JEFF'S LONG AWAITED DAY CAME!

The family all gathered at Joe and Allison's that evening to watch him open his mission call. Jeff opened the envelope, saw where he was going and then wrote names of missions on a paper, one of which was his mission. As we guessed which one we thought is was, he'd cross off names of missions. It was pretty exciting! Finally, he got down to where Leeds, England, Tirana, Albania and Buenos Aires, Argentina were left....He crossed off England,

and then Albania to show us HIS mission...Argentina! He is excited to go overseas and now happy he took those two years of Spanish in high school. He enters the MTC in Provo on July 1st. CONGRADULATIONS JEFF!!!

Horses and Bees...

This past weekend, we went to Yakima and traded Joe's horse in for another "model"! The lady we have been working with has been so good to help Joe find the right horse. Major League All Star (Major for short) is going to work out just fine. He's a little smaller and definately calmer than Joe's other horse. He and Brenda took a trail ride and Major did just great. Joe's happy!We stopped by Joe and Allison's to show the grandkids the new horse. He liked all the attention.

I have been asked to be in charge of girls camp this year. We just have the Beehives as the older girls are going on a Trek. In getting ready for our first camp meeting for the ward leaders, I had Jennabee come help me make a cake. She did a great job of cracking all four eggs.

The finished "Bee cake" made by Jennabee!

Jennabee had fun playing with my Bee decorations for the meeting. We had a great time together! Thanks for your help Jennabee!

ANGELA'S MISSION TIME CAME!

She finished up her packing ....

and she, her dad and I headed for Utah early Saturday morning, Feb. 14th. We had three bad snow storms to drive through... and were very happy to arrive at Harold's safely. He and Sandra treated us so great and we had sooo much fun! It was wonderful to go to church with Harold the next day and to be able to practice with the choir he directs and sing in church with them. Leslie and family came over for supper that evening. Jean and Boots came in each day and while the ladies shopped, Boots and Joe visited farm equipment stores. While at the Missionary Mall, we met four girls that were also going to the Temple Square mission. Fun!

We got to see Diana and Janet and kids...We all met at lunchtime during a shopping break.

We shared more good times at Harold's, took in a BYU basketball game and thanks to Sandra's loaning Angela a great suitcase and Jean's talent for packing it, got Angela all ready to go.



Angela was to be at the MTC at 12 noon, Feb. 18th. It was hard to believe we were actually there! So many emotions to feel!

Angela got her name tag and parents were to put it on...she's official!

We had a few minutes to visit and then Boots and Jean said their goodbyes.

Joe and I went with Angela to a chapel where a short program was given to the missionaries and families. It was soon time to say our last goodbyes. My goodness...such a tender time! It was hard and wonderful all at the same time.Angela will do just great. We have recieved a letter from her already and she is very happy. She loves her companion and is feeling ready to focus and learn all she can. She certainly was sent off with tons of love and fun times from her Utah family. Thanks everyone! U R the Best!!!

Joe and I left and drove to Heber and spent a couple of hours enjoying Jean and Boots' company, farm and a delicious meal before heading up the road. It was such a treat to stop in Hoytsville and see Uncle Donald and Aunt Louise. Her yummy cookies filled out tummies and all our warm memories of our trip warmed our hearts as we headed for home!

We jumped right into NEW YEARS! Some of us more literally than others...like Joey and Jeff! They were amazing.

Angela wowed us doing the Limbo. The stick got lower and lower and she just kept getting under it successfully!

Julie (she's the one in the picture) and Grant joined Joe, Allison and family, Derek and Aubree, Angela, Jeff, Joe and I for Christmas. We had our Christmas Eve and Day celebrations at Joe and Allison's.
Grampa was the donkey and Jennabee was a lovely Mary.

Presents were fun but the best part was all of us being together!

Joe's birthday is a few days before Christmas. Happy Birthday to a wonderful husband, father and grandpa who dearly loves his family!

Close friends of ours, Mary and Kayla Hoffman dropped in and enjoyed the party too!

Joe shares his birthday with Ryan Johnson...(our favorite son-in-law)... Happy Birthday Ryan!