Cold but Festive

This is how cold it was in Boston.  Out sweet little kids never whined a minute.  The adults on the other hand did some complaining. 

 You know it's cold when even the dogs are wearing coats.

 .

It was a very festive place though.  This building was my favorite.  Lots of homes had these kinds of wreath in the windows, and many of them had candles.  It was beautiful.  I loved the architecture!!!  We had a very fun day even with the cold.  I even had a bowl of New England Clam Chowder  in New England.  I thought that was great, and it was oh- so yummy, and warm!!!

The Freedom Trail

Yesterday we struck out to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston. I hate to bring this up as a reccuring theme in all of my recent posts...but it was SO cold that we didn't make it as far as planned. We were bundled from head to toe...but that humid cold got the best of us. However we did get to see the first few sites on the trail...including:

The Boston Settlers PlaqueOne of the oldest buildings in Boston, The Massachusetts State House
Samuel Adam's burial site:
King's Church:

The site of the Boston Massacre

Boston is such a beautiful city and it will take many trips back to see all that we want to see!

A Boston Welcome

Randy, Lincoln, and I, have come to visit Clarissa, Patrick, Graice, Alli, and Miles in Boston.
We came on the red-eye flight from SLC.  It actually wasn't bad at all.  At Least for me.
We arrived in Boston at 7:30 am (which was 5:30am in Idaho).  We rented a car and drove to Clarissa's.  We were so excited to get there.

    When we walked in the door to our surprise and delight, Miles went right to Randy, and gave him the sweetest hugs.  He wouldn't let got of him.  He didn't want me at all, but only had eyes for his Grandpa.  I think they must have had a special relationship in Heaven that Miles was remembering, because he hasn't seen his Grandpa for months.  It was so dang cute.  Thank heaven he has since warmed up to me, but he will gladly take Grandpa every chance he gets.

Hilary's Treasures

     Sunday was the blessing day for ADRIE CLAIRE WESTERN

 It was the nicest day.  Not only had Hilary made darling Adrie, but also her blessing dress.
She bought a woman's dress at the DI that looked very vintage.  She made up a dress pattern and created  a masterpiece from the material, lace, and pearls of the old dress.  It was beautiful!!  She also crafted booties, and headband, and braclet.  Everything was perfect!!
     Dan gave Adrie the sweetest blessing.  My favorite part, was that he blessed her to learn well from her mother.  To learn to be a wonderful homemaker and how to treat others kindly.   I thought that was such a special complement to Hilary, for Dan to want Adrie to be just like her.   I loved it!!!

 Hilary, ever the perfect  hostess made the day wonderful for all of those in attendance.  We are especially grateful to have Adrie in our family.  She was sweet as she could be and did her part well, looking like and angel, and not fussing a bit.  Who could ask for anything more?

A Happy Thanksgiving

A Happy Thanksgiving

This year was pretty different.  We only had 3 for Thanksgiving dinner, Lincoln, Randy, and I.  To make it better we went to our  new favorite place!!  Island Park.  It is so beautiful there in the winter.  There was 3 feet of beautiful snow.  When it snows it comes straight down in, big, gentle,snow flakes.  It is so peaceful, just to watch it snow.  The trees are heavy with snow, and you have to make good use of the shovels. 

    We weren’t alone long.  Hilary, Dan, and their kids, and Luke , Lisa and girls came up for a couple of days.  We had a great time snowmobiling, on perfect snow, taking walks, eating, and enjoying each other. 

      We have much to be thankful for.  The Savior,  of course, is at the top of our list. Without him, nothing in our lives would matter.   We are also grateful for our missionary, who we really miss.  We are so grateful for our family. Grateful for  airplanes, and cell phones, so we can get to our talk to those who are far away.  WE are grateful for the laughter of children, and the sweetness of babies.  WE are grateful for our parents, and brothers, and sisters.  WE are grateful for the prospects of being with you all forever.  WE hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

Is there anything more wonderful than a new baby?

We are so happy to welcome KELLEN COLE to our family.

He was born  to Lyndi and Zach November 10, 2010.

 He comes to the cutest family of boys, a darling relieved mother, and a very proud dad………….  The ballgames just keep adding up!!!

He is number 14 for Randy and I, and thanks to Clarissa number 15 is on the way.

WE love this grandparent plan!!   Thank you Heavenly Father for sending such sweet ones to bless our lives!!

IT PAYS TO HAVE GOOD FRIENDS

 

It doesn’t get much better than spending a week with Great Friends.   Our dinner club ( of about 26 years) went to San Diego to Jack and Lorna Hoopes new second home.  Their home felt like we were at a resort.  Everything we could have asked for. It didn't hurt that it was in the 70's there, and snowing at home.   We loved every minute.  We went to the San Diego Temple twice, went to the beach, rode bikes by the beach, and my personal favorite, I got to ride with Jack on his Harley.  I felt like I was "Soaring over California".  I could smell the limes, and oranges as we drove by them. 

What we did the most was Laugh.  Everyone is so fun to be with.  We never run out of things to talk about. 

  We also got to spend an afternoon with Marsha Uday, and Natasha, which was an added bonus to our trip.  We loved seeing them, and enjoying the Sawhney hospitality complete with a wonderful home cooked meal a la’ Marsha. 

      I was actually very excited to get home however, as Kellen Cole had been born to Lyndi and Zach while we were away.  That didn’t even make the snow seem too bad.

Our Alaskan Son

 

I thought you might like to see a few pictures of our missionary.  Rhett is loving the beauty of Alaska.  He is finding out that it is much easier to catch fish, than to catch men, but when you do, how SWEET IT IS !!!

On the back this one says "this is a hug for you mom, I love you this much".  It makes me cry every time I see it.  He's a pretty cute kid, who is growing up alot. 

Grateful

It is hard to believe that my “Little Clarissa” (who looks amazingly like her ‘Little Gracie), who couldn’t stay overnight at Shari’s house, is not LIVING on the East Coast.  That is as far away from Archer as you can get and still be in this country.  After 4 days of driving they arrived yesterday at Milford Massachusetts, which is very close to Boston.  What troopers they all were!

     We are so grateful that they have arrived safely.  That is lots of miles.  Speaking of Miles…he was sick the entire trip, which added to the adventure. 

      I am so grateful that because of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  there is a “ward family”  waiting for them. How comforting to a mother, and grandmother to know that.  The Saints in Milford don’t know yet how lucky they are to have the Meegan’s in their ward.  I hear it is a pretty small ward, so I am sure it won’t take long for Patrick and Clarissa to become very involved.  WE are sure there will be “best friends” for every one of them.

        I am just hoping that their next “Ward family” will be closer to home, and  I am secretly hoping that Clarissa will just come home before it gets dark, like she used to!!! 

A Dream Come True

     Randy and I have been dreaming of a cabin in Island Park for about 3 years.  Our kids have dreamed of one for lots longer than that.  Our lives have gotten a little simpler so we thought now was the time we could enjoy one.    We looked at dozen’s of cabins.  We had a great time seeing lots of different shapes and sizes.  We wanted one that would accommodate our family, which now numbers 31.  WE decided we couldn’t afford one that big, so we down sized to one that would accommodate some of our family. 

      We are so happy to have found the perfect one for us.  It is in the Rexburg Boat Club.  Luckily for us you have to be a resident of Madison County to be in the Rexburg Boat Club.  Lot’s of people who didn’t live in Rexburg tried to buy it, but were denied.  Another reason we are glad to live in Rexburg. 

     Island Park is such a beautiful place.  We love to be there.  WE have our own boat dock, which is a good place for our boat since, as most of you know it only works once in a while.   IT also came with bicycles and a paddle boat.  It has something for everyone.  WE are hoping for lots of great family times, and lots of visitors.!! 

 So Ya’ll Come Up Now Ya’ hear!!!

 

"My Last Linc"

Hello Blogging World!!  After a couple of trial and errors I am hoping this is my first real post.  I have decided that it might be a good way to keep in touch with my family, who now are spread clear to the East Coast.  I love reading my daughter's, daughter-in-laws, and neices blogs, and am so impressed with their creativity.  I love seeing all the pictures of the kids.  Which brings me to my topic. 

My Last Linc.   This is the last "first day of school" picture.  It is amazing to have gone from 8 little kids, so excited to go to school, to one lone boy.  Lincoln has grown up in such a different family than the older kids.  The only  noise and confusion he experiences is when his neices and nephews come over.  The older kids lived constantly with noise and confusion.   Who was luckier?  All I know is that I am so grateful for every one of them, and that I didn't stop before we had Lincoln.  Thankfully he is our "Last Linc" and not our "Missing Linc"

Friday night was another "last".  Our last football game at Madison High.  As you can tell by our smiles we aren't to sad about that.  Our team only won one game.  WE have had some high's and lows during out football years, and this one definietly wasn't a high.  Lincoln had fun, and really enjoyed the new coach.  The coach was a player for Boise State, who played in the Fiesta Bowl, so you can guess we had some sweet trick plays.....some of them even worked. 

Lincoln is now ready for his, and our, favorite sport.   BASEBALL!!!!