Thanksgiving

 Walkers look out - Kimbre makes a mean cheese ball!!!!

 Kevin - man of many hats

 Isn't there some saying about "too many cooks...."

 The two cooks that put this all together

 Kevin gave us a presentation about the origin of Thanksgiving

 The battle is just beginning

 In the end, Braxton showed his aunt, uncle, and father just how to play the game

 Lots of sleeping, watching TV and just enjoying the day

This morning we met Kevin, Lisa, and Braxton, and Derek, Sarah, and Easton Carter at the Spokane Temple where the boys were baptized for some family names Uncle John sent over from Sweden. Mom, Lisa, and Sarah had tears running down their faces as the boys were baptized.

It was a wonderful holiday with lots of food and visiting.  Mom, Kimbre, and Lisa went shopping Thanksgiving night until late.  Now it's back to the grind.  Mom and I got home this afternoon and are just sitting around enjoying the quiet.  Time to start getting ready for Christmas.

A moment from Shelby's birthday

The Gherkin - not the real name of the building; the nickname comes from a type of cucumber.

 Big Ben. If you, like me before I moved here, didn't know, it's attached to Parliament. 

 In and around London there are several old canals. Some are scenic and pretty and some are trashy, but most have a path along the side and a bunch of barges tied up along the bank that people live in. Like the canals, the barges vary in quality and I think you can't stay tied up in any one place for longer than 2 weeks. It must be hard to have friends over when your house moves every two weeks.  

 Kelly and I went to Parliament to visit the House of Commons and watch some debates. In general, it was similar to debates in the U.S. House, but they had a bit more cheering and jeering than we allow. It made it more enjoyable to watch, but they still didn't seem to be accomplishing much. And everyone calls each other "my old friend" when they allow an interruption. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the good stuff, so all we have is this focally challenged picture of one of the halls we passed through as we made our way through the Parliament buildings. With the big wood rafters if felt like a great hall in a lodge just waiting for some tables and a feast to be laid out. 

A picture of the Houses of Parliament that Kelly took a while back.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend did a craft fair at someone's house and insisted that I come down and check it out.  When I finally found the house, I ended up walking in behind Devin Ossinger.  Turns out it was his mom's house and she and her friend were the ones putting on the craft fair.

They decided to hold another one this month and I did a booth last night and today.

It was one of the more classy and elegant shows I've done. 

Here are some of my favorite boards I did.

Some of them are wrapped so they have a bit of a glare in the pictures.

 

 

Seth is still in the running for the job, we are just being patient as they work through the hiring process.  We're excited to go to Seattle tomorrow to see him and spend the week there for Thanksgiving.  He and Peter are getting close on wrapping up the house they are flipping.

Hope everyone has a fun Thanksgiving!

Shelby's Birthday

Sneak peek

 I was starting to put together our Christmas card/picture and realized we did not have a decent picture of all 4 kids.  We did so much this summer yet in every picture someone is pulling a face.  So all week I prepped the kids that we were doing a photo shoot this weekend so that no one would be surprised or in tears.  After some negotiations here are some of the cute ones that won't make the card but are still worthwhile.

Braxton has been sick with some virus, we're calling it the flu, for 10 days and yet he's still smiling and putting on a good show for the camera.)

Kanyon does not like doing pictures but he gladly sat down and said I have a good idea for a post.

Raya loves the camera!  I scored those sweater/scarf sets for $1 at Walmart in April when we got there.  Who knew the'd come in handy!

Adria couldn't stop posing!

Silly girls

This is the "we've taken enough pictures--stop it mom"!!!

Kevin making fun of how I was dressed.  It was cold and snowy/rainy and I didn't want to get any other shoes muddy!

Kevin took me on a date to see BYU Vocal Point in CDA last night.  It was a good time, and always amazed at how well they can sing and entertain.  I wished the kids could have come with us.  5 more days of school before we get a week off.  Here's to the weather turning cooler!

Some views of the henge

 The roman-era baths at Bath

 A full English breakfast (otherwise known as a proper fry-up) - tomatoes, mushrooms, sausage, bacon, and a fried egg on fried bread. It tastes great, but sits in your stomach like a rock

A Couple of Things......

At Grandpa Zirker's retirement dinner.  Mom and I (yes, that is us in the picture) were invited since we lived there at the time.  I used this picture because my boss was here a couple of weeks ago doing an audit and I told him I would be retiring next year.  He asked what I had planned and I said something simple with a couple of pizzas.  He said he would buy the pizza.  My secretary and I were discussing it last week and I realized it is getting close.  I think we will have a small get-to-gather of people I have worked with on March 28th at our building here in Moscow.  Then the 31st is my last day.  It is getting a little scary when I actually put it down in print.

A couple of weeks ago my mechanic from Walla Walla called and said the cracks in the stake center above the stage were bigger than last year and wanted to know what to do.  I called my church project manager from Portland and asked if he know a structural engineer.  He knew one in Vancouver Washington and so we lined him up and met him at the building last week.  His name is Brandon Erickson (ring any bells).  Yes, he is that Brandon Erickson.  I had a nice visit with him.  He didn't remember me very much but did remember working with Larry Woodbury and Stevie D.  He kind of remembered you Brant (time fades our memories). 

It snowed about 4" this week but it is mostly gone today.  It is nice having grandsons that are eager to shovel snow and I am more than willing to have them do it.

Creation Night

Braxton's replica of my work truck, trailer and excavator. Very true to details.

Kanyon's genius kit creation. A wheeled vehicle and a crane.

Raya. Sorry, nothing to display.

Adria, four puzzles in one night.

The Shard - We haven't paid the 40 bucks for a ride to the observation deck yet.

 Same day, different weather

 Kelly and her friends again

 Fireworks on the Thames for the Lord Mayor's Show

...and Our Halloween

 I thought I would add pictures from Halloween in Moscow. 

 Here are some Vampires from the neighborhood

Even a few skeletons hanging around the yard

 

We went Trunk-of-Treating at the church at 5:00pm.  Jason Stucki and I were in charge of parking.  Jason was totally obnoxious to everyone who pulled in.  He would say, "are you moochers or givers?"  Which meant, are you just here to get the candy or are you handing out candy too.  I think we insulted everyone in the ward.  We told the bishop he would have some damage control to do on Sunday.  Then we came home and handed out candy to our own Trick-or-Treaters.

It snowed last night, about 2 inches.  It is mostly gone tonight but we may get a little more.  It is supposed to warm up later in the week.  I hope so - I still have lots of leaves and stuff to clean up.  Seth, Lacey, and family left this afternoon for a week in Seattle.  It will be nice for them to be together as a family for a few days.  Time to start thinking about Thanksgiving.

...For this is Halloween!

Here is my wonderful neighbor cleaning up our leaves. He blew them into the street with his backpack blower and then swept them all up!

 The jigsaw traditon lives on!

 

-Brant