Surprise Visit

Two weeks before Christmas, Lachelle and her youngest (Landon) came for what she called a mini 'mommy vacation.'  She was missing home and wanted to spend a little one-on-one time with Adam and Karina.  It was different not having the entire family come, but we enjoyed it in a different way.  Lachelle was able to do some of the things she can't always do when all the grand kids tag along.  She took Adam and Karina out on a 'date' to get ice cream late one night after Adam worked.  They went Christmas shopping, and even made a gingerbread birdhouse. 

Fancy roof of Necco wafers, a bird perch made with a candy cane, a wreath of M&Ms, and all!

Landon got in on the action with a 'play date' with his cousin, Hudson.  Hudson and Landon have the same taste in toys and clothes.  They wore the same pajamas, tugged on the same toys, and even took turns with Hudson's Christmas hat.  It barely fit Landon, we had to stretch it on!

There are a few draw-backs with the kids coming to visit.  One is that they leave so soon, and the other is that it makes me miss all the rest even more.  I would gladly take the bad with the good anytime that they could come though!



Christmas Tradition

For years now we have cut a real tree for Christmas.  I think the tradition really started because we didn't have money for a tree so we cut a cedar from the fence row at Grandma Shoaf's house.  The cedars were very unshapely but they sure smelled nice!  Then as the kids grew we found tree farms that were local and were relatively cheep compared to a tree lot in town.  The tree farms often had tractor rides or some fun things to do while you were there.  I remember a three-legged dog at one of them that the kids just adored.  It was the kind of dog that was so ugly that he was cute, and he was very funny to watch.

 Now that artificial trees are available for a more reasonable cost I often suggest that we invest in an artificial tree because it holds heavy ornaments and I don't have to put the lights on myself.  The kids still won't hear of it.   So this is the tree hunting adventure this year. 

So will it be this one or that one... too tall...  too short...  too thin...

We finally decided on one of the first ones we looked at and still had to figure out how to get it home.

Somehow I forgot to take the picture of the tree just decorated, but here it is on Christmas morning .  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Argentina Bound

Sarah has been preparing to serve a mission for the Church for several months and went into the Mission Training Center the end of August.  She has been intensely studying Spanish and has recently gone to Goya, Argentina.  Her first few weeks there were eye-opening and she is adjusting well.  She said that the people have very little but have very kind and open hearts.  Here are the first few pictures of Hermana Shoaf and the surrounding town.

The town is made up of dirt roads lined with concrete block houses painted bright colors.  There are random patches of bamboo grown for shade and to block the wind.  Sarah walks 15 miles a day and her feet need washed every night because of the dust.  It is summer now and it has been around 100 degrees most days.  It was very different for Christmas to be in the summer.  The last picture is of her Mission Pres. and his wife and Sarah's companion.  Sarah is doing well and is loving the people in Argentina already.

Court of Honor

Adam finally received his Eagle Scout award in Oct.  The ceremony was short and sweet but we enjoyed it.  One of the most special events of the evening was that Tyler got to 'induct' Adam in as an Eagle Scout and it was touching for us to see the two of them together.  The surprise of the evening was the beautiful statue that the Scout leaders got for Adam.  It was amazing!  We really appreciate Grandpa Jenkins coming and speaking also.  He was very complimentary and we loved having he and Jane there to share this event with us.  This award is just the beginning of Adam's list of things he can achieve in his lifetime, I hope and pray that he will take the qualities of Eagle Scout to heart and use them to live by all his life.

Blessings come in small packages

Tyler and Beth blessed Hudson on Sunday, Oct. 9.  We really enjoyed being involved and were sad that Beth's dad wasn't able to make it back in time to be at the blessing.  We had a great dinner at Beth and Tyler's house after church with the Shippleys.  Beth made us some delicious soups and rolls.  Hudson is getting bigger as we speak and is adorable.  The only sad part about having Hudson so close is that it makes me miss my other grand kids even more.

With three new grand kids this year, it is time for everyone to update my family photo gallery (hint, hint)!

Hermana Shoaf

We escorted Sarah to the airport early on Monday morning Sept. 26.  She reported to the Missionary Training Center on Wednesday after spending a little time with friends, her cousin, and her sister. Sarah has now been in the MTC for 4 weeks and will be flying to Argentina about Nov. 29.   By the looks of all of us, we are not morning people!

It was a special experience to go with Sarah to the Temple and to help her prepare for this mission.  It surprised us that she was so willing and ready.  We sewed many new clothes and spent hours doing paperwork and making phone calls to finish all the requirements.  I think Sarah was still in shock and a little nervous but excited and anxious to get started.



Spanish hasn't been coming easily to her but Sarah has been dedicated and diligent in her studies.  I am proud of her persistence and the example of obedience she is.  I don't doubt that the Lord will guide and protect her as He sends her to help his other children in Argentina.

Castles and Crabs

Gulf Shores, Alabama Sept. 2011

If you look close you might find the tiny sand crab Karina is holding.  We had fun chasing it and it was good at digging itself down into the sand to hide.  We did the usual shell hunts and we visited the pier at Fort Morgan also.

 Waves always win the battle against sand castles.  This one had been struck a few times and was already washing down rapidly.  The kids jumped in the waves and held each other up, which worked most of the time.

 Look.....see....foam!  Sea foam!  With the wind churning up the water so fiercely, the sea foam actually became solid.  It stayed on the sand for several minutes as the wind blew it in all directions.  You could pick it up like bath foam and play with it just the same way.

Just before Sarah was to leave for the Missionary Training Center, we took this short family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama.  We didn't have any real vacation this year so the long week end was great.  We managed to schedule the get-away the same time that the first tropical storm of the season came ashore.  What timing!



Gulf Shores was fortunately in the eye of the storm path so we only had periodic downpours and extreme wind.  It made the beach a little dangerous and beautiful at the same time.  Waves reached 8-10 feet high which is huge for that area usually.  We managed to have enough dry spells to enjoy the beach and when it rained we just went shopping.  This giant shark mouth is the entrance to Souvenir City, our favorite shop.  The entire store front is the giant shark.