Summer Singpost-Grandma and Grandpa

White Christmas

What does that song say? “Time flies on wings of lightening; you cannot call it back.” I must say it is true. I just can’t believe that is 2009—let alone February 2009.
We had a wonderful holiday season. I think that it is just perfect to have Thanksgiving right before Christmas. It gives us a time to reflect upon all the glorious blessings that our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us. I think that it is important to stop and to express gratitude for all that we have. It is something that needs to be done more often since this world is full of people that only want more. Thanksgiving is a great lead in to Christmas—the time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. It is a time of hope and love and joy. I am grateful for Him and his willingness to atone for our sins so that we can have this hope and love and joy in our lives.
Our Christmas Holiday was one that we will never forget. It was filled with much adventure as we forged through the snow of Oregon and Washington. If the Northwest ever needs snow all they have to do is send for us and the snow will come. We left a sunny Boise thinking the trip would be great—we would get to Gina’s in good time. That was not to be. Not far into Oregon we hit the snowy weather which stayed with us for the entire two weeks of our vacation. It took us ten hours to get to St. Helens from Boise—about three hours longer than the norm. We did make it to all the important events and that made our trip worthwhile.
The day of Brandon’s baptism arrived all white and snowy. Church was canceled and with it the worry that we couldn’t have the baptism. Pete’s mom was to be leaving the next morning, so after many phone calls, permission was given to hold the baptism. It was much too snowy for the Garrison clan to make the trip. It was a lovely baptism and the snow just emphasized the purity of the moment.
All flights in and out of Portland were canceled, Pete’s mom ended up enjoying the Christmas holiday with all of us. The snow was not too bad on Christmas Eve, so the Garrisons came to the Phelons for the annual Christmas Eve Ritual—the eating of the pizza and the traditional program. All the children were very hyper waiting for the visitor from the North Pole. When we asked Shaylee who would be coming tonight. She exclaimed enthusiastically “Matthew”. I think she was happy that Santa Claus came anyway. After leaving Vancouver, the Garrisons arrived home to a snowy Kimmell Lane which meant that the poor car could not make the trip up the hill. It was parked in a nearby neighborhood, and Gina and family trudged up Kimmell Lane only to find that there was no electricity at their home. Nice Christmas Surprise.
Christmas Day found us up early at the Phelon household after Stephanie had said that her kids never get up before 8:00 on Christmas morning. We had a fun time watching their kids open their presents and enjoy the loot before we headed out to St. Helens to see what Santa had left there. Santa had been good to them also, and they were excited with all that was under their tree, but he didn’t fix the electricity, so we had Christmas by candlelight so to speak. Christmas dinner was left in the fridge to be enjoyed another day. That day came the next afternoon and great cheering erupted as the power returned and all was back to normal—kids on the WII and the computer, playing all the Christmas games that they had not been able to play the day before. In spite of all the snow, we had a wonderful time making memories with our children and grandchildren.
On January 20th, Nathan turned twenty-five. I just can’t believe that our youngest child is 25. There is that time thing again. He graduated from BYU in December and is now joining thousands of others as he hunts for a job.
After a year of rest, Dad has been given a church calling. We both just laughed when we found out what it was—Scout troop committee. I am sure you will all have a great laugh too since we all know how much he loves scouting. I have been released from my calling as Gospel Doctrine teacher, so I guess it is my turn to be put out to pasture for awhile. Maybe I will get on the ball and learn how to use all this technology to do some Family History.
We hope that this new year will hold much happiness for all of you and that Nathan will find a job.