Lisa n Tom (n James n Joseph)

Do it again! (Because if it's funny one time, it's funny every time.)

Lisa writes: We went to Las Vegas for Christmas. It's not what you think! Here we are with my niece Madison at Red Rock Canyon before going to my aunt's house for Christmas Eve. What there was: -- Cookies -- Nativity scene reluctantly acted out by small, squirmy children -- Presents -- The Gospel of St. Luke What there wasn't: -- Girls, girls, girls (unless you count me and my sisters) -- Gambling -- Sin (except maybe gluttony)

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Joyous Wishes to All ~ Merry Christmas ~ Roy and I send love and joy as we reflect on the blessings of 2011 ~ Our children continue to live as far away from us as they can. So Roy and I can’t retire. We have to work so we can make short visits. :) They are all our greatest joy. ☆ January ~ we visited Donny in Huntington Beach, CA and Rexene got to see the Rose Parade for the first time. “Happy New Year!” (Thank you, Michael) ☆February ~ we traveled to Utah (Logan) to see our Star ~ Christian ~ in “Music Man”. ☆March ~ wonderful week with best friends, Marilyn & Ken McAllister, in Branson. (Picture by Ken). ☆April ~ our Lori, Dave, Cameron, Ava, Benjamin & Evy came to see us from WA. BYU GRADUATION! (Easter weekend) ~ Deb did it! This brought us all our children together in Utah for 3 days. Joy! Extra bonus ~ Kellen & Deb are expecting their first baby on “Christian’s birthday, Dec. 8th!” ☆May ~ Christian (9 1/2) Aunt Deb & Uncle Kellen came for Memori...

Lisa writes: Debbie and Kellen had a baby. I have a new niece. Prepare to view a lot of pictures like these.

My latest niece, born 11/27/2011, to Lisa's sister Debbie and bro-in-law Kellen. The name of the doctor who delivered her is Heather Rexene Harrison. (My mom's name is Rexene.)

Lisa writes: We're back from Thanksgiving with my parents in Vail. Skiing, Wii, at least one pre-dawn travel day, lots of food and pie, and somebody has to wear the turkey hat. You know -- what every family does. (Tom takes his 100-pin bowling VERY seriously.) Lisa's mom writes: We had fun going over the Beaver Creek for the Chocolate Chip Cookie contest. These girls won 3rd place and $100.

Lisa writes: Not exactly sure what's going on in this old picture, but this is my mom's dad, Grandpa Lester, in Salt Lake City, high-fixing a bunch of little kids, some of whom appear to be in swimsuits.

Lisa's mom writes: Rexene's Easier Pie Crust 1 c. Canola oil 1/2 c. Water 3 c. Flour 1 1/2 teasp Salt 1/2 teasp Baking Powder Mix flour, salt, and Baking powder in a bowl. In a medium size pan bring water and oil to a bubble (NOT A BOIL). Take the pan off the heat, and add to the flour mixture and mix well with a fork until all the flour no longer sticks on the side of the bowl. Divide the dough into 2 or three balls for 3 crusts. Roll out the balls, one at a time, in between two sheets of wax paper. An eleven inch circlewill make a 9 inch pie crust. Peel off the top piece of wax paper. Put the pie pan upside down on the crust and flip it into the pan. If needed, Trim the edge of the crust with knife or scissors. The cooler that the mix is the less sticky, but harder to roll out. For cream pies, you perforate the crust with a fork on the bottom and around the sides with a lot of pricks to prevent large bubbles.Bake at 424 degrees for 10-15 minutes depending on oven, until light...

Nov. 22, 2011 Benjamin turned 5 years old on the 17th! He had a good birthday. It started with Ava getting up early to pack his lunch box. She came and woke me up to find out what kind of jelly Benjamin likes. It wasn't until after school, when I was cleaning out his lunch box that I found a note from Ava, "Happy Birthday Benjamin! Love, Ava XooOxxX." Nothing is sweeter than witnessing your kids showing kindness to each other. [I read the note to Benjamin and he gave Ava hugs]. For B's party we went to Odyssey 1 which is a big indoor play area with tunnels to climb thru, slides, rope swing and video games. He had a great time with some friends from school and church. Cameron made Benjamin's night by giving up ALL his tickets (won from the arcade) inorder for Benjamin to get this cool, neon light-flashing sword ( I think Cameron secretly wanted it too :) ). That was an awesome present. Benjamin, as we all know, is quite the climber and jumper. His P.E. teacher stop...

Lisa writes (from Denver): Mom let her bangs grow out. I think it looks good. We're at La Casa Bonita watching cliff diving and eating sopapillas.

Lisa's mom writes: Christian was well rewarded for his great job with his website, Diversity in Energy Sources , at 9 years old.

Lisa writes: I had a work conference in Boston for a couple of days. We met up with Tom's cousin, Dave, who took us on a walking tour of the harbor and Mecca (aka the Apple Store) where Tom did his best Twilight imitation. I should make a series of these: "Tom does tai chi in unlikely places, to the amusement of the locals."

Lisa writes: My brother-in-law, Dave, had back surgery a couple of weeks ago. They expected him to be pretty much bed-ridden for four weeks, but he's already back up and at 'em. Go Dave. Dave says "I am still in one piece and they put all the pieces back with a few extras. I am the bionic man!" (P.S. I originally tried to post a small picture of the Frankensteinish stitches on his back, but then good-taste, propriety, and the fact that Blogger kept cropping off the left side of the image prevailed. You can thank me later.)

Lisa writes: My mom and dad went to visit Lori's crew last week for Halloween and Evy's birthday. There was a pony. What else do you need to know?

Lisa writes: Mom and Dad are in sunny Washington State with Lori's crew. Today, they are looking at big airplanes.

Lisa's mom writes: Our second day in Washington, Lori told us we had to get outside while the Sun shines. She took us to Schilter Family Pumpkin Farm. Lori, Grandpa, Evy and Benjamin. (Click any pic to enlarge.) They had more than pumpkins for touching. Evy liked the baby goats. And Grandpa recalled his Porky and Petunia from when he was growing up and got "Porky"…… ... to smile for the camera!!!! This was a fun surprise. One of the goats went back in the barn before I got the picture. Evy's smile is pure sunshine. The hay maze. How quickly Benjamin and Evy have grown since we saw them last.It will be fun to go back and take a picture here next year.

Lisa writes: Happy 4th birthday, Evelyn. Also? Hello mini-Lori! Ava looks exactly like Lori's pictures from that age, but without the horrible 1980s braces, headgear, and feathered bangs. (Not your fault, Lori! We all had them. I'm just saying, "Ava, kiddo, you are luckier than you will ever know.")

Lisa's sister Christi writes: Dentist made him all better.