Playing catch up

Jon lost his battle with cancer and passed away. The funeral was yesterday. We are told that Mindy spoke at the funeral and said that Jon wanted everyone to know that although his life wasn't spared that the Lord answered our prayers and they have had many blessings. They have such great faith. They know they will be together again. Our hearts go out to Mindy and her children.

And that's part of the reason I haven't posted lately. How do you transition from that to family news where we are seemingly going on our ways unchanged by such events. We are not uncaring. We continue with our lives and activities because that is what we are meant to do, but Mindy and her family will be in our hearts and prayers.

Some of our recent happenings, in no particular order:

Thanksgiving was so wonderful with Eric and Ryan here. We had such a blast being together. New favorite game is Istanbul.

Eric turned 25. Hannah turned 21. Our nephew, Joseph, reported to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) and will be heading to the Florida Tallahassee mission.

Alex wants to be on the track team this year (running sprints) and so that meant he spent yesterday at their annual fundraiser which is selling Christmas trees.

Ryan got a promotion and raise at work. He is now the lead student as his custodial job. He's only been working there since just after the semester started. Congratulations Ryan.

Alex and Glen, along with the scouts, finally made it to the top of Job's Peak, the highest mountain peak in the Stillwater mountain range. This was the 4th attempt. Glen says is happy to never have to try again.

I've been having a blast getting the house decorated for Christmas. We have 6 trees up, soon to be seven. Yesterday was my deadline for finishing the decorating as tomorrow I start a sub job that will take me through to Christmas break. I will be subbing for the Health Occupation's teacher as she donates a kidney to someone else from here.

As for the 7th tree, Hannah was the highest bidder in an auction. We have barely seen Hannah the last few weeks as she and her best friend Becky (with whom she shares a birthday) have been crafting up a storm. They had a booth at one of the craft fairs yesterday here in Fallon. The craft fair was a fundraiser for Toys for Tots and that included a bunch of donated trees being put up for auction. Hannah bid on and won the tree that her employers donated. Fox Peak Cinema's tree is full of candy, movie passes, and gift certificates. Now I just need to find a place to put it.

at Job's Peak November 2016

Glen and Alan at Job's Peak

the view from the top

trying to stay warm on the peak

1 candle representing his 1st quarter century

Elysium, another new game we played

the boys helping to assemble the trees

Elders Uscola and Plumb

the "Merry and Bright" sign is one that Becky made and I bought at the craft fair

went to Fallon's tree lighting for the first time in years

after the tree was lit, fireworks were set off

BYU's annual Christmas concert was live streamed. Heather is in there (middlish?)

Alex's update and Henry is the cutest dancer!

Haven't blogged in several weeks, so I swore to myself that I'd do so this weekend. So, here it is.

Alex, having turned 16, was now old enough to be ordained to the office of a Priest on October 23rd. That allows him to bless the sacrament, which he did for the first time today. Always a wonderful thing to see my kids advancing. Good job, Alex!

Alan, David, Thomas, Gary, Joseph, and Dad P with Glen and Alex

I went to visit my sister, Denise, last weekend. No photos to show, but we had a fabulous time. Being with her recharges my batteries. Always a joy. We shopped a little, played games, and just hung out. I also got to see my brother-in-law (Pat), 3 of my nephews (Cory plus his wife Amanda, Danny, and then Jake who was visiting from BYU-I), and a friend and her daughters who recently moved from Massachusetts to Vegas (Martha, Jamie, and Samantha). I wish we could see each other more often!

The tennis banquet was on the 1st. Here the coach, Jesse Nuckolls, is giving Alex his certificate that allows him to pick up his Varsity Letter (for his jacket, which he doesn't have). Alex was the most improved player on the team this year. Now that tennis is over, Alex says he wants to do sprints on the track and field team next. I'm so glad he wants to participate in things and not just sit at home.

Girls' team, who are #1 in Northern Nevada, with the boys' team

So, I took these photos 6 days apart. Fall has definitely arrived.

26 October 2016

1 November 2016

Andrew posted 4 videos on his blog of Henry enjoying music. In the first 3 videos, Henry is in his stroller enjoying the marching band at a parade. Pretty darn cute. The 4th video is of Henry dancing to music at a Halloween party (he's dressed a Hobbes the tiger from Calvin and Hobbes.). The cutest.

So, I'm posting the link to Andrew's blog so you can see all the video clips by going there, but I am posting the 4th video here as well. Can't wait for Christmas when they come to visit!

https://agamedesignersblog.blogspot.com/2016/11/videos.html