Christmas vacation

We had a great 3 week vacation out West and loved the snow. Thanks to family for hosting us, and for Terri and Julia letting us use their van and snowmobiles.

When we first arrived. Only 9 inches of snow.

Parker snowmobiling throught the drifts.

More to come...

Gold Gorilla II - May You Rest In Peace

When I was a teenager, I had a gold 1972 Pontiac Grand Ville (grandma car) with a 455 in it. We named it the Gold Gorilla. When we bought our gold Chevy Express earlier this year, the kids dubbed it the Gold Gorilla II. Right before we went on vacation, someone hit Marilyn, forcing her off the road into a large brick mailbox. The impact caused $17,600 in damage, so our insurance totaled the van. No one was hurt (Marilyn said it was like busting through a snowbank), but the person who hit us drove off. Luckily the insurance covered it. We are sad, but will make another trip to Missouri to get the same van, only we have to get a white one because that is all they have left. It is quite the pain to get everything worked out, but we will have many great memories in our new van. Following are some of our grandest memories from the Gold Gorilla II:

1. David taking 13 kids sledding to Roan Mountain
2. Trip to Kirtland, OH for Thankful Halsey Pratt's (PP Pratt's first wife) grave dedication
3. Trips to Savannah, GA to meet Heimdals
4. Trip to Alma, AK for the excavation of PP Pratt's grave
5. 4500 mile trip across US for our July 2008 vacation (including sleeping in the van for 2 nights while David drove)
6. Temple trips, with stops at Denny's and CiCis pizza afterward
7. Mulitple hiking and biking trips.
8. Saving Marilyn and Grace's life in the accident
9. Taking out all the seats and hauling over 7000 lbs of food storage for the ward from the Knoxville cannery (over a number of trips)
10. Getting 10-11 mpg in the city, and 14-16 mpg on the highway. It is well worth it for the room and sanity.

What memories do some of you have?

Christmas Carols, FHE, and Swearing

No better place to learn how to cuss than in Family Home Evening! This is one of those classic stories.

Our Christmas party for church this year has an International theme. There are several people who are bringing food, decor, and sharing Christmas traditions from other countries. We are going to do some German Christmas carols and have been practicing. The kids are all great sports (for the most part) and for FHE we decided to go over the words to the song and try to sing it.

Here are the lyrics:
Still, still, still,
Weil's Kindlein schlafen will.
Die Englein tun schön jubilieren,
Bei dem Kripplein musizieren.
Still, still, still,
Weil's Kindlein schlafen will.


The pronunciation for the "st" is more like an "scht" or "sh" if you can't get all those letters in. Well, we are progressing quite well--David was teaching us how to say the words, we'd repeat, and then eventually sing. We sounded pretty good. Than Michael starts to get confused with the words--(notice there are lots of "scht" sounds. He says, "I don't get this Schitlein stuff" (instead of Kindlein or Kripplein). David and I laughed a bit and went on--until it came up again. "What is this Schitline"--he kept asking and we could not quit laughing. Eliza was the only other one who caught on to his cussing and we were laughing so hard, we couldn't stop. Sweet innocent Michael cussing up a storm about this sweet German Christmas carol.

It was quite the memory. I just hope that we can make it through our performance without losing it.

Carter Family Fold

David here.
The weekend of Nov. 1st, we visited the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia with some friends from work. We have been about ten times and enjoy the music and atmosphere. The band this time, Wayne Henderson and Friends, was the best we have heard, and included an old time piano player. He was great!

Many of you who read this blog have been to Carter Family Fold, but for those who haven't, let me explain a little bit.

The Carter Family, considered the first family of country music (A.P. Carter, Sara Carter, and Maybelle Carter), hails from Southwest Virginia, a beautiful, rugged, and very remote area about 35 minutes north of us.
After the family made it in the music industry, part of them returned to their roots and started a music center. Jeanette and Joe Carter, daughter and son of AP and Sara Carter, and cousin to June Carter Cash, are responsible for getting the family fun music center going.

When we started going about six years ago, it had a much stronger country/cultural feel to it (As an Anthropologist, I love this). The seats were school bus benches, or wood benches set up on logs, with carpet scraps as padding. They recently received a grant and have put in stadium seating, as well as upgrading the equipment, building, and bathrooms.
There is a large area in front of the stage where people get out and dance, flatfoot (clog), or just fake dance (me). The children absolutely love it, and they always like to get some ice cream or popcorn. There are always about 30-40 regulars who have their seats in the front, and dance many of the dances. However, over the years, many of these regulars have passed away, including Jeannette and Joe Carter. This hasn't taken away from the great family atmoshpere, and if you come to visit us, we will be sure to take you out for a night at Carter Family Fold.

For more information: http://www.carterfamilyfold.org/


Playing in the field next to Carter Family Fold. The leaves were just past their peak. We love to go early, play football, and have a picnic.


Family and friends. We had a great time.


Out front. David trying to get into the picture in time.

Going private

We are going to make our blog private within the next day or two, so please let us know if you would like to have access. I will try to invite those of you who comment regularly.
Thanks

Wonderful Husband and Dad!

Marilyn

I never do these things, but since I have such a wonderful wife, I thought I would participate.

1. Where did you meet?
At BYU, through one of my high school friends. She was dating him, and I was dating someone else. We both broke up with the others, and I asked her out in the Cougareat on my way to find a SuzyQ.

2. How long did you date?
About 5 months - too long for me

3. How long have you been married?
14 years - not long enough :)

4. What does she say that surprises you?
Nothing that I can think of.

5. What is your favorite quality of hers?
She is perfect in everyway, and is very virtuous. Also, she is game for anything.

6. What is your favorite feature of hers?
Everything, but I expecially love her mouth/smile.

7. Does she have a nickname for you?
Honey, Sweetie

8. What's her favorite color?
No clue. It's not in my job description to know this.

9. What's her favorite sport?
Camping and hiking

10. What's her favorite food?
Dutch and Indonesian

11. When and where did you first kiss?
Bridal Veil Falls - right before we got engaged.

12. What's your favorite thing to do as a couple?
See answer to question #13. Other than that, we like to be in the outdoors together.

13. Do you have any children?
6.4

14. Does she have a hidden talent?
She makes furniture, and can use tools very well.

15. How old is she?
37

16. Who said "I love you" first?
Probably me, but I don't remember. Maybe she can clarify.

17. What's her favorite type of music?
Motab, LDS Contemporary, my singing :)

18. What do you admire most about her?
She is a worker, and is very low maintenance (that was a compliment, Mar). I can count on her for anything...very reliable.

19. Do you think she will read this?
Of course, it is her blog...well, it is our blog.

I love you Marilyn!