Christmas Talk 2012

I was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting, on December 23rd, two days before Christmas.

For all the last minute shoppers, I shared my Christmas Gift list.

Every one can give these gifts, no matter their budget.

And everyone loves to receive them--all year round.

Christmastime 2012

A few photos of some of the nice Christmas Time activities around 39 Calle Cabrillo.

Truly we are very blessed.

 The week before Christmas, Erik Larsen conducts a 6-Scout Eagle Court of Honor.

I worked with three of these scouts, mostly when they were younger.

 "P-Dog" on Christmas Morning.

She's wants to open her presents: a new food and water dish.

 Stephen Davis models the "Assassin's Creed" hoodie look--from the video game.

Daaaaad--don't take this picture!

 Robyn, multitasking.

Checking on Christmas brunch, in the oven, while talking to her Mom Joyce (who is visiting family in New York)

 Christmas Tree lights.

 Sleepy boys on Christmas Morning.

Austin and Rachel will arrive shortly.

 Christian takes a break from photographing all the present-opening activity.

 Great Grandma Marion with Grandson Dylan.

 Bennett peeking through Grandpa Jeff's knees.

 A few days after Christmas,

a large Cooper's Hawk perches on our backyard fence,

as Ryan and I are eating breakfast.

Impromptu Musical Group

at our extended-family gathering on12/29

We had 32 family members join us, and all of GG Marion's and GG Steve's great grandchildren were present.

As soon as I get some photos, I'll post them.

Love to all the family, and thanks to Heavenly Father for these and all blessings.

December visit to see Mom and Dad

In December Robyn and I had a nice visit with Mom and Dad in PV. Dad is getting stronger after his heart surgery.

 When my friend saw this he said---"Look how handsome your Dad is--he still has all his hair"

 Mom is so great, helping us all out.

Mom and Dad's "favorite" daughter.

Doheny Beach Campout October 2012

We had a multi-family campout Friday-Sat (October 26-27) at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.
I need some pictures. I will post more as soon as I get them.

Thanksgiving Hike 2012 at Whiting Ranch

We started Thanksgiving Morning with a hike up Whiting Ranch to the bridge.

Austin and Rachel were running the Turkey Trot when this was taken!

Happiness Is... Klompen and Grandkids

 Klomping around the house

With our Dutch wooden klompen on a Christmastime Saturday morning

Grandsons Bennett and Dylan

Tennessee Trip October 2012

Robyn and I enjoyed a week trip to Tennessee, stopping on the way to see Grandma Joyce in Bountiful, UT and an Italy Padova Mission Reunion in Salt Lake City on Conference Sunday.

Robyn and Jeff at the hotel Cookeville, TN, up the road from Sparta,

ready to start our adventure.

Meeting Charles Dodson, Robyn's distant cousin, in Sparta, TN.

Charles has his ATV ready to take us up the old road to the Davis Cemetery, between the area known as "Big Bottom" and Scott's Gulf.

Meeting our friendly and expert guides

from the TN Department of Wildlife Resources, ready to head up the road.

Robyn, Charles Dodson, Paul Stochman, and James Douglas.

After a 2+ mile ride, we arrive at the Davis Cemetery. Its marked by a trail sign.

 Viewing the graves.

The "tent graves"  with their peculiar inverted "V" slabs

 are unique to the Cumberland Plateau area in TN.

E. Davis grave.

Another family grave.

Walking along the Cemetery.

Notice how beautifully the State of Tennessee, under the direction of area manager James Douglas, maintains the remote graves and cemetery,

 keeping the grass mowed, and site pristine.

THANK YOU!

 Returning to civilization. The river rose to nearly 2 feet, from underground flows.

James guided us to family homesites, other nearly forgotten graves, the old school site, etc.

It was a fantastic trip.

Visiting  another family-related church and cemetery site in the area.

James Davis, original pioneer in the area, buried here.

Modern marker honoring James Davis' service.

Charles took us to another area cemetery, dating from 1811 and still used today.

After much hunting, we located the grave site of Asa Frasier.

This is a modern stone on an old grave.

 Later in our trip, we visited The Homestead,

President Andrew Jackson's home outside of Nashville TN.

Weird coincidence: a 19th century "Marion Adams" 

gravestone in the Andrew Jackson family cemetery at The Homestead.

We didn't know there was another person with Grandma Marion's name, born appx. 100 years earlier in TN, not related as far as we know.

We went to three different country music shows while in Nashville:

Music City Roots, Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry.

Lots of fun; trip of a lifetime.