We spent Saturday in Woodstock. It was Wassail Weekend, with a winter parade. It was the most beautiful parade we had ever seen. Down the street came the most magnificent horses decked out in Christmas holly, bells, & ribbons, etc. with riders & carolers in period costume.

We also went to the Home Tour of several historic homes, beautifully decorated with holiday decor. We had a really fun day ending with a good meal at Bentley's.

Due to a bad ice storm, our power was out for two days last weekend. The worse thing was, we could not take a shower or use the toilet, because we have a pump for water. Our apt. got kind of cool and had to go to bed early. We where so glad when it finally came back on! There are still several thousand homes without power in nearby towns.

We had the privilege of helping at new member lesson for a newly baptized couple, the Olado's. The former bishop of the Ward & his wife, the Cass's invited us to a nice dinner, with the lesson after. The Olado's have a wonderful spirit and will be a great addition to the Ward. We are excited for them.

Another fun experience we have had recently, is going to the Fennie's for their annual missionary dinner (Vorwaller's, Mckinnon's, Sanford's & us) . Every year for the last 8 years, or so, they have had a nice dinner for the senior missionaries around the Christmas season. Sister Fennie has had 2 serious surgeries in the past few months, because of a brain aneurysm. She is truly a great inspiration for us all, and has a beautiful singing voice! They have 3 great kids @ 7, 11 & 12.

May the spirit of Christmas stay with us all year round!
We are so grateful for this time of the year. Grateful for the birth of our Savior, and His atonement for each of us. Grateful for loving family and great friends. Thankful the joy of life and living at this time, and in this country. We are truly blessed!

Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial Christmas 2008

Nephi, as the innkeeper in white robe, at the live Nativity. Elder Vorwaller took these 3 photos. Night pictures are very difficult. We all tryed to get one of the actual Nativity wtih baby Jesus, but none turned out.

This is a shot is of the front gate.

Bridge all made out of pipe and lights.

This a a shot of the new Star that Elder Lamb made just as you come up the lane to the Memorial.

Photoof the Memorial with the visitor center on the right and the residence where the director lives on the left. Our landlord and his wife walked up to the memorial and took these pictures of the lights that we were privileged to put up this year. In all there are some 100,000 lights and it took us almost a month to put them all up. We rented a man lift and so at times were 60 feet in the air putting lights in the tops of tree. Not sure how I was able to be that high as heights are not my thing. They really turn out great. Thanks Stewart for the pictures.

Ruby's new friends

It's the day after Thanksgiving and the animals have arrived for the live Nativity. Each year at the Memorial, there is a special lighting ceremony. Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving day, it includes a live Nativity with a donkey and two sheep, inn keeper, towns people, Mary and Joseph, Shepard's, angels, etc. and the three Wise Men. Everything went off perfectly and the lights even came on without throwing a breaker. On the second night I played the Inn Keeper. Ruby greeted and handed out pass-along-cards about the Memorial to the visitors. The first night we had 300 people and the second night about 175. The weather was cold but no wind or snow. I will post pictures of the many lights later. Our camera will not take night photos well.

Ruby is making new friend and enjoyed the two sheep. They were special guests for two days and a big hit with all the visitors.

Ruby was especially fond of Forest the donkey. I think she would have enjoyed many different pets. Forest was really good with the children as he was very friendly and enjoyed all the attention ... especially from the pretty ladies.

Sock and T-shirt sale

This weekend we went to the famous "sock sale" in Northfield with another missionary couple, the Vorwallers'. Also checked out the t-shirt sale and had a beautiful ride in the snow to Roxbury to buy a couple of sweatshirts. Great fun! We have been busy, so haven't had time to update our blog. Two weeks ago, we where pleased to have a visit from our daughter & 2 of our grandkids.
While driving them back to the airport it snowed a little, the kids being from Georgia, wanted to play in the snow...but no time.

We did a little painting. Jared painted an airplane, of course, Melissa painted an abstract for her room and Heather wanted a purple leaf?

Heather, Melissa & Jared came to visit! The weather was cold, but we still managed to see a few of the Vermont sites. Enjoyed a day at the ECHO Lake Champlain Aquarium & Science Center. Even did a little Christmas shopping.

Grandma needed a hug!!

Fun with the kids in Vermont!

Before they left, on Monday, Grant got to see Grandpa at work first hand. We are putting up 100,ooo Christmas lights around the Memorial grounds. They say, it will take most of November to get them all up before the lighting ceremony, Nov. 28th.

Cassie sent her dad a "birthday party in a bag" complete with balloons, party hats, cake & candle & plates for two. We waited to celebrate his 60th while Kristie & her little family came to visit. As mentioned before, the girls sent him a GPS...it is great fun!

We visited Billings Farm, Woodstock, Tunbridge (saw some covered bridges), Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory, toured the JS Memorial and went to church in the short weekend they where here.
It was great to see them and especially enjoyed Grant & Leah...Hugs and kisses...and Leah even let me hold and play with her all during church...it was sure fun!