Our New Entertainment Center

For many years we have wanted to get an entertainment center that would fit into the "hole" in our wall next to the fireplace. We took the built-in shelf that was in it for a TV to sit on many years ago. We have had our TV on a funky red dresser for at least 10 years. We now things are different. Here is a before and after view of our new piece of furniture.

Milestones

Our family had two Milestones in the month of December. Christopher (Topher) Nickel had his 8th birthday and was baptized here in Fresno so the whole family could be there. As we have don in the past we got Topher a new set of leather scriptures. We didn’t get any pictures at the baptism as we were so late for the service – we got lost trying to fnd the Butler building. Oh well, Mom was playing the music so they did have to wait for us. Way to go, Topher! The picture was taken at Me-n-Eds after the baptism.

The next day (Dec. 27) Maycee Ranee Givens, grandchild number 11 was blessed. The group called to assist Rob in this probably set a record. It must have looked like a gigantic rugby scrimmage. Maycee is so cute. After Church we all went over to Cody’s grandparents and had a great soup and bread feed.

The Headstone Is Finally In

It doesn't seem possible that Jan has been gone for almost a year now. Over the weekend we heard that the headstone had finally come in. The weather has really been nasty - cold, foggy, light rain. You name it, and we have had it. Well today dawned bright and clear. It even warmed up to a nice 50 or so with a blue sky, so I went out to the cemetery and took some pictures. The stone is simple but very nice. I particularly love the crystal structure of the granite - it is very pretty - though the photos don't do it justice.

Viruses

When I was at the doctor's a month ago he stabbed me in both arms. I got the flu vaccine in one arm and one for pneumonia in the other. I should have taken my laptop in at that time and have him vaccinate it for viruses because that is what happened - my little friend got sick. She caught a virus and was sick in bed for 4 days. I finally had to take her to the computer hospital and they treated her with the most modern medicine available and made her as good as new. In the end I was out some money but didn't lose any data (plus I had backups of everything anyway.) My biggest loss was losing a whole week of missionary service. I have tried to make it up with extra emails over the weekend.

Visiting Sister Jacobs

Sister Darlene Jacobs is the Assistant Mission Leader directly over me. Since she lives in Murietta and Barbara wanted to see Eric Roweton and Jeanine Harrell, who live in the same community, we decided to see if we could visit with Sister Jacobs. The only down side to this mission is that you almost never actually meet in person the people you serve with side by side. We had an enjoyable 2 hour chat before taking off to see Eric and Jeanine. This was our rest day (Sunday) but we did put the miles on the car.

Thanksgiving Means Turkey?

Well this year Thanksgiving meant DISNEYLAND. Just think of it - two straight years of going to Disneyland for the old folks. This year we were smart and didn't do the days consecutively but stuck a day in between (Sunday) were we "rested" by traveling to see friends.

We stayed at our favorite (Embassy Suites) and I treated the family to such a rare sight (eating eggs - an omlet) that a picture had to be taken to memorialize the event. Aimee had never seen her dad eat an egg. Hey, with ham, bacon, onions and cheese in it, I probably ate through a week's worth of fat, and it even tasted OK. With us were Aimee and her family and Maree and her family came for the second day we were at Disneyland. I never did get any pictures of Maree's family but did get some nice ones of the Wards.Here in New Orleans Square while we ate lunch, Maddy and Emma were picked to take part in the entertainment. All in all, it was a fun trip albeit expensive. Oh well, you can't take it with you. Might as well have fun now.

Birthday and Thanksgiving (almost)

We went over to Aimee's house the other evening to celebrate my upcoming birthday with her and the kids. Here is a video of Bennie singing a Thanksgiving song he learned at Pre-School. I had a laid-back birth day. Went to the Dr. and had stitches taken out of my knee, got gas at Costco (wow - paid less than $2.00 for the first time in who knows), got a sprinkler for the yard, went to the gym for an hour and a half, to the bank for $$$ for Disneyland, and did the yard. All before 11 AM. Yes, I have learned to fly. Did my missionary calling from 1 to 5 and then to dinner with Mom. Yes, I know, just oh so exiciting. I thought you would all enjoy knowing how a 40 year old spends his birthday. (I wish 40....) Here is my Bennie Man -