My Journey To Bethlehem - Advent Calendar

The finished Project

One of the envelopes

The Envelopes Side by Side

One of the Letters

I've wanted to make a 12 days of Christmas Advent Calendar for some time. I decided to make one and mail it to the missionaries serving from our ward. It helps that two out of the three missionaries are girls. I decided not to do 12 days but 8. When I make my own, I will do 12. I titled it, "My Journey to Bethlehem". Each envelope represents a day and each day there is something for you to do that will help you think of the Savior or act as the Savior would act.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Paige

Chloe's New Room

I have been trying to re-do Chloe's room for months now and nothing seemed to be working. My mom came to visit for a few days and it just fell into place. I love how it turned out. We used all her old furniture and made purchases from consignment shops, Wal-mart, TJ Maxx/Marshall's and Tai Pan. A very cost effective re-do.

Shelby is BYU-Provo Bound

We just found out on Tuesday 2/16/10, that Shelby was accepted to BYU-Provo. She is so excited and wishes that she was there now. A small drawback is that she has to go Summer Term. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but Summer Term starts before she graduates from high school. She will miss the first few days of school. Of course we are resilient and will work it out. GO COUGARS!

I've only just begun!

It took me two years and my friend Paula to help me set up my blog. Maybe I'll go home and find a picture.

Fall Foilage Cruise

Fall Foilage Cruise

Every once in a while Scott earns a trip through work and every once in a while I will say "Yes" I would like to take that trip. Since 9-11, I have not said yes very often. The conditions were right however and I decided since I needed a break and, it was still in the United States, that I would love to go. I'm so glad I did. This was one of the most relaxing, fun trips I have been on. I would recommend this to anyone. The places we visited were Boston Massachuttes, Bar Harbor Maine, Portland Maine, and Novia Scotia.

Novia Scotia

I loved Novia Scotia. The people were friendly and the scenery breathtaking. We hired a taxi that took us on a tour of the city and then drove us out to the quaint fishing village, Peggy's Cove. The most enjoyable part about the trip was finding an Island that we want to buy and live on.

Titanic Cemetary

Peggy's Cove-Lighthouse

The Island we want to buy and live on

Breathtaking Scenery

Bar Harbor

What we loved about Bar Harbor was the quaint houses and quaint town. We walked through town and found beautiful houses on the outskirts. We had great lobster at a place called Galen's. Our favorite find was a store called Fiore. They sold olive oils and balsamic vinegars. They had the store set up like a tasting table. I tasted every oil and vinegar in the store. We purchased over 8 bottles and had them shipped home. Our favorite combination was Blood Orange olive oil and Strawberry balsamic vinegar.

Cute, quaint town

Scott eating lobster at Galen's

Our favorite Store: Fiore

Portland Maine

While in Portland, Maine we spent most of our time on a little Island called House Island. It was privately owned by a family that had roots going back over 100 years. On the Island were a few houses and an old military fort called Fort Schemmel. We toured the fort, walked the beaches, at lobster and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I could have spent a few days just on this small Island. Very peaceful.

The "Sand" on House Island

Our Lobster Bake

Entrance to courtyard of the Fort

One small side of the Fort

Lobster Bouys

Boston

Our cruise left out of Boston. We had a day to tour the city. Scott and I decided to walk along the Freedom Trail. We didn't realize it would take the most part of the day but we sure did enjoy the history and scenery. These are just a few pictures we took while in Boston.

North Church

In the Boston Cememtary

I think this is John Hancock's headstone?

Me in the cemetary. We saw Paul Revere's headstone and

Mother Goose's Headstone

Scott and I LOVE old cemetaries. Besides Ireland, this

one was one of our favorites. Headstones going back to

the early 1700's

Chase in the Mission Field

Here are a few pictures Chase sent from the mission field. He was in a threesome companionship for a while. He is currently serving in Petersburg, VA. We laugh because he has already given a talk and played the piano in sacrament meeting. He said that he played so bad that all the members said it would be one of the most memorable sacrament meeting. He started the opening song and goofed up so bad he stopped and said he needed to start over. I'm sure the chorister loved him for that one. I had to tell him "I told you so" because we have been telling him since he was 8 years old that he would have to play the piano on his mission.

Wakefield District
Chase's two companions - Elder Gaunt and Elder Smith

First night in the Mission Home 10/07/09

Chase in the MTC

Chase recently sent a few pictures he took while in the MTC. He loved his experience there and from the looks of things, had a great time. He was met by a former ward member, Elder Ian Cassaro. Ian was heading to Montana to serve his mission. Chase also met Elder Josh Vega there. Josh and Chase were long time friends and had gone to preschool together. It was fun to see them "all grown up". I think Josh was heading to Texas. Chase's companion got swine flu. Chase and his district had to take Tamaflu. All went well for Chase and he didn't get sick. His companion had to stay behind a week to recover.

Chase and his MTC teacher trading "ugly" ties.

Chase with all his district's badges on

Chase with friend - Elder Josh Vega

Matrix Elders

Chase's MTC Zone in front of the Provo Temple

I made him take a picture pointing to Virginia

Chase with companion - Elder Kimball

Chase with other Elders in front of Provo Temple