The Holidays

We have had some fun times during the holidays and below is just a few pictures of those times. I wish I could put them all on here.

First of all, my son in law, Jarom, graduated from the P.O.S.T. Police Academy over in Boise on December 12th. Cliff and I went over with Linsey for the graduation. It was very impressive. There were men from all over Idaho who went through the academy and they each were wearing their own uniforms from their county. It was impressive to see them all march in and to watch them take their oath. Jarom received the award for "Sharpshooter". He had the third highest score (99) out of 45 men. The two higher than him were very close to him at (99.5or6) He did awesome.

Here is Jarom receiving his graduation certificate and award.

Here is Jarom and Linsey after the graduation.

Every year for the past 30 years our family has gone out to the cemetery, where my brother is buried to remember him and to sing Christmas Carols. We put a little Christmas tree on his grave each time. I know it may sound odd to sing Carols in a cemetery, but honestly there is always such a special feeling and spirit there each time we go. Some years it is very cold and some years there is no snow. This year, there was alot of snow, but it was a very nice evening and not real cold and it is so quiet out there that our voices sound great in the quiet of the night.This year we didn't have as many of us there because Mother has joined David (so we were singing to her as well this year) and Cheryl, Doug, Jordan, and Mekelle were spending Christmas in the Cook Islands. That is where Doug served his mission. We hope they had a great time!

For the past 30 years we have just had David out there, but this year we have added two more. Mother and our first little grandson, Cameron Clifford (who didn't get the chance to experience this earthly life)

This is Katie and Cameron's little girl, Amanda. She is sitting in front of the little Christmas tree.

Here is those of us that made it this year. We didn't get mother's headstone in yet, or little Cameron's, but the wreath on the right is where Mother is and little Cameron is a little below that and to the right. I am taking the picture.

My granddaughters love to play with the little ice skating rink that is under my tree upstairs with my christmas village. This is Jenna and Amanda under the tree.

This is Christmas Eve at my home this year. We had dinner and then read the Christmas Story from Luke with music inbetween the verses.

Here is dinner time. I guess some times I should have someone else take the

picture. When I am gone, there will be no pictures of me, because I am always the

one behind the camera. Ha-ha!

This is Morgan. Everyone is gone home now, except Cliff, Morgan and me. The girls get pajamas every Christmas Eve and she is the only one left to get them. She doesn't like getting the tops, just the bottoms, so that makes it a little easier for me. She's a poser.

This is Christmas morning and as you can tell, this is one of her favorites. I have to admit....I have read the books and seen the movie and they are awesome.

Cliff just wonders and ponders about the whole thing.

Here is Morgan with all her Christmas stuff. I think she made out pretty well this year. I don't think she is too anxious to get married because then Santa might not be so generous for a while.

This is the front of our home with all the Christmas lights. You can't see the tree in the window very well from this angle. I love the Christmas lights and so I like to decorate my home every year. It is one of my favorite things. The bright light below the window at the left is Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. It's hard to see them. We all had a great Christmas and hope that each of you did as well.

Yesterday, December 28th, our little granddaughter Meg Jaylene was blessed by her father.

It was very nice and here are a couple of pictures of her.

If you want to see some really cute pictures of her, check out my daughter, Kelsey's new photo blog. She is starting to get into photography and these are some of her first pictures. She started a photo blog and I think it is http://www.krileyphotos.blogspot.com/ They are awesome.

Kelsey and Dan's new little girl, London Mekelle, is being blessed next Sunday, on Jan. 4th. so I will have to put up her pictures next week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!