January and February 2015

Some of the Muncy family visited us in early January.

 Elizabeth, Stephanie, Jared (Steph's husband), David, and Chris Muncy, snacking around the game table.

Nancy and Brandon Muncy, mom, and I seem to be appreciating a humorous comment.


Bishop Auga was called in early January, with Patrick Neary and I as counselors in the Lundstrom Park 3rd ward.

Avril got stuck in a seat belt malfunction and had to be extricated by officers in SLC during January.  Here she awaits patiently and calmly as they fix the problem.

Ali and girls re-located to U of U's student housing in January.  Here the girls play in their new surroundings even before all the furniture is in.

 Lots of playground stuff at the new place.

 McKel, exploring playground items.

 Avril, a budding botanist, gathered tree pods to study.

 McKel, cooking up a sand dinner.

 Avril had to transfer to a new kindergarten with this move.  Attending requires catching a bus to go to the school.  She waits with her Saudi Arabian friends (behind her) at one of their apartments each morning and then walks with them to the stop.

Gayle has been a volunteer for CAPSA (Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Assault) for several months, and has been in charge of the candy fund raiser for awhile.  She has also served on the CAPSA advisory board.

 A Frozen outfit for McKel.

Avril's awesome Frozen outfit.

 Winter was so mild and snowless that we were able to take Avril, McKel, Alicia, and some of the girls' friends to the Hogle Zoo in February.  We pulled them in their big red wagon.

The carousel was fun, as usual.  Alicia's talking to McKel as she turns from helping Avril (out of view).

 In February Avril celebrated her 6th birthday!  Here she wears her Frozen (Elsa) outfit as she checks out her new bicycle!

What a cute girl!

 McKel loves the swings.  She can pump herself, but loves to be pushed by Papa.

 Avril had a birthday party at the daycare center rec room.  Alicia hosted and ran several games, including this balloon game.

These girls await their turn at hitting their balloons.  McKel loved it, in spite of her sober look here.

Christmas 2014

If you look back several postings, to mid-year 2014, you'll find a Rockwell Relay post that I just added, almost 1 year later.  We're catching up big time after an extremely busy year or so.  Here are memories from last Christmas.

 Alicia's birthday is Dec. 21st, so we start with a shot from her visit during her birthday.  Her daughters sure love her!

Gayle, as is customary, directed all decorating efforts.  Here she stands among some of her results.

 It's great to have some of our family members so close.  Here are Robert and Tracine.

 Brit, Arleen (dressed for work), and Adrian enjoyed time with the group.

 Jared came to participate in the Christmas activities as well.

 Brian, Robert's middle son, was in town for the event, while mom holds a notebook to record gift information if necessary.
 
 Trying on a Christmas cap.

 Enjoying one another's presence as we open presents (play on words).

 Educational games are the best!  Having fun learning with Nana.

 The only really significant snow we had all winter was on Christmas Day.  Great time to play on the deer.

 The berm in winter.

 Snow shoveled piles are fun to play in too.

 Papa pulled the sisters on a sled that dates back, I think, to our days in Annapolis, or at least to our earliest days in Logan in the mid-60's.

The Andruses. Bret was able to be here as well.

 Must have been the 26th or so.  Different clothes but same time frame, and holding a present (the shaving cream tube...although McKel is a present too!).

A family gathering around Christmastime, to which Joni, BJ, and family were able to come.

Thanksgiving / Christmas Decorating 2014

What a great time of year!  Here are some memories around our giant Thanksgiving event last week, and some Christmas decorating done just yesterday (Dec. 5th).

 Three long portable banquet tables were just right to hold the 20+ revelers of Thanksgiving.  The overflow table in the back right corner did not need to be used, partly because a couple of our feasters came a bit later and space opened up at the main table.  The dining room table to the right became a serving table.

 The two responsible for making the celebration a huge success - at work before the crowds.

 Jared and Amy demonstrating how some of the serving was done.

 Some of the crowd at the west end of the table.  Note that Arleen was already in uniform for her work shift at Sizzler's immediately following our get-together.

 Some of the group in various stages of getting their food or milling around at the start.

 One angle of the crowd.  Sorry you can't see, but Brittney also was there and brought a friend, Eric, to participate in the festivities.  Afterward they were slotted to visit another Thanksgiving celebration.  They are at the far end on the left, but hidden.

 Julie and Cameron were able to come up and join in before the end.

The Thanksgiving pie selection brought smiles to all!

 Afterward we convened in the living room for a Thanksgiving program.  Here are some of the Crocketts.

 We loved Tracine's recital of her famous "Rindercella" story!

 Gayle and Brian shared a seat.

 I accompanied the group on guitar for two Christmas carols and got to sit next to McKel.

 Jared and Avril hung out together.

 Getting ready to leave.  Courtney, Avril, and McKel had to get in some deer rides.

 Mom and some Crockett girls, with Rudolph (note red light nose) in the foreground.

Gayle also got in a ride.

And in spite of it being late November, it was mild enough to permit swinging, monkey bar, soccer, and tag games in the back yard.  Brian is even in a T-shirt.

 I took the 5th (of December, not of the constitutional amendments) off and Gayle and I were able to have the little ones over for a few hours.  It was sufficient time to get in some Christmas decorating with Grandma Joyce.

 Two tree decorators.

 Hanging ornaments is fun!

Sometimes decorating is tiring, so one just wants to curl up in a comfortable chair and read books!