Spence & Gayle's Family Blog: December 2011

Some More December Memories

Here are various shots downloaded from our other camera, and one from Gayle's android phone, that capture more of our December experiences.

Avril and McKel, enjoying some time together when Alicia took them with her for a visit up in Montana.

Ali and Avril in Montana.

Since Alicia and the girls were gone on the 25th, we celebrated part of our Christmas with them on the 26th.

Gayle and McKel, sharing the excitement.

A recent, random shot of McKel (from up in Montana).

Avril really liked opening stuff.

Ali and Avril sharing some Christmas fun.

McKel, playing with one of two toy phones she got! I'm sporting the two macaroni necklaces I got from the two girls.

The living room rug was the perfect place for opening gifts.

Santa even brought a fun game that both girls can play.

Finally, here is a wintery shot from Gayle's phone taken at night, earlier in the season after a brief snowfall (it has been very dry lately, without a good snow for several weeks).

In addition to the usual company and ward parties this year, we also held a family get together down at Chuck-a-Rama to celebrate both McKel's and Alicia's December birthdays. Here are Avril, Alicia, and McKel.

Some of those at the table - We love being able to have Tracine's dad, Lee Hales, join in the events too. Jared, and Adrian & family were there too.

Brittney, Arleen, and Adrian.

Us. I had just begun sprouting some holiday season whiskers. Jared has a head start.

Alicia, sporting some new duck feet pajamas! Nice and warm.

McKel posing on the decorative rocking horse (not to really be ridden).

Ali and McKel.

The grandparents.

On Friday, the 23rd, Trish, Kelly, Olivia and boys were able to come up, so we got together for some preliminary Christmas celebrating up at Grandma Joyce's (and Grandpa Spencer's).

Kelly, Trish, and Olivia.

Grandma Joyce and grandpa Spencer - terrific hosts.

Tracine, Sam, and Spencer Lee came over but Robert wasn't back from Illinois until the next evening.

Arleen and Parker. Adrian and George. And Brit with Edison.

Jared's baby handling services were required also.

We gathered for some early present opening while Trish el al. were there.

Jared and Gayle, with the bright snow and sunlight from the backyard behind them.

Julie (Susan's daughter) came up from her duties as an Engineering prof. at BYU for some festivities on Saturday. What would Christmas be without some caroling around the piano?

Julie had invited Brit to come up early so they could hit the volleyball around in the backyard. The cold didn't seem to bother Brit, playing in a sleeveless top and having moved from Azusa, California just a few months ago! Sam was helping with the volleyball practicing too.

This could be the same pose as on almost any Christmas day, or other big family breakfast (although this was a Christmas eve meal) except that this year I'm letting the whiskers go. The beard was much more visible when it was a mixture of reddish-brown and blond (last time I grew one was about 14 yrs. ago). Now it's mostly grey and white. I enjoy the kitchen duty, especially if it's just flipping pancakes.

Robert, back to Zion from Zion. Explanation: he is working in a place called Zion, Illinois. Utah is known in some cases as Zion (or his home ward and stake, for that matter). So he has returned to Zion, having come from Zion. Tracine is beaming to have him home.

Gayle's Trip to Georgia for Beth's Services

Over Thanksgiving 2011, Gayle's younger sister, Beth, passed away from complications incident to neurofibromatosis. Gayle flew back to Georgia to be with family and attend Beth's services. Here is a photo of Gayle and Beth together in October of 2010 in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Beth and Gayle in 2010.

David, Katie, and their new addition, Blythe. David is son of Richard and Rosemarie (Gayle's sister).

Two of Gayle's three step-brothers (Kenneth passed away a few years ago). This is Wendell and Guy. Wendell lives with his family in Florida, and Guy and Jean live up in Tennessee.