Saturday, December 29, 2012

Merry Christmas

 Lined up and waiting...let the gifting begin!
 " I really wanted a pig, but I like zebras too!"  Thanks Uncle Dallin!
 Bailey's bracelet and Brooklyn's scarf...a fashionable pair

 Little Durham just toddled around playing with anything and everything...this is fun!
Jay finally won the Danish pudding tradition...stored that almond in his cheek until the big reveal!

The Nutcracker

 It's official, grandma is shorter than one of her granddaughters!!  Of course, Bailey had on the highest of heels!
 All five of the girls on the steps at the Morrison Center.
 Admiring the beautiful tree and the crowd below...
 At the tree on the second level, on our way to our seats...why isn't the tree turning?  It usually does!
 Bellamie is finally old enough to attend the performance...her first time with the big girls!

Return to Bethlehem

 Members of our church family were invited to "return to Bethlehem" to celebrate the birth of Jesus...
 the stable was ready to receive the newborn king...
 marketplace stalls were decorated to serve food to the gathering crowd...

                       shepherds arrived...
                    the three wise men brought gifts...

Friday, December 28, 2012

Family Night in Caldwell, ID

 It was a cold, crystal-clear night in Caldwell, where we gathered to enjoy a walk through town...
 the lights along Indian Creek were a delight, and Bellamie found her favorite...a horse!
 Jay, Christa, Bailey and Mia cuddle up...
 I wish the lights showed up better in my photos...they were beautiful!
 Cache had to climb rocks, flex muscles, and run and jump...lights? What lights?
 Eden and her kiddies...baby D, (Durham), Brooklyn, Bellamie and Cache
 A pickup game of "light" basketball!
McKena holds on to our wish for all...

Sunday, December 9, 2012

What a Weekend!

 The view from our first seats...young people filled the entire venue...
 The grand entrance...youth from the Boise valley march into the arena...
 Reed is bishop of the Shoshone Ward, our ward's youth danced first, representing...
 the pioneers...there's Gracie! and there's Katie!  And 100 fiddlers playing !
 Boise's history includes the Basques...who are still very much a part of our culture...
 Many Mexicans have made Idaho their home, and have brought their music and dance...
 A little out of the timeline, but the Chinese contributed to Boise's past...
 Modern history was reenacted with the last play of the Fiesta Bowl...BSU vs Oklahoma
 Then, various aspects of our Church's mission to serve were portrayed..."Helping Hands"
 World-wide sisterhood...beautiful dancers including our granddaughter...
 There's Bailey...BAILEY!!!  Hey, Bailey...grandma and grandpa are here!  Wave!!
 Representing missions around the world, first a Maori Haka...wow!
 Then the flags of all the nations...
 Then our prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thomas S. Monson
The Boise LDS Temple was rededicated on Sunday, November 18, 2012.  It had been closed for a complete remodel for over a year.  As part of the festivities, it was open to the public for tours for a month previous to its rededication, and Saturday night, November 17, 9000 youth participated in a cultural celebration at Taco Bell Arena on the Boise State campus.  Reed and I were lucky enough to be invited to attend (not even parents were able to be there...they watched on a live satellite feed at area churches) and our granddaughter, Bailey, was old enough to participate.  After we arrived, and were seated in the last row; we were asked to move "down front" to the SECOND ROW!!  The celebration was spectacular!!