Here are the warriors from Troy's party!  Quite a group!

Troy is a Deacon!

Sunday January Eleventh Troy turned 12 and his Dad also ordained him a Deacon.  It was a wonderful experience.  Next Sunday he will pass the Sacrament.  

He had a low key birthday on Sunday, however his party on Saturday was quite different.  Brian took several boys up to Kelly's uncles property in Vacaville and they played with some kind of air gun things for several hours.  They had a great time!  

When they came home they ate pizza and cake.  I slept through the whole party on the couch in the family room until they got ready to sing Happy Birthday when I finally woke up.  Imagine sleeping with boys running around eating pizza!  Brian said, "I thought you wanted to come to Troy's party not sleep through it".  Troy woke me to ask if I was dead.  I guess I was a party poo per.

Emily gave her first talk in Sacrament meeting on Sunday.  I head that she did a wonderful job.

As everyone now knows Cari and Kelly are having baby boys this spring.  Laura and Steve will let us know when the baby comes if it is a boy or girl.  

I count my blessings every day for a wonderful family.

Suggestions for Trans Pacific Flights

Wow, am I having a hard time adjusting to Las Vegas time! The first two nights I was up all night and slept all day. That was crazy. Now I am falling asleep by about 3 am and getting up by 10:30 am or later sometimes. So my suggestion is allow at least one week to adjust to the time and if you are over 60 it might take two weeks!

My goal for today is to unpack my suitcases so I can repack them to go to California for Troy's birthday and receiving the priesthood on Sunday. It is hard to believe that he is turning 12 and will be a deacon. I remember the day he was born and how happy we all were! And how cute he was as a baby and still is, check out his smile on the Christmas picture they sent!

Next week when Joy sends me video I will let Calvin announce to all of you, his new name for me. I had to get it on video because Brian will NEVER believe me.

An Important Correction

I wish to acknowledge a mistake on my blog, as brought to my attention by Brian in this email

I was reviewing your blog and noticed that Brooke will be baptized in May - of 2010!!! She is only six right now and in the LDS church we baptize our children when they turn 8.

So I made a mistake, what can I say, I am OLD and forgetful . . . OK I have admitted it.  I suggest you remember this date, Brian.  I may never admit it again.

Merry Christmas, a few days late

We had a great Christmas in Okinawa!  Opened lots of fun presents and generally relaxed.  While waiting for dinner we walked to the park and played.  

Years ago when I was little I used to roll down the hill in my Grandma & Grandpa Morgan's front yard.  It was a perfect place for rolling.  Well, I decided to teach Calvin how to do it.  Not that it is hard, but he probably had never seen it done before.  Thankfully, there are no pictures to included!   I was sooo dizzy when I got to the bottom it took me a few minutes to be able to sit up.  And Calvin decided not to try it!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  We tried talking to Emily for a bit on Christmas Day but when she was playing her DS (whatever that is) and listening to her MP3 player in one ear, we decided that she was "way too busy" to talk.  

Steve said the baby "got a haul" on Christmas and was thrilled with the Atlanta Braves outfit for the baby that his aunt and uncle got him.  In case you didn't know, that is his favorite team.

I fly back to Las Vegas on New Years Day and arrive there on New Years Day thanks to crossing the international date line.  

Scott is getting into this "favorite son-in-law" contest and is working on points, so just a warning to Matt and Steve.

I miss you all!!!

Almost Christmas

Well tomorrow is Christmas Eve in Okinawa.  I have been here for two weeks tomorrow.  I am amazed how beautiful it is and appreciate this time that I have with Joy, Scott and the boys.  The boys are so cute and really growing up too fast. 

Sunday we celebrated Bills birthday in the way we always do with Razzleberry pie from Marie Calendars (they had one at the commissary!).  Calvin sang Happy Birthday to his Grandpa with much gusto.  Like Troy used to before Brian convinced him I was crazy to sing Happy Birthday to Grandpa.  The next day when Calvin found the picture of Joy and Dad that she put on the table for the party, he picked it up and said, "Let's get this off the table, it is not his birthday anymore!"  Had to laugh.

This next year will be exciting.  Baby Orme due March 14, Baby Addington boy due April 22, and Baby Zobrist due May 30th.  Troy turns 12 and received the priesthood in January,  Brooke is baptized in May and Tina graduates High School in June.  

I will try to at least update this blog with pictures once a month.  I can dream, can't I Steve?