New Years Eve Day we took a little runaway between flu sessions.  Jim said let's run to Jackson & we rarely say no to that.  We stopped up the canyon above Alpine to look for big horn sheep and try out Jim's new spotting scope, but didn't have any luck.  Jim said the guys at work told him to look up Hoback area, but we still didn't have any luck:

Here we are in our favorite little shop in Jackson Hole - Yipee I O.  It is the cutest little candy shop with almost every candy made - except War Heads - they were a little disappointed about that one.  They also sell lots of cool signs that you can see on the walls.

 

 

We were all excited to go to our favorite Chinese buffet, but the sign on the door said:  Closed due to the fire - that was a bummer!  We found a mexican place and ate lunch and then walked around the square.  The girls took a set of pictures for their missionary brother:

WE

LOVE

YOU!!!

Cute, right?

We had a guy take a family shot - it is hard to tell, but they had just turned on the lights.  The square looked really pretty with all the trees & elk arches lighted up.



It is fun to just walk through some of the galleries & silly shops that the have around Jackson.  We rarely buy anything, but candy at Yipee I O, but Jim couldn't resist this door mat which now graces our front entrance:

It was a quick little trip, but lots of fun to get away as a family - before the flu bug struck again!

Christmas 2011

Christmas came and went in a hurry this year.  We didn't decorate, bake, shop, or really even acknowledge that it was the Christmas season until after November 30th in an attempt to not make Seth feel bad or homesick since this was his first holiday away from home.  That meant that as soon as we dropped him off at the M.T.C. I was scrambling to get Christmas going.  Shelby will tell you though that I had a really hard time getting into the Christmas spirit.  I probably did not put enough effort into things, but we had a good time together, except for the fact that Jim hardly had any time off of work.  We did get him home on Christmas morning and that was worth a bunch.  I wasn't really good at pictures either, but we snapped a few after church on Christmas morning:

Mom & Dad love Elder Stoor

Grandma & Grandpa Petersen love Elder Stoor

These three cuties love Elder Stoor too!

We usually try and get a family picture in front of the tree, we seem to be short a young man.

2011 Christmas family picture

I was really bad at the picture business this year - the next few are of the girls Christmas gifts scattered around.  It seems like the older they get - the more we spend - and the presents just get smaller & smaller:

Caribou Mountain was especially pretty with the morning light.

We had both sets of Grandparents over for Christmas dinner & the much awaited phone call from my boy.

JIm was at work most of the holiday, but we girls kept ourselves busy eating til we were sick - literally, all 5 of us got the flu at some point through the holidays, but we wont' give details about that LOL.  Megan got a new WII game called Just Dance 3 - I thought the girls would have fun & we did.  Lots of time playing and fools of ourselves - Well, just the rest of us, Megan in really good!

On Monday, we feed cows and then headed to Grandma & Grandpa Petersen's house for a party there, right after I tipped over the Christmas tree on our way out the door GGGRRRRR.  Lots of food, card, crud,cousins & more dancing.  What could be better?!

Jenna & Katie - you are so silly!

Rindlisbachers miss Elder Stoor

Petersens miss him too.

Overall it was a good holiday - we mostly just hung out at home.  Mara feed cows nearly every day & let her Dad catch up on a little sleep.  We did all get spoiled & enjoy our time together.  So I know I'm a month behind on posts, but I hope you all had a Merry Christmas at your homes too!

A Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.  The thrill just wasn't there.

No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.

His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.

I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.

I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.

Our family prays more frequently.  My tears are quick to run.

Abraham seems closer because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?

Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence,  I'll miss his smile a ton.

For two years we will pray for him...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking.  I memorize his eyes, their shine.

He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.

The stories and the lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.

I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year...

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter;  I think I finally understand.

Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.

It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.

My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.

Who knows the gift I willingly give,  The toll it will be taking.

For He has done it all before, Greater love - there could be none.

For years ago God gave to me...

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray;

Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say.

Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done,

My gift has taken years to make...

This year... I'm giving Christ my son.

Author unknown

Phone call from Elder Stoor

I got to talk to my missionary!! 

Elder Stoor called from the Salt Lake airport last night.  I was hoping, but not sure if they called home or not - we got a call from an 801 # last night & I raced to the phone.  He sounds wonderful!  He is just to excited to get out there and get going.  He was looking for a calling card in the airport when some man asked what he was doing - he said  - why don't you just use my cell phone.  How awesome is that - I will never know who you are, but thank you for helping this momma feel better.    I even spoke to his companion for a minute.  I told him that his mom is my hero - I can't imagine sending two kids into the mission home on the same day.  

Megan came running out of her room 20 minutes later & Seth had called again - he bought the calling card after going through security.  I can't tell you how good he sounded - just excited and ready to go.  He is traveling with a group of 11 or 12 Elders and 2 Sisters.  They flew out of Salt Lake at 12:55 am - landed in Atlanta around 6:30 am - then on to DC around 9:00 am.  

Before I could even finish this blog - I got another phone call at work!  No, not from Elder Stoor this time, but from President Matsumori.  It was wonderful  - he seems like an awesome man.  Called just to tell me that my son had made it.  They have spent some time at the temple grounds in DC - said the missionaries spend a little time alone in the wooded area of the grounds (he called it their own sacred grove) to make their personal commitment to the Lord for the next 2 years.  He said that they then feed them at IHOP - comment that my son made me proud.  Seth must have been good and hungry :)  They were back at the mission home & getting ready to take a nap.    President Matsumori asked if we knew about the mission blog & promised pictures up by the end of the week.  He thanks us as parents for preparing our son for this mission and said that he could tell Elder Stoor is a remarkable young man and ready for the work.  He said they don't take it easy on them and would put them right to good use.  I told him Seth is happiest when he is busy & he said that would not be a problem.    I thanked him for calling and asked him to take good care of my son.  Wow, the tears are already flowing - I thought this would get easier!

I'm so grateful for the calls & I know that we are being blessed already!