Christmas Time!

I think my parents had a fun-filled Christmas..
How could you not with children around?!
Rebecca and her family got here on Christmas Eve. 
The noise level went up.. and the fun began!
Tian loved riding around with G-Pa's (Dad) walker, and they thought it was fun to try out the extended toilet seat!
We played games, ate too much food, watched more Hallmark and other Christmas specials, and yes, continued to exercise!
Mom has taken over my pedometer, wears it everyday trying to walk more each day! (Here is a picture of the chart. At the end of the day she faithfully has me read the mileage.. small print!)

Dad spends time on the bike and makes sure I jot down his mileage and time as well. What? I never knew my parents were so competitive!

I'll post some pictures below, and give a little explanation.

 Marshall & Kory surprised Mom and Dad and came for the weekend before Christmas.. the second surprise was Marshall singing at church.                     "Oh Holy Night" has never been sung better!

What a surprise Dad got, when he looked up to see who was in the Ranger sitting by Derek! 

Mom gets a little nervous watching the boys jumping so high!  Mom and Dad watch from the window!

A fun game we got for Christmas.  Dad was a little bored, but the rest of us had fun!

All week Trey was a little hoarse.. but Sunday, right before church wanted to play a song for G-G and G-Pa.  (Look how beautiful Mom's purple shirt looks on her) 

 

 

 Justin had to take the picture.. sorry, we should have gotten him and Tian in the picture, but Tian had already left for church with Bob and Derek.

Keeping up with my parent's tradition.. I have stapled their Christmas cards on ribbons on their closet.  I snuck in there today to get a picture of it!  They love looking at all the notes and pictures from their friends and family!

Last night  Oregon played against Texas.  I asked Mom who she was rooting for, she said, "Well, I guess I better root for Oregon!"  Hip Hip Hooray, they won.. Maybe that was a good sign.

SURPRISE!!!!

We've been so excitedly waiting for a big surprise for mom and dad.
This is how we did it...
Daily, Bob and Derek go out and get the Ranger, bring it to the garage and load dad into it.  While they are doing that, mom and I get dad out to the garage and put all his warm clothes on him.  Well, today we started the routine... and guess who was in the Ranger... Marshall!  It took a minute for dad to look up and see him, but WOW.. what a big surprise!  Because Marshall had a hood on, Mom couldn't really see him at first.. But when she did, she joined with dad and were both so excited!  Kory then slipped out from the freezing shop to watch the fun reunion!  Now we are ready for a  weekend with Marshall and Kory!
(Because everyone is in bed.. I am going to hurry and post pictures from our busy couple of weeks!  A little explanation along with the pictures)

 Derek overheard Bob and I talk about the surprise.. we didn't think he heard.. He almost gave it away twice today!

Thanks Marshall and Kory for making the drive!!! 
Can't wait for the Sunday surprise as well!


Mom is wearing my pedometer these days. She is just curious to see how far she walks during the day.  Yesterday it was 4.25 miles.. Yup.. It started with our family, who along with 2 other families were assigned to clean the church, then we went to an Elementary School Music Program, and then at night we went to the High School Christmas Program.  Dad got pushed a lot.. mom walked a ton!
Dad continues to ride the stationary bike.  He averages 2.5 miles a day. 
Go Dad!

Mom brought from home, many of her knitted hats.  Tuesday on our way to Sisters we took them to the tree at the library.  Each year they collect hats, scarves and gloves for those in need.  (I need to take mom with us so she can see all of them)

We've heard the temperatures in Utah have been cold, with a ton of snow.  Well, we got a little snow (Mom says the snow is different than Utah snow.. dad says it sparkles), and we've had cold days!  First thing in the morning, mom checks the temperature!  

 

It doesn't matter to Dad what the temperature is, or how snowy it is, he continues to want to go out with Bob and Derek to check on his "girls" (Cows) and make sure they are fed and the ice gets broken.

This picture was taken on a late afternoon feeding.  Can't remember what we were doing, but it was around 5:00.  Dad loved the lights from the Ranger shining on the sparkling snow!

 

As we drove home from the ward Christmas party.. it was -11.. yup, you read that right!

Got to love Santa and his elf!

 

Did you all love the Sound of Music with Carrie Underwood? Looks like I got this when Mom was resting her eyes, but Dad loved it.  They especially enjoyed the "making of the Sound of Music" program that was on a couple of days before the big performance.

Along with that, we got a copy of the Boy Scouts of America 100 year celebration.  That was spectacular! 

 

Our friend Phyllis took mom to her church's Senior luncheon.  Phyllis is so good to my parents.  Mom had a great time, yummy food, and fun games and music!  Thanks Phyllis!

Mom and dad are getting gifts already and it's not even Christmas.  Mom doesn't know which Garrett sent her this awesome, beautiful box of soups.  Will the real "Sneak" come forward?!  Thank you!  We can't wait to try them!

Well, I want to join the rest of the family.. sleeping!  So I will close this little post, and say goodnight! 

They love getting phone calls, and (if it wasn't dark in their room I'd go take a picture) hanging your Christmas Cards up on their closet!  Thanks for keeping in touch.  Mom misses Utah (Thanks Gina for sending the inversion report, and Dee and Donna about the snow and cold temperatures there), and all her friends!  But we are trying our best to make our home, HOME to them!