis Grubbs(The big strapping boy)-Right

My Desktop

I've almost always had Rhinos as my Desktop background picture, but I was recently going through organizing the thousands of photos on my computer when I ran across the one below and decided that I should have the photo of the three favorite women in my life (Good thing Annabelle can't read) as my desktop. They are all so beautiful, it just makes me happy to look at this photo.

We Won't Soon Forget The Forgotten Carols

A few years ago Jeanne bought the book and the cassette tapes of The Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. The tapes were read and sung by the distinctive voice of Glenn Yarborough. I really enjoyed listening then and reading along. This year when I saw that the live performance was coming to town with the lead played by the author I decided to get tickets and attend. Since I was getting tickets anyway I decided to go ahead and buy four so we could take somebody with us. Last night was the big night and Eric and Jannica joined us for the evening. We went out to eat and then to the performance. I think all four of us had a wonderful time. Jeanne and I have talked about it all last evening and many times today. As a matter of fact we had such a great experience we have decided to try to make it a tradition and go each year with different ones of our children and their spouses. At first when it started I frankly wondered if I would enjoy it as much as I hoped but as it went on there was something that really touched me that I can't even explain. I really loved it. We had such a nice time with Eric and Jannica last night that I find myself looking forward to next year already.

A Day That Will Live In Memory

It was on this date in 1941 that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and threw the U.S. into World War II in the Pacific. Franklin D. Roosevelt uttered those famous words "A Day That Will Live In Infamy." And he was certainly correct. However, for us, Dec. 7, 2008 was indeed a day that will live in memory. It is a Sunday, and I had to work. Unfortunately that is not too uncommon any more, but after work, thanks to our good friends Chad and Jayne we got second row seats in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City to the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Christmas Devotional. It was wonderful to be there for that. But, that wasn't all. Afterward we went on down a few blocks away to KSL (Channel 5) Broadcast House, where we watched Jeff do a phenominal job as the "Fan Off The Street" on the 9:30 edition of Sports Beat NFL. Oh, and myself, Melissa, their new baby Avery, and Jeff's parents and little sister got a cameo appearance also. Jeff really did a first class job!!! Check Melissa and Jeff's blog, I'm sure there'll be some photos very soon.

Number 17~Thank You Kathryn and Trevor

We got the phone call this morning!! We are so excited. A healthy little boy weighing in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 inches long was born to Kathryn and Trevor at 2:38 this mornings. From Kathryn's telephone report it sounds like everything went as well as you could expect. Fortunately, it was a natural birth. I've instructed them to get photos to us soon. We can't wait to get those and knowing Kathryn many gorgeous photos will be on their way. We are so blessed to get two beautiful, healthy, new grandchildren in the past week. We thank our Heavenly Father for such wonderful additions to our eternal family.

Number 16~Thank You Melissa and Jeff

I promised you (or at least hoped) for another post before the day was out and here it is. Avery was born to Melissa and Jeff at a little after 1:00 p.m. today. November 26, 2008. She weighed in at a healthy 6 lbs 11 oz, and was 19 1/2" long. Of course she is beautiful, what would you expect with such heritage. I learned a long time ago that hair always comes out darker in photos than it really is. Her hair is much blonder than it looks here, but as you can see she has a fair amount already. These photos were take when she was about 2 1/2 hours old. We're hoping to see her eyes tomorrow, and we understand she has healthy lungs.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

As I write this I have no new grandbabies. Melissa is laying in the hospital. They induced labor this morning, and the last text msg I received said she was in pain, but that was a couple or three hours ago. I talked to Kathryn, and there is no progress with her at all, she's just sitting at home getting ready for Thanksgiving. My guess is that there will be another post before the day is out, with a photo of little Avery. Today is quite warm for this late in November. It is expected to get to near 50 f. I went for a bike ride, and even though I have been riding the exercise bike some, it has not been enough, I did just a little over 7 1/3 miles and I was pretty warn out. I have vowed to get on one of the bikes a lot more often. As I was traveling today I took a few photos and left is one of them. Jeanne's knee has been injured, but she is recovering pretty well thanks to being careful and a visit to the doctor on Monday, but she did get on the excercise bike for a few minutes today.

Happy Birthday to Our Baby Girl

Do you remember November 20th 1980. I do. Jeanne's doctor told us that if our baby hadn't been born by then he would induce labor. I was pretty excited and so I made sure I didn't have any appointments that day. You see, I had my own photo studio in downtown Ogden, and I was the chief photographer. All photos were done by appointment, so I made sure I was clear for the day. In to the hospital we went. Jeanne was preped and the drugs to induce labor began dripping into her veins. Then, we waited, and waited and waaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiited. The doctor forgot to tell me that sometimes it took many many hours before the baby was born. Turns out I should have kept my calendar clean for two days, not just one. The problem was, we made most of our money in November and Early December as people had family and personal portraits done for Christmas. So, on November 21st I'm back in the studio taking photos and still no baby. Jeanne's up at the hospital, just relaxing and enjoying life laying in the bed with the IV still dripping and her older sister Joanie is there to be with her. As I rembember it, I got a call somewhere around 1:30 or 2:00 in the afternoon that I'd better get to the hospital. I got there as fast as I could, but I was a little late, and so waiting for me was not just Jeanne, but Jeanne and our newest, and last, baby, Melissa. Melissa wasn't born with the best of health, turns out she had jaundice and so had to spend a few extra days in the hospital, and then we had to return every day or two for a few weeks to get her under the lamps. Then for the first year she was often sick and in pain from colic or something. After a few months of Melissa we decided she should be our last. But something magical happened at just about the one year mark and since then she has made up for that first year ten thousand times over. She has brought great joy to our lives and still does. We love you Melissa and wish you the very happiest of a

Happy Birthday