Thanksgiving, Candalynn's Wedding, Duncan Christmas Party, Cody's Blessing--All in one 4-day Weekend!

Whew--Did we ever have a busy four-day weekend! I don't know if I could survive another one like that. We were so busy that going back to work sounds like a vacation! But, it was one of the best four days I have spent in a long time. First of all, we celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 22, at my mom's house. Those present were Grandma Duncan, Curt, I, Chris, Amanda, Cody, Dave, Kelly, Josh, Athena, Christian, Kaylie, Brice, and Misty. We had a GREAT dinner--turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, fruit salads, sweet potatoes (with a new recipe my mom heard about on a cooking channel), scalloped corn, rolls, olives, pickles, have I missed anything? Anyway, we had a great time.

On Friday, November 23, we were busy most of the day. First of all, Lacey, Amanda, Cody, and I got up at 2 a.m. to go shopping in Provo for the Black Friday sale. (Yes, we were some of the crazy people fighting the crowds.) Amanda got all of her Christmas done--I only bought a couple of things. Lacey was looking for a dress for Candalynn's wedding but never did find one. We shopped at J.C. Penney's first--it opened at 4 a.m. Then we went over to ShopKo to finish. It opened at 5 a.m. Believe it or not, we were home by 8:30 a.m. to get ready for Candalynn's wedding in the temple. What a wonderful place to be with family and friends the day after Thanksgiving! Candalynn's sealing to Drew was so beautiful. It makes you so happy to know that after this life we can all be together again. After the sealing, we went to Ephraim for the luncheon at 1 p.m. Another great gathering of much family and friends. Then, at 6 p.m. we watched the Manti Light Parade and then went to Ephraim for Candalynn's reception.

On Saturday, November 24, we celebrated the Duncan Christmas party. Again, a very wonderful day spent with family. I never did get a chance to get a precise count, but we had over 50 people attend that party. Santa came, we had a nice dinner, opened presents, and cleaned up. Later in the afternoon, we went up 6-mile canyon to get Chris and Amanda a Christmas tree (they had got a tag earlier in the day). We went in two trucks. In Curt's truck there was Curt, me, Cashelle, Madalynn, Audrey, and Thomas (A. J. had tickets for the BYU/Utah game--BYU won at the last minute. We listened to it on the radio.) In Chris's truck there was Chris, Amanda, Cody, Lacey, and Landon. Half of the group hiked to find a tree, the rest of us stayed with the kids (all except Madalynn who went with the hiking group). Later that night we played Cranium at Granny's house.

To top the 4-day weekend off, we were blessed to watch Grandpa Curt give Cody a name and a blessing. We had a light lunch--serving over 30 people from what I could count--after the blessing. He looked so handsome in the blessing outfit that Kathy made for him. It was very nice. Grandpa Curt gave Cody a wonderful blessing. Again, we had family and friends gathered for another special occasion.

When you think about it, what would we ever do without family? We are so blessed to have so many family members so close that we can all share special occasions together. We truly are blessed!

Both great grandmas with the four grandkids after Cody's blessing.
What a beautiful baby boy. We love you, Cody!
Proud Grandpa with a cute bundle of joy.
A proud papa, Chris, with Cody in his blessing outfit that Kathy made.
Madalynn having a discussion with Santa at the Christmas party.
The group surrounding Chris and Amanda's Christmas tree.
Madalynn even got a Christmas tree of her very own!
What a cute little family--Chris, Cody, and Amanda.
Two great grandmas with the newest great grandson.

Lacey trying to convince Thomas to talk to Santa. When Santa came in, Thomas was terrified. He ran for his mom, crying all the way. He didn't like Santa very much. Before Santa left, though, Thomas managed to get a little bit close to him.
Grandma Duncan (Grannie) with Santa.
Curt even got a turn sitting on Santa's lap.
Audrey had to be so patient! She was almost the last one to get to visit with Santa. She had been talking to him off and on the whole time, though.
Cody wasn't very much awake. Next year it will be lots of fun seeing how he'll react to seeing Santa Claus.

Madalynn's Primary Program

Curt and I went to Tooele this weekend to see Madalynn in her primary program for sacrament meeting. She did a great job. She is a super memorizer. She had to memorize a scripture. While we were there, we all went out to the movie, "Fred Claus." It was a really cute movie. We all enjoyed it (even Thomas for a little while). A. J. showed us his bathroom project. He has the shower and toilet installed now. It is really going to be a nice addition to their home. Here is Audrey in her "jammies." She is such a sweetheart.
Here is Madalynn in her "jammies," too. She is just growing up too fast! Curt measured her and Audrey and made a mark on their fridge with a crayon. He said when we come back the next time, if they are taller than that mark on the fridge, they are really going to be in trouble.
And, here is Thomas. He didn't want to get his picture taken. Sunday morning I got him out of his crib. Cashelle was getting the girls' hair done so she asked me to take off his clothes so he could get in the tub. Everything was ok until I got to the diaper. He was standing up as I undid the sides of his diaper. As the diaper fell to the floor, so did his surprise he was holding in the diaper. Cashelle started laughing and had to come and help me get him cleaned off.
The girls were eating some popcorn from the movie before we left for church. I can hardly wait until Thanksgiving weekend. We have everyone coming home for Saturday's Duncan Christmas party and Candalyn's wedding on Friday. It will be fun to have Cashelle, A. J., Madalynn, Audrey, Thomas, Chris, Amanda, Cody, Lacey, and Landon here.

Video of Cody

UEA Weekend--Oct. 27-29

For UEA Weekend, Curt and I decided we needed to get away (for sure) so we spent the weekend traveling and visiting our kids down south. Friday about noon we headed down to Moab to watch the quarterfinal football game--Manti vs. Grand. We lost--we really shouldn't have, but we did. After the game we had reservations in Blanding for the night. The next morning we drove south from Blanding, through Monument Valley (neither one of us had been there before), down into Arizona, up to Page, through Glen Canyon, and back to Cedar City. We didn't get to Cedar City until about 5:00 that afternoon. That night (Saturday) we stayed with Chris and Amanda and Cody. We had such a nice visit with them. Cody is getting SO cute! On Sunday, Chris, Amanda, Lacey, and I made a quick trip to St. George. We got back in time for a barbecue at Lacey and Landon's house with their brand new barbecue. We stayed at Lacey and Landon's on Sunday night and headed back home on Monday. We had Tuesday to recuperate at home before going back to the old grind on Wednesday. It was really nice to get away for a little while. In two weeks we are heading up north to visit Cashelle, A.J., Madalynn, Audrey, and Thomas. Madalynn is in the primary program that weekend. We are really looking forward to seeing our "northern" family! Here I am holding my newest grandson, Cody Curtis Kjar.
This is one of Lacey and Landon's neighbors, a local prairie dog. They inhabit the one whole side of a block down there. I am fascinated with these little critters. Curt definitely thinks I am weird because he says they are one of the biggest pests ever!
Here is Cody in his Halloween costume. His first trick or treating experience.
On the way from Kanab to Cedar City on Highway 14 (I think) we stopped to take a picture of Navajo Lake. It was so hazy from the California fires that the picture really doesn't do it justice. It is beautiful.
Looking on the north side of Glen Canyon Dam--the Lake Powell side. Curt decided to walk across the bridge so I drove across. It is a long way down--you really can't tell from the pictures.
From the east side of Glen Canyon looking west to the visitor's center. Look at how it is built right on the edge of the cliff. By the way, it was here that I almost fell off the edge when I was about 4 years old. If my dad hadn't grabbed my collar, I would have been history.

Looking south from Glen Canyon bridge. Curt took a really nice picture here. It is still hard for you to imagine just how far down the river is--quite a distance.
Here is the Glen Canyon Bridge looking from Page, Arizona.
What a nice silhouette in Monument Valley. There is a scene from Monument Valley in "Forrest Gump" where he is "runn-nnang!"
This is the Mexican Hat rock--the city of Mexican Hat is just a mile or so south of this formation.
Just inside Bluff, Utah, you will see these twin rock towers.