My annual Christmas Card to you & New Family Pics

Dear Blog Friends
This is my Annual Christmas Card to you.Even though I have not been as good about leaving comments
on some of your blogs this past year,
I do stop in to check on you from time to time
and think of you often with best wishes.
I wish you all the very best Christmas and
a very Happy New Year 2011.
...It is nice that our daughter, Lynell, is a professional photographer.
Here are the family photos she took for us this year.Our Family
David, Mindy, Lura, John, Lynell and Erin
We are thankful that our children and we are healthy and doing well.
John and I passed all the classes and requirements to become
Accedited Cruise Counselor travel agents this year.
Because of that we took 4 cruises.... 3 were work leading tour groups and
1 was for fun and ship knowledge. It is great work and lots of fun.

The Grand Kiddos
(Minus Justin who is on an LDS mission in Guatemala

and Evan who was asleep.)
...
Here are our children's family photos and updates for this year.

Lynell's family
Justin-19, Lonica-11, Lynell and Dathan, Johnny- 14, Jordan -22, Jalen-16
Dathan and Lynell continue work hard in their
Property management business. Each of their children are active, busy
and doing amazing things...Justin is a missionary...Loni and Johnny excell in dance and gymnastics...Jalen and Jordan are busy with school and work.

Melinda's Family
E.J.-11, Mindy and Ernie, Austin-5, Claire-9
Mindy and Ernie both teach full time. E.J. and Claire excell in music.
They both are doing well on piano. E.J. loves playing trumpet and Claire sings like an angel.
Ernie will be leading the Upland High School Band in this year's
Tournament of Roses Parade. Watch for them on T.V. on Jan. 1st.

Erin's Family
Elizabeth (Ellie)-4 mo, Erin and Patrick, Calan (Cal) -1
Patrick provides well for their family
which allows Erin to be a stay at home mom which she loves.
She also enjoys getting away an hour or two a week to
supervise the sign language student teachers at Utah Valley University. Our two little adopted grandchildren keep
Erin and Patrick busy and have filled all of our lives
with smiles and love.

David's Family
Emma-10, Evan-1, David and Marla, Grace-8, Davey -5
David has a good job but it has required them to move every year or so.
Marla and the kids are troopers and have made a home and friends where
ever they are transplanted.
Gracie was baptized last month.
We were thrilled that all of our family and part of Marla's family
could join together over Thanksgiving weekend for this special event.

Merry Christmas to all of you.

...

Here is the 3rd annual posting of the Christmas poem I wrote for you.
We've gotten older but the house looks just the same.
I hope you enjoy reading it again.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WNXFnpazw30L-wMk2kJGUZ0wHAXbjhegRC5OfvX5Tplc9949aNuEyaRvGSqj-JqCTzLMezKrCzAqbYTbTZtL2itUwykTpf68zX1X5dR8GbyCNkVHLFondAi49v6sO92kAjA1YFdP4jRj/s1600-h/Best+part+of+Christmas.jpgThe house is decked out

with lights on each tree

With flowers and presents
and much greenery.





We have new decorations
and the old ones so dear
are out of their boxes
and up for the year.
Each table is set
awaiting the feast





of turkey and dressing,
of ham and roast beef

































There will be yams and potatoes
and gravy galore















and veggies and salads
and desserts and more.











But the sweetest things
that this season does bring
is not the goodies or bobbles
or pretty sights seen....

It's not the gifts or the parties

or good shows on TV

that are the best part of Christmas

for you and for me.
The best part of Christmas
is the feeling of love

That we have for family and friends
and our Savior above
...

It's the thought of Angels

and Shepherds




and the bright star they saw




...
and a wee Babe and His mission
that fill us with awe.
...

As we reflect

on our abundance and cheer

Let us remember

The reasons we're here

...

Let us love one another

and try with our might

to keep His commandments

and do what is right.

...

May the spirit of Christmas

we are feeling today

linger all year

and in our hearts stay.
...
Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

...

We love the Lord and enjoy this season when we celebrate His birth. I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Hugs, Grammy Lura