MERRY CHRISTMAS

For the eve we went to Daniel & Jeanne's for prime rib, presents, and memorable family time. Zach and Jared had the most fun by pushing Caleb and watching him plow head-first into the carpet...Hey boys! Santa brought that tonka truck for Caleb not you! Then on Christmas day we braved the nasty roads to Idaho Falls and had a yummy breakfast at Wendy's house (Jared's mom). After perseverance, patience, and sorting out the wrong phone number, we got a hold of Jared's brother, Matt, serving a mission in Ecuador. It was just fun to joke with Matt and hear about the culture he's saturated in. It was also impressive to hear him bear his testimony in spanish and the love he has for the Lord, the people, and the work he is doing. Next came the games, pictionary, with Uncle Ron, Aunt Linda, & Tyler. I was laughing so hard at artistic and guessing abilities of our crew! Needless to say the team with lightning sketch Mary, random guess Linda, and mindreading Krysten won both rounds! Finish the day watching the new batman movie, Dark Knight, and you have a merry christmas! It was a fun day and we are so lucky to have Jared's family to spend the holidays with!

Jared modeling the hat and belt buckle Christopher & Rachie sent him, which he loves!

Caleb & his mom opening presents

Uncle Zach pushing Caleb backwards

The four of us after we talked to Matt

The Merry Christmas crew at Linda's

Fudge, Pretzels, and Calories Oh My!

Mary had Tuesday off and we decided to take the opportunity to start a Morris girl's Christmas tradition...make a delicious treat for the holidays. We agreed on fudge and pretzels. We definitely got plenty of supplies and could have supplied the army with goodies. It took all day to individually hand dip each pretzel, but boy was it worth it in the end. After making plates to give-away we still had plenty to enjoy. Jared back away from my fudge! I'm eating for two and that means 2/3 of those chocolate delicacies are mine!!! Grrr!

Mary and Jeanne getting a start on those pretzels

...still dipping the 2 lbs of pretzels we bought

This is ONLY 1/2 of the fudge/pretzels we made!

Happy Birthday Jeanne!

Feliz Cumpleanos is how they say it at Gringo's...well actually they shake their maracas, clap, sing, and then plop a big sombrero on your head. And last night we surprised Jeanne for her birthday. It was great! You can tell in the picture that she just loves that sombrero, but don't feel sorry for her cause she got some yummy fried ice cream, plus she made the employees of Wendy's stop what they were doing and sing to Jared on his birthday! Thanks for all you do for us Jeanne...now let's see...who's birthday is next?!

While waiting for the birthday girl Caleb entertained himself and us with the balloons. He'd grab the strings tight and then fling his arms rapidly in every direction. Infact he hit his mom with the balloons a couple of times and almost wounded innocent bystanders walking behind him, but it was still so funny!

I love this picture because you can see someone's little hands trying to take the sombrero

Caleb and Jeanne

Caleb finally got his chance to model the sombrero

My Idahoan Paul Bunyan

Don't give Jared a saw because he turns into a tree monkey! That's right! We cut down a Christmas tree earlier today. We couldn't find one that fit our criteria until Jared spotted the perfect tree...top. In just mere seconds he scurried up the branches, sawed away, and then timber! Then as we were heading back to the truck Jared whipped out his pistol like a western gun slinger and shouted, "There's a den!", which was within pouncing distance of where I was standing. That's all I needed to light the fire under my heels. Jared wanted to investigate what kind of critter lived there, but I couldn't care less. Why don't I ever have my bear spray when I need it!?

Where's Waldo?

Jared makes this look good with his chilean alpaca hat

What score would you give that dismount judges?

Here we are and I couldn't be happier because warmth and saftey are just inches away!

Amigos

On our drive home from Washington we stopped in Boise and met up with Franc Romero, Jared's last companion in Chile on his mission, who he hadn't seen for 7 years. They chattered in spanish and reminisced on experiences they shared. Franc was so nice and I loved hearing what he thought of Jared and Chile. He had some "special" memories of Elder Morris that Jared never mentioned...wonder why? After we started home again Jared couldn't stop talking about how much he loved Chile and Elder Romero. I am so grateful that Jared served an honorable mission and for the things his companions taught him along the way.