Mustachio Club

There are quite a few law students in our ward. The have a club called the something Mustachio Club. It was actually started by one of the guys from our ward. After Thanksgiving you sign up, clean shaven, and then grow whatever facial hair they pick for the year and see who wins by Christmas. My councilor was telling me about it during sacrament meeting a couple of weeks ago when all the law students in the ward stared showing up with new mustaches, beards, sideburns, etc. (this year the stile is "open" to whatever you want to grow). So I came home and sent him this picture of me when I worked for Tsug just after Mom and I were married. He liked it and sent it to the other law students in the ward. I am now an "honorary" member of the Mustachio Club.

Just thought it was kind of fun.

Sweet Sugar Plum Fairies!

Here are this year's creations. We had planned on going all out and making true gingerbread houses this year, but Les got sick on us. (She is feeling better now, thanks for asking.) Instead, we went the graham cracker route. Each is different, as Ty decided his needed a garage and Katie wanted nothing fancy with hers.

This weekend I got my fill of Christmas productions. Leslie has always wanted to see the Nutcraker ballet, so Friday night I took one for the team and went with her. It was okay, but once in a life is good for me. (One word for you-bulges.)

Saturday, Les was sick so I took the kids to the Colorado Childrens Chorale's Christmas program. A lady in our ward is their accompanist. We rode the light rail downtown to Denver Performing Arts complex which is always fun. Ty and Aimee's favorite part was Santa's arrival at the end.

That night was our ward Christmas party. It was low key and just right. Plenty of time to visit and socialize while eating some good ham, sweet potatoes, and pecan pie. They did the nativity and Aimee and Katie were shepards. Ty was a wise man. It was fun to see all the primary kids up there in their robes, pillow cases and garland halos. I could just imagine it being performed in someone's living room on Christmas Eve.

Saturday night we received about 4 or 5 inches of snow. It was awesome and is starting to look and feel more and more like Christmas. Nothing like curling up in a warm home and watching the snow come down.

Feliz Natal!

Brant

I Spy!!!!

Is that Garfield I see?

Old pictures

This is what Halloween looked like this year at our house. Brandon and Michelle provided the oranges and jello and we provided the sloppy joes and carrotts.

I had a Karate tournament about a month ago and this is a picture of my group before we did our forms and sparring. I was grouped in with the over 18 heavy weights because there weren't enough light weights. I have some video from the tournament but I haven't taken the time to figure out how to put it on the computer yet.


This is Kelly enjoying some of her birthday presents. Her friends got her the shiny new boots(she almost wore them to church today and she has been stepping in every puddle that she sees) and she used her b-day money to buy an ipod.


We finally got a bunch of snow and we are now down one screen door panel because of the neighborhood snow ball fight.

Quick Update

Just a note to tell you we're still alive and kicking. Friday night was our ward Christmas party. We had a good turn-out and Santa showed up. He had an uncanny resemblance to Matt Lautuala, a fellow we've known for quite a few years. He is Polynesian and played football for the Uof I and then stayed in Moscow. He and his wife were in our home ward for a while. Needless to say the ward Santa suit just about didn't cover him. He is a "big" boy.

Saturday Seth and Weston took Mom and I down to the Latah fair grounds to see the model train club's display. It is a bunch of men who never outgrew wanting to play with trains. We had a good time. Santa was there too. We came home and Seth helped me put up the Christmas lights.

We went to the Stake Music Program tonight. Seth and 7 others from our ward sang in an octet. They did a super job. He also sang with our elders quorum in sacrament meeting. They sounded fantastic.

It snowed about half an inch this afternoon. Back to work tomorrow. Hope you are enjoying the season.

Brant, if you have any study materials that might help me pass my ham radio license bring them up for Christmas.

Miscellaneous Updates.

Yesterday some young men helped me to pick up a washer and dryer from a co-worker's house and deliver it to my neighbor. Her dryer is broken and she had tons of laundry stacked in her front room. I noticed this last weekend and decided to do something about it. Sunday we prayed and fasted that we could find a free washer/dryer for her. Like President Hinckley says: I then got off my knees and got to work. I sent out an email to several of my co-workers. Many of them suggested I look on-line, but one told me that his parents had a set in their basement that they no longer used (except as a place to store stuff on). I made the arrangements and yesterday we transported a green dryer and a yellow (the same yellow as mom's old appliances) to my neighbor. Prayer and fasting work.
Last Saturday I lost a ring I got from my mission. I had been wearing it on my ring finger because my wedding ring is too big. This was the same Saturday that we went out in the forest to cut down a pine tree, and the same Saturday that I hung the Christmas lights outside. I took my gloves on and off numerous times that day. I don't have the faith enough to ask for help finding it. Mom, does this sound like praying to find a missing diamond?
Friday I took Kanyon swimming. We stayed in the three foot pool the whole time. Kanyon's mouth is right around 3', so he had to bob on his tiptoes the whole night. But he loved it. We went out to McDonald's afterwards and got Chicken Nuggets.
I am now attempting to make a batch of Grandma Zirker's (rest her soul) cinnamon twists. Wish me luck. I may be up until midnight.