Nate is gone!

Hi everyone,

Well, it's official....Nate is gone. We had a really lovely time this week as we spent Tuesday (the 18th) afternon and evening in SLC after Nate had been set apart and before his entering the MTC on Wednesday morning. We just relaxed and wandered around Temple Square and the museum after a nice dinner.....it was fun to savor each moment together. On Wednesday morning, we drove to Provo and essentially just dropped him off......it was quick and painless (pretty much). He was very ready to be there, he felt like he had waited a long time since his call in September.

Anyway.....a quick but heartfelt thanks to all of you who came to his program and who have lent support with visits, phonecalls, money, etc......it is very much appreciated. He told me that he would take any advice anyone that had it for him ~~ so this is your chance! He will be at the MTC at the adress below until around February 27 at which time he will fly out to Denmark. Of course, we will not go down to see him off, but that is just as well. If you get the urge, I know he would love to hear from any and all of you! Ü Please keep our missionaries in your prayers!

Elder Nathan W. Barnard

MTC Mailbox #125

DEN-COP 0227

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, UT 84604-1793

loves, Charlene

Snaps from Wes

Dear All - I finally got a few snaps from Wes. He is working hard and loves being a missionary.

I just want to be sure you all know how dear you are to me. I get such wonderful, warm feelings when I think about our young lives together and just for a split second I wish we could step back in time for a minute or two. I'm also, so very thankful for what we're building together each new day. Memories are a treasure! So . . . in the hustle, bustle of the season, be sure and take time to make some, 'cause they are what truly lasts.

Merry Christmas To You! Jan.

Happy Holidays!

Hi Everyone....

I can't believe it's December.....what a great year it has been! Just wanted to take a quick minute and tell you all thanks....for taking part on the blog, however large or small your part or even if you are simply a viewer right now...Thanks! I'm always so excited to see a new post and of course pictures are a bonus, that has been fun for everybody.

We've been busy around here getting ready for the holidays and for Nate's 'last days'.....lots to do! You are all invited to come for the farewell on Sudnay, the 16th of December at 9:00. I know it's early, but try as I might....they wouldn't change that for us! Ü We will of course have lunch for everyone, (but we aren't planning to stay for the whole block).

Aside from those plans.....we had a great time at Mom's for Thanksgiving dinner....lots of people and lots of great food! Lani and the kids and Jer and Lisa and their little ones came to our house the day after and made Gingerbread Houses (mansions that were too big to get out our front door by the time they were finished....huh Jer?!) and of course memories! There is a lot going on this month for everybody....but surprise visits are always welcome and fun to make so maybe we'll get to see you before the end of the year!

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1147216160

Lots of love to all,

Mike, Charlene, Nate and Sean

Thanksgiving

Hey all -
I just wanted to take a minute and express my gratitude to each of you for being my family. I know we can't all me together tomorrow or get that opportunity very often but know that my love and appreciation goes out to you all. You all mean so much to LaBretta and I and our kids. We are so lucky to be who we are as a family and have each other. Even with all the problems we have in the world we have so much good in our lives too. A friend sent me the following link ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmHgwjXlsPY ) . Although it is kind of sobering it reminded me that there are many men and women that have sacrificed (and continue to sacrifice) much for the freedoms we all enjoy and many of the reasons I am thankful this time of year; and that many of them won't get the opportunity to be with their families tomorrow. Lets be thankful for what we have and enjoy tomorrow as well as the other 364 days. - Ryan

Another day @ the office

Hey all -
I thought I would try and post something here - thanks to Charlene for getting this up and going and I know that I speak for others when I say that even though I don't post often (ok, never before this) that I enjoy reading about what everyone else has got cooking. By the by - in case you didn't hear, the Blackfoot Broncos beat the Nampa Bulldogs 46-14 to become the Idaho State 4A Champs - it was good time right Sis?! I was over near Mackay earlier this summer for some field work and snapped some pics in Sparr Canyon - familiar anyone?? Anyway here they are - take care - see (some of you) on turkey day and the rest of yous guys take care and get here when you can. --- Ryan

Winner of the Costume Contest!

I waited and waited and waited and then waited some more for your votes!! What happened to you guys? Ü

There were some really wonderful costumes this year....everything from angels to devils.....I ended up putting all the names in a hat and drew out a winner! Easton wins this year with his interpretation of Cap'n Jack Sparrow as a Pirate of The Carribean! Congrats Easton!

Everyone had great costumes, thanks for sharing! Easton wins a weekend at Mimi and Papa's house and all the surprises that go with that! That way we all win!!! Thanks again everyone, it was fun!

loves, Char/ Mum/ Mimi

If A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, How Much Are These Worth?...

Hey there everyone! I can finally get to the right page to get this done!! I must be more "Internet Challanged" than I thought. It's been a busy couple of months...I have managed to get some of the events on camera, and others will eventually become a blur. Since school started back up, the girls are loving it, Whitney wishes she could go all week but still enjoys a few days at home to remind Easton of the "pecking order" in our coop! I thought I would get so much more done with another one in school, but it seems that all I did was lose one of Easton's entertainers, now I'm all that's left.

MaKenna turned 8 in Septembershe had a little party with her friends from school and some of the neighbor girls. Her baptism was really nice. Thanks to everyone that came, she was so excited!

Spending the day with Nate and the fam at the temple sure was nice! We really do miss him, (Lisa can attest to this), it seems they really do become part of your household and you know when they are not there.

We did a Halloween party and had about a dozen or so couples come. It was really fun! We had everyone bring an appetizer, did a pumpkin carving contest ( I was amazed at what they did in the 30 minute time limit), and the Not-So-Newlywed Game. Nobody blew it bad enough to have to use our spare bedroom! People out here don't really do get-togethers very often, so when they find out I've got an itch to party, we usually have a great turn out! (We've added our entries for the contest!)

Easton had his 4th Bday. I can't believe my baby is 4! He is such a great little boy and we really enjoy him! I think that about puts you up to date, next time it won't be so long..now that I can do this the easy way! We'll see you soon!Lanilou

Not All Who Wander Are Lost!

Hey All - I just got pics from Melissa's backpacking trip on the John Muir trail (220 miles) back in August. She and a g'friend did it in about 12 days. It is a small piece of the PCT (Pacific Coast Trail) which is 2,600 miles and runs from Mexico to approx 9 miles over the Canadian border. So ~~ here is our little adverturer in all her glory. Jan

You Asked For It!

Okay -- I'm participating in the costume contest. Melissa was quite unsure if this one of her should be published or not, but hey, I'm just glad it IS a costume for her. Happy Hallows Eve ~~ Jan.

happy halloween!

it's almost here....oooohh.

i know some of you really love halloween, i'm not one of those, but ~~ i do love fall, the leaves and the chill, the smell of a potato field, longer evenings and big harvest moon (and have ya seen those sunsets?!) there is so much to be thankful for, we are just so blessed here in idaho.

i have a great idea! lets have a costume contest!! the winner will win something fabulous, send your pictures into the blog and we'll vote in the comments! waiting for those pictures NOW.....that means everyone, except me (because i so love this holiday! LOL) but i do know a good costume when i see one!

sean dressed up for the multi-stake dance, 50s ~~ he humored me and let mom take a pic.

loves, char

Hi from Home!

Thanks for getting this blog up and running, Charlene. We all can do this -- just takes a minute.

We surely enjoyed being in the Temple last week with Nate and Aunt Georgia. A very special time. Thanks for posting the photo last week, Char -- of you, Mike, and Nate.

TGIF -- This has been quite a week! I got tulip and crocus bulbs in the ground and cleaned up some of the yard early in the week. Fun! Today Stan Stewart is coming to fix our cook stove, our dryer, and our dishwasher; they pumped out the septic tank yesterday; and today, Cushman is coming to see what's wrong with the water pump. But it's all ok. We are philosofical and resourceful and can laugh at 'things' -- y'know.

We miss you all -- holidays are fast approaching -- please let us know if you will be coming for Thanksgiving so we can plan for the group. So far we have heard from Charlene & Mike, Jan & Melissa, and Ryan & LaBretta.

The year has zipped away . . .

Laverle George passed away . . . went to the funeral yesterday.

Merle Eskelson has sold her home and moved to 'assisted living' -- she feels really good about the move.

Carter and Angie Palmer have adopted a little baby boy ( Braylin ).

Bonnie Hebdon fell again and keeps having setbacks. It is really hard on Arlie too, though he tries to be helpful. Cindy just keeps on patiently doing what needs to be done.

Dad was visiting the other day with Dave Hatch (97 years old) out in his garden -- he's doing well; we see Loah and Barrett go back and forth at least once a day and sometimes more often.

Gotta go -- doing a painting project! Big one.

Love to all, Mom and Dad

Welcome to the New Blog

Hi everyone...this should be a simpler way to access the blog.....at least I hope so. I've emailed you all the same sign on and password so that you can all use the same one without having to create a Google account. Please let me know if you have any problems logging on etc. There will be one little change about posting....be sure to sign your post as it will not automatically do that for you anymore.

The other blog will still be up and going for another couple of days if you want to print anything from that one. Meanwhile....be careful out there and take a minute to drop a line.

Love to all,

Ü Char