A conversation with Nicole

Nicole: How old was Elder Wirthlin?

Me: 91

Nicole: Did he have a heart attack?

Me: No, he was old.

Nicole: Did his wife die too?

Me: Yes, 2 years ago.

Nicole: How old are their kids?

Me: probably in their 60's or 70's. When I'm 91, you'll be 71!

Nicole: Even if I'm 71, I'll still go to your funeral.

6 things I told my kids last week...

*Please don't sweep the dog.
*A bathrobe is not a jacket.
*It is inapropriate to smile with mashed potatoes covering your teeth.
*That would fine to sing opera during the closing song at FHE.

*Thank you for taking the trash out without being asked.

*You make my heart smile.

Animal

Here are some pictures of our dog, Animal. He is a Cockapoo--half Poodle, half Cocker Spaniel. I don't feel the obligation to post pictures of my dog the way I do my children, however using the word obligation and my kids in the same sentence does seem wrong to me. ANYWAY, the reason for this post is because I recently learned that my Dad has a picture of him with Animal on his bathroom mirror so I thought I should let him seem how big he's gotten. For the rest of you too, look how big our dog has gotten! The first one was when we just got him, and the last 3 were taken 3 days ago.

In Memory of Joseph B. Wirthlin

SALT LAKE CITY 2 December 2008 Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died last night, age 91.

Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 pm of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife, Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, died in 2006.

He had continued to work at his office right up until the Thanksgiving holiday.Funeral arrangements will be announced.

A Christmas Wish from Matthew

Christmas in the Northwest

This evening we went to the Great Bend Christmas Parade. One of the first floats was playing I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. I really like that song! It started and I was happy and then it said, "It's December the 24th and I'm longing to be up north. I seriously got choked up! I all of the sudden wanted to be home RIGHT NOW!

Since Christmas is coming, I thought I'd share my favorite Christmas Song with all my friends in the plain states that I'm sure have probably never heard it, unless you've spent time in the Northwest during the holiday season. For those of you that get to hear it during this time of year, I'm jealous. I LOVE IT! Just press play to hear it. Merry Christmas!

Making Turkeys

For FHE a couple weeks ago we had the missionaries over and well as our friends, the Durhams. For the activity we made turkeys our of our hands and feet. The feet are the body, and our hands are the feathers. I actually did this same activity with my school class 4 days before we did it at FHE. We did do it a little bit differently though. I used all scrapbook papers to add a little more personality, and we gave the boys eyebrows and the girls a bow in the 'hair'.

Ken--Notice the hand in the back with 4 squareish fingers. Ken did NOT trace his hand for that one, he cut it with 'free hand' and glued it there because he thought his feathers were parted. We put his special turkey on the bathroom door.

Dedra

Nicole

Matthew

The family...

Rules

Anyone who has been to our home, knows that we are pretty laid back. We don't have a lot of rules and I am the first to admit that we could all probably benefit from more structure.

HOWEVER, we do have a few rules AND 1 HUGE rule. DO NOT SIT ON THE ARMS OF MY COUCHES!! I can't think of anyone who has sat on an arm that I have not politely invited them to sit properly!

That being said, there have been 2 offenders in the last 48 hours. They weren't together at the time, nor did either see the other do it. I did catch them both in the act. AND I guess since I got video AND still photos of them, it very well could take away from how serious I am about sitting properly on furniture.

ALSO, another rule that I should probably follow, but do not, is fold the laundry and put it away. I HATE DOING IT!! That is why the same load is on the couch during both violations of previous said rule. Oh well, I guess it could be worse!

Popcorn Update

So Matthew has been selling popcorn for the Cub Scouts for the past month, give or take a week. Many of you have asked how he is doing, so tonight I asked him. Here is a video.

WAY TO GO MATTHEW!! $2300.00!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today for Thanksgiving Dinner we spent the afternoon at the Carltons in Larned. We ate lots of good food, laughed even more, and before the evening was over, we were all Guitar Heros. It was a blast! Thanks Connie for inviting us into your home!