CHRISTMAS 2012

 Joey and Katie arrived in time to go to church with us the Sunday before Christmas. Jackson wasn't too sure about the nursery at first, but when they started getting snacks out, he got happier!

 He liked feeding the ducks at the park, but before he could let go of a piece of bread, he had to take a bite out of it first.

 This is a cute little family!

 Christmas Eve Day with the girls.

Christmas Eve

 I love this picture of Abby and Kelsey.

 The doll was a big hit with Lilly.

 One of our school board members brought these mouse cookies to our cookie exchange. I kept them in the freezer for a week, then put  the cookies out on Christmas Eve. Leave it to Ethan to eat it this way!

 Joey and Jackson in their plaid shirts!

 The Ellsworth Boys.

 Jackson liked opening presents, but looks a little puzzled here about why he's getting so many-

 Jackson wanted to kiss Bella all the time. She was a little hesitant, but she liked him too!

 On New Year's Eve Day, Carly's family went out to Yucaipa with us where we visited Katy's family, and then went up the canyon to play.

 There was snow up there, which the kids were excited to play in-

 

 After we all got really cold at the park, we went to a pizza place where we ate and got warmed up. Lilly, Bella, and Audra liked running around together there.

Since the kids didn't have enough of being together, Carly went out and picked up Skylee and Hunter Wednesday, so they could spend the night and have more cousin time.

 

The little girls thought Skylee was great, and each wanted to have some snuggle time with her before they went to sleep.

CSBA Conference San Francisco

 This is what happens at school board dinners. Notice I was the one with the camera!

 Joan and I bought a bunch of fans in Chinatown. They were a big hit. Don't worry, you will get yours for Christmas!

 Barb and Donna Libutti

 Kristi (new board member), Kathy, Joan, Donna, Barb, Barb M.

 Joan and Barb in Chinatown

 Ross, of course.

 At our hotel, in scarves.

 Kathy, Hugh, Joan

Donna and Barb M. enjoying their fans.

THANKSGIVING IN UTAH

 We had a great time with Katie, Joey, Jackson and Abby for Thanksgiving this year. Katie and Joey invited us to share it with them, so we did! The weather cooperated, so driving wasn't a problem and we even enjoyed nice weather there.

 We went on a long walk with Jackson Wednesday in order to give Katie time to prepare some things for the next day. He loved Pioneer Park, a few blocks south of their home. 

 After the park, we walked up Center Street and looked in some stores. The pet store was his favorite. 

 We took a look at the new temple (old tabernacle) to see how it's coming along. The outside walls are standing on their own, but there's a long way to go! I'm grateful it's being rebuilt after the fire. It was a landmark we wouldn't want to lose!

We thought we'd go to the temple later that day, but found it closed at noon the day before Thanksgiving! 

 Abby lives just a few blocks from Joey and Katie, so rides her bike to their house. We were happy to get to spend some time with her!

 Joey took us on a tour of his work. I took some pictures to give an idea what it looks like. It's a company with lots of young workers, and to make the job more fun and retain employees, they have lots of amenities not found at most workplaces. 

Here's Joey and Jackson in a conference room. Jackson picks up remotes, erasers, or anything rectangular and holds it up to his ear and says, "Hello!" 

 This is the central part of the main floor, where most of the cubicles are located. The VW bug is a snack bar, stocked with popcorn, candy, crackers, and all kinds of treats.

 This shows some of the work spaces.

 There is a fully-equipped fitness room for their use.

 Here is their full-sized kitchen, where employees can enjoy cereal for breakfast, snacks, ice cream, etc. The freezer has a whole bunch of five gallon buckets of BYU ice cream in it. 

 They have these beach cruisers all over the building so if an employee is inclined to take a ride through the office, rather than walk, that's an option. Joey can ride it carrying Jackson in his arms!

 Jackson enjoyed the tether ball on the upper floor.

 Katie cooked a delicious meal for Thanksgiving. The croissants were a very big hit. She also made cornbread stuffing from scratch, apple pie from scratch, a brine-soaked turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and delicious sweet potatoes (my personal favorite). Abby made the green bean casserole and I brought pecan pie. It was quite a feast!

 There's a mall in the river bottoms near Joey's work where we checked out the lights. Although it was pretty mild weather, it was quite cold at night!

 Friday night we went up to Salt Lake to check out the City Creek Mall and Temple Square. They turned the Christmas lights on that evening. We were really impressed with the mall, but Temple Square was magnificent!

 I wanted to get a good picture of the Assembly Hall, but this doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful.